New Deakin facility goes on a roll

A NEW facility dedicated to advanced metal development and 3D roll forming has been launched at the Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM) at Deakin University’s Waurn Ponds campus.

The $1.5 million IFM Flexible Forming Facility, the first of its kind in the world, is capable of complex roll forming – a process involving incrementally bending metal strips into highly specified shapes.

Roll forming of structural and crash components is now widely used in the automotive industry through the creation and use of high-performance materials such as ultra high strength steels, advanced aluminium alloys and metal laminates.

Using a specially-developed roll former, the Flexible Forming Facility will be capable of developing super-strong products with applications across the automotive, rail and aerospace industries.

The facility was supported by a $280,000 grant from the Australian Research Council (ARC), and was officially launched on Monday by ARC chief executive officer Professor Sue Thomas and Deakin deputy vice-chancellor of research Professor Joe Graffam.

IFM senior research fellow Dr Matthias Weiss, who gave a presentation at the launch, said the facility was a good example of collaboration, as it involved the university sector and a research partner from Germany as well as funding from ARC.

He said the facility would investigate not only new shapes but also using newer, stronger materials.

“All of the shapes so far are relatively mild in strength, so in the near future, we will look at what else we can roll form, and how strong it can actually get.”

Professor Graffam said the facility would be used for proof-of-concept studies on the flexible roll forming process, rapid prototyping and the manufacture of complex profiles from hard-to-form materials.

“The world-first IFM Flexible Forming Facility presents an exciting new opportunity for industry collaboration and research at Deakin University.

“Deakin is committed to the advancement of ideas that make a difference to the communities we serve through research and innovation. This new facility will extend our critical mass of dedicated and high-calibre researchers breaking boundaries in next generation manufacturing, strengthening our leadership in the international area in this important field.”