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The platform is being developed alongside CSIRO and Sutton Tools, and is supported with matched funding from the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC). Successful completion of the project will allow ANCA to commercialise the new hybrid additive-manufacturing machine platform while growing its workforce and revenue while fulfilling a gap in the global tooling market, to which it already supplies Airbus, Boeing, Renishaw and Fraisa. The project builds on previous research & development (R&D) between ANCA and CSIRO through a six-month pilot program funded by the Victorian Government’s Boost Your Business voucher scheme. Together, ANCA and CSIRO have demonstrated that the tungsten-carbide tools could be made cheaper through improved production efficiencies compared to traditional tungsten products. In 2015, ANCA began exploring the potential for additive manufacturing to disrupt the tungsten cutting tool market, worth an estimated $2.2bn globally. Following significant research and the development culminating in a report with CSIRO, both parties entered a six-month pilot program. Dean McBain, ANCA’s Research and Technology Manager said: “Such a complex project and process wouldn’t be possible without…

We regularly assist our clients in drafting and negotiating distribution agreements (both as principal and distributor) to serve our client’s key commercial objectives. We are also often called on to assist clients who come to us as victims of pro-forma or poorly worded distribution agreements and in circumstances where there is no documented agreement in place at all. Document, document, document There is often substantial goodwill between a principal and distributor at the start of a commercial relationship, leading parties to assume that a ‘handshake’ deal or an exchange of emails is sufficient comfort that the parties will do as they have agreed and that the arrangement is legally enforceable. This is a dangerous assumption. From a principal’s perspective, if you do not have a binding agreement in place which specifies the period of notice required to be given to…

Industry Minister Karen Andrews has signalled that the Federal Government may take a more active approach in strengthening Australia’s manufacturing base in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. In a radio interview on 12 April, Andrews said: “What the coronavirus has proven to us is that it's wrong for us to be totally reliant, or even reliant to a whole large extent, on supply chains that bring products from overseas. But the positive thing that’s come out of this is a demonstration that we have a very strong manufacturing base and that they can pivot really quite quickly - they can upscale. Their issue has been, in some cases, getting access to the input materials that they need - so that's a problem and we need to make sure that we address that as well as making sure that we don’t just retain a strong manufacturing sector - but build it..” The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has forecast that…

It takes time, energy and effort to become an expert in any specific field; being an expert in the multitude of possibilities in a factory is all but impossible, so you should rely on the true specialists to help keep your systems inline. How are you supposed to know if every one of these systems is running at peak efficiency? Or if something has started to change and needs attention? Or even worse, is on the brink of failure? Sure, it’s probably in the data somewhere, but you need the time and patience to find it. Of course, there are some systems that should warrant at least some attention, and without these systems, the site simply stops producing. For most sites the worst…

The international team will use 200,000 data sources from Fitbits, activity monitors and time-use surveys linked with health data to create a prototype. University of South Australia lead researcher Dr Dot Dumuid said first-class prototype would provide personalised advice on how best to use a 24-hour period for specific health outcomes. She said Israeli mathematicians, University of Adelaide computer scientists as well as global behavioural epidemiologists and public health specialists would develop an analytical method to work out the ideal length of time needed on activities in order to achieve particular outcomes. The software will form the basis of an online tool allowing people to improve time management while achieving the optimal health for their lifestyle. “Every day everybody is given 24 hours. How people allocate that time to activities impacts their health,” Dr Dumuid said. “We already know that things like screen time, exercise, sleep and work-life balance influence health, but now we are…

The process, known as ACTIVAT3D copper, has been developed by modifying AMTIL member SPEE3D’s world-leading 3D printing technology, using new algorithms for controlling their metal printers to allow existing metal parts to be coated with copper. Copper parts are difficult to produce using traditional methods and thus 3D printing may be the only tool available to rapidly deploy copper. SPEE3D technology makes it fast and affordable. Australian NATA-accredited clinical trial speciality laboratory 360Biolabs tested the effect of ACTIVAT3D copper on live SARS-CoV-2 in their Physical Containment 3 (PC3) laboratory. The results showed that 96% of the virus is killed in two hours and 99.2% of the virus is killed in five hours, while stainless steel showed no reduction in the same time frame. Stainless steel is currently the material typically used in hygiene environments. With laboratory testing complete, it is hoped the Australian-developed breakthrough can be applied to common…

The platform is being developed alongside CSIRO and Sutton Tools, and is supported with matched funding from the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC). Successful completion of the project will allow ANCA to commercialise the new hybrid additive-manufacturing machine platform while growing its workforce and revenue while fulfilling a gap in the global tooling market, to which it already supplies Airbus, Boeing, Renishaw and Fraisa. The project builds on previous research & development (R&D) between ANCA and CSIRO through a six-month pilot program funded by the Victorian Government’s Boost Your Business voucher scheme. Together, ANCA and CSIRO have demonstrated that the tungsten-carbide tools could be made cheaper through improved production efficiencies compared to traditional tungsten products. In 2015, ANCA began exploring the potential for additive manufacturing to disrupt the tungsten cutting tool market, worth an estimated $2.2bn globally. Following significant research and the development culminating in a report with CSIRO, both parties entered a six-month pilot program. Dean McBain, ANCA’s Research and Technology Manager said: “Such a complex project and process wouldn’t be possible without the…

The process, known as ACTIVAT3D copper, has been developed by modifying SPEE3D’s world-leading 3D printing technology, using new algorithms for controlling their metal printers to allow existing metal parts to be coated with copper. Copper parts are difficult to produce using traditional methods and thus 3D printing may be the only tool available to rapidly deploy copper. SPEE3D technology makes it fast and affordable. Australian NATA-accredited clinical trial speciality laboratory 360Biolabs tested the effect of ACTIVAT3D copper on live SARS-CoV-2 in their Physical Containment 3 (PC3) laboratory. The results showed that 96% of the virus is killed in two hours and 99.2% of the virus is killed in five hours, while stainless steel showed no reduction in the same time frame. Stainless steel is currently the material typically used in hygiene environments. With laboratory testing complete, it is hoped the Australian-developed breakthrough can be applied to common touch items like door handles, rails and touch plates in hospitals, schools and other public places. SPEE3D CEO Byron Kennedy said the company has focused on developing a solution that can be rapidly deployed and is more efficient than printing solid copper parts from scratch:…

Titomic CEO Jeff Lang said: “We are pleased to partner with Airbus for this initial aerospace part made with Titomic Kinetic Fusion (TKF), the world’s largest and fastest industrial-scale metal additive manufacturing process. The TKF process is ideally suited to produce near-net shape metal parts for the aerospace industry using our patented process of fusing dissimilar metals that cannot be produced with either traditional fabrication methods or metal-based 3D printers.” The delivery of these demonstrator parts to Airbus, and its subsequent technology review process of TKF aerospace parts, is further validation of the extensive certification that is being undertaken under Titomic’s IMCRC project, co-funded by the Federal Government, with partners CSIRO and RMIT. Airbus installed its first 3D printer in 2012, with the first 3D-printed metal part, a titanium bracket, used in a commercial jetliner in 2014. Today, more than 1,000 3D-printed parts are used in Airbus aircraft. “3D printing, of which TFK is the leading technology, has the potential to be a game changer post the global…

Richmond-based technology commercialisation and engineering company Grey Innovation will act as the leader of a Victorian industry consortium, having received backing from the Victorian Government in the form of a $500,000 grant for the project’s feasibility stage and confirmation of its intent to order 2,000 ventilators to be built in Victoria. The program will start supply of ventilators in June with 2,000 to be produced by the end of July. The notus Emergency Invasive Ventilator Program is a Grey Innovation-led initiative supported by the Victorian Government and Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC). The program will utilise a certified mechanical ventilator design from a leading medical device company under licence for production in Victoria. Grey Innovation’s executive chairman Jefferson Harcourt was proud the company will play a role in helping Australia fight the COVID-19 crisis: “Victoria’s high concentration of engineering and manufacturing companies means we’re well placed to develop the ventilators quickly and Grey Innovation is proud to be leading the effort. We thank the Victorian…

Based in Preston, Victoria, Harrop Engineering has accrued a legendary reputation for proprietary innovative design and precision manufacturing, supporting programs for iconic motorsport teams, automotive OEMs, as well as diverse aftermarket and industrial customers globally. Founded in 1955 by Len Harrop in the inner Melbourne suburb of Brunswick, Harrop Engineering originated in specialist general engineering for the textile and general trucking/haulage industries. As the business grew, Len and Elsa’s son Ron joined after completing his boilermaker apprenticeship. Ron had a strong interest in modifying cars and motorsports, so with Len’s technical knowledge and Ron’s motorsport passion the business evolved, opening them to the world of automotive performance parts. The production of performance parts continued to gain momentum through Ron’s car racing, with the iconic Harrop Howler through to touring cars (HDT) and then engineering Holden Racing Team Commodores. Harrop Engineering enjoyed enormous on-track success, playing a decisive role in the precision design of performance products for racing teams over the past 30 years. In 2008, Harrop Engineering was acquired by Adrad Group, a family-owned conglomerate…

The Federal Government has launched a new Jobs Hub to support businesses and those Australians looking for work. While many businesses have been adversely affected by COVID-19 and are reducing workforces, some areas of the economy have increased demand for workers. Jobs Hub provides information on current employment opportunities, what’s happening in our labour market, and jobs that are in demand. dese.gov.au/covid-19/jobs-hub For businesses in Victoria, the State Government has launched the $500m Business Support Fund to help small businesses survive the impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and keep people in work. Find out more here: business.vic.gov.au/support-for-your-business/grants-and-assistance/business-support-fund The Queensland State Government has set up a web portal designed to keep manufacturing supply chains amid the ongoing coronavirus situation. The portal aims allows manufacturers and suppliers to register what they need and what is available. For details, see: dsdmip.qld.gov.au/index.php/industry/industry-support-dsd/manufacturer-s-supply-matching-request-form/view/form Industry Capability Network (ICN) has launched a new ICN COVID-19 Response App, which provides software that can protect workers from…

The Federal and State Governments have already imposed restrictions on a number of businesses offering non-essential services as part of measures to support social distancing and contain the spread of coronavirus. Should further limitations become necessary, AMTIL has urged the Government to ensure that appropriate exemptions are made for businesses and staff working in the manufacturing industry. “Manufacturing is essential, not just to our economy but in meeting so many of society’s most crucial requirements,” said Shane Infanti, AMTIL’s CEO. “And as this crisis has evolved, we’ve also seen manufacturers across the country stepping up and assisting in national efforts to combat the virus. It’s vital that manufacturers and their supply chains can continue to operate with as little disruption as possible.” While acknowledging that the health and wellbeing of the public should be the main priority in our handling of the coronavirus outbreak, Infanti noted that the manufacturing industry has been particularly vigilant in adopting measures to ensure the safety…