May 12, 2023
Day Three of AMW2023 showcases a range of manufacturing successes and advances happening here at home, some of these exporting out into the world market. Today, the show floor is pumping, chock-full of immense displays of machine tooling outfits, CNC cutting tools, and grinders. From where I stand, I see sales managers, CEOs, and business managers meeting as many people as possible. What an incredible, active industry. Some of the bigger companies from Europe are now making their moves to establish Australian headquarters. They have the confidence of a big market here. Schunk, Trumpf, Bonfiglioli and Trotec, ASA, SWI Engineering, and others, are all-powerful suppliers of many international tool brands. This year, AMW has a lot of enticing displays with extra focus. The SAVIC electric motorcycle is here. The Applied EV Blanc robot vehicle is also here, which makes me happy. Altair Software and Applied EV got together and made this entirely new sector of transport a future possibility. The Future Solutions Speaker program, proudly supported by Autodesk, spans the wide brown land of Australian Manufacturing. David…
May 10, 2023
From down on the show floor, as the clock whizzed past 10am on Wednesday, the hall was swamped, and the pressure didn’t stop all day. Exhibitors I managed to speak to were impressed by the numbers in the aisles as well as the quality of their visitors. Walking from one end of the show floor took about an hour if I tried hard to not talk to anyone. And for me, that’s not easy to do. There was quite a thorough assessment of the Federal Budget on offer by the crew at William Buck with an online meeting that covered many areas of business. Click through HERE to access the recording of the presentation if you have time later. Today’s theme in the Future Solutions Featured Speaker Sessions involved the industry women in Australia and their place in manufacturing. The CEO of SEMMA (South East Melbourne Manufacturing Association) dismissed the label of ‘Pale, Male and Stale’, and introduced two women working and succeeding in the field of manufacturing, one an Apprentice of the Year. Their…
May 9, 2023
The crowds in the AMW2023 halls were very impressed as soon as they walked in on the first day. A straw poll was taken of what they were thinking, and one yelled, "We're back baby!" I think he may have had some skin in the game. There are some very large stands showing off some incredible technology. This massive show offers the perfect setting for people from all over Australian manufacturing sectors to access suitable resources, exchange ideas and network with the largest group of like-minded working manufacturers. By midday on the first day, we all thought the show couldn’t get any busier. There were crowds and queues in front of John Hart, OKUMA, and SWI Industries. Earlier on in the day, the very first presentation for the Future Solutions Speaker Program was Neil Matthews, the Head of Engineering at Titomic Ltd was crowded to bursting. Matthews detailed Titomic’s cold spray AM process and fed into research being done to the coating process for the aerospace, defence, transport and other manufacturing areas. Later in the day, the CSIRO PhD Cherry Chen, was digging into some…
May 9, 2023
The Hon Ben Carroll MP, Victorian Minister for Industry and Innovation opened AMW2023 at 10:10am this morning at the Future Solutions Speakers Stage. AMTIL was also honoured to have Tony Garvey, a celebrated Elder from the local Wurundjeri mob invite them to proceed, with a Welcome to Country for AMW 2023. Doors are open! Held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from 9-12 May 2023, Australian Manufacturing gets to show off a little for the whole week. Organised by the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), AMW2023 will fill ‘Jeff’s Shed’ almost to bursting, with 346 companies showing off the latest manufacturing tech, processes, and support services. Some of the biggest machine tool systems in the world will be there, in operation! The Future Solutions Speakers Stage at 10:10 AM on Tuesday 9th May. There is so much to see, with Seven Zones in the biggest room in Australia. Manufacturing presentations and attractions are the name of the show from Additive Manufacturing, to Machine Tools, Robotics and Automation. There’s also a bunch of manufacturing solution, supporting the industry, including legal, accounting and investment.…
May 8, 2023
You are invited to attend the Opening of AMW2023, the Inauguration Ceremony for the beginning of the biggest exhibition showing Australian Manufacturing off to the world. We are filling the MCEC to the brim, from Tuesday to Friday. AMW2023 will have on display some of the biggest machine tool systems in the world. While at the same time, bringing nanotech and additive manufacturing into focus with demonstrations of the very latest research prototypes. Register online now at australianmanufacturingweek.com.au The Welcome to Country and inauguration ceremony will take place at the Future Solutions Stage from 10:10 AM on Tuesday 9th May. This is the first event for the show. AMTIL is honoured to have Tony Garvey, a celebrated Elder from the local Wurundjeri mob invite them to proceed, with a Welcome to Country for AMW 2023. The Hon. Ben Carroll MP, Victorian Minister for Industry and Innovation, and Minister for Manufacturing Sovereignty will then officially open the show! Over the four days, over 360 exhibitors will show their best side, in over 10,000sq metres of floor space. There will be presentations on…
May 6, 2023
Ms. O’Brien joined MCEC in January 2023 and has brought a wealth of leadership experience in the tourism and events industry. She is a former CEO of Food and Wine Victoria, producers of Australia’s internationally acclaimed Melbourne Food & Wine Festival. Most recently she has managed her own strategy consultancy while operating as a CEO for Wine Victoria, and previously interim CEO for Ballarat Regional Tourism, where she led the co-design of Visitor Economy Recovery Plans. AMT: Your work history speaks of a deep knowledge and passion for public events. Tell me about the direction and drive that has kept with you in this sector. Natalie O’Brien: It's only when you’re older, and reflect back on your career you ask yourself where did my passion come from? My passion is absolutely people and connecting with people. There’s so much energy for people to participate and collaborate in the community in Melbourne I think my career in events, tourism and hospitality stems from being…
May 5, 2023
As the leading supplier of analytical instruments, Applied Spectra stands at the forefront of laser ablation-based elemental analysis techniques, simplifying the process of elemental chemical analysis, while delivering rapid, high-precision results that are environmentally friendly. Today, laser analysis offers a compelling value proposition over traditional chemical analysis methods. A case of taking chemical analysis into space was the arrival on Mars, of NASA’s Curiosity Rover. Deploying a LIBS instrument, named ChemCam, it is analysing the chemical composition of the Martian terrain. Scientists from Applied Spectra worked in partnership with NASA to develop the instrument. An integrated module, ChemCam includes a laser, telescope, a stereo pair of navigation cameras, and a three-channel optical spectrometer inside the rover itself (just to name some parts). The instrument permits Curiosity can take thousands of LIBS spectra a day and perform rapid elemental analysis of rocks and soils remotely making chemical analysis on the surface of Mars with unprecedented speed and communicating the results back to Earth. “Aside from this spectacular contribution to space exploration, Applied Spectra continue to develop their instruments making available…
May 4, 2023
Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW2023) is approaching fast! Less than four days! Held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from 9-12 May 2023. Organised and run by the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), AMW2023 will take up more than 10,770 square metres at the MCEC, with over 346 organisations showcasing the latest manufacturing technologies, processes, and support services. Over the four days, there will be presentations on the AMW Future Solutions Stage from specialists in each field. There are side events, huge networking opportunities, big machining tools and plenty of spectacular tech on display. Don’t miss out! Register online now at australianmanufacturingweek.com.au There are also two co-located shows alongside AMW 2023. Deeply related to the manufacturing industries, namely Plastics and Electronics. The Plastics and Medical Applications is a one-day conference held by the Society of Plastics Engineers Australia-New Zealand Section on Wednesday 10th May. This One-Day Conference is in collaboration with AMTIL, AMW2023, BioMelbourne Network and the Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA). To register for the One-Day Conference, go to: plastics.org.au ElectroneX is an electronics…
May 3, 2023
If you are working at any level in manufacturing and you are passionate about innovation, Manufacturing Skills Australia wants to help you achieve your goals! We encourage and support people who work or study in sectors and occupations within manufacturing industries, including: metal, engineering, and boating aerospace process manufacturing, including chemicals, hydrocarbons, mineral products, plastics, and rubber. laboratory operations recreational vehicles textiles, clothing, and footwear furnishing competitive systems and practices (Lean) environmental monitoring and sustainable operations. Applicants can apply for between $1,000 and $10,000 to develop their skills and knowledge through research, education and/or training. Applications for 2023 are open from 1st of May and will close on 1st of July 2023. Applications are welcomed from all individuals employed or seeking employment in the Australian Manufacturing industry seeking support for individual skilling and development that is not supported by any other funding opportunity. Applying is Simple! If you are working or studying in manufacturing and you are passionate about innovation or developing your career through increasing your own skills and knowledge, we want to help…
May 3, 2023
Rockwell Automation, the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, will be showcasing its Plex cloud-based manufacturing platform at this year’s Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW) in Melbourne from May 9-12. Demonstrations will be held at stand RA650 (Robotics and Automation Zone). Plex, which Rockwell Automation acquired in 2021, is a Software as a Service (SaaS) Smart Manufacturing Platform that connects people, systems, machines, and supply chains. It is a digital system of record that automates business processes, tracks data from the shop floor to the top floor, and delivers analytics to improve visibility, quality, and control. Rockwell Automation recently released its 2023 State of Smart Manufacturing Report, which comprised data from thousands of manufacturers globally, including 75 in Australia. Rockwell found that more than 45% of Australian manufacturers say that they lack the innovation, skilled workforce, and technology to outpace the competition over the next 12 months. “Although smart manufacturing is key to Australia’s success, only 25% of the country’s manufacturing industry leaders said they were extremely familiar with the technologies,” said Anthony Wong, the Regional Director – South Pacific, Rockwell Automation. Plex opens up…
May 2, 2023
Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW2023) is approaching fast! This will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from 9-12 May 2023. Organised and run by the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), AMW2023 will almost fill ‘Jeff’s Shed’, more than 10,770 square metres, with 346 organisations showcasing the latest manufacturing technologies, processes, and support services. Don’t miss out! Register online now at australianmanufacturingweek.com.au We've detailed some of the attractions on the other days in previous posts, and here is the line-up for the final day. On Friday 12 May, Day FOUR of AMW 2023, the Future Solutions Speaker program has a theme of ‘Innovation and Research’ at the Sessions Stage at AMW2023! This is your chance to hear about the future of manufacturing. 10:15 AM – 10:45 AM Monash Smart Manufacturing Hub – Your access to Talent and Innovation Location: Future Solutions Speaker Sessions Stage Speaker: Prof. Adrian Neild, Founder and Director Smart Manufacturing Hub at Monash Professor Adrian Neild will share how manufacturers can partner…
May 1, 2023
Apollo Motorhome Holidays, a leading manufacturer of Recreational Vehicles (RV), is pleased to announce its partnership with Markforged, the industry leader in industrial 3D printing solutions. By integrating Markforged 3D printers into its manufacturing process, Apollo is taking a significant step towards revolutionising the caravan industry. Apollo has been at the forefront of the RV industry, offering high-quality, luxury motorhomes, campervans, and caravans to customers around the world. Now, with the addition of Markforged 3D printers to its manufacturing process, Apollo is set to take its craftsmanship to the next level. Markforged 3D printers are designed to produce functional, high-strength parts using a range of materials, including carbon fiber, stainless steel, and Onyx. With the ability to create custom parts quickly and easily, Apollo can solve supply chain issues, and reduce lead times and costs while maintaining its high standards of quality. "We are thrilled to be partnering with Markforged," said Edney Ferreira /Engineering Manager of Apollo. “Their 3D printing technology is cutting-edge and will allow us to create high-quality, custom parts that are essential to the motorhomes, campervans and Caravans we…
May 1, 2023
Additive manufacturing continues to disrupt the traditional manufacturing paradigm, and every day secures a more robust foothold as a production technology. The reason for this is driven by advances in build processes that promote increases in speed, accuracy, and repeatability of production, and therefore increased yield ratios. As is now well-known and accepted, AM is important as it facilitates the creation of geometrically complex parts and components. AM reduces waste and allows for the creation of lighter structures with an obvious importance in the automotive, aerospace, and medical sectors. AM also allows for the simple production of replacement parts impossible or uneconomical to replace using traditional processes, meaning that machines can be repaired not replaced. All such advantages along with AM’s ability to democratise and localise manufacturing with all that implies in terms of shortened and domestic supply chains means that as a technology, its future is assured. AM and post-processing One area where significant issues reside in AM parts…
