The Swinburne-CSIRO National Industry 4.0 Testlab is shaping the future of Australian manufacturing by introducing new initiatives, including a pioneering method for additive manufacturing of carbon fibre composite materials.
At the Testlab, a first-of-its-kind fully automated industrial-scale production facility was unveiled, demonstrating the innovative use of 3D printing technology in creating composite components.
The event drew the attention of Dr Carina Garland MP, Member for Chisholm, commemorating one year since the federal government launched its Rebuilding Australian Manufacturing agenda.
Situated at CSIRO’s Clayton facility, the Swinburne-CSIRO National Industry 4.0 Testlab supports Swinburne’s Aerostructures Innovation Research (AIR) Hub, Victorian Hydrogen Hub, ARC Research Hub for Future Digital Manufacturing, and collaborative projects with CSIRO’s Data61 arm.
Among the Testlab’s key initiatives is the Global Innovation Linkages program project, which seeks to revolutionise manufacturing processes.
By integrating cutting-edge 3D fibre printing technology with unique composite curing methods and digitization technologies, this project aims to enhance production rates, quality, and cost-effectiveness of composite part manufacturing.
Professor Bronwyn Fox, CSIRO’s chief scientist, plays a crucial role in advancing the Testlab’s capabilities with her rich background at Swinburne University of Technology.
According to Swinburne’s Chief Scientist, Professor Virginia Kilborn, “Swinburne University of Technology is proud of be one of Australia’s leading partners in the research and development of advanced manufacturing.”
She added, “Swinburne continues to deliver ground-breaking digital techniques to push Australia to the forefront of manufacturing carbon fibre composite components. Our tech-led approach promotes widespread adoption of Industry 4.0 standards and digital twins, to help secure Australia’s manufacturing future.”
Echoing this sentiment, Professor Boris Eisenbart, Industry 4.0 Testlab Research director, expressed his excitement for the future.
“Testlab is already supporting groundbreaking projects in areas like aerospace, automotive, 3D printing and digital twinning. This is only the start for this world-leading facility, and I am excited for what we can do next to continue to build our partnership with CSIRO and our industry network.”
Meanwhile, Professor Bronwyn Fox emphasised the critical role of collaboration in shaping Australia’s manufacturing future.
“Testlab’s real power is collaboration – it brings together the people, the capabilities and the intention to deliver benefits for the nation through generous collaboration between Swinburne, CSIRO and other key players in Australia’s research and innovation system,” Fox concluded.
