February 27, 2020
The fully reconfigurable Australian Research Experimental Submarine (ARES) will be used for hydrodynamic and crew efficiency testing of future submarine designs. The project is a collaboration between the University of Adelaide, University of South Australia, Flinders University, TAFE SA and the University of Tasmania’s Australian Maritime College with Defence support from DST Group. The four industry partners for the project are SAAB, ASC, Dassault Systemes and MOOG Australia. ARES received $150,000 in Defence Innovation Partnership funding from the South Australian Government in December to boost a $350,000 in-kind contribution from participants to fund the project’s first year. An estimated $3m will be needed to complete the three-year project. Project lead and University of Adelaide Director of the Shipbuilding Hub for Integrated Engineering and Local Design (SHIELD) Eric Fusil said the project would deliver Australia’s first reconfigurable research submarine. He said the autonomous submarine would be used to test hydrodynamics – how a submarine behaves underwater – to aid in the design and safe operation of new submarines globally. “Because you can’t see on board a submarine and you don’t…
February 21, 2020
Once constrained to a few specialist tasks due to limitations in force sensing and machine vision, today’s manufacturing environment sees a broad range of applications, from trimming flashing from plastic and aluminium mouldings, removing moulding flash and edging material from carbon fibre products, polishing moulds and dies, and deburring edges following machining. While previously these applications relied solely on compliant tools, more recent developments such as force sensing control and vision have created the ability to handle variability in the position and size of the material that has to be removed. Force sensing provides greater control over cutting loads and the direction of the applied force, leading to more consistent and cleaner edges. In more recent times, the robot is used to articulate the part itself over the tool, versus the traditional method of a robot mounted tool. Whichever approach is used, the accuracy and path repeatability of the robot provides less variability across the substrate, irrespective of the die or machine they were manufactured in, overcoming one of the major hurdles for manufacturers…
February 21, 2020
Regardless of your goals, reviewing the efficiency of energy consumption is becoming increasingly commonplace as it makes better business sense. It’s therefore unsurprising that more industry and government initiatives have become accessible to support business efficiency practices. Some key resources include: gov.au/business is a national joint initiative of the Australian, state and territory governments administered by the Department of the Environment and Energy. The website supports the implementation of energy efficiency practices and shares best-practice information on energy efficiency, case studies and resource materials. AIG’s (Australian Industry Group) website is full of resources that feature information on energy efficiency, optimisation and management as well as an environment and energy toolkit and energy efficiency checklist. NSW’s Energy Saver program helps businesses identify energy saving opportunities, access funding and assists with project management and training. The Victorian Energy Upgrades Program is designed to make energy efficiency improvements more affordable, contribute…
February 21, 2020
For a long time, additive manufacturing has been known as a new processing method for rapidly prototyping concept designs in various industrial sectors. Nowadays, advanced 3D printing technology is on the cusp of reaching a critical level in the innovation, research & development of new products. Research activity at RMIT’s School of Engineering shows the feasibility of using 3D printing technology for acoustic research and noise control applications. A number of micro-perforated panel multilayer acoustic absorbers have been fabricated using 3D printing technology. These sound absorbers are particularly good at attenuating noise in a specific frequency band. The research motivation A micro-perforated panel absorber (MPPA) usually consists of a thin panel with many sub-millimetre-sized perforations in the front of a rigidly backed air cavity, forming a mass- and spring-resonant sound absorber. Such sound absorbers are used in acoustic design to enhance noise attenuation and to tune the sound absorption peak frequency in various industrial applications, such as transport vehicles and buildings. The geometric design of…
February 13, 2020
Thermwood is a US-based manufacturer of CNC machinery that markets its products and services through offices in 11 countries. Its has also become a technology and market leader in large-scale additive manufacturing (LSAM) systems for thermoplastic composite moulds, tooling, patterns and parts. Its line of LSAM machines can perform both 3D printing and trimming operations on the same machine. Its systems are marketed to major companies in the aerospace, marine, automotive and foundry industries, as well as military, government and defence contractors. Unlike standard LSAM systems, which feature dual gantries operating over a large fixed table, the LSAM MT (which stands for “Moving Table”) features a single fixed gantry mounted over a moving table. This configuration offers several significant advantages, not the least of which is a dramatically lower price. Despite the lower price, the LSAM MT is still a massive, robust industrial production machine capable of reliable, day-in and day-out production. Unlike standard LSAM systems, the MT…
February 13, 2020
Additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D metal printing, allows for the manufacture of complex shapes from light metals with high mechanical strength. This unique material combination yields parts with a high strength to weight ratio along with good corrosion and fatigue resistance. One of the most popular powder-based materials is the titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V, which has found its way into both aerospace and medical applications. Titanium is already widely used in aircraft manufacture to prevent fatigue cracks or in structural parts like the frames of cockpit windows. Applications of titanium alloys are even more widely used in military aircraft, helicopters and spacecraft due to their high performance and unique properties, particularly weight reduction. Selective laser melting machines are regarded as the most versatile additive manufacturing technology because the system can process a wide spectrum of materials that include aluminium, titanium, iron, nickel, cobalt, copper-based alloys and their composites. Choosing the appropriate material depends…
February 13, 2020
The AMTIL Export Hub is a vibrant community of SMEs in the Australian rail, road passenger and freight supply chain (encompassing trams, trains, trucks and buses). The Export Hub will enable participating small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to collaborate on projects and address specific supply chain gaps identified by OEMs and work together to lift the capability and performance of their businesses and provide a path to global markets. The Export Hub will enable SMEs to: Collaborate to leverage individual business strengths, assets and resources. Share resources that an individual SME cannot access alone. Improve local supply chain capability and competitiveness. Develop new technologies and service offerings. Leverage collective strengths and capabilities in supplying to a low-volume, high-quality, customised vehicle design and assembly customer base. Work with Australia’s research…
February 13, 2020
Auger centrifuges are versatile and effective material handling tools, critical to the conveyance of materials in material handling, geotechnical and mining projects. Smooth material displacement operations for such projects depend on the precision of the auger fins or blades, commonly referred to as “flights”, formed out of stainless steel or abrasion-resisting steel. Traditional forming of auger flights utilise hydraulic machines that wield bulky industrial dies, die plates and platens to form the pitch and size of flight diameters. These die plates and platens are often bulky to handle and time-consuming to tool, adjust and set up, not to mention cost-prohibitive to replace if they are damaged. The hydraulics are manually operated with the operator’s hands just millimetres away from reciprocating jaws exerting forces up to 50 tonnes; operator injuries are a high risk, resulting in calls for higher safety standards in helical flight production. RoboHelix machines incorporate robotics that completely automate flight…
February 13, 2020
Thermwood is a US-based manufacturer of CNC machinery that markets its products and services through offices in 11 countries. Its has also become a technology and market leader in large-scale additive manufacturing (LSAM) systems for thermoplastic composite moulds, tooling, patterns and parts. Its line of LSAM machines can perform both 3D printing and trimming operations on the same machine. Its systems are marketed to major companies in the aerospace, marine, automotive and foundry industries, as well as military, government and defence contractors. Unlike standard LSAM systems, which feature dual gantries operating over a large fixed table, the LSAM MT (which stands for “Moving Table”) features a single fixed gantry mounted over a moving table. This configuration offers several significant advantages, not the least of which is a dramatically lower price. Despite the lower price, the LSAM MT is still a massive, robust industrial production machine capable of reliable, day-in and day-out production. Unlike standard LSAM systems, the…
February 6, 2020
As an internationally recognised and respected freight specialist, SternaGL offers a truly seamless service, utilising resources positioned all over the globe to move freight efficiently from its origin to its destination. SternaGL offers a wide range of cost-efficient and flexible cargo options, including freight-forwarding, customs clearance and transport. Combining more than 50 years of logistics experience with exceptional human talent and systems, SternaGL provides customers with tailored solutions for any import or export shipments moving via sea, air, rail, road or multi-modal. From parcels to over-dimensional cargo, and everything in between – SternaGL’s dedicated team utilise their extensive skill and expertise to manage the journey of shipments from origin to destination, intact and on time. SternaGL services a wide range of industries including manufacturing, with extensive experience handling delicate process-line machinery and raw materials. Its consultative approach ensures attention to detail, which invariably leads to strong results and a positive customer experience. SternaGL operates under four core principles that permeate the organisation into every transaction – Integrity, Care, Accuracy, and Innovation. Under these principles SternaGL presents a refreshing brand of honest advice…
February 6, 2020
Additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D metal printing, allows for the manufacture of complex shapes from light metals with high mechanical strength. This unique material combination yields parts with a high strength to weight ratio along with good corrosion and fatigue resistance. One of the most popular powder-based materials is the titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V, which has found its way into both aerospace and medical applications. Titanium is already widely used in aircraft manufacture to prevent fatigue cracks or in structural parts like the frames of cockpit windows. Applications of titanium alloys are even more widely used in military aircraft, helicopters and spacecraft due to their high performance and unique properties, particularly weight reduction. Selective laser melting machines are regarded as the most versatile additive manufacturing technology because the system can process a wide spectrum of materials that include aluminium, titanium, iron, nickel, cobalt, copper-based alloys and their composites. Choosing the appropriate material…
February 3, 2020
January is traditionally the slowest month for Australian manufacturing but the start to 2020 was even slower than usual, with food & beverages the only sector to report expanding conditions, down 0.5 points to 60.3 (readings below 50 points indicate contraction in activity, with the distance from 50 indicating the strength of the contraction). Among the six manufacturing sectors in the Australian PMI, machinery & equipment was broadly stable (down 1.1 points to 49.0). All other sectors contracted at a faster rate than in December. “Australia’s manufacturers are seeing a disappointing start to this new year and new decade,” said Ai Group Chief Executive Innes Willox. “Activity, new orders, deliveries, sales and exports all slowed in the last months of 2019 and this has continued into January, affecting all segments of manufacturing.” Six of the seven activity indices in the Australian PMI contracted in January, with exports the only index reporting stability (down 4.2 points to 49.8). Production (down 3.5 points to…
January 30, 2020
Lehane Centrifugal Clutches (Lehane CC) was founded in 1961, when Peter Lehane began operating a small manufacturing business out of his father’s backyard in Lidcombe, having completed an apprenticeship at de Havilland aircraft. He remains closely involved with the company, though these days he has largely handed the reins to his son, also called Peter, as he transitions into retirement. Peter Junior joined in 1985 and is now the company’s General Manager. A third generation of the family joined in 2015, when Peter Junior’s son Pierce came on board; he now works as the company’s CNC foreman. In the early years, Peter Senior had picked up general engineering jobs, including quite a lot of work in automotive and motorsports. However, over time the business found its niche in the manufacture of high-quality industrial clutches. “First of all we started repairing clutches, and then we started improving them,” explains Peter Senior. “And later on from about 1980,…