$70 million Cooperative Research Centre funding awarded to SoMAC CRC for 10 year program
The Sovereign Manufacturing Automation for Composites CRC (SoMAC CRC) has brought together 33 partners in a $250 million program under Australia’s Cooperative Research Centres program.
Australia is entering a decade of transformation with the arrival of intelligent manufacturing automation and emergence of new high-value industries. SoMAC CRC will address these opportunities and strengthen current industry with digital-export-ready, cost-competitive, high-quality platform capability.
SoMAC CRC’s vision is to transform Australia’s established composite technologies capability into Sovereign leadership, creating a world-class, highly automated, digitally-enabled, network of designers, manufacturers and service providers.
Recognising the critical role of engineering excellence, intelligent automation and advanced technology implementation in accessing an international industry valued at $100 billion, SoMAC will underpin a next generation of manufacturing industry supporting a forward-looking Australia, including:
- Hydrogen economy
- EV cars and buses
- Space and low-earth-orbit vehicles
- Onshore and offshore infrastructure
- Aircraft and future defence industry
- Future defence industry
- Consumer goods including sporting and solar
- Recycling industry
Our Partners
SoMAC brings together participating organisations across the composites supply chain, focused on a diverse range of markets, with representation in QLD, NSW, ACT, VIC, SA and WA. We thank our partners for their commitment to advancing the composites industry and its broader impact on the Australian economy.
Industry Partners
Academic Partners
SoMAC CRC Foundation Leadership
Dr Abby Bloom
Chair
Dr Steve
Gower
CEO
Prof. Ganga Prusty
Director of Research
Iain
Walker
Manager Business and Commercial
SoMAC CRC’s mission
SoMAC’s mission is to enable composites R&D to meet Australia’s national self-sufficiency priorities, servicing the rising demand for just-in-time localised composites innovations, automation and digitization. The incubation formula for The SoMAC CRC draws on international best practice, to maximise value added benefits to Australia’s diverse supply chains. Demand for the benefits of composites technologies is ramping up across a broad range of cross-sector industry applications.
Sovereign Manufacturing
Australia has the opportunity to reclaim manufacturing through development of platform technologies and a deep skill base of engineering and trades through the supply chain
Intelligent Automation
The composites industry is poised to embrace intelligent automation, advanced simulation and integrated design for a step change in competitive advantage for small and large composites structures
New
Industries
New-generation electric vehicles, the hydrogen economy and space will leverage Australia’s extensive composites experience combined with focused application-specific development
From AMAC to SoMAC CRC
SoMAC CRC will build on the successful industry-led track-record established at the ARC Training Centre for Automated Manufacture of Advanced Composites (AMAC), incorporating advanced manufacturing facilities for composites robotics. Headquartered at UNSW, AMAC has successfully seeded multiple R&D collaborations, created new intellectual property and up-skilled the next generation of technologists.
Research Programs
High Performance Composites Materials (RP1)
High Performance Composites Materials (RP1) Composites are engineered for superior properties and a wide range of applications. RP1 will focus on lowered costs of materials and the enhanced requirements of automation. Leveraging established facilities including Carbon Nexus and its development of low-cost carbon fibre, RP1 will extend composites into more applications through developing performance and affordability. Priority areas include:
- Low-cost materials for automation
- Composites for marine infrastructure
- Recycling and the circular economy
- Robust materials for hydrogen and EV applications
Prof. Russell Varley
Leader - Research Program 1
Director Carbon Nexus, Deakin University
Prof. Luke Henderson
Deputy Leader, RP1
Professor of Materials Chemistry, Deakin University
Manufacturing Processes (RP2)
Intelligent automation incorporating machine learning and artificial intelligence, and further advances in digital manufacturing, are set to transform small- and large-scale manufacturing. RP2 will enhance Australian industry through a focus on Industry 4.0 development, multi-material manufacture and development of circular economy manufacturing processes. Priority areas include:
- Machine learning and artificial intelligence manufacturing
- Hybrid metal and composite components
- Incorporation of recycled materials
- High-rate automated manufacture
- Large-scale automated manufacture
- In-field manufacture and sensor integration
A/Prof. Garth Pearce
Leader- Research Program 2
Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering, UNSW Sydney
Prof. Paul Hazell
Deputy Leader, RP2
Impact Dynamics, UNSW Canberra
Simulation and Performance Prediction (RP3)
The next generation of manufacturing and design will be underpinned by a robust understanding of physical processes, lifetime prediction and the development of “digital twins” – digital replicas of manufacturing processes and products. RP3 will integrate these alongside developing a comprehensive view of the circular economy for multiple material waste streams. Priority areas include:
- Multiphysics simulation of extreme environments
- Advanced characterisation of processing and in-service failure
- Lifetime estimation through combined inspection and embedded sensors
- Digital twin of automated, machine learning and artificial intelligence systems
- Recycling and second life best practice
Prof. Anna Paradowska
Leader– Research Program 3
Professor, Advanced Structure Materials, University of Sydney
Design and Integration (RP4)
Fundamental shifts in the design process are expected with the shift towards intelligent manufacturing. RP4 will address these issues and the development of the digital value chain. The program will also facilitate industry in the demonstration of new technologies and engineering expertise, to validate and showcase the next generation of composites technology. Priority areas include:
- Design tools for artificial intelligence and machine learning manufacturing
- Standards development for hydrogen storage and other high-value applications
- Full-scale demonstration of standard and instrumented components
- Field demonstration of installations and repairs
Dr Mohamed Elchalakani
Leader - Research Program 4
Director, Structural Health Laboratory, University of Western Australia
Dr Michael Heitzmann
Deputy Leader, RP4
Co-Director. Centre for Advanced Materials Processing and Manufacturing, University of Queensland
Education and Training Program
SoMAC CRC is committed to the qualification and training of engineers and composites professionals for the next level of industry.
Our commitment begins with the training of 100 higher degree research (HDR) candidates through the life of the CRC. Our focus is skilling new engineers and retraining existing engineers for the future industry. We have a specific focus on ensuring STEM careers in Australia are inclusive and rewarding.
Drawing on R&D innovation, SOMAC will provide input to engineering and trade courses. In collaboration with university partners and Composites Australia, SoMAC will strive to align the future workplace with emerging technology, safety and the evolution of work practices.
Prof. Brian Falzon
Education and Training Manager
Director of the Space Industry Hub
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology