The legislating of the federal government’s National Reconstruction Fund could be a critical moment in a renaissance in Australian manufacturing, or the moment could be squandered depending on how it is rolled out. Here, Allen Roberts lays out some learnings from the past, that could help the NRF meet what is a massive challenge ahead.…
The first entries are in in the Australian Manufacturing Forum networking group and @AuManufacturing’s hunt to identify and celebrate Australia’s 50 most innovative manufacturers. We can’t give away too much about what we have seen so far, but we can say innovation in manufacturing takes many forms – from innovation in product, process, materials, technology…
The first prototype ship block for Australia’s Hunter Class Frigate Program has been moved from the block consolidation hall at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide. Built by BAE Systems Australia the block, known as block 16, was moved into the shipyard’s state-of-the-art blast and paint chamber – construction is progressing at pace on the…
The federal government has released a discussion paper ahead of development of a National Robotics Strategy, seeking to identify the challenges and opportunities when it comes to robotics and automation adoption by industry. Industry minister Ed Husic said the paper would “guide a conversation on growing the production and responsible use of robotics” within Australia.…
Grinding media specialist Molycop has announced that it has commercialised a new process to incorporate rubber from sources including end of life tyres and work boots in electric arc furnace steelmaking. The announcement marks the next generation of Green Steel AKA ‘Polymer Injection Technology’. This replaces a portion of coke used in steelmaking with recycled…
Liberty Steel has announced major upgrades to its Whyalla site, with installation of a new electric arc furnace and associated infrastructure — to replace a blast furnace and coke ovens — expected to be complete in 2025. In one of two significant announcements on Tuesday involving electric arc steelmaking (see here for Molycop’s polymer injection…
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced $120 million in funding has been made available to back a rollout of community battreies across Australia. The cash, under Round 1 of the Community Batteries Funding Program, aims to deploy batteries to lower energy bills, cut emissions and reduce pressure on the electricity grid. ARENA is…
Battery technology startup Li-S Energy has announced the development its first 20 layer battery cells utilising its third generation semi-solid state lithium sulphur chemistry. Developed in association with Geelong, Victoria’s Deakin University, the cells were produced at the company’s semi-automated Phase 2 manufacturing facility which is being further expanded with plans to produce test cells…
Defence Science and Technology Group has confirmed that it will work with QinetiQ Australia on the latter’s $12.9 million laser directed energy weapon development contract. In a statement from Defence Science Technology Group on Tuesday, DSTG said the project would see it collaborate on development of a prototype “defensive laser system”. It would also see…
CSIRO and corporate advisor RFC Ambrian have formed a company to commercialise technology for detecting and disposing of landmines, with their hand-held detectors potentially in use next year. MRead builds on decades of work by the national science agency on ore sorting over decades, Chief Executive Dr Larry Marshall said on Tuesday. Its product will…
