N E W S - I N D U S T R Y M A T T E R S
10 August 2018
Auckland Uni gets electric eclectic addition
with additive expert
The University of Auckland will welcome
Professor Diegel as its third appointee
under the government’s Entrepreneurial
Universities programme.
He is a New Zealander returning to take
up a new role as head of the Creative
Design and Additive Manufacturing
Laboratory (the Lab) which aims to
significantly change the way additive
manufacturing (AM) is implemented in
industry.
AM uses a layer upon layer process
rather than the conventional manufacturing
processes which subtract material
to carve out the finished product.
Because of this, AM can produce parts
that are infinitely more complex than
is possible with conventional manufacturing
and, if designed for, can be
both cost effective while adding tremendous
value to products by make
them lighter, more efficient, customised,
or adding to their functionality
and sustainability. It has had an impact
in a number of industries including aerospace,
automotive, medical, fashion
and has had some application in construction.
Deputy-vice chancellor (research) Professor
Jim Metson says the University
is delighted to welcome Professor
Diegel back to New Zealand to take up
his new role.
“Additive manufacturing is one of the
fastest moving areas in a sector that is
increasingly important to the country.
Securing his leading-edge expertise
will enable research and industrial applications
that are game changing.”
Professor Diegel has been leading the
product development department and
AM lab (the third he has founded) at
Lund University in Sweden since leaving
New Zealand in 2014. During his
career he has developed over 100 new
Support for older
worker strategy
BusinessNZ has welcomed a
white paper released by a working
group on the ageing workforce.
The working group was formed
to provide recommendations on
how New Zealand might better
use and treat older workers.
BusinessNZ chief executive Kirk
Hope says more people were
choosing to work beyond the age
of superannuation, to the benefit
of the economy.
"Research shows that more
workers working longer can
add significantly to a country’s
economic growth.
"Senior workers can play a
valuable part in addressing New
Zealand’s skill shortages but
changes are needed for this to
happen."
The white paper recommends that
businesses give older candidates
more consideration for jobs and
training and view older workers as
a resource rather than a problem.
It also recommends better coordination
between Government
agencies looking after older
workers and senior issues.
"BusinessNZ supports a national
strategy to improve ageing
workforce results," Mr Hope says.
Multi-award-winning product design developer and engineering researcher Professor Olaf
Diegel will join the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Engineering in early 2019.
First Graduate School of Engineering for next-gen engineers
The University of Auckland’s Faculty
of Engineering launches the country’s
first Graduate School of Engineering
with the aim of providing the best-possible
postgraduate student experience
for the next generation of engineers.
The University of Auckland’s Faculty
of Engineering launches the country’s
first Graduate School of Engineering
with the aim of providing the best-possible
postgraduate student experience
for the next generation of engineers.
The Faculty of Engineering is New
Zealand’s highest-ranked engineering
school and has over 500 postgraduate
students enrolled in more than 20
taught masters’ programmes covering
all engineering disciplines from civil
engineering to electrical and computer,
chemical and materials and mechanical.
Dean of Engineering Professor Nic
Smith says the aim of the new School
is to provide flexible learning through
one-year programmes and team-based
learning. Students will also have regular
opportunities to meet and work with New
Zealand’s top professional engineers.
Employability will be built into the
School’s curriculum with new programmes
that meet both the needs of
students and the needs of industry.
“We believe the Graduate School of Engineering
will create a postgraduate experience
second-to-none in New Zealand,
ensuring that students are given real opportunities
through strong ties to indus-
Large scale 3D
printing
Lockheed Martin has made its
biggest 3D printed componentry
to date – titanium domes to cap
off satellite fuel tanks.
The titanium domes measure 1.2
metres wide and 10cm thick. Each
of the fuel tanks will be made up of
two of these 3D-printed domes,
with a titanium cylinder between
them that's made using traditional
manufacturing methods and can
be as long as is needed.
The domes are the most
complicated part of the tank
to produce, with conventional
techniques wasting more than
80% of the material used. That
waste can be cut by 3D printing
them instead, which in turn
reduces the cost and time of
production.