Flew Solutions
FLEW Solutions provide a range of advanced manufacturing solutions including laser welding, advanced materials production, smelting services and manufacturing aids.
2021 Highlights
In 2021, ACEMS and FLEW Solutions plus its connected companies CloudForge and 3Done, with common directorship, sought to extend their collaborations.
This included jointly preparing a successful Industry Collaboration Support Scheme application, negotiation and completion of a successful industry internship, follow-on work, and continuing regular engagements with a view to future research collaborations beyond 2021.
APR Internship
ACEMS PhD student Ethan Goan completed an APR.Intern industry internship “Detecting 3D printing faults: A Machine Learning Approach” with CloudForge under the academic mentorship of ACEMS AI Dr Simon Denman.
This internship was supported by the Australian Government and jointly funded with the Innovative Manufacturing CRC (IMCRC) - “an independent, for-impact cooperative research centre” which champions innovation to “catalyse change that will transform the future of Australian manufacturing”.
The internship was deemed a commercial success by CloudForge and FLEW Solutions CEO Michael Larkin plus government and industry funders, who commended the ACEMS team for delivering to the project aims, and on time and budget, to realise economic and other benefits. ACEMS PhD student Ethan stated the internship was a valuable and enjoyable learning experience, and he hoped to work with industry again.
As a result of this internship, the companies have cutting-edge technology to help identify, classify, and reduce or stop printing errors in additive manufacturing. This reduces costs, including those associated with printer down-time, printer damage, or material waste. It also has beneficial flow-on effects for the end-users of 3D printing services, including cancer patients needing custom-fitted 3D-printed shields for radiation treatments, and the hospital and health services who schedule and provide these treatments and seek to avoid cancelled appointments due to print failures. Further, this technology has other commercial potential for industry.
ACEMS PhD student Ethan Goan (left) with Machine Learning Specialist at FLEW Solutions Australia, Samuel Fogarty (right)