Research Program 2

Manufacturing Processes

Through this Program, we are focusing on intelligent manufacturing and the digital value chain, sensor integration and hybrid structures incorporating dissimilar materials and additive manufacturing advances. 


Our specific research projects, targeted outputs and proposed impact are as follows.


Automation and robotics:


Implementing advanced machine learning and artificial intelligence for competitive high-quality manufacturing

  • Overview

    A suite of automation, machine learning and artificial intelligence tools for high repeatability, high output manufacturing platforms.

  • Targeted outputs

    Intelligent automation will be adopted in the hydrogen supply chain, composite automotive wheel industry and in-field repair for critical infrastructure.

  • Projected impact

    The increased adoption of composite material in the hydrogen storage industry. The scale-up of carbon fibre car wheels in the manufacturing industry and the reduction in maintenance cost for critical infrastructure.

Hybrid material manufacture:


Novel mixed-material manufacturing processes with embedded dissimilar material surfaces

  • Overview

    Hybrid manufacturing methodologies, material pairing data and automation schemes supporting small and large-scale hybrid manufacturing, including inserts and surfaces.

  • Targeted outputs

    Hybrid manufacturing methodologies will be used in surfaced storage vessels for hydrogen, electric vehicle manufacturing, aircraft manufacturing and the space manufacturing industry.

  • Projected impact

    The scaling-up of the electric bus market and aircraft and space manufacturing industry, and the reduction in maintenance cost for infrastructure from the extension of composites usage.

Sensor integration:


Embedding and using single/multi-point and continuous sensors for smart structures with ease of certification and life prediction

  • Overview

    Sensor integration processes for automated and traditional composite manufacture, focused on sensor accuracy and longevity in support of implementing highly loaded structures.

  • Targeted outputs

    Sensor integration techniques can be implemented in hydrogen storage, smart sports equipment manufacturing and the critical infrastructure industry.

  • Projected impact

    An increase in performance assurance and certification capability of hydrogen tanks, the growth of smart sports market size and a reduction in replacement cost for infrastructure.

Process innovations:


Automation of repair and in-field applications, automation of large structure manufacture, and manufacturing of recycled materials


  • Overview

    Step-change technology in the application of composites to repair, and large-scale automated forming of structures and manufacturing with recycled materials.

  • Targeted outputs

    Recycling processes for composite waste applied to multiple industries, structural repairs methodologies applied in civil infrastructure and large-scale forming in industries including swimming pool manufacture.

  • Projected impact

    A reduction in disposal cost for composite waste, a step-change in manufacturing speed and a reduction in defects in the large-scale composite product manufacturing industry.

Digital manufacture:


Implementation of enhanced process and quality control systems for automated manufacture, enabling establishment of remote digital manufacturing

  • Overview

    Digital manufacture methodologies enabling end users to robustly implement remote and unsupervised manufacturing to robust standard.

  • Targeted outputs

    Digital manufacturing methodologies will enable remote digital manufacturing operations, including inline inspection availability and enhanced production quality.

  • Projected impact

    A reduction in defects and an increase in machine productivity in the composite product manufacturing industry and an increase in the digital export of composite products.