We are proud to have been involved as a key project partner in Monash University’s world leading impact testing equipment.  Austeng engineered, manufactured and installed the state of the art Impact Testing Facility in line with the University’s stringent requirements.

The research facility unveiled in December 2020 is designed to observe the behaviour of elements under severe impact loadings thereby promoting the structural safety of present and future high risk infrastructure.

Chris Powell (Monash Civil Engineering) commented;

“It has over many years become very difficult to find capable engineering manufacturers who are willing to take on concept or prototype work, Austeng have the flare, expertise and a willingness to take on these “left of centre projects” ……. to the benefit of institutions like ours and others.
Austeng are local, had the capacity and ability to undertake this project with an acceptable budget and timeframe.
A very successful outcome has been achieved with expertise within Australia which is a rare occurrence these days.”

See videos of the unit during testing

See Geelong Advertiser article 21/12/2020

Monash impact testing

 

Congratulations to Formflow on it’s continuing journey with its bending technology set to disrupt the construction industry.

Austeng is delighted to be a part of the Formflow story.

Formflow and Austeng has featured in Engineers Australia magazine ‘Create’ under the title “Mind Over Metal” relating to a new Australian metal forming innovation – see the full article Mind Over Metal

For more information visit formflow.net.au

Austeng has collaborated with Capricorn Power to run successful trials to support the technical development of what is potentially the world’s most efficient heat to electricity generation system, based on a theoretically proven flow-sheet.  The “Barton Engine” turns customers waste heat into low cost electricity thereby reducing emissions.

Applications include primary energy sources from renewables (biomass, geothermal, solar-thermal), methane flare gas (waste recovery treatment, rubbish heaps) and waste heat recovery from industrial processes.

Design is currently underway for a 20kW prototype.

See Capricorn Power Brochure

Former treasurer to head energy project Geelong Advertiser 17/8

For further information contact Ross George or visit www.capricornpower.com.au

Austeng has collaborated with Imagine Intelligent Materials Pty Ltd (Imagine IM) in building the first commercial graphene plant in Australia. It was officially launched by local MP Sarah Henderson. The pilot plant will produce up to 10 tonnes of graphene per year, built for Imagine IM by Austeng.

Graphene is a revolutionary two dimensional atomic scale carbon material with unmatched properties and is expected to revolutionise industry and consumer products over the next twenty years. Graphene is widely seen as a new platform material for advanced manufacturing, wtih applications including electronics, fashion and sports wearable technology, mining, water conservation and purification, automotive structures and energy storage. Imagine IM has developed a graphene coating technology that enables the production of a world-first conductive geotextile that will be manufactured and launched into the Australian marketplace by Geofabrics Australasia later in 2016.

According to Ross George, MD of Austeng, “We were determined to be involved in bringing graphene manufacturing to Geelong, by fabricating Australia’s first commercial graphene manufacturing plant for Imagine IM. We love the vision that Imagine IM has and believe that building Imagine IM’s initial plant will lead to Austeng developing the skills and knowledge to build further plants that will be exported to the world. Phil Aitchison, COO and Head of R&D at Imagine IM, says, “This project has involved all roads leading to Geelong. Austeng came highly recommended as tech enablers and unrelatedly, we have undertaken R&D work at both CSIRO in Geelong and Deakin University. Geelong is one of the most innovative Australian cities in which to work”.

See Geelong Advertiser (15/06/2016) article  here.

See Manufacturer’s Monthly article (April 2016) here.

Imagine IM is developing a ‘Smart Mat’ in response to Covid-19 safe social distancing requirements.  The On-Q-Mat asks like a traffic light to identify if social distance is being achieved over the mat area.  Read more in:

Stand Safely on New Matting Geelong Advertiser 14/08/20

Austeng has been working with Adapt-A-Pole Pty. Ltd. to refine their leading-edge pole rebutting technology.  Pole rebutting replaces the in-ground portion of the timber pole with a steel and concrete stub and can be utilised for pole re-instatement, thermal up-grades, new installations and increasing conductor clearance.

Advantages of this technology include economics, increased strength and durability, flexibility and environmental benefits (see link to www.adaptapole.com)

Austeng was instrumental in developing the initial Adapt-A-Pole truck that comprises a truck with:

  • drill that is able to drill around the “in-ground” portion of the butt
  • ­gripper that holds and elevates the automation control system to co-ordinate process
  • ­a saw that cuts off the “rotted” part of the pole
  • ­storage for the steel sleeves or “caissons”.

Austeng recently complete a new vehicle installation for Adapt-a-Pole.  The vehicle was modified to suit the refurbished and upgraded rebutting equipment.  The rebutting vehicle now features cutting edge control and safety systems.

Austeng is continuing to assist Adapt-a-Pole with their business expansion and technology developments.

Austeng has successfully collaborated with local based bio-technology company Cytomatrix Pty Ltd and Deakin University to manufacture a world first manufacturing plant for the production of “novel” short nanofibres, a new class of high value materials that open up a side range of new applications in bio-technology, medicine, materials science and other fields).

Austeng provided practical know how and engineering expertise to design and build a scalable machine with manufacturing capability.  In particular, it used its experience in fluid systems to provide ratio control via piston pumps (a novel but simple solution) with Cytomatrix/Deakin providing the short nanofibre know how and a rapid prototyping capabilities including 3D printed components.

An innovative State Government funding model (Skilling By The Bay grant) has enabled the realisation of this new manufacturing capability offering new employment opportunities in the region.

Key engineering innovations of this project derive from design principles of the aeronautic and auto industries applied in an entirely-new context to generate these highly-tunable nano-scale fibre materials.  The dynamic and interactive University/Industry collaboration during the design process and the joint commitment to future R&D was a further highlight of this project.

Over the last three years we have been working with the Renewable Energy Solutions Pty. Ltd. (RESA) team to develop, refine and manufacture their innovative, efficient and virtually silent Eco Whisper Turbine (EWT 625).  This exciting new development in green energy is designed to off-set small to large energy requirements for manufacturing and industrial sites, urban development and rural sites and in revolutionising green energy.  (See attached link to presentation by Lyn George of Austeng to Geelong Manufacturing Council or link to www.ecowhisper.com.au).

Background to Process

  • Initial referral from ICN
    • Reputation as innovative, flexible and multi-skilled
  • 1st Stage
    • Part of multi-disciplinary Team “brain storming” ideas.  Experts covering:-
      • Generator development and supply
      • Engineering/design/certification
      • Power inverter and grid connection
      • Manufacture
      • Foundations and engineering
      • Installation and erection
  • 2nd Stage
    • Manufacture first production prototype
  • 3rd Stage
    • Testing and certification
  • 4th Stage
    • Production of first commercial models located at Tullamarine.

Over the last 18 months we have undertaken further work with RESA on a smaller version (EWT 325) that will suit smaller rural and domestic sites.

Article Geelong Advertiser 24/5/2012
Article Herald Sun 7/3/12
Article Geelong Times 9/11/2011
Article Geelong Advertiser 2/8/2011

Our client Carbon Revolution has developed a world first “one-piece” carbon fibre wheel that represents cutting edge in design and manufacture with composite materials resulting in attendant benefits and savings. See www.carbonrev.com.

Austeng assisted in the commercialisation process by developing a cwww.carbonrev.comonvection cure over in high nitrogen/low oxygen environment that provided programmed cure cycle of gradually elevating temperatures over a protracted time period, thereby preventing the resins from discolouring.

In early 2015 Austeng worked with Deakin University to develop a unit that harmlessly repels birds in certain environments.  the intellectual property developed by a Deakin University animal behaviorist revolved around pulsing light at set frequencies.  These flashing lights are seen by the birds but are at a frequency too high for the human eye to detect.  We worked with University personnel to develop a portable engineering solution (on the back of a trailer) to use this technology to minimise bird deaths by deterring birds from drinking from dams close to mine sites that may contain toxic mine tailings.

We are currently working with Deakin University to explore other applications for this technology.

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