October 27, 2020
Welder training in Australia is outdated. The TAFE curriculum has remained relatively unchanged since 1998. TAFE has been required to teach courses such as fabrication, in which the welding modules are of varying degrees of complexity and are usually optional. This has not produced welders that are skilled or qualified to the levels needed by industry, especially within the defence sector. Young welding apprentices enter the workforce without the requisite skills or knowledge. Generally speaking, TAFE graduates cannot read a welding procedure, set up a welding machine, or weld according to Australian standards. Released in June 2019, the latest version of the Manufacturing and Engineering training package (MEM 2.0) differs very little from the previous versions (released in 1998 and 2005). In fact, many of the units and much of the content remains identical to the 1998 version. Not surprisingly then, MEM…
October 27, 2020
More than 1,700 directors were surveyed for the second DSI of 2020, which was compiled by Ipsos. Director sentiment remains in pessimistic territory in the second half of 2020 but it has climbed 22.4 points to minus 37.2, even with ongoing restrictions and the historic debt and deficit announced by the Treasurer earlier this month. AICD Managing Director and CEO Angus Armour said: “The challenges related to the pandemic will continue for some time so it is encouraging to see that despite continued pessimism directors are seeing an improved outlook in some areas. The Government’s welcome decision to extend key relief measures has no doubt played a part in easing anxiety. This includes the JobKeeper scheme, changes to continuous disclosure rules and allowing virtual AGMs. Directors have once again nominated climate change and energy policy as the policy priorities the Federal Government should address in both the short and long-term. “Earlier this year…
October 27, 2020
Brisbane-based Ellume has developed a suite of COVID-19 tests for use by laboratories, doctors and consumers that gives results in less than 15 minutes. The Ellume technology was developed to address the unprecedented global demand for rapid, accurate diagnostics. The first batch of product has already been shipped to the US, and Ellume’s new manufacturing facility in Richlands, Brisbane, is rapidly scaling up its production capacity. With extensive experience in precision assembly and production automation, BAMS will work closely with Ellume’s Engineering Team to build and install state-of-the-art automated assembly lines to increase production capacity. The assembly lines will include end of line functional testing to ensure reliable product quality. “We are delighted to bring the BAMS automation expertise to support Australian med-tech manufacturing for a global market – a real positive for local manufacturing, and a positive for the testing and medical diagnosis of COVID-19”, said Gavin Smith, President of Bosch Australia. Ellume CEO and founder Dr Sean Parsons said: “We’ve spent the last decade perfecting our…
October 27, 2020
Before you take a business-as-usual approach to managing an underperforming member of your team, consider this: what expectations can you, as an employer, reasonably have of a worker who is working from home with children underfoot, or being checked for a permit en route to work, or simply struggling with the mental load that has been dished up by 2020? When an employer manages a worker’s performance, it needs to be reasonable both in terms of the expectations that are being set, and the process that is followed. This is because ultimately, the risk is that you have to dismiss an underperforming employee. At that point, if the worker files an unfair dismissal claim, your entire process will be under scrutiny. A Fair Work Commissioner will assess whether you had set and communicated clear and reasonable expectations, whether the worker was warned…
October 22, 2020
AMT: Swinburne has always been very active in the manufacturing space. What can you tell us about any projects and initiatives you’ve got on at the moment in that area? Bronwyn Fox: Well, Swinburne has a really deep history in manufacturing, and that comes from our founder, George Swinburne himself. He did a world tour in about 1897, where he travelled the world, looking at energy technologies. He went to the UK and the US and looked at gas and electricity, which were emerging as competitive technologies, and he realised that actually the solution would be to integrate the two systems. I think that that holistic approach of George Swinburne, to integrate different, seemingly competitive systems together to create a better outcome, is a part of our history and part of our DNA at Swinburne. So it’s really exciting to be here, it’s a very creative environment. Most recently, we’ve been really focused on our Industry 4.0 strategy. My former role was heading up Swinburne’s Manufacturing Futures Research Institute, and when we launched that…
October 22, 2020
The newly renamed Industry Innovation and Science Australia w(IISA) – previously known as Innovation and Science Australia – will advise the Government on innovation, research and science matters. DuluxGroup CEO Patrick Houlihan and Woodside Energy’s Lauren Stafford have both been appointed to the Board for three years. Fintech and consumer rights expert Scott Farrell, space technology entrepreneur Dr Alex Grant and ag-tech innovator Sarah Nolet have been appointed for two years. Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the new appointments would bolster industry experience within the organisation, particularly as it helps deliver the Government’s $1.5bn Modern Manufacturing Strategy. “As a Government we are getting the economic conditions right and backing our manufacturers to become more competitive, more resilient and to scale up,” Minister Andrews said. “But it is industry that will chart the course of our recovery and make this Strategy stick for generations to come. We know it is industry, not governments, that create jobs, so it’s essential that…
October 22, 2020
Unpredictable tool life is one of the biggest threats in automotive production, particularly as its operations are so highly automated and use some of the world’s most advanced robotics and automation systems. Downtime is time-consuming, disrupts production and is expensive, so it goes without saying that tool failures should be avoided at all costs. In some instances, manufacturers set the tool change interval to less than the maximum tool life. This approach is normally preferred because material variations in automotive components are minimal. It follows that the tool changes should be predictable, and safer than trying to extend the tool life to manufacture a few more components. For Sandvik Coromant’s specialists, the key to longer tool life is not limited to the amount of time a tool spends in use, but also the drill design itself. This approach led to the development of the CoroDrill 860 with enhanced -GM geometry, a new-design solid…
October 22, 2020
The short-chain revolution and the US-China trade war have caused manufacturing industries to migrate. The previously expected economic recovery was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, which has forced global manufacturing industries to move towards digitalisation. Taiwan’s machine tool manufacturers, such as YCM, Goodway, Campro and others, use Internet of Things (IoT) technology to transfer real-time information in the workshop, including data such as production progress and machine operation status. Advanced applications such as monitoring dashboards and mobile devices are employed to achieve remote control and management (RCM). Personnel can solve real-time problems without frequently entering the workshop. Meanwhile, by browsing in split-screen, more machines can be managed with less manpower. In addition to RCM, the use of augmented reality (AR) under a 5G technical environment also provides the industry a non-contact management model. Via remote AR, manufacturing support experts can…
October 22, 2020
The material, developed by Australia’s national science agency CSIRO in collaboration with Tasmanian small business CBG Systems, has already been installed on two new ships and used to replace cladding on another. The prototype paneling, called Rapid Access Composite (RAC) Plus, is the first of its kind in the world and uses a thermal protective coating that can withstand temperatures of over 1,000 degrees Celsius and remain structurally stronger than conventional fire protection coatings. The innovative panels are also reversible and can repel water, potentially doubling their service life. The current design is specific for high-speed aluminium ships, but the composite has the potential to be modified for construction products. Weighing about half as much as traditional metal cladding, the resulting reduction in fuel consumption will lower carbon emissions, leading to greener ships across the globe as well as enhancing overall operational efficiencies. The new technology was supported through several Federal Government programs and has created new jobs…
October 20, 2020
Based in Port Melbourne, Sentient Bionics has been developing anthropomorphic robotic grippers for more than half a decade. During that time the company has worked with prosthetic users, hospitals and industry partners to develop a range of grippers suitable to satisfy everyday human and robotic needs. Familiarity, versatility and affordability are at the core of Sentient Bionics’s ethos, and it has developed hands that allow people and robots to interact in a natural and effective way. Additive manufacturing has already been a large part of Sentient’s business, giving it the ability to quickly prototype both adult and child-sized prosthetic mechanical hands. Additive manufacturing’s fast development time has allowed Sentient Bionics to start clinical trials and quickly respond to feedback gained through them with helpful and progressive design changes. While Sentient Bionics specialises in the design and assembly of technology and devices, it has outsourced the manufacturing of components. Although it has some basic desktop fused deposition modelling (FDM) printers in-house, which it uses for rapid prototyping operations, the…
October 20, 2020
Published on 15 October in the journal Nature Communications, researchers demonstrated that the poor fatigue performance of high-strength aluminium alloys was because of weak links called ‘precipitate free zones’ (PFZs). The team led by Professor Christopher Hutchinson, a Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Monash, was able to make aluminium alloy microstructures that can heal the weak links while in operation (i.e. a form of self-healing). The improvement in the lifetime of high strength aluminium alloys could be 25 times compared to current state-of-the-art alloys. Aluminium alloys are the second-most popular engineering alloy in use today. Compared to steel, they are light (one-third of the density), non-magnetic and have excellent corrosion resistance. Aluminium alloys are important for transport applications because they are light, which improves fuel efficiency. However, their fatigue properties are notoriously poor compared to steel of similar strength. Professor Hutchinson said when using aluminium alloys for transport, the design must compensate for the fatigue limitations of aluminium alloys. This means more…
October 20, 2020
In the first of many local packages to be offered throughout the life of the 50 year program, these specialised pieces of equipment include the steering gear system, weapons handling system and main shaft line and will support hundreds of Australian jobs. In contrast to previous submarine builds that have involved manufacturing similar equipment overseas, this announcement will deliver increased capability, technology and capacity in Australia. Jean-Michel Billig, Naval Group Executive Vice-President Australian Future Submarine, said that the package of work demonstrated Naval Group’s real action to maximise Australian capability and involvement as well as benefit local manufacturing and jobs. “Ever since Naval Group has been chosen as strategic partner for the Attack-class submarine program, we have had a strong focus on ensuring that significant benefits are delivered to Australians and local industry through the 50-year program,” Billig said. “This package, the first of many, demonstrates our clear commitment to Australian industry…
October 20, 2020
As a business owner, it can be tempting to seek short cuts to find your best-fit insurance cover. The internet offers you an overwhelming range of options, but it can be tricky to work out the right cover to suit your business needs (and cheaper is not always the best). You could have then taken out a policy because it was quick and ticked most of your boxes. Maybe the impact of COVID-19 has belatedly made you take to the fine print with a magnifying glass. For example, did you have a chance to check the independence of the comparison website? Social proof might have weighed in on your decision-making too, rather than doing your usual due diligence. Spoilt for choice With millions of individual insurance policies offered through multiple brands, and distribution channels across Australia, insurance brokers are a valuable guide to help businesses determine which policy offers the best fit for their needs. It…
