Month: March 2025

Automation & Robotic Technologies (A&RT) is a leading designer and integrated engineering solutions provider of automation systems in Australia.  The company is globally recognised for its high-speed picking projects and specialist robotic solutions for the food and beverage industry.  Their team of experts have provided intricate systems to support applications such as meat palletising, picking and packaging, as well as the handling of frozen foods, baked products, omelettes, food-grade oils, and even tofu. In 2025, A&RT is celebrating its 20-year anniversary in business and 14 years as an ABB Authorized Value Provider (AVP).  Mike Urban, Co-Managing Director at A&RT said, “We’re proud to supply systems to every large food manufacturer in Australia.  With the support of ABB Robotics, we’ve always been confident that we’ll meet our customers’ needs as we’re working with the best robotic technology manufacturer – the original patent holders of Delta robots and developers of the RobotStudio Suite, so we can innovatively integrate artificial intelligence with real intelligence into our work.” A long-standing partnership, A&RT were the recipients an ABB Robotics lifetime achievement award in 2019.  ABB's AVPs…

The Green Steel Alliance brings together leading research and industry stakeholders worldwide to support a carbon-neutral future in steel smelting. The initiative will foster cooperation, knowledge exchange, and joint research projects to advance this transition. The Alliance engenders joint research initiatives to accelerate the development and deployment of green steel technologies. “Through the Green Steel Alliance, we’re creating a global partnership between universities and industry, offering the opportunity to transform the iron and steelmaking sector into a sustainable and carbon-neutral industry,” said Swinburne’s professor Alan Duffy, pro vice-chancellor, Flagship Initiatives. “Swinburne is excited to be part of the drive towards a greener and more resilient iron and steel industry worldwide and a more sustainable future. Initially founded with six universities renowned for their research in green steel, the alliance aims to bring industry partners and key stakeholders around the world to this platform to promote a carbon-neutral ironmaking and steelmaking future. Swinburne University of Technology experts are at the forefront of the green steel revolution, developing new methods to advance a net zero emissions future…

Although US President Donald Trump had previously indicated he might exempt Australia from steel and aluminium tariffs, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the president has finalised his decision, stating, “There will be no exemptions.” During Trump's first term, Australian steel and aluminium were exempt from these tariffs, and BlueScope was hoping for similar treatment this time. “A tariff exemption was negotiated in President Trump's first term,” stated a BlueScope Steel representative. In reaction to the tariff announcement, the steel manufacturer pointed out its $5bn investment in US operations, which currently employ over 4,000 steelworkers. BlueScope Steel serves as Australia's primary steel exporter to the US, delivering approximately 300,000 tonnes of semi-processed steel annually. This steel is utilised by its US operations to manufacture flat products such as roofs and fencing. BlueScope ranks as the fifth largest steel manufacturer in America. Its North Star mill in Ohio produces three million tonnes of steel each year, matching Port Kembla's output and proving significantly more profitable. Following the rapid…

As manufacturing environments evolve and competition increases, businesses face growing pressure to enhance precision, reduce waste, and improve production efficiency. At booth MT510, Performatec will showcase live demonstrations of state-of-the-art waterjet and fibre laser cutting systems, providing a first-hand look at solutions designed to optimise production workflows. Live demonstrations of advanced cutting systems Performatec's live demonstrations will highlight how advanced cutting technology is improving precision, efficiency, and material versatility in modern manufacturing. The display at booth MT510 will focus on two leading-edge cutting solutions: Waterjet cutting – the most versatile machine for clean, accurate cutting of thick metals including mild steel, heat soak plate, aluminium, stainless, brass, copper and composites, offering precise cutting without heat-affected zones. Fibre laser cutting – designed for high-speed sheet metal processing, delivering exceptional accuracy with reduced operational costs. These demonstrations will provide attendees with practical insights into how these technologies can be integrated into different manufacturing environments. Expert insights from industry specialists Beyond the live demonstrations, Performatec's CNC machinery specialists will be available to discuss the technical and operational aspects of integrating advanced cutting solutions. Attendees…

Specialist engineering company AG Engineering Solutions has invested in the latest Okuma CNC Lathe technology to provide a marketing edge and increased capability. Formed in 2010, the private family business AG Engineering Solutions specialises in new work and the maintenance and refurbishment of major plant and equipment for leading mining companies, paper mills, the steel and recycling industries, etc. and has become the go-to company for the fast replacement or refurbishment of equipment, design advice, fabrication and preventative maintenance programs. “With this type of work we are called on to produce one or two off engineering solutions on our machines where size capacity, speed and easy programming are all critical factors,” said Managing Director Sam Guccione. “Our work is time critical as a breakdown in any of our clients’ major plants costs enormous amounts of money, so an Okuma machine that can produce an outcome in one process rather than multiple processes proves to be a great advantage,” he said. The latest Okuma CNC Lathe model LB4000EX x2000 is being commissioned. This is the company's first Okuma machine, and there is…

At AMW2025, RJS Tech Group will present a cutting-edge showcase featuring PPTools, NanoTech, Rogers Industries, and Whitelaw Engineering Machinery. This unified stand will highlight how Australian-made innovations are pushing the boundaries of efficiency, durability, and performance in modern manufacturing. PPTools will demonstrate the art of precision tool manufacturing with its Walter G200—a state-of-the-art 5-axis CNC grinding machine. Visitors will witness firsthand how this technology enables the production of highly accurate, custom-designed rotary cutting tools, essential for woodworking, metalworking, and composite machining. Whitelaw Engineering Machinery will present a diverse range of industrial lathes, the Meltio system, and other high-performance industrial equipment. The Meltio system, a breakthrough in hybrid additive manufacturing, showcases the future of metal 3D printing, enabling manufacturers to build and repair metal components with unparalleled precision. NanoTech will highlight its world-class PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) coating technology, developed using the PLATIT PLi411 Plus—the only one of its kind in the southern hemisphere. This innovative process significantly enhances tool hardness, wear resistance, and heat tolerance, ensuring extended tool life and higher machining efficiency. Rogers Industries, leaders in…

AMW2025 will open on Tuesday 6th May and will roll for four days. All six Pavilions and Zones will be open and active, over 400 exhibitors enthused and ready to show their best manufacturing technology at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. The first day of AMW2025 will be full throttle. REGISTER NOW! To help visitors to the show navigate such a diverse line-up of exhibits, AMW2025 will feature six dedicated Zones covering a range of specialised aspects of the modern manufacturing landscape: Additive Manufacturing Zone Australian Manufacturers Pavilion Machine Tools Manufacturing Solutions Robotics & Automation Weld & Air Solutions Now in its third year, the Future Solutions Speaker Program will also be held at the Australian Manufacturing Week, over three days. The very popular program has a great range of 35+ expert speakers discussing the current trends and issues affecting the manufacturing landscape. With a focus on innovation, join us to hear from industry leaders, explore new technologies and learn from real-world case studies. The Future Solutions Speaker Program at AMW2025 is free to attend and…

Last year alone, RAM3D 3D printed and delivered 17,000+ of those ‘solutions’ (parts, components, and more) for our customers. AMW visitors can interact with a wide range of our metal 3D-printed parts at our stand to get an accurate look and feel for the possibilities and quality that RAM3D offers. Maybe you haven’t tried metal 3D printing yet. If that’s the case, RAM3D can help you maximise this Industry 4.0 technology, with over a decade of experience supplying various sectors such as aerospace and defence, industrial and engineering clients, and high-level sport and bespoke recreation markets worldwide. As specialists in the Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) process of Selective Laser Melting (SLM), our technical expertise truly shines as we bring our customers’ parts to life, understanding that the key benefits of utilising Metal AM—producing complex geometries, intricate shapes and structures, integrated design, and overall lighter, stronger, higher quality, and more efficient parts—are realised in every print. At previous shows, one of RAM3D’s repeat customers (a Victoria local) has cycled in on one of his titanium printed models to loan…

Alfex is proud to showcase the latest in Laser cutting, marking and engraving systems, CNC Machine Tools & Industrial 3D Printers at AMW2025. Visit us at Stand MT290 (Alfex) and Stand MT300 (Haas CNC) to see live demonstrations of cutting-edge manufacturing solutions. Whether you're looking to increase capabilities or improve production efficiencies, the team at Alfex is ready to help with over 300 years of combined experience in the manufacturing and engineering space. Alfex is set to make waves at this year’s Australian Manufacturing Week, showcasing the world’s leading laser brands, including Epilog Laser, Lotus Laser, Kern Lasers, ACSYS Lasers, VISION engraving and routing systems, and BOFA Filtered Extraction systems. As a trusted provider of high-quality equipment and exceptional service, Alfex continues to support businesses nationwide in adopting advanced manufacturing technologies. From precision engraving to high-performance laser cutting and marking, these industry-leading brands provide Australian businesses with state-of-the-art solutions that enhance productivity, accuracy, and efficiency. Whether for aerospace, defence, automotive, industrial, or creative applications, Alfex delivers the right tools to drive innovation and business growth. Experts will discuss how these solutions can streamline…

Many people are concerned that automation is going to take away jobs. However, in light of today’s rapidly shifting technologies, supply chain disruptions, and millions of already unfilled jobs, there will likely be plenty of work for everyone, even if job descriptions change and retraining is necessary. “Rockwell Automation wants to expand human possibilities,” explained Cyril Perducat, CTO at Rockwell Automation. “And when we talk about the future and things like robots on the plant floor, we’re not talking about removing people from the equation. We want to augment existing people and their capabilities.” He added, “There are a lot of buzzwords today, including artificial intelligence (AI), but they aren’t just about technology. They’re about creating the right experiences for people. There’s no way to invest in the future without making tools usable for people.” Perducat made these remarks during his closing keynote address at the 2023 Automation Fair® event in Boston. Strategies for Challenges Perducat reported that it’s important to start by examining the individual challenges…

AML3D’s technology centre is open and in production. One ARCEMY industrial metal 3D printing system is on-site at Stow, OHIO. A second system will be installed later in the year. Plans to install additional ARCEMY systems at the Stow facility, which would increase its capacity, are progressing. AML3D has already delivered A$16m of US contracts ahead of an expected surge in US Defence spending on additive manufacturing. AML3D’s US manufacturing capability also supports new opportunities to expand into the US Energy and Defence Aerospace sectors. The Stow manufacturing hub is already operational and working on an initial A$2.27m order from the Tennessee Valley Authority, the largest public utility in the USA. The expansion of Stow is to meet an expected step change in US Department of Defense spending on advanced additive manufacturing solutions to support the US Navy’s Submarine Industrial Base. The increase in capacity at Stow will also allow AML3D to continue its expansion into the wider US Energy and Defense Aerospace sectors. AML3D’s US ‘Scale up’ strategy, launched in early CY2023, has…