Fabrum Solutions
A New Zealand engineering firm has secured its international status as a manufacturer of specialist cryogenic components thanks to a partnership with Robinson.
Fabrum Solutions is a rapidly growing Christchurch-based New Zealand company. The company is a world leader in the design and manufacture of composite cryostats and cryocoolers for the superconducting industry and other cryogenic applications. Their projects range from developing magnetic propulsion drilling systems for the oil industry, to constructing ten-metre-high public art sculptures. Their relationship with RRI has enabled Fabrum to develop a number of new products for clients in Australia, Germany and the United States, and secured the firm’s international status as a manufacturer of specialist cryogenic components.
Projects
Paihau—Robinson Research Institute first approached Fabrum Solutions in 2008 to help build machinery to make superconducting Roebel cable for our clients. Since then, the companies have worked together on a number of exciting projects including the design and build of a 28 MVA transformer funded by the US Department of Energy.
In 2013 two members of the Robinson team were seconded to Fabrum for several months. Their test data on heat leakage informed the redesign of lids and vacuum spaces in Fabrum Solutions’ cryostat devices. In the same year a cryogenic refrigerator developed by Robinson was transferred to Fabrum, and in 2014, Robinson provided research expertise for a project developing a superconducting motor for an international client.
Client comment
On a world stage we are not a large business, but having access to the value that Robinson provides enables us to deliver world leading solutions. We don’t think of them as a separate company but as colleagues. It’s a great working relationship and we value them highly.