XTEK awarded $0.8 million in grants to update CNC centre and forming press

XTEK has been awarded two grants from the Department of Defence, totalling $0.8 million. The ASX-listed defence contractor announced on Tuesday that the grants were through the Defence Global Competitiveness programs and Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority program and valued at $164,268.50 and $658,209.20 respectively. The DGC-backed project covers investment in a new “CNC Virtual Machining…

Swinburne University’s first Founder in Residence will focus on aerospace R&D

Rachael Barritt from Dovetail Electric Aviation has been named Swinburne University’s first Founder in Residence, with a focus on “new ideas and ventures” related to aerospace and aviation. According to a statement from Swinburne on Tuesday, Barritt (pictured) would work closely with the team at its Aerostructures Innovation Research Hub (AIR Hub), which is involved…

Monash rail research centre hosts Ayres

The Monash Institute of Railway Technology (IRT), which is advising the development of the federal government’s National Rail Manufacturing Plan, hosted assistant manufacturing minister Tim Ayres on Monday. Ayres – who also visited cutter and grinder tool manufacturer ANCA yesterday to announce a a $3 million grant – is leading development of the rail plan. …

ANCA to boost precision manufacturing capability

Machine tool manufacturer ANCA will establish a precision manufacturing cell at its Bayswater, Melbourne headquarters, using a grant delivered through the federal government’s Modern Manufacturing Initiative. ANCA is a major exporter of complex manufactures, supplying advanced tool-making machines and technology to aerospace, medical, automotive and electronic industries in more than 45 countries. Assistant Minister for…

Sustainability and Australia’s renewables industry – by Richard Petterson

News that China may restrict exports of solar PV wafers has focused attention on solar PV panel manufacturers, including Australia’s Tindo Solar, which rely on Chinese imported inputs. Here Richard Petterson makes the case for sustainability in solar PV manufacturing and for a bigger role for Australian industry. The term ‘circular economy’ describes the re-use…