IMCRC-APR PhD manufacturing intern partnership finishes up

The Innovative Manufacturing CRC and Australian Postgraduate Research Intern (APR.intern) program have announced the successful fulfillment of a partnership that began in 2019 and delivered 23 PhD student internships, with nine students securing ongoing employment at their host companies. The three- to six-month internships were sponsored by the IMCRC – which is finishing its work…

“Extraordinary” action needed for Australia to avoid severe skills shortfall: Weld Australia

Professional body Weld Australia has advised urgent action to address a predicted shortfall of 70,000 welders by 2030. In a proposal for a “radical four-pronged approach” made on Thursday, the organisation’s CEO Geoff Crittenden said the situation was “not unique” to the nation, with US industry expected to lack 500,000 welders by 2030 and Japan…

Baraja enters agreement with unnamed automotive OEM

Baraja has announced what it calls a “major step forward for automotive integration” of its Spectrum HD25 lidar product, through an “advanced development agreement” with an undisclosed automotive OEM. Baraja enters the agreement with its partner Veoneer, a Tier-1 hardware supplier and system integrator.  Spectrum HD25 is based on Baraja’s proprietary Spectrum-Scan solid-state scanning platform,…

Aussie space company ready to launch

By Kurtis Eichler Aerospace company Southern Launch is aiming to make another attempt to launch its rocket in regional South Australia after a failed take-off last year. The experimental Kestrel 1 models, built by SA-based company ATSpace, will be launched in November at a site in Whalers Way, about 30km from Port Lincoln. While researchers…

Victorian opposition announces $400 million Driving Victorian Manufacturing Success program

The Victorian opposition has announced a new program that would provide grants up to $10 million, covering up to half of costs, for manufacturers investing in projects “to increase efficiency and upscaling, participation in global supply chains, support entry into new markets and business adaptation.” The program, named Driving Victorian Manufacturing Success, would provide up…

Applications open for Victorian Digital Jobs for Manufacturing program

The Victorian government has invited applications for its Digital Jobs for Manufacturing program, which offers grants up to $5,000 per worker to eligible companies for upskilling staff. The program is budgeted at $4.5 million and would help “hundreds” of workers gain digital skills. Courses are free, part-time and available online, covering 13 different fields including…

Titomic awarded $400,000 R&D grant from EU program

Cold spray additive manufacturing company Titomic has been awarded a grant of 260,000 Euro (about $400,000) through the European Union’s Horizon Europe initiative, for R&D applying artificial intelligence and machine learning to their processes. In a statement on Monday, the ASX-listed and Melbourne-headquartered company said outcomes from the “CoBRAIN” grant would help improve its processes…