Technology News

Linde Engineering has signed an agreement with PsiQuantum to deliver a cryogenic cooling plant for the world’s first utility-scale quantum computer in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The plant will be one of the largest cryogenic cooling facilities ever constructed to operate a quantum computer. It will cool the cryogenic cabinets housing PsiQuantum’s new Omega chipset and other systems. Quantum computing is anticipated to propel advancements in healthcare, energy, material design, and encryption, while the project in Brisbane advances Australia’s quantum ecosystem across academia, commercial partnerships, and supply chains. The large-scale cryogenic cooling infrastructure will achieve the required 4 Kelvin range (-269 °C, -452 °F). Linde Engineering is among the very few companies worldwide with the necessary expertise, having installed over 500 cryogenic plants. These plants serve high-tech industries such as semiconductors and magnetic resonance imaging and scientific applications like particle accelerators and fusion research. “We are proud to help PsiQuantum realise their ambitious vision for quantum computing. This collaboration demonstrates how combined expertise can drive advancements in technology and innovation,” says John van der Velden, Senior Vice President Global…

For over 30 years, Dimac has supported manufacturers across Australia and New Zealand with expert workholding solutions that enhance the performance of CNC machines. As a trusted performance partner, Dimac works closely with clients to streamline processes, improve productivity and strengthen operator safety. With tailored solutions that deliver precision, repeatability and efficiency, Dimac helps clients achieve consistent performance while reducing operational costs and driving long-term value. One such client is Marand Precision Engineering — a leader in precision manufacturing that understands the value of continuous improvement. Looking to implement a more efficient workholding strategy, Marand engaged Dimac’s Sales Manager (Victoria and Tasmania), Adrian Crisan, to explore the best fit solution. Challenges in modern CNC manufacturing For over five decades, Marand has been at the forefront of precision engineering, supplying high-quality solutions to industries including defence, aerospace, rail, mining and energy. As the demand for higher efficiency and standardised manufacturing processes grew, Marand needed a solution to: Reduce machine downtime caused by lengthy and inconsistent workholding setups. Ensure part accessibility to optimise cycle times across various CNC machines. Create a universal…

Studio Kite is at the forefront of 3D printing technology, having built two massive 3D printers, fittingly named CADzilla. As the name suggests, these printers are designed for large-scale fabrication and have been fully operational for the past seven years, producing props, sculptures, public art, and prototypes, all on a grand scale. With 25 years of experience in 3D printing and 35 years in cinematic special effects, sculpture, and model making, Studio Kite now plans to start mass-producing affordable homes from plastics destined for landfill. Introducing Jindi, a building solution that Studio Kite says “doesn’t cost the earth. " “Over the last few years, we have vigorously fine-tuned the shapes to optimise the materials as best we can; these forms have been rigorously tested to enter the housing and construction market. We’re 3D printing using 100% recycled consumer waste, which is challenging and costly to recycle consistently. We 3D print an optimised sacrificial formwork that gets coated with a thin shell of basalt fibre-reinforced cement,” said…

A versatile new family of safety and efficiency-focused medium frequency induction heaters is being introduced to Australasia by the global motion technology company Schaeffler, providing shorter heating times and reducing bearing mounting and dismounting times by half. The new generation medium frequency technology (MFT) heaters enhance safety during bearing mounting and dismounting by eliminating the need for traditional heating methods that involve open flames, such as gas burners or oil baths, ensuring more controlled and stress-free heating of machinery components. Crucially, unlike conventional heaters suitable only for mounting, MFT heaters offer a large thermal capacity and flexible installation methods that enable safe and efficient bearing dismounting. This minimises the risk of damage to both the bearing and the shaft, thereby allowing for quick dismantling and rebuilding times. The productivity gains of the energy-conserving MFT heaters – including nine models ranging from 1.2kW to 45kW – dramatically reduce maintenance costs, even for heavy workpieces such as gear wheels, gear drives, bearings, and couplings. The ‘HEATER’ series of induction…

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…

Gold Fields has awarded a contract to Goldwind to design, manufacture and construct seven wind turbines for its St Ives gold mine, located 80km south of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia. The turbines will form a 42MW wind farm as part of Gold Fields’ landmark $296m St Ives Renewable Energy project, which will become one of Western Australia’s largest renewable energy initiatives at an existing mine site. It’s not the number of turbines that’s news, but their gargantuan size. Together, these elements make the project one of the largest to be commissioned at an existing mine site in WA. Mobile batching plants will be deployed to the site in Kambalda to mix the 900m3 volume of concrete and allow for continuous pours at each of the seven turbine bases. The entire renewable system is projected to provide power for 73% of the St Ives site and reduce the mine’s carbon emissions by approximately 50% by 2030. Gold Fields Principal Specialist and Project Director Simon Schmid said the St Ives project was part of Gold Fields’ expanding decarbonisation…

The Northern Territory manufacturing ecosystem will soon access the latest surface cleaning technology for metal and other materials through Darwin-based services company Wurrba (pronounced Wataba), with co-investment from the Northern Territory Government and managed by the AMGC. Wurrba’s adoption and deployment of cutting-edge laser surface cleaning technology will mark the first time this calibre of technology is permanently available in the region, as companies previously required to engage with interstate or international suppliers for laser cleaning services. Founded in 2020, Wurrba is an Indigenous-owned, managed, and operated project management business that delivers comprehensive end-to-end solutions in construction, remediation, and maintenance throughout the Northern Territory. In collaboration with laser cleaning experts, Wurrba will also aim to tackle the challenges of operating such equipment in the heat and humidity of the Northern Territory, while also enhancing local staff’s skills in the operation, maintenance, and sustainment of the precision equipment. “Laser cleaning will become a critical enabler for the NT’s manufacturing and wider industrial ecosystem,” explained Raphael Clarke, Founder of Wurrba. “Through the adoption and deployment of this advanced technology, Wurrba…

Scientists have observed water molecules splitting in real time to form hydrogen and oxygen. Just before they split, the molecules did something entirely unexpected: They flipped 180 degrees. This micro acrobatic stunt requires energy, which explains why splitting water demands more energy than theoretical calculations indicated. The researchers suggest that further study could provide vital insights into enhancing the efficiency of splitting water molecules—paving the way for more affordable, clean hydrogen fuel. Hydrogen possesses several key properties that render it an attractive source of green energy. This energy-rich fuel can power trucks and even cargo ships, and it stands as the sole alternative to fossil fuels in industries such as steel and fertiliser manufacturing. When burned, the fuel emits water instead of carbon dioxide. However, the steep energy requirements for hydrogen production significantly limit the scale at which the fuel can be produced. According to the International Energy Authority, 322 million tonnes of hydrogen fuel must be generated annually to satisfy global energy needs. Yet, in 2023, only 97 million tonnes were produced…

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionising supply chain planning, but a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. AI isn’t just for highly advanced supply chains; regardless of maturity, every company can benefit. The key is aligning AI adoption with current capabilities rather than rushing into advanced solutions without a solid foundation. However, blindly implementing AI—without understanding your supply chain maturity or selecting the right technology partner—can be risky. AI success depends on choosing tools suited to your needs and ensuring proper integration. The Five Levels of Manufacturing and Supply Chain Maturity and AI Readiness A Supply Chain Maturity Model helps businesses assess where they stand and determine what AI can offer at each stage. While various models exist globally (Gartner, Oliver Wight, Deloitte, PwC, SCOR), the DMS Manufacturing Supply Chain Maturity Score is tailored to Australian and New Zealand manufacturers. This model evaluates people, processes, technology, strategy, and collaboration, helping businesses identify strengths, weaknesses, and AI opportunities. Here’s how AI fits into each maturity stage: Disjointed Manufacturing Supply Chains (Low Maturity) Limited processes, poor…

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…

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…

John Hart will bring the Mazak Integrex i-250H S, Quick Turn 350MY, Variaxis C-600, and the VCN-600 to AMW2025 to demonstrate Mazak’s innovations in machining productivity and MAZATROL Smooth CNC Technology. John Hart will also showcase the Agile Flex robotic loading systems for CNC machine tools and hyperMILL, the CAD/CAM software from OPEN MIND. The next generation of Mazak Integrex, the i-H Series, is helping manufacturers respond quickly to ever-changing production demands while taking advantage of the new digital solutions offered by Mazak’s MAZATROL SmoothAi CNC. The Mazak Integrex i-250H features Mazak’s MAZATROL SmoothAi CNC, the next generation of SMOOTH TECHNOLOGY. In addition to the conversational programming power of MAZATROL, the SmoothAi control leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to power innovative tools like SMOOTHAi Spindle, SMOOTH CAM Ai, MAZATROL TWINS, and more. The Mazak Quick Turn 350MY CNC turning centre, featuring multi-tasking capability, combines advanced technology, productivity, and value to deliver exceptional performance. As an MY configuration, the machine includes milling capability and Y-axis functionality, a standard through-hole chuck package and an integral turning spindle…