The Mechanical Engineering Department of IAT is primarily involved in imparting post-graduate and graduate level training in the areas of Design Engineering and Thermal & Fluid Engineering. Besides engaging in research activities in these areas, the Department also provides consultancy services to various firms /agencies. The Department has state-of-the-art facilities and trained manpower for conducting R&D activities in these areas. Following are the facilities available in the Department.

Research Areas

• CFD
• HEAT TRANSFER
• EXPERIMENTAL STRESS ANALYSIS
• FEM
• CAD
• VIBRATIONS
• VEHICLE DYNAMICS
• VEHICLE SIMULATOR MODELING

Courses Conducted
The Department conducts short term courses on specialised topics, viz., Finite Element Methods, CAD, Vibration, Heat Transfer & CFD. The Department also conducts customized courses on the research areas for other labs & Industries.

Research Facilities:

Cad/Cam Facilities

The CAD/CAM Center is equipped with latest hardware and software for Solid Modelling, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Fluid flow Analysis & Computer Aided Manufacturing. For Solid modelling, PRO-E, MDT, Inventor, and I-DEAS Master Series are available. Finite Element Analysis is carried out extensively in the CAD/CAM Center. ANSYS, ABAQUS, NASTRAN, DYTRAN & NISA are used for linear static & dynamic analysis, and for nonlinear, large deformation analysis. FLUENT, CFD2000 & NISA are used for 3-D fluid flow analysis. LVDS, Light Vehicle Dynamic Simulation software is used for studying ride parameters. MASTERCAM - DESIGN, MILL, LATHE is used for CAM activities.

Vibration Analysis & Testing Facilities

The vibration lab is equipped with unique facilities and well trained manpower for analysis and testing activities. Some of the major equipment are as below.


• Electro-dynamic Shaker - B&K make, payload capacity 22kg, Dynamic force 1780N, maximum acceleration 1450 m/s2, frequency 4kHz, peak-to-peak displacement 19mm. APS Make, Long-Stroke ( 200mm), low frequency (200 Hz) shaker for seismic studies.
? Shock Test Machine - MTS make, maximum specimen weight 240kg, maximum shock pulse 600g, waveforms - trapezoidal, half sine & saw-tooth.

• Portable Vibration Measuring Equipment - B&K make accelerometers, portable vibration meter to measure vibration in acceleration, velocity and displacement mode.
• Modal Testing Equipment - B&K make Impact Hammer with force transducer. ME Scope software is available for analysis.
• Dynamic Signal Analyser - HP Make, Dual channel, max. frequency 52.2 kHz, signal 10v with storage facility. Analysis like FFT, Cross spectrum, auto spectrum, power spectrum can be done.

Experimental Stress Analysis Facilities

The Experimental stress analysis lab is equipped with the following equipment for static and dynamic stress measurement.
• Circular Polariscope - Using the techniques of photo-elasticity, this equipment measures stresses on photo-elastic model of size up to 30cm.

• Dynamic Strain Indicator - Dynamic signals from strain gages can be analysed using this equipment.

THERMAL & FLUID FLOW ANALYSIS FACILITIES
The Thermal Engineering laboratory is equipped with the following facilities for research activities in the areas of Heat Exchangers and IC Engines.

• Heat Exchanger Test Rig - To evaluate performance of various heat exchangers, heating capacity 15kW for liquid & 9kW for air, cooling capacity 20 kW.
• Variable Compression Ratio Engine - This engine can be used to evaluate performance at different compression ratios (CR), fuels, spark timings, charging pressures in both SI & CI modes. CR - 8 to 20, spark timing range 30deg BTDC to 10deg ATDC, Fuels - Diesel, petrol, alcohol blends, vegetable oils, LPG, CNG, Biogas, Producer gas
• Thermal Conductivity Measurement Unit - To measure thermal conductivity of solids, liquids and gases. Uses k type thermocouples to measure surface temperature with a resolution of 0.1deg C.
• Software for Thermal & Fluid Power Analysis - HYDRAUSIM, PNUESIM, REFRISIM & CLIMATIC are available for simulation of fluid power circuits, refrigeration & air-conditioning systems.

Production Facilities

The Training workshop is well equipped with more than 35 conventional machines and 2 CNC machines and is primarily involved in fabrication of parts for research activities. Following are some of the specialised equipment available for fabrication.