The Automated Manufacture of Advanced Composites (AMAC) at UNSW, funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC), commenced its operations in 2017. Led by Professor Gangadhara Prusty, from UNSW’s School of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering, the AMAC centre uses advanced automation technology to position Australian manufacturers as world-class agile producers of high-value advanced composite structures. The centre’s foundational ARC funding of $3.85 million was supplemented by an additional $4 million from successful research initiatives by 2022. Over its five-year operation, AMAC expanded its industry network beyond the original 12 members to include new industry affiliates.
AMAC prides itself on its premier facilities, particularly the Automated Fibre Placement (AFP) facility, unparalleled in the southern hemisphere. This facility is pivotal for the precise application of thermoset prepreg composite tows and the integration of specialised thermoplastic composite heads for in-situ melding, producing tailor-made high-performance composites. AMAC’s advanced testing infrastructure can accommodate various load and temperature conditions, featuring a specially designed multi-axial testbed with dynamic actuators. The centre emphasises smart monitoring through embedded sensor technology, aiming to improve quality, minimise waste, and reduce costs. AMAC’s innovative research effectively connects theoretical concepts with practical industry applications, encouraging innovation and strong industry partnerships.
AMAC’s centre success – 2022 became a precursor for the CRC bringing together 33 partners under one umbrella for 250M for 10 years. Currently, AMAC Centre is the operational node for ACMCRC at UNSW. Current projects funded through ACMCRC are on the development of digital twin for Omni Tanker, Hydrogen tanks for Rux Energy, solar sailor for Ocius and Smart surfboard with Gowing Bros.
AMAC Centre continues on its mission to train next generation of higher degree researchers, engineers in maintaining Australia’s competitive edge in the composites arena.
AMAC prides itself on its premier facilities, particularly the Automated Fibre Placement (AFP) facility, unparalleled in the southern hemisphere. This facility is pivotal for the precise application of thermoset prepreg composite tows and the integration of specialised thermoplastic composite heads for in-situ melding, producing tailor-made high-performance composites. AMAC’s advanced testing infrastructure can accommodate various load and temperature conditions, featuring a specially designed multi-axial testbed with dynamic actuators. The centre emphasises smart monitoring through embedded sensor technology, aiming to improve quality, minimise waste, and reduce costs. AMAC’s innovative research effectively connects theoretical concepts with practical industry applications, encouraging innovation and strong industry partnerships.
AMAC’s centre success – 2022 became a precursor for the CRC bringing together 33 partners under one umbrella for 250M for 10 years. Currently, AMAC Centre is the operational node for ACMCRC at UNSW. Current projects funded through ACMCRC are on the development of digital twin for Omni Tanker, Hydrogen tanks for Rux Energy, solar sailor for Ocius and Smart surfboard with Gowing Bros.
AMAC Centre continues on its mission to train next generation of higher degree researchers, engineers in maintaining Australia’s competitive edge in the composites arena.
The Centre
The ARC Training Centre for Automated Manufacture of Advanced Composites (AMAC) will incubate the next generation of automated composite manufacturing innovations and innovators to drive future business in a highly collaborative environment. AMAC lowers the barriers for Australian industry to access, engage, adopt and propagate automated composite manufacturing innovations.
Specifically the AMAC will:
- promote integrated innovation in automated composite manufacture: from material design to product realisation.
- incorporate key Australian composites innovations into the automated manufacturing process chain.
- train a generation of composite manufacturing innovators at the frontier of industry-focused research.
- foster strong collaborations between Australian universities and a host of global organisations which vertically span the composites sector from national research providers to large OEMs.
- drive growth and productivity in the sector by strategically targeting the translation of commercialisable IP.
- achieve criticality in advanced composite manufacturing research for a long-term shift in Australia’s R&D capability in the field.
AMAC Project Overview
