Industry News

We hope you have registered to discover new manufacturing magic at AMW2025 at the MCEC in Melbourne. The time taken out of the office and warehouses will be richly rewarded with new connections, education and experiences you can only have when you go to Australia’s biggest and most respected manufacturing show. REGISTER ONLINE NOW and check out more details at the AMW site. While the clock ticks down to the opening of AMW2025, why not quickly look at the EXHIBITORS LIST. So many of the largest Australian manufacturers and a great range of up-and-coming SMEs will be present. There are six distinct areas, each with a particular focus within its manufacturing sector. The variety this year is impressive. There’s an Australian Manufacturers Pavilion, and companies supporting manufacturing are in the Manufacturing Solutions. There’s Robotics, Air Compression and Welding, the Additive Manufacturing Zone, and plenty more. During the first three days, there is a comprehensive lineup of speakers addressing various solutions for manufacturers in the Future Solutions Speaker Program. This program received an excellent response last year in Melbourne. You can view the FUTURE…

Marine Air Flow International is an innovative Australian manufacturer with expertise in designing and manufacturing engine ventilation equipment. The company has built a reputation as a niche player in a highly specialised sector. Focusing on creating filtration systems that separate salt mist particles from the air and provide clean air into engine rooms, the company plays a crucial role in marine engineering. It designs solutions for new builds, retrofits, and rebuilds, serving clients worldwide. Nearly 50% of its business is exported globally. Many of the components within their carefully engineered and high-performance solutions are manufactured from aluminium supplied by Capral. “We’ve had a longstanding relationship with Capral,” said Blake Highland, Production Manager for Marine Air Flow International. “They provide several custom extrusions for us to use in our proprietary designs.” In 2022, Capral Introduced LocAl®, a low-carbon aluminium option. The primary aluminium used in Capral's LocAl® offer is produced using alternative energy sources, which significantly lowers the CO2 emissions associated with its production, at just 4kg CO2e/1kg Al*. LocAl Supergreen offers substantially lower embodied…

Integra Systems is thrilled to announce our participation in the highly anticipated Australian Manufacturing Week 2025. For over 30 years, we have proudly operated as an Australian-made and owned family business based in Melbourne’s North, specialising in industrial product design, engineering, and advanced manufacturing. Renowned for our agile approach, we are committed to design excellence, technological innovation, and sustainable manufacturing. To this end, we have entirely digitised our operations with the Integra K4.0 Kiosk, an Industry 4.0 innovation that transforms manufacturing processes. You can find us at Stand MP550 in the Australian Manufacturers Pavilion, where we will showcase our solutions designed to boost manufacturing efficiency. Industry 4.0 digitisation solutions The Integra K4.0 Kiosk, our Industry 4.0 hardware solution for digitising industrial processes, will be prominently featured. As a central hub for advanced technology integration, it facilitates data-driven decision-making and operational excellence. The Integra K4.0 features a 43-inch touchscreen interface designed to maximise the potential of Industry 4.0. It effortlessly connects to your local files, ERP systems, business applications, or any other software integrated into the system. This…

Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW2025) is almost here. It’s approaching fast! Just about a week away, opening on Tuesday, 6th May 2025 and pushing on into Friday, the 9th May.  AMW2025 is the biggest manufacturing show in Australia, and this newsletter has all the links you need, so REGISTER NOW. The Future Solutions Speaker program at Australian Manufacturing Week aims to bring the most up-to-date knowledge base to the show. In the past three editions, it has grown from strength to strength. All the speakers are finalised based on the most trending topics and issues affecting the manufacturing landscape. Go to the Future Solutions Speaker Program page for more information. The Melbourne AMW2025 show is expected to be larger than any previous events and will be segmented into six zones throughout the MCEC to accommodate the massive demand and the many sectors of our industry. MACHINE TOOLS The Machine Tools zone will serve as the epicentre of the entire exhibition. As the oldest zone, it will showcase the leading companies in the Machine Tools and ancillary equipment…

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…

3D Systems offers a broad portfolio of hardware, software, and material solutions, ranging from plastic 3D printers capable of producing over one million parts annually to Direct Metal Printing technology extensively utilised for advanced medical, defence, and carbon capture applications, in addition to the large-format TITAN range that can print full-scale parts up to 1829mm using recycled plastics. Their service is supported by industry-specific engineering expertise and an in-house Applications Innovation Group that maintains direct strategic partnerships with companies such as Airbus, Daimler, Lucid, HAAS Nascar, as well as the Alpine and Sauber F1 teams. Locally, 3D Systems has collaborated on mission-critical applications with Fleet Space Technologies and produced 3D printed Titanium gearboxes for Rodin Cars. 3D Systems has an application-focused approach that provides materials to address the most challenging design and production issues. This includes tough, high-temperature, flexible, and biocompatible materials, as well as QuickCast Air casting, transparent plastics, and Nylon PA11, PA12, and PAx, which are widely used for manufacturing orthotics and prosthetics. Direct Metal Printing allows for the creation of intricate and ultra-fine design…

Utilising a unique processing technology, the QuantuMike features a wider thread pitch. This enables the spindle to move at 2.0mm per rotation—four times faster than typical micrometres. This allows quick and efficient measurements, making it ideal for tasks requiring multiple dimension checks. The QuantuMike offers a maximum permissible error (Jmpe) of just ±1µm, ensuring it meets the requirements of high-precision workpieces. With an IP65 protection rating, this micrometer is water- and dust-resistant, capable of withstanding tough environments where exposure to coolant and debris is common. The ratchet thimble mechanism ensures stable, one-handed operation, providing tactile feedback through ratcheting sounds to confirm secure measurements. The speeder ratchet facilitates rapid spindle feed, enhancing efficiency. An approach speed warning function helps prevent damage from excessive speed, with a flashing display to alert users. Calibration management is made easier with warning alerts for upcoming calibration dates, ensuring your device remains accurate and reliable. The display is more extensive and easier to read from any angle, featuring clear measurement values and icons. Larger buttons enhance usability, and key operations can be customised for…

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…

A few years ago, Freighter Group, then named MaxiTRANS, seriously considered scrapping its heavy-duty truck trailer manufacturing business. It seemed an era was coming to an end at the Australian company, which had spent decades building up its production facilities, relying heavily on manual processes and a skilled workforce. Now, high labour costs and long lead times were eating into its profits, and it faced a crucial decision. But in a Herculean effort, the management team opted to transform the company’s old manufacturing facility into a Smart Factory. It figured it would take three tough years to turn things around – and now the company is seeing the first signs of success. Greg L’Estrange was working in the company’s facility in Ballarat when his phone rang. On the other end of the line was a forklift driver from the factory. “He asked me about one particular part. He wasn’t entirely sure where it was meant to go, but he had already worked out what he was going to do with it,” recalls L’Estrange, Executive…

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…