Search for industry partners for Surface Manufacturing CRC – Titomic case study

Researchers led by UniSA and Swinburne University are searching for companies wanting to develop surface processing capabilities in a planned Surface Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre. Here, we explain how Titomic benefitted from collaborative research at Swinburne.

Australia boasts one of the world’s largest reserves of titanium, so it follows that incorporating this abundant raw material into the production chain can yield significant benefits for the country.

Utilising titanium powder in the fabrication or repair of parts can lead to an overall reduction in costs and fabrication time.

Metal cold spray is a cutting-edge technology that has gained popularity over the past decade, involves accelerating fine metal powders to high velocities, allowing them to be sprayed onto a substrate and forming dense coatings or parts.

Ensuring the reliability and reproducibility of this process is crucial for its successful implementation across various industries, emphasising the importance of achieving consistent and high-quality results.

To learn more about a new Surface Manufacturing CRC, researchers have organised an online information session specially for @AuManufacturing readers on Wednesday, 22 November, 10:30 am – 11:45 am ACDT Register here.

A team of specialists from SEAM at Swinburne University have partnered with the additive manufacturing company Titomic to develop an advanced quality assurance system for Titomic’s cold spray process.

Head of Sales and Marketing Dominic Parsons said this research partnership had levelled-up the understanding, monitoring, and predicting of the cold spray process.

Parsons said: “Utilising state-of-the-art laboratories for material characterisation at Swinburne, we assess the mechanical properties of various coatings and on-site fabricated parts which ensures the delivery of high-quality results for our customers.

“We have received support to integrate a high-speed camera and developed tailored software for data processing and data analysis to evaluate the reproducibility and reliability of our cold spray process. This result is unique in its type because it is completely tailored to our needs.”

The collected data has not only propelled advancements in the prediction of the cold spray process but has also led to the development of a machine learning module.

This module allows the forecast of mechanical properties of the resulting product and assess the efficiency of the process even before the deposition begins, representing strong development in process optimisation.

This collaborative initiative extends beyond technological advancements; it also serves as a training ground for students within an industrial environment, enriching their educational experience and preparing them for real-world challenges.

The multifaceted impact of this partnership – the type of partnership fostered by a CRC – is underscored by its potential to foster innovation, skills development, and industry-academia collaboration.

The application of cold spray technology has the potential to revolutionise the development of new rocket parts, enhancing their performance and reliability.

This initiative aligns with broader national goals, fostering advancements in manufacturing processes and strengthening Australia’s position in the global aerospace sector.

This work has been supported by the ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre – in Surface Engineering for Advanced Materials (SEAM) and the Australian Government through its Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI).

Picture: Titomic

This series is brought to you by UniSA on behalf of the proposed Surface Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre.

Surface Engineering and Manufacturing optimise material properties, customise products, enhancing their longevity and performance. For SMEs, it’s a gateway to innovation, reducing costs and fostering global competitiveness by delivering superior and tailored solutions. Companies can join us in our Surface Manufacturing CRC bid to shape the future of sustainable and competitive manufacturing in Australia.

To learn more, register for the online information session, Wednesday, 22 November, 10:30 am – 11:45 am ACDT Register here. …… Or email [email protected].