Government News

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI), a leader in developing unmanned aircraft systems, has embraced this truth by integrating Additive Manufacturing (AM) into its core processes. From experimental beginnings to becoming a manufacturing cornerstone, GA-ASI's journey with AM exemplifies innovation at its finest. Revolutionising design and production GA-ASI's foray into AM has revolutionised how unmanned aircraft like the MQ-9A Reaper and MQ-9B SkyGuardian are built. By adopting AM, GA-ASI has not only streamlined its manufacturing processes but has also unlocked new potential in aircraft design and functionality. The result? Thousands of parts were produced via AM, now flying across multiple GA-ASI platforms. A systematic approach for optimal results GA-ASI's success with AM isn't accidental. It's the outcome of a systematic, refined approach aligning with business objectives. Key strategies include developing a robust AM ecosystem, establishing a solid business case for AM, and partnering with industry leaders. This disciplined approach ensures each AM project aligns with the company's mission, ensuring quality and innovation at every step. Stratasys: a partnership that elevates In its quest to master AM,…

The many speakers on the Future Solutions program have been hand-picked to cater to the varied needs of the industry to tackle challenges and stay abreast of the latest trends. On the first day of Australian Manufacturing Week Sydney 2024, Wednesday 17th April, the Future Solutions Speaker Sessions have a theme of 'Opportunities'. Experts from ANSTO, the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Rigby Cooke Lawyers, the Defence Department and CSIRO will be presenting the latest take on manufacturing opportunities.  On the second day of AMW2024, with a theme of 'Managing Change', the Future Solutions Speaker session on Thursday 18th April, the Manufacturing Industry Skills Alliance, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, the Sydney Manufacturing Hub and NAB are just some of the high-end industry presentations being prepared, free to all AMW2024 visitors.  Go to the Future Solutions Speaker Program page for more information. Registrations are now open for Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW2024), held at the ICC in Darling Harbour in Sydney. Organised and run by the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), AMW2024 will…

South Australian ports operator Flinders Port Holdings (FPH) has inaugurated the PV Spirit, welcoming the first of three pilot boats commissioned and built in conjunction with Hart Marine to its fleet at an event at the South Australian Yacht Squadron. The vessel Spirit is a state-of-the-art pilot boat that features the Volvo Penta Inboard Propulsion System (IPS), which will enhance fuel efficiency, reduce environmental footprint and improve sustainability. The new vessel Spirit features advanced composite hull technology, including a lightweight and corrosion-resistant structure that is durable in the harshest marine conditions. Its bow design facilitates smooth navigation in turbulent waters and improves self-righting capabilities. The vessel features improved safety measures such as continuous railing, and a change in Pilot Vessel size provides FPH pilots and crew with additional room on the outer deck for pilot transfer and coxswain activities. “We’re also proud of the introduction of Dynamic Positioning into our fleet to improve the manoeuvring of the vessel in adverse weather conditions,” General Manager Carl Kavina said. Further innovations include the ability to access…

The future of Australian steelmaking is being backed up to deliver the energy transformation and help keep our producers competitive on a global scale. The first round of the Powering the Regions Fund (PRF) will provide $200m in grant funding to BlueScope Steel Limited and Liberty Steel Australia to progress projects at their respective operations in New South Wales and South Australia. BlueScope has been awarded $136.8m towards the reline and upgrade of its No. 6 Blast Furnace at the Port Kembla Steelworks. This project will maintain domestic production, reduce emissions, and support pathways to producing even lower-emissions steel in the future. LIBERTY has also been awarded $63.2m towards the purchase and commission of a low-carbon electric arc furnace (EAF) to replace the existing traditional blast furnace at the Whyalla Steelworks. The new state-of-the-art EAF will support the manufacturing of green steel and help achieve LIBERTY’s aim of carbon neutrality by 2030. Total steel demand for the energy transformation from 2022 to 2050 will be almost five billion tonnes, accounting for 75% of the total material requirement – and that steel will increasingly…

University of Queensland researchers are working with industry to develop biodegradable ‘plastic’ bags for use in mushroom farming, which could open lucrative opportunities in packaging and manufacturing. Dr Nasim Amiralian from UQ’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology is collaborating with Queensland producer Scenic Rim Mushrooms to reduce the company’s reliance on plastic ‘grow bags’. “Grow bags are widely used across the fungiculture industry, but most are made from non-biodegradable materials which can only be burned or sent to landfill,” Dr Amiralian said. "This adds to the 80,000-plus tonnes of plastic waste generated by Australian agriculture each year. “This 12-month project is about designing a grow bag that provides optimum growing conditions, while also breaking down in soil.” Dr Amiralian said existing biodegradable plastics made from corn starch, potato starch, or even mycelium – the vegetative part of mushrooms - are often brittle and lack long-term integrity. “But using fibres from agricultural waste like sugarcane is an affordable, high quality and sustainable way to ensure plastic grow bags can withstand high temperatures and humidity,” she said. Scenic Rim Mushrooms founder Matthew Davis said the…

Australia's manufacturing industry continues to adapt to an ever-evolving business environment. Despite challenges, the sector remains focused on meeting global demands while keeping costs low and waste to a minimum. One noticeable shift has been Australian manufacturers’ ability to seek out improved efficiencies and increased productivity through the adoption of advanced technologies designed for manufacturers. According to the 2023 CommBank Manufacturing Insights Report, Australian manufacturers are prioritising investment in new technology as their top business focus for the upcoming year, with 87% of manufacturers planning to increase their technology-related spending. This inclination is even higher in regional locations, where 99% of manufacturers intend to boost their investments in new technology. Additionally, businesses in the manufacturing sector are looking to enhance efficiency, productivity, quality and capacity as key objectives in the next 12 months. The Manufacturing Insights Report also found that manufacturers are not only focusing on established technologies but are also exploring emerging ones to drive efficiency and improve customer satisfaction. The report also found that anticipated growth areas in technology adoption…

Who is entitled to a fuel tax credit? The scheme provides businesses with a credit for the fuel tax that is included in the price of fuel. Fuel tax credits may be claimed where the following conditions are met: you acquire, manufacture or import ‘taxable fuel’ - this is fuel that is liable for duty under excise or customs legislation (e.g. diesel and petrol), with certain minor exceptions; you acquire, manufacture or import this fuel for use in carrying on your enterprise; and you are registered for GST, or required to be registered. The fuels must also constitute ‘eligible fuels’, and you must undertake ‘eligible activities’. What are the ‘eligible fuels’ that attract fuel tax credits? To claim fuel tax credits, the fuel must be ‘taxable fuel’, on which excise or customs duty has been paid. Eligible liquid…

Located in Melbourne’s north, Thomastown and Epping are an established and industrious manufacturing base, collectively home to over 7,600 businesses, employing 39,000 workers. Manufacturing is the leading sector in Thomastown and fifth highest in Epping. The local eco-system is recognised as a key ingredient in the ongoing vitality of the area, which continues to diversify, expand and develop, despite challenging tough market conditions. The region plays a pivotal role in business and employment opportunities for Melbourne’s north, with government investment in infrastructure and roads supporting rapid growth. The recent announcement of Federal Government investment in the Beverage Intermodal Freight Terminal will increase connection to regional, national and international markets, and reduce reliance on air and road transport. Thomastown is 15km from the CBD and one of the largest consolidated areas of industrial-zoned land in Metropolitan Melbourne. "An exporter of more than twenty years, we love having Aromababy's head office in Thomastown and the ease of ensuring urgent air freight reaches Tullamarine quickly. As a regular business traveller both interstate and overseas, it's also a super convenient commute from home to office to boarding…

One of the world’s most recognised and innovative materials scientists and an engineer and inventor has been announced as this year’s City of Parramatta Australia Day Ambassador. 2022 NSW Australian of the Year and UNSW Scientia Professor Veena Sahajwalla, is a highly awarded researcher at the forefront of recycling science, who launched the world’s first e-waste microfactory. The professor’s work has led to the development of green ceramic tiles and green steel, made from recycled glass, textiles and steel. Professor Sahajwalla has been invited to address the City of Parramatta’s Citizen of the Year awards on 25 January and as a guest on 26 January. She said she’s excited to visit Parramatta and celebrate with locals. “It’s such an honour to be an Australia Day Ambassador for Parramatta,” Professor Sahajwalla said. “It’s also a privilege to share my story around science and engineering and how our UNSW SMaRT Centre MICROfactorieTM Technologies are helping to tackle our waste and recycling challenges.” Already the City has benefitted from these revolutionary green materials, with Mirvac’s Pavilions apartment building in Sydney Olympic Park leading the pack…

Six of the nation’s leading research institutions, including Australia’s national science agency CSIRO, have united with international researchers to spearhead innovation to address challenges in clean energy production and storage. In a joint effort between Australia, the US, Canada, and the UK, two multi-lateral research projects have been announced today as part of the National Science Foundation Global Centres in Climate Change and Clean Energy (NSF Global Centres) program. Together, these countries have pledged more than A$118m in investment in the NSF Global Centres program over five years to tackle challenges posed by climate change as the world moves towards net zero. Kirsten Rose, Acting Chief Executive of CSIRO, said as Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO is proud to be part of a strong national contribution to solving this critical global challenge. “CSIRO is proud to stand alongside numerous Australian research organisations to combine our shared expertise, strengthening our national response to accelerate the transition to a cleaner, sustainable energy future,” Ms Rose said. “Collaborative initiatives like CSIRO’s Hydrogen Industry Mission and Smart Energy Mission are essential in ensuring solutions…

Just recently, the Federal Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic revealed an interim response from the Australian government on the safe and responsible use of artificial intelligence. The public, especially the Australian public, have real concerns about AI. And it’s appropriate that they should. AI is a powerful technology entering our lives quickly. By 2030, it may increase the Australian economy by 40%, adding $600bn to our annual gross domestic product. A recent International Monetary Fund report estimates AI might also impact 40% of jobs worldwide, and 60% of jobs in developed nations like Australia. In half of those jobs, the impacts will be positive, lifting productivity and reducing drudgery. But in the other half, the impacts may be negative, taking away work, even eliminating some jobs completely. Just as lift attendants and secretaries in typing pools had to move on and find new vocations, so might truck drivers and law clerks. Perhaps not surprisingly then, in…

The Additive Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (AMCRC) has announced that it is launching a bid for funding in Round 25 of the Australian Government Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Grant Program. Globally there has been a rapid take-up of Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies by companies developing new products to stay ahead in the innovation race. Start-ups and high-growth companies like Boeing, Tesla, Stryker, and Align have all documented significant advantages in utilising AM to enhance product performance, customise the user experience, and improve supply chain efficiency. These advantages address many of the challenges that Australian manufacturers face in getting products into world markets and with the national imperative to get Australia making again, AM will be a critical part of this transformation journey. AMCRC’s bid is industry-led and backed by Australia’s peak manufacturing industry association, the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), 13 leading research organisations, and CSIRO. AMTIL CEO Shane Infanti observed that the Australian industry has been adopting 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies at a record pace but with global players like the US, EU and…

Advanced Navigation has unveiled a new high-tech robotics facility for autonomous systems based at UTS Tech Lab. Located in Botany NSW, the facility will scale up the manufacturing of Advanced Navigation’s world-first AI navigation systems for GPS-denied environments, including its digital fibre-optic gyroscope (DFOG) technology, Boreas. Advanced Navigation is one of only four companies in the world with the capability to manufacture strategic-grade fibre-optic gyroscopes. This technology empowers reliable navigation for marine vessels, space missions, aerospace, defence, autonomous vehicles and flying taxis. The company deploys its unique AI-based physics algorithms to solve complex challenges earth-bound and beyond. Strengthening Australia’s sovereign capabilities Xavier Orr, Advanced Navigation CEO and co-founder, said, “There is a critical need to improve Australia’s economic complexity and sovereign capabilities. A key step is to build our industrial capacity in high-tech, as well as drive knowledge exchange and propel collaborative initiatives between government agencies, academic institutions and industry leaders.” State-of-art robotics manufacturing for autonomous systems There is a seismic shift across the landscape of sovereign manufacturing, driven by advanced technologies like AI, automation and precision engineering. In…