Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

CNC Design commissions super-sized printer for Zone RV

CNC Design announced on Monday that it had “just commissioned one of our VSF composite 3D printer[s]” for caravan company ZONE RV. The investment in a giant cell — capable of 3D printing and five-axis machining parts up to 22m x 5m x 1.6m — was announced in early 2022 by the Sunshine Coast, Queensland manufacturer, as part of a new $7.5 million 5,000 square metre facility in Coolum Eco Industrial Park. “Look out for more information on how this will transform Zone RV’s production of high-end caravans” CNC Design said via a Linkedin post.

REDARC appoints new US execvutive

Electronics and defence manufacturer REDARC has announced Peter Favilla (pictured) as the President of Mobile Power & Connected Vehicles. Based in Wisconsin, Favilla will lead REDARC’s growth both internationally and in North America. He comes to REDARC as a ‘customer-centric executive’ according to the company, having held senior roles at Miller Brewing Company, Fiskars Brands, Andersen Windows, and Ecolab. Most recently, Peter was employed by water treatment company Pentair, where he spent nearly five years in multiple roles including Vice President of Global Marketing and Chief Experience Officer of Consumer Solutions. Over the course of his time at Pentair, he led multiple strategic initiatives which increased demand generation and enhanced the customer experience.

Austal delivers fifth in its class patrol boat

Shipbuilder Austal has delivered the fourth of eight Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats (ECCPB’s) to the Royal Australian Navy. The vessel, ADV Cape Capricorn, has now been officially accepted by the Commonwealth of Australia. Austal Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg said the delivery of the fourth ECCPB highlighted Austal’s consistency in production and efficiencies at the Henderson, Perth shipyard. “Austal has now delivered four Evolved Capes to the Royal Australian Navy since the contract was signed in May 2020 and we are launching a new vessel every three months, after around 12 months construction. The fifth vessel, the future ADV Cape Woolamai, is alongside now and we have three more Evolved Capes at various stages of production, here in Henderson.”

UNSW realises new quantum bit in silicon controlled by electric signals

UNSW Sydney said on Monday that its researchers have demonstrated a new type of quantum bit in silicon, called ‘flip-flop’ qubit, which could one day facilitate the construction of a large-scale quantum computer. The team led by Professor Andrea Morello has demonstrated their new qubit, which “combines the exquisite quantum properties of single atoms, with easy controllability using electric signals, just as those used in ordinary computer chips.” Dr Rostyslav Savytskyy,  one of the lead experimental authors of the paper describing the breakthrough and published in Science Advances, added: “This new qubit is called ‘flip-flop’ because it’s made out of two spins belonging to the same atom – the electron and the nuclear spin – with the condition that they always point in opposite directions.”

Canberra’s first grid-scale battery switched on

The ACT’s first grid-scale battery, supported by the ACT Government, was switched on earlier this month, representing what it calls a significant milestone towards the city’s electrification. Minister for energy Shane Rattenbury said Energy storage and battery technology is a critical component of the city’s zero-emissions future. “Energy storage will play an important role in the reliability of Territory’s electricity supply by providing power to help avoid blackouts during periods of high demand and help to mitigate situations when large, interstate fossil-fuel generators fail in heatwave conditions, reducing the amount of electricity available throughout the eastern states,” he said.

Picture: REDARC/Peter Favilla