Business

Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, is boosting Australia’s advanced manufacturing capability by providing free research and development (R&D) support to businesses to help them develop new products or services.  Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) working on new advanced manufacturing solutions can sign up to the free, 10-week online Innovate to Grow program, to support their commercial idea by building their R&D knowledge, with 25 spots available. Upon completion of the program, participants may be able to access facilitation support, through CSIRO, to connect to research expertise nationally, along with dollar-matched R&D funding. CSIRO’s Director of Manufacturing, Marcus Zipper said global supply chain disruptions highlighted the need to build Australia’s advanced manufacturing capability. “Advanced manufacturing plays an important role in so many sectors, with manufacturing contributing about six per cent of Australia’s GDP, from biomedical manufacturing to smart robotics and automation,” Dr Zipper said. “Building Australia’s advanced manufacturing capability is a key part of Australia’s recovery from the COVID-19 crisis, and much of this capability will be driven by SMEs, which make up 99.8 per cent of all businesses in Australia,” he said. Deputy Director of CSIRO’s SME Connect team, Dr George Feast, said that to help businesses take their products or services to the next level, R&D was essential to better understand what opportunities might be presented to them. “Even though we know R&D drives innovation, it can be an expensive undertaking for businesses, risky and time consuming for those without the right guidance and support,” Dr Feast said. “Through this program, participants will be given help to refine a new idea they want to explore and better understand their idea’s business and scientific viability. “They will also be exposed to industry knowledge, hear from innovation and industry experts, and work with an R&D mentor.” The program is open to all companies, regardless of […]

– Lindsay Brown, Vice President and General Manager, Asia Pacific & Japan, GoTo. Advancements in automation, AI and digital transformation have created an opportunity for industry sectors to be leaders in internal and external business excellence, ultimately leading to best practice customer experience (CX). The manufacturing industry is a sector to lead the way and set the standard. Customers have become more savvy and more connected to every touch point in their supply chain, expecting more from every interaction. This newfound expectation has led to manufacturing companies increasingly focusing on quality assurance across all aspects of delivering products and services, while enhancing their business models. This inevitably results in boosting CX. In addition to product specialisation and best-in-class talent, companies are realising the urgency of unlocking the operational efficiencies that make work easier and more flexible. In Foundry’s Global MarketPulse Survey commissioned by flexible communications provider GoTo in Australia and New Zealand, 52% of businesses rated improving customer experience as a top customer support goal in 2022. Fifty-six percent also rated faster resolution times as a top customer goal, and 44% rated improving operating efficiencies and reducing costs. Yet there are challenges to overcome. Eighty-two percent of businesses surveyed rated simplifying the support experience for customers as a challenge, as well as integrated ticketing with communication channels (82%), increasing visibility into agent/technician performance/standard metrics (86%) and integrating remote support with CRM (88%).   With customers at the centre of virtually every business decision, a growing number of companies are clueing into the wide-reaching benefits of flexible, cloud-based communications systems in delivering a competitive advantage through industry leading CX. The new technology is greatly assisting manufacturing companies – no matter what size or industry – to stand out by (over) delivering on their customer promises, by delivery in full and on time. […]

  Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, will accelerate the development of ground-breaking protection for our defence force from chemical, biological and radiological agents, with an $8.6 million Defence Innovation Hub contract to further develop and commercialise its world-leading respirator technology. This is the largest contract signed by the Hub to date and will help bring the technology a step closer to being realised. The single canister device is a step change from existing technology, providing both protection for longer periods, and against more potential threats.  As well as providing protection from biological and radiological agents, it will significantly reduce exposure to a broad spectrum of toxic industrial chemicals, also critical to the nation’s first responders. CSIRO will be working with Melbourne-based chemical manufacturing business and porous material’s producer, Boron Molecular, and Brisbane-based, Veteran Owned EPE Trusted to Protect, to develop the respirator, as well as Monash University. CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Larry Marshall, said Australian innovations that protect our Defence Force personnel are a critical part of maintaining a secure Australia and region. “We are using science to create real-world solutions, working with Australian industry to build sovereign capability and turn brilliant ideas into something ground-breaking to protect our troops.  “We are aiming to develop a respirator that will be the most capable in the world.” CSIRO researcher, Professor Matthew Hill, said CSIRO has been studying porous solids for around 10 years and has developed an efficient and cost-effective manufacturing process. “By combining our expertise in nanofibers and porous solids, we’re developing a technology that will protect our military personnel from weaponised toxic chemical gases and vapours and give them a greater chance to safely complete their mission.” Nanofibres are super-light filters that can stop particles from getting through, and combine nanofibers with some of the world’s most porous materials […]

CNC Design is investing more than $3.5m in the establishment of its new CNC Design Application Centre, which will feature Innomerix, within the new advanced additive manufacturing centre. Founded in Melbourne in 1984, CNC Design has established itself in recent years as a pioneer in the design and manufacture of large-volume 3D printing and machining systems. Situated in a facility close to its head office in Nunawading, eastern Melbourne, the new CNC Design Application Centre and the Innomerix facility will focus on two key areas: the development and testing of new advanced composite materials for additive manufacture; and the expanded development of CNC Design’s range of VSF thermoplastic, wax and concrete printers, including support for customer applications and training. “We’re thrilled to be announcing our new Innomerix subsidiary, which will be co-located in our advanced application centre, situated here at CNC Design,” says Bruce Rowley, managing director and owner of CNC Design. “This is one of the most exciting areas of development in additive manufacturing today, with potential applications ranging from the maritime and construction industries, to production of hydrogen fuel cells. “The launch of both the CNC Design Application Centre and Innomerix builds on CNC Design’s work in this field to date and puts us at the forefront of innovation in this area going forward.” Innomerix will be the first Australian manufacturer of high-performance thermoplastic composites, producing a range of thermoplastic compounds using different additives and reinforcement materials such as synthetic fibres like carbon, Kevlar and glass. Taking its name from a combination of the words ‘innovation’ and ‘polymeric mix’, Innomerix will further advance the company’s innovative work in material technologies. The facility will specialise in creating new materials for additive manufacturing, in particular aiming to reduce the cycle-time for the development of new composite materials for 3D printing, […]