Month: November 2021

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet presented the award on 15 November at a ceremony which was attended by her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC, Governor of NSW. As founding director of SMaRT@UNSW, Professor Sahajwalla was recognised for her outstanding work as an internationally recognised materials scientist, engineer and inventor who has revolutionised recycling science and advocated for STEM and sustainability locally, nationally and internationally. Professor Sahajwalla also heads the new ARC Microrecycling Research Hub and the Australian Government’s new National Environmental Science Program Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub. She is renowned for pioneering the high-temperature transformation of waste in the production of a new generation of green materials. “I couldn’t believe I was nominated, let alone win the title of the 2022 NSW Australian of the Year,” said Professor Sahajwalla. “It is such a privilege to receive this award, and to live, work and have a family in…

The Nexview 650 provides 2D and 3D measurements of a variety of surface features with sub-nanometer vertical precision and sub-micron lateral precision. The system is the latest addition to the Nexview range of 3D optical profilers from ZYGO, which are all characterised by the ability to provide precise, quantitative, ISO-compliant, non-contact surface measurement and characterisation of micro- and nano-scale surface features, capturing millions of data points in just seconds. At the heart of the Nexview 650 is ZYGO’s coherence scanning interferometry (CSI), a technology that uses specialised optical microscope objectives that not only provide the imaging and magnification of a surface, but also measure its 3D topography. CSI profiling is completely non-contact, which eliminates any chance of the sample being damaged. Also, in contrast with other microscope-based 3D topography techniques, CSI has the distinct advantage that the height resolution of the measurement is consistent across all magnifications, whether the field of view is 20μm, 20mm…

The COVID-19 pandemic has been wrought with supply chain disruptions. From the worldwide shortages of toilet paper at the start of the pandemic, to the ones that continue to occur as a result of situations such as the Suez Canal blockage or the Port of Yantian shutdown. Recent headlines have highlighted shortages of timber and of the semiconductor chips that are needed for cars and other electronics. But supply chain disruptions are nothing new – they have just been exasperated by the pandemic. Organisations should have been readying their supply chains long ago to respond to disruptions and, now they are scrambling to do so to prevent future disruptions. To prepare for the next disruption, manufacturers are looking at five key trends to future-proof their supply chain. Automation is necessary The amount of data available these days can be overwhelming to manage, so that is why many companies are turning to machine learning (ML). ML can provide insights in near real-time, helping identify where delays may occur and…

Matthew Ellis is a true inspiration to the Australian manufacturing industry. He established Frontline Manufacturing in 1996 when he was just 26 years old . In 2010 he lost it all when the Queensland floods destroyed his business and the insurance did not cover the loss. However, he successfully rebuilt the company and subsequently sold it to a larger company that shares his belief in Australian manufacturing. This financial support has seen Frontline grow into a 40-staff operation. With investment in new machines such as the recently acquired Deratech Ultima 1500/6100 press brake, the company’s future looks ever brighter. Ellis spoke to us about the company and the new machine. AMT: Tell us about Frontline Engineering? Matthew Ellis: I started Frontline in Queensland in 1996 with the aim of manufacturing pressed components. We started making componentry for the Australian manufacturing industry, and over…

ECU recent unveiled the $10m state-of-the-art engineering facilities, which are designed to drive innovative research and strengthen Western Australia’s manufacturing, green energy, technology and mining industries. The facilities will deliver an enhanced focus on industry collaborations and discoveries, while offering real-world experience for the next generation of engineers. ECU Vice-Chancellor Professor Steve Chapman said the laboratories will provide exceptional new opportunities for industry partnerships. “Our facilities are aligned with both industry and the WA State Government’s commitment to boosting local manufacturing and securing Western Australia’s sustainable energy future,” said Professor Chapman. The three laboratories include an Advanced Manufacturing Hub, Renewable Energy Lab and Sustainable Energy and Resources Lab. The laboratories feature cutting-edge technologies and equipment, including Western Australia’s only GE Concept Laser metal 3D printing system in partnership with global mining company South32. “Combined with ECU’s world-class research and industry-focused expertise, these new laboratories aim to offer creative answers to our world’s most challenging and pressing questions,” said Professor Chapman.…

Leussink’s Managing Director Jason Leussink says the new Demmeler WeldSpace system is ideal for small and medium-sized companies with moderate production volume: “Like other cobot (collaborative robot) systems, the WeldSpace can significantly increase productivity levels. The cobot works alongside humans, taking on dull, repetitive tasks, reducing human error, and allowing humans to be more productive with other, more valuable tasks. “By using cobots, manufacturers lower their cost of production while increasing profitability. Humans can utilise cobots as a tool to ensure accuracy and consistency in their work, while minimising downtime in a manufacturing plant.” The intuitive user interface of the Demmeler WeldSpace programming and operating concept (DWSP) for operating the cobots makes it straightforward for employees without programming knowledge to easily learn to control the robot. Developed by Demmeler’s welding experts the software is adapted to the robot and welding process. The cobot can be moved by hand to the place where welding is to be started and stopped. Intermediate waypoints and sections are also programmed. This allows the operator to create professional…

Globally, the volume of cyber attacks targeting the manufacturing sector increased 300% last year, and in Australia, 13% of all known cyber attacks are targeting manufacturers. What kind of threats is the industry facing? Why have manufacturers become key targets for cyber criminals? And most importantly, what can they do about this growing threat? The era of ransomware Ransomware is a type of threat that has grown dramatically in the past couple of years. The concept is to hold a company to ransom by threatening them to take down their systems or publish information, data or intellectual property (IP) they have managed to steal if the victims don’t pay. The prospect of a downtime, and the associated financial cost and reputational damage are usually enough to convince many organisations to pay up. Some sources report US$350m in revenue was made from ransomwares in 2020. But with many attacks never reported, other estimates mention figures above US$1bn. Malicious actors usually manage to implant…

O’Rourke is a seasoned executive with 25 years’ experience in the energy sector including senior management roles with Woodside, Chevron and industrial research with Rio Tinto. Board Chair Tim Shanahan said O’Rourke’s appointment came at a transition point in the FBICRC’s six-year lifespan. “Shannon is well placed to lead FBICRC through its next phase of activities – delivering on the outcomes expected from its research and development collaborations and shaping a growth agenda,” said Shanahan. “His career spans traditional and renewable energy markets with a track record of success in the commercialisation of research outcomes including managing CRC collaborations through the Future Fuels CRC and the CO2 CRC. I look forward to working with Shannon as we take on the next phase of our journey to accelerate the growth in investment and employment in battery industries in Australia.” Shanahan also acknowledged the contribution of founding CEO Stedman Ellis: “Stedman has played a pivotal role in the success of the FBICRC to date, and as we approach this organisational transition, I have every…

For manufacturers, stepping away from the established way of doing things – whether it’s a production process, method of communication, or a trusted machine or tool – invites risk. No wonder it so tempting to fall back on the old adage of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. Could a new tool or digitalised process create more disruptions than it’s worth? Yet, there is more onus than ever on manufacturers to change with the times – whether they are dealing with mass or batch production scenarios. Research by Pinsent Masons, the German law firm, has identified three main drivers for change. First, its survey of 100 German manufacturers and German students found that disruptive Industry 4.0 technologies, like artificial intelligence (AI) and intelligent…

This is an exciting time for Elexon, according to CEO Frank Faller: “We’re extremely proud that for the past 15 years, Elexon has been successful in every Quality Assessment undertaken. Quality management and continuous improvement is in our DNA. It is not just a tick box, quality is what we live and breathe. “By achieving ISO 14001 and AS 9100D certifications later this year, we’ll continue to build on our reputation and deliver even greater quality to our customers from the defence, mining and other niche industries.” To help achieve this significant milestone, Elexon recently recruited Kylie Warren to the role of Quality Manager and Jordan Metlikovec as an NPI & Process Engineering Manager to oversee the development of the quality system and manufacturing process quality respectively. “The ISO 14001 and AS 9100D certifications are integral certifications for companies working in the defence sector and I’m looking forward to being a part of the Elexon team who achieves this,” said Warren.…

These disruptions have presented a whole set of new challenges for organisations in terms of how they can meet the needs of consumers. Even as we journey toward what appears to be the latter stages of the pandemic, Australia’s supply chain continues to face significant challenges; in early September 2021, Australia Post announced a temporary pause on parcel collections from ecommerce retailers due to a shortage of staff, with 500 employees having to isolate, while many retailers are already worried about stock availability and their ability to meet the upcoming Christmas demand peak. Over the past 12 months, the Federal Government has already taken several positive steps to help introduce more resilience into the supply chains supporting its economy. Alongside the governments of Japan and India, and in recognition that local and global supply chains have been left vulnerable due to a range of factors, the three nations formally launched in April 2021 the Supply Chain Resilience…

Utilising Xefco’s proprietary XSP technology – a new atmospheric plasma system that is being developed in collaboration with the Institute for Frontier Materials, Proficiency Contracting and the Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (IMCRC) – the 12-month project aims to create a new, less water-dependent dyeing approach by applying atmospheric plasma coatings. Deakin lead researchers Associate Professors Dr Weiwei Lei and Dr Alessandra Sutti, believe that it is possible to achieve significant energy efficiencies and sustainability benefits when using advanced plasma technology. “The XSP technology we have been developing together with Xefco can be used to apply functional coatings to textiles and other materials via a patented process of plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD) in atmospheric conditions,” said Associate Professor Dr Weiwei Lei. “This process can be extended and produce…