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Aug 2021
AKD Softwoods Calls on Cluster Member Expertise
“It’s a big pile.” David McGinness, Risk Manager at timber processor AKD Softwoods, and director of their woodchip export facility in Geelong, is describing 250,000 tonnes of timber residue produced each year from the conversion of logs to solid timber product at its Colac facilities. Structural timber is the mainstay...
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Aug 2021
BAE Systems Maritime Australia’s Innovation Team Seeks Expressions of Interest
BAE Systems Maritime Australia’s Innovation team is seeking Expressions of Interest from industry to support the Hunter Class Frigate Program (HCFP) Industry support can include: Investigate manufacturing technologies, materials, coatings, and processes with the potential to improve the sail away performance of the nine Hunter class frigates; Investigate infrastructure, the...
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Aug 2021
Quickstep Readies for ‘Third Revolution’ in Aerospace
Cluster member and leading composite component manufacturer, Quickstep, has named Waurn Ponds as the site for the development of the company’s centre of excellence in manufacturing drones. Quickstep Advanced Air Mobility (QAAM), which includes a focus on drones and other eVTOL aircraft, a sector recognised as the “third revolution” in...
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Jul 2021
New Cluster Member Platform Now Available (with video walkthrough)
The AFCG Member platform has undergone a revamp. The new Member area includes additional features, easy access to resources and a collaboration forum to help Members easily collaborate and troubleshoot within the Cluster network. A video walkthrough of the new platform is available via the Member login area. The AFCG...
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Jul 2021
Functional and Sustainable Fibres Among Industrial Research Hubs Announced
Geelong’s world-leading excellence in fibre research received further confirmation this week with the announcement of a new $5 million Industrial Transformation Research Hub, one of only eight awarded across the country in 2021. Deakin University’s ARC Research Hub for Functional and Sustainable Fibres, led by the Institute for Frontier Materials’...
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Jul 2021
Carbon Fibre Study Drives Industry Capability
A new study into Australian carbon fibre capabilities will help drive sovereign manufacturing development for future defence projects. Advanced Fibre Cluster Geelong members were among more than 50 leading firms, academics and industry groups interviewed for the comprehensive report. The study, commissioned and supported by DMTC, concludes there are impressive...
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Jul 2021
Carbon Composite Craft at “Vanguard of New Space Age”
VSS Unity, Virgin Galactic’s spacecraft made entirely from carbon composites, has notched up the first rocket-powered flight to space with a full crew. Stronger and lighter than its metal counterparts while eliminating corrosion, the composite material is proprietary and comes after a large investment in research. Billionaire founder Sir Richard...
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Jul 2021
The Gordon Strategy Day for Industry 4.0
The Gordon Institute of TAFE held an Industry 4.0 Skills Development Discussion recently to understand the future of skilling the advanced manufacturing workforce in Geelong. The event brought local leaders together to discuss training needs and how best to build a stronger, capable and highly skilled workforce. Keynote speakers included...
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Jul 2021
New Cluster Member Innovync is Bridging the Service Gap
Premium advanced manufacturing machine supplier and servicer Innovync is bringing its expertise in composites and carbon fibre to the AFCG, helping fellow members become more efficient, productive and innovative. Servicing machinery used by leading aerospace, automotive and renewables producers, Innovync says it is bridging the gap between Australia’s advanced manufacturers...
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Jul 2021
Australia-Germany Series Advances Collaboration
Around 30 Australian and German industry representatives last week joined the 6th event in the AFCG-MAI Carbon-hosted online series of Australia-Germany discussions. Expert speakers in July included Carbon Revolution’s R&D Program Manager Rod Macaulay, Deakin University’s Professor Russell Varley, Benno Böckl from Technical University of Munich and Arne Muncke from...