CDU-RMIT Industry 4.0 TestLab
Harnessing the power of Industry 4.0 to solve the challenges of defence and aerospace industry expansion in regional Australia
The CDU-RMIT Industry 4.0 TestLab will enhance advanced manufacturing in the Northern Territory by improving the skills and capabilities of Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to rise to the future technological and workforce needs of Australia’s defence and aerospace industries.
Working closely with our industry partners, we will improve the competitiveness of Australia’s SMEs involved in the design, manufacture, service delivery, and repair of Uncrewed Autonomous Systems (UAS), and their associated sensors and infrastructure.
Our training and research programs, as well as state-of-the-art facilities, will ensure that SMEs are equipped to incorporate the workforce needs, capabilities, digital technologies, and innovation of Industry 4.0 into their core business.
TestLab capabilities
Located at Charles Darwin University’s Casuarina Campus, the CDU-RMIT Industry 4.0 TestLab will enable students, researchers, and SMEs, to construct, test, and flight simulate UAS using the latest manufacturing technologies:
high-speed machining
5-axis milling
metal and composite 3D printing
automation
The TestLab comprises five production modules required for UAS manufacturing. This includes Cyber-Physical Production System that will facilitate the exchange of information over the production lifecycle, through to flight simulation and mission testing.
The five modules will be interconnected with a digital thread IoT and the Siemens PLM software system.
CDU-RMIT Industry 4.0 TestLab
Cyber-Physical production system for Uncrewed Autonomous Systems
Research
The research focus on the CDU-RMIT Industry 4.0 TestLab spans across UAS product design, testing, and validation. The Testlab boasts the facilities and ethos needed to bring together researchers, industry experts and SME clusters together to address future defence and aerospace technology needs.
The TesLab offers the research and training expertise in data analytics, Internet of Things, and simulation software supporting model-based system engineering and digital twin solutions. Additionally, researchers, students and industry partners will have access to Computer Assisted Design and Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) to drive research into end-to-end processes from 3D designs to finished products.
Teaching
The engineering at NACAS stands as a hub of innovation and precision, spearheading cutting-edge research in controls, automation, and advanced manufacturing in the field of drones and autonomous systems.
Several ongoing projects encompass Carbon Fiber 3D printing, AFP Systems for Innovative Composite Manufacturing, Advanced AI Navigation and Optimization, Drone Anti-Hacking, Precise Positioning of Multirotor UAVs in highly windy environments, Autonomous Landing, Aerial Manipulation, and numerous others.
Our most recent acquisitions include an Automated Fiber Placement Robot, the Quanser autonomous vehicle research studio, Indoor Drone Flight Test-bed, Industrial Carbon Fiber 3D printer, and multiple multirotor & VTOL drones.
Facilities
The TestLab boasts indoor and outdoor testing and operation facilities to optimise flight endurance, mission planning, and remote command communication.
The TestLab includes a collaborative, mixed reality design studio, where Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) can be designed and simulated in a virtual environment. Computer assisted manufacturing will create advanced composites, parts, electronics, and assembly.
The TestLab also contains indoor flight and simulation capabilities, plus a 12,000 acres outdoor test and operations facility.
CDU-RMIT TestLab Co-Directors
Professor Hamish Campbell
Director of the North Australia Institute for Autonomous Systems
“The CDU-RMIT TestLab will integrate north Australia’s knowledge, business and industry with the aerospace and engineering expertise from RMIT. Across Australia, there are many SMEs developing UAS, but many have no access to advanced manufacturing equipment and limited aeronautical engineering experience. The TestLab will significantly improve access to expertise and equipment, greatly enhancing sovereign capability in UAS research, training, and development in north Australia.”
Professor Pier Marzocca
Director of the Sir Lawrence Wackett Defence and Aerospace Centre
“The new TestLab will offer Australian Aerospace and Defence industry companies a rapid solution to their research and commercial needs while addressing their workforce skills development objectives. In partnership, RMIT and CDU bring the right expertise together to develop solutions and training with industry and for the industry, contributing to the growth of Australia’s sovereign capabilities in drone technologies.”
This project is funded by the Australian Government through the Industry 4.0 TestLabs in Australia Initiative.
Our Partners
