Precision Engineering, Materials & Manufacturing (PEM) – IT Sligo is one of a total of 29 successful projects from across the third level sector to secure funding to assist them in buying world-leading research equipment that will serve the Research and Development needs of Irish industry.
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar recently announced the successful applicants of the Capital Equipment Fund administered by Enterprise Ireland through the Technology Gateway and Technology Centre Programmes.
The PEM Technology Gateway has recently been awarded funding to the value of €225,000 under the Enterprise Ireland 2021 Capital Call for a 5 Axis CNC Milling Machine. This machine will complement and expand the PEM Technology Gateway’s current capabilities in precision machining and materials testing. There is a high demand for precision machining in the Northwest and this machine will be available to help service the needs of manufacturing companies in the region, particularly in the disciplines of Tool Making and Polymer Processing.
A 5 axis machine utilises operations such as milling, drilling, contouring, pockets and tapping to process complex parts which are not possible with traditional machining methods. This piece of equipment will be available to businesses in the region to produce for example one off and test pieces, and for prototyping purposes.
Head of Faculty of Engineering & Design at IT Sligo, Una Parsons welcomed the funding:
“We are delighted to get this funding – building on our strong heritage as the National Training Centre for toolmaking this equipment strengthens our offering to industry supports via our PEM Technology Gateway. There is a high demand for Precision Machining in the Northwest given the amount of manufacturing in the region. The machine will help service the needs of all of these manufacturing companies, particularly the companies with business interests in the disciplines of Tool Making and Polymer Processing.”
The funding will provide with access to critical, leading-edge equipment that will allow researchers to engage in R&D activities, pilot manufacturing capability for new products and process development, enhance technology validation and testing capabilities, test bed generation and enhanced training potential for key industry staff on emerging technologies in collaboration with the technology gateways and technology centres across Ireland.
Dr Russell Macpherson, Gateway Manager for PEM Technology Gateway at IT Sligo said it would be of great benefit to local enterprises:
“This investment in state-of-the-art equipment continues to keep the Northwest, and Sligo in particular, at the forefront of precision engineering expertise. The equipment, which is currently
being procured now that funding has been confirmed, will be available to businesses in the region, and through the Gateway Network, to businesses throughout the country.”
For further information, businesses are asked to contact the PEM Technology Gateway on email pemgateway@nullitsligo.ie.