Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Food Recycle crowdfunding food waste to animal feed technology

A new science-based solution to the food waste problem is to be launched by Australian company, Food Recycle. The company has spent the past seven years conducting extensive R&D, including trials with the CSIRO, to validate the science and processes. Food Recycle is crowdfunding to commercialise the technology across Australia and New Zealand. The Food Recycle process turns food waste into a complete animal feed, contributing to a circular economy solution. Food Recycle has backed CSIRO and university feed trials with jade perch, aquaponics, layer hens, prawns, and barramundi.

Brickworks launches new pavers that promote plant growth, drainage

Brickworks‘ GB Masonry business has released the GB Vertico range and OpenForm Pavers that create new architectural opportunities in their design, according to a statement. The pavers use 35 percent less concrete than standard concrete pavers, with OpenForm pavers’ crosshatch design increasing drainage capacity, allowing greenery to thrive in each opening. The General Manager of International Marketing at Brickworks Building Products Brett Ward said: “Allowing for vibrant greenery to grow across a concrete path, or giving a horizontal brick pattern vertical flair completely transforms otherwise rudimentary outdoor and indoor spaces.”

DroneShiend’s $3.1 million US order

Drone detection and countermeasure company DroneShield has announced a $3.1 million U.S. government contract. The order is a repeat one for counterdrone (C-UxS) systems. Further material orders are anticipated from this customer, according to the company. The delivery is expected to be complete this month, using available stock on hand, with payment in the December quarter.

xReality sells immersive training capability to the US

xReality Group has been awarded a $5.6m contract to deliver a new immersive training capability to the US Department of Defense. The project represents the first sale of XRG’s Operator XR’s immersive training systems to a US Federal Government customer. Operator XR systems specialise in providing integrated, secure and highly immersive virtual reality (VR) military simulation and police training systems that enhance human performance in high-risk situations. Operator XR offers augmented reality (AR) to simulate real-world scenarios.

AML3D deepens involvement in US Navy submarine construction

3D print machinery manufacturer AML3D has entered into a manufacturing license agreement with BlueForge Alliance which will allow the company to substantially expand its access opportunities to manufacture parts for the US Navy. BFA is a US non-profit, neutral integrator, supporting the strengthening and sustainment of the US Navy’s Submarine Industrial Base. AML3D has already sold prototype and production parts, 3D printers (pictured) and qualified materials for use in US submarines. Sean Ebert, AML3D’s Chief Executive Officer said: “We are very pleased to see this Blue Forge Alliance Manufacturing License agreement signed, which creates opportunities for AML3D to print more parts for the US Navy.”

Overall apprentice and trainee completion rates down in 2023 – NCVER

The latest report released by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) shows that overall completion rates for apprentices and trainees decreased in 2023. The completion and attrition rates for apprentices and trainees 2023 report shows the completion rate for all individuals who commenced an apprenticeship or traineeship in 2019 was 54.8 percent, down 1.0 percentage points compared with those who commenced in 2018. Individual non-trade completion rates decreased by 2.5 percentage points to 55.7 percent. Individual trade completion rates increased by 0.7 percentage points to 54.1 percent. The highest individual completion rate for trade occupations was seen in Electrotechnology and Telecommunications Trade Workers (61.8 percent), Automotive and Engineering Trades Workers (57.6 percent) and Engineering, ICT and Science Technicians (55.3 percent).

Starpharma receives R&D tax incentive refund

Biotechnology company Starpharma has received a $5.5 million Research and Development (R&D) Tax Incentive refund for the 2024 financial year. The refund is associated with R&D activities including the company’s DEP drug delivery programmes and anti-vital nasal spray VIRALEZE. The Australian Government’s R&D Tax Incentive programme provides a refundable tax offset to companies undertaking eligible R&D activities. Starpharma’s Chief Executive Officer Cheryl Maley said: “This programme is important in driving innovation and product development within our sector, enabling local companies to invest in addressing significant health challenges.”

MathWorks Announces Release 2024b of MATLAB and Simulink

Engineering software company MathWorks announced Release 2024b (R2024b) of the MATLAB and Simulink product families this week, claiming “several major updates that streamline the workflows of engineers and researchers working on wireless communications systems, control systems, and digital signal processing applications.” The updates include the ability for 5G Toolbox to enable the exploration of 6G waveform generation and signal quality assessments of 5G waveforms, the DSP HDL Toolbox providing “hardware-ready Simulink blocks and subsystems for developing signal processing applications” and System Composer now enabling customers “to edit subsetted views and describe system behaviour with activity and sequence diagrams.” MathWorks VP of Design Automation Andy Grace said: “The enhancements in R2024b are designed to help scale, automate, and streamline key aspects of the workflow, enabling engineers to optimise system performance and reliability.”

BioPak’s new partnership with Baskin-Robbins Australia 

Compostable packaging company BioPak announced what it said is a landmark partnership with Baskin-Robbins Australia this week, helping ice-creameries “to make the switch to more sustainable solutions to their packaging and food waste.” The Australian arm of the global ice-cream brand will now avoid approximately 604,745 kilograms of fossil fuel plastic per month, and see the iconic Baskin-Robbins plastic pink spoon transformed into a pink wooden spoon made from FSC certified birchwood, the Australian company said. BioPak CEO Gary Smith said, “As more companies make a conscious effort to put the planet first, what we are continuing to see is a ripple effect for the wider industry. This means that our products become more accessible and it helps us bridge the gap and get one step closer to building circular solutions in the food service industry.”

Methane emissions up 20 per cent in 20 years

The Global Methane Budget 2024 highlights methane emissions from human activities have increased by 20 per cent in the past two decades, according to a statement from CSIRO. Methane is one of three core greenhouse gases contributing to climate change, and with “the highest short-term global warming potential as it holds more heat in the atmosphere.” The budget is produced by international research partners, including CSIRO, as part of the Global Carbon Project. Pep Canadell, CSIRO’s Executive Director for the Global Carbon Project, said methane concentrations have recently risen faster than at any point since reliable measurements began in 1986. “We have seen higher growth rates for methane over the past three years, from 2020-2022, with a record high in 2021. This increase means methane concentrations in the atmosphere are 2.6 times higher than its pre-industrial (1750) levels,” Canadell said. Agriculture contributes 40 per cent of global methane emissions from human activities, followed by the fossil fuel sector (34 per cent), solid waste and wastewater (19 per cent), and biomass and biofuel burning (7 per cent.)

Manufacturing on show at QLD Parliament

A collection of the state’s manufacturers showed up at Queensland parliament for the second annual Parliamentary Manufacturing Showcase event this week, as part of Manufacturing Month. Companies on show included include hydraulic cylinder fabricators, Nordon Cylinders; battery producers Vaulta; and one of Queensland’s oldest ice-cream makers, Lick Ice Cream. The Queensland manufacturing industry contributes an estimated $20 billion a year and employs about 180,000. “I’ve always said if we can make it here, we absolutely should. This showcase highlights to world the creativity and innovation of Queensland manufacturing,” said the state’s manufacturing minister, Glenn Butcher.

Picture: AML3D ARCEMY metal 3D printer