VIC

ANZ’s Stateometer report that was released earlier this week has indicated that Victoria is the only state economy in Australia that has grown above trend for two consecutive years. According to a media release by the Victorian government, housing, the labour market and trade were all positive contributors to the index in the quarter. The report … Continue reading ANZ Stateometer: Victoria the only state to have grown “above trend” →

In a press statement, the state government of Victoria has announced that it is giving young people and those reskilling from other sectors experience and opportunities in Victoria’s booming rail industry. On Tuesday, Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan met the first intake of signalling cadets at the Newport Rail Academy. The … Continue reading Job opportunities and reskilling to support Victoria’s booming rail industry →

The Victorian Government has said in a news release that it will provide $825,000 towards a  pilot project to develop solar battery storage kits and create local jobs. A consortium of five companies, led by innovation company ARVIO, will receive funding under the second round of the Labor Government’s $20 million New Energy Jobs Fund. Solar Station … Continue reading Victorian government to fund solar battery kits pilot project →

Last week, Australia’s manufacturing sector received a boost with the formal launch of the Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (IMCRC).  The IMCRC collaborates with manufacturing businesses, research organisations, industry associations and government, investing significantly in partnerships that support innovation to ensure Australian industry can meet the challenges and opportunities of the global economy. The Minister … Continue reading IMCRC launch to boost Australian manufacturing →

According to research by Curtin University, corrosion may be costing the Australian economy more than $30 billion each year. Within industrial environments, exposure to things like water, acid or salt causes corrosion of geared motors. This, in turn, reduces the strength of the corroded parts and inevitably means they have to be replaced. In corrosive … Continue reading Corrosion is eating away at Australian industry →

It may sound like science fiction, but wastewater treatment plants may one day turn ordinary sewage into biocrude oil, thanks to new research at the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The technology, hydrothermal liquefaction, mimics the geological conditions the Earth uses to create crude oil, using high pressure and temperature to achieve in minutes … Continue reading Making fuel out of sewage →

South Australia is fighting to remain the frontrunner location for the federal government’s $5 billion army vehicle tender.

AGL has been warned that an unreasonable deal on power for the troubled Alcoa Portland smelter could hurt the power company’s reputation, with a decision on the future of the aluminium plant expected to come in the next fortnight.

  According to a recent story in caradvice.com.au, the Nissan metalcasting plant is not only working but also thriving thanks to the move to electric vehicles. A new contract to supply vital EV engine castings for Nissan worldwide has seen it return to three shifts, seven days a week, with production at the plant increasing … Continue reading Nissan metalcasting expertise defies local car making downturn →

Jungheinrich has launched an entry-level range of pallet trucks for low-duty applications. This new range of electric pedestrian trucks is designed for retailers, print shops, workshops or garden centers, or even small to medium-sized businesses that routinely need to move heavy individual items. The range includes EJE M13 (1300kg) and EJE M15 (1500kg) electric pedestrian … Continue reading Pallet trucks for small-to-medium manufacturers →

Most robots achieve grasping and tactile sensing through motorised means, which can be excessively bulky and rigid. A Cornell group has devised a way for a soft robot to feel its surroundings internally, in much the same way humans do. A group led by Robert Shepherd, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering and principal … Continue reading Engineers develop robot with human-like tactile senses →

Australia’s second next-generation warship has been launched in South Australia. The Australian Navy’s latest vessel Brisbane was officially named and launched this morning at Techport, Australia’s premier naval industry hub. Brisbane is the second of three warships built in Adelaide as part of the most complex defence project in Australia’s history – an $8 billion … Continue reading Australia’s second Air Warfare Destroyer launched in Adelaide →

MTPConnect and the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to work together in undertaking activities to accelerate the growth of advanced manufacturing in the medical technology, biotechnology and pharmaceutical (MTP) sector in Australia. Both MTPConnect and AMGC have been established as part of the Federal Government’s Industry Growth Centres … Continue reading Collaboration set to boost Australia’s advanced manufacturing sector →

ThyssenKrupp, one of the world’s largest steelmakers, has revealed that it was the victim of a ‘massive cyberattack’ earlier this year. The company was targeted by attackers from southeast Asia in what it has described as “organised, highly professional hacker activities”. The hackers were trying to obtain “technological know-how and research results”, according to the … Continue reading Steelmaker loses data during brazen cyberattack →

According to reports, a major naval shipbuilding program in Australia has taken a significant step forward with the appointment of Danish company Odense Maritime Technologies (OMT) to redevelop shipyard facilities in South Australia. The move follows the announcement of French company DCNS as the preferred partner for the design of Australia’s $50 billion Future Submarine … Continue reading Major naval shipbuilding program gains momentum in SA →

A research consortium led by Bosch is developing a novel industrial manufacturing concept. The nine partners on the ReCaM project aim to create a highly versatile manufacturing system. Such systems are needed because production times in modern manufacturing are becoming ever shorter. In addition, demand for customized products is increasing, and the number of variants … Continue reading Bosch & Co retool manufacturing concepts →

The Alcoa aluminium smelter at Portland will need government assistance to keep operating, the Australian Workers Union has said.

As the lights were illuminated on this year’s Christmas tree at Windsor Castle, they sparkled in some very special baubles that were hand blown and adorned with various emblems, the stamps for which came from Kaeser Compressors. Coburg, the home of both Kaeser, and the English royal family shares a long history together. Prince Albert, … Continue reading Kaeser helps to decorate the royal Christmas tree →

South Australia has opened a new manufacturing technologies centre to help businesses grow by providing access to the state’s best researchers, financial institutions and global supply chains. The $1.2 million centre, situated in Adelaide’s northern suburbs at the University of South Australia’s Mawson Lakes campus, will help businesses identify methods by which they can adopt … Continue reading New tech hub opened in South Australia →

General Motors Holden has produced the last engine at its Port Melbourne plant, with 175 jobs finishing up ahead of the end of its Australian manufacturing operations in 2017.