The computer numerical control machine will be used to manufacture high-precision parts for the Quimal “Home of Stars” project and other initiatives of the Faculty of Engineering.

The team of academics that these days leads the work around the QUIMAL project, financed by CONICYT, met with the Rector of the University of La Serena, Dr. Nibaldo Avilés, to show the progress made around this initiative inserted in one of the most important Astro-Engineering programs in the world: the SLOAN DIGITAL SKY SURVEY project. On the occasion, the highest university authority pledged its support for the acquisition of CNC equipment, unique in the region, for the Department of Mechanical Engineering, which will be used for the manufacture of high precision parts that will be used in this project and other initiatives. from the Faculty of Engineering.

At the meeting, the academic of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Daniel Garrido, explained the details that will involve the implementation of this initiative, through which it is intended to study the local and distant universe in various spectral ranges (from the optical to the near infrared).

“This is a project that will allow the exchange of knowledge and technology, the preparation of specialists, the completion of theses, the acquisition of new infrastructure and equipment; and most importantly, the link between the University of La Serena and important universities in the United States,” explained Garrido.

Within the framework of this connection, the University of La Serena is already working on the preparation of a prototype for an astronomical observation instrument that will be manufactured using the advantages of this new equipment; In addition, there have already been two stays of thesis students in the United States.

The QUIMAL project is carried out by the universities of La Serena (project leader), Chile, Católica, Antofagasta and Andrés Bello. Its director is Dr. Alexandre Roman Lopes, from the Department of Physics of the U. de La Serena. 

The project has the support of the prominent Institute for Science, Carnegie, Washington, and with the collaboration of different North American universities that are members of the Astrophysical Research Consortium (ARC). 

At the University of La Serena, the QUIMAL project brings together mechanical, electronic engineers, physicists and astronomers and the Departments of Physics and Mechanical Engineering actively participate in its implementation, through its directors, Doctors Pedro Vega and Ricardo Castillo, respectively. 

In this regard, the Rector of the ULS, Dr. Nibaldo Avilés, pointed out that “in this project there is a transversality and that is very important for the development of our University given that the development of research and postgraduate studies are mixed within its objectives. . The acquisition of the CNC equipment expands the research, development and innovation capacity of the Faculty of Engineering.”

The dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Alberto Cortés, the director of the Doctorate in Food and Bioprocess Engineering, Dr. Nelson Moraga, the director of the Master's Degree in Computational Mechanics, Dr. Carlos Garrido, and the academic Pablo Pacheco.