Development and Investigation of an Advanced Flexible Chain-die Forming Process

Flexible Chain-die forming is a novel UQ patented advanced sheet metal forming technology which aims at manufacturing stronger, lighter and cheaper advanced high strength steel (AHSS) parts with improved quality and substantially lower energy consumption for many industries such automotive and clean energy systems. 
The purpose of this research is to design, manufacture and optimize the advanced forming approach and the corresponding control system through analytical, numerical and experimental approaches. Flexible Chain-die forming is a highly non-linear complex deformation mechanism, where the deformation history of the sheet metal can be carefully designed due to the constraints provided by the tooling. These will result in significantly lowered longitudinal strain development, leading to a range of new products, lower cost of manufacturing by using fewer forming stands and smaller footprint.

The research will involve the development of an elasto-plastic finite element simulation model, analytical design of the transitional surface, the development of the control system, and experimental work to validate the performance of the designed system.

Hence, two PhD candidates are required as described:

PhD student 1 will focus on the mechanical design and realization of the advanced Flexible Chain-die forming process.

PhD student 2 will focus on the optimization of the tooling geometry and forming process.

The advanced forming and railway mechanics groups at the University of Queensland are highly vibrant research clusters that typically work on both theoretical and practical aspects of mechanics phenomena with close industry interaction if needed. The group boasts both high impact in very high quality journals as well as industry impact in solving real problems.

This project is supported by the Research project scholarship.

Learn more about the Research project scholarship.

You must contact the principal supervisor for this project to discuss your interest. You should only complete the online application after you have reached agreement on supervision.

Always make sure you are approaching your potential supervisor in a professional way. We have provided some guidelines for you on how to contact a supervisor.

Your application will be assessed on a competitive basis.

We take into account your:

• previous academic record
• publication record
• honours and awards
• employment history.

A working knowledge of applied mechanics, finite element modelling, materials and/or control systems would be of benefit to someone working on this project.

You will demonstrate academic achievement in the fields of applied mechanics including statics and dynamics and the potential for scholastic success.

A background or knowledge of sheet metal manufacturing, contact mechanics, mathematical modelling, finite element modelling, metallurgical analysis and/or control theory is highly desirable.

Before you apply

Before submitting an application you should:

1. check your eligibility for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
2. prepare your documentation
3. contact Professor Paul Meehan (meehan@uq.edu.au) to discuss your interest and suitability
4. submit your application by 23 February, 2025 23 February, 2025.

When you apply

You apply for this scholarship when you submit an application for your program. You don’t need to submit a separate scholarship application.

In your application ensure that under the ‘Scholarships and collaborative study’ section you select:

• ‘My higher degree is not collaborative’
• ‘I am applying for, or have been awarded a scholarship or sponsorship'
• ‘Other’, then ‘Research Project Scholarship’ and in the ‘Name of scholarship’ field enter ADVANCEDFLEXIBLE-MEEHAN.

Apply now