Industry News

The international team will use 200,000 data sources from Fitbits, activity monitors and time-use surveys linked with health data to create a prototype. University of South Australia lead researcher Dr Dot Dumuid said first-class prototype would provide personalised advice on how best to use a 24-hour period for specific health outcomes. She said Israeli mathematicians, University of Adelaide computer scientists as well as global behavioural epidemiologists and public health specialists would develop an analytical method to work out the ideal length of time needed on activities in order to achieve particular outcomes. The software will form the basis of an online tool allowing people to improve time management while achieving the optimal health for their lifestyle. “Every day everybody is given 24 hours. How people allocate that time to activities impacts their health,” Dr Dumuid said. “We already know that things like screen time, exercise, sleep and work-life balance influence health, but now we are…

The process, known as ACTIVAT3D copper, has been developed by modifying AMTIL member SPEE3D’s world-leading 3D printing technology, using new algorithms for controlling their metal printers to allow existing metal parts to be coated with copper. Copper parts are difficult to produce using traditional methods and thus 3D printing may be the only tool available to rapidly deploy copper. SPEE3D technology makes it fast and affordable. Australian NATA-accredited clinical trial speciality laboratory 360Biolabs tested the effect of ACTIVAT3D copper on live SARS-CoV-2 in their Physical Containment 3 (PC3) laboratory. The results showed that 96% of the virus is killed in two hours and 99.2% of the virus is killed in five hours, while stainless steel showed no reduction in the same time frame. Stainless steel is currently the material typically used in hygiene environments. With laboratory testing complete, it is hoped the Australian-developed breakthrough can be applied to common…

The platform is being developed alongside CSIRO and Sutton Tools, and is supported with matched funding from the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC). Successful completion of the project will allow ANCA to commercialise the new hybrid additive-manufacturing machine platform while growing its workforce and revenue while fulfilling a gap in the global tooling market, to which it already supplies Airbus, Boeing, Renishaw and Fraisa. The project builds on previous research & development (R&D) between ANCA and CSIRO through a six-month pilot program funded by the Victorian Government’s Boost Your Business voucher scheme. Together, ANCA and CSIRO have demonstrated that the tungsten-carbide tools could be made cheaper through improved production efficiencies compared to traditional tungsten products. In 2015, ANCA began exploring the potential for additive manufacturing to disrupt the tungsten cutting tool market, worth an estimated $2.2bn globally. Following significant research and the development culminating in a report with CSIRO, both parties entered a six-month pilot program. Dean McBain, ANCA’s Research and Technology Manager said: “Such a complex project and process wouldn’t be possible without the…

The process, known as ACTIVAT3D copper, has been developed by modifying SPEE3D’s world-leading 3D printing technology, using new algorithms for controlling their metal printers to allow existing metal parts to be coated with copper. Copper parts are difficult to produce using traditional methods and thus 3D printing may be the only tool available to rapidly deploy copper. SPEE3D technology makes it fast and affordable. Australian NATA-accredited clinical trial speciality laboratory 360Biolabs tested the effect of ACTIVAT3D copper on live SARS-CoV-2 in their Physical Containment 3 (PC3) laboratory. The results showed that 96% of the virus is killed in two hours and 99.2% of the virus is killed in five hours, while stainless steel showed no reduction in the same time frame. Stainless steel is currently the material typically used in hygiene environments. With laboratory testing complete, it is hoped the Australian-developed breakthrough can be applied to common touch items like door handles, rails and touch plates in hospitals, schools and other public places. SPEE3D CEO Byron Kennedy said the company has focused on developing a solution that can be rapidly deployed and is more efficient than printing solid copper parts from scratch:…

Titomic CEO Jeff Lang said: “We are pleased to partner with Airbus for this initial aerospace part made with Titomic Kinetic Fusion (TKF), the world’s largest and fastest industrial-scale metal additive manufacturing process. The TKF process is ideally suited to produce near-net shape metal parts for the aerospace industry using our patented process of fusing dissimilar metals that cannot be produced with either traditional fabrication methods or metal-based 3D printers.” The delivery of these demonstrator parts to Airbus, and its subsequent technology review process of TKF aerospace parts, is further validation of the extensive certification that is being undertaken under Titomic’s IMCRC project, co-funded by the Federal Government, with partners CSIRO and RMIT. Airbus installed its first 3D printer in 2012, with the first 3D-printed metal part, a titanium bracket, used in a commercial jetliner in 2014. Today, more than 1,000 3D-printed parts are used in Airbus aircraft. “3D printing, of which TFK is the leading technology, has the potential to be a game changer post the global…

Richmond-based technology commercialisation and engineering company Grey Innovation will act as the leader of a Victorian industry consortium, having received backing from the Victorian Government in the form of a $500,000 grant for the project’s feasibility stage and confirmation of its intent to order 2,000 ventilators to be built in Victoria. The program will start supply of ventilators in June with 2,000 to be produced by the end of July. The notus Emergency Invasive Ventilator Program is a Grey Innovation-led initiative supported by the Victorian Government and Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC). The program will utilise a certified mechanical ventilator design from a leading medical device company under licence for production in Victoria. Grey Innovation’s executive chairman Jefferson Harcourt was proud the company will play a role in helping Australia fight the COVID-19 crisis: “Victoria’s high concentration of engineering and manufacturing companies means we’re well placed to develop the ventilators quickly and Grey Innovation is proud to be leading the effort. We thank the Victorian…

The world has become a far smaller operating environment, and customer’s demands have meant that manufacturers cannot afford to waste any paint, whether through rework or poor transfer efficiencies. Companies are being driven to adopt new technology through flexible automation, or face extinction. Automation presents opportunities for improvements in quality, and particularly with part to part consistency through improvements in quality and consistency. In parallel, automation offers opportunities for enhanced throughput, as robots handle difficult, repetitive tasks with ease, and often remove operators from dangerous environments. By reducing waste at the point source of origin, automation also offers reduced paint consumption, and in turn, reduced solvent usage and emissions. Indirectly, the reduction in the number of rejects and rework of parts also reduces material usage and general overall waste. Robotic painting solutions are slightly different to regular robot applications, in so far as the robot must meet specific conditions for operating in a hazardous environment. Paint automation…

Based in Preston, Victoria, Harrop Engineering has accrued a legendary reputation for proprietary innovative design and precision manufacturing, supporting programs for iconic motorsport teams, automotive OEMs, as well as diverse aftermarket and industrial customers globally. Founded in 1955 by Len Harrop in the inner Melbourne suburb of Brunswick, Harrop Engineering originated in specialist general engineering for the textile and general trucking/haulage industries. As the business grew, Len and Elsa’s son Ron joined after completing his boilermaker apprenticeship. Ron had a strong interest in modifying cars and motorsports, so with Len’s technical knowledge and Ron’s motorsport passion the business evolved, opening them to the world of automotive performance parts. The production of performance parts continued to gain momentum through Ron’s car racing, with the iconic Harrop Howler through to touring cars (HDT) and then engineering Holden Racing Team Commodores. Harrop Engineering enjoyed enormous on-track success, playing a decisive role in the precision design of performance products for racing teams over the past 30 years. In 2008, Harrop Engineering was acquired by Adrad Group, a family-owned conglomerate…

The Federal Government has launched a new Jobs Hub to support businesses and those Australians looking for work. While many businesses have been adversely affected by COVID-19 and are reducing workforces, some areas of the economy have increased demand for workers. Jobs Hub provides information on current employment opportunities, what’s happening in our labour market, and jobs that are in demand. dese.gov.au/covid-19/jobs-hub For businesses in Victoria, the State Government has launched the $500m Business Support Fund to help small businesses survive the impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and keep people in work. Find out more here: business.vic.gov.au/support-for-your-business/grants-and-assistance/business-support-fund The Queensland State Government has set up a web portal designed to keep manufacturing supply chains amid the ongoing coronavirus situation. The portal aims allows manufacturers and suppliers to register what they need and what is available. For details, see: dsdmip.qld.gov.au/index.php/industry/industry-support-dsd/manufacturer-s-supply-matching-request-form/view/form Industry Capability Network (ICN) has launched a new ICN COVID-19 Response App, which provides software that can protect workers from…

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced $2m in funding to Applied Electric Vehicles (AEV) to complete the next stage of its EV commercialisation. An early-stage prototype of AEV’s Modular Vehicle System (MVS) was showcased at the CES 19 tech convention in Las Vegas last year. Now the Melbourne-based robotics business is taking its solar-powered driverless EV to the next stage of development. As part of this project, AEV will complete a pre-production prototype demonstrating the technology ahead of the final stages of design and testing. AEV’s vehicle will generate up to 60% of its energy requirements from the sun. Because its battery pack is smaller it can be charged by a common 240V wall socket, without special charging infrastructure. AEV’s vehicles are designed for short trips at low speed, and could be used for a range of applications in delivery, agriculture, industry, waste management as well as passenger transport. AEV’s vehicles combine a lightweight design with a solar roof and high efficiency driveline. ARENA’s funding will go towards solving energy-related…

The Ai Group has put together a list of possible control measures. Identify and control your specific risks Identify what work activities create a risk of close contact or communal use of equipment. Implement control measures according to the legally required hierarchy. Increase cleaning and hygiene protocols Make sure you have in place heightened cleaning and hygiene protocols. All staff should maximise hand washing in the way recommended by health authorities (for a poster that could be displayed in workplaces, visit: www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/how-to-wash-and-dry-hands  Below are some specific extra considerations for the workplace: If you are providing handwipes and sanitisers they are most effective if they are alcohol based – generally in the range of 60% to 80% alcohol. If multiple workers are using equipment, provide appropriate cleaning materials for handles and operational controls, and ensure that they…

Company Managing Director Barrie Rogers says his fully electric aeroplane, designed by Pipistrel in Slovenia, was set to take off in the flight training market. His company plans to initially import 15 assembled aircraft with plans to establish an assembly line in Adelaide to manufacture up to 100 aircraft a year. The first of the planes is already in Adelaide and made its maiden South Australian flight in February. Rogers was previously Airport Manager at Parafield Airport in Adelaide and also at Port Lincoln Airport on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula. Rogers expects his company would be the first electric aircraft manufacturer to be based in Australia. One of the key drivers was Australia being ahead of the regulation game in terms of flying the electric aircraft, according to Rogers, who claims the planes will be ideal for the more than 250 registered flight schools in Australia. There are an estimated 3,400 training aircraft being used by flight schools in Australia, and about 25% of flight training covers the beginner…