Australian researchers are calling for policies to safeguard the future of manufacturing in Australia. A team of researchers at Western Sydney University and the University of Newcastle has identified an ethical and sustainable culture of manufacturing in Australia. The team has, today, released recommendations for ways to strengthen and support this manufacturing culture. “Our research … Continue reading Researchers call for new manufacturing policy in Australia →

Scientists have engineered a new type of light emitting diode (LED) which can function as versatile, manufacturing-friendly lasers. Researchers at the Los Alamos National Laboratory reached a critical milestone by incorporating meticulously engineered colloidal quantum dots into a new type of LED containing an integrated optical resonator, which allows them to operate as optically pumped … Continue reading Scientific breakthrough will lead to more manufacturing-friendly lasers →

Deloitte has released a report claiming that many senior executives are less prepared for  Industry 4.0 than they should be, despite successful implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies. Business leaders continue to focus more on using advanced technologies to protect their positions than on making bold investments to drive disruption, according to the new report – … Continue reading Business leaders still not prepared for Industry 4.0 →

Monash university researchers have secured more than $3.9 million in funding, some of which will flow towards building a 3D nano-fabrication printer. Three-dimensional printing of complex structures down to the nano-scale will enable the investigation of high performance materials. The Australian-first 3D nanofabrication printer is among the six Monash proposals to receive $3.94 million in … Continue reading Monash to build 3D nano-fabrication printer →

GFG Alliance yesterday announced the creation of a new global low carbon aluminium group to drive sustainable production of materials for the automotive and other manufacturing sectors. ALVANCE Aluminum Group will be headquartered in Paris and bring together GFG Alliance’s assets across the aluminium supply chain – from raw materials through to finished components – … Continue reading GFG Alliance announces push to drive sustainable production →

A new approach to additive manufacturing has been proposed by researchers from the University of Birmingham. The team says their work was inspired by human prenatal development. “Although we refer to it as additive manufacturing, traditionally engineers learn to design parts based on a long history of subtractive manufacturing. This leads to well-acknowledged constraints in … Continue reading Researchers propose new approach to 3D printing →

FYI Resources has received the go ahead for a high purity alumina mine and processing plant. The company intends to position itself as a major supplier for the LED, electric vehicle, smartphone and television screen and other high-tech product markets. FYI’s proposal has been formally approved by Western Australia’s Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and … Continue reading FYI Resources receives go-ahead for HPA mine and processing plant →

A young engineer has found a way for manufacturers of timber products for use in construction to save time, money and resources, Queensland’s Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries, Mark Furner, announced on Monday. “The manufacture of cross-laminated timber (CLT) products for full-scale applications has increased over the past decade and has placed pressure … Continue reading New research a win for timber manufacturers →

Manufacturing activity in New Zealand contracted in December, according to BusinessNZ. The Bank of New Zealand-Business NZ’s seasonally adjusted Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI) fell to 49.3 from 51.2 in the previous month. A reading above 50 indicates an expansion in activity, while anything below that threshold indicates a contraction. BusinessNZ’s executive director for manufacturing … Continue reading New Zealand manufacturing activity contracts →

Brendan Nelson will lead Boeing’s Oceania operations as president of Boeing Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific, the company announced on Monday. Nelson will become chairman of the board for Boeing Australia Holdings on February 11, as well as the company’s senior leader. Boeing employs 3,800 staff across commercial airplane manufacturing, defence systems, services, research … Continue reading Boeing Australia appoints Brendan Nelson president →

The trade agreement will allow Australia to strengthen relations with a significant trade and investment partner. It entered into force on Friday, announced by Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Simon Birmingham. The A-HKFTA will lock in continued access to the Hong Kong market for Australian exporters as well as guaranteeing that Hong Kong will … Continue reading Australia-Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement commences →

The Critical Minerals Facilitation Office is now open for business, Resources and Northern Australia Minister Matt Canavan announced on Saturday. The Office will seek to maximise opportunities for Australia’s critical minerals, which are found in mobile phones, computers and electric cars. “We have the potential to become an international powerhouse in the supply of critical … Continue reading Critical Minerals Facilitation Office launches →

Researcher at MIT say that they have developed a new approach to manufacturing complex aerospace components without the massive and expensive infrastructure necessitated by traditional manufacturing. “If you’re making a primary structure like a fuselage or wing, you need to build a pressure vessel, or autoclave, the size of a two- or three-story building, which … Continue reading MIT says there’s a cheaper, faster way to manufacture airplanes →

Researchers in New Zealand say they have developed a technique to 3D print “living” and “self-repairing” plastics. The living resin is a 3D printable material which can change its properties after it has been produced, including growing in size and mass and repairing when damaged. Developed by researchers at the University of Auckland, it could … Continue reading Researchers 3D print “living” plastics →

Supply chain companies which formerly supported car manufacturing in Australia remain in business, despite the closure of the Ford, Toyota, and Holden manufacturing plants, according to a government report released today by Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews. About 75 per cent of former supply chain companies remain in business following the closure of … Continue reading Australia’s transition away from car manufacturing going strong, says government →

Alcoa’s aluminium smelter in Victoria will continue operating, for now, despite Alcoa reporting a significant net global loss in 2019, according to the aluminium giant’s earnings call. While the smelter received $200 million in Australian government subsidies as part of a four-year package ending in 2021, Alcoa reported a $1.12 billion net global loss in … Continue reading Alcoa rules out closure of Portland smelter, for now →

Australian Vanadium Limited (AVL), a Western Australia based resource company, has signed a Letter of Intent with a subsidiary of Chinese company HBIS Chengsteel, a large steelmaker and vanadium producer, according to an ASX announcement. AVL and Hebei Yanshan Vanadium and Titanium Industry Technology Research have signed the statement to negotiate a binding technical services … Continue reading Australian Vanadium Limited in negotiations with Chinese vanadium producer →

Himac Attachment has received a $47,148 grant from the Western Australian government, as part of the state’s Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants program. The company will receive the grant to develop and construct an interactive digital platform for fabrication and welding processes, in order to expand manufacturing productivity and create new jobs. Himac Attachments specialises … Continue reading WA manufacturer wins grant for digital platform build →

The first 34 of the 340 buses to be built by Scania, under a ten-year contract awarded by the South Australian government in late 2019, have rolled off the production line. The new buses are more fuel efficient and have lower exhaust emissions and will begin providing a better, cleaner and more comfortable bus service … Continue reading SA’s new Adelaide Metro buses roll off the production line →

Ecograf, a producer of high purity graphite, has signed a letter of intent with GR Engineering for a battery graphite facility to be built in Kwinana, Western Australia. The two parties are completing pre-development activities for the project, while Ecograf finalises arrangements with the state government’s land development agency over the proposed 6.7 hectare site … Continue reading Battery graphite facility to be built in WA →