Month: June 2025

Occupying half a nondescript side street in an industrial area of Bayswater, a sprawling medical device research and manufacturing facility buzzes with activity. Inside this complex is SDI Limited, primarily involved in researching and developing, manufacturing, and marketing specialist materials for the dental profession. Founded in 1972, SDI is fast becoming a world leader in specialist dental materials, and has been recognised with multiple export and international awards. History Over 50 years ago, the company's Chairman, Jeffery Cheetham OAM, founded SDI Limited. SDI expanded into composites in the 1990s, and whitening and glass-ionomer cements in the 2000s, now making a wide range of materials for clinicians. SDI Limited’s products compete in the highly regulated medical device market and have full accreditation in each country, including the EU MDR, so they will continue this practice for the foreseeable future. SDI Limited is classified as a medical device company. Those brave enough to visit the dentist every six months will have seen their range of dental products in use. Technology The high-tech devices are mainly…

The use of 3D printers to create living tissues and organs is revolutionising medicine, but University of Queensland research reveals the legal system is struggling to keep up as the technology races ahead. Lead researcher Dr Pratap Devarapalli from UQ’s Law School said about 1,850 Australians are on the organ transplant waiting list. Bioprinting is a promising solution if supported by clear and flexible global patent laws. “Patent law hasn’t kept pace with what’s scientifically possible,” Dr Devarapalli said. “The implications extend beyond medicine to fundamental questions about innovation policy. Ironically, the more realistic and medically useful a bioprinted organ is, the harder it becomes to patent because laws often require it to be clearly different from what exists in nature.” In 2025 the bioprinting market is estimated at $5.5bn and is projected to reach $20bn by 2034. Patents give inventors temporary protection from copying and without them companies may be less willing to invest, slowing down progress in developing lifesaving medical tools and treatments. The research compares how major jurisdictions including the US, Europe and Australia assess…

During the construction of the Eiffel Tower, engineer Gustave Eiffel noticed the tower could be used as a giant thermometer. Due to the structure expanding and contracting with temperature changes, its height can vary by up to 15cm. This engineering quirk demonstrates the impact of temperature extremes on industrial structures. However, temperature is just one of many engineering considerations in today's complex industry settings. Here, James Chester, director at Technidrive, explains how the right systems integrator can help to navigate these complexities. Environmental conditions can wreak havoc on the longevity of motors and gear units. From extreme temperatures and corrosive substances to dust, moisture, and vibration, the environment can put a significant strain on equipment. Consequently, engineering suitable drive trains can be extremely challenging. Additionally, many end users are unaware of these specific requirements when commissioning a system. Among the most common challenges is the fluctuation of temperatures. Whether extremely hot or cold, this variation can lead to thermal stress, affecting the lubrication and performance of motors and gear units. Continuous operation at either end of the temperature spectrum…

Flexible Smart Job Shop (FSJ) is an advanced, connected, and fully integrated flexible production system that enables the automatic production of various parts without operator intervention or machine downtime for retooling. The systems that make up the FSJ can operate independently or collaboratively, adapting to diverse production needs, from creating small batches to producing complex kits. The integration of intermediate storage and upstream and downstream workstations provides exceptional flexibility, making it ideal for optimising production flows and supporting just-in-time production, thus reducing idle times and waste. The RVS artificial vision system streamlines the management of robotic assistance, accelerates the intermediate recognition and handling steps, and maximises the value of the finished part. In fact, due to enhanced connectivity and the latest technological solutions, FSJ leverages the capabilities of artificial intelligence and robotics to optimise production processes. It also addresses the increasingly stringent environmental and economic sustainability requirements, contributing to an efficient and responsible production model. The FSJ consists of the new L3.G4 fibre laser, which is fully automated; the P-Robot, which…

In the current competitive manufacturing landscape, the principles of efficiency and precision are paramount. Advanced Steel Fabrications, a leading steel processing and fabrication company here in Australia, has recently invested significantly in cutting-edge CNC laser technology to enhance its production capabilities. By integrating both AORE 2D Sheet and 3D Tube CNC Laser Cutting Machines, the company has effectively improved its operations' speed, quality, and versatility. Meeting industry demands with AORE CNC lasers Advanced Steel Fabrications has built a solid reputation for delivering high-quality steel components for construction, mining, and infrastructure sectors. As the demand for more complex and precision-engineered components grew, the company sought a solution to streamline production without compromising accuracy. After evaluating various options, Advanced Steel Fabrications selected AORE’s 2D and 3D CNC laser cutting solutions. The combination of these machines has enabled them to increase cutting speeds, minimise manual processing, and achieve superior edge quality, ultimately enhancing the efficiency of their production workflow. Transforming production with 2D & 3D cutting capabilities The AORE 2D Sheet CNC Laser Cutting Machine has afforded Advanced Steel Fabrications the ability to…

Price’s Fabrication + Steel is a family-owned business based in Williams, Western Australia. They specialise in custom-designed agricultural sheds and water tanks, serving the Southern Wheatbelt and Lower Southwest regions. Their shed offerings include machinery, workshop, hay, commercial, drive-through, and fertiliser sheds. Price’s Fabrication + Steel is a strong, well-managed, and successful WA business with a positive outlook.   The challenge Price’s Fabrication + Steel encountered several growth-related challenges and sought external support to help resolve bottlenecks, uncover new opportunities, and enhance overall productivity. An initial visit to the Williams site revealed several areas ready for improvement. Price’s was dealing with a 12-month backlog of orders at the time. Compounding the issue, large volumes of materials occupied valuable space on-site due to long restock times—some items required up to six months to replenish. As a result, the company held six months' worth of inventory at any given time to manage supply chain delays. One of their most persistent issues was design inaccuracy. Transitioning design plans from paper to digital was underway to improve precision, but inefficiencies remained. Additionally,…

Export award-winning, Tauranga-based Oasis Engineering continues to expand its international market as a specialist manufacturer delivering world-leading solutions to those pushing the boundaries of energy and fluid transfer to benefit humanity and the environment. The company initially began as the maintenance division of a soft drink brand but was separated during a restructuring during the 1980s. The new company quickly established a strong reputation as a machine shop that reliably produced high-tolerance precision machined parts in difficult-to-work materials such as stainless steel and titanium. This led to work manufacturing valves and couplings that were required for the new and emerging Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fuel market for a major CNG supply company and this quickly expanded to every major CNG supplier and to every significant CNG market in more than 40 countries. Today, Oasis Engineering is part of the ELAFLEX Group of Companies of Hamburg and is manufacturing precision CNG, LPG and Hydrogen reticulation products for the world market, with approximately 80% of production going to the USA, 10% to other world markets and 10% to the…

The Australian-designed and manufactured Cochlear Nucleus Nexa System, is offering the world’s first hearing implant solution with upgradeable implant firmware, revolutionising how people with hearing loss can access future technology. Australians living with hearing loss are among the first in the world to access this technology. Conventional cochlear implants available today can only access future innovation by upgrading their sound processor. With the Nucleus Nexa System this limitation is removed. People with a Nucleus Nexa System can experience new features and advancements via updates to their smart implant's firmware and upgrades to their sound processor over time. Jan Janssen, Chief Technology Officer of Cochlear said the company had re-imagined the internal technology of the cochlear implant system. "The Nucleus Nexa System combines over 40 years of proven reliability from their trusted implants and technology leadership with a new cutting-edge chipset packed with innovative features,” he said. “With onboard diagnostics that monitor system performance to ensure optimal hearing, it reduces the burden on users and carers, setting a new standard in implantable hearing technology.…

Zinc whiskers can pose significant problems if not addressed. Despite their innocuous name, they can cause considerable disruption in data centres. While monitoring temperature and having an effective layout can mitigate risks, it’s crucial to remain vigilant about this concealed threat. Zinc whiskers are tiny filaments that form on steel surfaces electroplated with zinc. Zinc protects against corrosion, but the molecular stress from the electroplating process causes it to expand and crystallise to relieve the pressure. They start at only a few microns but can grow to several millimetres. It’s important to note that various surfaces develop whiskers at different rates and densities. Zinc whisker growth is unpredictable, but it is believed to be influenced by the conditions during the electroplating process itself. The tiny shards can lead to catastrophic consequences for data centres. They can remain undisturbed for years on floor tiles and other structural supports. While they are more prevalent in older data centres that used electroplated zinc, they can form on this material anywhere, regardless of environmental conditions. Hazards Unchecked zinc whiskers can lead to everything…

In the fast-paced and cost-driven world of manufacturing, businesses often face tough decisions when investing in new machinery. While price is a major factor, cutting costs by opting for non-certified machines can have serious consequences—ranging from safety hazards to costly downtime, regulatory challenges, and limited resale opportunities. Globally, machinery safety regulations have become more stringent, particularly in regions like Europe, where CE certification is the benchmark for compliance. While Australia does not mandate CE certification, the risks of operating non-certified equipment are becoming increasingly evident. What is CE certification, and why does it matter? CE certification, or CE marking, is a European safety and compliance standard ensuring machinery meets rigorous health, safety, and environmental protection requirements. The CE mark signifies that the manufacturer has verified the machine’s compliance with European safety directives, often involving independent assessments and rigorous testing. For manufacturers, CE certification assures that equipment meets a globally recognised standard, minimising the chances of operational failures, safety incidents, and compliance issues. While Australian standards such as AS/NZS 4024 focus on machinery safety, CE certification continues to be a well-regarded mark…

Linde Engineering has signed an agreement with PsiQuantum to deliver a cryogenic cooling plant for the world’s first utility-scale quantum computer in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The plant will be one of the largest cryogenic cooling facilities ever constructed to operate a quantum computer. It will cool the cryogenic cabinets housing PsiQuantum’s new Omega chipset and other systems. Quantum computing is anticipated to propel advancements in healthcare, energy, material design, and encryption, while the project in Brisbane advances Australia’s quantum ecosystem across academia, commercial partnerships, and supply chains. The large-scale cryogenic cooling infrastructure will achieve the required 4 Kelvin range (-269 °C, -452 °F). Linde Engineering is among the very few companies worldwide with the necessary expertise, having installed over 500 cryogenic plants. These plants serve high-tech industries such as semiconductors and magnetic resonance imaging and scientific applications like particle accelerators and fusion research. “We are proud to help PsiQuantum realise their ambitious vision for quantum computing. This collaboration demonstrates how combined expertise can drive advancements in technology and innovation,” says John van der Velden, Senior Vice President Global…

For over 30 years, Dimac has supported manufacturers across Australia and New Zealand with expert workholding solutions that enhance the performance of CNC machines. As a trusted performance partner, Dimac works closely with clients to streamline processes, improve productivity and strengthen operator safety. With tailored solutions that deliver precision, repeatability and efficiency, Dimac helps clients achieve consistent performance while reducing operational costs and driving long-term value. One such client is Marand Precision Engineering — a leader in precision manufacturing that understands the value of continuous improvement. Looking to implement a more efficient workholding strategy, Marand engaged Dimac’s Sales Manager (Victoria and Tasmania), Adrian Crisan, to explore the best fit solution. Challenges in modern CNC manufacturing For over five decades, Marand has been at the forefront of precision engineering, supplying high-quality solutions to industries including defence, aerospace, rail, mining and energy. As the demand for higher efficiency and standardised manufacturing processes grew, Marand needed a solution to: Reduce machine downtime caused by lengthy and inconsistent workholding setups. Ensure part accessibility to optimise cycle times across various CNC machines. Create a universal…

Studio Kite is at the forefront of 3D printing technology, having built two massive 3D printers, fittingly named CADzilla. As the name suggests, these printers are designed for large-scale fabrication and have been fully operational for the past seven years, producing props, sculptures, public art, and prototypes, all on a grand scale. With 25 years of experience in 3D printing and 35 years in cinematic special effects, sculpture, and model making, Studio Kite now plans to start mass-producing affordable homes from plastics destined for landfill. Introducing Jindi, a building solution that Studio Kite says “doesn’t cost the earth. " “Over the last few years, we have vigorously fine-tuned the shapes to optimise the materials as best we can; these forms have been rigorously tested to enter the housing and construction market. We’re 3D printing using 100% recycled consumer waste, which is challenging and costly to recycle consistently. We 3D print an optimised sacrificial formwork that gets coated with a thin shell of basalt fibre-reinforced cement,” said…