The challenge
Time and costs associated with design improvements
Time and costs associated with making design improvements to its patented heat exchanger technology was a key challenge for Geelong‑based start-up company, Conflux Technology.
Conflux is a supplier of ground breaking, application specific heat exchangers to industries across the globe. It identified an opportunity to utilise additive manufacturing to create detailed geometries that cannot be manufactured using any other method, but it required assistance from CSIRO to utilise cutting‑edge computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling in its design process.
CSIRO's CFD modelling expertise enables designers to get a better understanding of fluid flow and heat transfer in complex heat exchangers.
Our response
Utilising CFD modelling in the design process
CSIRO's SME Connect team facilitated a project in 2016 that partnered Conflux Technology with CSIRO's Manufacturing business unit. The project would demonstrate the feasibility of using CFD modelling to make design improvements to Conflux's heat exchangers, rather than iterating designs by manufacture of physical prototypes.
The results
Achieved design improvements, fast-tracked future design process, and enhanced understanding of technology performance
The results produced by the CSIRO team have helped Conflux develop a more detailed understanding of the performance of its additive manufactured heat exchangers, make design improvements and fast-track their future design process.
Demonstrating the feasibility of virtual design was important for Conflux in securing a capital injection from AM Ventures Holding GmbH (AMV), a German‑based investor focused on advanced manufacturing and industrial 3D printing.
Today, Conflux employs 8 people at its Geelong base where it is co-located with key research partner, Deakin University. It is presently engaging with a number of customers in the automotive, motorsport and aviation industries.
Find out more and apply
- Program Eligibility and Guidelines PDF (170 KB)
- Program Eligibility and Guidelines - text version TXT (11 KB)
- Expressions of Interest form DOCX (48 KB)
For more information and to apply, please get in touch with our CSIRO Kick-Start Program team: