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CSIRO team representing Australia at ‘Robot Olympics’

A Brisbane-based team of robotics experts will represent Australia – and the Southern Hemisphere – in the world’s leading robotics competition held in the United States this month. Experts from around the world have spent the past three years pushing the boundaries of autonomous robotic technology to map, navigate and search environments as part of the Subterranean challenge, run by the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). With teams eliminated from the competition each year, only eight remain to contest the 2021 grand final. A fully autonomous drone from Emesent with a hovermap system during a CSIRO training session for the DARPA Subterranean Challenge final event. Breakthroughs discovered through the DARPA Challenge have helped push real-world applications forward, including improving safety and enhanced efficiency in local mining sectors, and promising significant potential in agriculture and manufacturing. Though based in Australia for the competition, CSIRO’s Australian team members will appear at the event via telepresence. US-based representatives and partners Emesent and Georgia Tech will be on the ground. CSIRO group leader Dr Navinda Kottege said they were thrilled to be one of the final eight teams to compete. “In the world of robotics, these challenges are like our Olympics,” Dr Kottege said. “To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time any Australian team has made it to a DARPA Challenge final, and we’re very proud to showcase Australia’s capabilities in this area on the world stage.” The six autonomous robots from CSIRO’s Data61 will need to locate and report back on items and environmental conditions throughout three underground courses built inside the Louisville Mega Cavern in Louisville, Kentucky. The challenges are designed to simulate real-world scenarios and involve locating models representing lost or injured humans, backpacks, or phones, as well as variable conditions such as pockets of […]

D-Link launches secure AC1200 and AC750 Mesh Wi-Fi Range Extenders

As the quality, reliability and security of Wi-Fi becomes increasingly important, D-Link A/NZ has launched their new DAP-1610 AC1200 Mesh Wi-Fi Range Extender and DAP-1530 AC750 Mesh Wi-Fi Range Extender, both encompassing the latest WPA3 wireless encryption. DAP-1610 The DAP-1610 is a portable plug-in wireless Extender that lets you extend an existing wireless network, giving you powerful Wi-Fi throughout your home and eliminating Wi-Fi dead zones. With high-speed, dual-band 802.11ac wireless speeds of up to 1200Mbps – that’s 300Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 900Mbps on the 5GHz band – the DAP-1610 ensures a fast and stable Wi-Fi experience for all of your connected devices. The DAP-1610’s dual-band technology also helps reduce interference from any nearby wireless transmitters and provides backwards compatibility with older connected devices that run on previous Wi-Fi standards. What’s more, if you wish, you can use its Gigabit Ethernet port and your home’s existing wired Ethernet cabling to extend wireless coverage without having to worry about signal strength. The DAP-1610 also provides you with flexible Mesh choices for your home network when you pair it with a compatible D-Link Wi-Fi 5 Mesh Router to create a seamless whole-home Mesh Network built on industry-standard Mesh technology. The DAP-1610 seamlessly picks up the same Wi-Fi name as your existing network and allows you to enjoy a Mesh connection throughout your entire home Meanwhile, Mesh Smart Roaming allows your devices to intelligently switch to a stronger Wi-Fi signal as you move around the house. You can also pair with other Routers or Extenders which support the 802.11k/v standard to enjoy Mesh Smart Roaming throughout your home at all times. Setup of the DAP-1610 is simple, either via the single-touch WPS button to join the Extender to the existing network, or alternatively, you can setup and manage the DAP-1610 just as […]

Treotham has lubrication-free igus spherical balls

Heavy dirt accumulation, dust and swarf are commonplace for pillow blocks and fixed flange bearings. Constant lubrication and maintenance is therefore necessary. With the injection-moulded igus spherical balls, customers can resort to a lubrication-free and maintenance-free solution for their metallic pillow blocks. igus has now developed new spherical balls made of the high-performance plastic iglidur J, specifically for cost-effective sheet metal housings. Metal and lubrication are found close together in mechanical engineering. igus proves that this does not always have to be the case. The motion plastics specialist has developed its igubal exchangeable spherical balls especially for pillow blocks and fixed flange bearings with metallic housings. These consist of the high-performance polymer iglidur J, which reduces costs since lubrication and maintenance are eliminated. The use of polymers prevents dirt and dust from settling in the bearing, which additionally reduces the sealing and prevents an unplanned machine downtime. The use of exchange bearings is also suitable in agriculture and farming, in the food industry or in plant and mechanical engineering. The igubal spherical balls come directly from injection moulding and are therefore cost-effective. Within a few seconds, they can be mounted in place of ball bearings in existing classic metallic pillow blocks and flange bearing housings and now also in low-cost sheet metal housings. The bearing system consisting of sheet metal housing and igubal spherical ball is available from Treotham. The plastic spherical ball has a high durability and its service life can be easily calculated online. Lubrication-free operation thanks to iglidur J The spherical balls made of iglidur J are not only cost-effective, but also have a very low coefficient of friction in dry operation. The material absorbs only a little moisture, so that the use of the spherical balls is also suitable for outdoors. Due to the chemical resistance […]

South Korean patent granted for Archer’s quantum computing chip

Growing Australian small cap, Archer Materials Limited, has announced the granting of a Republic of Korea patent associated with the company’s 12CQ quantum computing chip technology. The Korean Patent is a significant commercial milestone in the development of the 12CQ chip and in the Company’s efforts to access global markets. South Korea is a major global manufacturer and exporter of semiconductor chip devices, with its conglomerates, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, among the top producers of semiconductors in the world. The KR Patent application successfully underwent substantive examination procedures by the Korean Intellectual Property Office, which has over 1 million patents in force. South Korea has the highest number of patents per unit of GDP and the country files patents most heavily in electronic equipment (top ranked globally) and computing technology. Together with the US and China, South Korea is one of the most competitive jurisdictions for patent granting. Patent protection in South Korea is required for any future commercial operations in the country and provides Archer with access to a top 5 innovation economy to exploit IP rights related to the 12CQ chip with a duration of patent right up until Dec 2036. South Korea has named investment in its world-leading semiconductor industry, with the country committing to invest US$450 billion through to 2030, the bulk of which coming from companies, including US$150 billion by Samsung Electronics and US$200 billion by SK Hynix. Archer will need patent protection in South Korea if the Company is to participate in the country’s semiconductor industry. Commenting on the grant of the South Korean patent, Archer CEO Dr Mohammad Choucair said: “Archer’s quantum computing chip IP is now well protected in South Korea – home to some of the world’s largest chipmakers, and a critical part of the global semiconductor supply chain. “We […]

Rio Tinto and ARENA to study using hydrogen to reduce carbon emissions in alumina refining

Rio Tinto has partnered with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to study whether hydrogen can replace natural gas in alumina refineries to reduce emissions. Rio Tinto will conduct a $1.2 million feasibility study, equally funded with ARENA through a $580,000 grant, into using clean hydrogen to replace natural gas in the calcination process of refining at the Yarwun aumina refinery in Gladstone. The study program includes work to be done at Rio Tinto’s Bundoora Technical Development Centre in Melbourne, where Rio Tinto’s in-house development capability has now been extended to hydrogen. ARENA CEO Darren Miller said “If we can replace fossil fuels with clean hydrogen in the refining process for alumina, this will reduce emissions in the energy and emissions intensive refining stage of the aluminium supply chain. Exploring these new clean energy technologies and methods is a crucial step towards producing green aluminium. “This study will investigate a potential technology that can contribute to the decarbonisation of the Australian alumina industry. If successful, the technical and commercial lessons from Rio Tinto’s study could lead to the implementation of hydrogen calcination technology, not only in Australia, but also internationally.” Rio Tinto Aluminium Pacific Operations acting managing director Daniel van der Westhuizen said “We see the ARENA and Rio Tinto-funded study as a step towards reducing refinery emissions and one that has the potential to play an important part in Rio Tinto’s commitment to decarbonisation. “We’re investing in work that needs to be done, not only to decarbonise one of our sites, but also to help provide a lower-emissions pathway for Rio Tinto and the global aluminium industry. “We recognise we are on a long road towards reducing emissions across our operations and there is clearly more work to be done. But projects such as this are an important part […]

New interior separation for E4Q energy chain reduces assembly time

Universal separators and shelves with locking tabs ensure flexible and user-friendly e-chain assembly For safe cable guidance in unsupported and long travels, igus has developed the E4Q energy chain which is available from Treotham. The bionically inspired design of the series saves weight, while a crossbar with locking tabs reduces the assembly time of the energy supply system by 40 per cent. To further facilitate cable filling, igus is now launching a new interior separation for the E4Q. Universal separators can simply be placed on the crossbars, shelves can be inserted from the left or right, either along the inner or outer radius. A mechanism in the separators automatically locks the chain when closing. Simple and assembly-friendly, these were the goals that the igus developers set themselves with the E4Q energy chain. The result is an energy supply system for unsupported and long travels that saves material and 10 per cent weight through a naturalistic design. At the same time, it is more robust than its predecessor series E4.1. The special feature of the energy chain: it can be opened and closed completely without tools with the help of a special crossbar concept, saving the user 40 per cent assembly time. A concept that convinced users as well as the jury of the German Design Award 2021. In order to be able to fill the E4Q with cables even faster, igus GmbH has now developed a new flexible interior separation in co-operation with its customers. The system consists of universal separators and lockable shelves. The cable-protecting separators have a grid for inserting the shelves. To assemble the interior separation, first place the separators on the crossbars. The shelves can then be pushed into the desired level from both sides. Double locked with slider and crossbar An integrated slider allows the […]

New chainflex series saves 35% cable costs in top drives

From Treotham is the igus developed e-loop, especially for hanging installations in extremely challenging applications, such as deep drilling rigs. The robust energy chain system safely guides cables vertically and is already replacing more and more service loops worldwide. With the new CFSPECIAL.5 series, there is now also the matching igus cable range for the e-loop. A combination of seven chainflex cables makes cost savings of 35% possible. To guide cables safely in hanging applications and harsh environments, igus has developed the e-loop as an alternative to the frequently used service loop. This is because in a service loop the cables have no guide and no defined bend radius, they cannot move and break. When servicing or repairing, the complete system must be replaced. As an extremely resilient three-dimensional energy supply system, the e-loop combines the advantages of a polymer energy chain with a high-strength pull rope. The rope absorbs the tensile forces inside the chain and transmits them to the mounting brackets. The modular e-chain has a defined bend radius and withstands vibrations and shocks thanks to PU protectors – ideal for use in drilling rigs or bucket wheel excavators. To match the e-loop, igus now presents the CFSPECIAL.5 cable series. Chain, cable, guarantee, assembly: everything from one source The cable package for the e-loop is available from Treotham and consists of seven different types of cable: three single-core cables of different cross sections, a protective conductor, two data cables and a hybrid cable. The selection is based on the current Top Drive systems on the market and is continuously adapted. All chainflex cables are available without minimum order quantity. Due to the availability as a catalogue part, the usual lengthy and expensive individual production is no longer necessary. With the igus complete package consisting of chain, cable, harnessing […]

Pierlite to illuminate schools across NSW

Leading Australian lighting and controls solutions provider, Pierlite, has been appointed by Schools Infrastructure NSW to provide LED lighting across a large number of NSW public schools as part of a statewide Lighting Upgrade Program that will improve the wellbeing of students and teachers, provide energy savings, and create hundreds of NSW jobs. Pierlite will supply significant numbers of its innovative LED products to up to 1,000 NSW public schools, replacing existing fluorescent lighting and, in the process, slash energy consumption by at least 50 per cent. The majority of components and labour will be sourced from NSW-based businesses and manufactured at Pierlite’s Padstow facility. Pierlite’s solution is centered on its range of Vandalux and Unilux EP upgrade kits, providing rapid delivery and installation across a broad range of indoor school environments, including classrooms, gymnasiums, staff offices, halls and corridors. The fittings offer significant energy savings, reduced environmental waste and wellbeing benefits to those interacting in the installed spaces. Additional benefits include a 50 per cent faster install time, reduced installation risk, and a lower risk of exposure to ceiling contaminants. The initial phase of the project will see a number of new jobs created at Pierlite, its component suppliers and service providers. School Infrastructure NSW’s LED Lighting Upgrade Program (LUP) has been designated as a COVID-19 economic stimulus recovery program. In addition to delivering operating cost reductions in electricity and maintenance, the LUP program aims to support student learning behaviours by improving the indoor lighting environment across NSW public schools. Pierlite Australia CEO Gustav Arianto said, “This is a strategically important contract for Pierlite and we are proud to partner with SINSW to ensure successful outcomes for NSW public schools.” “Our commitment to local job growth and manufacturing has always been a strong focus for Pierlite. Throughout the seventy […]

Poralu Marine delivers longest public floating wave attenuator for Geelong project

Poralu Marine has just completed a major project in Victoria at Royal Geelong Yacht Club (RGYC) as the main general contractor for this turn-key entire multi-million-dollar project including design and installation. Poralu Marine engineered and delivered a perfect hybrid and resilient solution: heavy duty wide floating concrete wave attenuator to protect the first stage of a brand-new aluminium made marina and to benefit of all the advantages of this high-tech metal. The harbour that could previously shelter 280 berths has been completely remodelled simultaneously with the waterfront. The fixed jetties will eventually be replaced by the floating versatile system to offer around 360 berths which can moor boats ranging from eight to twenty-seven meters. This project marks an important milestone for the Victorian shores. Wangim Walk (which means boomerang in the Wadawurrung language) is a 440-meter-long concrete public wave attenuator and amongst the longest built in Australia in similar area exposed to strong winds. With its width of five to six meters and its 20-meter-long gangway, the wave attenuator is highly noticeable and was designed not only to welcome visitors for a unique on-water experience but also as a wave protection for the harbour and to facilitate the berthing of temporary vessels and mega yachts

Aussie hi-tech welder to join global defence industry

A manufacturer of hi-tech welding equipment is embarking on a joint project with a huge global player that it hopes will help it gain a foothold in the lucrative defence manufacturing sector. K-TIG Limited, based in Adelaide, South Australia, has commercialised Australian CSIRO technology to weld materials faster and stronger than traditional techniques. Until now, the publicly-listed company has focused on the pipe, tank and pressure vessel industries. But this week, K-TIG signed a Memorandum of Understanding with major Korean company Hanwha Defence Group and Hanwha Defence Australia, to develop advanced keyhole welding procedures for armoured applications. Hanwha is South Korea’s largest defence company and also operates in aerospace, fintech, mining and clean energy. It is also the preferred supplier for the Australian Army’s Land 8116 self-propelled artillery project and shortlisted for the Land400 Phase 3 Infantry Fighting Vehicle project. The K-TIG system can perform a traditional six-hour weld in less than four minutes to a quality standard and, unlike traditional welding, it requires no edged preparation or filler materials. K-TIG managing director Adrian Smith said the MOU with Hanwha would trigger a 24-week joint project to demonstrate the K-TIG technology in Adelaide on the specific defence materials at specific joint geometries to prove its “superior hardness characteristics”. “Traditionally when you weld two pieces of armour together you change the mechanical properties because you melt the metal and recrystallise it around the joint and the joint is not as hard as the base metal,” he said. “But our technology and the way we weld in a single pass involves much less degradation in the strength of the joint so our joint hardness is comparable to the base metals plus we have less defects. A Hanwha k9 self-propelled howitzer. Picture: Hanwha Defence. “Once we’ve proven the suitability then we will look […]

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