An announcement
made by the RMIT University highlighted the research project it is currently
working on that would allow for building and repairing steel and titanium parts
for defence force aircrafts.
The university is collaborating with RUAG Australia
and the Innovative
Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (IMCRC).
Professor Milan Brandt leads a team of RMIT
researchers who are using ‘laser metal deposition’ technology for building and
repairing steel and titanium parts.
The parts being built and repaired are for
defence force aircrafts which they are working on in collaboration with RUAG
Australia and the IMCRC.
Metal powder is first fed into a laser
beam, which is then scanned across a surface in order to add new material in a
precise, web-like formation.
This technology can be used to 3D print
parts from scratch or to fix existing parts with a bond that is as strong as,
or possibly even stronger, than the original.
Professor Blandt explained, “It’s basically
a very high-tech welding process where we make or rebuild metal parts layer by
layer.”
He added that the concept is proven and
prospects for its successful development are extremely positive.
Research and Technology Head at RUAG
Australia Mr Neil Matthews said that the technology could completely transform
the concept of warehousing and transporting for defence and other industries.
This technology provides on the spot
creation and repair as parts could just be built and repaired onsite whereas in
the current process, replacement parts require storage before being transported
where the parts are needed.
Mr Mattews added, “Instead of waiting for
spare parts to arrive from a warehouse, an effective solution will now be
on-site.”
He explained, “For defence forces this
means less downtime for repairs and a dramatic increase in the availability and
readiness of aircraft.”
The technology will apply to existing
legacy aircraft as well as the new F35 fleet. The move to locally printed
components is expected to save money on maintenance and spare part purchasing,
scrap metal management, warehousing and shipping costs.
In an independent review commissioned by
BAE Systems, findings showed that an estimated cost of more than A$230 million
a year for the Australian Air Force is spent replacing damaged aircraft parts.
IMCRC CEO and Managing Director Mr David Chuter
believes the technology can also be applied in other industries. He said, “The
project’s benefits to Australian industry are significant. Although the current
project focuses on military aircraft, it is potentially transferable to civil
aircraft, marine, rail, mining, oil and gas industries."
He added, "In fact, this could
potentially be applied in any industry where metal degradation or remanufacture
of parts is an issue.”
The two-year project is the latest in a
series of collaborations over the past decade between Professor Brandt, the
Director of RMIT’s Centre for Additive Manufacturing and a leading expert in
the field and RUAG Australia.
Professor Brandt concluded, “As the leading
Australian research organisation in this technology, we are confident of being
able to deliver a cost-effective solution that fulfils a real need for defence
and other industries.”
RUAG Australia promises excellent support
and service to the Defence and Aerospace markets, combining engineering
expertise and exceptional levels of subject matter knowledge with
fully-accredited manufacturing, maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities.
IMCRC is a cooperative research centre that
helps Australian companies increase their global relevance through research-led
innovation in manufacturing products, processes and services.