Companies must still compete with imports, shouldn’t bank on post-Covid patriotic purchasing shift

Recent weeks have seen a renewed focus on supporting Australian made goods. From the industry minister — citing a “groundswell of community support” for locally-produced stuff — downwards, there’s hope consumers and businesses will open their wallets to Australian companies, creating local jobs in the process.   Not everybody is certain it will work out…

The face mask challenge – Australia still lacks sovereign manufacturing capability

Politicians state and federal have been revelling in photo opportunities with that innovative coterie of manufacturers who have risen to the challenge of making personal protective gear (PPE) and medical ventilators that were formally imported. The latest was SA Premier Steven Marshall who visited the Detmold facility in Adelaide with Stephen Wade MLC (pictured), a…

Amaero’s aluminium alloy nears patent protection

Metal additive manufacturing company Amaero International’s new high performance aluminium alloy Amaero HOT Al has entered the final stage of approval for patent protection in major target markets. The company reported that patent applications covering the alloy, made with scandium and manganese, in markets strategic to global supply chains in aviation, defence, space and sports…

Technologies and tools for a manufacturing transformation: additive manufacturing by Michael Sharpe

Manufacturers are using 3D printing (AKA additive manufacturing) methods to serve a wide variety of industries and applications. In this edition of @AuManufacturing’s “technologies and tools…” series, Michael Sharpe looks at some of the advantages of adopting 3D printing, and two Australian companies successfully applying it to medical uses.