Advanced manufacturing to boost export capacity
The NSW Smart Sensing Network (NSSN) attended the Manufacturing Albury-Wodonga Industry Connect event, hosted by the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) in collaboration with Albury City Council and AusIndustry on 22 October 2019.
The NSSN Research Theme Leader in Advanced Manufacturing, Dr Ram Vaidyanathan, was one of the panel speakers at the event. He presented an overview of the network’s capabilities in assisting local manufacturers.
Other panel speakers included; Michael Sharpe, National Director, Industry, AMGC; Michael Grogan, National Director, Skills, AMGC; Nicola James, Regional Manager, AusIndustry; Dr Ram Vaidyanathan, Theme Leader-Fluidics, NSW Smart Sensing Network; Hayley Wilson, UNSW, Tech Connect Global; Julie Lockyer, Industry Development, NSW Trade, Tourism, Investment and Precinct.
The panel discussion was followed by a brief networking session and an industry visit to Geofabrics plant in Albury, NSW.
"It was impressive to witness the automation plant and innovations in polymer chemistry being adopted into manufacturing processes at this facility located in regional NSW,” said Dr Vaidyanathan.
“Geofabrics is keen to be involved with the NSSN in developing sensors to help improve the functionality of the geosynthetics, which can, in turn, boost their export potential,” added Dr Vaidyanathan.
Geofabrics, Australia’s largest manufacturer of geosynthetics, will increase its product range and contribution to the regional economy of Albury with the assistance of $322,000 in co-investment from the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC).
Geofabrics Australasia’s products are used in civil engineering applications, providing ground stabilisation and drainage capabilities.
The outcome will be a new automated line to create thermally bonded laminated geocomposite products, which are currently imported, thereby, boosting the regional economy. Adding a thermally bonded geocomposite offering, which is increasingly specified by civil engineering firms, will open up more opportunities both at home and abroad.
Geofabrics Australasia Plant in Albury, NSW.
As explained by Dr Jens Goennemann, Managing Director, AMGC, “This joint project allows Geofabrics to fully transform its operations by introducing automation and robotics, and to seize the opportunity from increased global demand for geocomposites technology.”
“Importantly, Geofabrics is showing that other regional manufacturers can grow their revenues and employment by focussing on value-added activities in areas of R&D, advanced processes and collaboration, rather than trying to compete on cost.”
There is no capability to produce thermally bonded geocomposites within Australia, meaning such products are currently imported. Geocomposites combine geotextile and geonet bonded together. These offer superior performance in sloped environments.
“The co-funded project with AMGC gives us the ability to manufacture bonded products with vastly superior strength and drainage properties, and produce to specific project requirements, like bespoke lengths and bespoke widths, as well as at a more competitive cost than currently available,” said Geofabrics Director Dennis Grech.
“We do see opportunities for growth as a result of this product. But we also, and most importantly, see this as being another opportunity to cement our manufacturing presence in our Albury plant.”
The project combines testing and analysis plus performance validation from RMIT University. In addition, Wodonga-based companies of QEDS and RMR Engineering contribute automation, software and integration knowhow.
As an industry benefit, this project is expected to strengthen RMR’s capabilities and in turn enable it to offer improved automation and other engineering expertise to local businesses.
“The Albury visit was a fantastic opportunity to spread the word about NSSN and eventually engage with regional manufacturers to explore collaborative opportunities on smart sensing,” said Dr Vaidyanathan.
The Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre is an industry-led organisation established through the Australian Government’s Industry Growth Centres initiative. The vision for the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre is to develop an internationally competitive, dynamic and thriving Australian advanced manufacturing sector that is critical to the long-term health of the economy and the nation.
To learn more about the NSSN’s capabilities in advanced manufacturing contact Dr Ram Vaidyanathan.
To learn more about AMGC and its projects, visit the AMGC website.