Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100960
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$420,198.00
Summary
Reverse Design of Tuneable 4D Printed Materials for Soft Robotics. This project aims to facilitate the design and manufacture of specialised objects that can change their shape over time. These types of objects are made from ‘tuneable metamaterials’, which can be made by 4D printing: 3D printing with an added dimension of time. These materials are becoming indispensable in many fields- including non-metallic soft robots used in medicine or the exploration of harsh environments like space- but ar ....Reverse Design of Tuneable 4D Printed Materials for Soft Robotics. This project aims to facilitate the design and manufacture of specialised objects that can change their shape over time. These types of objects are made from ‘tuneable metamaterials’, which can be made by 4D printing: 3D printing with an added dimension of time. These materials are becoming indispensable in many fields- including non-metallic soft robots used in medicine or the exploration of harsh environments like space- but are currently onerous to make. This project will develop a revolutionary new method for a user to work backward from defining the desired qualities to the manufacture of the object that satisfies their needs. It will also create a library that will allow users to quickly select a material that will be appropriate.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC200100001
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,879,415.00
Summary
ARC Training Centre for Collaborative Robotics in Advanced Manufacturing. The Centre aims to build the human and technical capability Australia needs to underpin our global competitiveness in advanced manufacturing. The Centre will unite manufacturing businesses, including SMEs, and universities to develop collaborative robotics applications which combine the strengths of humans and robots in shared work environments. The Centre will train researchers, engineers, technologists and manufacturing ....ARC Training Centre for Collaborative Robotics in Advanced Manufacturing. The Centre aims to build the human and technical capability Australia needs to underpin our global competitiveness in advanced manufacturing. The Centre will unite manufacturing businesses, including SMEs, and universities to develop collaborative robotics applications which combine the strengths of humans and robots in shared work environments. The Centre will train researchers, engineers, technologists and manufacturing leaders with the expertise industry needs to boost safety, quality assurance, production efficiency, and workforce readiness. The intended outcome is to support Australian manufacturers to shift toward higher-potential markets, compete globally and attract and retain a digitally-capable workforce for the future.Read moreRead less
Muscle-based Signals for Responsive Physically-Assistive Robotics. This project aims to develop a physically assistive robot for industrial use that interprets signals from the human user’s muscles during a physical activity and responds with appropriate assistance. This is significant because the robot must accommodate the complexity of movement required in industrial settings and adapt to variabilities in muscle activation signals among users that also change in time. The expected research out ....Muscle-based Signals for Responsive Physically-Assistive Robotics. This project aims to develop a physically assistive robot for industrial use that interprets signals from the human user’s muscles during a physical activity and responds with appropriate assistance. This is significant because the robot must accommodate the complexity of movement required in industrial settings and adapt to variabilities in muscle activation signals among users that also change in time. The expected research outcome is an intuitive, assistive robot worn by the human workforce that enhances their productivity and longevity, improves working conditions, lowers production costs, and increases workforce resilience. The robot’s capabilities will be demonstrated in this project through the challenging activity of sheep shearing.Read moreRead less
A New Parallel Robot with breakthrough performance for Manufacturing of Aerospace Components - kinematic and dynamic synthesis, design optimisation and prototyping. The Gantry-Tau is a new parallel type robot manipulator that will have the large workspace benefit of traditional Gantry robots in addition to stiffness and accuracy benefits well beyond the capabilities of existing robots. Preliminary results have shown that the Gantry-Tau can become the most accurate Gantry manipulator to date, wit ....A New Parallel Robot with breakthrough performance for Manufacturing of Aerospace Components - kinematic and dynamic synthesis, design optimisation and prototyping. The Gantry-Tau is a new parallel type robot manipulator that will have the large workspace benefit of traditional Gantry robots in addition to stiffness and accuracy benefits well beyond the capabilities of existing robots. Preliminary results have shown that the Gantry-Tau can become the most accurate Gantry manipulator to date, with the potential of competing with dedicated machines in the manufacturing industry. The expected project outcome is a working prototype of the Gantry-Tau demonstrating machining performance on aerospace components, publications in high-ranked conferences and journals and several patent applications.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.
Studies on the Weld Characterstics and Weldability of Welded Joints with Alternate Supply of Shileding Gases in Welding. In today's dynamic changing environment, for industries to remain internationally competitive, traditional manufacturing techniques used for welding have to become more flexible and intelligent to attain better adaptability and higher productivity. In industrial applications of MIG/MAG welding processes, various types of shielding gases are used based on type of work material ....Studies on the Weld Characterstics and Weldability of Welded Joints with Alternate Supply of Shileding Gases in Welding. In today's dynamic changing environment, for industries to remain internationally competitive, traditional manufacturing techniques used for welding have to become more flexible and intelligent to attain better adaptability and higher productivity. In industrial applications of MIG/MAG welding processes, various types of shielding gases are used based on type of work material and weld quality required. In this proposed research, experimental studies will be conducted on welding productivity by using different shielding gas combinations. The aim of this project is to conduct experimental analysis on weld arc phenomenon, weld pool behavior, and weld quality and to build an intelligent system for the selection of optimum combination shielding gas mixtures. In addition this study also aims to examine how the microstructure and mechanical properties of different welds are influenced by the use of different shielding gases combinations.Read moreRead less
Micromanipulation system. Many frontier areas such as micromanufacturing, microsurgery, biotechnology, and nanotechnology require high precision micromanipulation systems. This project aims to investigate fundamental issues in micromanipulation systems using an ARC-LIEF funded research facility, and establish methodologies for modelling and analysis, together with their experimental verification to evaluate the influence of various parameters in such systems. The findings will be utilised to e ....Micromanipulation system. Many frontier areas such as micromanufacturing, microsurgery, biotechnology, and nanotechnology require high precision micromanipulation systems. This project aims to investigate fundamental issues in micromanipulation systems using an ARC-LIEF funded research facility, and establish methodologies for modelling and analysis, together with their experimental verification to evaluate the influence of various parameters in such systems. The findings will be utilised to establish sensory-based control techniques to solve problems associated with predictability, control, and efficiency for future advancement of such novel systems. The outcomes will include acquiring new knowledge in micromanipulation systems for potential utilization of the innovative concepts in the frontier areas.Read moreRead less
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
A Vision Controlled Autonomous Multi-Robot Welding System. This developed system will increase the application of robotic welding in more Australian industries thereby increaseing the productivity and competitiveness of the nation. The system will provide a safer work environment for workers by reducing and potentially eliminating direct exposure of workers to the welding process. This fully automated welding system will give the Lincoln a significant advantage in commercialise this technology b ....A Vision Controlled Autonomous Multi-Robot Welding System. This developed system will increase the application of robotic welding in more Australian industries thereby increaseing the productivity and competitiveness of the nation. The system will provide a safer work environment for workers by reducing and potentially eliminating direct exposure of workers to the welding process. This fully automated welding system will give the Lincoln a significant advantage in commercialise this technology both in Australia and overseas. Therefore, this will reap considerable economic benefit for the company, and the nation. This project will also provide a realistic industrial environment for PhD student training.Read moreRead less
Assistive Robotic Systems for Augmenting Human Strength in Industrial Applications. A theoretical foundation needs to be developed in order for assistive robots to collaborate with human workers and optimise the capabilities of both the human and the robot. This project aims to develop methodologies that enable assistive robots to augment the strength of humans conducting physically demanding work, such as abrasive blasting, in complex industrial environments. It aims to address research challen ....Assistive Robotic Systems for Augmenting Human Strength in Industrial Applications. A theoretical foundation needs to be developed in order for assistive robots to collaborate with human workers and optimise the capabilities of both the human and the robot. This project aims to develop methodologies that enable assistive robots to augment the strength of humans conducting physically demanding work, such as abrasive blasting, in complex industrial environments. It aims to address research challenges associated with perception and control of robotic systems that provide assistance as- needed physical support to a worker intuitively and safely. The ultimate objectives are to improve productivity and reduce injuries. The outcomes intend to have significant and immediate impacts on assistive robotics research and industrial applications.Read moreRead less