Technology News

Decades ago, Australia was known as the Innovation Nation. Then, the era of cheap off-shore production began. Now, we’re turning the page on a new chapter - one sparked by new technology, never before seen on local shores. Advanced Materials and Plastics lead for Sydney-based manufacturing distributor Innovync, Anthony Cruz, has his finger on the pulse of global manufacturing innovation. Innovync’s exclusive deal with Italian CNC leaders CMS is a gateway to some of the most interesting machines on the market – including the groundbreaking Kreator. Developed in collaboration with Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute, the large-format Screw Extrusion Additive Manufacturing (SEAM) technology merges with 5 axis CNC milling. A powerful fusion, to say the least. The potential for catalysing product innovation is enormous. Australia is about to receive one of its very own in the coming months. Purchased by a public facility to make prototyping in a test environment more accessible to manufacturers, the role of Australia's Kreator is to realise big ideas with minimal investment. “For example, a company can reach out to the facility and they can provide access to…

Australia has marked its historic return to space exploration by successfully launching into orbit its first scientific satellite in over two decades. The SpIRIT nanosatellite, a landmark project, emerged from a collaboration between the University of Melbourne and the Italian Space Agency, with a consortium of pioneering Australian SME partners and support from the Australian Space Agency. Titomic, an innovative additive manufacturing company based in Melbourne, was instrumental in this historic achievement with its groundbreaking thermal radiator design, a critical component of the satellite. The SpIRIT (Space Industry – Responsive – Intelligent – Thermal) nano-satellite is an Australia-Italy mission supported in Australia by the Australian Space Agency’s International Space Investment – Expand Capability scheme. “The team utilised Titomic’s state-of-the-art TKF 1000 additive manufacturing unit to develop high-efficiency radiator panels that are crucial for the satellite’s operation,” said Herbert Koeck, Managing Director of Titomic. “SpIRIT’s journey into space is not just a technological triumph. It’s also a significant step in scientific discovery,” Koeck added. SpIRIT is designed to fly in low Earth orbit…

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI), a leader in developing unmanned aircraft systems, has embraced this truth by integrating Additive Manufacturing (AM) into its core processes. From experimental beginnings to becoming a manufacturing cornerstone, GA-ASI's journey with AM exemplifies innovation at its finest. Revolutionising design and production GA-ASI's foray into AM has revolutionised how unmanned aircraft like the MQ-9A Reaper and MQ-9B SkyGuardian are built. By adopting AM, GA-ASI has not only streamlined its manufacturing processes but has also unlocked new potential in aircraft design and functionality. The result? Thousands of parts were produced via AM, now flying across multiple GA-ASI platforms. A systematic approach for optimal results GA-ASI's success with AM isn't accidental. It's the outcome of a systematic, refined approach aligning with business objectives. Key strategies include developing a robust AM ecosystem, establishing a solid business case for AM, and partnering with industry leaders. This disciplined approach ensures each AM project aligns with the company's mission, ensuring quality and innovation at every step. Stratasys: a partnership that elevates In its quest to master AM,…

A new Mobile Frame-Mounted Bulk Bag Discharger with Flexible Screw Conveyor from Flexicon allows rapid, dust-free discharging and conveying of bulk solid materials at multiple plant locations. The BULK-OUT BFF Series discharger allows forklift-loading of bulk bags from 914 to 2134mm tall. A removable bag-lifting cradle with Z-CLIP strap holders permits bulk bags to be attached securely at floor level from an ergonomic standing height and then forklifted into cradle cups atop the discharger's upright posts. The bag spout is pulled through a 305mm diameter iris valve which is then closed around the spout, preventing material flow. The spout can then be untied, the snap-action access door closed, and the valve released slowly, allowing controlled flow into the enclosed hopper through the bulk bag interface chute. Complete discharge is aided by FLOW-FLEXER bag activators that press against opposite bottom sides of the bag at timed intervals to form a steep "V" shape, and top-mounted POP-TOP extension devices that raise the uprights as the bulk bag empties, promoting the flow of material from the corners of the bag through the bag spout.…

The world’s two biggest miners are teaming up in a bid to develop Australia’s first electric-smelting furnace, in what could prove an important step toward slashing emissions in the steel-making process. BHP Group Ltd. and Rio Tinto Group, alongside Australia’s BlueScope Steel Ltd., will share data and research on the nascent technology that would usually be kept in-house. A pre-feasibility study is being launched to assess a location for a pilot facility, which could be commissioned as early as 2027, the companies said in a joint statement. The collaboration was announced Friday at a press conference held at BlueScope’s Port Kembla steel mill south of Sydney. It aims to solve two major issues for BHP and Rio — commercializing their lower-grade iron ore from Western Australia’s Pilbara region, which has contaminants such as silica; and capitalizing on the growing demand for 'green' metals as countries look to meet emissions reduction targets. “The carbon intensity of iron and steelmaking requires profound change to meet the needs of…

The many speakers on the Future Solutions program have been hand-picked to cater to the varied needs of the industry to tackle challenges and stay abreast of the latest trends. On the first day of Australian Manufacturing Week Sydney 2024, Wednesday 17th April, the Future Solutions Speaker Sessions have a theme of 'Opportunities'. Experts from ANSTO, the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Rigby Cooke Lawyers, the Defence Department and CSIRO will be presenting the latest take on manufacturing opportunities.  On the second day of AMW2024, with a theme of 'Managing Change', the Future Solutions Speaker session on Thursday 18th April, the Manufacturing Industry Skills Alliance, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, the Sydney Manufacturing Hub and NAB are just some of the high-end industry presentations being prepared, free to all AMW2024 visitors.  Go to the Future Solutions Speaker Program page for more information. Registrations are now open for Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW2024), held at the ICC in Darling Harbour in Sydney. Organised and run by the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), AMW2024 will…

South Australian ports operator Flinders Port Holdings (FPH) has inaugurated the PV Spirit, welcoming the first of three pilot boats commissioned and built in conjunction with Hart Marine to its fleet at an event at the South Australian Yacht Squadron. The vessel Spirit is a state-of-the-art pilot boat that features the Volvo Penta Inboard Propulsion System (IPS), which will enhance fuel efficiency, reduce environmental footprint and improve sustainability. The new vessel Spirit features advanced composite hull technology, including a lightweight and corrosion-resistant structure that is durable in the harshest marine conditions. Its bow design facilitates smooth navigation in turbulent waters and improves self-righting capabilities. The vessel features improved safety measures such as continuous railing, and a change in Pilot Vessel size provides FPH pilots and crew with additional room on the outer deck for pilot transfer and coxswain activities. “We’re also proud of the introduction of Dynamic Positioning into our fleet to improve the manoeuvring of the vessel in adverse weather conditions,” General Manager Carl Kavina said. Further innovations include the ability to access…

Electric vehicles and autonomous driving technologies are gaining traction and becoming increasingly common. As vehicles become more technologically advanced and digitally connected, they are transforming the automotive industry, making modern vehicle repair more complex. This is especially true in the industrial sector, where vehicles have grown increasingly intricate, integrating sensors, automation, and digital interfaces. Many Australian repair shops are now confronted with changing demands that extend beyond their traditional expertise. Technicians are required to handle software diagnostics, electronic calibrations, and intricate digital networks alongside traditional mechanical repairs. A malfunction or breakdown in an industrial setting doesn't just mean a repair cost. Instead, it can lead to significant operational downtimes, jeopardising projects and impacting bottom lines. The rapid pace of the industrial sector doesn't leave room for prolonged equipment downtime. Stakeholders, from operators to investors, demand quick turnarounds, minimal disruptions, and a guarantee that machinery will operate at peak efficiency. To meet these stringent demands and keep pace with the…

The collaboration brings together Titomic, a leading manufacturing technology company, and Stärke, a global advanced manufacturer headquartered in South Australia. Stärke, comprising a network of vertically integrated advanced manufacturing companies, is renowned for assisting diverse industries in producing complex, high-performance components. With clients including DSTG, Babcock, Boeing, and Thales, Stärke is known for delivering robust and reliable solutions. The partnership’s primary objective is to harness the strengths of both Titomic and Stärke in advanced manufacturing technology. Leveraging Stärke’s industry connections and expertise, the collaboration aims to provide innovative solutions to clients in high-performance sectors such as defence, aerospace, and automotive. “This venture promotes knowledge exchange between Titomic and Stärke, allowing us to blend our strengths and explore new applications,” TTT Managing Director Herbert Koeck said. “We are thrilled about our partnership with Stärke, a global leader in advanced manufacturing and a partner which shares our commitment to manufacturing innovation,” Koeck said. “This collaboration is set to accelerate Titomic’s growth, thanks to Stärke’s deep industry expertise and network. This venture promotes knowledge exchange between Titomic and Stärke, allowing…

Jack Fitzgerald is full of energy. He bounces out of the back of the sprawling office which is home to Think Fencing. The factory is set upon land on a hill out the back of Portarlington. Here, the company makes residential and rural fencing, but also Titan Rail, Ecoduct and all kinds of decking, and all out of recycled Polyvinyl Chloride, or PVC. This is a widely used polymer that is economical, versatile, chemically and electrically stable, and weather-resistant with good processing characteristics. Now, Fitzgerald’s Think Fencing was brought to our attention after the company took out the Leader in Manufacturing award at the 2023 Victorian Manufacturing Gala Hall of Fame Awards. That night in August, Jack brought to the stage with him a couple of engineer staff members, Ben Zappia, and Elise Vella who’d built a plastics extruder in her bedroom at home. “Elise created it all on her own, and is still studying at Deakin University, doing her fourth year in Mechatronics,” says Jack. “Elise looks after the whole technology division we're…

The future of Australian steelmaking is being backed up to deliver the energy transformation and help keep our producers competitive on a global scale. The first round of the Powering the Regions Fund (PRF) will provide $200m in grant funding to BlueScope Steel Limited and Liberty Steel Australia to progress projects at their respective operations in New South Wales and South Australia. BlueScope has been awarded $136.8m towards the reline and upgrade of its No. 6 Blast Furnace at the Port Kembla Steelworks. This project will maintain domestic production, reduce emissions, and support pathways to producing even lower-emissions steel in the future. LIBERTY has also been awarded $63.2m towards the purchase and commission of a low-carbon electric arc furnace (EAF) to replace the existing traditional blast furnace at the Whyalla Steelworks. The new state-of-the-art EAF will support the manufacturing of green steel and help achieve LIBERTY’s aim of carbon neutrality by 2030. Total steel demand for the energy transformation from 2022 to 2050 will be almost five billion tonnes, accounting for 75% of the total material requirement – and that steel will increasingly…

Businesses looking to turn ‘blue sky' ideas into reality are tapping into on-site expertise, facilities and student talent at Monash Innovation Labs, located at the heart of Monash University’s Clayton campus in Melbourne’s southeastern suburbs. Opened in 2023, the Monash Innovation Labs, formerly the Monash Smart Manufacturing Hub, is designed to support and enable companies across all sectors and at all life stages to advance their ideas, their products and their processes. A partnership with Monash Innovation Labs allows a company to licence state-of-the-art offices, workshops and/or ‘wet lab’ spaces to design, test and develop new innovations, with full technical support and purpose-built infrastructure. Recognising that innovation doesn’t only depend on physical resources, Monash Innovation Labs also offers access to the talent and thinking of students and researchers in disciplines from engineering and science to business and IT. In January 2024, companies including Jupiter Ionics, Proton Intelligence and Enzide Technologies joined Monash Innovation Labs’ first licensee ElectraLith, which is pioneering clean and efficient technology for direct lithium extraction and refining. ElectraLith traces its origins to groundbreaking research on lithium-selective membranes…

University of Queensland researchers are working with industry to develop biodegradable ‘plastic’ bags for use in mushroom farming, which could open lucrative opportunities in packaging and manufacturing. Dr Nasim Amiralian from UQ’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology is collaborating with Queensland producer Scenic Rim Mushrooms to reduce the company’s reliance on plastic ‘grow bags’. “Grow bags are widely used across the fungiculture industry, but most are made from non-biodegradable materials which can only be burned or sent to landfill,” Dr Amiralian said. "This adds to the 80,000-plus tonnes of plastic waste generated by Australian agriculture each year. “This 12-month project is about designing a grow bag that provides optimum growing conditions, while also breaking down in soil.” Dr Amiralian said existing biodegradable plastics made from corn starch, potato starch, or even mycelium – the vegetative part of mushrooms - are often brittle and lack long-term integrity. “But using fibres from agricultural waste like sugarcane is an affordable, high quality and sustainable way to ensure plastic grow bags can withstand high temperatures and humidity,” she said. Scenic Rim Mushrooms founder Matthew Davis said the…