Browsing by Author "Tittagala, SR"

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Approaches for teaching mechanical engineering In Sri Lanka - use of modelling and simulation
(Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, 2001-07) Ganesapiragas, S; Nanayakkara, LDJF; Tittagala, SR; Nanayakkara, LDJF
The factors, which affect the success of Mechanical Engineering profession is identified as a unique one with the country's economic structure and its survival in relation to continually changing world trade. How the profession should pose viable strategies in order to survive and to help the people to attain a reasonable standard of living are our main Engineering is a very vast field comprising many specialized disciplines out of them Mechanical Engineering suffers many difficulties in an unreasonable manner and extent. Healthy profession could be attained only by a sound educational system. We may fail to find satisfactory solutions to the industry's many vexing problems, which involve political issues and economical encumbrances created by it. Nevertheless we can identify the root causes, which may have a bearing on the educational setup, and mainly in the ways subjects are taught and any shortcoming in the variety of subjects offered to the students. Mechanical Engineering laboratories need modern and sophisticated equipment and updating or upgrading them continually is a major financial burden to the Universities and higher educational institutions. concern. This paper tries to highlight that Applied computing or Customer application software development and computer based treatment of most subjects is a plausible remedy at an affordable cost, if not the total solution.
item: Article-Full-text
Design & construction of a low-cost furnace for melting non-ferrous alloys in the local foundry industry
Tittagala, SR; Navarathna, NPNM
A study has been carried out on the types of construction and factors affecting efficiency of metal melting furnaces currently used in the non-ferrous foundry sector with the objective of developing an oil-fired furnace with improved efficiency and reduced constructional and operating costs. The project was initiated by the FDSI (Foundry Development and Services Institute) to meet a requirement of the small and medium-scale foundry industry. For example, there are many manufacturers of ornamental castings of Brass and Aluminum in the country, but they face the problem of the absence of a suitable furnace which could operate easily, efficiently and economically. Following a preliminary survey and assessment of technical data, the main factors which affect performance were identified. Based on this a new design was evolved, the main features of which are that the charge is pre-heated, the flame retained in the furnace for longer duration and the fuel pre-heated and subjected to better atomised spray. The furnace, commissioned at a local foundry, demonstrated a significant improvement in performance over conventional types and acceptance by industry. A key feature was the improvement in overall working conditions and working environment. Based on this experience, a further improved version has been constructed and installed at the Mechanical Engineering Department - University of Moratuwa as a demonstration model for industry.
item: Conference-Full-text
Design & construction of an energy-efficient furnace for melting non-ferrous alloys in the local foundry industry
(2000) Tittagala, SR; Navarathna, NPNM
A study has been carried out on the types of construction and factors affecting efficiency of metal melting furnaces currently used in the non-ferrous foundry sector with the objective of developing an oil-fired furnace with improved efficiency and reduced constructional and operating costs. The project was initiated by the FDSI (Foundry Development and Services Institute) to meet a requirement of the small and medium-scale foundry industry. For example, there are many manufacturers of ornamental castings of Brass and Aluminum in the country, but they face the problem of the absence of a suitable furnace which could operate easily, efficiently and economically. Following a preliminary survey and assessment of technical data, the main factors which affect performance were identified. Based on this a new design was evolved, the main features of which are that the charge is pre-heated, the flame retained in the furnace for longer duration and the fuel pre- heated and subjected to better atomised spray. The furnace, commissioned at a local foundry, demonstrated a significant improvement in performance over conventional types and acceptance by industry. A key feature was the improvement in overall working conditions and working environment. Based on this experience, a further improved version has been constructed and installed at the Mechanical Engineering Department - University of Moratuwa as a demonstration model for industry.
item: Conference-Full-text
Integration of mechatronics - strategies and some case studies
(Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, 2001-07) Tittagala, SR; Senadheera, PDRS; Nanayakkara, LDJF
THe interdisciplinary area of mechatronics is fast integrating into the curricula of traditional mechanical engineering courses world over. Diffenrt approaches and strategies adopted by educational institutions. In a global context, Mechatronics is often Mechanical Engineers and in Sri Lanka seen as the future career for of industrialization, the industry opportunities lo^engmeTs withTstwg electro-mechanical background needs no speculation. However, in the local context there are implementation of a Mechatronics programme. even severe resource constraints to successful This paper examines the issues involved in relation to global trends and local constraints and it attempts to identify possible avenues for development. The current project-based learning approach used in the authors’ department to introduce mechatronics is presented covering some specific case studies involving different sectors of industry.
item: Conference-Full-text
Manufacturing education - the industry interface
(Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, 2001-07) Tittagala, SR; Nanayakkara, LDJF
The paper highlights the need for teaching manufacturing in a practice-oriented environment. it draws attention to some of the changes that have taken place and present some ideas for future implementation. these include chages of teaching style and methodology, a programme of industrial visits, application of cad- cam technology and implimnetation of a teaching" concept.
item: Conference-Full-text
A nitriding technique for improving die life
(Engineering Research Unit, Faculty of Engiennring, University of Moratuwa, 1995-03) Thilakawardana, D; Tittagala, SR; Dias, WPS
The absence of proper understanding and facilities for heat treatment, specifically surface treatment techniques has retarded the development of tooi and die industry in Sri Lanka. Thus there has been a growing interest among the local tool manufacturers and users for new heat treatment techniques. It has been shown that the surface properties for Dies and Moulds can be enhanced by nitriding and this technique was first used in early 1920’s. Since then much development has taken place and now the technique can be applied to a greater variety' of steels than it was originally thought possible. However nitriding is still in its infancy as far as the local industry is concerned. Nitriding is basically the introduction of atomic nitrogen from a surrounding medium into the surface of steel by diffusion. In contrast to most heat treatment procedures nitriding changes both the chemical composition and the structure of the layer thereby enabling the properties to vary in a wider range. Extreme hardness, retention of hardness at elevated temperatures, improved fatigue strength and corrosion resistance are some of the properties imparted by nitriding. This paper describes the work carried out towards developing a suitable nitriding technique adaptable by the local medium and small scale industries with due regards to economy and safety aspects. It is expected to carry out industrial trials to assess the efficiency of the proposed setup.
item: Conference-Abstract
Serviceability of bolt-nut assemblies
(Engineering Research Unit, Faculty of Engiennring, University of Moratuwa, 1996-05-31) Tittagala, SR; Wijayathunga, VN