The Advanced Fibre Cluster Geelong is pleased to announce that the AFCG Machine Sharing Portal (APN028) has been approved for funding by the Australian Composites Manufacturing CRC (ACM CRC). The confirmation came from Dr Stephen van Duin following a RIC Committee meeting, recognising the proposal as a strong, well-prepared submission and signalling the ACM CRC’s commitment to supporting the delivery of its outcomes.
This approval marks a major step forward for the Cluster’s ongoing mission to increase capability, collaboration, and competitiveness across the advanced fibre and composites sector.
A Platform Designed to Unlock Capability Across the Cluster
At its core, the Machine Sharing Portal is being developed, by SAERTEN Pty Ltd, in partnership with the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF), as a collaborative, cost-effective digital platform that broadens access to specialised composite manufacturing equipment—equipment that is typically expensive to purchase, maintain, and operate.
Composite manufacturing relies on advanced machines and testing instruments that demand significant capital investment and deep technical know-how. For many small and medium enterprises, start-ups, and research groups, owning such equipment outright is simply not feasible. These barriers limit innovation, slow prototyping, and narrow opportunities for growth.
The portal directly addresses this challenge by allowing equipment owners—including larger manufacturers and research centres—to list machines and make them available for time-based access through a transparent, secure, and structured system. For users, it provides on-demand access to critical infrastructure, enabling prototyping, small-batch production, and collaborative research without upfront capital expenditure.
By improving visibility of available equipment, increasing utilisation across organisations, and widening access beyond individual facilities, the platform strengthens engagement between industry, research, and training providers. It also enables collective investment and shared capability development across Victoria and, ultimately, Australia.
National Benefits: Strengthening Australia’s Manufacturing Landscape
The project carries clear national significance. A shared-access machine portal has the potential to enhance Australia’s industry competitiveness, innovation capacity, and sovereign manufacturing capability.
By democratising access to advanced tools, the platform opens the door for broader participation in high-value industries such as defence, aerospace, automotive, construction, and renewable energy. Organisations that previously lacked equipment access can now play an active role in prototyping, testing, and product development.
The model also aligns strongly with circular economy principles. By reducing idle machine time and avoiding unnecessary duplication of high-energy or high-resource machinery, the platform supports more sustainable use of national infrastructure.
Importantly, the insights generated from machine usage patterns may help inform government planning and guide future investment in manufacturing capability and research infrastructure.
Next Steps
The ACM CRC team has indicated that contracting will begin shortly, to ensure the project commences without delay. The Cluster will continue working closely with its members and the ACM CRC team to support project delivery.
A Collective Achievement for the Sector
We congratulate David Buchanan (CEO AFCG) and all contributors who helped bring this proposal to life. The Machine Sharing Portal represents a coordinated effort across the Cluster to build a more connected, capable, and future-focused composites ecosystem.
Updates will be shared with members as the project progresses.
Feb 2026