Starke’s clamp is sealing deals

An innovative product designed and manufactured by the Stärke Advanced Manufacturing Group (AMG) has achieved significant commercial success across the globe, netting customers in ten countries and on five continents. The Rapid Response Clamp was developed by Stärke group company VPG Innovation, based in Camden Park – SA, which provides design and engineering expertise to develop product ideas into scalable solutions for commercial availability. The simple but revolutionary device is applied to shut down leaking pipes by clamping over the leak until a permanent repair can be undertaken. With implementation taking less than 60 seconds, it is five times faster than traditional methods. This time last year, Starke won a contract to supply 30,000 Rapid Response Clamps to the US Navy and on the back of this success, has sold a further 6000 clamps comprising an additional 1200 to the US Navy, with the balance going to customers in Australia, Bolivia, Chile, Germany, The Netherlands, Greece, UAE, Singapore, United Kingdom and other clients in the United States. The Rapid Response Clamp was conceptualised and designed by Stärke group company VPG Innovation and co-developed by the Department of Defence in response to the Royal Australian Navy’s request for a product to swiftly shut down leaking pipes, not only protect expensive assets, but potentially to save lives. “Our navy wanted an effective but easy-to-manufacture solution which led to the development of the unique chain and lever system that characterises the Rapid Response Clamp,” explained Stärke-AMG Co founder & Group CEO Al Jawhari. “Navy vessels typically house hundreds of metres of water, gas and fuel piping systems which operate under very high pressure and leaks are therefore an ongoing safety, operational and maintenance issue. While warmly received by the Royal Australian Navy, we did not sell any as we thought we might and so we turned our efforts to other markets, knowing we had a winning product. Tested to withstand pressures up to 40Bar, Stärke’s clamps are applicable to almost any industry or operation that deploys pressurised piping systems. “The Rapid Response Clamp can repair a damaged pipe in less than 60 seconds and this unparalleled speed and efficiency make it the ideal solution for emergency response situations across a variety of industries including Commercial, Military and Oil & Gas where our customers include, Santos, Oz and BP,” added Jawhari. “We are receiving more export orders each month and there is intense and increasing interest from a broad range of potential customers. In a small way, we believe it has enhanced South Australia’s reputation as an innovation and high-end manufacturing hub.” The Rapid Response Clamp is a finalist in the Innovation category in the Defence Teaming Centre’s prestigious Defence Industry Dinner & Awards Ceremony to be held on 4 December this year. In July this year, Deputy Premier Susan Close officially opened the University of South Australia’s Advanced Manufacturing Metal 3D Printing facility at VPG Innovation. The facility will support the industry with rapid Additive Manufacturing of metals for space structures, housing machines capable of printing titanium and nickel alloys powder that are crucial in space and defence technologies. The facility’s 3D printing technology capability supports Australia’s sovereign manufacturing aspirations and makes it possible to rapidly manufacture custom-made parts and other space infrastructure. Stärke-Advanced Manufacturing Group assists companies in different industry sectors who seek to unlock mass production of complex, high performance, robust and reliable components and products. Stärke-AMG works with customers to ensure that solutions are practical and incorporate decades of engineering and design know-how. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at [email protected]