CSIRO using titanium Additive Manufacturing to track big fish

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia’s national science agency, has been using Additive Manufacturing technology to create tagging devices to track large fish such as marlin, tuna, swordfish, trevally and sharks.

The latest fish tag design manufactured from

titanium using Additive Manufacturing

CSIRO is manufacturing the tags from titanium at its 3D printing facility, Lab 22, in Melbourne. The tags are created overnight and then shipped to Tasmania where marine scientists are trialling them.

One of the advantages of the process is that it enables rapid manufacture of multiple design variations which can then be tested simultaneously. “Using our Arcam 3D printing machine, we’ve been able to re-design and make a series of modified tags within a week,” stated John Barnes, who leads CSIRO’s research in titanium technologies.

“When our marine science colleagues asked us to help build a better fish tag, we were able to send them new prototypes before their next trip to sea,” added Barnes.

Tags are made of titanium for several reasons: the metal is strong, resists the salty corrosiveness of the marine environment, and is biocompatible (non-toxic to living tissues).

Had the scientists been using conventional tags which are machined out of metal blocks, it would have taken a couple of months to design, manufacture and receive the new designs for testing.

A line-up of fish tags, showing progression of the

design from earliest (far left) to latest (far right)

“Our early trials showed that the textured surface worked well in improving retention of the tag, but we need to fine-tune the design of the tag tip to make sure that it pierces the fish skin as easily as possible,” continued Barnes.

“The fast turnaround speeds up the design process – it’s very easy to incorporate amendments to designs. 3D printing enables very fast testing of new product designs, which why it’s so attractive to manufacturers wanting to trial new products.”

Scientists from a number of agencies, including CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, use fish tags to track movements of individual marine species and increase understanding of their behaviour. Tracks of selected marine animals tagged by CSIRO and partner agencies can be viewed on the CSIRO Ocean Tracks website.

Medical implants such as dental implants and hip joints are made of biocompatible titanium with a surface texturing which speeds healing and tissue attachment after implantation. Scientists hope that a similar rough surface will help the tag to stay in fish longer.

“A streamlined tag that easily penetrates the fish’s skin, but has improved longevity because it integrates with muscle and cartilage, would be of great interest to our colleagues conducting tagging programs across the world,” stated Russell Bradford, a CSIRO marine researcher.

CSIRO’s Lab 22 3D printing facility was established in October 2012 and has been used to manufacture a range of prototype products including biomedical implants, automotive, chemical processing and aerospace parts.

 

www.csiro.au/TitaniumTechnologies