Rhys Miller
+61 3 9214 583
rhysmiller@swin.edu.au
February 2018 — Swinburne is partnering with the Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (IMCRC) and leading repair solutions company, Tradiebot Industries, to transform the automotive repair industry.
The collaborative project, ‘Repair Bot’, will make use of 3D printing technologies and robotics along with complex materials to enable an automated rapid repair service for plastic car parts.
Inspiration for the project stems from a need for technology-driven solutions to issues facing the automotive repair industry. These issues range from material wastage, complex and restrictive design elements and the limited availability of skilled labor.
Tradiebot Industries Founder Mario Dimovski believes the project’s potential benefits go far beyond the automotive collision industry.
“The ability to repair previously non-repairable parts using world-first technology will reduce overall repair times and repair costs.
“It will also create real and significant export opportunities and has flow-on benefits for the environment by reducing land-fill,” explains Mr. Dimovski.
“Tradiebot will also deliver new future skills to the industry as more processes become automated.”
Tradiebot Industries founder Mario Dimovksi (middle) believes the partnership can benefit more than just the automotive plastic repairs industry.
Swinburne’s involvement
Swinburne will play a major role in the development of the Repair Bot project.
“We will rely heavily on the Swinburne team to research, develop, document and problem-solve,” explains Mr. Dimovski.
“This will be vital as we invent various aspects of this world-first automated system that will revolutionize repairs of plastic components.”
The future of industry 4.0
As well as improving procedures in the automotive repair industry, the project could have a lasting impact on future of Advanced Manufacturing and Industry 4.0.
Senior research fellow in Swinburne’s Faculty of Science, Engineering, and Technology, Dr. Mats Isaksson, believes the project is perfectly aligned with Industry 4.0 principles.
“Industry 4.0 is all about ways of using digital technologies and connectivity to integrate the value stream,” says Dr. Isaksson.
“In the case of this project, knowledge can be captured regarding design information, supply, and logistics, as well as distributed manufacturing capacity.”
A unique partnership
IMCRC CEO and Managing Director David Chuter is enthusiastic about the positive implications of the Tradiebot Repair Bot project for other Australian manufacturers.
“We (IMCRC) are excited about the collaboration between Tradiebot, Swinburne University and IMCRC,” he says.
“This is a unique partnership that explores and invests in advanced manufacturing technologies. It is a great example of how research-led innovation ensures that the Australian automotive repairs industry can meet the challenges and opportunities of the global economy.”
The Tradiebot Repair Bot has accumulated over $1.2 million in funding, and research will take place throughout 2018 and 2019.
To learn more about the project, visit the Advanced Manufacturing and Industry 4.0.
- +61 3 9214 5837
- rhysmiller@swin.edu.au
