Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

AML3D expands scope of work for DSTG with new contract

Wire arc additive manufacturing company AML3D has announced a contract with Toolcraft Australia to supply a six-part nozzle assembly for the Defence Science and Technology Group project. In a statement on Wednesday, AML3D said the $350,000 contract follows successful delivery of a four-stage nozzle assembly demonstrating AML3D’s technology to deliver delivered superior components more quickly than traditional manufacturing. The new contract also expands a scope of work previously undertaken for the DSTG project to include two additional stages of an aluminium ER5183 nozzle assembly, expected to weigh approximately 1230 kilograms and be over 3.6 metres long. Manufacturing of the six-part assembly is expected to commence immediately, “with the first two stages to be delivered during the current financial year and the remaining four stages in FY25.” CEO Sean Ebert said the expansion to two additional segments is a “strong endorsement of AML3D’s WAM technology for defence applications.”

SPEE3D chosen for New Jersey Innovation Institute

Cold spray additive manufacturing business SPEE3D has announced that it is working with New Jersey Innovation Institute, which has acquired and installed one the company’s WarpSPEE3D printers. According to statement from SPEE3D, NJII chose the printer “to help address research manufacturing and industry supply chain needs, emphasizing workforce development training.” The printer is able build parts up to 40 kilograms, with a diameter up to 1 metre by 0.7 metre, in hours rather than days. “We are evaluating the newest equipment for its potential capabilities in ideal settings such as NJII and remote locations where the military has pressing demands. The addition of the WarpSPEE3D printer will help accelerate these goals,” said Sam Gatley, Director of Operations, NJII Collaborative Operationalized Manufacturing Engineering Training (COMET) initiative. Byron Kennedy, CEO of SPEE3D, added that, “SPEE3D has been fortunate to partner with some of the leading academic institutions worldwide, and we’re excited to partner with the New Jersey Innovation Institute and their COMET initiative to bring our Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing technology to both students and the local military.”

AIS Water named among best places to work

Commercial and residential water disinfection specialist AIS Water was recognised as number three in the Top 10 places to work in Australia and New Zealand this week. It claimed the spot in the 2024 Financial Review Boss Best Places to Work list, in the Manufacturing and Consumer Goods category, from among over 600 total nominations. According to a statement from AIS, it entered the awards “because of the high level of morale and innovation the company has adopted to work practices.” It added that it was “the latest in a long list of prestigious awards”, including the Telstra Best Business Award for Embracing Innovation, and a Top 10 Gold Award through @AuManufacturing‘s Australia’s 50 Most Innovative Manufacturers campaign last year. CEO Elena Gosse said, “We value every single one of our staff and we work hard to ensure they know that. This award recognises that effort and while we appreciate it and will love having it hang on our wall, the real reward for us is the success and sustainability of the business which ensures a healthy, happy and innovative workplace for at least another 30 years.”

Australian Technologies Competition returns for 2024

The Australian Technologies Competition (ATC) is back for its 14th year, the event’s new organisers announced on Wednesday. Scale-up investor and services company Scalare Partners, which acquired the event last year, said in a launch statement that ATC is accepting applications until May 24, with companies able to enter up to two categories each across a total of 16. This year will also introduce the two new categories of Best Tech Journalist and Best Ecosystem Partner. Semi-finalists will be announced on June 5, and finalists on August 22, with a pitch session event open to the public and set to be held on September 19. Nomination and other information is available here.

Feasibility licences awarded for offshore wind projects

The federal and Victorian governments announced the first feasibility licences for offshore wind projects off Gippsland, Victoria on Wednesday. Six potential projects have been granted or offered feasibility licences, which means they can now commence the detailed assessment work to determine feasibility, including environmental studies and management plans. If feasibility is proven, developers can then apply for a commercial licence to build an offshore wind project to generate electricity commercially. The six are High Sea Wind, Gippsland Skies, Blue Mackerel North, Kut-Wut Brataualung, Ørsted Offshore Australia 1 (Gippsland 01), and Star of the South Wind Farm. The government said it also intends to grant another six licences, subject to First Nations consultation, to Iberdrola Australia OW 2 (Aurora Green), Greater Gippsland 2 OWP Project (Gippsland Dawn), Navigator North Project, Ørsted Offshore Australia 1 (Gippsland 02), Kent Offshore Wind, and Great Eastern Offshore Wind Farm Project Co. These 12 projects represented a total of 25 gigawatts of electricity, or more electricity that the entire state of Victoria generated last year, according to energy minister Chris Bowen.

Picture: credit Star of the South