June 10, 2022
The compact Additive Engineering stand was this morning buzzing with people. All are interested to dig into the details of the titanium, SWaP-C, biocompatible medical devices that are being delivered ready for surgery for their clients. Additive also develop for its aerospace market-specific carbon-fibre parts for wings, engines, and propellers. I visited the Zeiss stand to rediscover my cinematic roots. Once upon a time Zeiss just made camera lenses and glasses. Now, Zeiss visualises bone parts for thalamic microscopy, they create diagnostic instrumentation, they also have a precise vision division. They do still make lenses for glasses; they mainly do R&D but their aim is to create bionic eye parts for direct implants. A phenomenal range of applications and all I can think of is the surgeon on Blade Runner. Over at Objective3D, I was shown several examples of 3D models brought together from the VRML and OBJ files, which also include colour data for specific opacity in models. With the polyjet technology, they can now generate photorealistic results out of the 3D printer which truly will replicate the best…
June 9, 2022
A clear sunny morning in Sydney once again. Up on the third floor above the trade show, the accounting firm William Buck was staging a Business Breakfast for manufacturing business owners full of advice I know manufacturers would benefit from, but some things I’m sure some owners don’t want to hear about. “One third of business owners do not have a succession plan,” said Mark Calvetti, Director at William Buck. “There should be more future proofing for businesses, especially manufacturing, because there are so many attached careers to that business. Staff, share-holders and creditors. In fact, 65% of the manufacturers in a recent survey had done no business valuation over the last three years. They had no idea of the value of their business.” Invariably something goes wrong along the way in a lot of business stories. Disputes in family businesses perhaps, in a company without a shareholder agreement. The plea from lawyers speaking this morning, was that manufacturers and owners need to know to do a ‘financial due diligence’ on their nest egg. Be ready for that unforeseen circumstance before it…
June 8, 2022
First up this Wednesday morning, the second day of AMW, was an official visit from the NSW State MP. The Hon Stuart Ayres MP is Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade, and Minister for Tourism and Sport, and Minister for Western Sydney. Great to have him check out the show floor. The AMRF Make the Future event started today upstairs on the fifth level, well away from the show floor, with an opening by Minister Ayres. Presented by the NSW Government and the Western Parkland City Authority. The brief for this massive facility is exciting on so many levels. Stage One will be the next generation fabrication district in Western Sydney, built in the new Bradfield City. Aiming to be opening in the third quarter of 2023, next year. The full-scale AMRF will incorporate advanced electronics and semiconductor manufacturing to service defence, aerospace and emerging industries I’m sure only the people in this little room have any concept of. The Western Sydney International Airport will be built and active right next door. AMW definitely boasts the most full-on veritable procession of cobots,…
June 7, 2022
Here we are. In bright Sydney sunshine, Australian Manufacturing Week has begun down at the ICC at Darling Harbour. Hats off to all the crew who pushed in over the weekend and made the starting day such a success. That is a mighty job. The stands are thumping out great vibes, every last one. Great waves of visitors buzzed the stands throughout the first day, starting at opening, quieting down just around midday and powering back up again in the afternoon. Gavin New, General Manager of Ronson Gears, showed me through the range of wheels, fitted cogs and spiral screws that the company produced. From the smallest order of spare parts for old machines, in whatever medium, to mass production of assembly line gears. I’ll go back there again. On the ADDE stand, I was taken by Barry Higgins on a very novel trip using VR. Activating cobots, moving pallets of stock around in an automated sensing environment. They appeared out in the aisles as well, among the people. Back in the real world, they also had a display of world’s…
May 31, 2022
Western Sydney will be at the heart of Australia’s high-tech manufacturing capability with the investment of $260m in a national-first shared-use research facility to be built on the doorstep of the new Western Sydney International Airport. The full-scale Advanced Manufacturing Research Facility (AMRF) will be the focal point of the new Bradfield City Centre, the 115ha urban and employment area next to the airport. Premier Dominic Perrottet said the AMRF will be at the leading edge of Australia’s advanced manufacturing revolution helping to strengthen our economy now and into the future. “We are securing a brighter future of our families and our country, right here in Western Sydney,” Mr Perrottet said. “The NSW Government is building what matters to make Western Sydney an even better place to live, work, learn, play and raise a family. “The AMRF will create new high-paying jobs of the future in Western Sydney by making Bradfield City Centre the national capital of advanced manufacturing bringing industry and universities together.”…
May 31, 2022
An Australian baby formula company has sealed a mega deal to send more than a million tins to desperate parents in the United States, with President Joe Biden spruiking the deal on Twitter himself. “I’ve got more good news: 27.5 million bottles of safe infant formula manufactured by Bubs Australia are coming to the United States,” Biden tweet. Bubs Australia manufactures its baby formula product, including goat’s milk formula, at a Dandenong factory in Melbourne’s south-east. Founder and chief executive Kristy Carr started the business in 2006 from her kitchen table in Sydney’s northern beaches. The company has recently secured approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), allowing it to export six of its baby formula products to the US to help fill the country’s dwindling shelves. About 500,000 tins are ready to be sent to the US from Bubs Australia’s Melbourne factory, with another 750,000 being produced for export in the coming months. The FDA recently relaxed some importation rules for infant formula to deal with the shortage.…
May 26, 2022
Multicam CNC routers have been used in various engineering industries since inception. We are excited to be able to demonstrate how Multicam CNC routers can be a solution for Engineering companies in the plastics, metal and composite products industries at this years’ event. Multicam Heavy Duty CNC Routing machines are proudly made in Australia. Designed for profile cutting sheet product and extrusions including metals, plastics, composite materials, and timber products, they are used in the manufacture of Aluminium boats, Aerospace components, Truck body parts, Caravan & Motor Home components, Kitchens, Furniture or any other flat sheet product. They are used extensively in the ACM and HVAC industries and include many unique design features aimed specifically at making the processing of ACM cladding and ducting and insulation materials easier and more efficient. Other specialist features ensure that Multicam machines are an excellent alternative to Plasma and Laser machines that typically have higher running costs and greater servicing demands. Multicam CNC routers are available in a range of sizes with process areas starting from 2400mm…
May 23, 2022
Link Assistive, which supplies sensory, interactive, and assistive devices including world-first eye tracking technology in iPads, will move into a custom-built premises later this year, in a major expansion of its Adelaide operations. Its new headquarters will include space to reconfigure and service a range of assistive technology products for the Australian market, a warehouse to store its growing suite of devices, and a cutting-edge sensory play space where children and their carers can trial and test equipment. Link Assistive Managing Director Bas Tijdhof said the move to Tonsley would allow the company to significantly upscale, with plans to expand its workforce by almost 40% in the next year: “Having a larger space for Adelaide-based clients to go to experience the technology and have access to our highly skilled team who can work with families and carers and show them the highest quality technology, is an exciting new chapter for us. “We have an amazing team, and we want to be able to further attract…
May 20, 2022
Nominations for the 2022 awards are now open. The Victorian Government has announced the return of the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards to recognise the achievements of exceptional manufacturers across the state, marking the 20th anniversary of the awards. Key dates for your calendars include nominations closing on Tuesday, 31 May 2022 and the announcement of winners will be at the Gala Dinner on Tuesday, 26 July 2022, at the Palladium at Crown. ‘Making it in Victoria’ is the theme for this year’s awards, which highlights the breadth of products, technology and equipment produced in the state and recognises the importance of local manufacturing. Nominations close on Tuesday, 31 May 2022. Companies and individuals can nominate for the awards by visiting the Business Victoria website: see below. Award recipients will be announced at the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Gala Dinner on Tuesday, 26 July 2022 at the Palladium at Crown. Nominations are sought for the following award categories: Individual awards: Honour Roll – Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Young Manufacturer of the Year Woman Manufacturer of the…
May 17, 2022
FROM THE CEO Australian Manufacturing Week replaces Austech and National Manufacturing Week as the premier Manufacturing Technology and Machine Tool show in the country. Being held from 7-10 June in Sydney at Darling Harbour, the event showcases six Technology Zones, including Machine Tools & Ancillary Equipment, Welding and Air Technology, Additive Manufacturing, Robotics & Automation, Manufacturing Solutions and the Australian Manufacturers Pavilion. The last time the show was held, in Melbourne in 2019, we had visitors from 45 countries around the world – highlighting the international recognition the show has built up over the last 20 years. We are very pleased to return to the International Convention Centre at Darling Harbour for the first time since the Centre was rebuilt in 2016. During the rebuild, Austech and National Manufacturing Week relocated to Homebush for the 2010 and 2012 shows. Whilst these years were still successful events for us, a move back to the city venue was always considered the obvious choice. AMW 2022 takes place during…
May 17, 2022
Applied Machinery will again be showcasing a diverse range of machines at Austech. Taking centre stage on the Applied stand will be a 9-Axis Yawei CNC pressbrake. Yawei pressbrakes offer manufacturers access to affordable, precision CNC bending. With a range available from 35 ton up to 3000 ton there are virtually no limits to what can be bent. The Yawei pressbrake on display is a PBH Series with a 160-ton bending capacity. It features a Delem DA-69T Controller, 6-axis CNC backgauge and a servo driven hydraulic system. An automatic tool clamping system, CNC bending help and robotic integration are amongst the additional options that are available. Over the past decade Yawei has built a loyal following; establishing an enviable reputation for quality, performance and outstanding value for money. In addition to pressbrakes, Yawei has an extensive range of fiber lasers, turret punch presses, guillotines, and smart-factory automation solutions. Also on the stand will be a Weber grinding and deburring machine. Weber is a German-based company with an impressive 100 years’ experience in grinding…
May 16, 2022
The outstanding contribution SPEE3D’s technology has made to furthering the manufacturing capability of Defense was recognised by the US Defense Strategies Institute (DSI) at their 6th Military Additive Manufacturing Summit, which took place in Tampa, Florida. At the summit, SPEE3D was announced as the inaugural winner of the Defense Strategies Institute’s Award for Expeditionary & Tactical 3D Printing Excellence. The Defense Strategies Institute (DSI) is a non-partisan Institute designed to assist in advancing the mission critical goals of the United States' Military and Government. They are also the organisers of the Annual Military Additive Manufacturing Summit event which enables thought leaders and key policymakers across military services, Defense agencies, and civilian organisations to come together for actionable discussions and debate. The 2022 Military Additive Manufacturing Summit focused on advancements made in the 3D printing space, as well as how the DoD is working to quickly integrate AM technologies in order to supply durable, affordable equipment and parts to the Warfighter in the battlespace. “We had an incredible number of entries…