CASA to require licenses for all drone operators from July
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority will introduce flyer’s licenses and mandatory registration for all drone operators in July.
Seed Terminator enters full production
Manufacturing of a machine that pulverises weed seeds as grain crops are harvested is ramping up to a full commercial launch. Adelaide-based company Seed Terminator will produce 100 of its machines ahead of this year’s Australian grain harvest, which begins in October.
ANZ attacks blockchain – but then it would
Comment by Peter Roberts One of Australia’s big four banks has broken ranks and come out swinging against one of the latest trends in record-keeping for business – blockchain. Maria Bellmas, associate director, trade and supply chain product at ANZ, published an article on the company website to pose the question “Is blockchain a false…
What – if anything – can we learn from the US reshoring movement?
Reshoring manufacturing jobs isn’t exactly a hot topic in Australia. Over in the United States, it’s a different story.
Renewable thermal solution provides green alternative for gas-hungry industries
By Andrew Spence A novel blend of old and new technology is helping Australian researchers combine renewable energy and low-cost thermal storage to deliver heat for industrial processes. Developed at the University of South Australia in Adelaide, the method involves using low cost renewable energy such as wind or solar PV to power electrical elements that heat rocks in…
Private equity to back manufacturing?
Analysis by Peter Roberts The Australian Financial Review has an extraordinarily tantalising piece of gossip today which, if confirmed, will mark a milestone for private equity investment in manufacturing. Normally PE suppliers take positions in manufacturers under strain, only to onsell the businesses after stripping them of assets and offshoring operations. Few genuine PE investments…
Mission control boost for Australian Space Agency
A Mission Control Centre will be built alongside the new Australian Space Agency in Adelaide to provide a focal point for orbiting spacecraft.
Australian robotics adoption: where does it stand and why does it matter?
It’s not a perfect measure, but unit sales of industrial robots give some idea of a country’s industrial might. The names of the top five buyers in 2017 – China, Japan, South Korea, the US and Germany – shouldn’t be too surprising.
Would an Australian merchant fleet help manufacturing?
Analysis by Peter Roberts If the ALP is elected at the upcoming national poll, as seems likely, Australia just may see the revival of Australian-owned shipping. Opposition leader, Bill Shorten has promised to re-develop maritime skills training, establish an investigative task force, and develop a core, privately-owned, Australian ‘strategic fleet’. Made up of perhaps a…
Speakers’ list for new Unlimit3D conference announced
The preliminary speakers’ list for the new Unlimit3D Conference, to take place May 14 – 15 at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, has been released.