Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

HEX20 announces partnership with ispace and Skyroot Aerospace

Adelaide-based smallsat company HEX20 has announced a strategic partnership with India’s Skyroot Aerospace and Japan’s ispace, “to leverage the combined technical prowess and regional networks of the three pioneering companies.” Lloyd Lopez, CEO of HEX20, said an MoU formalising the partnership was signed at the 74th International Astronautical Conference held in Baku, Azerbaijan. “This marks an exciting juncture, and we aspire to adapt our platforms for forthcoming lunar missions. It exemplifies how partners with complementary technologies and expertise can collaborate to deliver value to our clients,” said Lopez.

RMIT develops new smart solar design tool

New software will allow for easier incorporation of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) in building design, according to RMIT University. BIPV harness solar energy and can feature on roof tiles, cladding and windows that double as solar panels. Despite its potential, roof-mounted PV panels dominate new installations in Australia due to the extra complexity in predicting performance and sourcing BIPV technology. Development of new software, BIPV Enabler, was funded by RMIT and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency and is the first of its kind to be designed using Australian data. Project lead Associate Professor Rebecca Yang said, “This is the perfect solution for building designers and developers looking to select the right solar option to suit their design. “We’re making integrated-solar a more attractive option to developers, slicing the time it would normally take to research and implement incognito solar devices.” More information is available here.

ARM hub to launch data-as-a-service product next year

The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Hub announced on Monday that it plans to launch a “Data and AI-as-a-Service offering” in 2024. The not-for-profit said that it will supply “a scalable and secure data and AI infrastructure that is fully deployed in the cloud” with minimal cost to use. ARM Hub CEO and Founder Dr Cori Stewart said a long-standing problem for its SME members has been the integration of diverse sources into a singular platform to fully utilise the potential of data. “We believe that the optimal way to address data issues for SMEs is to provide data and AI-as-a-Service. By integrating diverse data sources into a single platform, companies can gain data-driven insights to optimise key business functions,” said Stewart. “Organisations able to implement effective chatbots to search company data, for example, will transition to become zero-waste-knowledge leaders in their field.” The product will only be available to the group’s members, and offer tailored AI tools such as chatbots, synthetic data generation and a range of bespoke applications, it said.

Smiths Cooking opens new appliance factory in Temora

Former Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and Temora, NSW Major Rick Firman joined guests to officially open a new appliances manufacturing facility for Smiths Cooking Systems and Smiths BBQ. Smiths produces a range of stainless steel cooking products for leading European and Japanese appliance brands, and recently launched its own design – the Smiths Smart BBQ. Owner John Smith said that compact and only 14kgs in weight, the appliance is ideal for boats, caravans and small balconies. Smith said: “The decision was made during Covid to go in-house due to the crazy leadtimes, both locally and overseas.”

Dolphin Products inaugurates new clean room

Senator Jane Hume joined executives and staff of plastics manufacturer Dolphin Products at its Cleanroom Launch Event at the company’s Heidelberg, West facility in Melbourne. The new ISO Class 7 Cleanroom Facility aims to offer unparalleled performance and quality levels and was partially funded by an Australian MedTech Manufacturing Centre (AMMC) grant. Representatives of the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR) – Northern Metropolitan Region also attended.

WA Export Awards winners announced

Western Australian Premier Roger Cook has congratulated the winners of the 2023 Western Australian Export Awards. A specialised communications tech designer and manufacturer Myaree-based business AVI was named State’s Exporter of the Year. Now in its 35th year, AVI took out the top award for its performance designing and manufacturing specialised communications systems for industries around the globe. Other winners include Fremantle Octopus, which won the Agribusiness, Food and Beverages category, ZHIVAGO winning the e-commerce category, and Smartstream taking home the Sustainability and Green Economy Category. This year saw a record number of nominations, with 86 applications submitted from 36 companies. All state winners will progress to compete in the Australian Export Awards in Canberra in November.

EOS in dispute with lender WHSP

Defence manufacturer Electro Optic Systems is in commercial dispute with its primary lender, diversified investment house Washington H Soul Pattinson. EOS has received a demand for payment of a $4.5 million fee within seven days and is seeking to meet WHSP to discuss the matter. EOS was refinanced in July this year, securing a $70 million debt facility with WHSP, and later secured a new $51 million customer and a further arrangement to provide a $16.6 million cash deposit to guarantors. The company is seeking legal advice.

Spectur receives payment for multi-year subscription and support services

Internet of things security solutions provider Spectur has received an advance payment for the provision of multi-year SpecturConnect+ subscription and support services. The $614,313.13 payment was received from Southern Cross Protection which offers its GuardView electronic and manned guarding services. The sum provides subscription, data and warranty services for Spectur hardware and software systems over five years of operations. Spectur systems allow security firms to focus on their core business without having to become hardware and software integrators. More than 2,300 Spectur platforms and 3,000 cameras are deployed within Spectur’s business.

Picture: HEX20 and partners (supplied)