Our metals industry should be driven to make steel the material of choice for designers. A way we can achieve that, is by simplifying the design process through the use of electronic tools and guides. The current market share for steel in construction is 50% nationally. We’ve had particular success in warehouses and multi-storey office…
Nov282018 We were lucky enough to spend time at Victoria University to unpick some of the common misconceptions industry may have about working with academia. This is very important so that in the future we can collaborate more effectively when it comes to R&D to advance our NZ metals industry. And the benefits of building relationships like…
Workshop | Complimentary | Limited seats available Friday 9 March, 1300 – 1530 hrs OverviewWorkshop programPresenterLocationRegisterOverview Click on image to download LIBS technology workshop flyer. Whats it about? LIBS or Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy is a new technique that allows engineers and technicians to determine accurately and comprehensively the chemical composition of anything from metals and alloys to…
The Materials Test Rig was installed at Ohaaki Thermal Kilns earlier this year as an outcome of our AGGAT program, with generous fabrication support from some of our members. Currently undergoing commissioning works, early trials on the rig have confirmed significant scaling potential from the geothermal resource available on site. Ohaaki thermal kilns owner Mr…
Working with Advance Boiler Services (ABS) in Hamilton over the past few months to design and develop a test rig – we’re pleased to say we’re on the verge of a major step towards energy technology development. This test rig will allow testing of individual components such as heat exchangers and expander type devices in…
Research aim 1-2 materials knowledge base research and 1-3 geothermal scaling and corrosion The AGGAT Materials Research Group has successfully completed a Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) Study on the Materials Test Rig scheduled to go onsite in December 2015. The meeting had all its key stakeholders present which was a very fruitful outcome, considering the complexity…
This month, we update you on our research themes of Heat Transfer and Materials/Fluids undertaken in the AGGAT programme. One of the Research Aims under Materials and Fluids is RA1-3 – Geothermal Fluid Scaling and Corrosion, led by AGGAT team member Dr. Sadiq Zarrouk (University of Auckland). The other theme of Heat Transfer has two Research…
For structural steel products to be free from serious problems in production and in service, it is necessary to provide a suitable level of quality management from the design phase, through material selection, into fabrication, and subsequently inspection. Requirements for welding/fabrication activities are given in the Code of Practice of the NZ Steel Fabricator Certification…
The first ever Global Conference on Above Ground Geothermal and Allied Technologies (AGGAT) was held on 30th April 2015 in Auckland. Around 60 delegates registered for this conference covering a mix of industry, academia, field experts and government. The conference was divided into the following research themes, which also form the basis of the AGGAT…
Following on from the presentation of project plans at the AGGAT team meeting in January (see last HERA News), the research leaders will be re-convening at an upcoming Technical Advisory Board meeting in early March to present proposals and establish the next steps for their projects. In summary form, they are described below: Mar272015 Technology…
This month we describe some of the economic aspects of Additive Manufacturing (AM) in metals and make the case for competitive solutions compared with more traditional methods. It is often mentioned that AM or 3D printing technologies are only suitable for prototyping parts that will eventually be manufactured by more traditional means. This is not…
The AGGAT program is now getting re-shaped and refined for delivery of its outcomes in the next two years, with a specialist team of researchers being included from the University of Auckland to various research aims. What has been particularly exciting has been our use of the planning tool of cause and effect (Ishikawa or…