Senator Kate Lundy, Minister for Sport, Multicultural Affairs and Minister Assisting on Industry & Innovation, officially opened the show and visited several stands to speak to the exhibitors and explore the latest technoloy on show.

“Whilst AMTIL (Australian Manufacturing Institute Limited) as the organisers and the industry body realise that the climate is difficult, we hope that there was enough interest stimulated through the show to create activity in the market place over the coming months,” Mr Infanti added.

The exhibitors addressed every conceivable aspect of how to make things smarter, assisting local manufacturers to deploy appropriate technology and connect to providers of systems and processes in an effort to optimise efficiency, quality and costs and thus to achieve that all-important competitive edge. One of the most noticeable buzzwords during the show was certainly additive manufacturing and 3D printing, and visitors to the dedicated Digital & Additive Pavilion kept exhibitors busy.

There were several activities and new initiatives that kept the floor buzzing throughout the four-day event. Among them was the Manufacturers Pavilion, which featured presentations from renowned industry experts, discussing the possibilities of improving manufacturers’ competitiveness through research, innovation and technology.

“The Manufacturers Pavilion is a welcome addition to AUSTECH and enables manufacturers to showcase their capabilities not only to the general audience but also targeted VIPs within key supply chains,” Mr Infanti commented. “The initial feedback from the exhibitors in that area is very positive, and a stepping stone for us to continue working with them to generate business.”

Speaking at a panel session with other advanced manufacturing industry partners at the Manufacturers Pavilion, Bruce Grey, Managing Director of the Advanced Manufacturing CRC, said that AUSTECH was an excellent forum for the industry and showcased the latest developments in the sector.

“AUSTECH is the only show specifically targeted at capital equipment in the advanced manufacturing sector,” he said. “As such, it offers an opportunity to see what’s being achieved, but also to talk about the right ways to commercialise technology.” Mr Grey emphasised that by focussing on IP creation and getting that right through research partnerships with organisations like AMCRC, Australian SMEs could propel themselves into wider and more profitable markets.

Austech exhibition director Shane Infanti being interviewed by ABC presenter Tony Eastley

After the merger of Objet and Stratasys, Tasman Machinery now also offers Objet 3D printers powered by PolyJet technology. These feature 16-micron layers with accuracy as high as 0.1 mm for smooth surfaces, thin walls and complex geometries. It is the only technology that supports a range of materials with properties from rubber to rigid and transparent to opaque. And with Objet Connex technology, multiple materials can even be printed simultaneously in the same part.

Sutton Tools is showcasing the VA Harmony Endmills, providing the ideal solution for high-quality milling of emerging hardwearing super alloy materials being developed for the aerospace, oil & gas, food & beverage, medical and marine industries.

Mike S Brown explaining how early adopters of laser melting for medical orthopaedics benefit significantly from the ability of laser melting to manufacture complex geometries and structures in high grade materials, such as titanium.

Melbourne, 09 May 2013 – Advanced Manufacturing SMEs must focus on capturing and commercialising their intellectual property (IP) to be competitive on both a local and global scale according to Bruce Grey, Managing Director of the Advanced Manufacturing CRC.

“Austech is the only show specifically targeted at capital equipment in the advanced manufacturing sector." Bruce Grey, Managing Director of the Advanced Manufacturing CRC.

Speaking at a panel session with other advanced manufacturing industry partners at the Austech Expo in Melbourne today, Mr Grey said getting the right IP was the key success factor in entering global markets. He said that Austech, as Australia’s premier advanced precision manufacturing and machine tool exhibition, was an excellent forum for the industry and showcased the latest developments in the sector.

“Austech is the only show specifically targeted at capital equipment in the advanced manufacturing sector,” he said. “As such, it offers an opportunity to see what’s being achieved, but also to talk about the right ways to commercialise technology.” Mr Grey emphasised that by focussing on IP creation and getting that right, through research partnerships with organisations like AMCRC, Australian SMEs could propel themselves into wider and more profitable markets. “Doing cost effective research to develop the right IP is the approach we recommend. Austech is a window on current activities and highlights the amazing technology coming out of the advanced manufacturing sector,” he said. “SME success needs to be more consistent and the key is IP creation followed by its commercialisation.”

Mr Grey said that additive and bio manufacturing were the two most important areas for research and investment in Australia today and were the focus of AMCRC research, industry and SME partners.

About AMCRC

The Advanced Manufacturing CRC (AMCRC) aims to set the standard in innovation creation, practice and education. Through our industry and research collaborations we are working to create intellectual property in next generation technologies, products and processes. The AMCRC is part of the Cooperative Research Centres Program where, with funding from the Australian Government, researchers and industries are brought together to develop lasting innovative solutions.

www.amcrc.com.au

A new breed of industrial robots and ICT systems could transform Australia’s manufacturing sector, creating safer environments and more efficient factories, according to a CSIRO whitepaper.

ReMoTe (Remote Mobile Tele-assistance) technology which connects remote experts with on site operators to provide timely real-time assistance when problems arise.

To be launched at AUSTECH and National Manufacturing Week (8 May), the whitepaper highlights the issues facing Australia’s manufacturing sector and presents a new category of technologies built to encourage human-robot work practices.

The paper outlines how current tools available to manufacturers are built for high volume mass-manufacturing, but that new economic drivers require manufacturers to focus more on low-volume, highly customised and high value-add products.

Known as Lightweight Assistive Manufacturing Solutions, these new systems are designed to enhance the worker’s skills, actions and tasks, not to replace them. They include virtual reality headsets, smart robots which can be taught to multi-task and tele-supervised robots which can be controlled over the internet.

A drive towards more ICT enabled advanced manufacturing was one of the key opportunities identified by the Prime Minister’s Manufacturing Taskforce in 2012 in its report Smarter Manufacturing for a Smarter Australia.

“Australian Manufacturing is shifting away from large-volume production to mass customisation, and companies are telling us they need more flexible systems to deliver these more customised products. This whitepaper seeks to highlight these trends and present solutions which will enable Australian industry to address these challenges,” says co-author and CSIRO business development manager Dr Peter Kambouris.

“Industrial automation used in manufacturing today is limited, but developments in ICT and robotics present Australia with an opportunity to change the way we manufacture. CSIRO believes lightweight robotics and advanced ICT systems are one way of meeting this challenge,” he adds.

A virtual headset called ReMote is one system being trialled by industry. Using a head-mounted camera the wearer (worker) is able to beam what they can see to anyone (expert/helper) in a remote location. The helper is then able to project their hand gestures onto whatever the worker is looking at and virtually show them how to fix an issue or conduct a repair.

Systems like ReMote have been designed with safety in mind and allow workers to operate in hazardous environments and safely execute complex tasks.

“Our focus has been on creating systems which can help people and businesses work safer and smarter. Our consultation with industry has shown that safety, flexibility and affordability are the three drivers for Australian industry,” says Dr Kambouris.

The whitepaper, titled “An initiative to enhance SME productivity through fit for purpose Information and Robotic technologies” will be launched on Wednesday 8 May at National Manufacturing Week in Melbourne.  It has been drafted based on in-depth interviews with SMEs from Queensland and Victoria.

Contact

Simon Hunter, Communication Manager, Telephone: 0395458412 or 0477319714

Images, infographic and whitepaper download on CSIRO website

Senator Kate Lundy officially opened the show.

She emphasised the importance of the manufacturing industry, which employs almost 1 million Australians and in 2012 contributed approximately $106bn to the Australian economy. In 2010/11 manufacturers invested about $4.8bn in R&D, which she said was the key to survival for manufacturers who are adapting to the most significant structural changes since the 1980s.

One initiative the Minister mentioned is the the Federal Government’s $504 million plan to set up 10 industry led innovation precincts around Australia by 2014, starting with a manufacturing precinct based in southeast Melbourne and Adelaide.

The precincts will be aimed at supporting growth and competiveness of Australian businesses, with the precincts to focus on several industries including manufacturing.

Minister Kate Lundy at the Techni Waterjet stand

Rick Kelly signing posters at the MTI Qualos stand

Minister Kate Lundy had her face scanned and 3D printed

Happy 5th birthday Enerprise Connect!

Crowd gathering at the official opening ceremony

Fuji Fasteners showing an extensive range of fastener examples produced by Fuji Fasteners at its South Dandenong factory.

Calum Drummond, CSIRO Group Executive, launching the CSIRO lightweight assistive manufacturing solutions whitepaper.

Jim Challenger from Hawker Richardson presents the Mantis Compact Stereo Viewing System from Vision Engineering, designed for superior ergonomics and freedom of head movement.

David Hodge, CEO DMTC, said that in defence manufacturing, time is everything; best value is no value if it's day late.

“AUSTECH is where our industry’s decision makers and leaders go to gear up for today’s global competition,” says Exhibition Director Shane Infanti. “Here they will find the latest smart technologies and solutions for future-proofing their production facilities. Moreover, they’ll get to rub shoulders with all the relevant market leaders, precision engineering firms and advanced manufacturers at our newly launched Manufacturers Pavilion.”

The Manufacturers Pavilion will feature presentations from renowned industry experts, discussing the possibilities of improving manufacturers’ competitiveness through research, innovation and technology. Featuring a rich variety of speakers, this fascinating event will provide a unique snapshot of the diversity of Australian industry and give visitors valuable insights into the manufacturing strategies of some of our most exciting companies.

Many of these companies will have a dedicated display area, showcasing some of the most compelling and inspiring examples of manufacturing technology from both Australia’s established and emerging engineering sectors.

Long-established car maker Toyota Motor Corporation will display the Camry Hybrid and the AR four-cylinder engine. “The Camry Hybrid vehicle and AR four cylinder engine on display represent exciting developments in Australian manufacturing,” says Roy Oh, Manager, Supplier Development, Toyota Motor Corporation Aust Ltd. “The introduction of hybrid technology means Toyota Australia is the first Australian manufacturer to build hybrid vehicles, bringing cutting edge technology and environmental benefits to Australia. The opening of the new $330m AR engine plant in late 2012 is a show of confidence in the future of Toyota Australia’s manufacturing presence in this country. Toyota Australia’s locally built vehicles and engines are recognised around the world for their quality and durability, with 70% of all locally produced cars exported to customers in 11 destinations around the world.”

Bombardier Transportation has been manufactruring rail vehicles in Australia for over 40 years.

Another exciting contributor is Bombardier Transportation Australia, who has been manufacturing rail vehicles in Australia for over 40 years from the Dandenong and Maryborough facilities. In recent years, Bombardier has successfully won contracts to build the VLocity Diesel Multiple units in Victoria, the new generation trams for Melbourne and Adelaide’s electric train fleet.  A commitment to local manufacture supported by the local supplier base combined with value added customer service has been instrumental in positioning Bombardier as a market leader.

Moreover, automotive manufacturing and design company MTM will have a Tomcar on display. The company manufactures the innovative and unique two-wheel drive all-terrain vehicle for Tomcar Australia. Tomcar is well suited to meet all of the challenges of the Australian terrain. It is an extremely versatile vehicle that can perform a multitude of jobs. “We are also looking to localise components as this is a vehicle being manufactured in Australia for Australia so we are looking for the support of local industry,” comments Managing Director Mark Albert. “We are sure that this vehicle will excite the public as well as create employment opportunities for Australians.”

Last but not least, Joy Global, a global leader in the development, manufacture, distribution and service of underground mining machinery, will be displaying various items of mining equipment that the company manufactures. The NSW-based company hopes to find Melbourne-based manufacturers who can provide products, processes and services to help them produce the finished product at lower cost and reduced lead time.

The complete list of exhibitors as well as the speaker program can be found online.

“The Manufacturers Pavilion is a catalyst for strengthening Australian manufacturing,” Mr Infanti says. “We are hoping to support and accelerate its ongoing transformation into a more efficient and powerful engine of innovation, driving economic growth and job creation.”

Austech is co-located with National Manufacturing Week (NMW).