Numbers released by the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) as part of their ongoing tracking of the manufacturing sector indicate that June was a mixed month for the sector. The Australian Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI) While production and exports expanded, other activity indexes contracted, with employment down by 5.5 points, new orders down 2.5 … Continue reading June’s PMI: A mixed month for manufacturers →

In attempting to find new renewable energy sources, additions to wind and solar are increasingly coming to market. The federal government is now pushing for the development of hydrogen energy generation in Australia, particularly as nations such as Japan and Korea look to new power sources. The federal Australian government hopes this demand for hydrogen … Continue reading Consultation opens on national hydrogen strategy →

Across south east Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia, new rules apply to electricity providers that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) hopes will benefit energy consumers. For manufacturers who have seen electricity prices eat into their cost margins, the new rules seek to standardise the prices that are offered by electricity retailers. … Continue reading New electricity rules seek to reduce power prices →

The Green Globe Awards from the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage are open for nominations for the twentieth year and manufacturers are encouraged to apply. With awards in twelve categories, the awards highlight how sustainability is a key concern for the entire community. Manufacturers are invited to nominate for categories including Business Leadership, Innovation … Continue reading Manufacturers able to nominate for Green Globe Awards →

From 2019 until 2021, the PACIFIC International Maritime Expo will be held in Sydney. The expo is one of the largest defence and maritime industry events in the world, and the NSW government will assist local manufacturers to connect with international markets at the event, according to Minister for Trade and Industry John Barilaro. “NSW … Continue reading NSW government looking to support naval manufacturers at Maritime Expo →

Students from the University of Sydney won their category in the Spaceport America Cup on Saturday, June 29. The team was up against students from 51 teams from around the world, including top technical universities such as Princeton and ETH Zurich. The rocket, named Silvereye, created by University of Sydney students competed in the 10,000ft … Continue reading Sydney students win rocketry competition →

A two-day workshop at the Australian Institute for Innovative Materials (AIIM) focussed on the future of opportunities in materials science. The use of quantum mechanics has the potential to enable the fabrication of new materials and devices, according to a statement released at the end of the workshop. Held by the Institute for Superconducting and … Continue reading Researchers look for ways forward in advanced materials →

The establishment of an Israel liaison officer at Parkville’s Melbourne Biomedical Precinct will support the commercialisation of biomedical research, according to the University of Melbourne. The liaison officer will collaborate with the whole of Victoria’s biomedical sector, including universities, research institutes and industry. The announcement is the next step from the Victoria Israel Biomedical Innovation … Continue reading Victoria deepens biomedical connection with Israel →

Miner Northern Minerals hopes that the processing of rare earth minerals could spark a burst of investment in high-tech manufacturing – if their Browns Range project is successful. The Browns Range mine is currently in development, and the company hopes to separate dysprosium from surrounding ores. The rare earth mineral can be found in Western … Continue reading Local mining of rare earth minerals could grow high tech manufacturing →

BAE Systems has announced that local manufacturing enterprises are now able to bid to supply equipment, materials and services as part of the Hunter Class Frigate Program. BAE systems estimates that $20 million worth of contracts are will be available in this prototyping stage. The contracts are split between two supplier categories, one of which, … Continue reading Registration opens for local suppliers to the Hunter frigate program →

Representatives of Deakin University, textile technology company Xefco and Proficiency Contracting have agreed upon a joint project for advanced coating technologies that will improve durability for textile coatings while reducing energy, water and chemical consumption. The $3.4 million project will be supported by the Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (IMCRC) and was developed, tested and … Continue reading Textile coating technology takes the next step →

In collaboration with the national industry associations of G20 countries, the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) has called for action to confront the dissolution of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) dispute settlement system. The WTO established the rule-based framework that Australian manufacturing businesses that rely on international exports and imports depend upon. With Australia’s export … Continue reading Ai Group joins call for stable international trade regime →

The University of Adelaide is offering short course “boot camps” for those interested in developing their coding skills. Designed to help address the shortage of those who have tech-skills and are already in the workforce, the intensive coding course is designed for adult learners. Once completed, graduates will take with them a professional portfolio and … Continue reading University of Adelaide launches coding course for digital industry →

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, Karen Andrews, announced on June 26 that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Women in Innovation Leadership Dialogue will be held as part of the World Economic Forum’s meetings in Asia. This announcement provides the opportunity for Australian leaders in STEM to connect with their counterparts across the … Continue reading Australia leads push for women in STEM leadership across Asia →

Responding to the Prime Minister’s announcement that the Australian government will look at workplace relations reform, a range of industry groups have reportedly outlined what they would like to see from the federal government. While the manufacturing sector employs roughly one in twelve Australians, productivity in the sector has declined, and only accounts for 6.8 … Continue reading Industry groups’ wishlist for workplace relations reforms →

Plastic manufacturing company, igus, has launched its smart sensors which track the wear of linear plain bearing liners. Helping to increase the reliability of liners, a sensor in the bearing liners calculates the wear limit and notifies a controller when a threshold is reached. Allowing for preventative maintenance rather than running to system failure, these … Continue reading New sensors identify wear on liners for preventative maintenance →

The Queensland state government has accepted or accepted in principle all 15 recommendations of the State Development, Natural Resources and Agricultural Industry Development Committee’s report into job creation opportunities in the space industry. Today, the space industry provides 2000 full-time positions and $760 million to Queensland’s economy. The report recommends that the Queensland government find … Continue reading Queensland accepts recommendations for space industry jobs →

The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) is seeking to showcase the potential of medical manufacturing in Australia to inspire international investment. Launching a new digital health website, Austrade highlights Australia’s attractiveness as a location for developing, testing and launching new medical technologies. Denise Eaton, senior advisor at Austrade noted that Australia is inherently primed … Continue reading Federal government agency steps up support for medical manufacturing →

Siemens has announced the speakers and experts who will present at its annual conference Digitalize. To be held in Brisbane on July 23, the conference focusses on the process of digitalisation across industry sectors. The two visiting speakers are Martin Powell, head of urban development, and Gerhard Kress, vice president of data services. Kress has … Continue reading Siemens announces Digitalize 2019 →

Recent testing has confirmed that igus’s iglidur Q2E can withstand up to 130 MPa. The bearings, designed to be used in construction machines, agricultural machines, utility vehicles and offshore installations, are made from high-performance plastics. Distributed by Treotham in Australia, these bearings are lubrication and corrosion free. Due to not needing lubrication, maintenance requirements are … Continue reading No lubricant bearings developed for heavy industry →