Controlling the Bend

Matthias Weiss and Matt Dingle.
Source: Deakin Institute for Frontier Materials

Research collaboration to set up a smart, Industry 4.0 enabled manufacturing cell to control and optimise FormFlow’s bending process.

Geelong manufacturing start-up FormFlow is partnering with Deakin University and the Innovative Manufacturing CRC (IMCRC) to advance its unique corrugated steel bending process to enable high volume manufacturing of building products consistent in quality and shape.

Over the next 12 months, co-funded through the new IMCRC activate program, metal forming experts from Deakin’s Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM) will set up an Industry 4.0 enabled manufacturing cell equipped with smart vision technologies to trace, evaluate, and continuously monitor the profile shape and forming load of corrugated steel strips used in FormFlow’s bending process.

David Chuter, Managing Director and CEO at IMCRC, pointed out that the outcomes of the research project will have far-reaching benefits, not only for FormFlow, but for Australia`s wider sheet metal manufacturing industry.

“FormFlow`s technology is transforming low-cost corrugated steel into a higher value-added product that is unique in the world. By applying smart technologies, the project removes the main barrier for a much wider application of the technology. It opens the door for FormFlow to upscale their manufacturing capabilities and expand their business model – not just in Australia, but globally.”