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In this episode of @AuManufacturing Conversations with Brent Balinski, we hear from Thomas Romeijn from Mineral Technologies and Dr Michael Behrens from UTS Rapido about their project applying 3D printing to separation spirals used in the mining industry. 

Episode guide

0:20 – Introduction to guests.

1:40 – Why is this next step necessary? 

2:56 – The possible benefits around safety, quicker iterations, and customisation for different orebodies.

5:00 – Some of the complexities of separation. 

6:08 – Why the machines use FDM 3D printing technology. And have they developed any special resins for the job?

7:36 – Romeijn’s PhD and how it relates to the project. Considering geometry, loads and materials testing.

9:41 – Technical challenges to the project including fluid flow simulation and building the machine. 

12:28 – “It’s printed without a support structure, which is quite unheard of.”

13:38 – Ways to define innovation. “A practical way of doing something new,” or “ a new use for things that already exist.”

14:50 – How ready until this machine will be used in the field?

15:32 – Shipping printers rather than air to users.

17:04 – Final words.

Relevant links
Mineral Technologies' website
https://mineraltechnologies.com/

UTS Rapido's website
https://www.uts.edu.au/about/faculty-engineering-and-information-technology/rapido