Australian military essentials – from bulletproof vests to aircraft – will be manufactured more quickly and economically thanks to a new facility launched today in Thomastown, Victoria.
The Victorian Minister for Industry and Trade, the Hon. Martin Pakula MP officiated at the opening of the Advanced Surface Solutions Facility (ASSF), a collaboration between the Defence Materials Technology Centre (DMTC) and its partners, including cutting tool expert Sutton Tools.
“Increasingly, materials used to manufacture critical products for our military personnel are inherently difficult to machine,” DMTC’s CEO, Dr Mark Hodge said.
“If we are to maintain our international competitiveness within global supply chains we must establish a capability in the efficient, economical manufacture of these components. This is one of the strategic goals of the DMTC and is the reason for the establishment of the ASSF.”
The ASSF is a world class facility that will focus on developing the latest in computer numerically controlled (CNC) grinding technology, advances in surface coating technology and performance testing of cutting tools. The cornerstone of the ASSF facility is a world class tool coating machine, the Innova, which DMTC acquired with the support of funding from the Victorian Government. The equipment, owned by DMTC, is located at Sutton Tools in Thomastown, Victoria.
Sutton Tools is Australia’s largest manufacturer of engineering cutting tools and power tool accessories. The Australian-owned company employs more than 400 people and is a founding participant of the DMTC.
At the launch of the ASSF Mr Mike Grogan, CEO of Sutton Tools, emphasised the importance of innovation in research and development focused on improving efficiency and productivity in manufacturing.
“In these difficult economic times it is vital that we continue to invest in people and capital equipment in readiness for a return to growth and improved profitability for Australian manufacturing industry.”
DMTC, university researchers and industry will now have access to the world’s best coating technology in the form of the Innova production ready, fully specified research and development machine.
Dr Steve Dowey, General Manager of Surface Technology Coatings, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sutton Tools, noted: “The Victorian Government should be specifically thanked for its support of the DMTC and local industry in establishing world class manufacturing activities directed at strengthening our defence capabilities.”
Also attending the launch of the ASSF was the Speaker of the House of Representatives and Federal local member for Scullin, Mr Harry Jenkins MP.
Posted by DMTC on August 27th, 2009 The Defence Materials Technology Centre (DMTC) congratulates one of its core partners, Thales Australia, on its recent sale of 14 additional Bushmaster vehicles to the Netherlands Army.
The deal brings Thales’ Dutch orders to a total of 86 vehicles.
Thales said the standard troop carrier variants would be delivered to the customer in October and November, with nine destined for Afghanistan and five to be kept in reserve.
Thales Australia’s Vice President of Land & Joint Systems, Ian Irving, said the new order reflected the confidence the Dutch armed forces have in the vehicle, which has an established reputation of protecting troops against Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
“The Bushmaster has been very successful on operations, and we are working closely with the Netherlands Ministry of Defence to fulfil their ongoing requirements.
“This not only includes providing vehicles, but developing new technologies such as the recent counter-IED interrogation arm variant to support troops in the field.”
“Our team in Bendigo, Victoria, are well-placed to continue delivering innovative solutions and services because of their unrivalled expertise and their many years experience in vehicle design, manufacturing and systems integration.”
An additional EOS-SRWS (stabilised remote weapon station), which Thales is providing in conjunction with Australian-based EOS Ltd., forms part of the order.
Thales Australia is a core participant of the DMTC under the Armour Applications program. The DMTC is a joint venture between partners from defence industry, universities and public research agencies who are conducting collaborative research to enhance future Defence capability.
Posted by DMTC on August 26th, 2009
Precision machining specialist Millatec has increased productivity across its operations thanks to a collaborative research project set up by the Defence Materials Technology Centre (DMTC).
The ongoing project brought together Millatec, Seco Tools and researchers from the CAST Cooperative Research Centre to develop critical processes for refinement of stainless steel manufacturing. The first milestone of the project has tripled throughput by reducing machining time of components.
Queensland-based SME Millatec specialises in advanced precision machining services while Seco Tools is internationally known for its wide and innovative range of cutters and inserts for milling applications, such as those in aerospace component fabrication that are of particular interest to DMTC and its partner organisations.
In its first year of a seven-year project, the team has already made in-roads to increasing productivity at tool manufacturing plants. From a manufacturer’s perspective, decreased process cycle times directly improve productivity, which expands production capacity, which in turn enables the manufacturer to secure additional contracts.
“This is a prime example of how industry as a sector, and SMEs in particular, can benefit from involvement in the DMTC,” said DMTC CEO Dr Mark Hodge.
“This phase of the project was over and done within a matter of weeks. DMTC is focused on delivering practical results in practical timeframes.”
How the test was conducted
The project team compared current machining practices in place at Millatec with newly developed tooling technology supplied by Seco Tools Australia. A suitable 316 stainless steel component was chosen for comparison and testing of the modified machining process.
Seco’s tooling technology utilises a different tool holding mechanism to decrease vibration encountered during machining and allow higher feed rates and cutting speeds.
The 316 stainless component was selected due to the various milling operations involved in its manufacture, which span face milling, hole boring, peripheral profile milling, thread cutting, chamfering, spot drilling and conventional drilling.
“By comparing these cycle times with the cycle times of the machining process previously employed at Millatec, we can develop an idea of the overall performance of the new tooling technology and the benefits of employing it in industry,” said Millatec MD James Johnson.
Solid results yield practical benefits
Millatec constantly updates its hardware and tooling to accommodate the increasing demand of high precision components in stainless steel, explained Dr Suresh Palanisamy, DMTC project leader.
“As a result of the new tooling technology and modification of machining parameters, the cycle time for the component was reduced to 33% of its original total machining time. A time efficiency of 200% is a notable achievement and provides a solid foundation for the DMTC and Millatec to conduct further research in the area,” Dr Palanisamy said.
“By adapting the modified machining processes to other stainless steel components being produced, Millatec stands to reduce their cycle times and increase productivity across a range of components.”
Rewards of collaboration
DMTC develops and delivers new materials technologies and manufacturing processes to enhance Australia’s defence capability by adopting a collaborative partnership approach between Defence, defence industries and research agencies.
Seco Tools’ Technical Manager Dean Townsend said Seco’s role in the current project was to cast a holistic eye on the process and suggest machining techniques and strategies that will make the process more cost effective for the manufacturer and give them a competitive edge.
“By collaborating with other parties we are bringing many years experience to the project, both academically and also industrially. Many ideas will be brought to the table, culminating in aspects of each being employed which ultimately help us reach our goal of achieving ‘best practice’ techniques,” said Townsend.
“Component manufacturers will benefit from the assurance that the latest in cutting tool technologies and strategies are applied to their process.”
The next phase of the project will investigate how cryogenic coolant technology can be incorporated into Millatec’s current machining centres and the optimal conditions for its use, further increasing productivity and profitability for its technology-minded partners.
Posted by DMTC on August 11th, 2009 The Defence Materials Technology Centre (DMTC) is investigating an opportunity to create a new research program in Personnel Survivability.
DMTC develops and delivers new materials technologies and manufacturing processes to enhance Australia’s defence capability by adopting a collaborative approach between Defence, defence industries and research agencies.
The Centre currently has four research programs – air platforms, maritime platforms, propulsion systems and armour applications.
“At the current stage of DMTC’s business cycle, personnel survivability presents a logical and timely extension of current activities, given that Defence demand for solider protection technologies has greatly expanded as a result of recent operational experience,” DMTC CEO Dr Mark Hodge said.
Should the concept be supported, program activity would be driven directly by existing defence capability requirements as articulated in the 2009 Defence White Paper and directly to DMTC, Dr Hodge said.
He said the idea of a Personnel Survivability program had attracted significant interest from defence industry in a very short space of time, but would need further support from industry and the Commonwealth to get off the ground.
DMTC hopes to develop the opportunity to exploit materials and manufacturing technologies and systems through advancement, adaptation and integration of personal protection and signature management technologies. This offers the potential to enhance or maintain individual protection whilst minimising the characteristics with the potential to further burden the individual, such as weight, bulk and poor utility while maintaining or reducing life cycle cost and providing better sustainment outcomes by improving modularity and upgradability.
The new program would span four areas of research and development, to include Ballistic, blast and flash protection; Signature reducing characteristics; Utility, fit and comfort and; Environmental (protection from airborne threats to personnel including Chemical/Biological/Radiation and thermal conditions).
DMTC would like to hear from industry or research sector parties interested in partnering with DMTC on this activity, and encourages them to contact head office without delay. Industry briefings will be held throughout August and September to fully develop the concept before further discussions with Defence are held.
For further information or to register interest in becoming a participant, please contact DMTC on +61 3 9214 4447.
Posted by DMTC on August 10th, 2009