TEST-DRIVING THE FUTURE
Every building project, be it a major freeway or simple house renovation, begins with a set of drawings. Many of us, however, struggle to visualise plans in three dimensions and often the finished product is vastly different to what we imagined.
One group of Melbourne-based digital media consultants is giving clients the opportunity to experience the finished space before committing to a final plan. Aspect Digital uses virtual reality technology to create a real-time, three-dimensional prototype of the project, where users can interact with the design, by driving along a new road, say, or walking around their new house.
Aspect Digital director Jesse Sago says the virtual reality modeling tools are particularly useful in large design projects where community consultation is required.
"We work with the designers to build a prototype, so they’ll add things and change it as we go. Then they’ll workshop the prototype, holding community consultation sessions and refining the design," says Sago.
"It’s an iterative process and the virtual model is used from early concept through to project marketing," he says. In one high-profile example of their work, VicRoads engaged the team to create a model of the Craigieburn Bypass road.
"A large section of the local community is of non-English speaking background, so it was hard to communicate using the traditional ‘plan, section, elevation’ discussion. We projected a model of the road onto the wall and let them drive along it," says Sago.
Incorporated 18 months ago, Aspect Digital is quickly gaining a reputation in the design industry for bringing two dimensional drawings to life.
"Clients are seeing the benefits. We have a few projects under our wing and other people are seeing our work, so we’re getting a lot of calls."
THE AIR POLLUTION SOLUTION
As the world’s attention turns to global warming and the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, one Melbourne engineer is realising his dream of a motor that runs on nothing but compressed air, creating zero pollution.
Angelo Di Pietro’s unique rotary piston air engine uses compressed air to turn a cylindrical rotary piston connected to a drive shaft. The simple design virtually eliminates internal wear and friction and makes the motor smaller and more efficient than other air motors.
"Our motor is seven times smaller than the piston air motor currently in use, developing more power with a lot less compressed air," says Di Pietro, who established Engineair Pty Ltd in 2000 to advance his innovative technology.
By varying the timing and duration of compressed air input, the motor can operate at a higher torque or with greater efficiency, making it suitable for a wide variety of applications, including commercial vehicles, motor scooters, buses, boats, trains and cars.
Specially-designed vehicles have been manufactured for the Melbourne Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market to transport goods around the market. Air tanks are installed below the load tray and the ‘zero pollution’ feature of the engine makes it particularly suited to enclosed areas like markets, factories and warehouses. The Engineair motor’s flexibility also extends to stationary applications often required in heavy industry, such as mining and petrochemicals.
As well as teeing up potential manufacturers, Di Pietro is installing the motor into a light car imported from his native Italy, and plans to showcase his invention with a Melbourne to Sydney trip in the next year. The trip will be a milestone in the development of the Engineair motor, Di Pietro is paying attention to every detail.
"You only get one chance," he says, "If you muck it up, people lose interest. We have to go out there and show the motor at its best."
AUSTRALIAN TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE PATRONS’ AWARD If you have a qualifying technology, consider becoming a member of the Australian Technology Showcase and thereby being eligible to apply for the Victorian ATS Patrons’ Award. Providing up to $40,000 in value to the technology with the best export potential annually, this Award can be of significant benefit to the winner. Visit www.ats.business.gov.au for details for joining the ATS and the Victorian Patrons’ Award.
