By Dr Troy Coyle, CEO HERA
Our global industry is taking a big step forward with a major international collaboration between HERA and the Australian Composites Manufacturing CRC (ACM CRC). The project promises to lead the way in digital transformation for Circular Design 4.0, a rapidly evolving field.
The ACM CRC has brought together 33 partners in a groundbreaking $250 million program under Australia’s Cooperative Research Centres initiative, spanning a decade.
Engineering excellence, intelligent automation, and advanced technology implementation can play a critical role when working in conjunction with top Australian universities as part of the ACM CRC. The collaboration offers a unique opportunity to harness the world’s leading research teams in the development of composites steel applications with a strong focus on sustainability and circular design principles.
In the inaugural project with the University of Sydney (SYDU) and ANSTO, HERA aims to establish an AI-based monitoring system for assessing the quality of manufactured composite products, including steelwork.
This system will optimise inspection requirements and manage compliance risks through extensive big data analysis. The project also encompasses the collection and analysis of productivity data, in-service health monitoring, and the development of novel 3D printing techniques capable of reusing or recycling materials based on their remaining properties, all aligned with Circular Design 4.0 principles.
From HERA’s point of view, the project is expected to yield remarkable benefits for our members, given our focus on achieving a high level of sustainability, efficiency, and compliance within our industry. Moreover, the project offers significant collaborative opportunities and synergy with other HERA initiatives, such as the $10.3 million MBIE Endeavour-funded research project on Construction 4.0 and our material passport research.
This project carries immense significance: Leveraging AI in Circular Design 4.0 empowers designers, manufacturers, and policymakers to make more informed decisions, optimise resource utilisation, reduce waste, and create products that align with the principles of the circular economy. Composite metals-based manufacturing holds great importance within our membership, the vital contributors to the fabrication of structures, bridges, plants, tanks, pipelines, equipment, and defence assets.
Most of the products fabricated by HERA members are safety-critical, necessitating compliance with underlying fabrication and quality management standards. AI-optimised inspection has the potential to significantly reduce compliance risks and minimise inspection efforts by reducing human involvement. Further opportunities can be seized by adopting a holistic approach to the entire manufacturing cycle and extending AI tools to design optimisation.
This project marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration between HERA, ACM CRC, and project partners (SYDU, ANSTO, and others) aiming to revolutionise the entire industry, making it more competitive, efficient, and sustainable.
To find out more, visit www.hera.org.nz
Dr Troy Coyle brings more than 20 years’ experience in innovation management across a range of industries including materials science, medical radiation physics, biotechnology, sustainable building products, renewable energy and steel. She is a scientist with a PhD (University of NSW) with training in journalism and communications.