In 2002, Quickstep Technologies was a
small, under-capitalised business with an
idea that could have a major impact on the
defence, civilian aerospace and automotive
industries.
The company had developed a highly
efficient process for manufacturing
structural-grade carbon fibre composites.
Traditionally, structural grade composites
are manufactured in very large, heated
pressure vessels called autoclaves. These
vessels use high-pressure nitrogen gas
to transfer heat to the resin in composite
parts. They are highly capital-intensive,
slow, expensive to run and unreliable.
This aspect of production is a key factor in
limiting the uptake of composite materials
into the civilian aerospace and automotive
sectors.
By contrast, the Quickstep process cures
the resin in composites using low-pressure
fluid in a closed loop system. As well as
being cheaper by an order of magnitude
than the existing autoclave process, the
Quickstep process is around six times
faster.
VCAMM secured Victorian Government
funding and engaged the Composites
group at Deakin University to conduct
multi-theme research around the
Quickstep process.
The project showed the Quickstep process
produced materials that were equal to or
better than those cured in autoclaves in
areas including bonding, longevity, surface
finish and energy absorption.
This independent validation assisted
Quickstep Technologies listing on the
Australian Stock Exchange, and has now
helped open doors at Boeing and Airbus.
The research group at Deakin University
published a number of internationally
recognised papers, and has participated
in the registration of multiple tube making
technology patents. In addition
to maintaining equity in the company,
VCAMM has assisted in the attraction of
new capital investment. VCAMM continues
to receive a royalty stream from Quickstep.
 |
