IMCRC

Australian automotive aftermarket service provider, MotorOne Group, has embarked on a six-month, $295,000 research project to automate and digitalise its manufacturing and quality assurance processes. 

The Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (IMCRC) has granted New Zealand-based biotechnology research company, Humble Bee Bio, and Deakin University $70,000 to develop a sustainable alternative to the harmful chemicals used in durable water repellent (DWR) textile coatings. 

IMCRC activate – a collaborative research project between the Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (IMCRC), InfraBuild and the CSIRO – is set to increase the life of fencing infrastructure in Australia, cutting replacement costs. 

A thermovoltaic device that will convert infrared energy from waste heat sources into electricity is being developed by technology company, PhosEnergy, and the University of South Australia in collaboration with the Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (IMCRC). 

The Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre’s (IMCRC) “Design Robotics for Mass Customisation” team has won the Cooperative Research Centre Association’s 2020 Award, for Excellence in Innovation. 

Swinburne’s ARC Training Centre for Surface Engineering for Advanced Materials (SEAM) has partnered with Allegra Orthopaedics and RMIT to explore a coating manufacturing process to deposit a proprietary bioceramic material onto orthopaedic implant products. 

The future of many of Australia’s industry sectors depends on innovation derived from the successful development and commercialisation of technology. A significant opportunity exists for industry to accelerate this through collaboration with our world class universities and other scientific research organisations. 

By Dr Jason Coonan, Chief Operating Officer at the Innovative Manufacturing CRC By now we are all acutely aware of the impact that COVID-19 has had on our manufacturing industry, including our innovation pipeline. As we adapt to our “new normal”, kickstarting the industry’s recovery and innovation ecosystem is more important than ever before. Small … Continue reading Why short-term, high impact manufacturing R&D is important for fuelling Australia’s innovation ecosystem →

A research collaboration led by Queensland Semiconductor Technology (Questsemi) and Griffith University is establishing the performance, characterisation and manufacturability of silicon carbide (SiC) Schottky diodes at a wafer level. SiC Schottky diodes are small semiconductor devices, or one-way electronic switches, used in power conversion systems. Due to their thermal conductivity, high switching performance and efficiency, they … Continue reading Questsemi and Griffith University develop energy efficient technologies →

The Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (IMCRC) has encouraged applications for IMCRC activate, a funding initiative to help Australian SMEs recover from COVID-19.  This will be achieved through shorter-term, agile research and development collaborations, with matched cash funding between $50,000 and $150,000 available per project.  Launched in 2020, IMCRC activate supports highly targeted, cost effective and innovative R&D projects in … Continue reading IMCRC activate R&D project opportunities for manufacturing SMEs →

The urgent need for human stool donations to treat chronic gut infections could soon be eased with innovative research to develop artificial super stool. Australian microbiome biotechnology company BiomeBank, in collaboration with RMIT University, has secured $100,000 in funding from the Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (IMCRC) to develop the new bioreactor technology to support the collaborative research that aims to create a … Continue reading Research into artificial super stool manufacture to bring hope →

A new research project between HYDAC Australia, Deakin University and the Innovative Manufacturing CRC (IMCRC) will see immersive reality experts develop a virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) training solution that will teach and guide maintenance staff and trainees in real time how to safely service and maintain important hydraulics systems and components. The 12-month research … Continue reading Real-time training and support for Australia’s Fluid Power Industry →

Australian lithium-ion battery manufacturer Energy Renaissance will develop a defence-grade cybersecure Battery Management System (BMS), to be manufactured in Tomago, NSW. The $1.46 million BMS project is a joint venture by Energy Renaissance with the national science agency, CSIRO and the Innovative Manufacturing CRC (IMCRC). Energy Renaissance’s 4,500 sqm purpose-built facility in Tomago, NSW will … Continue reading Energy Renaissance, CSIRO and IMCRC to deliver defence-grade battery management system →

By Dr Matthew Young, Manufacturing Innovation Manager, IMCRC After a turbulent year in our industry, Australian manufacturers need to innovate now more than ever before. Creating a path for a thriving business and economic recovery after COVID-19 will depend on embracing the fourth industrial revolution and, crucially, purposeful and effective collaboration. At the Innovative Manufacturing … Continue reading Driving innovation through university collaboration – key elements for success →

Geelong manufacturing start-up FormFlow is partnering with Deakin University and the Innovative Manufacturing CRC (IMCRC) to advance its unique corrugated steel bending process to enable high volume manufacturing of building products consistent in quality and shape. Over the next 12 months, co-funded through the new IMCRC activate program, metal forming experts from Deakin’s Institute for … Continue reading Controlling the bend with smart technologies →

Despite the challenges of 2020 and the undeniable negative impact of COVID-19, the world has seen a rapid adoption of digital technologies over the past six months. Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, noted in April that due to the pandemic the business saw two years’ worth of digital transformation in just two months. More recently, … Continue reading Accelerating Industry 4.0 uptake: five messages for SMEs →

Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (IMCRC) has successfully catalysed more than $200 million investment in collaborative research and development (R&D) projects across Australia, with a unique CRC business model that enables industry-led collaborative research to push boundaries and deliver commercial outcomes. The $200 million investment, leveraging cash and other contributions from industry, research organisations and … Continue reading IMCRC-catalysed investment in Australian advanced manufacturing research tops $200m →

Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (IMCRC) has launched its new funding initiative, IMCRC activate, with an Australian first — the development of a rapid COVID-19 test that uses optical technology. Designed to provide a much-needed stimulus to Australian manufacturing businesses in the wake of COVID-19, IMCRC activate stimulates and fast-tracks R&D investment, offering access to … Continue reading IMCRC launches first approved project for rapid COVID-19 test →

Earlier in my career I worked with many “best in class” lean manufacturers and I was struck by how many of their employees could remember, even years later, where it all started. They openly shared their story, and often I would meet the team that had been the catalyst for their on-going lean deployment. Years … Continue reading Deciding where to start in the Industry 4.0 journey →

Global manufacturing has been shaken by the pandemic. It’s not just the social distancing restrictions that have been placed on workplaces, which have forced them to operate in non-standard ways, the border closures and surge in demand for speciality goods (think toilet paper, hand sanitiser and PPE) laid bare just how vulnerable global supply chains … Continue reading Future-Proofing The Australian Manufacturing Industry Through Digital Transformation →