Industry News

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…

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…

TRJ Engineering celebrated its tenth year of AMTIL membership and 50th year of business last April. General Manager David Murphy told AMT that his father started TRJ in 1974, and David took over about 25 years ago. “The business has moved from Keysborough and expanded out of sight over those years,” he said, “and only in the past eight years has it settled into one considerable site here in Hallam.” Back then, TRJ joined AMTIL to discover what was happening in manufacturing in Australia, Murphy said. “TRJ was getting bigger, and I was looking at how to get support for myself and my team because we’ve evolved with the business. I wanted to see what was out there that could help TRJ with its training and support. AMTIL could direct me to people who eventually became part of the TRJ business and its growing needs. I continue to use AMTIL, but now it’s a call to the team, and I have a great relationship with them.” TRJ has been a part of the…

Bradfield City Centre’s advanced manufacturing revolution is underway. The Advanced Manufacturing Readiness Facility’s (AMRF) first project has been signed, sealed, and delivered. The AMRF is a NSW Government facility designed to accelerate innovation across the manufacturing sector. Businesses can use AMRF’s expertise and world-leading advanced manufacturing equipment to innovate their products and production processes and scale up and grow their businesses. Western Sydney engineering company Marley Flow Control is the first business to complete a project with the AMRF. The time-study project identified operational efficiencies in Marley Flow Control’s manufacturing processes that could generate up to six times the business's current productivity and an estimated 15%- 20% reduction in production costs. Eager to capitalise on this enhanced productivity, Marley Flow Control is now collaborating with the AMRF to develop a new product design. Marley Flow Control specialises in the manufacture and maintenance of cooling towers, flow control engineering (including pumps and piping), large-scale fan manufacturing, laser alignment, and facilities maintenance. Marley Flow Control is an engineering company based in Western Sydney that specialises in the manufacture and maintenance…

A leading Australian electrical company has found a solution that delivers Standards-compliant, safe, and portable switchrooms to sites for its major projects nationwide. The electrical project specialist worked with Modulate Group to create a fully sealed containerised switchroom that can easily be moved from site to site. The customised switchroom houses a motor control centre, variable-speed drive, distribution board, transformer, local control station, fire indication panel, and remote switching panel. Modulate manufactures customised containerised buildings at its 20,000sqm production facility in Mayfield, near Newcastle, NSW. Production and customisation to different needs are handled in-house. “Electrical switchrooms are some of the more complex containerised buildings we manufacture. We ensure they meet strict AS3000 Standards, other relevant safety Standards, and any client-specific requirements,” said Jack Adams, General Manager, Modulate. “The customer placed a high importance on safety and quality from the start, and they were clear with their requirements. Not only did they want to meet all relevant Standards, but they wanted to maximise internal space, which is an area where Modulate sets itself apart from other portable offices,” he added. The…

Automated Solutions Australia (ASA) is proud to have partnered with Renold Australia to develop and implement an advanced robotic machine tending solution at Renold’s Melbourne facility. This partnership showcases ASA’s automation expertise alongside Renold’s ongoing commitment to adopting cutting-edge technologies to drive manufacturing excellence. One key outcome of this collaboration is a dramatic improvement in operational efficiency, with the robotic solution enabling continuous production and reducing lead times. Founded in 1879, Renold Australia is a global leader in industrial chains and mechanical power transmission products. It provides essential components to the mining, transportation, food, and energy industries. Renold is recognised for its innovative approach, consistently investing in advanced manufacturing processes to satisfy the demands of a competitive market. Renold collaborated with ASA to transform a machine previously operating for eight hours a day into a fully automated system capable of running 24/7. This enhanced production efficiency and maintained the company's unwavering commitment to quality. The solution features a FANUC M10iD/8L robot with 2D vision and dual…