Month: October 2017

A successful local defence industry depends upon strong partnerships between businesses large and small. As the proposed prime system integrator for Army’s future Short Range Ground Based Air Defence capability under LAND 19 Ph 7B, Raytheon is dedicated to the identification of opportunities for Australian industry to participate in the project and enhance local industry capabilities. As part of this process, Raytheon has implemented an Australian Industry Capability (AIC) development plan to identify Australian suppliers who are able to support activities in areas such as component manufacture, assembly and test, systems integration and in-country sustainment for LAND 19 Ph 7B. To facilitate its engagement with Australian industry partners, Raytheon has implemented a supplier portal, as a secure online tool to allow Australian industry to register its interest and provide Raytheon with information about their capabilities. Registering an expression of interest via the supplier portal is the first step to identifying opportunities for industry participation in the LAND 19 Ph 7B project. Following the registration period…

The Conference will focus on the latest trends in digitalisation and the ways in which emerging technologies will impact our industry in both the short and the longer term. The Conference will present a unique opportunity to learn about the trends and developments that will shape and define Australian manufacturing in the coming years, as well as to network and celebrate our industry. Anyone with an interest in manufacturing and its future is invited to attend the Conference, which will be held at Leonda by the Yarra, in Hawthorn, Victoria. “Things like Industry 4.0, the Internet of Things, robotics & automation and big data are all over the headlines at the moment, yet there’s still also a lot of uncertainty about what all these developments are going to mean for manufacturers in practical terms,” says AMTIL’s CEO Shane Infanti. “The Conference follows on from the Digitalisation Pavilion that we ran…

This privately owned business, based on the Gold Coast has its heritage in the glamorous world of designing and manufacturing efficient underwater lighting for luxury motor yachts and cruisers. Whilst a desirable product, underwater lighting became very much a luxury rather than a necessity for owners of motor yachts in 2007-08 as the global financial crisis (GFC) hit, and the market contracted globally at a remarkable pace. Dusting themselves off very quickly, Aqualuma’s owners recognised an opportunity in the less volatile market of commercial lighting to build on their expertise and relationships with LED chip and optics manufacturers. Commercial highbay lighting products in the market at that time were of questionable quality - inefficient and environmentally unfriendly. The Aqualuma team spent a considerable time in the R&D lab, designing and testing to develop a world-leading LED highbay light. The result was a new LED high-bay luminaire that achieved high levels of energy efficiency while also proving environmentally friendly in that they were both recyclable and upgradable as technology improved. A warranty of seven years helped to…

The production of critical structural parts from titanium ensures their required performance and reliability while significantly reducing components’ mass. Although relevant to all users of titanium, the enhanced strength and reductions in weight that the material delivers are of particular importance to the aerospace industry, as these advantages improve the aircraft’s performance and increase fuel economy. The negative trade-offs produced by the use of titanium are the many problems uncounted for when machining this difficult-to-cut material. When used in metalworking industries, the word “titanium” normally relates not only to pure titanium but also to titanium alloys. In accordance with metallurgical properties, which depend on the present elements, there are several groups of titanium: commercially pure titanium (unalloyed), α-, β-, α-β- and other alloys. It is sometimes stated that titanium machinability is similar to that of austenitic stainless steel. This proposition is more or less true if it relates to commercially pure titanium, though it is totally wrong with respect to treated α-β- and…

Additive manufacturing applications within the medical industry are diverse. The technology enables quick, cost-effective development of new devices, and customised end-use products that improve the delivery and results of patient care. This article examines medical applications using Stratasys FDM and PolyJet technology. Rapid prototyping and product development The ability to quickly create new products and speed the development cycle is a hallmark of 3D printing, achieved by replacing, where appropriate, time-consuming and costly traditional manufacturing methods. It gives designers and engineers tools to quickly create and iterate designs and reduce time to market. Functional prototypes using high-performance materials allow designers to test designs in verification and validation protocols earlier in the design process. Gaining feedback early helps designers identify areas for improvement, resulting in devices that can better contribute to positive outcomes. Biorep, a manufacturer of devices aimed at finding a cure for diabetes, had traditionally used machine shops or service bureaus to quickly prototype small parts. However, an increase in manufacturing volume created the need to bring this capability in-house. Part accuracy and…

For manufacturers, establishing an export operation can be challenging and there are many factors to consider before making the plunge. We suggest the following steps for any aspiring exporter looking to grow overseas in the next 12 months. Develop a robust export strategy, and stick to it When you start exporting, there are many different factors you may need to consider that weren’t part of your initial plan, from potential markets to buyers and developing the right networks. It can be easy to get sidetracked, and while it’s important to consider your options carefully, stay focused and stick closely to your export strategy. Consider the positioning of your product or service in a new market When considering if your product or service will succeed overseas, you need to think about how you will market and promote your product or service to a new and different customer base. This may include looking at…

AMTIL regularly sends a delegation to the major overseas exhibitions, and EMO is a show that has to be seen to be believed. Held every two years, the six-day event occupies 17 enormous halls on a sprawling exhibition complex on the outskirts of the city of Hannover. Under the motto of ‘Connecting Systems for Intelligent Production’, this year’s event brought together more than 2,200 exhibitors from 44 different nations showcasing the latest machines, solutions and services for industrial production. Among those exhibitors was AMTIL, which had a booth within the International Associations area of the show, alongside manufacturing assocations from countries all over the world. As well as enabling us to provide information and advice about manufacturing in Australia to anyone who came by the stand, it offered the opportunity to network and interact with those other associations, sharing insights about the state of the industry and exploring opportunities to collaborate. Moreover, having a fixed presence on the exhibition floor meant we were able to support any Australians who were visiting the show, offering…

September marked a 12th consecutive month of expansion for the Australian PMI and the longest run of expansion since 2007. All seven activity sub-indexes in the Australian PMI expanded or were stable in September. Exports recovered from August’s mild contraction, while all other sub-indexes expanded, but at a slower rate than in August. All eight manufacturing sub-sectors also expanded in September (according to trend data) led by non-metallic mineral products, which hit a new record high (up 1.5 points to 75.5). Other large sub-sectors grew at a decelerating pace this month. “This year’s recovery in manufacturing activity is continuing, but the September Australian PMI suggests that conditions are moderating and growth is decelerating,” said Ai Group Chief Executive, Innes Willox. “Positive sources of local demand for manufacturers in September included apartment and infrastructure construction; mining and agricultural equipment; renewables and utilities. Respondents also reported a…