Member News

From an early age, Dr. Maryam Parviz was inspired to innovate, even channelling her creativity into drawing and designing a more comfortable hearing aid for her mother. Today, as a biomedical engineer, scientist, and CEO and Co-Founder of SDIP Innovations, she is at the forefront of designing medical devices that will transform bone repair, while also advancing manufacturing excellence and capabilities in New South Wales. Driven by witnessing the distress faced by pediatric patients and their families due to repetitive orthopaedic surgeries, SDIP’s Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Iman Manavitehrani teamed up with Dr. Parviz motivated to develop a transformative solution. Their goal: to pioneer a product that reduces the need for multiple surgeries and improves treatment outcomes for both patients and healthcare providers.   Challenges with traditional bone repair Traditionally, repairing bone fractures involved plaster casts and moulds. As medical technology advanced, the use of metallic implants became widespread. However, these implants have introduced significant issues, including pain after insertion, inflammation, and the potential need for revision surgeries. They also present a particular…

Alloys announces its expanded partnership with UltiMaker, a global leader in professional 3D printing technology. Under this enhanced collaboration, Alloys will distribute UltiMaker's full range of 3D printers, including the professional S series, throughout Australia. UltiMaker has earned a reputation for its innovative and reliable 3D printing solutions, catering to professionals across diverse industries such as engineering, design, manufacturing, education, and healthcare. The addition of the UltiMaker S series to Alloys' product lineup further solidifies the company's commitment to providing cutting-edge technology solutions to its customers. “We have been involved in the 3D printing market for a number of year and the extension of our partnership with Ultimaker provides us with further opportunities for our partners to grow their sales and capabilities in this space”, said Paul Harman, Alloys CEO.  “Our customers have been asking us to distribute this range and we believe we can provide growth for the entire Ultimaker stable at Alloys.” The UltiMaker S series provides professional 3D printing, combining cutting-edge features, reliability, and seamless integration into existing workflows. Designed to…

Perhaps as a manufacturing business you’ve never considered that marketing could be your superpower.  That’s understandable – the two disciplines haven’t always been the match made in heaven they could be. Historically, manufacturers have relied heavily on a sales team to connect with potential customers through a limited number of channels - trade shows, direct selling and industry publication advertising.  Strong word of mouth and referrals have also been key to growth, and this organic approach, supported by sales, has been the new business development model that’s been popular for a large portion of manufacturers across the country.  This approach has served them well, but times are changing. In today’s competitive landscape, with challenging economic headwinds to contend with, manufacturers are engaging with strategic marketing more than ever before, not only to pursue growth, but to remain relevant with existing customers. But how do you get started?  The world of marketing can be overwhelming.  There are so many different routes out there, so many agencies offering services to generate leads…

Specialising in diverse industries such as Defence, Rail and Road, Medical, Recreational Vehicles, and Solar PV, the company has embraced 3D printing to streamline its manufacturing processes. Wiring Systems initially experimented with a $5000 3D printer from a different supplier but encountered issues due to the lack of supplier support. Recognising the potential of 3D printing, Harry Antoguelli sought a reliable solution that would meet their printing needs and provide comprehensive support. After that experience, Harry came to Bilby3D and was introduced to the Raise3D Pro3 Plus. Harry mentioned how a main consideration for purchasing from Bilby3D was that we offer parts and support for the Raise3D machines, so he could have the peace of mind that if any problems were to arise then he would have a phone number to call, and that there are spare parts for his machine stocked in Australia. Having a dedicated and foolproof holder for all the hand tools required at a given assembly station means that tools don't find themselves wandering across the…

Perhaps it is the erroneous ideas that boxes on the shelves are easier to access, that they keep your parts in the best order, or that they are significantly cheaper than other options, which fuel the persistance of warehouse managers in choosing this storage method for small to medium spare parts. Australia, we can do better! At BAC Systems, we proudly promote the alternative and, in our opinion, superior solution for small spare parts storage – the BAC High Density Drawer Storage Cabinet. BAC Drawer Storage Cabinets allow you to select your drawer heights and the dimensions of your adjustable internal partitions – you get to choose the “bin” size you want to use for your parts, and this can be adjusted over time if the size of your parts changes. This is a very important factor, because a BAC Drawer Storage Cabinet lasts so long that it is likely that your inventory will change multiple times during the many decades that a BAC Cabinet serves your business. It…

Metal additive manufacturing encompasses various techniques for creating complex 3D objects layer-by-layer from digital models. Generally speaking, metal AM touts many benefits, including less manufacturing time, lower material waste and, in some cases, stronger material properties than traditional manufacturing processes. The landscape of metal additive manufacturing is constantly evolving for advanced manufacturers in Australia, particularly those serving industries like Defence, Oil and Gas, and Maritime Aerospace and Energy. While techniques like Laser Bed Powder Fusion (LPBF) and Cold Spray have garnered significant attention, Wire Additive Manufacturing (WAM®) offers a compelling alternative, especially when considering large-scale applications. The question often posed to industry specialists is, “How does one know which metal additive manufacturing process is best suited to their workshop needs?” Under ASTM/ISO 52900, there are currently over 18 processes categorised into seven core metal AM techniques; without technology education, the average manufacturer can be forgiven for confusion regarding the process and technique suitable for their specific application. Generally speaking, a majority of Metal AM processes are best applied to smaller componentry or metal parts with a footprint well under…

Located in Emu Heights, just under the vast skyline of Sydney's Blue Mountains, Opie Manufacturing Group stands as a prominent example of industrial evolution. Founded in 1962 by James MacDougal Opie, this enterprise has transitioned from its early days of basic metalwork to become a leader in contract metal manufacturing and fabrication services across Australia. Today, the business is managed by his grandson, Tristan Opie, is the third-generation leader to successfully direct this Australian manufacturing company alongside his sister, CFO Alyssa Le Breton. Opie Manufacturing Group, despite its size and growth, always retains at its core the heart of a family business. From humble beginnings to advanced operations Initially focused on leveraging the then-novel potential of stainless steel to produce sanitary fixtures and washroom accessories, the company has expanded significantly. Today, it combines decades-old engineering practices with advanced technologies. This strategy not only sustains but enhances Opie Group's market position through high-precision laser cutting and full-service contract manufacturing to development of complex Data-Enhanced Production Systems and “Smart”…

A significant milestone for the Elexon Group of Companies has been hit as it relaunches its facility nine months after the devastating fire that fatally damaged the whole business. Stepping into the new era of Elexon 2.0, the group, led by its manufacturing branch, Elexon Electronics, is not just setting goals but setting the bar high. With an ambitious vision of achieving zero delays, zero defects, and zero returns, Elexon is propelling itself into the future with an Industry 4.0 facility and a bright outlook that aligns with the goals of product quality enhancement through the Elexon2Zero program. “Embarking on the Elexon 2.0 journey, the company is shifting its focus from recovery towards quality and continuous improvement, setting the stage for the future in alignment with the innovative Elexon2Zero program,” said Frank Faller, the CEO of Elexon Electronics. The event was a huge success, and we were honoured to have an incredible lineup of speakers, including Minister for Manufacturing Glenn Butcher, Minister Nikki Boyd, CEO of Regional Development Australia Jacqueline Steele, and Professor Karen Becker. The Elexon Group of Companies has…

Achieving this balance requires a strategic approach, starting with finding the right robotic welding specialist systems integrator. Their expertise will shape the success of your automation journey, ensuring alignment with your goals, your daily tasks, and future visions. Defining a system that's not only precise but also scalable is key. It's about anticipating tomorrow's challenges today and investing wisely. With technology advancing at lightning speed, and Australian government incentives awaiting those ready to embrace automation, there’s no time to waste. Use this opportunity to future-proof your business or risk being left further behind. Step 1. Find a suitable integrator. Selecting a recognised robotic welding integrator for your application is paramount to the success of your project. Begin by identifying integrators with proven local tech support and experience and expertise in your specific sector, before requesting a complimentary audit to assess their suitability for your needs. An integrator's capabilities can be evaluated by examining similar systems they've implemented. Their ability to provide local servicing and parts…

Engineering researchers have developed a 2D printing process using liquid metals that they say could create new ways of creating more advanced and energy-efficient computing hardware that is manufactured at the nanoscale. The process comes amid increasing worldwide demand for memory devices, which require significant amounts of energy to produce and use. “Reducing the temperature at which zirconium and hafnium become liquid is crucial to developing lower-cost electrical devices as far less energy is required,” said Dr Mohammad Ghasemian, the study’s lead author from the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. Developed by University of Sydney engineers and published in Small, the researchers first combined tin, zirconium and hafnium in a precise ratio. This enabled the alloy to be melted below 500 degrees, far lower than the individual melting points for zirconium (1855 degrees) and hafnium (2227 degrees). The liquid metal alloy has a thin oxide layer or ‘crust’ while maintaining a liquid centre. It is used to harvest the ultra-thin tin oxide nanosheets doped with hafnium zirconium oxide. “Tin is abundant, low cost and can be…

Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, is inviting small to medium enterprises (SMEs) working on advanced manufacturing solutions to apply for a self-paced, 10-week, online program that can help them turn an idea into an R&D opportunity. 'Innovate to Grow' was launched in 2020, and in just four years the free program has equipped over 500 SMEs with the knowledge and tools required to progress their research. CSIRO recently announced a $20m investment to provide SMEs with greater access to vital research and development (R&D) opportunities to accelerate their growth. The funding will support an additional 600 SMEs through its Innovate to Grow program, kicking off with its Advanced Manufacturing cohort. CSIRO’s Director of Manufacturing, Marcus Zipper, explained how CSIRO’s unique position in the research ecosystem drives innovation to advance Australian manufacturing. “Advanced manufacturing is a vitally important sector, employing over 800,000 people across Australia,” Dr Zipper said. “It’s an exciting area of research and development for CSIRO, and we work collaboratively to connect SMEs with new technologies to improve efficiency, productivity, health, safety and environmental outcomes while driving prosperity…

She Made It is a ground-breaking documentary series that illuminates Queensland stories of resilience, innovation and triumph, as embodied by women in the manufacturing industry. Following the successful launch of the series on International Women's Day in March 2024, the web series has been entered into film festivals across Australia, the US and Canada, including Melbourne & Sydney Lift-Off film festivals, LA Femme International Film Festival and Montreal Women Film Festival. The series and standalone episodes will continue to be submitted to a wide variety of festivals over the coming year. The production is also aimed at providing women with more information about opportunities in manufacturing and highlighting the diverse types of work available in the manufacturing industry. As is known, there is a significant pipeline of manufacturing work in Queensland, and more women must join the industry to fill skills shortages. The documentary series is part of the Women in Manufacturing Strategy launched by the Queensland Government on International Women’s Day last year. The strategy is implementing key actions aimed at attracting more women to manufacturing, with a focus on…

OPEN MIND has always offered an innovative CAD/CAM solution whose CAD functionalities are seamlessly linked to CAM programming. This leads to enormous time savings in work-piece preparation. This alone makes it clear that CAM without CAD is no longer an option today. From version 2024, hyperMILL now combines CAD and CAM under one name (instead of hyperCAD-S), thus consolidating ‘CAD for CAM’ for the future. The familiar CAD functionalities remain the same, only their names change. New and enhanced capabilities hyperMILL 2024 includes a range of powerful enhancements to its core toolpath capabilities, as well as new functionality for increased NC programming efficiency in applications ranging from 2.5D machining to 5-axis milling. An optimised Deep Hole Drilling CAM strategy offers improved machining reliability by providing a user-friendly interface with process-relevant parameters clearly defined on a new process tab. New capabilities enable coolant and dwell time stages to be identified, allow a chip break to be integrated into a drilling process and more. A new single-tip gun drill tool simulation function provides precise collision checking and a detailed visualisation of…