PROJECT APN006

Circular Design 4.0 AI-based Quality Control, Manufacturing

Composite metals-based manufacturing is an important part of the Australian economy. For example, steel fabrication companies are involved in the fabrication of steel structures, bridges, plants, tanks, pipelines, equipment, and defence equipment.

Most of the fabricated products are safetycritical, hence requiring compliance with underlying fabrication and quality management standards such as AS/NZS ISO 3834.2.

This project is leveraging AI in Circular Design 4.0 so that designers, manufacturers, and policymakers can make more informed decisions, optimise resource usage, reduce waste, and create products that are more sustainable and aligned with the principles of the circular economy.

The project is establishing a system for AI-based monitoring of quality of manufactured composite products including steelwork, optimising inspection requirements and managing compliance risks based on big data analysis.

This also includes collection and analysis of productivity, in-service health monitoring data, and the development of novel 3D printing manufacturing techniques capable to the re-use or recycle strategies based on remaining materials properties for Circular Design 4.0.

ACM CRC Research Programs

Project Partners

HERA
The University of Sydney (USYD)
Australia’s Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)

Project Leaders

Anna Paradowska, The University of Sydney
Michail Karpenko, HERA

Year commenced

2023

Most of the products fabricated by HERA members are safety-critical, necessitating compliance with underlying fabrication and quality management standards. AI-optimised inspection has the potential

to significantly reduce compliance risks and minimise inspection efforts by reducing human involvement.

Further opportunities exist by adopting a holistic approach to the entire manufacturing cycle and extending AI tools to design optimisation.