DMTC has run its first 2 day training workshop in Project Management to develop the skills of current DMTC sponsored postgraduate students and partner organisation employees.
The workshop was aimed specifically at preparing the attendees for a smooth transition to Project Leader roles within DMTC and our partner organisations with a specific focus on preparing for collaborative and research based projects.
The workshop was attended by 25 people and included training in project management tools, techniques, and DMTC project management processes.
This workshop forms part of DMTC’s ongoing program of professional development activities.
Posted by DMTC on June 30th, 2014 DMTC’s Automated Off-Line Programming (AOLP) capability has been successfully deployed on several naval and protected vehicle platforms by Australian defence industry. The capability allows a robotic assembly cell to self-program directly from the digitised assembly drawings and during operation can account for deviations in the component positions when physically jigged compared to the digitised assembly model.
In late May, the next evolution of the technology was successfully demonstrated to senior engineers and managers from Thales Australia. The focus of the AOLP capability has now progressed to application on welded tubular space frames. Space frames are a mass efficient way of constructing and tying together vehicle and platform systems and are gaining popularity in the design of lightweight vehicle chassis. Whilst they are a mass efficient way of building a chassis, the assembly process is difficult due to the numerous pipes and tubes that need to be precisely joined to each other in a 3-D web. AOLP can make this process more efficient by both positioning the tubes for welding and conducting the weld in an accurate and repeatable fashion.
Following the successful demonstration of the concept to Thales Australia at the welding laboratories at the University of Wollongong, DMTC researchers Stephen Pan, Nathan Larkin and their team are continuing to refine the technology for this new application. Beyond tubular space frames the AOLP technology has progressed sufficiently to now have potential application for other forms of assembly such as riveting, bolting and spot-welding. It is a capability that lends itself to future opportunities in cost effective mass-customisation where full scale production efficiencies and economies of scale can be realised while maintaining the option of bespoke one off productions and where configuration is limited only by the creativity of the design engineer.
Posted by DMTC on June 24th, 2014 The 2014 DMTC Awards for Excellence were presented at this years’ Annual Conference Dinner at the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra. The DMTC Awards for Excellence recognise significant contributions made by individuals and teams that have resulted in successful outcomes for DMTC and its partners. DMTC would like to congratulate the following 2014 award recipients for their outstanding contributions this year:
Industry Partnership Award
This award recognises researchers whose efforts have significantly contributed to the capability of a DMTC Industry Participant.
Awarded to: Aaron Seeber of CSIRO and Theo Sinkovits, University of Wollongong
Research Collaboration Award
This award recognises the individual who embodies the spirit of collaboration that is integral to DMTC’s strategic intent.
Awarded to: James Waldie of BAE Systems
Early Career Award
This award recognises the contribution of early career technical officers, engineers and scientists to DMTC projects, rewarding ‘above and beyond’ efforts.
Awarded to: Cameron Barr of The University of Melbourne
Capability Improvement Award
This award recognises the project team who achieves a significant improvement in technical capability in the area of materials and/or manufacturing technology. This year, two teams were presented with the award:
Awarded to: Project 2.7 “New Steels for Submarine Application”
Project Leader: Nathan Lane – University of Wollongong. Team members: Huijun Li – University of Wollongong, John Norrish – University of Wollongong, Frank Barbaro – University of Wollongong, Druce Dunne – University of Wollongong, Chris Killmore – Bluescope, Dake Yu – Bisalloy, Kristin Carpenter – Bluescope, Chris Jones – Bluescope, Mark O’Dwyer – Bluescope, Stephen van Duin – University of Wollongong.
Awarded to: Armour Applications Program 3
Program Leader: James Sandlin, VCAMM
Project 3.1 “Design, development & manufacture of vehicle armour systems”
Project 3.2 “Next generation ferritic vehicle armour”
Project 3.4 “Comparison of joining systems in armoured vehicles”
Project 3.5 “Lean automation in armoured vehicle manufacture”
Project 3.8 “New materials and manufacturing for next generation armoured vehicles”
Awards were also presented at the conclusion of the conference for the best presentations and posters. Winners were as follows:
Best Poster: Project 1.3 – Dominic Cuiuri, University of Wollongong with Nicholas Hoye – University of Wollongong, Suresh Palanisamy – Swinburne University of Technology, David Morr – Seco Tools.
Supporting team members: John Norrish – University of Wollongong, Zengxi Pan – University of Wollongong, Nathan Larkin – University of Wollongong, Ajit Godbole – University of Wollongong, Matt Dargusch – University of Queensland, Brad Burns – Seco Tools.
Best Student Poster: Shi Da (Stephen) Sun, RMIT University
Best Conference Presentation: Nathan Larkin, University of Wollongong
Best Conference Student Presentation: Silvia Leo, The University of Melbourne
Congratulations on your excellent contributions to the conference.
Posted by DMTC on April 2nd, 2014 In a speech at DMTC’s Annual Conference in Canberra, Assistant Minister for Defence, Mr Stuart Robert, has announced that the Government has agreed to secure funding for DMTC for an additional three years.
In his announcement Mr Robert said “Technology that was researched and developed through DMTC has been commercialised through the Defence Materiel Organisation’s Priority Industry Capability Innovation Program. Simply put, this means the men and women of the Australian Defence Force, whether on operations or humanitarian missions, will continue to benefit from the technological advancements available to improve their safety and security on the job.”
This announcement means Australian research organisations and industry can look forward to engaging in further cost efficient collaborative programs with DMTC, which will provide tangible increases to the technology available to the ADF.
DMTC’s CEO, Dr Mark Hodge, said “DMTC will now be able to continue its work in developing the critical knowledge and expertise which underpins the Australian Defence Force capability.”
The media release for the announcement by the Assistant Minister for Defence can be found here.
Posted by DMTC on March 26th, 2014