Engineering advanced filters through research

In manufacturing, there comes a point where experience alone isn’t enough. The best engineering companies know that continual improvement requires more than decades of practical knowledge. It requires curiosity, a willingness to challenge assumptions, and the confidence to seek independent expertise when pursuing better outcomes for customers.

At Action Laser, that philosophy has become an important part of how we develop and refine our industrial filtration products. Rather than relying on trial and error or accepting “good enough”, we’ve partnered with leading Australian universities to better understand the science behind our products and identify opportunities to improve their performance.

Today, that commitment continues through our collaboration with the University of Queensland, helping us engineer products that deliver greater consistency, durability and long-term value for customers operating in demanding industrial environments.

Like many specialist manufacturers, we continually evaluate how our products perform in real-world operating conditions. Several years ago, while investigating isolated product failures, we began working with researchers at the University of New South Wales. Using advanced microscopic analysis, the university helped us better understand the surface characteristics of our new plastic recycling products and identify the underlying causes of material failure that would otherwise have remained hidden.

That experience reinforced something we’ve always believed. The more accurately you understand a product, the better you can engineer it. When further specialist analysis was required, we were introduced to Dr Lenny McInnes and Dr Qichas Hao at the University of Queensland, beginning a new chapter in our product development journey.

The University of Queensland doesn’t simply test our products. They provide independent engineering expertise that helps us understand exactly how our manufacturing processes influence our product performance.

Through detailed metallurgical analysis, microscopic imaging and technical reporting, the university identified opportunities to improve our heat treatment processes. One of the most significant findings was that our products required deeper and more consistent case hardening to achieve the performance levels expected in demanding plastic recycling applications.

Rather than making assumptions, we now conduct structured scientific trials. Different furnace environments, temperatures, and gas ratios are tested, analysed, and compared to identify the optimum manufacturing conditions before changes are implemented in production. This transforms and speeds up product development from educated guesswork into evidence-based engineering.

We don’t see product development as something that finishes once a product reaches the market. Every project presents an opportunity to learn. Every customer challenge helps us refine our manufacturing techniques, and every advancement in materials science offers another chance to improve quality.

Our current work with the University of Queensland reflects this philosophy perfectly. As customer demand for larger stainless steel filtration discs grows, particularly in European markets, we’re working with university specialists to better understand how stainless steel behaves during heat treatment.

Because stainless steel presents unique engineering challenges, this research will help us determine the precise furnace conditions required to consistently produce products that meet or exceed international performance expectations. Rather than simply manufacturing to an existing specification, we’re investing in developing a better one.

For many manufacturers, industrial filtration products are critical production components. Unexpected failures can result in downtime, reduced production efficiency and increased operating costs. That’s why our investment in research matters.

By partnering with independent engineering experts, we can make informed decisions based on scientific evidence. Every improvement we make contributes to a greater product consistency, improved wear characteristics and enhanced manufacturing reliability.

Customers can have confidence knowing that our products are continually evaluated using world-class scientific expertise. It’s another layer of quality assurance that reflects our commitment to delivering products our customers rely on.

Our partnership with the University of Queensland is more than research. It reflects the culture that drives Action Laser. We’re prepared to ask difficult questions. We’re willing to challenge our own manufacturing processes. And we’re committed to investing in the expertise required to build better products.

For our customers, they have a supplier who is the global leader in filtration and never stands still. One that embraces innovation, values independent scientific insight, and continually looks for ways to improve performance, durability and reliability.

Our team is ready to customise a filtration screen solution for your business operation. Contact us today and learn more about how we work with you to create solutions for long-term results.