Technology News

The ANU Quantum Optical Ground Station is a telescope that will support high-speed advanced communications with satellites from low-Earth orbit to the Moon and other deep space laser communication. It will also support future research on advanced communications technologies, providing satellite networks with quantum security and global connectivity. With support from the Australian Space Agency’s (ASA) ‘Moon to Mars’ initiative, the station is being upgraded with the latest optical technology that will enable communication between the station and future NASA-crewed missions beyond low-Earth orbit. The station received major funding from the ACT Government’s Priority Investment Program with additional support from the Australian Space Agency, CSIRO and TESAT. ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr labelled the ground station as a key national asset that positions Australia and the Indo-Pacific region to collaborate and compete on the global stage. “Canberra has the capabilities to support space industry success and to take advantage of the enormous investment being…

Hoffmann recently introduced the ZeroClamp zero-point clamping system. Designed to significantly reduce set-up times and increase machining efficiency, the patent-registered new system provides an effective route to producing more components, quicker and at a lower cost. Some features set this reliable and robust work-holding solution apart from other competitor systems. Using the face and taper HSK spindle tooling principle the ZeroClamp clamping pots can achieve a repeatability of +/- 2.5 microns, around ten times more accurate than existing systems. As the hollow, tapered-shank bolt is drawn into the clamping pot the elastic properties of the seating ring expand slightly, allowing the taper to locate positively and the faces of the pot and the pallet or raw material to engage and locate solidly. Subsequently, each fixing point has a break-out force of between 12.5kN and 60kN, depending on the clamping pot diameter. This principle also removes any machining-induced vibration, minimises all thermal effects and compensates for hole misalignments of up to +/-0.1mm as the tapers always compensate towards the centre of the clamping position. The tapered bolts are produced from case-hardened 42CrMO2 steel and are…

Imagine having Gandalf protect your industrial motors. It would be a formidable force to reckon with. Well, according to Freddie Coertze, the ifm moneo Data Science Toolbox has a wizard that can provide just that type of protection – by predicting motor issues through the use of advanced vibration analysis (AVA). “A unique aspect of moneo is that this wizard can help users determine the vibration limits of their motor and predict failure well in advance, so there is enough time to act,” says Coertze, the National IoT Business Development Manager for ifm Australia. “It’s a great way for an industrial business of any size to start implementing a predictive maintenance plan – without the fuss and complexity that is often associated with this process. Because you’re starting just with the motor monitoring.” Unlike other condition monitoring solutions, moneo has been designed for ease-of-use. It is a self-service IIoT platform where the hardware, software and smarts – which are predictive formulas created by artificial intelligence (AI) – come in one package. The AVA wizard is a tool that comes with moneo and can…

Based in Newcastle, the company was founded by Tim Lightfoot and Tony Brooks in January 2015. Tim’s existing business, Safety MITS, supplied maintenance equipment for the Mining, Earthmoving, Transportation and associated industries. Together they identified the need for durable trays, canopies, toolboxes and service bodies for four-wheel drive Utes that could stand up to the harsh abuse of work and mine sites. Initially starting off manufacturing custom-designed products, the company has evolved into developing a range of standard modular trays and canopies that would fit all popular Ute brands and models - with many optional accessories available to suit individual preferences and needs. This flexibility of the modular design extends to being able to remove the tray and canopy and transfer it to another vehicle at time of sale if required. A natural progression saw the company supplying the same high-quality products to the burgeoning recreational off-road 4x4 market and more recently the fleet/trade market…

After registering to visit AMW2024, you can log in and tap through to My Show Planner. The My Show Planner online tool has everything you need to make the most of your time at AMW2024 in Sydney. My Show Planner is the AMW2024 visitors-side view of Map Your Show. You can connect with Exhibitors online, set up appointments, and plan your time so you don’t miss a thing. There is exclusive content available to My Show Planner users, revealing details about exhibitors and their products. Listings include Featured Exhibitors, details, and bios of speakers at the Future Solutions Speaker Sessions, product and exhibitor category listings as well as exclusive exhibitor collateral. After picking all your must-see content at your online portal, you can then login and access them all using the AMW2024 App while out on the show floor. You can download the AMW2024 App via the links on the event website. Registrations are now open for Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW2024), held at the ICC in Darling Harbour in Sydney.…

John Hart’s Managing Director, Nicholas Rehfisch and General Manager – Global Solutions, Danny Flude recently visited Japan to accept the “Fanuc Robot Global Partner of the Year 2023 – Application Award”. The award was presented at a gala dinner in Tokyo which was attended by over 300 robotic automation integrators from around the world. As a second-time recipient of the award, it is the ultimate recognition of the capability and experience of the John Hart team behind the development of the Agile Flex series of machine tending products. This Application Award specifically recognises the world-class design of the Agile Flex robotic loading systems for CNC machine tools. A market-leading solution, Agile Flex delivers a simple-to-use, out-of-the-box solution to increase machine tool productivity and unmanned machining. The Agile Flex is marketed under the Agile Robotic Systems brand and is part of the John Hart group. It draws upon a heritage of more than 75 years in machine tools and over 40 years in robotic automation. The compact, easy-to-use, flexible and affordable Agile Flex enjoys a well-earned…

ClearVue Technologies, an Australian smart building materials company has received its first commercial order in the United States for supply of ClearVue’s clear solar glass solutions for greenhouses. The order valued at $252,000 has been placed by Greenhouse System USA Inc. of Watsonville, California. Operating for over 42 years, System USA is a leader in green housing solutions in the US and Canada. ClearVue’s single-glazing laminate will be seamlessly integrated into System USA’s existing greenhouse structure providing approximately 82kW of solar power and producing an estimated 107,000kWh per year. This clean, renewable power project will be eligible for incentives created by the Inflation Reduction Act lowering annual operating costs and reducing the facility’s carbon footprint. Importantly, this initiative uses ClearVue’s innovative single-glazing laminate developed by ClearVue in conjunction with research partner D2Solar in California since 2021. “Greenhouses have been an integral part of our strategy from day one as we understood the growing global need for renewable energy solutions for sustainable agriculture,” Martin Deil, Global CEO of ClearVue Technologies, said. “Importantly, this new order validates our strategy for targeting the US-protected…

Satellite communication (satcom) plays a vital role in our everyday lives and to industries such as aerospace, defence and telecommunications. One of the key components of satcom systems is the antenna reflector assembly which must be highly manoeuvrable for optimal continuous coverage. The next critical structural parts of the satcom system are the azimuth arms, which support the antenna load and enable 360-degree rotation with precise and rapid response manoeuvrability. Advanced Composite Structures Australia (ACS Australia), in partnership with EM Solutions, is leading the way in the development and series production of state-of-the-art carbon fibre composite azimuth arms for ship-borne satcom. The partnership between ACS Australia and EM Solutions is a testament to the strength and capabilities of Australian manufacturing and highlights the benefits of industrial collaboration in driving innovation in Australian industry. ACS Australia, based in Port Melbourne, specialises in the design, analysis, manufacture and repair of composite structures. “We are committed to delivering advanced composites technology to EM Solutions, helping develop the next generation of…

New South Wales has unveiled a groundbreaking $275m Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative, in a significant stride toward a sustainable future. Premier Chris Minns announced this ambitious program, designed to foster innovation, support the energy transition, and bolster job creation through the manufacturing of renewable energy systems, low-carbon products, and clean-technology innovation. The initiative, set against the backdrop of NSW's legislative aspirations to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050, represents a pivotal moment for small and medium-sized businesses poised to pilot new technologies. The Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative will offer the following grants: Renewable Manufacturing - increasing capacity to make the components for renewable energy projects, which will alleviate supply chain constraints and increase local content capability. For example, projects could include constructing a brand-new facility for the manufacture of solar cells, or supply chain parts for renewable energy transmission. Clean Technology Innovation - helping businesses get scalable low-emission technologies, market-ready. For example, prototypes of next-generation residential batteries, or new laboratory equipment that can test a material's ability to store hydrogen atoms. Low Carbon Product…

As global cheese consumption is expected to increase, cheesemakers could face an uphill battle to keep up with our cravings. But if food scientists have anything to say about it, they might one day be able to draw upon a surprising resource to help them ride the wave of demand. Associate Professor Jian Zhao, from the School of Chemical Engineering at UNSW Sydney, says the future of cheese production could be reliant on our oceans. The food microbiologist says the marine ecosystem is a vast untapped resource for obtaining food ingredients. “Considering that over 70% of the world’s surface is covered by oceans, it’s a tremendous untapped resource for food components, including the types of things we need to sustain cheese production as consumption continues to grow,” A/Prof. Zhao said. The search for a rennet substitute Milk coagulation, or curdling, is an essential step in cheese production. For many kinds of cheese, this is done using a milk-clotting enzyme or ‘proteases’ called rennet, a substance derived from young calf’s stomachs that is in relatively short…

Riding on the coattails of the very successful AMW Melbourne in 2023, AMTIL, the organisers of The Australian Manufacturing Week are proud to announce the collaboration of government entities behind its efforts of promoting Australian Manufacturing, Advanced Manufacturing and Precision Technology sectors as well as leading manufacturers, taking a lead in giving this initiative, a massive impetus through their involvement with the Australian Manufacturing Week brand. Chief amongst them is the New South Wales Government through its initiative Investment NSW, which is supporting AMW as a Major Sponsor for the Sydney edition to be held from 17-19 April at ICC Darling Harbour. The other industry leaders who are supporting the AMW initiative are the Queensland Government, the Australian Made Campaign, Kraftech, finlease, Protected Flow (an initiative of The Execution Factor) and IFS. With Kraftech and Australian Made Campaign returning as sponsors only reiterates their trust and belief in what AMW is achieving for Australian Manufacturing. For this support, AMTIL is very thankful as without it would be near impossible to bring this endeavour to its successful fruition. The support…

Considering the problems associated with some large-scale agribusiness practices like the inhumane treatment of animals, lower quality outputs, high-density pollution and staggering water and chemical needs, it's no wonder a return to artisanal subsistence farming seems so attractive. The bad news; it's impossible. Countries where it still proliferates have stagnant economies, and it doesn't offer the variety of output we need in human diets. A single industrialised world farmer produces more food with higher nutritional quality for more people per labour unit than several subsistence farmers. There just isn't enough arable land on Earth to feed eight billion people without the scale of factory farming, and if we want to address the negative impacts it can have on the climate and environment, the only thing that might save us is biotechnology. And one of the biggest problems to solve in growing and processing our food is methane. A third of all the methane we produce is from agriculture,…

Wabtec and its launch customer Roy Hill, a leading iron ore miner majority owned by Hancock Prospecting, have celebrated the debut of the FLXdrive battery locomotive, the world’s first 100% battery-powered, heavy-haul locomotive for mainline service. The ceremony unveiled the unique, striking, pink-coloured locomotive at Wabtec’s design and development centre in the USA state of Pennsylvania in front of employees, customer executives, and other officials. “This FLXdrive locomotive represents a major step in the journey to a low-to-zero-emission future in the rail industry,” said Rafael Santana, President & CEO of Wabtec. “The FLXdrive is driven from within by our battery technology. Roy Hill is an ideal customer to partner with given their leadership and excellent operational record.” Roy Hill’s FLXdrive battery-electric locomotive will feature an energy capacity of seven megawatt hours (MWh). Based on the route and company’s rail operations, the FLXdrive is anticipated to provide a double-digit percentage reduction in fuel costs and emissions per train. Once Wabtec completes the final battery installations and track testing, the locomotive will begin its 17,000-kilometre journey in 2024 for delivery to its…