Manufacturing news briefs - stories you might have missed

Nova Systems International will support the Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF) with Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) of C130J Super Hercules aircraft. This is a major milestone for us that supports operational capability delivery for the RNoAF, and builds on the existing contracts with Norwegian Government departments.
“Nova Systems has one of the largest flight test capabilities outside of aircraft manufacturers and government test organisations,” Martin Alknes, General Manager Norway, said. “We are delighted with the award of this new C130J OT&E contract as our first fixed wing project in Norway.” Operational Flight Test and Evaluation and Introduction-into-Service Support are part of Nova Systems’ core offerings, which the company was founded on more than two decades ago and has been providing in Norway since 2015.

Bush outfitter R.M. Williams (pictured) has opened an expanded Adelaide workshop with a new manufacturing line specifically for handcrafted women’s boots. The new women’s boot manufacturing line will enable the brand to locally craft a more diverse offering of women’s boots, in higher quantities. Designed by women, for women, R.M. Williams will now offer seven distinct women’s styles of Chelsea boots with a range of heel heights and types for every occasion, from everyday elegance and comfort, to stepping out at formal events, according to the Adelaide company. As part of the investment, after successfully taking its first cohort of apprentices in the Leather Cert III course last year, the company is introducing the Industrial Sewing certification in conjunction with TAFE South Australia. The women’s boot line will create 70 local manufacturing jobs, and follows an $8 million investment in new equipment at the workshop at Salisbury in Adelaide’s northern suburbs.

The Western Australian government has provided additional support construction of a commercial scale facility in the former coal mining town of Collie to produce graphite used in making lithium ion battery anodes. International Graphite began production at its pilot graphite micronising plant in February this year, backed by a $2 million grant, and now plans to scale up to full commercial production. The state will inject another $4.5 million to support the company to ramp up production capacity to up to 4,000 tonnes per annum. A further $2 million will support a feasibility study into establishing a purpose-built battery anode material facility in Collie. International Graphite has also received $4.7 million in federal funding as part of the Critical Minerals Development Program.

The Advanced Manufacturing Research Facility (AMRF) has shared details of some of the investments it has made at its new site at Bradfield City Centre, due to open this year. In a statement last week, the Western Parkland City Authority (which runs the AMRF) said users would have “have unprecedented access to world-class technology, training, and expertise” at the site, which would play an “important role in the manufacturing ecosystem in NSW”. The AMRF will feature machines such as a DMG Mori Multi-Axis Turn-Mill, a CMS Kreator — a large format hybrid 3D printing and milling machine that is highly flexible, sustainable, and reduces material waste — and an Additive Industries MetalFABG2, which uses high-temperature nickel alloys and scalmalloy. Ben Kitcher, AMRF Executive Director, said: “Located on the doorstep of the new Western Sydney International Airport, the AMRF is perfectly placed to accelerate business growth in NSW and unlock global manufacturing opportunities. It will connect manufacturers with world-class technologies, experts and opportunities in Western Sydney, an area renowned for its thriving manufacturing presence”. More information is available here. Editors note: the AMRF is a sponsor of @AuManufacturing’s Australia’s 50 Most Innovative Manufacturers campaign for 2024.

Lazo Paper, which is now in liquidation, was sentenced in the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court last week after being found guilty of two charges of failing to provide and maintain plant that was safe and without risks to health. Lazo was also ordered to pay costs of $4941. The charges relate to an accident in May 2022, WorkSafe said in a statement, where a worker who spoke little English was tasked with cleaning a large gluing machine that consisted of a flat bench and two powered rollers. The worker, who had not previously cleaned the machine or seen anyone else do the task, was wiping the bottom roller while it was running when the cloth became caught, dragging his hand between the rollers. The worker suffered two broken fingers and was off work for eight weeks. A WorkSafe investigation found guarding on the machine, which included the use of corrugated cardboard bound together as a makeshift guard on the top of the machine, was unsecured and inadequate. WorkSafe Executive Director of Health and Safety Narelle Beer said, “The installation of guarding is a simple and relatively cost-effective way to reduce the risks of workers making contact with running machines. Employers should take proactive steps to ensure the safety of their workers, particularly those who may be more vulnerable due to inexperience or a language barrier.”

NSW Biosciences Fund winners announced

Successful applicants for the NSW Biosciences Fund (BioSF) — a competitive technology development and commercialisation program administered by the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer — were announced last week. The fund’s objective is “to progress new and innovative devices and systems towards commercialisation within NSW”, according to a statement from the Chief Scientist’s office, and operates within Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 3 – 7. RNAfold.AI was awarded $1,025,238 to create a distinctive database for RNA targeting drug. Regenerative medicine technology company Skin2Neuron (S2N) was awarded $1,996,762. And the fund will provide ThromBio with $1,478,000 to progress first-in-class compounds for stroke treatment.

Picture: R.M. Williams/Inaugurated a new production line to produce women’s boots