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ARC Training Centre in Lightweight Automotive Structures (ATLAS
ARC Training Centre in Lightweight Automotive Structures (ATLAS)
Source: Sally Wood
The ARC Training Centre in Lightweight Automotive Structures (ATLAS) aims to accelerate the transformation of Australia's automotive industry through new research capabilities in lightweight automotive structures design and manufacture. Administered through RMIT University, ATLAS brings together Deakin University, the Australian National University, lead industry partner the Ford Motor Company and a further 12 local and international partner organisations including the CSIRO to address the challenges in lightweighting. ARC Chief Executive Officer, Professor Sue Thomas, said the Training Centre will develop new lightweight technologies, manufacturing processes and energy storage designs that will reduce carbon dioxide emissions in transportation. “Working with industry partnering organisations, the ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre in Lightweight Automotive Structures will accelerate the transformation of Australia’s automotive industry through new research capabilities and commercialisation of new processes and products,” said Professor Thomas. “This research Training Centre brings together world-leading scientists and industrial engineers from 16 organisations from Australia, Germany, United Kingdom, and the United States of America, and will provide an outstanding collaborative network to mentor, train and develop Australia’s next generation of researchers in an industry-focused research training environment.”
ATLAS is led by Professor Stuart Bateman (Associate Dean
Manufacturing Materials and Mechatronics, RMIT University).
An Integrated Program of Research
ATLAS is delivering industry relevant research training to early career researchers at the post-doctoral, post-graduate and undergraduate levels who benefit from both academic and industry mentors. An integrated program of research projects aims to deliver critical knowledge and innovative lightweighting technologies to underpin new high-value products for global markets.
Building on strong collaborations between industry and university partners, ATLAS is training urgently needed commercially focused researchers specialising in lightweight multi-material structures obtained through advanced, agile and digital manufacturing technologies. ATLAS comprises an integrated research program encompassing four themes as outlined below.
Lightweight Materials
Research underpinning the development and efficient processing of high-performance lightweight materials like carbon-fibre composites and highly formable metal alloys for the manufacture of next generation lightweight components and assemblies by Australia manufacturers.
Design and Advanced Manufacturing
Advancement of agile and digital manufacturing technologies such as additive manufacturing, flexible roll forming technologies and multi-material joining techniques to enable local manufacturers to efficiently produce high value products for local and international markets.
Integrated Multi-material Structures
Design and demonstration of smart integrated multi-material structures such as those with gradient physical properties for controlled crush or imbedded functional features like the capacity to store electrical energy for future mobility solutions.
Whole of Life Assessment
Validating the whole of life economic, environmental and societal benefits of next generation lightweight multimaterial structures through quantitative life cycle assessments and the development of decision making tools to help guide design choices.
www.atlas-innovation.com.au T: +61 3 03 9925 6048 E: atlas-innovation@rmit.edu.au RMIT University Building 251, 264 Plenty Rd, Mill Park, VIC, 3082
