Member News

When it comes to manufacturing, Australia operates in a high-cost business environment, much like Germany. This means we’re not the ideal place for producing low-grade, low-value, and easily replicated products. This is especially true in the electronics sector. So, if you can’t compete on raw transactional costs, what can you compete on? Eighteen months ago, we relocated to a larger design office and a separate electronics manufacturing factory in Dandenong South. Now, we have an SMT pick and place line, enabling us to produce higher volumes of products at a reduced unit cost. However, we are not aiming to become a Contract Electronics Manufacturer (CEM), and we still collaborate with established Australian CEMs such as Precision Electronic Technologies, Duet Electronics, and Entech Electronics. We are not looking to compete with them in volume manufacturing; instead, we specialise in high-quality, high-mix, low-volume manufacturing for prototypes, field trial units, and niche opportunities. While this is not the core business for the CEMs, it represents a critical area for startups…

Emerging AI technologies coupled with a digitally savvy and a highly educated workforce are giving Australia the opportunity to reinvent its manufacturing industry as a high-value, niche enterprise capable of supporting high-end jobs. The transformative change will manifest as autonomous manufacturing, in which machines independently make decisions, boosting productivity, ensuring quality, enhancing safety, minimising waste, optimising energy consumption, and so forth. The relevant technologies that support these capabilities are already accessible, as evidenced by autonomous vehicles. Australian mines have been early adopters of these technologies, with self-driving trucks operating in several local mines. The algorithms that facilitate decision-making are trained through machine learning, enabling machines to emulate human cognition. This capability allows machines to perceive their environment, reason, and make rational and safe decisions—with the advantage that machines can perform these tasks consistently and faster than humans due to their superior data processing capacity. Engineers and data scientists collaborate to guide the algorithms. As the nation’s premier research organisation focusing on translational applied research, CSIRO is committed…

Australian-built generative AI software trialled by iconic American confectionery company Tootsie Roll could provide hundreds of millions of dollars in savings to the manufacturing industry. The software includes real-time insights that facilitate a greater connection between the C-suite and operational teams. Australian manufacturing efficiency software company OFS has launched Mayvn AI, a first-of-its-kind artificial intelligence platform designed to improve productivity and strengthen communication between manufacturing executives and operational teams. The Australian-designed and engineered software, Mayvn AI, offers real-time information and insights into what’s happening operationally in manufacturing facilities. This can encompass current issues delaying production all the way through to preparing a business case for capital investment and the related return on investment (ROI). Mayvn AI has been trialled with major Australian and global manufacturers, including the iconic US confectionery maker Tootsie Roll Industries, which has reduced specific data-related procedures by over 90%. “There are things we ‘knew’ were a problem, but Mayvn AI validates and quickly provides us with data to effectively demonstrate the impact of those problems,” said Eric Bader, Manufacturing Systems Manager at Tootsie Roll Industries. “We’ve…

Objective3D, Australia and New Zealand’s leading provider of additive manufacturing solutions, has officially merged with TCL Hofman (Australia) and TCL Hunt (New Zealand), both part of the Ravago Group. This strategic merger creates the region's most comprehensive additive manufacturing solutions provider, operating under the unified Objective3D brand. This merger combines unparalleled expertise and technology offerings, including polymer, metal, and ceramic 3D printing, advanced 3D scanning, and additive manufacturing software. In addition to the extensive range of cutting-edge solutions from Stratasys, Lithoz, Artec3D, and Materialise, Objective3D will expand to incorporate other additive manufacturing technologies including both Formlabs and Nikon SLM solutions. This positions Objective3D as a driving force in the Australian manufacturing landscape, empowering industries to embrace innovation, enhance efficiency, and strengthen local manufacturing capabilities. What sets Objective3D apart is not only the scale of its operations but also the authenticity of its approach. Its Additive Manufacturing Centre in Carrum Downs, Victoria, is one of the largest of its kind in the country. Unlike others who merely sell 3D printers as part of a broader portfolio, Objective3D employs the same technologies…

3D printing is often referred to as rapid prototyping due to its ability to quickly and affordably manufacture small volumes of components, particularly those with complex geometries. With no need to produce expensive tooling or moulds, 3D printing is significantly more economical, especially during the development phase, when compared to processes such as injection moulding. However, making the transition to industrial-scale production has been a challenge… until now. For those needing to fabricate parts with high-resolution (better than ~0.3mm) and a surface finish akin to injection moulded parts, resin-based 3D printing using light-based technologies is the solution. At the top end of the scale is the UpNano NanoOne Green which can achieve feature sizes as fine as 100nm using 2-photon polymerisation (2PP) technology, making it the ultimate tool for rapid prototyping.  Even with it’s industry-leading printing speed, print times can be relatively long and production volumes are limited. UpNano recently unveiled the NanoPro VT, the world’s first 2PP 3D printer built for industrial-scale production, offering high-volume microparts on a scale that has never been possible. The NanoPro…

Established in 1974 and trading as Jenkin Bros. Engineers until last year’s 50th anniversary, the new trading name Jenera pays homage to the company’s founders, Bob and Graham Jenkin, while looking forward to a new era in its evolution. Some key developments in the company’s history occurred with a buyout of management in 2004 by a group including Frank Taranto and Jamie Macaulay, the current business directors and owners. The acquisition of Arthur Ward, a fabrication business, in 2009 significantly boosted the company’s capabilities. The transfer of around two million dollars worth of Kenworth parts business from Australian Engineering (previously Elliott) in 2013 significantly increased turnover. Simon Bowen is the current CEO, and staff numbers today are around sixty. Operating primarily in Melbourne, Jenera’s key services include precision CNC machining, laser cutting, welding, bending, thread rolling, folding, and painting. A dedicated finished assembly area connects manufactured components, providing customers with a one-stop shop for all their sheet metal needs. Its machining centre features nine CNC lathes, five VMC mills, and two CNC saws. On the…

With its head office in Tasmania and manufacturing plants in both Tasmania and South Australia, Jayben Group is an OEM company that specialises in powertrain products and light to medium industrial plant and equipment, including design, engineering, and manufacturing for the mining, agricultural, manufacturing, and defence sectors. Since its humble beginnings in 1927, the company has evolved significantly and today, it services clients both nationally and overseas. Determined to continue to provide clients with first-rate products, the company trialled Kemppi’s WeldEye welding management software before fully implementing the solution to effectively control welding quality. The challenge According to Danny Patmore, Fabrication Manager at Jayben Group, the company was not willing to forego quality despite experiencing strong growth. “Since our earliest days, we have been committed to producing high-quality products, and even though we have rapidly expanded, we remain unwavering in ensuring that quality is integral in all stages of the production process, including welding. “Welding is fundamental when you are manufacturing the sorts of parts and equipment that we produce in steel, stainless steel, aluminium and other metals. If the quality…

Safe Work Australia has recently brought in significant changes to the Workplace Exposure Standard (WES) for welding fumes after the Work Health and Safety Ministers endorsed a decision to change Australian legislation. The new law establishes air quality standards for an eight-hour weighted average at just 1mg/m³, an 80% reduction from the previous limit of 5mg/m³. This change represents a significant step towards ensuring worker safety by reducing their exposure to harmful welding fumes. The new limit applies to welders and anyone who works near them. Worker protection in the welding industry has recently faced scrutiny, as serious health issues have been linked to extended exposure to welding fumes, a recognised carcinogen. The quick implementation of this reduction will ensure workplaces actively mitigate the negative health effects associated with welding activities. This decision will also ensure that workers remain committed to their roles without worrying about potential long-term health impacts from their chosen careers. Implications of the WES changes to welding workers and business owners The recent update to the Workplace Exposure Standard (WES) for welding fumes holds significant implications…

Exhaust-free and quiet compressed air production – wherever you need it. That's what you get with the Mobilair electric-drive portable compressors by KAESER Compressors. The drive units of the 132 kW M250E portable compressor consists of a highly energy-efficient IE4 electric motor and a Sigma Profile airend that has consistently proven itself in industrial rotary screw compressors. Depending on the combination and pressure range, the M250E delivers flow rates of up to 25 m³/min at 8.6 bar and 16.2 m³/min at 14 bar. “What sets these units apart from the industrial rotary screw compressors typically installed in closed compressor rooms, is the defining features of a MOBILAIR compressor by Kaeser,” said Ronald van Wyk, KAESER Australia’s Mobilair Sales Manager. “These compressors are purpose-built for outdoor installations, meaning they can withstand wind and weather without any issues – whether it's the body or the controls.” True to its MOBILAIR roots, the M250E is also built to be moved quickly and easily from place to place. The galvanised skids with forklift slots, fitted as standard, and the crane lifting eye are a…

This new acoustic imaging camera helps professional inspectors locate smaller compressed air leaks. FLIR, a Teledyne Technologies company, has introduced the Si1-LD, an industrial acoustic imaging camera that provides faster and more accurate compressed air leak detection for those on a modest condition monitoring budget. The new FLIR Si1-LD offers enhanced detection and quantification capabilities compared to the existing FLIR Si124-LD Plus, as well as a higher upper frequency limit. Compressed air systems typically lose 25–30% of their air due to leaks, leading to proportionally higher energy bills, costly unplanned production stoppages, shorter compressor lifespans, the need to purchase additional compressor capacity, and increased maintenance expenses for the extra equipment. Leveraging the advantages of ultrasonic technology, the new FLIR Si1-LD pinpoints leaks with enhanced imaging sensitivity at an affordable price. It offers several stand-out capabilities and features: An array of 96 microphones (2–100 kHz) enables the automatic detection, location, and measurement of compressed air and vacuum leaks from a safe distance of up to 130 metres. It is supported by a 12MP colour camera with 8× digital zoom…

Created with high-mix, low-volume batch production in mind, this tool offers outstanding flexibility across a wide variety of materials, making it perfect for workshops dealing with diverse jobs and varying specifications. One of the biggest challenges for CNC metal cutting SMEs is managing frequent tool changes and maintaining efficiency across various material types. The new Harmony UNI+ addresses this with its unique end gash design, capable of ramping up to 45 degrees in soft steels, in addition to all the other operations typically expected from end mills, such as shoulder milling, full slotting, dynamic/trochoidal strategies, and even plunging/drilling, all with the one tool. The smoother and more efficient machining of complex and intricate applications is crucial for small-batch, custom jobs. This reduces downtime for tool changes and enhances overall productivity. Another standout feature of the new series is its TiSiNos PVD coating. This advanced coating technology guarantees superior performance in steel, stainless steel, and cast iron, while also extending tool life. For CNC workshops that…

Australia’s manufacturing sector performance improved at an accelerated pace in March. Rising new orders supported a renewal of production growth. Job creation also resumed, aiding the clearance of backlogged orders. Meanwhile, purchasing levels were increased for the first time since September 2022, contributing to a significant rise in inventory of purchases. On the prices front, average input prices continued to rise at a steep rate in March, but output charge inflation eased despite reduced optimism regarding future output. The seasonally adjusted S&P Global Australia Manufacturing Purchasing Manager’s Index™ (PMI®) increased to 52.1 in March, up from 50.4 in February. Remaining above the 50.0 neutral mark for the third consecutive month, the latest data indicated that conditions in the manufacturing sector continued to improve in March. Furthermore, the latest headline index was the highest recorded since October 2022. Contributing to the increase in the headline index was manufacturing production, which expanded at its fastest pace since October 2022. The recent acceleration in output growth was driven by rising new business inflows and increased capacity. Australian manufacturers reported receiving new orders at the…

WPF, a company based in Western Australia with operations nationally, is a leader in multi-discipline engineering services for the Australian energy sector. Renowned for handling diverse materials, from carbon steel to exotic alloys like duplex and copper-nickel, WPF serves some of the most demanding energy producers in the world. Their commitment to quality, with stringent internal acceptance criteria, often exceeding code requirements, sets them apart. WPF facilitates material segregation and process integrity while delivering exceptional results by fabricating across multiple workshops in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Operational challenges The tight labor market in Australia presented a significant challenge for WPF. Skilled coded welders capable of adapting to various conditions and fit-ups were scarce, making it difficult to maintain production efficiency and quality. Furthermore, the high cost and disruption caused by weld repairs, estimated to be similar to North America’s average of $1,000 per weld, added pressure to maintain repair rates below 1%. WPF’s reliance on traditional welding methods also introduced inefficiencies. While their manual processes were effective, scaling production without compromising quality or safety proved challenging. The…