Feature

Renowned strategist, economist, and futurist Professor Henrik von Scheel, widely credited as the originator of the 4th Industrial Revolution, will headline this year’s Industrial Transformation Australia – a HANNOVER MESSE event—in Sydney. 

A wide array of opportunities have been opened for materials manufacturers as the additive manufacturing metals market matured and scaled over the last decade. What are the factors that push this market’s progress and what does the future hold in the next 10 years?

In the dynamic manufacturing sector, where competition is intensifying and innovation is recognised as a key differentiator, manufacturers are always looking to enhance operational efficiency, minimise costs and elevate product quality.

Addressing structural challenges appears a key focus of this year’s budget, with many initiatives tackling the likes of energy transition, housing affordability, skills shortages, childcare and paid parental leave. But what does the new budget mean for manufacturing?

The Australian manufacturing sector is at a crossroads between keeping up with automation and technological evolution and the pressing issue of attracting and retaining a skilled workforce. 

Manufacturers using welding techniques suffer from limitations in realising complex structures because of the limited process of building one layer at a time – this is because subsequent layers are laminated after complete solidification preventing the molten metal from flowing down. As a result, a cooling period is necessary, and the circumstances that can be laminated are restricted to certain examples.

For over three decades, Austal has been a leader in Australian shipbuilding, transforming from a small fishing vessel manufacturer into a global force in lightweight, high-performance ship design. 

Challenges that plagued the manufacturing industry in 2022 are not showing any signs of slowing down, leaving business leaders with the monumental task of dealing with these issues—or at least their remnants— all while pushing innovation, meeting customer demand, and driving operational growth. 

In today’s era of modern manufacturing, industrial efficiency is paramount. However, as technology advances, so do the risks and complexities associated with electrical maintenance. 

A recent breakthrough in 3D bioprinting technology has paved the way for the creation of multi-layered living skin with the potential to regenerate hair follicles.