Mobility Tour Report 2014

Facilitator: Professor Douglas Hargreaves

Troy%Cordie% Brock%Lowrey% Elaiza%Luker% Jaden%Partridge% Jillian%Schomberg% Damien%Slinger%

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Queensland University of Technology

Mobility Tour 2014 Singapore, Norway and Sweden

Science and Engineering Faculty Date: 28th of September - 10th of October

QUT$MOBILITY$TOUR$2014$ 2!

Table$of$Contents$

1.0% INTRODUCTION,.........................................................................................................................................,3%

2.0% SINGAPORE,..................................................................................................................................................,4%2.1,NATIONAL,UNIVERSITY,OF,SINGAPORE,(NUS),................................................................................................,4%

3.0% NORWAY,.......................................................................................................................................................,6%3.1,UNIVERSITY,OF,AGDER,......................................................................................................................................,6%3.1.1% AGDER%CAR%MUSEUM%.....................................................................................................................................................%6%3.1.2% NIGHT%WITH%STUDENT%AMBASSADORS%......................................................................................................................%7%3.2,MACGREGOR,–,KRISTANSAND,...........................................................................................................................,7%

4.0% SWEDEN,........................................................................................................................................................,8%4.1,GOTHENBORG,.....................................................................................................................................................,8%4.1.1% VOLVO%GROUP%TRUCKS%TECHNOLOGY%DEPARTMENT%.............................................................................................%8%4.1.2% CHALMERS%UNIVERSITY%.................................................................................................................................................%8%4.2,STOCKHOLM,........................................................................................................................................................,9%4.2.1% KTH%ROYAL%INSTITUTE%OF%TECHNOLOGY%.................................................................................................................%9%4.3,CULTURAL,EXPERIENCE,..................................................................................................................................,10%

5.0% STUDENT,STATEMENTS,.......................................................................................................................,11%5.1,TROY,CORDIE,..................................................................................................................................................,11%5.2,BROCK,LOWREY,..............................................................................................................................................,12%5.3,ELAIZA,LUKER,.................................................................................................................................................,13%5.4,JADEN,PARTRIDGE,...........................................................................................................................................,14%5.5,JILLIAN,SCHOMBERG,.......................................................................................................................................,15%5.6,DAMIEN,SLINGER,.............................................................................................................................................,15%

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS,...................................................................................................................................,16%%

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QUT$MOBILITY$TOUR$2014$ 3!%

1.0 Introduction$On%the%28th%of%September%to%the%10th%of%October%2014,%a%group%of%QUT%students%along%with%Professor%Douglas%Hargreaves%embarked%on% the%Queensland%University%of%Technology%(QUT)%Mechanical%Engineering%Mobility%Tour.% The% Mobility% Tour% is% a% two^week% program,% sponsored% by% QUT,% whereby% selected% participants% were%given% the% opportunity% to% visit% and% network% with% industries% and% universities% in% Singapore,% Sweden% and%Norway.% This% experience% provided% an% insight% on% the% array% of% research% related% to% Mechanical% Engineering%undertaken%by%universities%and%industries,%as%well%as%many%cultural%experiences.%%

The% report% herein% details% the% group’s% experiences% and% collective% knowledge% gained% at% each% industry% and%university% visit.% In% addition% to% this,% cultural% experiences,% along% with% many% highlights,% photographs% and%individual%accounts%are%also%incorporated.%%

The%2014%QUT%Mobility%tour%was%truly%an%enriching%experience%that%has%broadened%international%perspective,%cultural%appreciation,%and%knowledge%of%Engineering%and%its%diversity%in%applications.%This%tour%proves%to%be%particularly% valuable% in% being% exposed% to% other% avenues% of% Engineering% beyond% Australia% as,% often% due% to%geographical%location,%we%are%isolated%from%many%industries.%%%

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2.0 Singapore$

2.1 National!University!of!Singapore!Upon% our% early% arrival% at% the% NUS% Campus,% we% were% very% lucky% to% meet% some%researchers%from%a%program%called%SMART%(Singapore^MIT%Alliance%for%Research%and%Technology)%(Figure%1%and%Figure%2).%In%this%project,%an%autonomous%golf%cart%designed%to% ferry%people%about% the% local%parks%and%campus%was%being%developed.%This%project%aims%further%develop%research% into%autonomous%transportation%through%the%practical%implementation%of%the%golf%carts.%

They% had% two% golf% carts% fitted%with% LIDAR% sensors% and% on^board% computers,% which%would% navigate,% drive% and%mitigate% any% risks% that%may% arise% such% as% pedestrians% or%other%vehicles%(Figure%3).%Whilst%we%were%there%they%performed%a%test%of%the%ability%of%the%two%autonomous%vehicles%collision%avoidance%system%when%they%were%headed%on%the%same%path.%It%was%a%great%insight%and%it%was%down%to%pure%chance%that%we%were%able%to%experience%it.%%

Subsequent% to% this,% we%meet%Wendy% at% the% reception% of% the% TUM% CREATE% research%building.% The% staff% conducted% a% short% presentation% regarding% their% program% and%various%projects%in%development.%TUM%Create%is%a%joint%research%programme%between%Technische%Universität%München%(TUM)%and%Nanyang%Technological%University%(NTU)%which% is% funded% by% Singapore’s% National% Research% Foundation% (NRF).% The% centre% is%housed% within% NUS% at% NRF’s% Campus% for% Research% Excellence% and% Technological%Enterprise%(CREATE).%Jan,%a%research%associate%introduced%us%to%their%battery%research%whilst%Felix% (another%research%associate)%gave%a%brief% introduction% into% the%electrical%vehicle% research.%We%were% also% introduced% to% Peter,%who%was% a%workshop%manager%that%supervised%both%the%electrical%vehicle%and%battery%research%laboratories.%%

After%the%introduction%we%headed%down%to%the%battery%laboratory%with%Jan.%Here%they%were% testing%manufacturer’s% batteries% in% terms% of% how% they% aged% and% their% thermal%behaviours.%They% also%had%a% large% accelerating% calorimeter%which% could% look% at%heat%exchange.%Their%research%also%included%the%study%of%battery%failure%by%overheating%or%penetrative%means%(they%had%an%Instron%behind%two%thick%layers%of%concrete)%(Figure%4).%The%main%type%of%battery%they%were%testing%was%the%lithium%battery.%Jan%suggested%that% further%development%of%materials% such%as% lithium^air%batteries% could%have% a%big%impact%on%the%electric%car%industry.%%As%we%left%Jan%showed%us%a%lithium^polymer%pocket%battery%about%the%size%of%an%A4%sheet%which%had%a%capacity%of%63Ah.%%

Felix%and%Peter%then%took%us%to%the%electric%car%laboratory.%It%was%here%where%they%had%designed% an% electric% taxi% for% tropical% megacities% (EVA)% along% with% a% multi^purpose%scooter%(VOI).%%

EVA% was% the% first% electric% vehicle% specifically% designed% to% be% a% taxi% in% a% tropical%megacity% such% as%Malaysia% (Figure% 5).% The% electric% taxi% featured% super^fast% charging%through% the% implementation% of% water% cooled% batteries.% It% was% capable% of% getting% a%realistic% range% of% 200km% off% a% 15% minute% charge% based% on% Singaporean% driving%patterns% and% conditions.% No% existing% charger% could% handle% the% current% required% to%charge% the% taxi% that% rapidly,% so% two% chargers%were% required.% The% EVA’s% chassis% and%interior%was%also%completely%redesigned%to%suit%and%optimise%the%solution.%The%chassis%was%a%monocoque%made%from%carbon%fibre%reinforced%polymer%(CFRP)%which%resulted%in% a% lighter% and% more% torsional% rigid% structure% compared% to% steel% or% aluminium%stamped%panels%(as%well%as%space%frames).%%

Felix% described% the% comprehensive% research% which% was% completed,% looking% at% how%people% use% the% taxi’s,%where% the% inefficiencies% are% derived% from%and% advantages% and%disadvantages% of% different% taxi% types.% A% tailor%made% interior% and% electronics% system%was% also% created% to% revolutionise% the% taxi% and% decrease% energy% wastage.% The%passenger’s% phone% could% be% paired% to% the% car% using% NFC% where% they% could% control%cabin%temperature,%music%and%directions.%Overhead%air^conditioning%and%seat%cooling%reduced%energy%losses%associated%with%over%cooling%the%cabin.%

Figure'1:'TUM-Create'University'

Figure'2:'Group'photograph'with'TUM-

Create'hosts'

Figure'3:'Golf'Cart'fitted'with'LIDAR'sensors'

Figure'4:'Battery'Laboratory'

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Felix%then%showed%us%to%VOI%and%Elaiza%tried%out%the%front%cabin%for%size.%The%electric%motorcycle% featured% an% interchangeable% cabin,% which% got% passengers% out% of% the%elements%(Figure%6).%The%front%pod%is%interchangeable%for%a%tray%or%storage%container,%mobile%kitchen,%ice%cream%chiller%or%mobile%street%store%for%maximum%flexibility%across%a%wide%variety%of%markets.%%

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% %Figure'5:'Electric'Vehicle'(EVA)!

Figure'6:'Electric'Motorcycle'with'

interchangeable'cabins!

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3.0 Norway$From% the% colourful% Autumn% trees% of% the% forest^filled% mountains% to% the% hospitable%people% whom% we% were% able% to% meet,% Norway% was% one% of% the% most% beautiful% and%informative%places%that%we%travelled%to%on%our%tour.%%

While% we% were% there,% we% were% given% the% opportunity% to% visit% both% university% and%industry.%We%experienced%Norwegian% culture% and%were%very% surprised% to%be% given%a%private%tour%of%a%billionaire’s%car%collection.%%Many%thanks%must%go%to%Pàl%Grandal%and%his%team%for%organizing%such%an%amazing%time.%

On%a%side%note:%as%we%arrived,%many%of%us%saw%our%first%Tesla%car%charging%in%the%streets%outside% our% hotel% (Figure% 8).% It% was% a% good% feeling,% as% future% engineers,% to% see% the%government% of% Norway% supporting% the% idea% of% environmentally% orientated% electric%vehicles%–% for%matter%of% fact,%we%heard% that% they%had%waived%all% registration% fees% for%owners%of%these%vehicles.%%%

3.1 University!of!Agder!Checking% into% our% warm% cabin^style% hotel,% we% then% put% on% our% winter% jackets% for% a%chilly%morning%at%one%of%QUT’s%most%highly%regarded%partners,%The%University%of%Agder%(UiA).%%

Here,%we%learnt%of%the%many%different%applications%of%engineering%that%UiA%contributed%to%Offshore%Drilling^%mainly,%this%included%heave%compensation%and%offshore%stability.%We% also% learnt% of% the% many% ways% that% both% UiA% and% Norway% contributed% to% the%advancements%engineering%within%this%field.%In%doing%so,%we%quickly%learnt%that%Agder%was%very%proud%to%be%working%so%closely%with%its%neighboring%industries.%

One%of% the%highlights%of%UiA%was%getting% to%see% their% facilities%and% the%many%projects%that%students%were%working%on%at%the%time.%After%a%short%presentation,%we%were%taken%to% a% two^story% open% lab,% home% to% a% number% of% these% projects.% Here,% we% were% then%shown%a%number%of%demonstrations.%%

In%particular,%two%projects%stood%out%from%the%rest.%The%first%one%included%an%industrial%Crane%that%was%used%many%by%first^years%to%explore%the%difficulties%of%control%feedback%and%accuracy.%In%order%to%show%these%two%areas,%students%were%asked%to%program%the%crane% to%draw%a% square% (Figure%9).% The% second%of% these%projects% included% a%massive%six^axis% stability% platform% that%was% to% be% used% for% safely% transporting% resources% and%personal% to%and%from%offshore% facilities% in%rough%seas.% %Both%of% these%projects%were%a%spectacle% of% what% engineering% could% accomplish% and% an% attest% of% UiA% achieve%excellence.%%%

3.1.1 Agder!Car!Museum!After% finishing% our% tour% through% Agder% University% we% were% treated% to% a% much%anticipated%surprise%that%had%been%alluded%to%through%the%afternoon.%We%were%driven%the% short% distance% to% the%offices% of% a% local% businessman%and% taken% to%his% private% car%collection%much% to% the% amazement% of% all.% The% basement% of% the% unassuming% building%was,%what%can%only%be%described%as,%a%tribute%to%all%things%automotive:%cars,%trucks%and%motorcycles% (Figure% 10).% Housing% cars% from% all% eras% and% across% the% world% from%Bentley’s%and%Lamborghinis%to%American%pickup%trucks.%Each%of%the%cars%hand%not%only%been% restored% but%most% are% registered% to% be% driven% each% cars% placard% described% its%production% history% with% some% describing% the% royal% heritage% of% the% car% its% self.% This%short%side%trip%was%over%all%too%quickly%as%we%returned%to%the%hotel%and%prepared%for%dinner%

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Figure'10:'Vintage'Cars'in'Agder's'Private'

Car'Museum'

Figure'9:'Mechatronics'Lab'with'heave'

compensation'research'facilities'

Figure'8:'Tesla'car'on'charge'

Figure'7:'Scenery'of'Norway'

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3.1.2 Night!with!Student!Ambassadors!Later%that%evening,%we%were%again%surprised%by%the%local%hospitality.%While%Professor%Hargreaves%and%his%wife%were%accompanied%by%Mr%Grandal%to%have%dinner,%the%rest%of%us% were% introduced% to% a% number% of% local% students% from% UiA% (Figure% 11).% Over% the%course%of% the%night,%we%were%spoilt% to%a%home^cooked%dinner%–% reindeer%as% the%main%course;% and% socialized% over% a% variety% of% Norwegian% beer,% red% wine,% and% countless%games%of%pub^style%shuffleboard.%%

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3.2 Macgregor!–!Kristansand!!The% next% morning,% we% travelled% to% Kristansand% to% meet% with% an% offshore% crane%company,% “Macgregor”.% Here,% we% were% able% to% complement% our% understanding% of%offshore%drilling%and%get%a%better%appreciation%for% just%how%large%these%designs%were.%After%a% short%presentation,%we% replaced%our% shoes%with% steel^capped%boots%and%hard%hats;% and% were% then% taken% across% to% one% of% Macgregor’s% five^story^high% assembly%workshops.%It%was%interesting%to%see%many%of%the%devices%that%some%of%us%had%used%in%our%QUT%projects,%but%on%a%much%larger%scale.%%

For% example,% on% the% side% of% a% 210T% crane,% there% were% six% industrial^size% planetary%gearbox%motors%attached%to%its%main%drum.%As%confirmed%by%our%earlier%understanding,%this%drum%was%used%for%offshore%heave%compensation%(Figure%12).%

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Figure'12:'Macgregor'Cranes'Site'

Figure'11:'Home-cooked'dinner'with'

Agder'Student'Ambassadors'

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4.0 Sweden$

4.1 Gothenborg!

4.1.1 Volvo!Group!Trucks!Technology!Department!The% first% stop% in% Gothenburg,% Sweden,% was% the% Volvo% Group% Trucks% Technology%Department.% The% tour% began% with% a% presentation% on% the% most% recent% advances% in%technology% that% the% company% had% made,% the% personnel% that% Volvo% hires% and% the%different%fields%of%research%that%they%are%currently%involved%in.%After%this%introduction%we%were% permitted% to% tour% the% facility% so% long% as% we% took% no% photos,% and%we% soon%learned%that%any%designs%or%prototypes%that%had%not%been%made%public%by%the%company%were%hidden%very%well%by%tarps.%%

The% tour%began% in% the% testing% facility,%where%possible%new%hybrid%and%electric%motor%designs%were%simulated%and%then%tested%with%a%prototype.%Within%this%lab,%the%motors%weren't%only%tested%to%see%if%they%ran%but%also%to%what%conditions%they%could%withstand%in%respect%to%temperature,%speed,% torque%and%force.%The%second%stop%on%the%tour%was%the% exhaust% labs.% Experiments%were% performed% in% this% laboratory% by% simulating% the%possible%exhaust%and%the%percentages%of%the%different%subunits%contained%then%mixing%those%quantities%into%a%resin,%the%solidified%resin%would%then%be%put%into%a%chamber%to%test% the% combustion% of% the% simulated% exhaust.% Our% third% and% final% stop% was% to% the%battery% lab% where% the% lifespan,% failure% temperatures,% and% power% consumption% at%failure% would% be% tested,% as% well% as% the% amount% of% batteries% required% for% a% certain%project%as%well%as%the%type%of%battery%would%be%determined.%%

The%opportunity%to%visit%the%Volvo%testing%facility%was%a%great%learning%experience%as%to%how%a%company%will%approach%the%problems%within%their%industry%that%are%relevant%to%societies% needs% and% economics.% This% was% seen% in% the% battery% lab% testing% and% its%importance%due%to% the%necessity%of%manufacturers% to%design%hybrid%and% fully%electric%cars%as%the%world's%oil%resources%are%depleting.%%

As% students%with%a% curiosity% for% the%automotive% industry,%being%able% to% experience%a%real% world% company% approaching% real% world% problems% using% different% technologies%and% branches% of% engineering% knowledge% was% something% that% without% this% tour% we%likely%would%never%have%seen.%%

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4.1.2 Chalmers!University!After% a% lunch% in% the% Volvo% cafeteria,% the% tour% continued% at% the% Chalmers% University%campus%which%was%just%down%the%road.%We%visited%the%automotive%club,%had%a%tour%of%the%masters%and%PhD%student%projects,% and% finished% the%afternoon%by%a%discussion%of%the%similarities%and%differences%of%teaching%styles%and%university%facilities%over%coffee%and%cinnamon%buns.%%

Meeting%with%the%automotive%team%and%discussing%their%previous%designs%with%respect%to% both% aerodynamics% of% the% vehicle% and% the% motor% design% (Figure% 14),% was% very%informative% and% extremely% exciting% for% those% of% us%who% follow% the% Formula% Student%competitions.%Being%able%to%explore%the%facilities%open%to%the%students%at%Chalmers%was%also%extremely%interesting;%these%facilities%included%a%fully%equipped%workshop%for%the%students%participating% in%the%automotive%masters%program,%an%engine%simulation%and%testing%room%outfitted%with%a%shock%absorbent%floor%to%compensate%for%the%vibrations%in%the%testing%rig,%a%laser%laboratory%and%3D%lecture%theatres.%%

It%was%also%extremely%interesting%just%listening%to%the%staff%at%Chalmers%discussing%the%different%programs%that%they%offer%in%the%masters%and%PhD%programs,%and%from%those%discussions% many% of% the% students% on% the% tour% are% now% seriously% considering%completing%a%master's%program%overseas.%Due%to%our%geographic%separation%from%the%rest%of%the%world,%programs%such%as%Chalmers%offer%are%not%usually%offered%in%Australia%

Figure'13:'Volvo'Group'Trucks'

Technology'office'and'site'

Figure'14:'Vehicles'designed'for'Formula'

Student'Competitions'

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due%to%the%lack%of%those%industries%presence%in%Australia,%and%so%being%able%to%see%what%the%rest%of%the%world%can%offer%has%intrigued%us%to%see%more%of%it.%%

4.2 Stockholm!Stockholm,% a% city% filled% with% phenomenal% architecture,% historic% landmarks% and%picturesque% attractions,% left% us% all% in% awe% as% we% wandered% the% riverside% and%cobblestoned%streets%of%the%charming%city%of%archipelagos%surrounded%by%the%Baltic%Sea%and%Lake%Mälaren.%During%the%tour,%%the%group%was%very%fortunate%to%have%two%days%to%roam%and%explore%Stockholm,%as%well%as%visit%and%see%the%facilities%of%KTH%University,%Malarden% University% and% Bombardier% –% Västerås.% These% opportunities% allowed% the%group%to%be%academically,%socially%and%culturally%enriched.%%

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4.2.1 KTH!Royal!Institute!of!Technology!During% the%group’s%visit%at%KTH%University,%we%were%given%an%overview%of% the%Turbo%Machinery% Aeromechanical% University% Training% that% is% part% of% KTH% University’s%Master’s% Program.% This% program% is% run% in% partnership% with% several% European%universities% and% lead% by% KTH,% it% offers% a% double% degree% and% ensures% international%relevance.% The% presentation% included% the% concepts% of% Turbo% machinery,% including%some% of% its% major% applications% in% electrical% production,% the% aviation% industry% and%turbines.%%With%a%focus%on%aeromechanics%on%improving%the%economic%and%operational%efficiency,% students% are% trained% and% equipped% to% apply% their% knowledge% with% very%impressive% facilities%and% turbo%machinery%resources%present%at%KTH,%which%we%were%fortunate%to%view%during%a%comprehensive%tour.%

It%was%interesting%to%learn%more%about%turbo%machinery%as%it%provides%great%relevance%in% the% modern% world,% especially% in% developing% environmentally% sustainable%Engineering%innovations.%%

Subsequent%to%this,%we%were%then%given%the%opportunity%to%speak%to%KTH’s%FSAE%team,%which% was% interesting% to% hear% about% their% different% approach% in% design% for% the%competition.% The% development% in% design% looked% very% promising% and% it% was% good% to%hear% that% automotive% industries% are% pushing% for% electric% vehicles,% enabling% Formula%Students% from% different% Universities% to% be% continually% challenged% as% they% enter% a%different%realm%of%competition.%%

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Figure'15:'KTH'Formula'vehicle'under'

development'

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4.3 Cultural!Experience!The%group%was%very%fortunate%to%have%two%days%to%experience%the%city,%and%on%our%first%day%we%roamed%Gamlastan%(the%old%town),%where%an%array%of%quaint%cafes,%shops%and%the%royal%palace,%were%situated.%We%later%hired%bicycles%to%explore%the%city%further%and%we%were%able%to%reach%across%the%bridge%to%another%area%of%the%city,%where%we%visited%parks%and%enjoyed%the%relaxing,%scenic%and%breezy%ambience.%%

As% part% of% our% tour,% we% visited% the% Vasa% Museum,% which% showcased% the% only% 17th%Century% warship% preserved% worldwide.% % It% was% magnificent,% with% its% hand–crafted%carvings%resembling%historic%and%royal%links.%This%proved%to%be%a%very%informative%visit%as%we%gained%some%knowledge%on%Swedish%history%through%exhibitions%at%the%museum.%One%of%the%showcases%presented%the%process%of%retrieving%and%restoring%the%ship%close%to% its% original% grandeur% 333% years% after% it% had% sank% in% 1628% due% to% its% weight%distribution%and%narrow%base.%%

Later% in% the% evening,% Swedish% dinner% was% on% the% menu% at% a% very% unique% medieval%themed%restaurant%kindled%only%by%candlelight.%The%group%enjoyed%Swedish%meatballs%with% Lingonberries% on% the% side,% in% addition% to% good% company% and% conversations.%Subsequent% to% this,%we%wandered%briefly% to% see% a%whole% different% Stockholm,%with% a%transformed%atmosphere%amidst%the%evening%under%a%mast%of%dark%skies%and%dim%lights%shining%upon%%grand%architecture,%cobblestoned%streets%and%reflected%on%the%waters.%

Stockholm%was%such%a%wonderful%place%to%roam%and%through%our%experiences%we%were%able% to% learn%and%understand%more%of% its% culture%and%history.% It% is%opportunities% like%these%that%allow%us,%as%students,%to%realize%the%relevance%of%cultural%awareness%in%order%to% develop% a% holistic% understanding% and% appreciation% of% social% conventions% that% is%essential% in% personal% and% professional% interactions% and% affairs,% especially% in% the%competitive%Engineering%workforce.%

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Figure'16:'Model'of'the'VASA's'original'

grandeur'

Figure'17:'Bicycle'adventure'on'the'

streets'of'Stockholm'

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5.0 Student$Statements$

5.1 Troy!Cordie!During% the% second%semester%of%2014% I%was% selected% to%participate% in% the%Short%Term%Mobility% tour% to% Singapore,% Norway% and% Sweden.% This% opportunity% exposed% me% to%cutting% edge% engineering% from% the% view% of% both% academia% and% industry,% raising%my%awareness%of%future%opportunities%outside%Australia.%

My%eyes%have%been%opened%to%industry%that%is%either%underrepresented%in%Australia%or%completely% absent% from% local% industry.% I% was% excited% to% see% the% research% into% both%renewables% and% battery% storage% technology.% % TUM% Create% in% Singapore% having%designed% and% manufactured% the% EVA% electric% taxi% designed% for% Tropical% Megacities,%incorporates% fast% battery% charging% and% innovative% power% saving% technologies.% The%push% to% move% away% from% fossil% fuels% was% evident% at% Volvo% trucks% research% and%development%department%with%electric%and%hybrid%drive%trains%making%up%large%parts%of%their%current%work.%Similar%pressures%have%seen%the%Formula%SAE%teams%at%Chalmers%University% of% Technology% and% KTH%Royal% Institute% of% Technology% begin% swap% petrol%motors% for% electric.% KHT% in% Stockholm% also% provided% and% excellent% introduction% to%turbo%machinery%working%on%advancement% in%both% large%scale%power%generation%and%investigation%in%to%domestic%use%of%turbines.%

All% of% this% with% the% back% drop% of% mechatronic% engineering% principles% being%implemented% from% the% small% scale% to% the% massive.% With% the% later% evident% in% the%offshore%oil% industry% in% the% south%of%Norway%where% fine% control%of%heavy%equipment%enables%work% to%continue%when%seas%become% larger.%This%was%on%display% in%both% the%student%projects%at%Agder%University%and%the%massive%offshore%cranes%being%produced%at%McGregor.%Where%we%were%given%insights%in%to%both%the%design%and%manufacturing%of%some%of%the%world’s%biggest%cranes,%operating%on%ships%with%centimetre%accuracy%in%large%seas%and%water%depths%into%multiple%kilometres.%It%was%also%exciting%to%see%some%of%the%process%behind%the%automatic%braking%that%is%being%incorporated%into%new%Volvo%trucks.%%

The% chance% to% see% firsthand% the% manufacturing% process% undertaken% by% two% very%different%industries.%McGregor%in%Kristiansand%put%on%show%the%fabrication%of%massive%cranes%for%use%in%the%off%shore%industry,%with%crane%booms%and%towering%drums.%To%the%more%systematic%process%seen%at%Bombardier%in%Vasteras%where%teams%of%people%build%the% power% supply% units% for% trains% throughout% the% world.% Both% showing% the% world%leading%technology%is%not%always%produced%in%automated%factories.%

This% was% also% an% excellent% opportunity% for% cultural% engagement% while% on% the% tour%during%both%our%free%time%and%in%our%interactions.%In%Singapore%we%took%in%the%sights%of%marina%bay%with%the%day%finishing%with%dinner%on%the%river%tasting%local%food.%Moving%on% to%Norway%saw%a%group%of% students% from%Agder%University%prepare%dinner% for%us%and%take%us% for%a%game%of%shuffleboard.%At%Malarden%University%we%were% invited%to%a%monthly%presentation%of%projects%being%undertaken%by%the%university.%These%included%collaborations% with% industry% national% government% and% the% European% Union.% The%experiences% continues% with% a% day% of% sightseeing% and% museum% visits% in% picturesque%Stockholm.%

This% tour% has% shown% me% just% how% transportable% the% skills% I% am% learning% as% an%engineering% student% are% within% different% industry’s% and% internationally.% My% interest%has%been% sparked% to% explore%options%both%during%my%degree% and%afterwards% to% gain%further% experience% internationally.% The% mobility% tour% was% a% wonderful% opportunity%and% I%would%highly% recommend% it% to%any%student%with%a%keen% interest% in%broadening%their%knowledge%of%engineering%outside%of%Australia.%

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5.2 Brock!Lowrey!Being% given% the% opportunity% to% participate% in% this% QUT% Mobility% Tour% to%Singapore,%Norway,%and%Sweden%was%an% incredible%experience,%and%definitely%the%highlight%of%my%time%at%university%so%far.%%

Aside% from% the% sweltering% temperatures% and% at% least% 18% hours% spent% in% the%airport,%I%thoroughly%enjoyed%our%time%in%Singapore.%After%visiting%CREATE,%an%international%research%collaboration%established%by%the%National%University%of%Singapore%–%and%even%just%walking%around%the%city,%it%became%evident%that%the%Singaporean% people% greatly% value% education,% research,% and% being% at% the%forefront%of%their%given%field.%Specifically,%it%was%fantastic%to%be%able%to%visit%the%TUM^CREATE%battery%labs%and%see%the%electric%taxi%they%have%developed%–%and%furthermore% to% see% how% the% cutting% edge% research% into% battery% and% electric%technology%sure%to%revolutionise%the%automotive%industry%is%progressing.%%

The%visit% to%Agder%University% in%Grimstad%was%my%first% taste%of%Scandinavia%–%and% I%must% admit% I%was% thoroughly% impressed.%Whilst% being% quite% small,% the%campus%felt%homely,%and%seemed%like%it%would%be%the%perfect%environment%for%teaching% and% learning.% The% industry% visit% to% MacGregor% Cranes,% and% the%projects%and%labs%we%were%shown%provided%great%insight%into%the%workings%of%the%Norwegian%Oil%and%Gas% industry.%As%well%as% the%official%visits,%what%made%our% short% time% in%Norway% so% great%was% that% our% guides%managed% to% find% the%perfect%balance%of%engineering%related%and%social%activities.%On%the%first%night,%all%6%of%us%students%were%treated%to%a%traditional%home^cooked%meal%by%some%of%the%students%at%the%university,%and%I%can%add%reindeer%to%the%list%of%game%meat%I%have%tried.%During%this%direct%and%casual% immersion%with% local%students,%a% lot%was% learnt% about% their% culture,% education% and% employment% prospects,% and% I%found%this%side%of%our%time%in%Norway%to%be%the%most%valuable.%%

From%Norway,%it%was%on%to%Gothenburg%in%Sweden.%Before%leaving%for%the%tour,%I%was%particularly%keen%for%our%visit%to%Volvo.%Whilst%I%was%expecting%to%see%the%assembly%line,%it%was%just%as%informative%seeing%the%research%being%carried%out%in%their%Group%Trucks%Technology%department.%Being%a%3rd%year%student,%I%had%completed%thermodynamics%and%some%assignments%in%the%engine%laboratories,%and%it%was%interesting%to%see%Volvo%on%the%other%side%of%the%world%carrying%out%similar%engine%emissions% research%and%developing% the%same% technology%as%at%home%here%at%QUT.%From%Volvo,%we%visited%Chalmers%University%of%Technology,%just%down%the%road.%Chalmers%have%an%incredibly%good%FSAE%team,%and%it%was%a%privilege% being% able% to% see% the% cars% they% had% developed% over% the% years,% and%their% ideas%and%plans% for%the%future.%After%seeing%the%emphasis%that%Chalmers%placed%on%their%automotive%engineering%program,%and%their%apparent%passion%for%the%industry,%I%have%seriously%considered%pursuing%a%Masters%in%Automotive%Engineering% as% a% gateway% to% employment% at% large% European% car% companies%such%as%Mercedes,%BMW,%and%Porsche.%

Upon%arrival%in%Stockholm,%we%were%given%almost%2%whole%days%to%explore%the%city,%which%involved%doing%as%the%locals%do,%and%hiring%bikes%to%ride%around%and%visit%some%of%the%cultural%attractions.%This%included%visiting%the%Gamlastan%(Old%Town),%Vasa%Museum,%and%the%Royal%Palace.%The% layout%of% the%city,%especially%its%archipelago%of% islands%and%phenomenal%architecture% is%markedly%different%to%anything%I%have%ever%seen%before,%and%coupled%with%the%climate%and%friendly%people,%contributed%to%the%city%having%an%incredible%feel.%%Whilst%in%Stockholm,%we% also% visited%KTH%and% their% turbomachinery%department,% and% took% a% train%out%to%Vasteras%and%Eskilstuna,%where%we%visited%Bombardier,%and%Malardalen%University.%It%was%surprising%to%see%the%lack%of%automation%at%Bombardier,%but%this%opened%my%eyes%to%how%some%assembly%lines%might%actually%operate%in%the%

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real% world% –% as% opposed% to% the% flash% robots,% polished% floors% and% automated%equipment%we%have%seen%in%classes%and%on%shows%such%as%Mega%factories.%

Unfortunately%due%to%our%relative%isolation%on%a%world%map,%many%mechanical%engineering%students% in%Australia%are%generally%only%exposed%to%or%even%only%aware%of%our% local% industries%–%and%most%students%expect% to% find%work% in% the%mining% industry.% Exposure% to% the% employment% and% study% opportunities%available%overseas%has%provided%me%with% invaluable%knowledge%and% inspired%me%to%pursue%a%career%involving%international%travel.%I%would%highly%encourage%participation%in%a%similar%tour%to%future%students,%and%furthermore,%encourage%QUT%to%continue%supporting%these%international%experiences%for%students.%%

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5.3 Elaiza!Luker!It%was%such%a%privilege%to%be%part%of%the%2014,%QUT%Engineering%Mobility%Tour%as% it% encompassed% many% aspects% of% academic,% international% exposure% and%cultural% immersion.%As%a%student%seeking%to%develop%a%global%career,% the%tour%provided%a%wonderful%opportunity%to%network%with%industry%and%universities,%and%most%importantly,%gain%a%greater%insight%on%various%industries%that,%often,%Australia% is% isolated% from.% It%was% an% ideal% platform% for% experiential% learning,%which% has% sculpted% a% greater% awareness% of% the% diversity% and% dynamic%developments%of%Engineering.%Having%the%opportunity%to%visit%different%places%and% be% exposed% to% many% avenues% of% Engineering% was% culturally% and%academically%enlightening.%%

In% Singapore,% the% TUM^CREATE% battery% labs% presented% the% progression% of%electric% technology,% especially% in% the% automotive% industry.%Meanwhile,% Agder%University%had%a%focus%on%marine%applications,%and%a%subsequent%industry%visit%to% Macgregor% Cranes% allowed% us% to% gain% further% insight% on% the% oil% and% gas%industry% of% Norway.% Moving% on% to% Sweden,% the% opportunity% to% learn% more%about% the% Trucks% Technology% Department% in% Volvo,% Gothenburg% and% visit%Chalmers%University%was%very% interesting%as%we%also%had% the%chance% to%meet%their%very%successful%FSAE% team.%Particular%highlights%of%Stockholm,%home% to%KTH% Royal% Institute% of% Technology,% Malardalen% University% and% Bombardier,%was%having%the%opportunity%to%view%the%turbo%machinery%facilities%in%KTH%and%getting%a%glimpse%of%Bombardier’s%assembly%line.%

In% visiting% Singapore,% Norway% and% Sweden% our% experiences% weren’t% just%limited%to%expanding%our%insights%of%Engineering%innovations%and%international%research.%We%were%also%able%to%experience%beautifully%unique%scenery,%culture,%food% and%meet% very% hospitable% people% along% the%way,%which% I% believe%was% a%valuable% aspect% of% this% tour.% The% dynamic% streets% of% Singapore,% homely%ambience% of% Grimstad,%Norway,% to% the% breathtaking% architecture% of% new% and%old% Stockholm;% visiting% these% places% and% experiencing% a% little% bit% of% what%encompasses% their%cultures%has% left%a%mark%of%memories%and%greater%cultural%appreciation%for%many,%if%not%all,%of%us.%%

This% tour% has% provided% me% with% invaluable% experiences% and% allowed% me% to%develop%a%more%global%perspective%of%Engineering.%Hence%why%I%am%so%humbled%to% have% had% this% opportunity% as% an% undergraduate,% as% it% has% truly% been% a%highlight% of% my% University% experience.% In% saying% this,% I% have% the% QUT% SEF%International% and% Engagement% team% and% Professor% Doug% Hargreaves% to%express%my%sincerest%gratitude%to.%%

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5.4 Jaden!Partridge!This%year%I%was%fortunate%enough%to%join%Doug%Hargreaves%and%five%other%students%on%the%Mobility%Tour%to%Norway,%Sweden%and%Singapore.%%

The% mobility% tour% gave% me% exposure% to% many% industries% that% are% not% prevalent% or%existent% in%Australia.% % Learning% about% these% industries% unique% engineering%problems%and%solutions%was%extremely%enriching.%I%hope%that%this%diversity%and%exposure%will%aid%me% in% solving% engineering%problems%not% only% during% the% continuation% of%my%degree,%but%also% into%my%career.%Along%with% the%diversity%of% industries%experienced,% I%believe%the%mobility% tour% has% also%widened%my% cultural% awareness% and% understanding.% This%has%been%my%first%trip%to%Europe,%and%the%time%spent%in%Norway%and%Sweden%has%given%me%some%insight%into%the%level%of%industry%and%university%educational%opportunities.%%

The% diversity% and% exposure% has% given% me% more% confidence% in% preparing% for% my%prospective%exchange%to%a%QUT%partner%university.%My%goal%is%to%one%day%work%in%the%motorsport% or% automotive% industry,% two% industries% which% are% less% prominent% in%Australia.%I%understand%that%to%secure%a%position%in%these%industries,%I%will%most%likely%have% to% work% overseas.% The% confidence% the%mobility% tour% has% given%me% in% overseas%travel%will%prove%essential%to%me%in%the%future.%%

The%2014%Mobility%Tour%was%a%wonderful%opportunity%to%network%with%professionals%and%students%studying%overseas.%Two%of%the%highlights%on%the%trip%for%me%was%meeting%with%KTH%and%Chalmers%Formula%Student%teams.%The%Formula%Student%cars%are%built%to%a% global% rulebook,% therefore,% I% could% relate% to% how% Swedish% students% envisage% the%solution% to% a% shared% brief% that% we% build% our% cars% to% at% QUT.% Observing% their% team%structure,% facilities,% current% and% previous% cars% was% extremely% interesting.% I% was%particularly% interested% in% Chalmers% University’s% car% due% to% QUT%Motorsports% recent%switch% to% a%monocoque% chassis.% I% had% the% opportunity% to% talk% to% their% chassis% team%leader% into% the% manufacturing% methods% involved% with% their% aluminium% honeycomb%with% carbon% fibre% skin% chassis.% I% believe% this% networking% and% collaboration% between%other% students/teams% undertaking% the% same% challenge% is% essential% for% the% learning%experience%of%the%competition.%

From%standing%at%the%base%of%a%massive%offshore%Macgregor%crane%to%the%meeting%room%of%Volvo%Trucks%R&D,%seeing%factories%and%research%centres%in%the%flesh%demonstrated%to% me% the% impact% engineers% have% globally,% whilst% further% motivating% me% towards%realising% my% aspirations% of% becoming% an% engineer.% I% cannot% thank% the% faculties% and%persons%involved%in%the%organisation%and%funding%of%the%mobility%tour%enough%for%this%invaluable%experience.%I%would%also%like%to%specifically%thank%Doug%Hargreaves%for%his%commitment%to%the%tour.%From%his%organisation%throughout%the%tour,%to%the%time%spent%sharing%his%wealth%of%knowledge% in% the% field%of% engineering.%This% trip%has% reinforced%my%commitment%to%the%engineering%field%and%my%studies%at%QUT.%

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5.5 Jillian!Schomberg!Before% this% tour% I% had% never% travelled% overseas% for% study,% and% I% was% extremely%interested%in%the%different%approaches%that%each%countries%universities%and%businesses%were% taking%when% applied% to% sustainable% and% safer% transport% as%well% as% advances% in%technologies%in%those%fields.%%

Whilst%I%had%always%been%interested%in%the%automotive%industry%before%this%tour,%I%had%never%really%understood%the%depth%to%which%seemingly%minor%topics%could%be%pursued%to% improve% the% overall% performance% of% a% vehicle.% I% found% Singapore% particularly%interesting%as%our%visit%to%TUM^CREATE%introduced%me%to%a%battery%lab,%and%the%ways%in%which%their%research%was%used%and%adapted%to%develop%an%electric%taxi.%Gothenburg%also% intrigued% me% as% the% advances% that% Volvo% was% making% in% their% Group% Trucks%Technology%department%in%the%way%of%battery%power,%decreasing%emissions%and%safer%driving% technologies%were% extremely% exciting.% The% days% that%we% spent% in% Stockholm%were%also%very%informative,%and%it%was%at%Bombardier%that%I% learned%not%all%assembly%lines%are%shiny%machines.%Whilst%participating%on%this%tour%I%was%impressed%by%not%only%the% research% companies% and% universities% passion% for% searching% for% a% solution% to%sustainable% transport% but% also% the% support% and% funding% given% to% them% by% the%government.%%

Of%all%the%events%that%I%have%participated%in%at%university%this%tour%has%by%far%been%the%most% exciting,% informative% and%memorable.% Due% to% Australia's% remoteness% from% the%rest%of% the%world%and% its% industries,% it%would%have%been%almost% impossible% for%me% to%learn%of%and%visit%the%countries%and%corporations%of%automotive%growth%and%research.%It%was%an%experience%for%which%I%am%extremely%grateful%and%has%opened%the%prospects%for%me%to%complete%further%study%overseas%and%possibly%pursue%a%career.%%

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5.6 Damien!Slinger$It% is% surprising% just%how% little% time%we%had% spent%overseas%when%compared%with% the%enormous%amount%of%experiences%that%we%gained%while%participating%on%this%Mobility%tour.%Having%never%travelled%overseas,%this%tour%was%an%opportunity%for%me%to%explore%Engineering% through%a%global%perspective%and% see% the%many%different%possibilities%of%where%it%may%take%me%in%my%future.%

Over%the%course%of% just%ten%days,%I%believe%I%was%able%to%enrich%my%studies%by%gaining%valuable%insight%into%engineering%on%a%global%perspective.%Through%this,%I%now%am%able%to%better%relate%what%I%have%been%learning%in%my%studies%with%their%application%in%the%“real%world”.%%

We%visited%many%different%companies%and%several%different%universities;%I%made%many%new%connections%and%many%new% friends.%And%while% it%may%be%hard% to%name%a% single%event%as%being%the%most%memorable,%there%were%many%events%that%I%will%never%forget.%%

In%regards%to%the%academic%side%of%the%tour,%I%particularly%enjoyed%learning%about%both%heave% compensation% and% turbomachinery.% % While% my% current% studies% have% yet% to%encompass%these%areas,%I%found%it%quite%interesting%to%see%the%many%different%ways%that%engineers%across%the%world%take%on%these%challenges.%

On%the%more%social%aspects%of%the%tour,%I%loved%having%the%opportunity%to%socialize%for%a%night%with%a%number%of%current%Agder%students.%This%was%an%opportunity%to%experience%Norwegian% culture% –% identifying% both% the% similarities% and% differences% between% our%communities%and%lifestyles.%I%also%thoroughly%enjoyed%making%many%new%networks%and%connections%across%the%world.%%

Overall,% I%cannot%thank%QUT%enough%^%especially%Professor%Doug%Hargreaves%^% for%the%countless%opportunities,% insights%and%experiences%this%tour%has%given%me.%I%can%safely%say%that%I%will%treasure%each%and%every%one%of%these%throughout%my%degree%and%into%my%future%career.%Engineering,%here%I%come!%


Acknowledgements$We%would%like%to%express%our%sincerest%gratitude%to%those%who%have%made%the%2014%Mechanical%Engineering%Mobility%tour%possible%and%an%experience%that%has%been%academically%and%culturally%enriching.%%

We% are% sincerely% thankful% for% Professor% Doug% Hargreaves% for% his% time% and% effort% in% assembling% such% an%informative%trip%and%also%his%loving%wife,%Desley%Hargreaves,%for%both%of%their%guidance%throughout%the%tour.%

Our% warmest% gratitude% also% go% to% Jennifer% Eggerton% and% Leonard% Fitzpatrick% for% their% assistance% in%processing%paperwork%and%itineraries.%%

To% our% hosts,% as%well% as% university% and% industry% representatives% in% Singapore,%Norway% and% Sweden,% kind%thanks%for%making%our%trip%comfortable,%memorable%and%enlightening%with%your%hospitality%and%time.%%

We%would% also% like% to% thank% the%QUT%Science% and%Engineering%Faculty% and% International%Engagement% for%their%support,%which%has%added%to%our%university%experience%and%inspired%us%as%future%Engineers%in%a%diverse%industry.%It%is%undeniable%that%the%knowledge%and%international%perspective%gained%on%this%tour%will%remain%with%us%through%our%academic,%personal%and%professional%life.%%

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Mobility Tour Report 2014

Documents

Transcript of Mobility Tour Report 2014