Dr Richard Hood MEng (Hons), PhD, CEng MIMechE

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Mechanical Engineering, University of Birmingham. 2010. Thesis titled “Machinability of a gamma titanium aluminide intermetallic”.
• Master of Engineering (MEng), Class 1 Honours, Mechanical Engineering (included Year Abroad, University of Waterloo, Canada), University of Birmingham. 2004.
• Diploma in Industrial Studies (12 months at Contract Chemicals Ltd., Leeds), University of Birmingham. 2004.

Dr Hood graduated with a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering (First Class Hons) from The University of Birmingham in 2004. He obtained a PhD on the machinability of advanced titanium alloys for aero engine applications also from The University of Birmingham. The work was industrially funded by Rolls-Royce plc. Element Six, Saint-Gobain Abrasives, Hardinge-Bridgeport, Iscar and Pumps and Equipment (Warwick) ltd. 

From 2007 to 2013 he was the Rolls-Royce Machining Research Fellow located within the Machining Research Group. The work was industrially funded by Rolls-Royce covering a wide range of machining related research projects involving new advanced alloys

He was appointed to a Lectureship in February 2013 and is a Chartered Mechanical Engineer and Member of the IMechE as well as an Affiliate Member of The International Academy for Production Engineering (CIRP).

His research activities focus primarily on investigating the machinability of new/advanced materials using conventional and non-conventional machining processes. He also has interests in CNC and CAD/CAM systems, metrology, experimental design techniques and statistical process control as well as design for manufacture.  

• Level 2: Mechanics 2 
• Level 2: Experiments and Statistics 2
• Level 1: Experiments and Statistics 1

• Machining of advanced materials (titanium alloys, nickel based superalloys, composite materials and nuclear materials). This includes both conventional and non-conventional machining processes 
• Condition monitoring, surface integrity and functional performance of components
• Development of novel/hybrid machining processes
• Micromachining
• Experimental design techniques and statistical process control
• Numerically controlled machine tools
• Metrology

If you are interested in studying any of these subject areas please contact Dr Hood on the contact details above, or for any general doctoral research enquiries, please email: dr@contacts.bham.ac.uk or call +44 (0) 121 414 5005. For a full list of available Doctoral Research opportunities, please visit our Doctoral Research programme listings. 

Dr Hood’s current research interest broadly centres on the machinability of advanced aerospace alloys (gamma titanium aluminides, nickel based superalloys) and nuclear materials (zirconium alloys), microscale machining, development of novel/innovative processes (e.g. hybrid ECM/grinding, ultrasonic assisted CFG, in-process electrical discharge dressing etc.), statistical experimental design techniques and computer numerically controlled (CNC) operation of machine tools including 5-axis machining.

The work has a strong materials element, particularly in relation to studying the effect of cutting variables (operating parameters, process mechanisms, machining strategies, tool coatings, grit morphologies etc.) on workpiece surface integrity (microhardness/microstructure, surface topography, residual stress, fatigue performance etc.) and its subsequent influence on part in-service performance. Much of the activities involve strong industrial collaboration and relevance.

Dr Hood is also interested in research into the use of metrology, statistical process control and design for manufacture. 

Administration Responsibilities

• School Health and Safety Committee Member
• Undergraduate Open Days Coordinator

Membership of Professional Bodies

• Chartered Engineer (2012) 
• Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (2012)
• Research Affiliate, International Academy for Production Engineering (CIRP)

Awards and Prizes

• F.K. Bannister Prize for Best Doctoral Thesis, School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Birmingham, 2009. 
• EPSRC CASE Award, 2004-2007. 
• Contribution to Engineering Competition Runner Up Prize, Royal Academy of Engineering, 2000

Completed Training Courses

• Bridgeport Heidenhain ITNC training course
• University of Sheffield grinding wheel safety course 
• Chemical safety course organised by the University of Birmingham.
• Buelher microstructural analysis course covering in-depth assessment of microstructural analysis. 
• Mitutoyo CMM training course.