ABOUT THE INVENTOR

Laurie Jarvis joined the CSIRO in 1989, working in the then Division of Manufacturing Technologies, specialising in high energy joining processes such as laser and arc welding. In the mid 1990s, Laurie started a PhD in this area. With funding from the CSIRO and CRC for Welded Structures, Laurie and a CSIRO colleague began experimenting with high current welding arcs.

Shortly into this project, the pair discovered a penetrating “keyhole’’ mode of welding could be achieved using conventional TIG equipment. The keyhole weld turned out to be a productive and stable way to weld thicker materials.

Within 12 months, Laurie, who has an honours degree in physics from Flinders University, had refined the process, and was welding 12mm thick stainless steel in a single welding pass. This has the potential to cut welding times by a factor of 10, offering huge cost savings to a wide range of industries.

Laurie continued his PhD exploring the complex physics behind the process, and as it became better understood, the CSIRO, which had quickly recognised the potential of keyhole welding, took steps to patent the system, and introduce it into selected industries.

In 2006, the CSIRO withdrew from the area of welding research, and relocated its Adelaide laboratory to Melbourne. Seeing an opportunity to commercialise the process, Laurie took over the IP from the CSIRO. He left the CSIRO and started his own company to further the research, finally developing and preparing the technology for the commercial market. In 2010, Laurie joined with Gary Lantzke from Western Australia, to bring together complementary IP and float the new company, Keyhole TIG Limited.