Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

ANCA Motion announces new General Manager

Motion control systems specialist ANCA Motion has announced the appointment of Matthew Mannix as the new General Manager. Mannix was described in a statement on Tuesday as having extensive experience in engineering management and a deep understanding of industry trends, and having a crucial role in driving innovation and expanding ANCA Motion’s market presence. “As the custodian of the 50-year ANCA legacy which includes a rich history of world-leading motion control technology, I look forward to leading an amazing group of people towards a future packed full of innovation and customer value,” he said. Mannix joined the ANCA Group in 2011 and moves to his new role via Head of its global engineering department.

Trajan gains ISO 15189 accreditation for new MonitorYou service

ASX-listed Trajan Scientific and Medical announced on Tuesday that its analytical biomarker monitoring laboratory in Australia has been granted accreditation to ISO 15189 and NPAAC Standards for Medical Testing by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA). The company said this accreditation will allow it to develop and offer biomarker analytical services and products, and progress it on its goal of enabling decentralised, personalised data-based healthcare. “With our own NATA-accredited medical lab, we’re now in a position to develop commercial workflows ultimately leveraging Trajan’s broad capabilities from microsampling tools through to laboratory automation,” said Stephen Tomisich, Group CEO & Managing Director. “We plan to collaborate broadly to add value and facilitate adoption on scale. We start with the MonitorYou service as a first step in this direction.” The first version of its MonitorYou Healthy Heart service model can now be delivered through its laboratory in Ringwood, Victoria, Australia.

Stealth Electric Bikes resumes e-bike production

Stealth Electric Bikes has announced that its Gen 2 Stealth B-52 (pictured) is back in production, and “bigger and better than ever” according to the company. “This brand new Aussie made platform represents the perfect blend of electro-mechanical synergy by combining your intrinsic muscle power with a silent, high torque, brushless DC hub motor to produce a riding experience like nothing else on Earth. Its lifetime frame warranty and premium componentry make it the ultimate off road weapon in any conditions.” Stealth builds off-road and urban bikes, which have a top speed of 80 kilometres per hour, at its Melbourne facility.

Plans to be lodged for new RNA Research and Pilot Manufacturing Facility

A planning application for an upcoming RNA Research and Pilot Manufacturing Facility at Macquarie University’s Wallumattagal Campus is expected to be lodged with the NSW department of planning and environment in the coming months, the university has said. The site has received a commitment of $72 million from the NSW government. According to the a statement from the university, the new facility will enable the “local research, development and production of a broad spectrum of RNA technologies to treat a range of human and animal diseases, disorders and infections.” Construction is scheduled to start in 2024, subject to approval, and the facility is expected to be completed and operational in 2025.

Nyrstar welcomes critical minerals strategy

Multi-metals business Nyrstar welcomed the release of Australia’s new Critical Minerals Strategy on Tuesday. Nyrstar — which employs 1,300 Australians in South Australia and Tasmania — said that “significant progress” was represented in the emphases on processing of critical minerals and priority for updating the existing Critical Minerals List regarding global strategic changes. Nyrstar’s Co-CEO, Dale Webb, said, “A review of Australia’s Critical Minerals List is timely. And the focus on updating the List to take into account global strategic changes is important as it will allow Australia to ensure alignment with key allies and geopolitical changes… Australia needs to go beyond investing in the supply of traditional battery materials and explore the full range of renewable energy technologies and the type and volume of minerals and metals that their growth will demand.”

Public consultations upcoming on e-waste

The federal government is holding consultations this month and next to help develop a regulatory scheme to reduce waste from small electrical products and solar photovoltaic systems. The department of environment is inviting public feedback from June 20 to July 23 to inform regulation, which aims to address the production of 20 kilograms of e-waste per Australian versus a global average of 7 kilograms, and a projected to rise of nearly 30 per cent by 2030 to 657,000 tonnes annually at a country level. Only a third of the total value of the materials is currently recovered. A discussion paper and a link to submit feedback can be viewed here.

Picture: Stealth Electric Bikes