Rheology Solutions has signed a license agreement with CSIRO to develop and manufacture a novel process control instrument known as the On-Line Rheometer (OLR).
The On-Line Rheometer delivers fast, accurate results with a single measurement over a range of frequencies. The OLR reduces wastage, saving time and money with potential environmental benefits. Its simple design and stainless steel construction makes it easy to use and clean.
The OLR will be developed by Rheology Solutions and will be taken to the world market. A world class manufacturing facility will be established in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, employing 20 highly skilled technical and engineering staff adding to the region’s skill base. This is a significant development for the region with the establishment of a purpose built manufacturing facility.
Mr Dennis Silvers of CSIRO stated that: “The initiative brought to the table a viable offer that otherwise would not have occurred, which will result in about $2 million in royalties and a small manufacturing and distribution facility to be built in Bacchus Marsh, a town west of Melbourne, that will employ between 15 and 20 people and
bring in more than $16 million to the local community”.
“The Moorabool Shire Council and the Victorian State Government have given much support to the project in terms of assisting to finalise the agreement with CSIRO”, said Pat Griffin, Managing Director of Rheology Solutions. “We will be seeking on-going financial assistance from the Local and Federal Government as we progress the development of the instrument. This project will inject significant revenues into the region and will also increase employment.”
The CSIRO designed On-Line Rheometer (OLR) is such an instrument, and uses a patented multi-frequency squeezing flow technique that allows the viscoelastic flow properties of a material to be measured in a very short time. The measured rheological parameters can be used as process controls in a feedback system to
control the process, and hence the quality, of the final product.