#TPRCminds | Tom & Joran
PhD Researcher and Research Engineer
Joran Geschiere and Tom Asijee complement each other perfectly. PhD candidate Tom focuses on the fundamental understanding of materials at TPRC, while research engineer Joran applies that knowledge in a production setting. Both feel at home within the fast-growing team at TPRC. Joran has been active at TPRC for over three years; Tom is in the final year of his PhD research. They share their experiences. ‘There’s a lot of synergy between us, even though we have very different roles.’
Read other #TPRCminds interviews.
Joran sums up their collaboration neatly: 'When complex, fundamental issues come in from our partners, I know I need to speak to Tom. He is deeply involved in specific topics. But to actually operate a machine, you also need knowledge of motors and sensors. That’s where I come in. That’s more or less how it works.'
One of the projects they work on together is the Continuous Optical Reflection Characterization (CORC) setup for unidirectional (UD) tapes. TPRC developed this device within the NXTGEN Hightech program, funded by the National Growth Fund. The aim: to build a setup capable of characterizing full coil lengths of UD tape intended for the Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) process.
Tom, can you briefly explain what AFP is and why it is important for you and the industry?
Tom: ‘Automated Fiber Placement is a robotic process that layers thermoplastic material very precisely. You could compare it to a 3D printer, but then for aircraft parts like fuselages or wings. It offers a lot of design freedom, and by placing material precisely, you can achieve maximum strength exactly where needed. The technique is already in use on a small scale, but usually with additional quality control steps. Components are reheated in an autoclave — a pressurized oven — to correct any production errors. We are working on optimizing the process so that an extra step becomes unnecessary.’
As mentioned, you work on the CORC setup together. What does that collaboration look like?
Joran: ‘A good example is a measurement system Tom designed. He wanted to understand how laser light reflects off composite material. I then automated the setup, allowing us to collect data faster and without manual labor. Our partners immediately saw the value, because this kind of reflection data is very rare.’
How did you end up at TPRC?
Joran: ‘I knew about TPRC through Erik Kramer, my former housemate in Enschede. We were chatting about Formula 1 and ended up talking about composites. I decided to have a look. At the time, I was still studying in Delft but wanted to return to the east of the Netherlands. I've been here for over three years now.’
Tom: ‘I started here with my PhD research. I studied aerospace engineering in Delft, specializing in fundamental materials research. My entire PhD centers on AFP, so I’m deeply immersed in the subject. My research is also funded by our industrial partners.’
How would you describe the atmosphere at TPRC?
Tom: ‘Very open and diverse — both in terms of people and topics. Everything is centered around thermoplastic composites, but within that, the field is very broad. What I really like is that the link with industry is much stronger here than at many other research institutions.’
Joran: ‘The engineering team, which I’m part of, has grown significantly. There were four of us at first, now there are nine. That’s changed the dynamics a bit, but it’s still accessible — you can easily talk to everyone. There’s also always room for fun, like drinks and sports activities. And yes, the TPRC running kits came out for the Enschede Marathon. Tom ran the 10 km!’
How do you see the future?
Tom: ‘I would like to stay at TPRC, or at least within the partner network. This project has given me a good sense of how the sector operates.’
Joran: ‘I definitely want to stay here for now. This year, I’ve become involved with a new machine for an innovative welding technique. It had been planned for some time, but we didn’t have the space before. Now we do. I’m testing the machine with partners and researchers from the University of Twente. It really opens up a lot of possibilities. And the great thing is: I’m given the freedom to organize that process myself — even partly from the train, on my commute from Deventer to Enschede.’
Our series #TPRCminds introduces you to the people behind our success. Who are they? What is their background? What drives them and what do they dream about? How do they look at the future of thermoplastic composites? Continue reading other #TPRCminds episodes:
Photos ©Gijs van Ouwerkerk
