Product News

Taking its industry-leading turning technology to a new level, Nakamura-Tome has now introduced the new JX-200 multi-tasking mill/turn centre. The JX-200 incorporates Nakamura’s new NT Smart Cube - the world’s shortest tool spindle in its class. This provides a compact footprint with a spacious work area and unrivalled kinematics that drastically improve machining performance. Nakamura has recognised the increased need of industry to manufacture smaller batch sizes with higher flexibility. With customers wanting ‘more flexible machining’ and ‘higher part production’ rates with a single machine, the JX-200 is the solution. This new machine can accommodate a larger number of tools and this delivers unrivalled flexibility for handling multiple types of low-quantity production. The impressive new JX-220 is a twin-spindle machine with an upper tool spindle that swivels +/-95 degrees to provide exceptional flexibility. This unit has an impressive 15/11kW power output and a 12,000rpm spindle with an 18,000rpm spindle as an option. The upper tool spindle has an 80-position tool carousel as standard with 40 or 120 tools as optional extras. On the lower tooling turret as standard is milling capability and also Y-axis machining.…

Fleet Space, Australia’s only commercial small satellite manufacturer, has partnered with Konica Minolta to implement 3D printers from 3D Systems to support Fleet Space’s groundbreaking innovation, which aims to bring manufacturing for the space, strategic, and mineral exploration industries back onshore. The 3D printer will also scale up Fleet Space’s manufacturing of small satellites for low Earth orbit to connect billions of devices. Fleet Space is leading the way in innovative manufacturing for the space, strategic, and mineral exploration industries. With production in Australia co-funded by the South Australian Government, Fleet Space focuses on using cutting edge communications and space technologies to enable the next giant leap in human civilisation. The small satellites from Fleet Space incorporate the world’s first 3D-printed, all-metal patch antenna, which delivers 10 times more throughput per kilogram of spacecraft. The 3D printing of these antennae was outsourced to an offshore provider; however, significant scale-up efficiencies can be found in bringing production to Australia. Fleet Space has been contracted to scale its operations significantly in 2022 and 2023 and needed a more efficient way…

You've landed back home after visiting your offshore oil rig when you realise you need to set up a meeting with that drilling rig assessor. Her email address is written on a Post-It Note and stuck to the PC monitor... back on the rig. Wouldn't it be handy to call up a remote view, virtually walking right up to your desk to read the Post-It Note just like you’re walking through a videogame environment? That's exactly what Perth company RemSense can deliver. After starting in 2012 as a drone operator for Western Australian resources clients, a decade of technical experience has opened the door to opportunities with a range of clients across industries from mining to airports and everything in between. That's why founder and CEO Steve Brown describes RemSense as a technology development company more than just an imaging business (more below). But giving customers the best possible access to remote facilities is still a cornerstone of what he and his team do. Using magnetospheric or multispectral readings, LIDAR (light detection and ranging –…

Omega Sinto is a global manufacturer of chemically bonded sand equipment used in the foundry/metal casting industry. Originally established in the UK, Omega Sinto now operates around the world offering a wide range of products which includes sand mixers, mould-handling equipment, core-making machines, shakeouts, sand reclamation plants, coating plants, and more. Leussink Sales and Marketing Manager, Stuart Ward, says that the partnership with Omega Sinto takes Leussink into a new area of Australian manufacturing. “Under our new partnership, we will supply Omega Sinto’s equipment off-the-shelf, but provide installation and modifications where required,” he said. “After joining Leussink last year I began to look at new business opportunities and approached Omega Sinto. My professional background is in the foundry industry so it made sense for me to look at that area.” “At the time I began speaking with them about fabrication and engineering work, the local business manager they had in place had decided to retire so they needed new representation in Australia and New Zealand. It fell into place from there,” added Ward. Omega Sinto has almost…

Built-in conjunction with global aviation fuel products and service supplier Air bp and leading aviation specialists Refuel International in Melbourne, the vehicle will be based at Brisbane Airport, uplifting Jet-A1 for business and general aircraft at the busy international airport. The refueller can carry approximately 16,000 litres of aviation fuel, with all onboard pumps and functions fully electrified, with the management of the systems provided by the proprietary SEA-Drive power system. This system has previously been adapted to electrify a wide range of ancillary functions, such as the hydraulic systems found on refuse vehicles, elevated work platforms, tippers and tilt trays, or the cooling units found in refrigerated delivery trucks. This latest adaptation sees the bulk of the energy for the truck devoted to the fuel delivery task, rather than propulsion for the vehicle. “SEA Electric is proud to be partnering with Air bp on this world-leading project, which sets the standard for environmental credentials and performance, all while showcasing the possibilities of EV technology,” said…

Henkel is slated to produce Loctite polyurethane (PUR) adhesives in Australia from the first half of 2023. The adhesives will be manufactured in Kilsyth, Victoria, to serve the engineered wood industry across Australia and New Zealand. “Purbond adhesives are used globally and have long been the benchmark for innovation and reliability in the engineered wood industry. Producing Purbond locally is an exciting endeavor that opens many opportunities for us to help our customers in Australia and New Zealand to grow,” said Brad Simpson, Sales Manager and Business Unit Manager, Adhesives Technologies, Engineered Wood, Furniture and Building Components. Henkel’s adhesive experts at its Innovation and Application Labs in Sydney and Auckland, help customers explore ways to expedite the time to market and optimise their own production processes for the development of engineered wood solutions. With the production of Purbond in Australia, adhesives production can be customised for specific performance requirements such as fire resistance and for use with modified timbers. “By localising the production of Purbond adhesives, our customers will benefit from reduced lead times from order to delivery, as well as greater supply…

Evonik is continuing its materials campaign in 3D printing. The specialty chemicals company is launching three new INFINAM photopolymers for industrial 3D applications expand the photo-resins product line launched last year for use in common UV-curing 3D printing processes such as SLA or DLP. With a total of seven new photopolymer formulations, Evonik has diversified the additive manufacturing material landscape in less than two years. Photopolymers product line continues to grow INFINAM RG 2000L is a photo resin for the demanding eyewear industry. The clear liquid formulation cures quickly and is easy to process. A low yellowing index – even after prolonged UV irradiation – not only makes the high-performance material attractive for additively manufactured eyewear frames, but it is also suitable for applications such as microfluidic reactors or transparent high-end prototypes for observing the inner workings of complex assemblies. The excellent light transmission of INFINAM RG 2000 L also opens up further applications such as lenses, light guides, and illumination covers. INFINAM RG 7100 L was specially developed for DLP printers and enables the…

Capral introduces LocAl®, a lower-carbon primary aluminium option available across Capral's locally manufactured extruded aluminium products. Providing Australian manufacturers access to cleaner, greener, more sustainable aluminium for their projects. The LocAl offer includes two lower carbon aluminium options: LocAl Green with carbon emissions of 8kg CO2e/kg Al* and LocAl Super Green at 4kg CO2e/kg Al* - amongst the lowest carbon aluminium available globally. In 2022, Capral committed to reaching Net Zero emissions by 2050, a significant step change, driving rapid innovation and cultural evolution throughout the business, most notably within procurement and operations. The introduction of LocAl demonstrates a deliberate shift in Capral's procurement strategy for primary aluminium billet. Luke Hawkins, General Manager of Supply & Industrial Solutions, said this is a strategic change for Capral, “driven by our desire to make lower Carbon aluminium accessible to Australian manufacturers. The market is looking for this product, and as Australia's largest extruder of aluminium, we must make it available. In 2022, 22% of the primary aluminium billet Capral uses in its eight local extrusion presses had a carbon content lower than eight kilograms CO2e per kilogram…

Conflux Technology has released its first product - an ultra-high-performing Water Charge Air Cooler (WCAC). Conflux Technology has used its rich and extensive knowledge in additive manufactured (AM) heat exchangers to deliver a premium WCAC product that rivals and out-performs other leading WCACs, applicable to motorsport and high-end automotive markets. As AM technology advances, industry leaders are recognising the complementary power of digital inventory and mass customisation. “The Conflux WCAC embodies how we deliver what motorsport and elite automakers ask for – a definitive performance advantage. A product is rapidly configured to our customer’s prioritisation of performance, size, and packaging requirements. AM lets us supply the WCAC with low lead time and competitively priced.” says Dan Woodford, Chief Product Officer at Conflux. This technologically advanced product has already made an impact in European motorsport circles as the superior WCAC; consistently eliciting demonstrable enthusiasm from leaders in the field over its fine features, incredible geometry, and highly competitive pricing. Conflux Products deliver industry-leading performance; are scalable and configurable to unique boundary conditions, performance, and packaging requirements. "I am really excited about the product roadmap for…

Leading materials handling manufacturer Enmin is manufacturing electromagnetic drives in Australia. These drives offer a unique handling method for controlling the flow of food products, ingredients, and bulk material. Products can be screened, sized, or accurately metered to ensure a smooth, uniform, and fully variable flow. With minimal moving parts, next to no ongoing maintenance, and low energy consumption it’s a reliable, low-cost method of product handling. The drives are designed and constructed to meet the rigorous requirements of the food and pharmaceutical industries such as maximum hygiene, ease of cleaning, and continuous 24/7 operation. The cyclic operation is controlled by a range of electronic controllers that will vary the feeding rate in a manner to suit the specific application enabling high-speed filling coupled with pinpoint accuracy. The controllers are available in different enclosures or as standalone for incorporation into central panels. As production lines evolve and other components are updated to achieve higher throughput, older and less efficient drives cannot match the required capacity increase. “Fitting one of our new generation drives will ensure that a higher conveying speed can be achieved to…

Australian manufacturers will now gain access to a ground-breaking new composite 3D printer at the Swinburne University of Technology, from global market leader Markforged. The Markforged FX20 printer is primarily designed for high-strength end-use parts in the aerospace, defense, automotive and energy industries. The FX20 prints nearly five times larger builds and is up to eight times faster than Markforged's existing line of composite printers. The FX20 printer at Swinburne’s Aerostructures Innovation Research Hub (AIR Hub) will be the first and only FX20 printer openly accessible to industry in Australia for use in research and development, helping promote new aerospace development and support the continued growth of the sector locally. It also features a heated build chamber capable of maintaining a temperature of up to 200°C to print flame-retardant, high-performance thermoplastic material. Shai Terem, President and CEO of Markforged, hosted the Australian launch of the FX20 3D printer at Swinburne’s Hawthorn campus as part of a three-city launch tour in Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney. “With this combination of hardware and software, users can create end-use, mission-critical parts and build resilient and sustainable supply chains that extend directly…

Hybrid Systems Australia has unveiled its new rapidly deployable stand-alone power system (RD-SPS) at the All-Energy Expo in Melbourne. The award-winning SPS experts have delivered a new skid-mounted system comprising the latest solar PV technology, batteries and backup diesel generator that can provide energy to customers in under an hour from delivery. The modular design, manufactured and engineered in Western Australia, uses the same platform that has been successfully installed at more than 110 sites across Western Australia and can be combined with rapidly deployable PV arrays, existing PV installations or temporary ground-mount arrays of up to 36 kW peak. The system also incorporates the company’s new Hybrid Integrated Power System (HIPSTM), an outdoor-rated enclosure that contains the battery inverters, solar charge controller, battery and control system, which has been designed with 24/7 remote operation in mind. Mike Hall, Executive Director for Hybrid Systems Australia, said the company is pleased to introduce an innovative SPS solution to the market that can be operated remotely, transported, and installed very quickly, and that is proven to operate effectively in some of Australia’s harshest conditions. “It’s a…

Technofast Founder and CEO John Bucknell began innovating with farming technology, before applying similar principles to create Technofast’s hydraulic tensioning technology now used globally by mining, sugar, cement, food processing, quarrying and other applications. Another Australian farmer is following in the footsteps of the inventors of the stump-jump plough by achieving international renown for his ingenuity for down-to-earth solutions for problems encountered by producers globally. Queensland farmer John Bucknell’s hydraulic bolts are now used around the world in applications such as nuclear reactors, boilers, turbines and mining and energy equipment where speed, accuracy and even, precise fastening of multiple sets of bolts is required. The idea originally stemmed from his desire to find a quicker and more secure way to fasten bolts used to tighten gang bolts on large disc ploughs on his family’s property near Nindigully, Queensland (about 500km west of Brisbane). Just like brothers Richard and Clarence Smith of Yorke Peninsula who invented the stump jump plough in 1876 to allow farmers to cultivate land without removing rocks and stumps, John used his disc plough to break in new country, ready for…