Technology News

As complete sales, service, and support subsidiaries of the Okuma Corporation, a world-leading single-source builder of machines and controllers, Okuma Australia and New Zealand specialise in the sales and servicing of highly efficient Okuma CNC machine tools, factory automation, and comprehensive support services. Both subsidiaries are wholly owned by Okuma Corporation in Japan. We are committed to delivering premier 'full service' distribution and lifetime support for Okuma CNC machines and computer numerically controlled (CNC) systems, equipping our customers with a complete suite of engineering capabilities. With a team of experienced engineers, Okuma Australia and New Zealand ensure timely and successful delivery of solutions tailored to each customer’s needs. Okuma’s presence in Australia and New Zealand dates back to the mid-1970s, making our machines some of the most trusted in the market. Visit us at Stand Number MT650 and witness first-hand Okuma machines actively cutting metal, probing and our new OSP-P500 controller! Our knowledgeable specialists will demonstrate…

AXT will showcase a full range of products for various stages throughout the additive manufacturing workflow, from metal powder production to 3D printing to final inspection. Whether your preference is metals, polymers, or ceramics, we have solutions for you. The Amazemet rePowder opens up many possibilities for metal AM researchers and producers. With the ability to transform virtually any metal, recycled powder, and failed parts into powders with customised properties, you can take control of your process. Utilising unique ultrasonic atomisation technology, it can also be used to create custom alloy compositions. You can then confirm alloy composition with the Exum Instruments Massbox, which employs pioneering LALI-TOF-MS technology to rapidly measure every element in the periodic table at every location. When it comes time to print metal parts, Aconity3D can provide LPBF systems to meet your requirements. With flexible and modular designs, multi-laser configurations, multi-material capabilities, and inline process monitoring, they can customise a system for you, ranging from academic research to industrial-scale printing. For polymer 3D printers seeking to exceed the capabilities of filament printers, we offer a range…

From 2024, commuters on sections of regional New South Wales began travelling on a state-of-the-art fleet of intercity trains. Named after the Dharug word for emu, the 610 carriages in the Mariyung fleet offer modern safety and advanced features for customers who make almost 45 million journeys a year on this network. To support these critical assets, Transport for NSW (TfNSW) constructed a 500,000 square metre depot at Kangy Angy, near the Central Coast. The TfNSW Intercity Fleet Maintenance Facility, which operates 24/7, features approximately 6 kilometres of electric rail lines and heavy equipment, including a 50-tonne wheel lathe. One of the core requirements for the facility was to implement a robust safety system, and CNFiTech was assigned the task of developing a flexible and functional design for a Depot Personnel Protection System (DPPS). The system needed to be SIL-2 rated, crafted using readily available proprietary safety hardware and software tools, and easy to…

High-efficiency diode lasers from Laserline look set to become pivotal for the nascent local battery industry as industry realises incentives under the government’s Future Made in Australia Act and National Battery Strategy. Economical, modular, high-power diode lasers from Laserline are setting new standards for efficiency in surface heat treatments, which are crucial to numerous manufacturing processes. These include hardening, curing powder coatings, and drying offset colours, as well as drying fuel cells and battery foils. Drying electrodes for lithium-ion batteries is the most expensive step in their production, incurring about 20% of the cost. Therefore, the latest efficiencies of laser drying could revolutionise battery production and other surface heat treatments. Laserline’s new OTX range of optics and high-efficiency diode lasers create extra-wide beams of 1.5 metres or more, ideal for heat-treating large surfaces required for electrode drying in the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries. Dr Cedric Chaminade, Technical Director and physicist at Raymax Applications, which distributes Laserline’s diode lasers, says Raymax is excited to supply this technology to Australasia, where governments are backing manufacturing innovations toward clean energy and…

Sydney-based Greensteel Australia has announced that it has placed an order with the leading global steelmaking infrastructure group Danieli Group to purchase stages two and three of its proposed ultra-low-carbon steel mill. The order, valued at over $1.6 billion, includes a direct reduced iron (DRI) plant, two electric arc furnaces, a structural steel rolling mill with high-speed rail capability, and a second rolling mill for reinforced steel (rebar). The order follows Greensteel’s placement of an initial order with Italy-based Danieli for the fabrication of a single reinforced steel (rebar) rolling mill in October of last year. The delivery of three mills, two arc furnaces, and a DRI plant is expected by late 2026 or early 2027. This will signify a crucial milestone in Greensteel’s plans to establish Australia’s first ultra-low-carbon steelmaking operation, enhancing the country’s sovereign steelmaking capability. Speaking at a contract-signing event in Adelaide, Mena Ibrahim, President and Executive Director of Greensteel, emphasised the company’s commitment to creating Australia’s most advanced steelmaking hub while also contributing to the decarbonization of heavy industry. “Danieli is the…

Since its founding in 1898, Gühring has been at the forefront of precision cutting tool innovation, setting industry standards in quality, performance, and reliability. With a legacy spanning over 125 years, Gühring has established itself as a global leader in developing high-performance tools for industries such as aerospace, automotive, medical, and general engineering. Recognising the growing demand for advanced tooling solutions in Australia, Gühring expanded its global footprint and established Guhring Australia (Guhring Pty. Ltd.) in 1989 in Victoria. This strategic move was driven by a commitment to support Australian manufacturers with state-of-the-art tooling technology and local expertise. Over the past three decades, Guhring Australia has played a pivotal role in enhancing productivity and efficiency across a wide range of industries. Commitment to innovation and local manufacturing Guhring Australia has continually invested in their research, development, and manufacturing capabilities to meet the evolving needs of local industries. Equipped with cutting-edge CNC tool grinding machines, a PVD coating machine, and a support team of highly skilled engineers, Guhring Australia provides tailored tooling solutions that enhance machining performance and reduce production costs. The Guhring Compression…

A milling operation exposes multiple cutting edges to rapidly changing intermittent loads. Success in milling requires milling-specific choices and considerations. Whenever a milling cutter is employed, its cutting edges consistently enter and exit the workpiece material. The loads on the milling teeth vary from zero before entry to peak values during the cut and then return to zero at exit. The goal is to manage the intermittent loads of the milling process, thus maximising tool life, productivity, and process reliability. Essential factors for successful applications include cutter positioning, entry and exit strategies, and the control of chip thickness. Approaching the workpiece The loads on the milling tool are primarily determined by how the cutter and its cutting edges engage with the workpiece. In conventional or “up” milling, the cutter rotates against the direction of the workpiece feed. In climb or “down” milling, the cutter moves in the same direction as the feed. As a result, in conventional milling, the cutting edge enters the workpiece at minimum chip thickness and exits at maximum chip thickness. Conversely, the cutting edge in climb…

The Future Made in Australia Production Tax incentives constitute a significant step toward boosting the production of renewable green hydrogen and critical minerals in this country. The Federal Government's Future Made in Australia (Production Tax Credit and Other Measures) Bill 2024 passed to Parliament in February this year, a big step in making Australia indispensable to the global net zero transformation. The legislation provides tax offsets for producing renewable hydrogen and critical minerals and expands Indigenous Business Australia’s role and scope. Jointly announced by the Treasurer, Jim Chalmers, Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, Minister for Resources, Madeline King; and Assistant Minister for a Future Made in Australia, Senator Tim Ayres, the legislation establishes two tax incentives: A Hydrogen Production Tax Incentive worth two dollars per kilogram of renewable hydrogen produced between 2027–2028 and 2039–40 for up to ten years per project. A Critical Minerals Production Tax Incentive worth 10% of relevant processing and refining costs for Australia’s 31 critical minerals, for critical minerals…

Weld Australia and HERA call on Indigenous artists from Australia and New Zealand to submit their welded artworks for inclusion in the International Institute of Welding (IIW) 2025 Digital Collection Welded Art Photographic Exhibition: Progressing Biodiversity. This global exhibition will highlight the deep cultural significance of biodiversity through Indigenous perspectives, showcasing welded artworks that explore heritage, traditions, and the relationship between people and the natural world. The collection will be launched at the IIW Annual Assembly in Genoa, Italy, from 22 to 27 June 2025, providing artists with an unparalleled international platform. According to Geoff Crittenden, CEO of Weld Australia, this is a rare opportunity for Indigenous artists to share their culture and stories with a worldwide audience. “Welding is so much more than a trade—it is an art form, a tool for storytelling, and a way to connect with history and culture. This exhibition is about celebrating Indigenous creativity and showcasing the powerful connection between welding, culture, and biodiversity,” said Crittenden. “The IIW Digital Collection provides a truly global stage for artists to share their work. Not only…

In the ever-evolving landscape of modern agriculture, innovation is not just a luxury – it is a necessity. As global challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity, and shifting market demands place increasing pressure on the industry, innovation in equipment manufacturing and farming practices must work hand in hand to drive progress. Modern machinery is no longer just about efficiency; it must also enhance sustainability, improve soil health, and optimise productivity. This synergy between engineering innovation and smart agricultural practices is shaping the future of farming, ensuring long-term viability for farmers worldwide. KELLY Tillage, a company deeply rooted in the Australian farming community, has consistently pushed the boundaries when manufacturing agricultural machinery – responding to evolving industry challenges with smart solution innovation. The company’s forward-thinking approach and grassroots understanding have cemented KELLY Tillage as a respected brand name on the global stage. No mean feat for a family born business from the Flinders Ranges in South Australia. From their beginnings on the farm as KELLY Engineering, KELLY Tillage has remained committed to providing farmers with equipment…

Steel fabricators may not think much about corrosion after completing their work. However, major infrastructure like wharves, bridges, pipelines, and tanks is constantly threatened by corrosion, which, if it takes hold, will make them unsafe. Traditionally, phase control cathodic protection (CP) systems were used to protect infrastructure, but these come with several challenges, such as the high cost of copper cabling and associated power loss. These issues become even more significant for asset owners who must address environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting. Here, David Celine, managing director of cathodic protection specialist Omniflex, explains how CP system design can support ESG commitments while simultaneously reducing costs and enhancing maintenance capabilities. At the core of any impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) system is a transformer-rectifier unit (T/R), which provides the essential electrical current for ongoing protection. There are two primary types of T/R that can be employed to supply current for an ICCP system: phase control and switch-mode. While both technologies are hugely important to the global CP market, it is not always clear which is…

Colterlec has been delivering quality-engineered electrical product solutions for over 25 years across a range of industries, including mining, transport, and energy, with a strong focus on manufacturing, food and beverage, and packaging. Colterlec is proudly Australian-owned and operated and continues to be a leading distributor of electrical product innovations and solutions around Australia. We have a committed and skilled team to support you at every stage, along with partnerships with leading global suppliers to help you find the right product solution. Colterlec will showcase a comprehensive range of manufacturing and automation solutions from leading industry brands, aimed at enhancing productivity and safety in manufacturing. From Moxa, we will present industrial networking and automation connectivity solutions. These smart digital technologies are designed to optimise manufacturing operations and transform industrial processes, enhancing control across essential infrastructure. Next, Phoenix Contact features its Complete Cabinet Confidence of Power Reliability solutions, including connectivity, switching, and conversion technology, designed for dependable integrated systems that enhance operations and minimise downtime. Grace Technologies will showcase its electrical safety products and predictive maintenance solutions to enhance safety…

AML3D has always been at the forefront of innovation, driving the adoption of advanced additive manufacturing technology that disrupts traditional methods and unlocks new possibilities. Over the past few years, our pivot toward becoming a leading provider of Wire Additive Manufacturing (WAM®) systems has set the stage for remarkable growth. With the development of our ARCEMY® additive manufacturing systems and proprietary software solutions, WAMSoft® and AMLSoft™, we are transforming how industries approach production and supply chain challenges. This growth trajectory reached a critical milestone with our successful entry into the US market, underscored by high-profile contracts from the US Navy via BlueForge Alliance. These engagements validate our cutting-edge technology and our strategy of aligning with key partners to address the specific needs of high-value sectors such as defence, maritime, aerospace, oil, gas and energy. Embracing the power of wire additive manufacturing At its core, AML3D's mission is to harness the potential of wire additive manufacturing to address complex industrial challenges. Unlike traditional casting and subtractive manufacturing methods, WAM builds parts layer-by-layer from a digitally designed model. This approach minimises material waste,…