Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Seatransport to design ships with closed cell foam

Gold Coast based Ship design group Seatransport has secured the approval and exclusive licence for a Class approved closed cell foam for commercial vessels. After six years co-operation with Strathclyde University and a European foam manufacturer overcoming toxicity and flammability issues with marine closed cell foam, Lloyd Register gave its approval last month. Seatransport will incorporate this foam in existing newbuilds including the Stern Landing Vessel (SLV) design for the US Marine Corps (USMC). Approved closed cell foam inserted in all possible voids increases the Survivability Index and reduces bilge piping and increases the vessel structural life.

Albanese visits graphite processing plant

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese inspected International Graphite’s processing and R&D facility at Collie in Western Australia to see first-hand the contribution the company is making to the development of the critical minerals industry. The Collie facility is the first downstream graphite pilot and product qualification plant in Australia and a key link in the company’s mine-to-market development strategy, which includes downstream processing at Collie and development of graphite resources at Springdale, also in WA. Albanese was accompanied by Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen, and Assistant Minister Josh Wilson. International Graphite Chairman Phil Hearse applauded the government’s strategy which recognises the importance of adding value to the nation’s raw materials.

GoZero to launch all Australian electric bus

GoZero Group is set to launch its new, Australian designed and engineered Nexport NexGen fully electric, low floor public transport bus. The model will be launched at the Bus Industry Confederation National Bus & Coach Show, Tuesday September 17, at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre. GoZero promises to ‘reveal the first public transport bus with no batteries on the roof. With its sleek new design and low centre of gravity offering excellent aerodynamic stability even at high speeds, it’s even safer and more comfortable for both drivers and for passengers’. CEO Stephen Cartwright said: “We will manufacture these world class public transport buses here in Australia so state governments can buy the best buses available without having to buy them overseas.”

SisterWorks aids migrant entrepreneurs, recycling

Changing the lives of people who are slipping through the cracks has been the foundation of unique partnerships fostered by not-for-profit Sisterworks, according to their Chief Commercial Officer Shamila Gopalan. SisterWorks is also a social enterprise, supporting refugee, migrant, and asylum-seeking women in Australia through employment and entrepreneurship, recently securing a partnership with Yarra Trams. Focusing on upholstery, repurposing materials, and producing bespoke tram components, the project has commenced at the newly launched Springvale Manufacturing Hub. SisterWorks and Yarra Trams were awarded the Social Procurement Impact Partnership award at the National Game Changer Awards.

Titomic sells cold spray 3D print system

3D printing machinery manufacturer Titomic has sold a low-pressure D523 System to longstanding US partner Triton Systems. The latest sale, valued at $72,000, complements Triton Systems’ recent purchase of a high-pressure TKF System which enables rapid and cost-effective production of large, high-performance parts. Herbert Koeck, Managing Director of Titomic, said: “This demonstrates our ongoing commitment to working closely with Triton Systems to bring new capabilities to the U.S. manufacturing market.”

Lithium Australia to recycle BYD batteries

Battery metals group Lithium Australia’s subsidiary Envirostream Australia has signed an exclusive 3-year battery recycling agreement with BYD Auto Industry Company. The agreement aligns with Lithium Australia’s strategic plan to increase processing capacity of LFP batteries, as securing future LFP battery collections volumes will scale the Company’s LFP processing throughput. Lithium Australia will receive a service fee for the collection of BYD Auto’s end-of-life LFP batteries. Lithium Australia CEO and Managing Director Simon Linge said: “This milestone achievement is expected to significantly increase our future collection volumes of large-format lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), further accelerating the company’s shift in battery collections mix to be primarily focused on the higher margin large-format LIBs.”

Using PFAS for power 

Researchers have developed technology that can remove harmful ‘forever chemicals’ from water so they can be used in renewable batteries, according to The University of Queensland. UQ’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology has made a filter which quickly and cleanly captures per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which “contains a patented sorbent solution that uses an ion-exchange technique to isolate and remove the PFAS particles as the water passes through it.” Polymer chemist Dr Cheng Zhang (pictured) said fluorine-based materials can be harvested from the filter and he’s working on using them to improve clean energy technology. “The increasing demand for high-performance rechargeable batteries means manufacturers are constantly searching for new materials that improve the energy density, safety and cycling stability of batteries,” said Zhang. “Recycled PFAS has excellent properties for this purpose.” Zhang and his team will soon commence pilot testing in Brisbane and the US with $1 million backing from the Advance Queensland Industry Research Projects program.

Advanced Navigation appoints Global Head of Defence

Advanced Navigation has announced the expansion of its defence arm in the US through the appointment of Wayne Prender as Global Head of Defence. Prender is described as having over 20 years of experience in the global defence industrial base, with expertise in C4ISR technologies and uncrewed and robotic systems, as well as systems engineering and government contracting. He joins Advanced Navigation following an 18-year tenure at Textron Systems, where he was the Senior Vice President of Air Systems and led the design, development, fielding and sustainment of uncrewed systems. Prender said, “The disruptive solutions that Advanced Navigation designs and delivers at speed provide the situational awareness warfighters need to act quickly and decisively, especially when traditional forms of navigation are unavailable.”

Lanotec unveils new packaging designs

Protective maintenance and degreasing products maker Lanotec has launched a fresh new look across products. According to a statement from the business this week, the new look features the distinctive Lanotec green and the company’s tagline, “Natural—Environmental—Sustainable”. The rebrand also pays homage to lanolin, the key ingredient in its products. Lanolin is an organic substance produced by sheep to shield the coating on their fleece.

AMCN now operating

The Australian Manufacturing Capability Network (AMCN) — led by the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Hub and officially announced by the Australian government in May 2024 — is now working with SMEs. In a statement on Wednesday, the ARM Hub said it is a national collaborative effort between industry, government, and universities, aiming to help SMEs commercialise innovative products and services, and an an Industry Partner Organisation to the federal Industry Growth Program. “Over the past three months, AMCN partners have been diligently developing specialised services to support startups and SMEs applying for the IGP, offering deep technical expertise in critical areas such as robotics, artificial intelligence, and autonomous systems” it said, adding that its first masterclass webinar about generative AI was held this morning. Professor Cori Stewart, Founder and CEO of ARM Hub, said, “It is gratifying to now see the network in action, providing crucial technical support that enables SMEs and startups to become global innovation leaders.”

Picture: supplied