Industry News

Many people are concerned that automation is going to take away jobs. However, in light of today’s rapidly shifting technologies, supply chain disruptions, and millions of already unfilled jobs, there will likely be plenty of work for everyone, even if job descriptions change and retraining is necessary. “Rockwell Automation wants to expand human possibilities,” explained Cyril Perducat, CTO at Rockwell Automation. “And when we talk about the future and things like robots on the plant floor, we’re not talking about removing people from the equation. We want to augment existing people and their capabilities.” He added, “There are a lot of buzzwords today, including artificial intelligence (AI), but they aren’t just about technology. They’re about creating the right experiences for people. There’s no way to invest in the future without making tools usable for people.” Perducat made these remarks during his closing keynote address at the 2023 Automation Fair® event in Boston. Strategies for Challenges Perducat reported that it’s important to start by examining the individual challenges…

AML3D’s technology centre is open and in production. One ARCEMY industrial metal 3D printing system is on-site at Stow, OHIO. A second system will be installed later in the year. Plans to install additional ARCEMY systems at the Stow facility, which would increase its capacity, are progressing. AML3D has already delivered A$16m of US contracts ahead of an expected surge in US Defence spending on additive manufacturing. AML3D’s US manufacturing capability also supports new opportunities to expand into the US Energy and Defence Aerospace sectors. The Stow manufacturing hub is already operational and working on an initial A$2.27m order from the Tennessee Valley Authority, the largest public utility in the USA. The expansion of Stow is to meet an expected step change in US Department of Defense spending on advanced additive manufacturing solutions to support the US Navy’s Submarine Industrial Base. The increase in capacity at Stow will also allow AML3D to continue its expansion into the wider US Energy and Defense Aerospace sectors. AML3D’s US ‘Scale up’ strategy, launched in early CY2023, has…

TRJ Engineering celebrated its tenth year of AMTIL membership and 50th year of business last April. General Manager David Murphy told AMT that his father started TRJ in 1974, and David took over about 25 years ago. “The business has moved from Keysborough and expanded out of sight over those years,” he said, “and only in the past eight years has it settled into one considerable site here in Hallam.” Back then, TRJ joined AMTIL to discover what was happening in manufacturing in Australia, Murphy said. “TRJ was getting bigger, and I was looking at how to get support for myself and my team because we’ve evolved with the business. I wanted to see what was out there that could help TRJ with its training and support. AMTIL could direct me to people who eventually became part of the TRJ business and its growing needs. I continue to use AMTIL, but now it’s a call to the team, and I have a great relationship with them.” TRJ has been a part of the…

Bradfield City Centre’s advanced manufacturing revolution is underway. The Advanced Manufacturing Readiness Facility’s (AMRF) first project has been signed, sealed, and delivered. The AMRF is a NSW Government facility designed to accelerate innovation across the manufacturing sector. Businesses can use AMRF’s expertise and world-leading advanced manufacturing equipment to innovate their products and production processes and scale up and grow their businesses. Western Sydney engineering company Marley Flow Control is the first business to complete a project with the AMRF. The time-study project identified operational efficiencies in Marley Flow Control’s manufacturing processes that could generate up to six times the business's current productivity and an estimated 15%- 20% reduction in production costs. Eager to capitalise on this enhanced productivity, Marley Flow Control is now collaborating with the AMRF to develop a new product design. Marley Flow Control specialises in the manufacture and maintenance of cooling towers, flow control engineering (including pumps and piping), large-scale fan manufacturing, laser alignment, and facilities maintenance. Marley Flow Control is an engineering company based in Western Sydney that specialises in the manufacture and maintenance…

Western Australian businesses seeking to participate in the local wind energy manufacturing supply chain can apply for co-investment, which can cover up to 50% of eligible project costs, under the Wind Energy Manufacturing Co-Investment Program. The funds will be made available through a co-investment and advice program co-created by the WA Government and AMGC, with $8m allocated by the WA Government under the initiative to enhance local businesses' capacity and capability in wind energy, manufacturing and servicing supply chains. Priority areas include manufacturing wind tower foundations, anchor cages, nacelle components and assembly, transmission poles, specialised trailers (transport), capacity building for replacement parts and servicing and refurbishing centres. “The Wind Energy Manufacturing Co-Investment Program is a testament to our commitment to creating a sustainable future for Western Australia,” said WA Science Minister Stephen Dawson. “Supporting local businesses to engage in the wind energy supply chains positions the state to reap the benefits of the energy transition while supporting our economic diversification. “Whether it’s helping new businesses to upgrade their accreditations or assisting companies to pivot or scale…

A leading Australian electrical company has found a solution that delivers Standards-compliant, safe, and portable switchrooms to sites for its major projects nationwide. The electrical project specialist worked with Modulate Group to create a fully sealed containerised switchroom that can easily be moved from site to site. The customised switchroom houses a motor control centre, variable-speed drive, distribution board, transformer, local control station, fire indication panel, and remote switching panel. Modulate manufactures customised containerised buildings at its 20,000sqm production facility in Mayfield, near Newcastle, NSW. Production and customisation to different needs are handled in-house. “Electrical switchrooms are some of the more complex containerised buildings we manufacture. We ensure they meet strict AS3000 Standards, other relevant safety Standards, and any client-specific requirements,” said Jack Adams, General Manager, Modulate. “The customer placed a high importance on safety and quality from the start, and they were clear with their requirements. Not only did they want to meet all relevant Standards, but they wanted to maximise internal space, which is an area where Modulate sets itself apart from other portable offices,” he added. The…

Automated Solutions Australia (ASA) is proud to have partnered with Renold Australia to develop and implement an advanced robotic machine tending solution at Renold’s Melbourne facility. This partnership showcases ASA’s automation expertise alongside Renold’s ongoing commitment to adopting cutting-edge technologies to drive manufacturing excellence. One key outcome of this collaboration is a dramatic improvement in operational efficiency, with the robotic solution enabling continuous production and reducing lead times. Founded in 1879, Renold Australia is a global leader in industrial chains and mechanical power transmission products. It provides essential components to the mining, transportation, food, and energy industries. Renold is recognised for its innovative approach, consistently investing in advanced manufacturing processes to satisfy the demands of a competitive market. Renold collaborated with ASA to transform a machine previously operating for eight hours a day into a fully automated system capable of running 24/7. This enhanced production efficiency and maintained the company's unwavering commitment to quality. The solution features a FANUC M10iD/8L robot with 2D vision and dual…

With a sparkling morning presented for the 2025 AMTIL Golf tournament, about 120 eager participants demonstrated their sportsmanship on the stunning grounds at Riversdale Golf Course, in Mt Waverley. The playing teams were mixed well and came up with some great final scores. After a competitive morning on the course, all teams gathered at the clubhouse for a delicious lunch and drinks, mingling with fellow members and guest attendees. The day wrapped up with an awards ceremony celebrating those who stood out for their exceptional performance. Of course, everyone would like to thank the sponsors for the AMTIL Golf Day, as this would not be possible without the contributions brought together to make this a success. The sponsors this year are: Fusion5, AirLiquide, Gel Events, Shishan Stanley Group, and BusinessHub. There were also BRM Patent Attorneys, Harry the Hirer and Dimac Tools. For the first time this year, a charity was also attached to the AMTIL Golf Day. Wheelchairs For Kids is a program where people can donate…

Cobot welding is a game-changer for the manufacturing industry. A flexible solution that can be tailored to the needs of individual firms, it delivers numerous benefits, including increased productivity, quality control, cost efficiency, scalability, real-time monitoring, and an enhanced working environment. Cobot welders automate the welding process and work alongside humans to perform welding tasks. Cobot welders can help boost production output by working continuously with minimal maintenance and without the need for breaks. They can handle repetitive tasks quickly and more intricate work efficiently, improving productivity. Plus, requiring minimal oversight and monitoring, they can free up workers to focus on more complex or higher-value tasks. “Cobots have the capability to run 24/7 and to also work in automated cycles,” says Stuart Orr, Sales Director, Kemppi Australia.  “As a result, they can enhance manufacturing processes and deliver significant productivity benefits.” Consistent welding quality Cobot welding systems also precisely control welding parameters such as temperature, pressure, and so on. This results in more uniform welds while minimising the potential for variation in quality. Kemppi, a leading global welding manufacturer, has an…

The Briscoe Group’s 25,000sqm distribution centre is set to open in early 2026. Investing at least NZ$100m in the facility will significantly enhance Briscoe Group’s supply chain capabilities and efficiency. Situated in Drury South, Auckland, this new centre will replace the current 8,000sqm facility, increasing storage capacity by more than four times and accommodating KNAPP’s state-of-the-art automated shuttle system. The automation contract significantly advances the Briscoe Group’s supply chain evolution. KNAPP’s advanced systems, including the Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) Evo Shuttle and Pick-it-Easy Evo goods-to-person stations, will optimise storage and picking for smaller products like apparel and footwear, enhancing efficiency across the board. “This partnership with KNAPP enables us to enhance stock accuracy and expedite fulfilment, creating an improved customer experience while optimising in-store inventory,” said Briscoe Group Supply Chain General Manager Darren Porteous. The automation will bolster the on-shelf availability of products in Briscoe Group’s stores, allowing the Group to restock high-demand items as often as daily, thereby enhancing both operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Various online orders will also be fulfilled from the DC using automation, minimising the…

Westlab has a strong focus on modular, scalable, and technically advanced systems, maintaining a long-standing relationship with Capral, Australia's largest extruder and distributor of aluminium products. The company prides itself on responsibly sourcing locally extruded aluminium for its products, continually pushing the boundaries of design and functionality in everything it undertakes. Recent innovations from the Westlab team, such as the Modulab© Connect System, provide flexible and high-performance solutions for scientific, pharmaceutical, and educational applications. “We’re always looking to improve and standardise our systems globally,” said Russell Grace, Director at Westlab. “Our Modulab Connect System has customised all the profiles to facilitate adaptability, ensuring high performance and compliance with rigorous industry standards, including PC2 and PC3 certification for biocontainment laboratories.” Aluminium is one of the key materials used in the construction of Westlab’s laboratory and furniture products. It offers numerous advantages, such as strength, lightweight properties, high-quality finishes, and formability. This versatility enables the creation of custom fastening and construction systems. Capral extrudes a variety of custom aluminium profiles for Westlab, enhancing the efficient solutions…

In an opportunity to take the pulse of the industry and refine AMTIL’s strategic planning, AMTIL has conducted policy roundtables across Australia. We were delighted to have hosted ~15% of the C-suite AMTIL membership using the boardroom table format, and members provided valuable insight into their lived experience and brought forward their top issues for discussion. Five roundtables were conducted, one in Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane, supported by William Buck. The top three issues—skills shortages, safety, and climate reporting—have been woven into the new AMTIL Strategic Plan 2024 – 2026 (The Plan). Based on this important information, AMTIL has set a new work plan for the New Year, which will include a few new offerings. AMTIL’s principle activities, to promote and support the manufacturing technology industry in Australia are to: provide industry resources, services and platforms, and proactively and reactively advocate to governments on policies relating to the manufacturing technology industry. While our vision and mission remain steadfast, The…

Capral has successfully trialled the recycled-content billet supplied by Rio Tinto at Boyne Smelters Limited (BSL), using 50 to 100 tonnes of post-production aluminium scrap from its Bremer Park extrusion plant in Southeast Queensland. The scrap was remelted and cast into billets, resulting in a new product with a minimum of 20% recycled content. This creates a new era of environmentally conscious local aluminium production. Capral is exploring options for incorporating this sustainable material into its product offer. This closed-loop approach not only minimises waste but also reduces carbon intensity of extrusions produced from such billets. This trial has successfully demonstrated the potential of a Made in Australia closed loop aluminium solution, in line with the Australian Government’s Future Made in Australia policy. The entire production process has been done entirely in Australia, from raw materials of bauxite and alumina to primary aluminium production, to Capral’s extrusion process, to Rio Tinto’s remelting of scrap into finished recycled billet product. "Whilst Capral recycles the vast majority of our scrap, it must be sent offshore for processing and typically ends up in…