Industry News

Since 2010, Davi has supplied four different rolling machines for the Schlam Group, which is based in Welshpool, WA. These include Plate Roll Machines (four rolls) and an MCP Angle Roll Machine. The latest MCB, Model R30 is currently the largest machine ever to be sold in Australia and boasts a rolling capacity of 3000x96mm. Australia’s mining sector is strong and along with this growth are the demands for mining products and services required for companies to reach their true potential. The thickness of what needs to be rolled in this industry is less than the capacity of the MCB R30, however, heavy-duty Plate Rolls are required because the materials used are very resistant. In fact, even though the thickness of the plates doesn’t exceed 40mm, the nominal rolling capacity goes up to 90mm, for example the use of Hardox®, Xar® and Dillidur® products which are very common in this sector. Among these heavy applications, there are excavator buckets and dump truck bodies, with Schlam considered as…

Sustainability topics have continued to rise to near the top of the agenda for many manufacturing CEOs. More and more we are seeing their commitments published along with their investment in delivering environmentally sustainable business. But how well are companies doing, what else can be done, and who’s setting the example? Following SPS 2023 earlier this month, the annual gathering of the manufacturing industry, Alex West, Senior Principal Analyst in Omdia’s Manufacturing Technology practice takes a closer look at sustainable manufacturing in his latest analyst commentary. According to a recent Omdia survey 30% of manufacturers describe themselves as having implemented an environmental strategy with a long-term road map, and this is estimated to increase to 42% over the next 12 months. Companies are allocating additional budget to support these such projects. Target setting is also on the up. In the first six months of 2023, the number of manufacturers having committed to Science Based Targets (SBT) for emissions reduction increased by 40%. However, whilst the focus is fixed and intentions are intensifying, the reality of the…

State-of-the-art printed flexible solar cell technology developed by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, was successfully launched into space today aboard Australia’s largest private satellite, Optimus-1, on Space X’s Transporter-10 mission. CSIRO Space Program Director Dr Kimberley Clayfield said a major challenge in the development of spacecraft is low-mass, high-efficiency power systems. “CSIRO’s printed flexible solar cells could provide a reliable, lightweight energy solution for future space operations and exploration,” Dr Clayfield said. “If the space flight test reveals similar performance as we’ve shown in the lab, this technology offers significant advantages over traditional silicon-based solar. “Yet another example of CSIRO’s terrestrial expertise being applied to solve challenges in the space domain.” CSIRO Renewable Energy Systems Group Leader Dr Anthony Chesman said eight mini-modules of CSIRO's Australian-made printed flexible solar cells were attached to the surface of Space Machine Company’s Optimus-1 satellite. “CSIRO researchers have been working for many years to improve our solar cell performance using perovskite – an advanced material that is highly efficient in…

A course run by TAFE NSW Mt Druitt introducing participants to precision machining is being hailed as a success, having achieved a 90% employment rate with local Western Sydney manufacturing companies who supply a range of precision manufacturing parts including for satellites, medical devices and defence aircraft. Machine manufacturing is booming in Australia, the Government’s Labour Market Insights shows a projected increase of 10% of jobs to 2026.  Despite this, awareness of the opportunities available was not as high as demand. The Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL) -  the peak national body in Australia representing the precision engineering and advanced manufacturing sector – set about bringing together industry and training experts to create solutions. “The role of the program, called Skill Up and Placement Program (SUPP), is simple.  In NSW, AMTIL approached TAFE NSW to pilot a course for people looking to explore new career paths and give them insight, training, and support to become a computerised machine operator,” said Greg Chalker, Corporate Services Manager for AMTIL. “Once the participants see what they can do,…

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…