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
Virtual Reality Training Kit for Arc Welders. The aim of this research is to develop a virtual reality training package that enables welders to obtain basic manipulative skills in a safe environment before they are exposed to additional welding hazards. The research addresses the problem of welder training in a novel manner by utilizing a virtual reality simulator to allow the welding trainee to develop his manipulative and functional skills prior to attempting real welding tasks. An additional ....Virtual Reality Training Kit for Arc Welders. The aim of this research is to develop a virtual reality training package that enables welders to obtain basic manipulative skills in a safe environment before they are exposed to additional welding hazards. The research addresses the problem of welder training in a novel manner by utilizing a virtual reality simulator to allow the welding trainee to develop his manipulative and functional skills prior to attempting real welding tasks. An additional feature of the package is the internetworking facility that will allow monitoring and feedback of results to trainers. This is an advantage especially for remote communitiesRead moreRead less
Advanced Testing and Structural Analysis for Assessment and Control of Hydrogen Damage in Structural Steels. Hydrogen offers the potential for reducing emissions in transport and energy generation industries as it is a low emission energy carrier. However, there remain questions in relation to the effects of hydrogen gas on the structural integrity of large structural steel components, such as gas distribution pipelines. The project aims to provide guidance on the safe use of hydrogen in high pr ....Advanced Testing and Structural Analysis for Assessment and Control of Hydrogen Damage in Structural Steels. Hydrogen offers the potential for reducing emissions in transport and energy generation industries as it is a low emission energy carrier. However, there remain questions in relation to the effects of hydrogen gas on the structural integrity of large structural steel components, such as gas distribution pipelines. The project aims to provide guidance on the safe use of hydrogen in high pressure vessels manufactured from low alloy ferritic steels. This project will increase confidence in relevant safety codes and standards, consequently increasing the likelihood of large scale uptake of hydrogen energy technologies. Read moreRead less
Development of an Automated Control System for Selection of Optimal Process Parameters in Welding Using Solar Energy Concentration. The objective of this proposed research is to develop an intelligent control system for selection of optimal process parameters in welding using solar energy concentration. This investigation endeavours to address the complex interaction between welding process parameters and quality of weld. The results of the work will lead to signicant advancement of knowledge ....Development of an Automated Control System for Selection of Optimal Process Parameters in Welding Using Solar Energy Concentration. The objective of this proposed research is to develop an intelligent control system for selection of optimal process parameters in welding using solar energy concentration. This investigation endeavours to address the complex interaction between welding process parameters and quality of weld. The results of the work will lead to signicant advancement of knowledge in automation of the welding process and will generate global interest due to its innovation and applications in automotive manufacturing and steel fabrication industries. The research activity proposed in this application is expected to further strengthen the links between QUT and Mokpo National University and will enhance the capabilities of both universities in attracting funding from local manufacturing industries.Read moreRead less
Modelling and control of electromagnetically propelled arcs in joining processes. Magnetically impelled arc butt (MIAB) joining is a non-traditional manufacturing process for tubular steel components. Parameter selection and tuning have to date been experimentally determined via exhaustive trial-and-error techniques. Therefore the full capabilities of the process have not yet been realised. The project aims to model and optimise the complex process and thus facilitate the development of new a ....Modelling and control of electromagnetically propelled arcs in joining processes. Magnetically impelled arc butt (MIAB) joining is a non-traditional manufacturing process for tubular steel components. Parameter selection and tuning have to date been experimentally determined via exhaustive trial-and-error techniques. Therefore the full capabilities of the process have not yet been realised. The project aims to model and optimise the complex process and thus facilitate the development of new and effective control strategies. It is expected that novel power source designs will emerge as an outcome of the research proposed.Read moreRead less
Guaranteeing the safety of short welds in automotive applications. Most safety-critical welds in the automotive and related industries are of short duration (less than three seconds). We will develop a unified theoretical model of short welds which accounts for all important phenomena. Using this model, we will create the first system to check every safety-critical weld in real time, with 3D data objects that use all the data available from the non-stationary process. The outcomes will be a comp ....Guaranteeing the safety of short welds in automotive applications. Most safety-critical welds in the automotive and related industries are of short duration (less than three seconds). We will develop a unified theoretical model of short welds which accounts for all important phenomena. Using this model, we will create the first system to check every safety-critical weld in real time, with 3D data objects that use all the data available from the non-stationary process. The outcomes will be a comprehensive understanding of short welds, which will be an essential step towards the development of more reliable welding procedures, and a weld fault monitor ready for industrial application.Read moreRead less
Developing a scientific relationship between non-destructive testing ("NDT"), manufacturing acceptance levels and integrity requirements for pressure equipment welds. The acceptance of pressure equipment welds involves the interplay of three engineering fields: manufacturing acceptance standards, non-destructive testing and structural integrity analysis. Historically each of these fields has been developed separately by different research groups. In recent years these developments have acceler ....Developing a scientific relationship between non-destructive testing ("NDT"), manufacturing acceptance levels and integrity requirements for pressure equipment welds. The acceptance of pressure equipment welds involves the interplay of three engineering fields: manufacturing acceptance standards, non-destructive testing and structural integrity analysis. Historically each of these fields has been developed separately by different research groups. In recent years these developments have accelerated with new demands on failure risk, a revolution in NDT techniques and advances in structural integrity analysis. As a result there are now large inconsistencies between the various requirements which lead to serious disputes in industry.
This project seeks to redefine the appropriate relationship between the fields and develop a scientific and logical pathway for standards development.Read moreRead less
DETERMINATION OF SUSCEPTIBILITY TO ENVIRONMENTALLY-ASSISTED CRACKING OF SMALL AND MICROSTRUCTURALLY VARIED REGIONS WHILE MAINTAINING FRACTURE MECHANICS VALIDITY. The proposed work seeks to develop an improved tool for more accurate design data and improved materials selection criteria for critical equipment and infrastructure maintenance in major Australian industries, where environmentally-assisted cracking is a serious concern (viz., marine, polymer/chemical processing, aeronautical, alumina m ....DETERMINATION OF SUSCEPTIBILITY TO ENVIRONMENTALLY-ASSISTED CRACKING OF SMALL AND MICROSTRUCTURALLY VARIED REGIONS WHILE MAINTAINING FRACTURE MECHANICS VALIDITY. The proposed work seeks to develop an improved tool for more accurate design data and improved materials selection criteria for critical equipment and infrastructure maintenance in major Australian industries, where environmentally-assisted cracking is a serious concern (viz., marine, polymer/chemical processing, aeronautical, alumina mineral processing and pulp-and-paper). A successful validation of the novel testing approach (namely, Spiral Notch Torsion Test (SNTT)) for evaluating the stress corrosion cracking (SCC) susceptibility of materials of practical interest that are difficult or impossible to adequately characterize by conventional tests, is as much a fundamental research challenge as its accomplishment will be industrially attractive.Read moreRead less
Improvement in Stress Corrosion Cracking Resistance of Stainless Steels in Environments Conducive to Localized Pitting Damage. Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) represents a serious threat to infrastructure exposed to chloride and caustic environments. The proposed project will characterize the chloride-SCC crack propagation parameters for a super duplex stainless steel, which is the material of construction for vessels for stripping vinyl chloride monomer in a PVC processing plant. Alarmingly hig ....Improvement in Stress Corrosion Cracking Resistance of Stainless Steels in Environments Conducive to Localized Pitting Damage. Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) represents a serious threat to infrastructure exposed to chloride and caustic environments. The proposed project will characterize the chloride-SCC crack propagation parameters for a super duplex stainless steel, which is the material of construction for vessels for stripping vinyl chloride monomer in a PVC processing plant. Alarmingly high numbers the welds (nearly 50%) in the vessel had suffered extensive pitting (which is a well-known SCC initiator) and SCC cracking. For the mitigation measures, the project will also investigate pitting and SCC susceptibility of weldments of alternative varieties of stainless steels, such as Zeron 100.Read moreRead less
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