Improving the process modelling capability for manufacturing large composite structures used on passenger aircraft. This proposal aims to reduce manufacturing costs by developing innovative simulation tools for the production of future lightweight composite aerostructures.The development of a reliable predictive tool to simulate the cost-effective production of resin-infused composite aerostructures, will represent a significant technical advance. The successful transfer of this technology to Bo ....Improving the process modelling capability for manufacturing large composite structures used on passenger aircraft. This proposal aims to reduce manufacturing costs by developing innovative simulation tools for the production of future lightweight composite aerostructures.The development of a reliable predictive tool to simulate the cost-effective production of resin-infused composite aerostructures, will represent a significant technical advance. The successful transfer of this technology to Boeing Aerostructures Australia would give it a distinct competitive edge when bidding for participation in future international development programmes and will yield substantial economic benefits whilst further strengthening and developing local expertise. Lightweight aircraft structures will also contribute towards reducing the environmental impact of aviation. Read moreRead less
Onset Theory: Pushing the design envelope for textile composite structures. This study aims to exploit an innovative physics-based approach to predict the strength of textile composites. This is particularly important in areas such as aircraft design, where drastic weight savings are needed to allow designers to remain competitive in a low-carbon future. Improved theory and design tools will remove conservatism and account for a large part of these weight savings. The new approach is the first t ....Onset Theory: Pushing the design envelope for textile composite structures. This study aims to exploit an innovative physics-based approach to predict the strength of textile composites. This is particularly important in areas such as aircraft design, where drastic weight savings are needed to allow designers to remain competitive in a low-carbon future. Improved theory and design tools will remove conservatism and account for a large part of these weight savings. The new approach is the first to be consistent at all length scales — from atoms to aeroplanes — ensuring relevance for new and evolving composite material systems. A novel understanding of crack initiation in textile laminates is intended to reduce design and certification effort for new aircraft and help to design more efficient airframes at a lower cost.Read moreRead less
Optimisation of self-healing repair systems in aerospace composite structures. Design and manufacture of composite structures for civilian and military aircraft is a multi-billion dollar export business for Boeing Aerostructures Australia and other Australian aerospace companies. To remain globally competitive, Australian industry must develop new expertise for next-generation composite aerostructures that are lighter, cheaper, more damage tolerant and easily repaired. Autonomic self-healing of ....Optimisation of self-healing repair systems in aerospace composite structures. Design and manufacture of composite structures for civilian and military aircraft is a multi-billion dollar export business for Boeing Aerostructures Australia and other Australian aerospace companies. To remain globally competitive, Australian industry must develop new expertise for next-generation composite aerostructures that are lighter, cheaper, more damage tolerant and easily repaired. Autonomic self-healing of composites is an innovative repair technology with many future potential applications for damaged aerostructures. This project will develop analytical tools and data to enable the Australian aerospace industry to take advantage of the economic benefits offered by self-healing repair systems in aircraft composite structures.Read moreRead less
Optimised flush repairs for dissimilar composite material systems. The outcome of this research project will overcome a major technological challenge when designing repairs for dissimilar composite material systems, which are being utilised at an increasing pace in a multitude of industries. This new technological capability will help to improve the competitiveness of the Australian aerospace industry.
Electron Transpiration Cooling of Hypersonic Vehicles. Future aircraft for flight at hypersonic speeds require sharp leading edges for the best aerodynamic performance. Sharp leading edges incur high heat loads and cannot be adequately cooled with current technologies. The project aim is to investigate novel surface materials that emit electrons when heated. This emission of electrons from the surface can significantly contribute to the cooling of the sharp leading edges. This project is expecte ....Electron Transpiration Cooling of Hypersonic Vehicles. Future aircraft for flight at hypersonic speeds require sharp leading edges for the best aerodynamic performance. Sharp leading edges incur high heat loads and cannot be adequately cooled with current technologies. The project aim is to investigate novel surface materials that emit electrons when heated. This emission of electrons from the surface can significantly contribute to the cooling of the sharp leading edges. This project is expected to deliver new experimental data on novel surface materials exposed to a hypersonic flow environment and computer models that can simulate their cooling effect. This investigation will contribute towards enabling technologies for sustained hypersonic flight by overcoming critical head load limitations.Read moreRead less
AM of MAX Phase parts for applications in extreme environments. This project aims to develop techniques to synthesize MAX Phase compound materials in-situ using laser additive manufacturing. The project expects to increase jet engine fuel efficiency and thrust, and to fabricate longer-lasting parts for supersonic speed applications. The expected outcomes include well-developed additive manufacturing processes to make high performance engineering components with shape complexity for extreme envir ....AM of MAX Phase parts for applications in extreme environments. This project aims to develop techniques to synthesize MAX Phase compound materials in-situ using laser additive manufacturing. The project expects to increase jet engine fuel efficiency and thrust, and to fabricate longer-lasting parts for supersonic speed applications. The expected outcomes include well-developed additive manufacturing processes to make high performance engineering components with shape complexity for extreme environment applications, and new methods to increase the 3D printability of brittle materials. This should provide significant benefits to aerospace and defense industries through solving their long standing bottleneck material and processing problems. The outcomes also enhance Australia’s manufacturing capacity.Read moreRead less
The development of active third-generation heavy vehicle aerodynamic drag reducing devices to reduce future transport emissions. The potential for emission reductions through aerodynamic improvements is particularly apparent in long haul heavy vehicle transport. By developing active devices to be fitted to the heavy vehicle trailer of the future this work offers drag reduction potential from current levels of up to 40 per cent. If widely implemented these devices could play a major part in the t ....The development of active third-generation heavy vehicle aerodynamic drag reducing devices to reduce future transport emissions. The potential for emission reductions through aerodynamic improvements is particularly apparent in long haul heavy vehicle transport. By developing active devices to be fitted to the heavy vehicle trailer of the future this work offers drag reduction potential from current levels of up to 40 per cent. If widely implemented these devices could play a major part in the transport sector meeting medium term emissions targets. If successful not only will the project develop unique components, it will support heavy vehicle research and development that is so important to maintaining a strong manufacturing presence in Australia, especially in regional centres, such as Ballarat where Maxitrans has major headquarters. Read moreRead less
Robust and Scalable Autonomous Landing for Drones. The aim of this project is to develop a transformative robust and scalable autonomous landing system for drones. This is the critical missing technology needed to unleash exponential growth in a potentially enormous drone delivery industry by enabling a multitude of applications to deliver goods and supplies via drones to a wide range of destinations in Australia and the world in a timely, flexible and accurate manner. Such an autonomous landi ....Robust and Scalable Autonomous Landing for Drones. The aim of this project is to develop a transformative robust and scalable autonomous landing system for drones. This is the critical missing technology needed to unleash exponential growth in a potentially enormous drone delivery industry by enabling a multitude of applications to deliver goods and supplies via drones to a wide range of destinations in Australia and the world in a timely, flexible and accurate manner. Such an autonomous landing solution would revolutionise drone technology, and propel Australia to the forefront of technology innovation. This project would benefit not only large scale delivery by drone in urban and suburban areas of Australia but also long distance delivery via drone to remote areas of Australia.Read moreRead less
Application of Knowledge-Based Engineering (KBE) Technology to Intelligent Design Engineering Systems. Knowledge Based Engineering (KBE) is a systematic approach to the integration of design and manufacturing of products and their related processes, from concept to disposal. Typical for KBE applications is that it accepts design rules and procedures. This makes the design process more efficient, which reduces development cost and product lead time. It also enables knowledge and experience to be ....Application of Knowledge-Based Engineering (KBE) Technology to Intelligent Design Engineering Systems. Knowledge Based Engineering (KBE) is a systematic approach to the integration of design and manufacturing of products and their related processes, from concept to disposal. Typical for KBE applications is that it accepts design rules and procedures. This makes the design process more efficient, which reduces development cost and product lead time. It also enables knowledge and experience to be captured and retained which reduces training cost and makes new staff more effective. The aim of the project is to develop a KBE environment for wire and conduit routing through complex structures and verify the benefits in an industry environment.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.