Advanced Manufacturing Technology Development Institute (AMTDI), Jalingo

The Advanced Manufacturing Technology Development Institute (AMTDI), Jalingo was established in 2010 as the first Institute of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) development in the North-eastern part of Nigeria with the specific aim of the proliferation of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies (AMTs) in the manufacturing sector of the Nigerian economy through developing capacity in AMT and its application in innovation, invention and reverse engineering. Despite chronic funding constraints during the year, the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Programme (AMT-P) Jalingo recorded some modest achievements in the execution of its capital projects which include the provision of a befitting infrastructure for FESTO Accredited and Certified Training (FACT) Centre, Capacity building in Mechatronics and Automation, Research and Development activities Also, in furtherance of the ongoing efforts towards ensuring the successful implementation of its mandate, the need for manpower became necessary. Consequently, a few staff were employed and they assumed duties fully during the period under review. The new staff comprised of Engineers, Technical officers, scientific officers and other supporting staff.

ACHIEVEMENTS RECORDED

In order to achieve its primary mandate, the Centre has continued to execute projects that are focused on enhancing capabilities in Advanced Manufacturing Technologies and also providing an enabling environment for sustainable research and development activities. The projects executed during the year are as follows:
  1. Procurement of some facilities for implementation of the project on Green Composite Manufacturing. To facilitate R & D activities in Green Composite manufacturing, the Center procured a 50-tonne capacity hydraulic press and a portable Hardness tester essential for the implementation of the project.
  2. Procurement of consumables and work bench tools for R&D activities. For its routine capacity building programmes and other R & D activities in Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT), fabrication and foundry technologies, the Centre procured various consumables and work bench tools to equip its workshops.
  3. Conversion & Upgrading of Machine tools workshop to a FESTO Accredited and Certified Training (FACT) Centre. In its efforts to develop capacity in factory and process automation in NASENI, the Agency approved the establishment of a FESTO Centre, a STEP-B/World Bank-funded project at AMT-P Jalingo. The upgrading of the Machine tools workshop to a FACT Centre is to provide a befitting facility for machines and personnel that meets the required FESTO standard for accreditation.
  4. Remodelling and rehabilitation of AMTDI Jalingo Temporary site. This is part of the efforts undertaken to provide an articulated schedule of dilapidations for rehabilitation and completion of projects in both the temporary site of the Centre. It is a consultancy project that involves assessment, inspection, physical measurement and condition survey of structures on the project sites.
  5. Lead and Tin extraction technologies. As part of its strategy of developing capacity in the utilization of locally available minerals in the country, AMTDI Jalingo embarked on R & D activity in the extraction of some metals from their ores found in some parts of the country, notably Gelena and Cassiterite. The initial work is for the Design of Process Flowsheets and Pilot plant for Primary Lead and Tin Technologies.
Other Achievements recorded include;
  1. Human Development
    • Capacity building on basic mechatronics,
    • factory and process automation
    • Phase I In-house training on Process Automation
    • Basic Mechatronics and Factory Automation
  2. Research and DevelopmentIn its developmental efforts, the Centre completed the design and construction of the following two items with direct relevance to impact on the socio-economic aspect of the society
    • 3-in-1 Fish Smoke House: It is a portable device that has the 3 major processes in smoking fish, namely; marinating, drying and smoking are all carried out in one major sweep, avoiding the hassle of going from one machine to another. The sources of fuel for running the device are a combination of charcoal, sawdust and leaves. The main features of this device are its affordability and portability.
    • Cabinet Solar Food Dryer-Model 1 ( CSFD-1 ). This is a solar equipment device that utilizes the energy tapped from the sun to dry herbal leaves in a clean and hygienic environment at controlled temperatures to maintain both the quality and the nutrients of the leaves. The dryer can also be used to dry other vegetables such as pepper and tomatoes.

FUTURE DIRECTION/WAY FORWARD

  1. Improved budgetary allocation to develop building infrastructure and procure AMT facilities at the permanent site.
  2. Release of special grant and other budgetary provisions (overheads and capital) for the Centre in order to facilitate rapid growth.
  3. Capacity-building activitiesEstablishment of collaboration with foreign and domestic institutions/organizations with a similar mandate.