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Have you ever been told to surround yourself with experts to help you grow professionally? Let the story of Peter Torreele and 3RT be a case study for you as he and his collaborators developed a technology and a complete manufacturing solution despite being told it couldn’t be done. The technology they developed enables the production of hardwood timber materials that appear and behave just like natural timber using sustainably sourced juvenile plantation raw materials and nanotechnology. As a result, they avoid the need to log old growth forests that often contain trees over 100 years old. 3RT’s timber is now squarely aimed at filling a market need with technology that can be adopted anywhere in the world. The 3RT journey started back in 2014 when Peter Torreele, now Managing Director of 3RT, identified a growing demand for timber building materials while native forest logging was increasingly being banned. This was also being driven by a need for an alternative to high energy-intensive materials such as metals and concrete to reduce carbon emissions. While hardwoods are very desirable, the…

Q-CTRL, a global leader in developing useful quantum technologies through quantum control infrastructure software, and Diraq, a leading innovator in Silicon-based quantum computing, today announced they will be partnering on three multi-million-dollar projects to expand the commercial adoption of quantum computing. It represents the first stage of an anticipated partnership delivering new, high-impact quantum computing capabilities to the global market, from Australia. The two Australian quantum technology companies will deliver three projects together: two from the NSW Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer’s Quantum Computing Commercialisation Fund (QCCF) and one from the US Army Research Office. Q-CTRL and Diraq are sharing responsibilities on the projects: Diraq will develop and provide access to its Silicon quantum computing hardware and Q-CTRL will build and integrate its quantum infrastructure software solutions to deliver maximum end-user value from the hardware. Q-CTRL and Diraq highlight Australia’s leading role in the global quantum technology industry. Diraq’s hardware is constructed using a novel technology known as spins in silicon, offering true scalability in the number of qubits…

Australia’s premier manufacturing technology trade show, AMW2024 is promising to be a dynamic and innovative event in Sydney that brings together professionals, companies and experts from many industries related to manufacturing, engineering and technology. It is AMTIL’s aim for Australian Manufacturing Week to be more than just an exhibition. This is the centrepiece of a week-long celebration of manufacturing in Australia today. “On the back of the overwhelming success of AMW2022 in Sydney, we have returned to the ICC at Darling Harbour for April 2024 and are excited to be delivering another strong show,” said Shane Infanti CEO of AMTIL, organisers of Australian Manufacturing Week. “We are very pleased to have the support of the NSW Government as the Major Sponsor for AMW. Government support is important in delivering the message to our industry that manufacturing is important and that the support mechanisms are there to assist.” Australian Manufacturing Week will take place at the International Convention Centre, Darling Harbour, Sydney. The stats from our Melbourne show at the MCEC showed conclusively the appetite for large-scale manufacturing exhibitions is healthy for…

Australian Precision Technologies has announced through the Australian Defence Alliance it has received a contract from Kongsberg Defence Australia to manufacture precision-machined components for the KONGSBERG Naval Strike Missile (NSM) Launchers delivered under Project SEA 1300. The NSM will replace the Harpoon Anti-Ship Missile capability currently on the Royal Australian ANZAC Class Frigates and HOBART Class Destroyers. Australian Precision Technologies will manufacture highly complex precision-machined components utilising state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies and lean management best practices. The components will be manufactured in the Australian Precision Technologies Berwick facility and will present new job opportunities in project management, quality assurance and advanced manufacturing applications. The contract will also enable Australian Precision Technologies to invest in more advanced CNC machining technologies and quality control equipment to ensure that high standards of quality are achieved. “APT has diversified into the Defence and Aerospace industry sectors over the past 15 years, and that has provided us with the opportunities to secure contracts such as this through the culture of the company employees and the strategic outlook required to support defence contracts,” said Richard Weinzieri, APT’s Managing Director. “The…

AMTIL had a stand in the International Association pavilion alongside 26 other national associations from around the world, forming an excellent network of global machine tool and manufacturing technology bodies. One of our activities each year is a half day ‘General Managers’ meeting where all countries discuss a particular topic given to us. This year the subject was – Impact of New and Enabling Technologies. Below is a summary of these discussions. The conversation went from traditional manufacturing to new and finally emerging technologies. We live in a world of acronyms so I will explain some of them for the uneducated! Traditional manufacturing covered off CNC machining, robotics and automation, controls, lean manufacturing, six sigma, lights out machining, etc, etc. The focus was on fast spindle speeds, quick changeover time, high productivity and sustainability. I won’t delve too deeply into this area as the majority of our readers are in this space and know it better…

Researchers at The University of Queensland are harnessing the latest sequencing technology developed by UK-based biotech Oxford Nanopore Technologies to analyse mRNA vaccines and therapies. This approach promises to simplify and better ensure the quality of manufactured mRNA-based vaccines and therapeutics worldwide. The BASE team at UQ’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) is already recognised as the biggest supplier of research-use mRNA in Australia, having built more than 200 mRNA vaccines and therapies for academic, clinical and industry use. Building upon this work, under the new research partnership with Oxford Nanopore, BASE researchers will use the latest and improved nanopore-based sequencing technology to optimise performance and reduce the time needed to measure mRNA vaccine quality attributes. “Currently, mRNA vaccines and therapies are analysed using a range of different methods that are time-consuming, complicated, and costly, and often outdated,” said BASE mRNA technologies researcher Dr. Helen Gunter. BASE researchers showed how nanopore sequencing can analyse the quality of mRNA vaccines and therapies, in a study published today in Nature Communications. “By using Oxford…

The Additive Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (AMCRC) is an industry-led collaborative research funding organisation focused on advancing Australia’s additive manufacturing sector. The centre brings together industry partners, developing the next generation of products and services, and research institutions to conduct cutting-edge research, develop new technologies, and drive innovation to foster a globally competitive innovation ecosystem for advanced manufacturing. The CRC matches dollar-for-dollar Industry Partner cash for collaborative manufacturing R&D and innovation projects with CRC Research Partners. This is a potential fit for Industry Partners (e.g. manufacturing and related businesses) where strategy includes: investing in an eligible transformative manufacturing R&D project with a CRC Research Partner of between two and five years in duration, that can commence from 2025 onwards; spending at least $250,000 cash per project to fund the cost of researcher salaries and operating costs at a CRC Research Partner (which, if eligible, the CRC can match dollar for dollar up to a maximum of five million dollars per business); with the Research Partner(s) conducting at least 50% of the overall project research effort; utilising and/or developing new…

In the field of aluminium machining, operators often look for more specialist tools as their requirements are often very specific. Now, with the new DC166 Supreme, premium tool manufacturer Walter has demonstrated just how special a standard drill can be. The solid carbide drill with internal coolant has been specially developed for machining aluminium and other ISO N materials, which is why it boasts certain distinctive features. All the key surfaces on the drill, such as flutes, lands or clearance angles are polished. This reduces friction and prevents adhesion when machining the highly adhesive material. This increases the tool life and the process reliability of the drill. The highly innovative, patent-pending thinner web of the DC166 Supreme is like nothing else on the market. It prevents the edge from building up and improves the chip removal and the supply of cooling lubricant. The aluminium specialists' innovative design facilitates exceptionally high cutting speeds in conjunction with excellent drilling quality – especially in terms of the roundness of the hole and the surface quality. The arrival of the Walter DC166 Supreme is a product that can…

Cross Hydraulics is a global leader in the distribution and manufacturing of customer and application-specific hydraulic system solutions for mobile and industrial applications. Their extensive inventory includes pumps, motors, valves, power units, transmissions, and controls. Since 1976, their proficiency, the quality of individual components, and their operational dependability have garnered market recognition. Through ASA’s partnership with Okuma Australia, Cross Hydraulics came to ASA looking for a machine tending solution to tend to an Okuma LT3000 EX 3T3MY. ASA designed the complete automation cell after consulting with Cross Hydraulics to determine the existing pain points and desired outcomes for this investment, including a Modula Vertical Storage System and Hi-Tech Metrology Shop Floor Co-ordinate Measuring Machine (CMM). Cross Hydraulics adheres to environmentally responsible production practices and was looking for ways to reduce raw material, minimise emissions and waste as well as increasing productivity and reduce customer lead time. They were looking for a solution that not only offered the ability to add a second machine to the cell in the future but also the capability for…

Tynbell Sheetmetal, an Adelaide-based provider of fabricated metal products, has invested in new cutting-edge equipment to accommodate growing industry demands. The strategic investment allows Tynbell to operate at the forefront of complex Defence and Aerospace projects. The family-owned sheet metal manufacturer has recently taken significant steps toward expansion and growth, as it looks to the future of precision manufacturing in Australia. Tynbell has taken delivery of a new Bystronic Xpert Pro Press Brake Machine, representing a significant investment in the future while also improving output, safety and energy efficiency. “Our new press brake is designed to process and bend metal faster, with greater flexibility, repeatability and accuracy,” said Tynbell Managing Director, Raymond Fenech. “The machine incorporates cutting-edge technology to meet the demands of the Defence Industry,” he added. Tynbell Sheetmetal extended its manufacturing facility six months ago, in a strategic move to enhance its capabilities, creating more space to accommodate the specific requirements of Defense customers. This expansion was the first milestone in Tynbell's long-term growth journey, as the manufacturer continues to forge its reputation for unmatched quality and precision within the Defence and Aerospace sectors.…

Plastic waste has become one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. The accumulation of plastic waste in landfills and oceans has reached alarming levels, demanding innovative solutions to tackle this crisis. In recent years, a revolutionary concept has emerged—a game-changing method of plastic waste recycling using an induction furnace. This cutting-edge technology has the potential to transform the industry by bypassing traditional granulating processes and directly converting plastic waste into extruded products. In this editorial, we explore the revolutionary induction furnace and its potential to revolutionise the plastic waste recycling industry. The induction furnace represents a significant leap forward in plastic waste recycling. Traditionally, recycling plastic waste involves a labourious and energy-intensive process that includes sorting, shredding, granulating, conveying, agglomeration and extrusion. However, the induction furnace offers a breakthrough approach by directly processing plastic waste into extruded or form moulded products without the need for these additional processes. This streamlined method not only saves time and energy but also reduces the cost associated with recycling plastic…

This is a worldwide trend driven by several factors - labour shortage, increasing labour costs, the need for maximising uptime, push for 24/7 machine availability and customers demanding shorter lead times. Manufacturers need to be more flexible and responsive than ever before. ANCA has been providing a wide range of automation solutions for many years. One of the recent offerings in this space is the ANCA Integrated Manufacturing System or AIMS for short. AIMS is an ecosystem of individual modules – or building blocks - that could be configured to build a tailored automated tool manufacturing system. Modularity and flexibility mean that it caters to both small and large enterprise-type manufacturers. The system could be designed to be very simple, using a trolley for manual pallet and tool transfer with basic ERP connectivity. It could also be a complex, fully autonomous production solution which requires minimal human intervention. One of the most noticeable components of a fully automated AIMS cell is AutoFetch – the AMR robot responsible for transferring pallets between the setting station called AutoSet, to the tool grinder. It also automatically…

Sus scrofa is one of the most successful environmental and agricultural pests in Australia. Commonly known as feral pigs, their numbers are said to range between 3.2 million and 30 million and they inhabit 45% of the country’s land mass. Farmers and scientists have been working on containment programs for several years, with limited success. These animals reproduce at an alarming rate, destroy livestock, spread weeds, and damage infrastructure. Common food sources for these voracious creatures are food at landfill dump sites and food waste that is being composted. Food waste can contain contaminated animal products (whether legally imported or otherwise) that may not be safe for feeding to domestic or feral livestock. The biggest risk is that pigs may get infected with foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) or African swine fever (ASF). The risks of spreading FMD and ASF through Australian livestock are very high. The 2001 outbreak of FMD in the UK was traced to a small farm that fed their pigs with swill, which is prohibited in Australia. Swill is animal food that contains or has been in contact with, meat products or…