Mr Finnin manages research delivering advanced engineering for automotive, defence and aerospace components applications at CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering.
Current activities
Mr Finnin is General Manager of CSIRO's Advanced Engineered Components Theme.
He manages staff, financial resources and research programs to deliver new and improved technologies for the manufacturing industry by applying the disciplines of:
The role includes high level liaison with the:
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Cooperative Research Centre for Cast Metals Manufacturing (CAST CRC)
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Cooperative Research Centre for Advanced Automotive Technology (Auto CRC)
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Victorian Centre for Advanced Materials Manufacturing (VCAMM)
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Advanced Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre.
Mr Finnin manages staff, financial resources and research programs to deliver new and improved technologies for the advanced manufacturing industries.
Research in the Advanced Engineering Components theme focuses on:
Background
Mr Finnin joined CSIRO in 2003.
Prior to his current position, he was a team leader and undertook business development and marketing for the advanced thixotropic metallurgy (ATM) casting technologies project.
For this project, Mr Finnin developed:
Prior to joining CSIRO, he had over 20 years experience in the manufacturing industry in the areas of:
Academic qualifications
Mr Finnin has completed a:
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Company Directors Course Diploma in 2005
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Master of Business Administration in Technology Management, Deakin University, Victoria, 1996-99
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Bachelor of Applied Science in Metallurgy/Technology Management, Deakin University, Victoria, 1988-94
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Further Certificate of Management from RMIT, 1986-87
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COT/Associate Diploma in Metallurgy from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1982-85.
Achievements
Mr Finnin's achievements while with CSIRO include:
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being part of the team that won the 2007 CSIRO Medal for Business Excellence for developing and commercialising T-Mag™ (CSIRO's magnesium casting technology)
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creating a number of new business entities based on CSIRO technologies
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creating the Light Alloys Theme, the Theme's roadmap and implementing its business plan that resulted in solid external income performance - with Flagship projects growing from less than A$2.5 million in 2004-05 to over A$4 million in 2005-06 in
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developing tools that improved the ATM technology from something that took on average seven person-months to achieve a successful production trial to one that achieved this in just a few days
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involvement in negotiations for:
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renewal of the CAST CRC
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establishing the Auto CRC
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working with Australian Defence Apparel (ADA) to produce lightweight, ceramic-based armour products
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VCAMM2
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establishing the Advanced Manufacturing CRC.
Other achievements include being President of Forgecast USA Inc, 1998-2000, with responsibilities as director for newly formed entities in Mexico and USA.
Mr Finnin has also been involved with developing:
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manufacturing process to produce aluminium alloy forgings from hyper and hypo eutectic silicon compositions
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low cost dezincification resistant brass alloy - used in domestic water meters - suitable for diecasting, 1990-1995
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low-cost, high tensile brass with high impact energy for valves on compressed gas cylinders
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disposable tooling for complex high pressure diecastings
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chemical finishing process line capable of simultaneous bright dipping and passivation of copper alloys and aluminium alloys
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high yield runner design methodology.
Mr Finnin was also involved in achieving accreditation for and implementing a quality management system based on ISO 9002 - the international standard for quality assurance in production, installation and servicing.
Outside CSIRO, Mr Finnin's awards include the 1997 Australian Forging Group Export award.
He is also:
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an acting Board Member of VCAMM
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a member of the Auto CRC Technical Committee
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a member of the Advanced Manufacturing CRC Science Advisory Committee.
Find out more about the work of CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering.
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