The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) has backed the Australian Energy Market Commission’s (AEMC) proposed changes to energy rules. In a statement, Ai Group chief executive, Innes Willox, promoted the suggested changes. “Our initial reaction, however, is very positive. Energy users demanded, and the AEMC has responded. There is much work to do before a … Continue reading Industry group backs AEMC changes to demand response rules →

MHE-Demag recently introduced a new maintenance concept to best optimise the service provided to customers whilst maintaining the quality of its products. The concept, named Engineered Service, was introduced during MHE-Demag Australia’s annual service. MHE-Demag’s division manager of service Mark Beckwith launched the concept by explaining it to all in attendance. “Engineered Service avoids the … Continue reading Expertise meets creativity: MHE-Demag presents Engineered Service concept →

On either side of Australia, announcements on July 18 and 19 pointed towards the growth of hydrogen as a potential energy source for local and international consumption. In Western Australia, the WA government launched its Renewable Hydrogen Strategy while opening Canadian energy company ATCO’s Clean Energy Innovation Hub in Jandakot, south of Perth. The Western … Continue reading Hydrogen’s potential as an energy source continues to expand →

A new digital fabrication facility, ProtoLAB, opened this week at Swinburne University of Technology. The lab will house industrial robots for large scale architectural design prototyping. The design of the space is intended to open up the fabrication process to passers-by and allows observation and interest to be garnered by the large windows that open … Continue reading Robotics lab to encourage hands-on Industry 4.0 knowledge →

The first advanced compressed air energy storage (A-CAES) in Australia will be built in South Australia, near Strathalbyn. While the basic technology behind compressed air energy storage has been available since the 19th century, the technology has been improved and taken up at a larger scale with the uptake of renewable energy sources which fluctuate … Continue reading Compressed air to be utilised as storage for renewable energy →

The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) has released a draft rule which would allow large energy consumers, such as energy thirsty manufacturers, to sell back unneeded demand to the wholesale energy market. According to the AEMC this means that energy aggregators will be able to compete with energy retailers to reduce the wholesale price of … Continue reading AEMC proposes that manufacturers be able to sell energy demand →

The field of quantum computing took a major leap this week, thanks to researchers from the University of NSW (UNSW). The team of scientists developed a two-qubit gate between atom qubits in silicon. Two-qubit gates are the foundations of any quantum computer. This version is the fastest that’s ever been achieved in silicon, completing an … Continue reading Quantum research breaks through major boundary →

The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) has been licensed by the Therapeutic Goods Administration to manufacture radiopharmaceuticals that include fluorine-18 (F-18) for further clinical trials. This means that medical manufacturers can rely on the ANSTO to supply them with radiopharmacetuicals.“This development builds on ANSTO’s broader strengths in the commercial production of radioisotopes and … Continue reading New radiopharmaceuticals approved for human clinical trials →

An autonomous bus service has now begun operating in the suburbs north of Adelaide. Vehicles built by French autonomous vehicle manufacturer Easy Mile are operating the trial, launched by the state government of South Australia and the City of Playford. The trial will operate a service between the Playford Alive Township and the Munno Para … Continue reading Autonomous bus service begins in SA →

The latest generation of trucks for the Australian Army have been tested under combat-simulation conditions at Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019. The trucks, made by Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles Australia are augmented with Australian-made trailers, delivered by Haulmark Trailers Australia. Additionally, local manufacturers including G.H. Varley, Holmwood Highgate, RPC Technologies, Sea Box International, Thales Australia and … Continue reading Smart trucks have capabilities tested in Talisman Sabre →

Researchers from RMIT have developed an electronic chip that uses light to create and modify memories. The team took guidance from the way that the human brain works to develop an efficient method of store, delete and process information. The team looked to a technique called optogenetics, which uses light to control cells in living … Continue reading RMIT team creates light-sensitive electronic chip →

A hub for the economic growth and innovation of the cyber security sector has opened in NSW. The NSW Cyber Security Node is one of five nodes that have been created in partnership with AustCyber. With manufacturers increasingly exposed to cyber threats due to the uptake of digital production solutions and industrial internet of things … Continue reading Cyber security node launched in NSW with federal partnership →

Global electronic components distributor Digi-Key opened its second China office on Monday, July 15. The office, in Shanghai, will support the company’s growth in the Chinese market and supports Digi-Key’s entire Chinese business. “Our continued commitment to the China market has not wavered one bit. We are excited to announce our move to new offices … Continue reading Digi-key expands its footprint in China →

Worldwide automation leaders, SMC Corporation will use FoodTech 2019 to solidify its promise of cost-effective customer centric solutions to the market. The brand prides itself on taking customers from cost savings to energy savings and recently coined the phrase, “As easy as SMC”. For the first time, the SMC Energy Saving Roadmap will be on … Continue reading SMC Takes Visitors from Energy Saving to Cost Saving at FoodTech 2019 →

During exercises as part of Talisman Sabre 2019, the Australian Army trialled an unmanned ground vehicle. Built by Praesidium Global, a Queensland-based defence manufacturer, the vehicle, known as a “Mission Adaptable Platform System Mule”, can carry a total weight of more than 500kg of equipment. One of a number of autonomous solutions being experimented to … Continue reading Unmanned vehicle trialled as part of Talisman Sabre →

Manufacturers seeking to use recycled materials, or ensure that their products have an extended lifespan, have now further options thanks to the recent independence of Advisory System for Processing, Innovation & Resource Exchange (ASPIRE). Since its development in 2015, the facility was located in CSIRO’s Data61, the data and digital specialist arm of the science … Continue reading Circular economy tool expands for greater recycled materials use →

Research into developing robots with a sense of touch has taken a further step, with the development of a new form of tactile sensors. The researchers, from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and the University of Queensland, have used nanometre-thin films of organic LEDs (OLED) and organic photodiodes (OPD), which measure soft touch. While … Continue reading Durable touch sensors developed for cobot applications →

Ten businesses will receive funding as part of the federal government’s “Accelerating Commercialisation” grants program. Announced on July 16, the funding totals $3.7 million and was awarded by the Minister for Industry, Science, and Technology, Karen Andrews. Five businesses from Queensland received funding, including AMS International Technologies, which has developed energy management products to help … Continue reading Innovative businesses receive federal government funding →

Over 40 external speakers, 11 global and local Siemens speakers, four sponsors, 11 external and 11 internal exhibitors, and 13 partner industry organisations will gather to deliver robust discussions around real-world applications of digital technologies and Industry 4.0 processes at Siemens’ Digitalize 2019 in Brisbane’s W Hotel on July 23. Following the success of last … Continue reading Final agenda and speaker list released for Digitalize 2019 →

Researchers from Deakin University have developed an everyday, consumer-focused application for smart sensing technology. The researchers have invented a “smart” schoolbag, using internet of things (IoT) technologies and an array of sensors. Functionalities of the bag include the ability to send alerts to students, parents and teachers when the bag does not include items essential … Continue reading Smart bag demonstrates everyday application of IoT technology →