INTRODUCTION
Metal and Ceramic Forming Group (MCG) focuses on developing various processes to produce near net shape products of metals, ceramics and composites using various technologies and equipment. Industry partners can collaborate with MCG to develop new components or improve existing products by employing state-of-the-art material processing technologies and simulation techniques.
The group collaborates with industry partners and academia to work on cutting-edge research, develop new solutions through projects and joint labs, transfer technology and conduct training for the manufacturing industry.
RESEARCH THEMES
- Incremental Metal Forming
MCG has vast experience in manufacturing technologies of components from metals. This team specialises in new development in CNC and robotic die-less sheet forming, forming of innovative free-form honeycomb structures, combined stamping-forging, advanced spin forming, and hybrid extrusion of bi-metals. - 3D Additive Manufacturing
MCG is at the forefront of 3D printing technologies to produce metal, ceramic and composite components, including functionally graded structures, for high-value industrial applications. The team has expertise in (i) design, modelling and simulation, (ii) feedstock / binder development, (iii) powder-bed fusion, jetting technologies and (iv) AM system / hardware development. - Hybrid Metal & Ceramic Composite Processing
MCG focuses on the development of hybrid composite processes to create dimensionally accurate parts with superior mechanical strength and multifunctional properties, while optimising cost-benefits. The team specialises in Powder Injection Moulding (PIM), micro PIM, PIM overmoulding of complex structures with internal features/channels, powder extrusion of metals and ceramics, and Liquid Forging (LF) of Al, Mg and metal matrix composites.
TECHNOLOGIES FOR LICENSING AND TRANSFER
- Hybrid Metal and Ceramic Composite Processing
- Liquid forging of Aluminium (Al), Magnesium (Mg) alloys and composites
- Powder Injection Moulding (PIM) and micro PIM of stainless steel, titanium and alloys, nickel super alloy, tungsten carbide, zirconia, and refractory ceramic
- PIM overmoulding of complex structures with internal features/channels
- Gel casting of large format components
- Incremental Metal Forming
- Robotic die-less sheet metal forming
- Advanced spin forming of light alloys
- Combined stamping forging and tailor-formed blank of Al alloys
- Hybrid extrusion of bi-metals