AUKUS is supposed to allow for robust technology sharing. The US will need to change its onerous laws first

By Lauren Sanders, The University of Queensland The AUKUS partnership between Australia, the US and the UK isn’t just about nuclear-propelled submarines. It also includes an information exchange agreement related to a number of new advanced technologies. These include cyber capabilities, electronic warfare, quantum technology, hypersonics, artificial intelligence and autonomous military capabilities. Although the partners…

Fungi could be the next frontier in fire safety

By Tien Huynh, RMIT University; Everson Kandare, RMIT University, and Nattanan Chulikavit, RMIT University Australia is no stranger to fire-related disasters. The country experiences more than 17,000 residential fires each year. Each winter brings an increase in potential fire hazards due to the use of heaters and candles. Couple this with our already fire-prone vegetation,…

Heard around the weld

Our profiles of nominees for @AuManufacturing’s Australia’s 50 most innovative manufacturers campaign continue with Open Welding. Brent Balinski speaks to founder and Technical Director Malcolm Rigby. He doesn’t use the word “Eureka moment”, but Malcolm Rigby had one of those a few years ago during a phone call about a shielding gas mixture. Rigby was…

We are closer than ever to being able to 3D print medicines. Here’s why that’s important

By Amirali Popat, The University of Queensland; Jared Miles, The University of Queensland, and Liam Krueger, The University of Queensland 3D-printed medicine could be the future of personalised healthcare, with research now suggesting printed tablets have reached a sufficient quality to match the standards set for conventionally manufactured tablets. Our new study, published in the…

Modscape to double output of pre-fab buildings

Pre-fabricated home manufacturer Modscape plans to double output with a new factory which began construction this week at Essendon Fields in Melbourne. The project includes a purpose built 20,000 square metre manufacturing facility for Modscape which has designed and constructed over 500 projects in residential, health and aged care, education, infrastructure, retail, hospitality, sports and…

MASSLAM manufacturing expansion underway

Australian Sustainable Hardwoods (ASH) has announced it is doubling production capacity of its MASSLAM glue-laminated (GLT) mass-timber column and beam system. The family-owned company’s Heyfield, Victoria plant (pictured, below) is being expanded and new equipment added to boost throughput. MASSLAM is designed and manufactured for assembly on site for domestic and large commercial buildings. ASH…

The ideal stretching routine

@AuManufacturing’s mission to identify Australia’s 50 most innovative manufacturers continues with this profile of Furnace Engineering. Brent Balinski speaks to Managing Director Richard Simpson about quiet achievement and adaptation.  Furnace Engineering is a bona fide manufacturer’s manufacturer. Besides having manufacturers as the core customers for their custom-made ovens and furnaces, it would probably be unusual…