Developing cheaper, smarter, environmentally sensitive products and processes for the metals manufacturing industry will be made possible by funding announced by the Queensland government.
This innovative UQ-based research project with the CAST Cooperative Research Centre received funding of $720k over three years as part of a $1.44 million project managed by the School of Engineering's Dr Matt Dargusch.
The project links researchers with Queensland ferrous metal manufacturers, many of whom are small businesses located in regional areas, and aims to develop a new generation of wear resistant materials and environmentally friendly manufacturing technologies.
Funding was allocated from the latest round of the Smart State Innovation Fund Research and Industry Partnerships Program.
The project aims to secure and expand existing markets for Queensland's ferrous metals industry sector, which directly employs 1959 people and generates $900 million in sales for Queensland every year.
At the same time the project aims to reduce manufacturing costs and has a strong focus on developing environmentally sustainable manufacturing solutions acceptable to the community.
One of the strengths of the project is the involvement of key members of the ferrous metals value chain in Queensland.
To develop the project a new network of industry and research partners was established including the CAST Cooperative Research Centre (comprising 13 research and industry partners), Bradken Resources Pty Ltd (a national supplier of wear resistant components), Tasman Warajay Pty Ltd (a Qld-based end user of wear resistant products) and an Australian Foundry Institute consortium of eleven manufacturing SMEs.
The project is a major outcome from a Partnerships-Alliances Facilitation Program grant, under the Smart State Innovation Fund, which was also awarded to Dr Matt Dargusch (CAST/UQ) and the Australian Foundry Institute in 2006 to develop an alliance with the Queensland-based ferrous component manufacturing industry.
The project will build on CAST's capabilities in alloy design, component production and performance assessment creating new products and business opportunities for the industry participants.
A significant component of the funding will support the world leading research into wear resistant cast irons being undertaken by UQ's Dr Jeff Gates in the School of Engineering.
CEO of the CAST CRC and UQ's Chair of Solidification Technology, Professor David St John said this was the start of a long term relationship between the ferrous metals sector and the CAST CRC, which will allow CAST to extend beyond our light metals focus to offer services to the broader metals industry.
The proposed research program will also have a strong focus on technology transfer and high level skills development, in order to address the needs of Queensland based ferrous component manufacturers.
Media inquiries: Dr Matt Dargusch (07 3346 9225, 0412 058 021 or email m.dargusch@cast.org.au) or
Dr Sue Keay, CAST Communications Manager, (07 3365 3675, 0408 778 667 or email s.keay@cast.org.au). High-resolution images to accompany this story are available on request.
