Engineers explore pneumatic air spring actuation for 30-40 per cent boost to outputs of industrial energy and rural solar farms
Urban business including commercial, manufacturing and processing plants have been quick to recognise the cost efficiencies of solar power Australia is on track for 82% renewable energy by 2030, according to the Federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water. This doubling of green energy’s share of the […]
Agricultural spraying specialist HARDI curtails downtime and wear with robust LAPP cable harnesses
LAPP cable harnessing solutions built for harsh Australian environments are delivering durability, traceability, and reliability benefits to agricultural spraying equipment specialist, HARDI. Agricultural spraying equipment specialist HARDI is using robust, traceable, and fit-for-purpose cable harnessing solutions from LAPP Australia to reduce downtime, improve reliability, and extend equipment longevity. […]
The future of distribution depends on AI upskilling
By Geoff Thomas, Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific and Japan, Infor Australia’s manufacturing sector is at a critical crossroads. Rising energy costs, economic shifts and workforce shortages have challenged the industry to remain competitive. On the brighter side, government initiatives and technological innovation have been driving a transformation. In particular, AI has transitioned from a tool […]
Streamlining the onboarding process amidst high manufacturing turnover
Andy Nicholas, WorkJam The manufacturing industry continues to navigate a highly active and turbulent labour market. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, job vacancies across Australia have remained elevated in recent years, with hundreds of thousands of roles unfilled – including persistent shortages across manufacturing and logistics. However, keeping the […]
Australian Made Week puts manufacturing in economic spotlight
Australia needs to continue building domestic manufacturing capability says Earlypay CEO James Beeson. Australian Made Week which begins Monday (18th) puts Australia’s manufacturing sector firmly in the spotlight at a time when many business and government leaders believe the country needs to rebuild local capability, strengthen supply chains and invest […]
The hidden cost of absenteeism in manufacturing and why it is rising
By Damien Durston, head of people management solutions at OneAdvanced Australia’s manufacturing sector has always operated under pressure. Tight margins, complex supply chains and rising input costs are part of the landscape. But a quieter issue is now undermining productivity across the industry: absenteeism. Unplanned leave has traditionally been treated […]
Dr Gabrielle M Caswell of SpacePort Australia Pty Ltd, a finalist in seven out of 30 Australian Space Awards, 2026
Dr Gabrielle M Caswell of SpacePort Australia Pty Ltd, has been named a finalist in seven out of 30 Australian Space Awards, 2026. Dr Caswell has confirmed her acceptance of the award nominations, she was a finalist in the 2025 (5) and 2024 (3)awards. Dr Caswell says, “It’s an exciting […]
Battery-free sensors close to reality with breakthrough in solar manufacturing
Sensors underpin modern life, but many still rely on disposable batteries which are contributing to a growing waste problem. With lithium-ion battery waste in Australia projected to exceed 100,000 tonnes by 2036, and hundreds of millions of household batteries discarded each year – many used in low-power indoor sensors and […]
Leading agri-manufacturer deploys automated solution to build best practices
DLG confidently expects Fiix® CMMS technology to pay for itself within its first year by achieving a 10 per cent improvement in uptime and maintenance efficiency Australasian primary producers and processors with diverse and far-flung operations may take a leaf from the book of technology benefits earned by their counterpart […]
Existing tax system would deliver $80 billion more tax from higher oil price, report finds
Australia’s oil and gas industry would deliver almost $160 billion in taxes and royalties to governments over the next five years if high international prices persist under existing tax settings, new independent analysis by Wood Mackenzie shows. This represents around $80 billion more than under typical long-term price assumptions equating […]
AI-driven workflow targets next-generation semiconductor materials
Researchers at UNSW have developed an artificial intelligence–assisted workflow that replaces slow, iterative materials discovery with a targeted, data-driven approach. Designing advanced materials remains largely trial and error. Small molecular changes can radically alter performance, but with millions of possible combinations, identifying viable candidates is a major bottleneck. Hybrid perovskites are […]
Mapei invests $60 million on new Melbourne plant to support Australia’s growing construction industry
Mapei, a global leader in chemical solutions for the building industry, has officially commenced construction on its new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Truganina, Melbourne. “Mapei has been actively present in the Australian construction industry for more than 30 years and expanding our footprint into Melbourne marks an important milestone for the business. […]
Engineers explore pneumatic air spring actuation for 30-40 per cent boost to outputs of industrial energy and rural solar farms
Urban business including commercial, manufacturing and processing plants have been quick to recognise the cost efficiencies of solar power Australia is on track for 82% renewable energy by 2030, according to the Federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water. This doubling of green energy’s share of the energy mix within the current decade is driven by record solar and wind investments and battery advances. Urban businesses – including manufacturers, food and beverage and primary processors, commercial buildings, transport and warehouse logistics – have been quick to realise the potential of capturing clean, low-cost energy on their rooftops. They are joining miners, energy producers, water, wastewater utilities and farmers in harnessing power from the sun to bring down the cost of energy as a major production input. To maximise the amount of solar energy captured by banks of panels, businesses, engineers, and solar farm operators are seeking the best way to actuate their panels to track the sun, thus increasing energy output by 30-40% compared to fixed systems. High-efficiency and typically less expensive alternatives to more complex actuation methods – such as geared motors and hydraulics – include pneumatic actuators, which can offer a robustly durable, low-maintenance, and cost-effective option, according to current research by the international Science Direct industrial research platform. A current harsh climate case study by ScienceDirect finds pneumatic actuators ideal for rugged environments, using compressed air to maintain optimal sun-tracking angles. Key Features and Advantages: High force-to-weight ratios and high reliability with fewer failure points. Less expensive and much simpler design Cost-Efficient Operation:Lower manufacturing costs compared to conventional systems and ongoing energy savings due to low-duty cycle operation. High Reliability:Pneumatic systems, including rubber and fabric air springs types, can provide millions of cycles with minimal maintenance. Dual-Axis Capability:Used in dual-axis trackers for both altitude […]