Ian started his career as an automotive mechanic, specialising in metal fabrication, welding and machining before studying mechanical engineering. He later completed a PhD in advanced manufacturing in which his research focused on adapting Laser Metal Deposition (LMD) Additive Manufacturing (AM) technology to repair components used in the mineral processing industry.
During and after the PhD Ian worked closely with students, post-doctoral and academic researchers to design, build and test systems for experimental research. Such systems included: thermal fluid systems; AM process monitoring and process control; mechanical testing, monitoring and data analysis, and mechanical and thermal numerical modelling.
In 2021 Ian joined Conflux as a key member of the Additive Manufacturing team. Within this team he manages the collaborative research projects being conducted between Conflux and Deakin University.
In addition to this, he is leading or participating in several internal research projects focused on improving various aspects of the manufacturing process as well as designs and develops post-processing systems for heat exchanger testing and quality control improvement.
Ian is also a keen mountain biker, skier, traveller, and tinkerer of all things automotive.
"The vast number of variables involved with all AM processes adds greatly to the difficulties of successful implementation, however, these variables also present many opportunities for developing unique products using AM. This is where Conflux is positioned: to take advantage of design freedoms, material choices, and AM process parameter optimisation in order to push the limits of heat exchanger technology. "
Ian Fordyce, PhD
Newsletter
Sign up for our latest news
