New Invention Provides Global Advantage

30 Jul 11

Mr Dalla-Riva said the Duplex Surface Treatment technology, developed by HARD Technologies (HARD), enables the bonding of thin layers of high performance metals onto lesser performing base metals, providing substantial reduction in wear and friction of manufactured parts.

"This innovative new process shows that Victorian manufacturing is a world leader in metal surface treatment technologies," Mr Dalla-Riva said.

"The project received a science and innovation grant from the Victorian Government to allow DST to design and build Australia's first HARD Duplex Surface Technology Fluidised Bed Reactor.

"It will not only generate overseas licensing revenue, but will also provide Australian companies with a window of opportunity to treat their products on a commercial scale and enable them to out perform international competitors.

"This represents a huge, local, technological breakthrough which Victorian manufacturers can immediately take advantage of in the global marketplace.

"The trading company DST Technologies, located at United Surface Technologies' Altona site, is a joint venture between UST, a well established provider of surface treatments for metals, and small local company HARD Technologies.

"The venture follows years of development led by HARD Technologies, with Deakin University, and facilitated by the Victorian Centre for Advanced Materials Manufacturing.

"UST has also received strong support from the Victorian Government to develop a High Velocity Oxygen Fuel surface coating capability, required for the international Joint Strike Fighter program.

"HARD Technologies has already installed a smaller metal surface treatment unit in Detroit, USA that was recently built in Victoria. This has become a flagship for the new technology and is now earning licence revenue. HARD is pursuing the sale of licences overseas and has a local facility to train both Deakin and overseas licence holders in the operation of the equipment.

"The Victorian Government is committed to strengthening the manufacturing industry which provides more than $30 billion in gross state product, employs more than 300,000 people and continues to be Victoria's leading export sector," Mr Dalla-Riva said.

Representatives from AMTIL (Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute) were also in attendance at the launch and full coverage of this new technology will be in a forthcoming edition of the AMT Magazine.