Episode 29 -- Dr Ian Fordyce from Conflux Technology and Dr Balaji Narayanaswamy from Deakin University
Episode description
In this episode of @AuManufacturing Conversations With Brent Balinski, we hear from Dr Ian Fordyce, Additive Manufacturing Engineer at Conflux Technology, and Dr Balaji Narayanaswamy, an Associate Research Fellow at Deakin.
The pair discuss a recently-completed, nine-month Conflux-Deakin project, supported by a $138,200 Innovative Manufacturing CRC grant, and covering aluminium alloy development.
This episode was recorded at the IMCRC’s Innovative Manufacturing Accelerated conference, held last week.
Episode guide
0:22 – Introduction to Dr Ian Fordyce and Dr Balaji Narayanaswamy.
2:10 – Why additive manufacturing can create better heat exchangers, and how Conflux designs these for customers.
4:02 – The motivation behind the alloy project.
5:02 – How they’re trying to improve on off-the-shelf powders.
6:45 – Stage of development. About to sift through test data and compare it standard alloys and high performance alloys.
7:35 – How Conflux engages university researchers for projects.
8:42 – How innovation is understood by the two guests.
10:02 – Why manufacturing matters.
12:06 – Closing thoughts.
Relevant links
Conflux's website
https://www.confluxtechnology.com/
Project description
https://www.imcrc.org/new-aluminium-alloys-for-heat-exchangers/
An interview with Glenn Rees, Head of Engineering at Conflux
https://www.aumanufacturing.com.au/frontiers-in-additive-manufacturing-the-challenges-of-design-innovation-and-commercialisation
News story about Conflux's Series A round last year
https://www.aumanufacturing.com.au/conflux-technology-raises-8-5m-to-expand