Technology News

In the mould and die industry, the hyperMILL CAD/CAM suite from OPEN MIND is regarded as an end-to-end complete solution. This is due to its ability to cover aspects such as electrode manufacturing and wire EDM. It is now the introduction of the 5-axis radial machining function that takes centre stage. This function is ideal for the process-optimised production of round moulds where surfaces cannot undergo hand finishing or polishing operations. For components such as blow moulds that are applied in vehicle bumper production or consumer goods bottles, high-quality machined surfaces are critical as secondary hand finishing can introduce optical facets and surface inconsistencies that may appear in downstream processing. The rise in complexity of bottle designs is also increasing the quality expectations put upon blow moulds. There is a wide variety of containers that often have additional features that double up as functional elements. This can include handles, decorations, and individual brand logos. The 3-axis machining of these types of moulds sometimes require very long tools and part re-clamping to mill undercut areas. A 3-axis approach also means that the point where the…

CH4 Global, a climate technology company and Siemens have entered into technology cooperation through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that supports CH4 Global’s ambitions of reducing enteric methane emissions by up to 90% using Asparagopsis seaweed processed as cattle feed supplements, in a production plant in South Australia. CH4 Global was the first company globally to obtain an IP license based on the original scientific research that proved the methane-mitigating benefits of Asparagopsis seaweed. The MoU will see CH4 Global using Siemens’ technological skills and capabilities in areas of digitalization and automation as it aims to help reduce methane and global greenhouse gas emissions from the livestock industry. CH4 Global also received a South Australian government grant this year to support its plans to develop stock feed products from native seaweed in the state. Headquartered in Nevada (US) and with operations in Australia and New Zealand, CH4 Global recently announced the company’s first EcoPark, an integrated facility in New Zealand for sustainable aquaculture. Speaking on the MoU signing, Tim Williams, COO of CH4 Global, said that the…

Registrations are open NOW for Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW2023), being held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from 9-12 May 2023. Organised by the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), AMW2023 will occupy more than 10,000 square metres of exhibition space at the MCEC, with almost 300 organisations taking stands to showcase the latest manufacturing technologies, processes, and support services. Don’t miss out!  Register online now at australianmanufacturingweek.com.au There are seven Zones on the vast floorspace of Australian Manufacturing Week, which takes up almost of the MCEC. Each zone focuses on particular aspects of manufacturing in Australia. These include: Austech Machine Tools, sponsored by ISCAR; Additive Manufacturing Zone; Australian Manufacturers Zone, sponsored by Sutton Tools; Manufacturing Solutions Zone, sponsored by Adobe; Robotics & Automation Zone; Weld and Air Solutions Zone, sponsored by AtlasCopco; and the Plastic Technology Zone. WELD & AIR SOLUTIONS ZONE The Weld & Air Solutions Zone will highlight advanced welding processes and provide high-quality interactive experiences that demonstrate developments and applications in the welding sector. Welding is critical in metal fabrication…

Already the demand for lightweight components is increasing in automotive engineering, aerospace technology, even pipeline construction. In addition to aluminium, fibre-reinforced plastics are primarily used. Significant growth in fibre-reinforced plastics is evident, as it is 25% lighter than aluminium, and up to 60 to 70% less weight compared to steel. The typical manufacturing process for plastics is processing of tapes. Laser-assisted tape winding and laser-assisted tape placement using thermoplastic pre-impregnated tapes with a laser heat source enables a very high-quality end product in one single process. Light weight parts in different shapes that can be layered are 2D panels and 3D parts, pressure valves and pipes. Tape placement is used on 2D and 3D parts while tape winding is used for tubes and vessels. The thermoplastic tapes are reinforced endless fibres of carbon, glass or aramid ready to be used on a range of products. In tape laying, the tapes are pulled off the roll using a feed unit, deposited…

Global engineering giant Norgren is set to revolutionise traditional workholding in Australia with the introduction of Adaptix, the latest in breakthrough engineering designed to transform the way you hold and grip parts in your milling machine. “Accuracy and repeatability are key elements to the manufacturing process that require the constant evolution of workholding techniques, strategies and tools. In order to keep up with ever-increasing demand and Industry 4.0, the market is in need of good workholding solutions to make machining easier and more profitable,” Andrew Gault, Business Unit Manager (Transportation & Industrial Automation) ANZ said. Norgren has a proud history of creating innovative engineering solutions in precise motion control and fluid technology, collaborating with customers across more than 50 countries in critical areas such as Factory Automation, Material Handling, Rail, Energy, Process Control, Life Science and Commercial Vehicles. From improving speed, productivity, reliability and efficiency of equipment, to generating significant energy and cost savings, or lowering total cost of ownership across many industries, Norgren’s high-quality solutions are designed to help customers pursue progress, achieve new goals and overcome problems. “Norgren is at the forefront of delivering…

Cutting-edge Australian 3D printing building and construction company, Luyten, has launched the world's largest mobile 3D smart AI-powered concrete printer for the building and construction industry. Aptly titled, the Platypus X12, to reflect its Australian design and tech heritage, the printer is already being hailed a global success story as construction firms across the world place orders to accelerate build schedules and revolutionise delivery capabilities. The newly launched printer is the first of its kind in Australia, the southern hemisphere and the largest worldwide. The Luyten Platypus series is the world’s leading range of 3D concrete printers and the ultimate field and factory-ready printing system for high-quality finished products and architectural designs that demand something more. According to Ahmed Mahil, cofounder and CEO of Luyten, the all-new Luyten Platypus X12 is built with high mobility and accuracy in mind and is big enough to build large-scale structures in one go. “It is the most sophisticated mobile 3D concrete printer in the world. In designing the printer, we focused on cutting-edge tech and useability to ensure the printer…

Established in 1940, Grantek delivers a wide variety of services and products including manufacturing advanced special parts for industrial applications, reverse engineering, laser engraving, mechanical processing, wire spark, 3D printing, construction and more. For the seven-strong company based in Fagersta, Sweden, investing in its first robot has been a success. "This investment has helped us to greatly enhance our capabilities as a company. We can process more orders for more customers and make full use of the hours available in a day, including producing around the clock if necessary. Now we get requests that we have never had before, so the robot has increased our competitiveness considerably,” says Kjell Granqvist, CEO Grantek. Grantek uses an ABB FlexLoader SC 6000, a turnkey solution that has been designed to ensure that the items that are fed from the production line are ready to be packaged and delivered to the customer. This standard cell contains an ABB IRB 4600 robot, which uses ABB’s FlexLoader Vision software to enable fast and simple teaching of new objects and materials to provide maximum flexibility. In developing…

FOBA has developed a 532 nanometers wavelength green laser marking system that offers new possibilities for industrial direct part marking. Supplemented by FOBA’s comprehensive marking workflow, the low-heat laser applies perfect marks on materials with extraordinary absorption properties. Such materials include white, transparent, or red plastics as well as highly reflective metals. The green laser completes the range of laser wavelengths in FOBA’s portfolio of marking systems. A significant increase in marking speed and marking quality on previously insufficiently markable materials are the main benefits of FOBA’s green laser. Affected materials include special plastics like UHMWPE, HDPE or PMMA for which additives might no longer be necessary, as well as glass or shiny substrates. Compared to other laser types like UV or fiber, the green laser shows better marking results while achieving superior marking speeds. The application of the green laser marker can be facilitated using FOBA’s proven laser marking workflow with camera and mark alignment software. “The optical part inspection and validation of marked contents as well as the automated and precise positioning of the laser mark have long been valued by…

Established in 1954, precision gear manufacturer Ronson Gears is a Melbourne-based company of 43 staff that services a range of sectors globally. From aerospace to agriculture, defense, energy, off-highway, medical and rail, Ronson prides itself on delivering quality products through innovation. A hands-on, third-generation family business, it stays abreast of technological developments as a member of various leading associations, having engineered gears for all industrial applications. Boosting supply chain Selected by BAE Systems Australia amongst a handful of other Australian SMEs for the delivery of sub-missiles, Ronson Gears will enable the growth of a significant sovereign supply chain, providing opportunities for future design, integration and advanced manufacturing. BAE Systems and an expanded network of Australian industry partners will deliver sub-assemblies into Block 2 of the ESSM program under a new three-year full-rate production contract with a contracted customer in the United States. The ESSM is a medium-range surface-to-air missile developed to protect warships from advanced anti-ship cruise missiles. BAE Systems is the Australian industry…

EMVision, a medical device company focused on the development and commercialisation of medical imaging technology, is pleased to advise that it has successfully achieved an important milestone for the Company’s First Responder (2nd Gen) device under the Commonwealth of Australia Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) program in partnership with the Australian Stroke Alliance (ASA). Achievement of this milestone has resulted in EMVision receiving a $600,000 milestone payment from the ASA under the program. The Milestone activities have focused on extensive end-user requirements gathering, with workshops held with VIC Ambulance, NSW Ambulance and the Royal Flying Doctor Service, among others, to ensure that the device being developed is fit for purpose, easy to operate and can integrate seamlessly into clinical workflows. Alongside these activities, an advanced concept for the 2nd Gen device has progressed positively. Leveraging the core technology from EMVision’s 1st Gen in-hospital bedside scanner, the 2nd Gen first responder scanners’ proposed design includes a new hybrid antenna array, proprietary coupling cap and integrated neck, head and shoulder support. An initial prototype of the array is targeted for later this year. The…

Melbourne-based Corvus Technology Solutions is pleased to announce it has received the first round of funding under its Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI) grant from the Australian Government. Corvus was the successful recipient last year of a $3m grant under the MMI, which forms part of the Australian Government’s wider $2.5bn Modern Manufacturing Strategy. The funds will be invested to boost Australia’s sovereign capability with the installation of high-precision machinery at Corvus’ manufacturing facility in Victoria. This will enable Corvus to produce a large number of precision parts and tooling with very high accuracy and consistency for the defence, aerospace, automotive, medical device and electronics industries, among others. Corvus Operations Manager Ryan Higgins said the funds received under the MMI would not only enhance Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capabilities, but also provide a significant boost to local employment. “The $3m awarded under the MMI will help us establish fully integrated, precision manufacturing capabilities at our facility and support the creation of more than 300 local manufacturing jobs over the next five years,” he said. “It will also enhance our competitiveness to bid on more contracts in the…

CST Wastewater Solutions Managing Director Mr Michael Bambridge says the move to fully manufacture rotary drum screen and screw screen/compactors in Australia is enhancing quality, environmental outcomes and certainty of supply to its customers.  He said the supply chaos created by COVID and international tensions just made the decision to produce locally even easier because there are so many reasons in favour of it. “It means we can build into our product the quality of Australian engineering and metalworking,  which is respected worldwide. It means we can quickly build in features that adapt product to local conditions, which can vary strongly across Australasia and SE Asia. “Local production means we can place supply and service closer to the customers on whom entire populations depend for reliable service and environmental outcomes, including food and beverage production and municipal services. It builds jobs, skills and capabilities in this region,” said Bambridge. The company has made its mark in Australasia and SE Asia for more than 25 years with dozens of highly robust and cost-efficient screening and compacting…

Set-up times are the pain point of every workshop. Modern machine shops need to stay competitive by utilising products that increase efficiency. 5th Axis is leading the way in their fully integrated line of workholding solutions. It's important to consider when purchasing zero-point work holding systems these three factors.  The zero-point workholding systems: Will not be made redundant if a machine shop chooses to robotically automate their production. Is modular enough to accommodate many different styles of fixturing (vices, chucks, tombstones, and jigs). It can adapt to holding a high density of components. The 5th Axis work holding system utilises the same components throughout its entire product range allowing users to expand as needed. When a customer is ready to automate, a readymade ‘cleat’ can be fixed to existing vices/fixtures to accommodate a robotic gripper and pneumatic base. It uses the same stud pattern mounted to the machine eliminating the need to purchase a new system. MSC Moto started back in 1995 when Mark Cumming offered to make a motorcycle steering damper for a friend and was told it would be too challenging. Since…