Cooperation Between MDTC and JICA

JICA / MDTC Cooperation

Senior Volunteer Programme

The cooperation between the Mechanical Design and Technology Centre (MDTC) at RSS and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has started within the framework of the “Senior Volunteer Programme” since July 1996. This Programme aims at utilizing the accumulated experiences of the dispatched senior volunteers in developing the capabilities of MDTC technical staff towards self reliance in fields important to industries such as heat treatment, machine design, corrosion, steel making and food packaging. The programme also aims at introducing new techniques such as ductile iron casting and tyre testing. Upon MDTC requests, JICA dispatched many senior volunteers in the fields described below:

Heat Treatment

In 1996-1999 a senior volunteer was dispatched in the field of heat treatment of carbon and alloy steels for a period of 3 years during which capabilities of MDTC in heat treatment was developed. This was achieved by introducing High Frequency Induction Machine Technology, conducting training courses and implementing a project entitled “Introduction of Heat Treatment Technology in Designing and Manufacturing of Spare Parts to Local Industries in Jordan”.
Then, in 2000-2003 another senior volunteer in the field of heat treatment was dispatched to RSS and joined MDTC as a supervisor for the High Frequency Induction Furnace (HFIF). Among his duties were:

	Consulting two projects in heat treatment of different spare parts using High Frequency Induction Furnace (HFIF) and supervising the design and manufacture of coils for HFIF.
	Conducting training courses in the field of heat treatment and KAIZEN for local industries.
	Helping in material selection and giving advice on the most appropriate heat treatment procedures to be followed.

Corrosion/Protection Testing

In 1998-2000 a senior volunteer in the field of corrosion and protection testing joined MDTC. During his stay, identification of corrosion problems in important industrial companies such as the Arab Potash Company was carried out. He focused his work on materials selection and alternative materials such as Titanium alloys and supported the idea of establishing Corrosion Testing Laboratory at RSS.
In 2002 another senior volunteer in the same field joint MDTC to participate in an ongoing project on protection of water pumping stations in central Amman area with the Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST) and Jordan Water Authority (HWA).

Tyres Testing

In 1999-2001 a senior volunteer in the field of tyres testing joined MDTC and helped in establishing specifications, testing methods and facilities for tyre tests. At the end of his mission, a tyre testing facility was established and actual tyre testing was introduced.

Mold Design

In April 2000 a senior volunteer in the field of mold design joined MDTC to assist CAD/CAM Units in mold design and manufacturing. He showed eagerness and enthusiasm to participate in developing our work during his three weeks stay, but unfortunately he passed away in a tragic accident in May 2000. His memory will always live with MDTC and its staff. Recently, his family generously donated the equivalent of US$ 20000 for upgrading the CAD/CAM activities.

Food Packaging

In 2001 a senior volunteer in the field of food packaging started a survey on yogurt packaging in Jordan and will present recommendations to improve the testing standards and packaging quality.

Casting Ductile Iron

To introduce a new technology to local foundries in manufacturing ductile cast iron, a JICA senior volunteer started, in 2001, working hand by hand with RSS engineers to manufacture different spare parts made of ductile iron. JICA furnished the cost of major parts necessary raw materials to conduct this project.

Steel Making

In the first quarter of 2002, a senior volunteer in the field of steel making was dispatched to MDTC to:

	Upgrade the production of the rolling mills of the steel making industries to meet international standard requirements.
	Launch and supervise projects on the development of the existing rolling mills by introducing new products.
	Conduct specialized training courses for steel mill plants.

Machine Design

In the first quarter of 2002, a senior volunteer in the field of machine design was dispatched to MDTC to:

	Transfer machine design knowledge through technical consultations and supervising machine design projects.
	Improve machine design environment by improving the capabilities in CAD/CAE software such as finite element analysis, modeling, …etc.