Manufacturing news briefs - stories you might have missed

BioPak launches new Indigenous art cups

BioPak announced the launch of its new Indigenous Art Series Cups (pictured) on Wednesday, ahead of NAIDOC Week 2024 next week. According to a statement from BioPak, each Indigenous Cup purchased directly supports CorporateConnect.AB’s pro-bono work, assisting Indigenous youth. Three cups be added to BioPak’s Indigenous Art Series range feature local Indigenous artists Davinder Hart, Kulka Fahey and Amy Saunders. The Indigenous Art Series is now available in Single Wall Industrially Compostable (AS4736) and in Double Wall Home Compostable (AS5810) BioCups, available in 8oz, 12oz and 16oz and will continue to be updated every 6 months, said BioPak.

FMIA bill introduction

The federal government introduced the new Future Made in Australia Bill 2024 and Future Made in Australia (Omnibus Amendments No. 1) Bill 2024 to Parliament on Wednesday. According to a statement from prime minister Anthony Albanese, this legislative package “is a key part of putting our Future Made in Australia plan into action, so Australia makes the most of the major economic and industrial opportunities of the energy transition” and “is all about unlocking private sector investment to build a stronger, more diversified and more resilient economy powered by renewable energy”.

Timber campaign to rebrand

Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) has said that its “Timber Framing: The Ultimate Renewable” campaign will be rebranded as WoodSolutions. To oversee the effort, FWPA said it has appointed former board member and Timber Framing Collective founding member, Christine Briggs, as Campaign Manager. FWPA’s Head of Build Environment and WoodSolutions Program, Kevin Peachey, said “Timber framing is a cost-effective, long-lasting and sustainable option for framing in construction, and we believe it should remain a part of the DNA of Australian homes… By highlighting these advantages and promoting timber framing as the preferred material among builders, we can support our members and expand the market share of timber framing in Australia.”

ARCEMY unit sold to US Navy supplier

Metal additive manufacturer AML3D announced a sale worth approximately $1.1 million on Tuesday for a 2600 Edition ARCEMY system for use by US Navy component supplier Laser Welding Solutions (LWS). LWS has been operating this ARCEMY system under a lease agreement since September 2023 for a Nickel Aluminium Bronze (“NAB”) alloy qualification program for the US Navy. AML3D said the 2600 Edition system is its smallest industrial scale metal 3D printing system, capable of producing NAB components. The purchase order has been received from BlueForge Alliance, which is activating its option to buy the ARCEMY System that it currently leases for operation by LWS. BlueForge is a US Department of Defense intermediary supporting acceleration of technology adoption among defence users.

MGA Thermal seeking two fill two roles

Thermal energy storage startup MGA Thermal is hiring for a Senior Process Engineer and Safety Specialist. The company is commercialising novel thermal energy storage technology for use in industrial heat and renewable storage applications. “We’re on a mission to change the world so come and work with purpose at MGA Thermal” the company added in a statement on Linkedin, inviting interested applicants to search that site or Seek for job listings.

Breakthrough backs radio chipset startup

The Victorian government-funded Breakthrough Victoria announced on Wednesday that it is investing $3 million in MILLIBEAM, a fabless semiconductor company developing millimetre wavelength (mmWave) radio chipsets for 5G and 6G communications. In a statement, BV said that the company is addressing spectrum capacity issues that could arise with more and more 5G and 6G communications devices coming online, opening up “largely untapped bandwidth in the millimeter wavelength range (much greater capacity)” to address this. As part of the backing, the Sydney-based company will “significantly bolster” its Melbourne operations, where it employs four full-time engineers at Melbourne Connect, hiring another four. MILLIBEAM “is establishing semiconductor packaging capability in Victoria… with potential for future expansion to support commercial mmWave 5G chipset packaging.” MILLIBEAM CEO and Co-Founder, Dr Venkata Gutta, said “Their support is instrumental in bringing our groundbreaking 5G/6G solutions to market faster.”

Researchers unlock ‘materials genome’

A new microscopy method developed by University of Sydney researchers has allowed detection of tiny changes in the atomic-level architecture of crystalline materials – like advanced steels for ship hulls and custom silicon for electronics — and could advance the ability to understand the fundamental origins of materials properties and behaviour. Findings in a paper published on Wednesday in Nature Materials “could assist in the development of stronger and lighter alloys for the aerospace industry, new generation semiconductors for electronics, and improved magnets for electric motors”, according to a statement from the university. The technique is based on atom probe tomography (APT) to unlock the intricacies of short-range order (SRO), and investigated “high entropy alloys, which are promising for various advanced engineering applications”. Professor Simon Ringer, a materials engineer and the research lead, said “Our research presents a significant breakthrough in materials science.”

Krix celebrates half-century with giveaway

Adelaide’s Krix, which manufactures consumer stereo and home theatre loudspeaker systems, has announced a giveaway as part of its 50-year anniversary celebrations. Their “Win an MX-20” competition is offering the chance for a contestant “to experience unparalleled sound with a state-of-the-art Krix MX-20“, designed “to deliver the most faithful reproduction of movie soundtracks, from a whisper to an explosion immediately after”. Those interested are invited to describe, in 50 words or less, “your ultimate Krix dedicated home cinema and give it a name that resonates with your cinematic vision.” The Competition opened on Monday and closes on Sunday, October 6, at 11.59pm (AEST), with the winner to be announced on Saturday, October 12 at the StereoNET Hi-Fi & AV Show, Melbourne. A nomination form can be completed here.

Picture: supplied