How CEOS are tackling workforce shortages – webinar video

@AuManufacturing and Epicor’s online webinar is available to view online now discussing automation, smart data and workforce shortages. Our panel discussion moderated by editor Peter Roberts heard from manufacturing CEOs and industry experts on their use of technology to make better use of the staff they have, and on recruitment and retention. Joining the discussion…

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Quickstep leaps into R&D to cut composites production costs

Aerospace composites manufacturer has signed an exciting engineering collaboration with the Sovereign Manufacturing Automation for Composites CRC (SoMAC CRC) and Deakin University Geelong’s Institute for Intelligent Systems Research and Innovation (ISRII) to help bring down the cost of production. An initial 12-month Aeroline programme of research is valued at $1 million, funded 50-50, and forms…

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US military plans to unleash thousands of autonomous war robots over next two years

By Peter Layton, Griffith University The United States military plans to start using thousands of autonomous weapons systems in the next two years in a bid to counter China’s growing power, US Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks announced in a speech on Monday. The so-called Replicator initiative aims to work with defence and other…

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Gippsland dairy farms not managing effluent, says EPA

Inspections of 19 Gippsland dairy farms have found 85 per cent non-compliance in dairy effluent management, according to EPA Victoria. The high level of non-compliance was in spite of “ongoing communications with the industry” about effluent management, the agency said, as well as “surprising and disappointing.” Jessica Bandiera. EPA Gippsland Regional Manager, said that, “Maintaining…

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Sypaq’s cardboard drones used in Ukraine

Engineering and systems integration company SYPAQ’s unique cardboard drones are in service in Ukraine, and even took part in a recent bombing raid of Russian airports according to some media reports. The company’s Corvo Precision Payload Delivery System (PPDS) can launch, fly up to 120km and land by itself, delivering supplies or providing a low-cost…

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RMIT’s tiny titanium spike breakthrough suggests antimicrobial surfaces “may need to be rethought”

An RMIT University team has shown promising results from insect-inspired “microscale spikes” for titanium implants and other surfaces, demonstrating drug-free anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. According to a statement from the university, the features on the “micro-pillared titanium surface pattern” were about the height of a bacteria cell and designed to address drug-resistant “superbugs” which are…

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$3 billion to rewire Western Australia

The federal and Western Australian governments have signed a landmark agreement to expand and modernise electricity grids in Perth, the South West and the North West Pilbara region. The Commonwealth-Western Australia Rewiring the Nation deal will bolster WA’s energy security in preparation for increasing use of renewable energy and battery storage. It will be backed…

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