Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

Titomic sees success in mining services and US markets

Metal additive manufacturing machine company Titomic has announced the sale of two D523 low-pressure cold spray additive manufacturing systems, worth $198,829. One sale, in Kalgoorlie Western Australia, marks the company’s entry into the region’s mining services sector, considered a promising growth area for the company. The second sale in Texas, USA, was sold by reseller Anywise America and is the first by that company, indicating an expanding reach into that market. The D523 has unique no-heat distortion repair capabilities and is one of 133 Titomic systems now in operation globally, predominantly across Europe.

5B announces solar PV manufacturing milestone

Prefabricated solar PV system manufacturer 5B has announced a manufacturing milestone, with its Adelaide factory having completed 1,000 5B Maverick systems (pictured). 5B’s modular systems deploy in a tenth of the time taken to install traditional solar PV arrays, and can generate 1.6 times as much electricity in a given area. As the Maverick module assembly, cabling, connections and testing are done in a factory environment and ‘rolled-out’ on site, they save geotechnical, mechanical and electric engineering work in the field.

Ampcontrol’s DRIFTEX BEV gets certification

The DRIFTEX battery electric vehicle has become the world’s first IECEx Group I certified Electric Vehicle (EV), using an Intrinsically Safe traction battery, according to electrical engineering firm Ampcontrol. DRIFTEX was developed in collaboration with ResTech, Solitech and The University of Newcastle, and is designed for underground mining, where it removes carcinogens, lowers noise, and decreases demand on mine site ventilation. Ampcontrol said the vehicle is certified to operate and remain in Group I hazardous areas, uses an Intrinsically Safe traction battery, “the chemistry of which is designed to be fundamentally stable and not susceptible to a thermal runaway. Every cell in the battery pack is continuously monitored, even when not in use by an Ex ia BMS to ensure safety.”

New TAFE marine centre opens on Gold Coast

A new $11.8 million TAFE Marine Centre of Excellence has officially opened at Coomera on the Gold Coast. According to a statement from the Queensland government on Friday, the facility includes workshops for electrical and mechanical work, fibreglass and lamination, marine textiles and upholstery, and an outdoor boat workshop, and welding facilities. Almost 400 students have enrolled in marine construction, maintenance and related services at the new centre in 2023. The project is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments as part of the Revitalising TAFE Campuses across Australia initiative, and will see up to 500 students trained each year in qualifications from Marine Craft Construction to Marine Mechanical Technology. “Earlier this year, the centre’s outstanding design by Kane Constructions Queensland was recognised at the 2023 Gold Coast Master Builders Awards,” said state skills minister Di Farmer. “I know students trained at this facility will also experience success, by responding to workforce challenges and catering for operators of all sizes – whether they be small, local marine companies or the manufacturers of luxury superyachts.”

Boeing adopts new engine wash technology 

Boeing has introduced a new engine wash technology for Australia’s fleet of C-17 Globemaster IIIs that it says is cutting environmental impact and extending engine life. Compared to traditional wash methods, According to a statement from Boeing, “Lufthansa Technik Cyclean technology improves engine efficiency through a deeper clean of the engine core, cutting 80 tons of CO2 emissions per engine annually and reducing fuel consumption by one percent. The system also uses 50 percent less water and is 20 percent faster.” With the addition of the Royal Australian Air Force’s fleet of eight C-17s, Boeing now uses the engine wash on 275 C-17 aircraft operated by nine global customers as part of the C-17 Globemaster III Global Fleet Contract. BDA has implemented a similar system, the EcoPower Engine Wash, on the RAAF’s P-8A Poseidon fleet, which uses less water, recycles waste water for reuse, and improves engine performance.

Mellori Solutions Trains Army for Upgraded EW Bushmasters

Australian veteran-owned SME Mellori Solutions is partnering with Raytheon Australia to deliver electronic warfare (EW) systems training services for the Australian Army’s Project Land 555 Phase 6, which is part of the broader Land Force Level Electronic Warfare project. The Australian Government awarded delivery of the Force Level Electronic Warfare System (FLEWS-L) project to Raytheon Australia in July 2022. Mellori Solutions will provide expert training services to Army personnel for C5ISR Modular Open Suite of Standards (CMOSS) equipment and sensors. These systems are integral to the Army’s Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles and are essential in delivering FLEWS-L capabilities to the 7th Signal Regiment. “We are proud to be part of an initiative that bolsters our sovereign defence industrial base and fosters the growth of local skills and expertise,” said Mellori Solutions General Manager David Devine. Mellori Solutions was recently selected to participate in Raytheon Australia’s Capability Plus, an SME engagement program.

Successful HPA Demonstration Plant Campaign 

Queensland Pacific Metals has given an update on the successful operation of its HPA demonstration plant, in conjunction with partners Lava Blue. According to the statement on Friday, QPM and Lava Blue have recently completed the first campaign of plant operation, successfully produced 62 kilograms of 4N (99.99 per cent purity) HPA. The two primary objectives were “well and truly met”: confirmation of HPA flowsheet, and production of samples for offtake marketing purposes. HPA has been split into six ~10 kg blends and transported to the USA. The blends have been assayed and results have far exceeded 4N purity. QPM’s technical and marketing team have been working closely with a consultant in the US to identify potential offtakers. The initial focus has been on the LED market (sapphire glass). The blends will be provided to potential offtakers for testing.

Picture: 5B