Advanced Surface Engineering (ASE)

Introduction

The SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme (SCTP) is an initiative by the SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) agency to help individuals in career transition by acquiring industry-relevant core competencies.

This Train-and-Place programme allows the trainees to attend training courses and other immersive learning activities, in addition to access to career advisory services and employment facilitation, while earning recognised certificates.

The SCTP trainees will attend classes, hands-on labs and other immersive learning activities to earn Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) Statement of Attainments (SOAs) or other certificates.

INTRODUCTION

This module introduces participants to the fundamentals of mechanical surface enhancement processes including rolling, peening, burnishing, mechanical finishing processes (eg. vibratory bowl finishing, drag finishing, abrasive flow machining, magneto-rheological finishing and grinding), and laser surface texturing, marking, peening and annealing for functionalities. Participants will gain a solid understanding of the surface enhancement and finishing processes, and the issues of surface treatment effect on the work substrates. Participants will also be guided through hands-on project-based sessions on real-world industrial topics using SIMTech equipment and instruments to further enhance their understanding of surface enhancement and finishing technologies for production implementation.

What You Will Learn

Understanding Fundamentals of Surface Enhancement and Finishing Technologies Relevant to Manufacturing

• Rolling, peening, burnishing for surface enhancement
• Vibratory bowl finishing, drag finishing, abrasive flow machining, magneto-rheological finishing and grinding for surface finishing
• Laser surface texturing, marking and laser peening for surface functionalities
• Laser surface polishing, laser cleaning for surface finishing

Practical Application of Surface Enhancement and Finishing Technologies through Project-based Learning on:

• Mechanical surface enhancement
• Mechanical surface finishing
• Laser surface treatment for improving surface functional properties, e.g. wettability, tribology
• Laser polishing and cleaning for repair, refurbishment and remanufacturing

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Introduction

This module aims to provide participants with the knowledge and practical skills on using advanced coating technologies for corrosion and wear prevention. It covers electrochemical, sol-gel, and plasma-based coating processes together with applications in corrosion and wear prevention. This module is structured with lectures and lab demonstrations conducted in SIMTech’s process-and-testing laboratories. During practical (hands-on) sessions, participants will get to work on a relevant project of choice under the coaching of topic experts to apply the knowledge and skills learnt to address actual industry problems.

What You Will Learn

Understanding Fundamentals of Surface Enhancement and Finishing Technologies Relevant to Manufacturing

• Rolling, peening, burnishing for surface enhancement
• Vibratory bowl finishing, drag finishing, abrasive flow machining, magneto-rheological finishing and grinding for surface finishing
• Laser surface texturing, marking and laser peening for surface functionalities
• Laser surface polishing, laser cleaning for surface finishing

Practical Application of Surface Enhancement and Finishing Technologies through Project-based Learning on:

• Mechanical surface enhancement
• Mechanical surface finishing
• Laser surface treatment for improving surface functional properties, e.g. wettability, tribology
• Laser polishing and cleaning for repair, refurbishment and remanufacturing

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introduction

This module highlights frequent coating failures and methods of recognising them. Various types of failure will be discussed in detail through examples. Participants will be trained on the general framework of coating failure analysis in order to acquire the skill of identifying the root cause of specific coating defects. Various approaches to mitigate coating failures, such as wet chemical coatings, paints, electro deposited and vacuum process deposited coatings will also be covered. In-depth learning will be aided by discussions on case studies and laboratory practices which will be customised to the field of work or interest of participants.

What you will learn

Coating failures: Identification and mitigation

• Effect of substrate on coating quality (physical and chemical properties, surface roughness, thermo-mechanical properties)
• Effect of coating-substrate interface
• Causes of low wear or scratch resistance
• Coating problems due to process variations
• Coating failures resulting from formulation variation

Project work for coating failure evaluation and coating improvement

• Paints and wet chemical coatings
• UV cured coatings
• Electrochemical deposited coatings (plating, anodizing)
• Vacuum process deposited coatings for wear resistance

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introduction

Corrosion is a multi-disciplinary issue affecting almost all industrial sectors. Losses due to corrosion are enormous and the economic impacts are significant, highlighting the dire need for proactive approaches to corrosion prevention and control. However, lack of knowledge and experience in corrosion and corrosion protection in the local technical community remains one of the main obstacles to effective actions in the industry. This module is designed to cater to local industrial needs with basic fundamental knowledge, correct industrial practices and corrosion assessment tests and protocols. It is organised to be interactive with case studies workouts and hands-on sessions.

Why This Course

The module equips participants with the basic knowledge and skills critical for the evaluation of real-time corrosion-related issues and for specifying pertinent remedies/preventive approaches to combat the problems. This will help them to not only upgrade their professional skills, but also enhance their career growth opportunities.

For companies, the benefits of having a more knowledgeable workforce are three-fold: It would help reduce potential operational failures/damages, improve overall efficiency, and increase operational savings.

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introduction

The manufacturing industry faces a wide range of challenges to maintain a competitive edge in today’s dynamic marketplace. The ability to accurately characterise materials, test components and appropriately analyse the test results for problem-solving can help companies to reduce design cycles and R&D time, solve process problems, as well as improve product quality. This course is designed to provide participants with the core knowledge and skills needed to effectively apply advanced analytical tools and techniques in materials characterisation and testing of materials formulation, process development, failure analysis, and production quality control applications.

What you will learn

• Metallographic sample preparation and optical microscopy
• Practical Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
• X-ray microanalysis

• Thermal analysis and rheological testing
• Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and raman spectroscopy
• Mechanical testing

• Microhardness, nano-indentation and adhesion strength test
• Optical properties and thin film thickness measurement
• X-ray analysis for thin film structure and residual stress
• Material characterisation techniques and applications in precision engineering industry

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introduction

This project-based module provides opportunities for the participants to embark on an industry project either in-house at SIMTech or project defined by participating company.

Certifications

There are 6 modules for completion under the SCTP In Advanced Surface Engineering course.

Participants will be awarded a WSQ Statement of Attainment certificate (SOA) for passing each individual module listed below:

• Apply Surface Enhancement and Finishing Technologies (40 hours)
• Apply Advanced Coating Technologies for Corrosion and Wear Protection (42 hours)
• Review Coating Failure Prevention and Coating Improvement (42 hours)
• Implement Fundamentals of Corrosion and Corrosion Prevention (42 hours)
• Materials Characterisation (45 hours)

• Project-based Training for Implementation (80 hours)
  

Participants will be awarded with a certificate for each individual module, if they meet the following criteria:

• Achieve at least 75% course attendance;
• Take all assessments; and
• Pass the course.
  

Pre-Requisites

• Only Singapore Citizens, Singapore Permanent Residents and Long-Term Visit Pass Plus Holder (LTVP+) aged at least 21 years old (based on the year of course commencement) who can commit to the SCTP courses on a part-time basis are eligible to apply.
  
  
• Applicants should possess a degree in any discipline or a diploma with a minimum of 3 years of related working experience.
  
  
• Applicants who do not have the required academic qualifications are still welcome to apply, but shortlisted candidates may be required to attend an interview for special approval.