The MCR research plan focuses on the conduct of basic research in the areas of Materials Engineering, the Mechanics of Materials and Applied Mechanics with close applicational links to engineering research in industrial machining. Specific projects undertaken by MCR are involved to varying degrees in the above-mentioned fields. The main concept behind selecting a certain area of research is the opportunity to conduct basic research in an area that provides added knowledge at the intersection of the cutting process and the manufactured surface, and at the intersection of the cutting tool and the structure of the working material. In these areas, long-range basic research is conducted in the three areas of MCR concentration, Materials Technology, Engineering Mechanics and Machining Technology.

The challenges of our research program are as follows:

• Machining of new materials
• Environmentally friendly manufacturing
• Control and tailoring of functional surfaces in the machining process
• Predictable machining processes
• Machining of composite materials

With our basic research as a starting point and linked to our research challenges, the cutting-edge knowledge of MCR as a centre of excellence is currently being strengthened in the following three areas:

• Machining of functional surfaces
• Machining of developed and composite materials
• Virtual material and machining modelling.

The majority of doctoral dissertations produced at MCR will be concentrated within the above-mentioned three areas. The knowledge gained through these doctoral projects will be put to good use through the project applications created to meet the needs of industry.