The University of Queensland has secured $810,000 in funding to produce new technology that will help reduce power consumption, maintenance and other operational costs in the manufacturing industry.
UQ scientists, in partnership with Australian Tube Mills, will help develop, test and commercialise a prototype for a new Continuous Press Forming machine through the Smart State Innovation Projects Fund – Research-Industry Partnerships Program.
The machine will be used to eliminate defects such as stretching and rolling in the traditional metal rolling process.
Examples of roll formed products include roofing, siding or cladding, door and window frames, furniture, automotive and aerospace frames, piping, electrical conduits and construction frames.
Premier Anna Bligh announced Smart State funding of $405,000 for the project, which has a matching cash commitment from Australian Tube Mills.
Project Leader/Manager Dr Paul Meehan of the School of Engineering said the project aimed to develop and build a full-scale prototype as well as produce representative complex stainless steel products that are extremely difficult to make with the current technology.
“A fully-working desktop scaled demonstration prototype has already been constructed and has been fitted with a number of different die sets for different profiles,” Dr Meehan said.
“It has been demonstrated that different die designs can not only produce different transverse profiles but that it is also possible to produce either entirely straight or curved longitudinal shapes with traditionally extreme thickness to diameter ratios with difficult material such as stainless steel.”
UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield thanked Australian Tube Mills for its partnership in the three-year research project.
“The development of the Continuous Press Forming machine is a testament to the University’s strength and engagement with industry partners,” Professor Greenfield said.
UQ Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) Professor David Siddle said the technology was set to benefit the advanced manufacturing sector, especially the stainless steel market of high-end construction, furniture and automotive applications.
“UQ is highly committed to the project, providing expert intellectual input and in-kind support,” Professor Siddle said.
“Manufacturing of the prototype will first occur in Queensland and the design of dies, associated software development and advisory services will be located here.”
A high resolution photo of Dr Paul Meehan can be downloaded from:
http://omc.uq.edu.au/images/Meehan/
Photo credit: Jeremy Patten, The University of Queensland
Media: Eliza Plant at UQ Communications (07 3365 2619 or e.plant@uq.edu.au).
