Industry News

The Hon Ben Carroll MP, Victorian Minister for Industry and Innovation opened AMW2023 at 10:10am this morning at the Future Solutions Speakers Stage. AMTIL was also honoured to have Tony Garvey, a celebrated Elder from the local Wurundjeri mob invite them to proceed, with a Welcome to Country for AMW 2023. Doors are open!  Held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from 9-12 May 2023, Australian Manufacturing gets to show off a little for the whole week. Organised by the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), AMW2023 will fill ‘Jeff’s Shed’ almost to bursting, with 346 companies showing off the latest manufacturing tech, processes, and support services. Some of the biggest machine tool systems in the world will be there, in operation! The Future Solutions Speakers Stage at 10:10 AM on Tuesday 9th May. There is so much to see, with Seven Zones in the biggest room in Australia. Manufacturing presentations and attractions are the name of the show from Additive Manufacturing, to Machine Tools, Robotics and Automation. There’s also a bunch of manufacturing solution, supporting the industry, including legal, accounting and investment.…

You are invited to attend the Opening of AMW2023, the Inauguration Ceremony for the beginning of the biggest exhibition showing Australian Manufacturing off to the world. We are filling the MCEC to the brim, from Tuesday to Friday. AMW2023 will have on display some of the biggest machine tool systems in the world. While at the same time, bringing nanotech and additive manufacturing into focus with demonstrations of the very latest research prototypes. Register online now at australianmanufacturingweek.com.au The Welcome to Country and inauguration ceremony will take place at the Future Solutions Stage from 10:10 AM on Tuesday 9th May. This is the first event for the show. AMTIL is honoured to have Tony Garvey, a celebrated Elder from the local Wurundjeri mob invite them to proceed, with a Welcome to Country for AMW 2023. The Hon. Ben Carroll MP, Victorian Minister for Industry and Innovation, and Minister for Manufacturing Sovereignty will then officially open the show! Over the four days, over 360 exhibitors will show their best side, in over 10,000sq metres of floor space. There will be presentations on…

Ms. O’Brien joined MCEC in January 2023 and has brought a wealth of leadership experience in the tourism and events industry. She is a former CEO of Food and Wine Victoria, producers of Australia’s internationally acclaimed Melbourne Food & Wine Festival. Most recently she has managed her own strategy consultancy while operating as a CEO for Wine Victoria, and previously interim CEO for Ballarat Regional Tourism, where she led the co-design of Visitor Economy Recovery Plans. AMT: Your work history speaks of a deep knowledge and passion for public events. Tell me about the direction and drive that has kept with you in this sector. Natalie O’Brien: It's only when you’re older, and reflect back on your career you ask yourself where did my passion come from? My passion is absolutely people and connecting with people. There’s so much energy for people to participate and collaborate in the community in Melbourne  I think my career in events, tourism and hospitality stems from being…

As the leading supplier of analytical instruments, Applied Spectra stands at the forefront of laser ablation-based elemental analysis techniques, simplifying the process of elemental chemical analysis, while delivering rapid, high-precision results that are environmentally friendly. Today, laser analysis offers a compelling value proposition over traditional chemical analysis methods. A case of taking chemical analysis into space was the arrival on Mars, of NASA’s Curiosity Rover. Deploying a LIBS instrument, named ChemCam, it is analysing the chemical composition of the Martian terrain. Scientists from Applied Spectra worked in partnership with NASA to develop the instrument. An integrated module, ChemCam includes a laser, telescope, a stereo pair of navigation cameras, and a three-channel optical spectrometer inside the rover itself (just to name some parts). The instrument permits Curiosity can take thousands of LIBS spectra a day and perform rapid elemental analysis of rocks and soils remotely making chemical analysis on the surface of Mars with unprecedented speed and communicating the results back to Earth. “Aside from this spectacular contribution to space exploration, Applied Spectra continue to develop their instruments making available…

Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW2023) is approaching fast! Less than four days! Held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from 9-12 May 2023. Organised and run by the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), AMW2023 will take up more than 10,770 square metres at the MCEC, with over 346 organisations showcasing the latest manufacturing technologies, processes, and support services. Over the four days, there will be presentations on the AMW Future Solutions Stage from specialists in each field.  There are side events, huge networking opportunities, big machining tools and plenty of spectacular tech on display. Don’t miss out!  Register online now at australianmanufacturingweek.com.au There are also two co-located shows alongside AMW 2023.  Deeply related to the manufacturing industries, namely Plastics and Electronics. The Plastics and Medical Applications is a one-day conference held by the Society of Plastics Engineers Australia-New Zealand Section on Wednesday 10th May. This One-Day Conference is in collaboration with AMTIL, AMW2023, BioMelbourne Network and the Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA). To register for the One-Day Conference, go to: plastics.org.au   ElectroneX is an electronics…

If you are working at any level in manufacturing and you are passionate about innovation, Manufacturing Skills Australia wants to help you achieve your goals! We encourage and support people who work or study in sectors and occupations within manufacturing industries, including: metal, engineering, and boating aerospace process manufacturing, including chemicals, hydrocarbons, mineral products, plastics, and rubber. laboratory operations recreational vehicles textiles, clothing, and footwear furnishing competitive systems and practices (Lean) environmental monitoring and sustainable operations. Applicants can apply for between $1,000 and $10,000 to develop their skills and knowledge through research, education and/or training. Applications for 2023 are open from 1st of May and will close on 1st of July 2023. Applications are welcomed from all individuals employed or seeking employment in the Australian Manufacturing industry seeking support for individual skilling and development that is not supported by any other funding opportunity. Applying is Simple! If you are working or studying in manufacturing and you are passionate about innovation or developing your career through increasing your own skills and knowledge, we want to help…

Rockwell Automation, the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, will be showcasing its Plex cloud-based manufacturing platform at this year’s Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW) in Melbourne from May 9-12. Demonstrations will be held at stand RA650 (Robotics and Automation Zone). Plex, which Rockwell Automation acquired in 2021, is a Software as a Service (SaaS) Smart Manufacturing Platform that connects people, systems, machines, and supply chains. It is a digital system of record that automates business processes, tracks data from the shop floor to the top floor, and delivers analytics to improve visibility, quality, and control. Rockwell Automation recently released its 2023 State of Smart Manufacturing Report, which comprised data from thousands of manufacturers globally, including 75 in Australia. Rockwell found that more than 45% of Australian manufacturers say that they lack the innovation, skilled workforce, and technology to outpace the competition over the next 12 months. “Although smart manufacturing is key to Australia’s success, only 25% of the country’s manufacturing industry leaders said they were extremely familiar with the technologies,” said Anthony Wong, the Regional Director – South Pacific, Rockwell Automation. Plex opens up…

Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW2023) is approaching fast! This will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from 9-12 May 2023. Organised and run by the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), AMW2023 will almost fill ‘Jeff’s Shed’, more than 10,770 square metres, with 346 organisations showcasing the latest manufacturing technologies, processes, and support services. Don’t miss out!  Register online now at australianmanufacturingweek.com.au We've detailed some of the attractions on the other days in previous posts, and here is the line-up for the final day. On Friday 12 May, Day FOUR of AMW 2023, the Future Solutions Speaker program has a theme of ‘Innovation and Research’ at the Sessions Stage at AMW2023!  This is your chance to hear about the future of manufacturing. 10:15 AM – 10:45 AM Monash Smart Manufacturing Hub – Your access to Talent and Innovation Location: Future Solutions Speaker Sessions Stage Speaker: Prof. Adrian Neild, Founder and Director Smart Manufacturing Hub at Monash Professor Adrian Neild will share how manufacturers can partner…

Apollo Motorhome Holidays, a leading manufacturer of Recreational Vehicles (RV), is pleased to announce its partnership with Markforged, the industry leader in industrial 3D printing solutions. By integrating Markforged 3D printers into its manufacturing process, Apollo is taking a significant step towards revolutionising the caravan industry. Apollo has been at the forefront of the RV industry, offering high-quality, luxury motorhomes, campervans, and caravans to customers around the world. Now, with the addition of Markforged 3D printers to its manufacturing process, Apollo is set to take its craftsmanship to the next level. Markforged 3D printers are designed to produce functional, high-strength parts using a range of materials, including carbon fiber, stainless steel, and Onyx. With the ability to create custom parts quickly and easily, Apollo can solve supply chain issues, and reduce lead times and costs while maintaining its high standards of quality. "We are thrilled to be partnering with Markforged," said Edney Ferreira /Engineering Manager of Apollo. “Their 3D printing technology is cutting-edge and will allow us to create high-quality, custom parts that are essential to the motorhomes, campervans and Caravans we…

Additive manufacturing continues to disrupt the traditional manufacturing paradigm, and every day secures a more robust foothold as a production technology. The reason for this is driven by advances in build processes that promote increases in speed, accuracy, and repeatability of production, and therefore increased yield ratios. As is now well-known and accepted, AM is important as it facilitates the creation of geometrically complex parts and components. AM reduces waste and allows for the creation of lighter structures with an obvious importance in the automotive, aerospace, and medical sectors. AM also allows for the simple production of replacement parts impossible or uneconomical to replace using traditional processes, meaning that machines can be repaired not replaced. All such advantages along with AM’s ability to democratise and localise manufacturing with all that implies in terms of shortened and domestic supply chains means that as a technology, its future is assured. AM and post-processing One area where significant issues reside in AM parts…

Did you know Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW2023) is only ONE WEEK away! This will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from 9-12 May 2023. Organised by the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), AMW2023 will fill ‘Jeff’s Shed’ almost to bursting, with 346 companies showing off the latest manufacturing tech, processes, and support services. Some of the biggest machine tool systems in the world will be there, in operation! Over four days in May, there will be presentations on the AMW Future Solutions Stage from specialists in each field. Supagas is in the Welding and Air Zone at WA235, and they sponsor Erebus Motorsports. Top professional Supercar driver Will Brown is making a special appearance at the Supagas stand on Thursday 11th of May, at 11:00am – 1:00pm. Don’t miss out!  Register online now at australianmanufacturingweek.com.au Day Three of AMW2023 will showcase a range of manufacturing successes and advances happening here at home, exporting to the world. 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM Autodesk Australia - Digital Transformation - Case studies Location : Future Solutions…

Chris Winter is the Co-Founder and the brains behind RedEarth Energy Storage’s battery energy storage systems (BESS) and LFP Troppo batteries. Winter previously co-founded RedFlow, where he manufactured flow batteries alone. “But it’s a bit like biotech, where you have to put in a few years work before reaping the benefits,” he said. “Building the flow battery took up a lot of my time, and one day I decided I should just produce a complete system, which is easy to install,” he said. “RedEarth now manufactures complete energy storage systems, including our own battery, which are on-grid and off-grid, ready to power businesses, homes, SMEs, and retail outlets.” One of RedEarth’s initial goals was to bring down the complexity of installation for the kits.  Installers could also install inverters, solar panels, and the battery power systems like a Meccano set. But more recently, Winter has moved into having the whole kit as an integrated storage system which includes inverters, batteries and…

Third-generation South Australian family-owned precision engineering business, R.C. Williams Pty Ltd, is keeping abreast of the latest technology to remain internationally competitive and expand into new markets. Founded in 1967 the company is run by brothers Sam and Nick Williams with a staff of ten highly skilled engineering personnel. As a family business, R.C. Williams prides itself on a long tradition of quality and service to customers, started by its founder Ron Williams more than 55 years ago. The company is a long-standing customer of Okuma having installed its first machine 34 years ago. Now with a shop floor full of these impressive machines it’s not surprising the most recent investment was the latest Okuma Multus U3000 multitasking machine with a fully flexible and productive ASA robot system. “The new addition was carefully planned to complement our existing inventory, increase our capacity, flexibility and performance overall,” said Managing Director Sam Williams. “Twin spindles, stacked magazines full of tools and in-process gauging means that we can do medium to large runs in quick time whilst never compromising on quality. ASA’s robots and expert programmers…