An innovative system for accurate bending of fracture fixation plates in orthopaedic surgery. Bone fractures cost the Australian healthcare system about 1 billion annually, with the costs associated with non optimal surgical outcomes due to post-operative complications being much higher. The novel system developed in this project will not only shorten surgical procedures but also result in anatomically better fitting plates which will improve the functional outcome and reduce the need for surgic ....An innovative system for accurate bending of fracture fixation plates in orthopaedic surgery. Bone fractures cost the Australian healthcare system about 1 billion annually, with the costs associated with non optimal surgical outcomes due to post-operative complications being much higher. The novel system developed in this project will not only shorten surgical procedures but also result in anatomically better fitting plates which will improve the functional outcome and reduce the need for surgical implant removal. It will further lessen degenerative changes in adjacent joints as a result of incorrect fracture alignment. It can be expected that these improvements in surgical techniques will translate into reduced healthcare expenditure and ensure patient's quality of life.Read moreRead less
Modelling the cutting process and cutting performance in contour and multipass abrasive waterjet machining. This project will develop important new cutting techniques to increase the cutting capability and application domain of the abrasive waterjet (AWJ) cutting technology. It will gain a fundamental understanding of the cutting phenomenon and develop new mathematical models for predicting the cutting performance in AWJ contouring and multipass cutting. This project will further develop into a ....Modelling the cutting process and cutting performance in contour and multipass abrasive waterjet machining. This project will develop important new cutting techniques to increase the cutting capability and application domain of the abrasive waterjet (AWJ) cutting technology. It will gain a fundamental understanding of the cutting phenomenon and develop new mathematical models for predicting the cutting performance in AWJ contouring and multipass cutting. This project will further develop into a new branch of manufacturing science by uncovering the cutting mechanisms in AWJ machining with and without nozzle oscillation, and have significant impact to the manufacturing industry by providing machining information and cutting performance models to increase the technological and economic performance of AWJ machining.Read moreRead less
Development of micro abrasive water jetting technology for micro machining and polishing on small complex curved surfaces. The fabrication of micro-parts such as those used in integrated sensors and micro-actuators is a new challenge for the rapid development of this industry. Many existing technologies either find limitations or result in defects on the machined surfaces. This project will develop an innovative abrasive water-jetting technology for micro machining and polishing. It will deve ....Development of micro abrasive water jetting technology for micro machining and polishing on small complex curved surfaces. The fabrication of micro-parts such as those used in integrated sensors and micro-actuators is a new challenge for the rapid development of this industry. Many existing technologies either find limitations or result in defects on the machined surfaces. This project will develop an innovative abrasive water-jetting technology for micro machining and polishing. It will develop the fundamentals and prototype for further development by industry. New nozzle designs will be analyzed and optimized by computational fluid dynamics studies and experimental investigations using a Particle Image Velocimeter. Mathematical models for the processing performance will also be developed for use in process control.Read moreRead less
Predictive modelling of the incremental sheet forming process. This project will benefit Australia with the gain of fundamental understanding of an advanced manufacturing process leading to a step change from an 'art of expertise' to a scientific understanding and improvement. The innovative design software kernel developed will facilitate a step change in manufacture of complex sheet formed product, such as aircraft and vehicle panelling. This seed collaborative research with QMI Solutions and ....Predictive modelling of the incremental sheet forming process. This project will benefit Australia with the gain of fundamental understanding of an advanced manufacturing process leading to a step change from an 'art of expertise' to a scientific understanding and improvement. The innovative design software kernel developed will facilitate a step change in manufacture of complex sheet formed product, such as aircraft and vehicle panelling. This seed collaborative research with QMI Solutions and global partner, Boeing, will enhance national modelling capability in advanced metal forming, a niche market for Australian manufacturing. The new technology and research support capabilities for its adoption, will lead to new national business and export opportunities.Read moreRead less
Development of Knowledge Based Process Planning System for Non-Symmetrical Sheet Metal Forming Processes. Sheet metal and automotive industries need to continually improve their strategic competitive advantages with flexibility and cost-effectiveness to remain competitive in a changing world economy. In order to achieve this, the primary objective in the proposed research is to design and develop a knowledge-based process planning system for non-symmetrical products produced by deep drawing pro ....Development of Knowledge Based Process Planning System for Non-Symmetrical Sheet Metal Forming Processes. Sheet metal and automotive industries need to continually improve their strategic competitive advantages with flexibility and cost-effectiveness to remain competitive in a changing world economy. In order to achieve this, the primary objective in the proposed research is to design and develop a knowledge-based process planning system for non-symmetrical products produced by deep drawing processes. This objective will be achieved by investigating the effect of process variable on drawability of sheet material, by obtaining relevant process information through necessary experimentation and finite element analysis and by development of a rule base by acquiring process information from domain experts selected from number of sheet metal manufacturing industries.Read moreRead less