Industry News

Offshore energy is booming as a prospective means of introducing new large-scale electricity generation into our networks. Around the world, there are great examples of working structures well away offshore, pulling clean power out of the wind, where it blows the strongest. It's a wind win. Oceanex Energy is developing three offshore wind farms off the coast of NSW: Novocastrian Offshore Wind Farm, Illawarra Offshore Wind Farm and Eden Offshore Wind Farm. The Novocastrian Offshore Wind Farm is a 2,000MW (2GW) floating offshore wind farm proposed by project partners Oceanex Energy and Equinor Australia. The Project provides an incredible opportunity for the Hunter Region, the state of New South Wales and Australia, to be a world leader in the growing offshore wind industry. The Hunter can be a regional powerhouse in the development, manufacturing and deployment of floating offshore wind farms powering NSW and Australia to a new, clean energy future. Offshore wind generation off the Hunter coast has a steady, high wind profile that generates at…

IBROX Engineering is headed up by Derek Warrington, a man widely known for fast and reliable quality engineering output and on-time delivery. With more than 36 years’ experience, Derek is respected as one of the most talented CNC programmers/setters and CAM programmers as well as being known as one of the most hard-working tool makers and fitter and turner operators in the industry. The unusual name of the new company comes from Derek’s proud Scottish heritage and a passion for the Glasgow Rangers with the name IBROX coming from the home stadium of the Glasgow Rangers. Owner operator, Derek Warrington’s introduction to the industry started at the tender age of just 10 years, working in his father’s engineering shop at weekends. Under a watchful eye and standing on an upturned milk crate to reach the controls, he gained his first machining experience. Commencing full-time at the age of just 14 years Derek worked for more than 36 years in the business…

Workholding technologies form a critical foundation for companies engaged in precise and efficient manufacturing processes. Industries such as defence, aerospace, medical, mining, automotive, and general engineering rely on these technologies for optimal production efficiency. Access to high-end workholding technology is not just advantageous; it is essential for ensuring smooth operations and high-quality output. Dimac Tooling, Australia’s premier supplier of accessories and premium workholding solutions for CNC milling and CNC turning machine tools, has thrived for well over 30 years. They collaborate closely with clients to grasp the nuances of their operations, enhancing machine performance and human interaction. Each range they offer aligns with their ongoing mission to discover the most effective, safe, and productive methods for securing machine workpieces, ensuring optimal productivity and flexibility. The Lang Workholding range, developed and manufactured in Germany, perfectly embodies these ideals. Lang Technik's premier products are currently utilised by Dimac's prestigious clients, one of which is Australian Precision Technologies Pty Ltd. This advanced manufacturing facility consults Dimac's expertise as their CNC performance partner. These products are designed to…

Precision cutting tools are an integral part of our world at ANCA. Manufacturing just one aircraft will consume hundreds of thousands of cutting tools. Anything you can imagine that might need to be machined will require a grinding machine to provide the cutting tools. Family, fulfillment, and a fascination with technology are all part of a formula that has seen ANCA lead the demanding niche of CNC tool and cutter grinders for a half-century. In its time, the Australia-based global business has made an enormous yet largely hidden contribution to the world, selling over 10,000 5-axis CNC machines to over 2,500 customers. Around 1.1 billion tools have been created using ANCA’s grinders. “You would be very unlikely to find any bit of advanced equipment, anywhere in the world, that hasn’t been touched by a cutting tool which has been manufactured on one of our machines,” explains co-founder Pat Boland, whose company’s customers include Boeing, Rolls-Royce, Iscar, Sandvik, Sutton Tools and many other household names. Boland and Pat McCluskey – then an electrical engineer and an industrial electronics tradesman…

Victoria’s most advanced and innovative manufacturers are being encouraged to nominate for the 2024 Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards, supported by the Allan Labor Government. Minister for Jobs and Industry Natalie Hutchins has opened nominations for this year’s awards – the state’s largest celebration of local manufacturers, recognising individuals and companies that embrace new technologies, excel in business innovation, drive exports and boost the state’s economy. “These awards shine a spotlight on our brightest manufacturing talent and I encourage individuals and businesses to nominate and get recognised for their achievements,” Minister for Jobs and Industry Natalie Hutchins. “Victoria is the home of advanced manufacturing in Australia and we’re continuing to support this sector because we know how critical it is to growing our economy and creating great local jobs.” There will be 14 awards presented including ‘Leader in Construction Technologies’, ‘Leader in Health Technologies’, ‘Leader in Textile, Clothing and Footwear’, ‘Leader in Transport and Rail’, ‘Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year’, the flagship ‘Leader in Manufacturing’ and the new category for 2024 ’Leader in Gender Equality and Inclusion’. Now in its 22nd…

Grants of up to $5m to help innovative startups and high-growth small and medium businesses (SMEs) to commercialise their big ideas are now available through the Industry Growth Program (IGP), a part of the Albanese Government’s a Future Made in Australia agenda. The IGP grants will translate more world-leading Australian know-how into viable businesses, growing the pipeline of investment-ready projects for the $15bn National Reconstruction Fund to consider. These grants will provide targeted support for SMEs across the NRF’s seven priority areas to overcome the challenges associated with growing and scaling up through two grant streams: Early-stage commercialisation grants from $50,000 to $250,000 to help establish the commercial viability of an innovative product, process, or service. Commercialisation and Growth grants from $100,000 to $5m to help push ideas from prototyping through to market readiness stages. Grants will help develop strategies for entry to market and scaling up into national and international markets. Grant funding through these programs is matched with the IGP’s specialised advice and mentoring program, which has already supported more than 340 businesses since opening in November…

MCHND is a South Australian engineering workshop focused on precision machining using 3D CAD/CAM software and multi-axis CNC machines. The team at MCHND are dedicated to creating intricate components for the exacting demands of space, medical, aerospace, and defence sectors. MCHND is based in Richmond, an inner-west suburb of Adelaide, South Australia. Business partners Jimmy Jolly and Mike Harding admit they work well together. They completed the last half of their toolmaking apprenticeships together at the same company and their friendship flourished. “We are both very different people, but our work ethic is the same,” says Jimmy. “We push each other and get along quite well. It has been a fruitful partnership, something that has been extremely successful for both of us.” Mike’s career spans a few diverse industries including a three-year tenure in the UK’s Formula One sector. He has honed a comprehensive skill set encompassing CAD design, 5-axis CAM machining, 9-axis multitasking machining, manual machining, and astute business management. Jimmy was brought up in an engineering family. His father was a Toolmaker with his own machining business, building historic racing…

The core issues facing supply chains in 2023 – labour availability, capacity, space availability and resiliency – aren’t going away in 2024. But how supply chain leaders address these challenges continues to evolve. Moving into the new year, we are seeing organisations finding new ways around barriers to automation, increasing their investments in established technologies, and seeking new levels of efficiency and productivity through orchestration and artificial intelligence. Here’s a more detailed look at some of the trends we expect to see this year. Removing barriers to automation Smaller and emerging organisations face the same labour, efficiency, and speed challenges as their larger competitors. Yet, they often lack the resources to address these challenges through capital-intensive automation projects, putting them at a competitive disadvantage. In 2024, flexible infrastructure technologies such as mobile robotics and AGVs (Automatic Guided Vehicles) will play a larger role in leveling the playing field. Swisslog’s CarryPick system, for example, is ideal for small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) because it is fast and cost-effective to…

If you weren't aware, autonomous robots (AMRs) moving materials around factory, warehouse and manufacturing floors is a booming business. According to US AMR maker OTTO Motors by Rockwell Automation, it's a billion-dollar market today, with market intelligence firm Interact Analysis predicting growth of 30% per year, with the field projected to be worth almost $6bn by 2027. OTTO Motors' VP of Product Jay Judkowitz says there's an increasing imperative around reshoring manufacturing, and the best method to compete with the low-cost overseas manufacturing we've been using for a few decades is automation; what he calls 'more plants in more places with fewer roles per plant, but more production and a greater number of safer and more fulfilling manufacturing jobs in aggregate'. One of the areas most ripe for savings is in materials handling, with Judkowitz citing research that says it uses about 25% of the workforce, 55% of the floorspace and 87% of the production time in a factory. Showcasing their work in September…

AMTIL would like to thank all attendees, exhibitors, sponsors and everyone else who made the Sydney show such a success.  We’ve had so much feedback and conversations about what the metal fabrication industry is doing in Australia, and how so many are also exporting resulting products to the world. The number of people walking through the door at the show over the three days in Sydney was 7732.  That's about 28% increase on the show's Sydney audience in 2022. AMW2024 has been an absolute blast. Very successful on so many levels for the exhibitors. The many attendees we spoke to were pretty stunned there was so much activity on the ground in Australian manufacturing. Others were beaming with pride because they had such great interest and results.  The next big show of course for us is Melbourne 2025. Judging by the 70% filled rate for the MCEC venue right now, AMW2025 in Melbourne will be a massive show. For a closer look at the visuals of AMW2024, click HERE See you in Melbourne!…

The sun seemed to rise early today to greet AMW2024. One last chance to see what we have ready for the final day of the Sydney show. Please register now online HERE or come down to Darling Harbour where you can also register onsite.  We close the show at 4pm. This morning Drew Hoxey was very busy showing off the industrial safety guard rails from Axelent.  X-Guard, X-Rail, X-Tray and X-Protect are completely modular, infinitely customisable and easy on the eye. The Axelent Australia stand was one very compact establishment.  They just craned in the container and opened the side. Hoxey says the presentation was everything and the show has been a very positive experience for the company. Cameron Jamieson of J Tech Laser has picked up the Australian distribution of the HSG lasers now on display down beside the AMTIL stand on the show floor. Brought in from China, these machines are ideal for onshoring jobs and accelerating the Made in Australia program. “HSG's one of the biggest…

There was a healthy dose of enthusiasm among the stands at AMW2024 today. I reckon people had some good sleeps because the word is this is the day to impress. Like Wednesday, the hours are extended to 7 pm to assist with attendees visiting later in the day, and giving everyone more time to check out every corner of the AMW2024 show. So much going on and there was an uptick in visitors after hours last night as predicted. Among the many scanners on display at the huge Hi-Tech Metrology stand there were some of the very latest solutions, in this case a handheld 3D scanner, an Ametek Creaform Handiscan Elite mounted on a robot arm, which was scan-building a digital twin of an object on a platform for later inspection. There were Hexagon coordinate Measuring Machines, and a range of micron-accurate digital instruments from Trimos, Sylvac and Bowers. Another stood like a surveyor’s LiDAR station on a tripod. That’s where the similarity stops. This Leica Absolute Tracker is able to scope a viewed surface from a…

With much fanfare, today the Australian Manufacturing Week event opened at the ICC in the beautiful Darling Harbour precinct. The show was officially opened by the NSW Government Industry Executive Director Maroun El-Khoury, standing in for the Hon Houssos, the very first Minister for Local Manufacturing, and a message from NSW Premier Chris Minns. “I want to extend my best regards to everyone attending Australian Manufacturing Week,” said Minns. “This state is home to more than 28,000 manufacturing businesses and it employs close to 300,000 people.” Minns also noted that the State generates more than $135bn of output each year. “If we work together, we are convinced manufacturing has a bright future in New South Wales,” he said. Introduced by MC Warrick Perry, the gathered crowd experienced an educational Welcome to Country and Idiki Ceremony by the Aboriginal Land Council councillor Brendan Levin to Gadigal Land on the Eyora Nation. Not long before, guests enjoyed an exclusive breakfast upstairs with Simon Kuestenmacher, the Director and Co-Founder of The Demographics Group who presented his findings on…