Australia’s Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, has paid tribute to the technology breakthroughs achieved by DMTC and its industry and research partners. (more…)
Posted by Harry Baxter on March 20th, 2018 Tagged: CDIC, defence technology, innovation, research, technologyThe CEO of the DMTC, Dr Mark Hodge, appeared before the joint parliamentary inquiry into ‘The benefits and risks of a Bipartisan Australian Defence Agreement as a basis of planning for, and funding of, Australian Defence capability’ on 23 February. Dr Hodge’s opening statement to the committee is available here.
Posted by Harry Baxter on February 26th, 2018 Tagged: collaboration, defence technology, DMTC, research, technologyDMTC is proud to announce the release of its latest Annual Report, which is available online and is currently being distributed to key stakeholders.
The report summarises the activities and achievements of the DMTC community for the July 2016 – June 2017 period and highlights continuing efforts to deliver enhanced Defence capabilities while also investing in Australian industrial capacity and in the research leaders of the future.
Our report also looks forward to opportunities and strategic developments for DMTC and its industry and research partners in 2018 and beyond.
View from our Publications page.
Posted by DMTC on December 8th, 2017 Tagged: collaboration, defence technology, DMTC, innovation, research, technologyDMTC’s Industry Capability Development program aims to create a network of ‘Defence-ready’ companies with benchmarked, globally competitive capabilities.
Companies participating in DMTC’s Industry Capability Development Program gain exposure to the latest techniques and equipment used in engineering and manufacturing, and insights into quality, safety and certification standards required within defence supply chains.
To date, welding benchmarking activities have been conducted in the Latrobe Valley, the Illawarra and Mackay regions. While these pilot programs have been directed at the welding of high strength steels for maritime platforms, the outcomes are also applicable to land platforms. The feedback from all companies involved has been very positive.
Targeted at small businesses in particular, the DMTC program involves a process benchmarking and technology transfer activity in partnership with Universities and government research agencies, with support from the Centre for Defence Industry Capability (CDIC) and relevant certification partners, in this case the Welding Technology Institute of Australia (WTIA). The assessment of industry capabilities by DMTC seeks to identify future research and technology transfer opportunities and provide a better understanding of domestic industry capability for Defence. A second objective of the program is to create an environment that allows for collaboration between companies and to build regional industrial capacity.
Case Study: Mackay
With financial backing from the Queensland Government, DMTC’s project in the Mackay region commenced in July 2016 and concluded in February 2017.
The targeted outcomes for companies participating in the Pilot Project were:
• Education on the latest techniques and processes in welding high strength steels
• Information on the international standards and processes required for the defence sector
• Access to the latest automated welding techniques and equipment
• A recommended pathway to welding practice improvement, and
• A mechanism to network and collaborate to establish a critical mass of capability in the region.
Six companies participated, five heavy engineering companies and one non-destructive testing company. All the companies successfully demonstrated compliance with the relevant welding standard (AS/NZS1554). Opportunities for improvement were also discussed with each of the companies. The companies were also provided information on Defence opportunities, avenues for further assistance such as the Centre for Defence Industry Capability and information on the latest automation technology being utilised in defence applications.
What’s Next?
Discussions are currently underway with the respective State Governments for similar programs in Tasmania, South Australia and other Queensland regions in the coming months. DMTC is also planning future benchmarking activities in other specific manufacturing techniques and technologies to enhance Australian industrial capability in areas such as corrosion management and additive manufacturing.