Technical section
Engineering supports machine design, metal fabrication, pilot plant maintenance, off-site facility commissioning and technical implementation across UIRI projects.
Division profile
The Engineering Division's experienced engineers and technicians are actively engaged in the design and fabrication of metal products, including functional machine prototypes.
The division's infrastructure includes a machine shop equipped with a lathe, shaping, shearing and grinding machines, and an array of welding machines used for sharpening, cutting, turning, joining and related metal finishing processes.
Plant support
In addition to machining and fabrication, the Engineering Division is responsible for the day-to-day operation, maintenance and repair of the Institute's pilot plants.
The division also installs and commissions off-site processing facilities, and has developed capability to design and implement processing and production plant modifications.
Production performance
One of the division's key functions is to ensure production process optimality by increasing production rates, improving production efficiency, and upgrading or replacing obsolete and underperforming machinery and equipment.
Technical support
The Engineering Division facilitates the implementation of projects managed under UIRI's Production Systems and Product Development departments by offering technical support services.
Wood Technology
Also under the Engineering Division is the Wood Technology unit, which is responsible for a variety of carpentry works.
These include routine repair and maintenance on campus, as well as the design and fabrication of commercially viable wood-based products.
PCB Technology
Modern electrical systems are based on electronic components and circuits with the capability to perform programmable logic operations. Printed Circuit Board technology enables high-precision, high-volume production of reliable electronic circuits for a wide range of products.
The technology renders computer software-designed circuit pathways onto single or double-sided boards to produce templates, which are then transformed into functional circuits by inserting electrical and electronic components.
UIRI's incentive to acquire PCB production technology is that it is an essential prerequisite to developing Uganda's electronics industry. The introduction of PCB technology is expected to lay the foundation for a local electronics industry and support import substitution.
