Member News

FPR Energy, a new venture from CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has secured $15m in seed funding to commercialise next-generation solar thermal technology to help reduce industrial emissions, accounting for 20% of Australia’s annual carbon footprint. The company was launched today with global advisory and funds management firm RFC Ambrian and utility leader Osaka Gas, raising the most extensive seed funding for a CSIRO co-founded venture. FPR Energy aims to cut emissions in heavy industries such as mineral refining, steel, cement, and chemical production using CSIRO’s particle-based Concentrated Solar Thermal (CST) technology, which can produce temperatures up to 1200 degrees Celsius—an industry-first. The technology uses abundant and low-cost ceramic particles to store sunlight as heat, enabling long-duration energy storage to support industrial processes, green fuel production and reliable, dispatchable power. CSIRO Energy Technologies Research Director Dr. Daniel Roberts said FPR Energy is a significant step in meeting the growing demand for renewable solutions in hard-to-abate heavy industries. “FPR Energy is building on years of solar thermal research, demonstrating CSIRO’s commitment to supporting emissions reduction using impact-focussed science and…

Established in Mordialloc, Victoria, Lepol Metal has been a cornerstone supplier for the construction industry for over 45 years. Lepol specialises in offsite steel manufacturing, metal work, piping systems, stainless services, prefabrication, and on-site support for the mechanical services industry. Their commitment to delivering efficient, cost-effective, and high-quality customised solutions has streamlined construction processes across various commercial, industrial, and critical infrastructure sectors. Navigating operational challenges But given the pace of their growth, the difficulties of expanding a skilled workforce, and the industry's ever-increasing demands for more consistent, high-quality welds within shorter time frames, Lepol began a search for an innovative solution that would satisfy these market demands while operating within a limited physical footprint. Enhancing Lepol’s mechanical service capabilities, particularly in pipe welding, required evaluating several options. Lepol Metal chose the Spool Welding Robot (SWR) from Novarc Technologies. Its compact design allowed for tremendous spatial flexibility. The SWR's ability to consistently deliver high-quality welds resulted in a sizable increase in welding efficiency. The SWR’s seamless integration into Lepol’s operations marked a transformative step towards heightened productivity and efficiency. Quantifiable results “Integrating Novarc’s…

Aeroplane pylons attach aircraft engines to the wings. Developing this critical component involves collaboration with specialists and industry partners, with Seco leading. Joe Gooding and Gary Meyers explain more. Pylons are not the most noticeable part of an aircraft. Hidden from view by covers, they are critical for structural integrity and, thus, safe and reliable aircraft operation. “There are one or two engines per wing, with up to four pylons to attach each engine,” explains Joe Gooding, a UK-based Seco Development Engineer, who supports customer projects with tooling and component machining strategy suggestions. “The pylon is made from titanium that’s often forged and then machined to the required dimensions and tolerances.” “The aircraft manufacturers use titanium for structural components. It is the best material and the safest option for those aircraft parts,” adds Joe’s colleague, Gary Meyers, Global Product Manager for Solid Milling, based in Sweden. “There are many applications involved in manufacturing a pylon,” he continues. “From face milling to copy milling strategies, indexable tools, solid carbide tools, drilling, reaming, and new barrel type machining developments for component finishing. The parts…

AMT: Thanks for your time, Afnan. Congratulations on the award. What was your initial reaction when your name was read out? Afnan Siddique: I was surprised, happy, and grateful. It was genuinely a lovely feeling. It was an honour to be recognised as the Young Manufacturer in 2024 in Victoria, which has a rich history in manufacturing. The other finalists' stories were astounding, so I didn’t expect to win the award. As I stepped onto the stage, I couldn’t help but think of my parents back in Bangladesh. When I started pursuing my Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering at Swinburne University here in Australia, they had their qualms, fearing AI would be a threat to my job prospects. The news of my award brought them to tears. I’m glad that I was able to show them that their hard work raising me and their sacrifices somehow paid off. Ultimately, Mum and Dad are my biggest catalyst and the reason I am where I am…

TNO has developed an Adaptive Secondary Mirror for NASA’s Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) in Hawaii. The IRTF is a 3m infrared telescope located at an altitude of around 4,200m at the summit of Mauna Kea on the island of Hawaii. Designed for maximum performance in the infrared portion of the spectrum, it takes advantage of the excellent visibility, minimal water vapour and low thermal background that characterise the atmosphere above Mauna Kea. The University of Hawaii and the University of California Santa Cruz realised the secondary mirror upgrade project. During the integration phase, a manufacturing error required TNO to immediately find a fastener solution so that the integration could proceed. “We realised that some of the holes in the supporting structure of the secondary mirror assembly had been machined to the wrong dimension,” explains Arjo Bos, Systems and Mechanical Lead Engineer at TNO. “We tried standard A4 screws but had immediate issues with galling. We needed a fast solution to overcome our galling issue with an extremely tight schedule and some dependencies with other projects.” Delivery and…

ANCA, an Australian leader in advanced manufacturing, proudly announces that its co-founders, Patrick Boland and Patrick McCluskey, have been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 2025 Australia Day Honours List. Known as ‘The Two Pats,’ their visionary leadership has propelled ANCA to the forefront of global technology. They have demonstrated that advanced manufacturing can thrive in Australia and contribute to high-value products, international competitiveness, meaningful careers, and sovereign industrial capabilities. A lifetime of innovation and dedication Boland and McCluskey's dynamic partnership, combining academic expertise and practical ingenuity, has driven ANCA’s success for over 50 years. Their passion for innovation and engineering excellence has led to the development of world-first technologies that have revolutionised the cutting-tool industry. Notable innovations include groundbreaking in-machine measurement, which disrupted and shaped the market and set new standards in precision manufacturing. Success didn’t come overnight. Long before the internet era, ANCA brought its ambitious vision to life by targeting a niche global market, adopting robotics, and applying innovative solutions to the machine world. Today, ANCA continues to…

Drones are increasingly becoming indispensable in the aerospace and defence sectors, driving mission-critical operations ranging from surveillance to search-and-rescue. As the demand for more agile, adaptable, and high-performance drones grows, so does the challenge of designing and manufacturing components that meet these exacting requirements. While effective for simpler geometries, traditional manufacturing methods often struggle to meet the complex demands of modern drone systems, especially when it comes to lightweight yet durable designs. Additive manufacturing (AM) is transforming the industry, unlocking new possibilities in speed, design, and functionality for the next generation of drones. At EVOK3D, we enable our clients to overcome these challenges by leveraging Additive Manufacturing (AM). AM's flexibility allows clients to create intricate designs, such as internal cavities and lattice structures, achieving significant weight reduction without compromising strength. Additionally, the capability to rapidly prototype and iterate designs accelerates the product development process, reducing timelines from months to weeks. The role of HP MJF and nTop in drone design Design and prototyping are crucial in developing high-performance drones, where factors such as weight, strength, and functionality are critical. Traditional manufacturing methods…

West Australian manufacturer Ciltech has rapidly emerged as a leader in designing and manufacturing jetties, pontoons, and other marine infrastructure. With a steadfast commitment to excellence, the company's dedication to high-quality materials and advanced engineering techniques distinguishes it in a competitive market. Ciltech takes great pride in its Western Australian roots, consistently delivering innovative products that set new benchmarks in the industry. Managing Director Mason Cilia reflects on the business's growth and ongoing development: "Ciltech started as a small, family-run business in Western Australia. Over the years, we've grown into a key player in the marine infrastructure industry. A commitment to quality and innovation has driven our journey." Ciltech's proprietary aluminium extrusions are at the core of its success and form the foundation of its cutting-edge jetty systems. Remarkably, 98% of their pontoons are constructed using proprietary aluminium extrusions developed in collaboration with Capral. These extrusions are meticulously designed to accommodate various structural and functional elements, ensuring that each system meets the specific needs of its environment. From supporting decking weight to integrating mooring attachments and cleats, Ciltech's tailored extrusions provide versatile…

With Australia's high labour cost, most high-volume manufacturing has moved offshore. As a result, there has been a shift towards low-volume, high-value manufacturing, with Australian manufacturers adopting more advanced manufacturing methodologies such as additive manufacturing. This has necessitated a similar shift to advanced non-destructive testing for quality control, with computed tomography answering the call. Computed Tomography (CT) is a non-destructive 3D imaging technique analogous to CAT scans performed on humans. It is perfectly suited to inspecting manufactured components, especially those with complex geometries and internal structures. CT can be used to check dimensional accuracy (vs. CAD drawings), identify invisible defects beneath the surface to external inspection techniques, and investigate failures or process control and optimisation. Origins of CT Initially developed for medical applications in the 1970s, CT is now used more extensively in materials science, nondestructive testing (NDT), quality control, failure analysis, and geological materials investigation. In these applications, it is ideally suited to revealing subsurface defects and structures or checking manufacturing tolerances. Although CT has been used extensively in medical applications…

The metal forming industry relies heavily on precision, durability, and cost-efficiency. Traditional manufacturing methods, such as casting, milling, and forging, require extensive tooling, long lead times, and significant financial investments. 3D printing is revolutionising this space by enabling rapid prototyping, tooling production, and custom part fabrication at a fraction of the time and cost. The new Mingda industrial 3D printer range—featuring the MD-400D, MD-600D, and MD-1000D—is particularly well-suited to support businesses in the metal forming sector and the manufacturing industry. These printers offer large-format capabilities and exceptional material versatility, enabling companies to digitise their production workflows and minimise reliance on expensive traditional tooling. Key benefits Rapid Tooling Production: Print cost-effective tools, dies, and fixtures quickly for testing and small production runs. Large-Scale Prototyping: Create full-scale prototypes with massive build volumes, reducing lead times and costs. Support for Composite Tooling: Use advanced materials like carbon fibre-reinforced filaments for strong, lightweight tools. Customisation and Low-Volume Production: Produce bespoke parts and tools without additional tooling costs. Open-Material System: Experiment with various filaments to meet specific mechanical and thermal requirements. Cost and Time Savings:…

Manufacturers in Australia and worldwide are facing mounting pressure to boost profitability amid high inflation, rising interest rates, and escalating energy costs. To stay ahead, they must improve operational efficiency, optimise resources and meet increasingly demanding customer expectations, all while maintaining high product quality and tight delivery timelines. The key to overcoming these challenges lies in harnessing the power of Industry 4.0 technologies. However, to truly unlock their potential, manufacturers need a connectivity solution that is fast, reliable, and secure. That’s where Private Mobile Networks (PMNs) come in. A Private Mobile Network (PMN) is a dedicated, standalone cellular network designed exclusively for an organisation’s use, providing secure, reliable, and high-performance connectivity tailored to specific operational needs. It offers ultra-low latency, high-speed data transfer, and interference-free communication, making it ideal for demanding environments like manufacturing. With full control over the network, organisations can prioritise critical applications, safeguard sensitive data, and ensure seamless integration with advanced technologies such as IoT, robotics, and AI—unlocking new levels…

Performatec Australia's journey involves innovation, adaptability, and a steadfast commitment to supporting Australian manufacturers and fabricators. Established in 2004 as Performance Cutting Supplies, the company initially focused on supplying high-quality abrasive garnet to the manufacturing sector. Just before 2007, it recognised opportunities for growth and diversification and rebranded as Performance Waterjet. This pivotal shift reflected its growing expertise in waterjet technology and its ambition to address more complex manufacturing challenges. Around this time, Performance Waterjet achieved its first significant technological milestone by developing the abrasive sludge removal system (ASR). This groundbreaking solution demonstrated its commitment to solving industry-specific problems. In 2008, Performance Waterjet expanded into the waterjet parts market, further consolidating its position as a comprehensive solutions provider. By 2009, strategic partnerships with global leaders such as H2OJET and KMT Waterjet enabled Performance Waterjet to strengthen its expertise and market presence in waterjet technology. These collaborations enhanced its product offerings and underscored its reputation for delivering innovative and reliable solutions tailored to the needs of Australian manufacturers. The sale of Performance Waterjet’s first waterjet system in 2013…

In a recent project highlighting the synergy between technology and industry, Automated Solutions Australia (ASA) collaborated with QuickAlly Access Solutions to upgrade their welding capabilities at their Brisbane facility. This project is a perfect example of how innovative automation solutions can enhance manufacturing processes, particularly for a company as committed to quality and safety as QuickAlly. QuickAlly Access Solutions is a key player in the Australian market and is known for its high-quality scaffolding and access platforms. As part of the G.James Group of Companies established in 1917, QuickAlly has a long-standing reputation for producing durable and reliable products that meet the highest safety standards. Their product range includes scaffolds, platforms, trestles & planks, stair treads and saw benches, all engineered to comply with Australian Standards. Additionally, QuickAlly specialises in creating customised work platforms for industries such as road, rail, aviation, marine, and industrial applications, further cementing their position as a leader in the field. The collaboration between ASA and QuickAlly focused on replacing an aging REIS welding robot with a new, state-of-the-art FANUC ArcMate 120iD/12L robot and 2x servo rotary positioners. This…