Industry News

Based in Lytton, Queensland, ART has developed Metaltek XB1200, an advanced robotic structural steel processing system that has the potential to help Australian firms better compete with cheap imported fabricators through lower costs, quicker turnaround and superior accuracy. David White, Director of ART, said the grant funding would enable the company to transition from research & development (R&D) to a production product. “This grant will help us cover the costs of building and installing a prototype system here at our Brisbane facility,” White said. “It will also help us complete and transport a display model they we can use for real-world demonstrations in Australia and overseas. This will help us generate leads with companies that are crying out for this kind of product, because we’ll be able to actively demonstrate the efficiency of this system in an industry neutral environment.” To mark the awarding of the grant, ART was visited by Senator Michaelia Cash, Federal Minister for Jobs and Innovation, and Ross Vasta, the Federal Member for Bonner.  Vasta…

The University’s Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies has joined the Airbus Global University Partner Programme, the only Australian university to be part of the program. The partnership allows the University and Airbus to collaborate in a number of areas: Funding students and activities, enabling participation in innovation programs at Airbus facilities around the world, where students will use their university learning to tackle industry challenges, learning more about the aeronautical industry. Giving aerospace, mechanical and mechatronics engineering students access to Airbus’s 100-strong campus team. Allowing students to partake in global exchanges such as the annual Airbus Airnovation Summer Academy. A total of 22 universities in 12 different countries currently participate in the program. The University’s Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies Dean Professor Willy says the new partnership complements what students learn on campus. “This program gives students the best available insights into the opportunities available in the aviation and aerospace industries,” said Zwaenepoel. “It’s a two-way street. The University’s mechanical, aeronautical and manufacturing engineering program is the highest-ranked in Australia.…

The Australian PMI has indicated positive conditions for 22 consecutive months, but the pace of growth has slowed from a record high (63.1 points) in March 2018 (readings above 50 indicate expansion in activity, with the distance from 50 indicating the strength of the increase). Of the seven activity sub-indexes in the Australian PMI, three expanded, three were stable and one contracted in July. The sales sub-index tends to be volatile around the end of the financial year and dropped 15.7 points to 45.5 – its lowest result since early 2016. The new orders sub-index fell 6.5 points to 51.1, suggesting modest activity growth for most parts of manufacturing in the months ahead. The input prices sub-index eased by 2.2 points but remained elevated at 68.1 in July, while wages lifted 1.8 points to 60.6 points. A sharp drop in manufacturing employment growth was also evident in July (down 7.8 points to 50.3 points). “Infrastructure projects continue to support demand for manufacturing products, but rising energy costs…

With the theme ‘Strategies for Manufacturing Resilience and Growth’, this year’s Conference will provide delegates with insights and strategies that can help them to build resilience in their businesses, capitalise on opportunities for growth beyond the traditional routes, and think outside the square. The one-day event offers a program that touches on every aspect of life in a manufacturing business today, looking into issues ranging from the relevance of automation for small manufacturers, through to ways that managers can develop effective leadership, communication and relationship-building skills, and a whole lot more. We have put together a great program and a terrific array of speakers, who will be informing you at the Conference. I get asked all the time by manufacturers that want a chance to get into the defence industry: how do I do it? Well, come and hear what is involved in being a supplier to a major US defence company. Rick Shalders is the Director of Raytheon Australia’s Industry Development Unit. His presentation,…

Small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) are in the best position to excel in advanced manufacturing because their size makes them agile; allowing them to be more flexible, innovative and take more risks. However, their barriers to long term growth are their lack of planning and organising. The Industry 4.0 era, is one of automation and data exchange, with new markets, new products, new technologies and new ways to manufacture existing goods. For an SME to succeed in Industry 4.0, the question manufacturers need to ask is, where do we want to go and how do we get there? The answer is reliant on two key factors: Assessing practical areas of business management - namely strategy. Utilising grants to help develop their strategic plan and increase budgets. Getting strategy right – redefine the long-term Technology is an ongoing strategic negotiation that challenges businesses to evolve rapidly. The rapid pace of change means business owners have to work in compressed timeframes, making it harder to plan.…

Founded in Sydney in 1981, Cochlear is a global leader in implantable hearing solutions. The company has a global workforce of 3,500 people and invests more than $150m a year in research & development. Products include hearing systems for cochlear, bone conduction and acoustic implants. Over 450,000 people of all ages, across more than 100 countries, now hear because of Cochlear. Cochlear has completed the final phase of redevelopment at the Newstead site, which it has owned since 2007 when the company acquired the manufacturing operations of Brisbane company Crystalaid. Currently around 200 people are employed on the site, with 130 working in direct manufacturing and logistics, 40 working in engineering, and the remainder in administration and operations. The new facility has been built for growth in mind, with Cochlear planning to expand and take on more employees, commencing in early 2019, plus ongoing training and upskilling for staff currently employed. Cameron Dick, State Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure & Planning, and Grace Grace, State Minister for Education and Minister for Industrial Relations,…

There are a lot of issues with the so-called ‘Open Innovation’ model – a prime example of course is ownership of intellectual property (IP). This has the potential to be a minefield if not properly understood and managed. However, before we go too far down the path of collaboration and open innovation, it may first be useful to agree on what we even mean by innovation, a word that seems to have been corrupted by so many, achieving nothing more that turning the simple into the complex! It can be argued that innovation is the basis for all things new and better. But what inspires innovation and new ideas? More to the point, what is the link between an innovative or inventive idea and an outcome? If we think of innovation when applied to building a business and making money, we need to think about the risks in business. In most cases when…

Anticipated to run over a three-year period, the research alliance covers the first phase of a project to research solutions that will revolutionise how composite polymers are used to manufacture mineral separation equipment and create new manufacturing technologies. UTS will house all project work at a new additive manufacturing (AM) facility at its Broadway campus to network and brainstorm various conceptual ideas. Located in the UTS Faculty of Engineering and IT, the project will be undertaken with Rapido, a unique rapid prototyping unit established in 2016 to help industry, government and community partners translate innovative ideas and complex problems into viable products and solutions. Herve Harvard, Director of Rapido, says the unit seeks research partnerships to engage staff and students in innovative projects that help to bridge the gap between industry and universities. Two PhD students will be allocated to the Downer/IMCRC project and mentored throughout its lifecycle. “Partnering with Rapido harnesses a unique capability in terms of the breadth and depth…

SWI Engineering – Globally respected machinery SWI Engineering has grown steadily since the 1990s to become one of the largest sheet metal machinery manufacturers in Australia. The Warrnambool-based company now enjoys significant acclaim internationally as a high-quality manufacturer with the most comprehensive range of high-tech sheet metal machinery in the world, effectively competing against European and US manufacturers, where those companies tend to specialise on just one type of machine. Manufacturing sheet metal folders, automatic slitters and uncoilers, plus the seamless eBend app, the company now has a strong domestic market with volume export sales to United Kingdom, USA, New Zealand and Asia. SWI Engineering has recently commissioned an Okuma CNC horizontal machining centre model MA-600HII with OSP-P300MA control and ten- pallet facility, along with a Fanuc Robocut model Alpha-C600iA wire cutter with Fanuc series control. “Manufacturers rave about these machines as they are not too complicated with easy programming, are totally reliable,…

The new website has been designed to offer improved navigation and enhanced functionality, allowing users to gain easy access to all the products and services that AMTIL has on offer. Created with the user experience in mind, the site is based around a clear, accessible layout that makes it effortlessly easy for anyone visiting to find the resources they are looking for. Importantly, the site has been optimised for viewing on mobile devices – an essential feature in today’s digital landscape – as well as via desktop browsers. “AMTIL’s website is a vital portal both for our members and for anyone seeking information about advanced manufacturing in Australia,” said AMTIL CEO Shane Infanti. “The site has always performed exceptionally well by industry standards, both in terms of page visits and user experience. However, the world of digital media is changing constantly, and it’s important we retain an online presence that keeps in step with the latest innovations. We felt it was…

Back then the family business was focused on servicing, overhauling and repairing other watch brands. Five years ago, Josh and Nicholas created their own brand, Rebelde, which included the design, assembly and adjustment of the products. A huge turning point came two years ago, where the father-son duo decided to manufacture individual watch components themselves, rather than send parts out for sub-contract work. Not only was it a complete business change – it also means that Nicholas Hacko Watches is now the only watch company in Australia to manufacture their own parts. Josh explains that the decision to manufacture their own parts in-house was a “huge learning curve”, so they spent a great deal of time researching the best machinery for the job. The business needed a machine to enable them to continue producing the highest quality of watches for their customers, with timely and accurate service. With industry leaders in Switzerland favouring Makino over local Swiss manufacturers, Nicholas Hacko Watches followed suit. Josh says that the outstanding machine specs contributed to their…

Moreover, those silos continue to multiply as more systems are deployed to keep up with the increasing demand to digitise operations. Because those silos can’t connect with each other or with other existing systems and content repositories, manufacturers are left with separated collections of information that don’t provide useful or actionable insights. This creates measurable inefficiencies within the organisation beyond simply lacking actionable insights. Chief among these is that employees struggle to find the information they need, when they need it. For example, a global study conducted by M-Files revealed that 24% of respondents look for documents and can’t find them on a weekly basis. Spending too much time searching various content repositories means employees can’t concentrate on their core tasks. Even when employees do find the information…

Stanley Black & Decker, an S&P 500 company, is a diversified global provider of hand tools, power tools and related accessories, electronic security solutions, healthcare solutions, engineered fastening systems, and more. Its Stanley Infrastructure division is searching for ways to manufacture low-volume, complex parts in a cost-efficient manner. By leveraging Markforged’s Metal X additive manufacturing technology, the Infrastructure team expects to slash capital costs on two different parts: an actuator housing for the PD45 hydraulic post driver, and a wheel shaft for the PG10 grofile ‘Frog’ grinder. Engineers at Stanley Infrastructure rigorously tested the performance, durability, and lifecycle of each of the two parts and approved them for use as production parts for a fraction of the cost. The Stanley PD 45 The Stanley PD 45 is a high efficiency hydraulic post hole driver. To actuate the hydraulic driving mechanism, the device uses a group of ball bearings to transfer the trigger pull force into the hydraulic actuator. The actuator housing holds these bearings in series to transfer…