Development of a new rail maintenance technology by using laser cladding. With the continuously increasing demand for higher production, and hence increased haulage rates and reduced track access for maintenance purposes, the development and application of new cost effective manufacture and repair rails maintenance strategies play a more important role in ensuring the structural integrity of rail infrastructure. This project aims to systematically investigate the laser cladding materials and par ....Development of a new rail maintenance technology by using laser cladding. With the continuously increasing demand for higher production, and hence increased haulage rates and reduced track access for maintenance purposes, the development and application of new cost effective manufacture and repair rails maintenance strategies play a more important role in ensuring the structural integrity of rail infrastructure. This project aims to systematically investigate the laser cladding materials and parameters to enhance the wear and fatigue performance of a series of high strength rail steels used in heavy haul railway lines. The outcomes of this project intend to be applied directly to the rail industry track producers and operators of high axle load rail systems to develop and improve their rail maintenance strategies.Read moreRead less
Development of laser cladding technology to maintain rails in tram networks. This project aims to develop a new cost-effective maintenance technique by applying laser cladding to enhance the characteristics of new rails and track components and repair damaged ones, so as to ensure their structural integrity and improve the performance of rail infrastructure. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of railway maintenance using the innovative and interdisciplinary laser claddin ....Development of laser cladding technology to maintain rails in tram networks. This project aims to develop a new cost-effective maintenance technique by applying laser cladding to enhance the characteristics of new rails and track components and repair damaged ones, so as to ensure their structural integrity and improve the performance of rail infrastructure. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of railway maintenance using the innovative and interdisciplinary laser cladding technology. Expected outcomes of this project are crucial for manufacturers and operators of railway networks to develop and improve their railway maintenance strategies. This should provide significant benefits, such as extending lives of rails and special track components, and reducing wheel squeal and flanging noise.Read moreRead less
Enabling ambient intelligence for manufacturing processes through distributed camera networks. This project will develop methods to optimise and schedule networks of smart and traditional cameras in a manufacturing environment, enabling knowledge capture, manage performance and identify causes of quality degradation. This research will assist Australian manufacturers to stay competitive in the dynamic global market.
Laser-based dynamic measurements, model identification and error compensation for multi-arm robotic pre-fabrication of structural components. The aim is to establish methodologies for laser-based dynamic measurements, accurate model identification and error correction in multi-arm cooperative robotic manipulation systems. The expected outcomes include development of enabling technologies and the world's first automated fabrication system for structural timber components. The novel methodologi ....Laser-based dynamic measurements, model identification and error compensation for multi-arm robotic pre-fabrication of structural components. The aim is to establish methodologies for laser-based dynamic measurements, accurate model identification and error correction in multi-arm cooperative robotic manipulation systems. The expected outcomes include development of enabling technologies and the world's first automated fabrication system for structural timber components. The novel methodologies established will increase safety, and improve and automate the fabrication of wall frames, roof trusses, and floor and ceiling panels for housing, industrial and commercial projects within Australia and overseas. Other application areas include multi-arm manufacturing and handling of large components, materials handling in hazardous environments, and robotic servicing tasks in remote places.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE200100168
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$550,000.00
Summary
Integrated Functional Printing Facility for Advanced Material Technologies. The project aims to develop Australia’s first fully integrated small-scale and agile prototyping facility for printing. This facility will provide critical infrastructure to deposit a wide range of advanced materials with unprecedented precision & process flexibility allowing realistic form, configuration and device-ready formats with minimal usage of functional ink. Using this unique facility, researchers will be able t ....Integrated Functional Printing Facility for Advanced Material Technologies. The project aims to develop Australia’s first fully integrated small-scale and agile prototyping facility for printing. This facility will provide critical infrastructure to deposit a wide range of advanced materials with unprecedented precision & process flexibility allowing realistic form, configuration and device-ready formats with minimal usage of functional ink. Using this unique facility, researchers will be able to assess integration of novel functional materials in a wide range of devices and applications, including critical components of affordable healthcare diagnostic devices, advanced security features in banknotes, integrated RFID tracking systems, high performance solar cells and separation membranes. Read moreRead less
High speed multi-channel discharge machining of difficult-to-cut materials. This project aims to develop a novel approach to high speed machining of difficult-to-cut materials by resolving the contradictory surface quality and machining efficiency problem with a new theory. It is expected to advance the fundamental knowledge of electrical machining. The outcomes are new machining theories, novel methods and models of using multiple low energy sparks which occur nearly simultaneously for high spe ....High speed multi-channel discharge machining of difficult-to-cut materials. This project aims to develop a novel approach to high speed machining of difficult-to-cut materials by resolving the contradictory surface quality and machining efficiency problem with a new theory. It is expected to advance the fundamental knowledge of electrical machining. The outcomes are new machining theories, novel methods and models of using multiple low energy sparks which occur nearly simultaneously for high speed machining of a wide range of advanced materials. It should significantly increase machining speed and thus dramatically reduce the costs of producing products such as titanium medical implants, alloyed engine components and new cutting tools which are vital for the biomaterials, aerospace and manufacturing industries.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE130100036
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$310,000.00
Summary
Super high speed grinding facility for difficult-to-machine materials and structures. This unique system will enable the manufacture of difficult-to-machine materials and structures with high quality and high productivity. It will support ground-breaking research activities across the country and help promote the strategic collaborations within Australian manufacturing society.
Laser Assisted Machining of Hard-to-wear Materials for Slurry Pump and Mineral Processing Equipment. The project aims to develop techniques for commercially applicable machining of very hard-to-wear materials using high power laser beams. Traditional techniques of machining such components using cubic boron nitride (CBN) based cutting tools are highly time consuming and expensive both in terms of labour costs and inserts costs. The laser assisted machining of these materials is expected to redu ....Laser Assisted Machining of Hard-to-wear Materials for Slurry Pump and Mineral Processing Equipment. The project aims to develop techniques for commercially applicable machining of very hard-to-wear materials using high power laser beams. Traditional techniques of machining such components using cubic boron nitride (CBN) based cutting tools are highly time consuming and expensive both in terms of labour costs and inserts costs. The laser assisted machining of these materials is expected to reduce the cost and lead time of manufacturing, provide improved tool wear life, and improved on time delivery of products. The technology will have application to the manufacture and use of slurry pumps associated with the mineral processing and mining industries.Read moreRead less
Automated Integrity Assessment of Self-Piercing Rivet Joints: i4.0 Approach. Lightweighting in the car industry by the use of aluminium reduces emissions substantially. It entails joining the car body sections by self-piercing rivets rather than the traditional spot welds. We aim to fill the technology gap for effective quality control of these joints. The project expects to solve the problem by merging industry 4.0 principles, three-dimensional X-ray technology, machine learning computer vision ....Automated Integrity Assessment of Self-Piercing Rivet Joints: i4.0 Approach. Lightweighting in the car industry by the use of aluminium reduces emissions substantially. It entails joining the car body sections by self-piercing rivets rather than the traditional spot welds. We aim to fill the technology gap for effective quality control of these joints. The project expects to solve the problem by merging industry 4.0 principles, three-dimensional X-ray technology, machine learning computer vision and structural mechanics. The expected outcomes are technologies for automation-friendly assessment of these joints. This should benefit industries from medical to electronics to automatically spot a random and delicate abnormality within a solid of complex geometry, such as that in live tissue or an electronic circuit.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0883093
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$285,000.00
Summary
A Haptically enabled Universal Motion Simulator Research Facility. The proposed universal motion simulator research facility will enable to develop a better understanding of issues involved in ergonomic and safe vehicle designs and provides opportunities to improve Australia's international competitiveness and economic sustainability through innovations in the manufacturing and transport sectors. This universal motion simulator will provide opportunity to extend our understanding of operator con ....A Haptically enabled Universal Motion Simulator Research Facility. The proposed universal motion simulator research facility will enable to develop a better understanding of issues involved in ergonomic and safe vehicle designs and provides opportunities to improve Australia's international competitiveness and economic sustainability through innovations in the manufacturing and transport sectors. This universal motion simulator will provide opportunity to extend our understanding of operator controlled devices, such as cars and mining machinery, and to develop effective strategies to reduce the risk of vehicle accidents.Read moreRead less