• Boeing expands relationship with Adelaide 3D printer
• Lucrative SA public housing contracts announced
• Adelaide programmer recognised for public transport plan
• Space Park seeks partner for the final frontier

Boeing expands relationship with Adelaide 3D printer

Large-scale 3D metal printing company AML3D is expanding its relationship with Boeing by agreeing to an updated scope for the supply of its 3D printed components.

The decision to expand the order scope follows an initial contract with Boeing in June 2021 to supply a 3D printed tooling component, followed by Boeing’s director of additive manufacturing inspecting AML3D’s facilities in March 2022 and agreeing to a second purchase contract for $140,000 in July for structural aluminium test parts.

The latest updated agreement includes the next phase of aluminium test parts in the form of prototype components. It has increased the value of the July contract by 150 per cent.

AML3D managing director Andrew Sales said this expansion shows growing momentum and connection with one of the world’s largest aerospace companies.

“AML3D has already demonstrated to Boeing that our proprietary WAM (Wire Additive Manufacturing) 3D metal printing technology produces high-quality parts on time and to specification,” Sales said.

“The expanded purchase contract is strategically important as it moves AML3D towards being embedded into Boeing’s supply chain, which aligns with the delivery of our growth targets for the Aerospace sector.”

The company’s expansion into Aerospace and Defence sectors has been reinforced by progress towards implementation of the Aerospace Quality Management System, AS9100D Accreditation.

This accreditation is one of the highest levels of certification available for companies that manufacture parts for flight structures used in aviation, space and defence industries, and will allow AML3D to produce “fly parts” for aircraft.

Once fully implemented, AML3D says it will be the second 3D wire feedstock additive manufacturing company in the world to achieve this standard.

-Alison Hall

Lucrative SA public housing contracts announced

Renovation work at a 21-unit public housing block in Parkside. Photo: Stephanie Richards/InDaily

New contractors undertaking $1 billion worth of maintenance work will begin operating on Housing SA properties from the end of 2022.

Human Services Minister Nat Cook announced the firms – Torrens Facility Management, Spotless Facility Services and RTC Facilities Maintenance – were selected after a long tender process.

“These Head Contracts are worth $1 billion over eight years and are designed to benefit not only our customers but also the South Australian community,” Cook said.

“As with all contract renewals, the opportunity was taken to try and improve customer service, such as responsiveness to customers. The new contracts provide financial incentives for good customer service and penalties for poor performance.”

The contracts also seek to benefit local businesses and tradespeople, including apprentices, subcontractors and Aboriginal-owned companies.

Current contractors will continue their services until December 31, 2022.

-Alison Hall

Adelaide programmer recognised for public transport plan

Holman Prize winner Cassie Hames. Photo: supplied

An Adelaide-based programmer has been awarded the Holman Prize for her innovative proposal to make public transport more accessible.

Cassie Hames has been recognised by San Francisco’s Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired for a proposed app to assist people with vision impairments, receiving a grant thanks to their Holman Prize.

Called “See Me”, the app aims to address issues visually impaired people face when using public transport.

The app notifies bus drivers if a “See Me” user is waiting at an upcoming stop and then once on the bus the user will also receive a notification when their stop is coming up. This app aims to make independent travel on public transport easier for people with vision impairment.

Hames said her goal was to shrink the gap between passengers and drivers to ensure people aren’t left behind due to disability.

“Going out into the community shouldn’t be any less of an experience from one person to the next, regardless of ability, disability or anything,” Hames said.

“As a frequent public transport user, I wanted to develop a solution that increases accessibility for all people so that everyone can feel comfortable, confident and safe catching the bus.”

Lighthouse has granted Hames $US25,000 to help develop the app over the next 12 months and is planning on having a trial version ready by August 2023.

Once completed, Cassie will partner with her current employer SAGE Group to test the app in existing transport systems in Australia. She has already received expressions of interest from several Australian transport authorities for trials.

-Jason Franks

Space Park seeks partner for the final frontier

An artist’s impression of The Australian Space Park. Image: supplied

Australia’s space manufacturing hub has called for a partner to join them lead the state’s industry efforts

The Australian Space Park (ASP) is seeking expressions of interest to join its space-dedicated manufacturing hub in South Australia.

The ideal partner will operate the hub’s Common User Facility (CUF), which will enable local space manufacturers to make the leap to manufacture at scale to enable Australian space ventures to be competitive in the global market.

The ASP will be located at Adelaide Airport and Lot Fourteen, within close proximity to aerospace companies and the Australian Space Agency.

With the facility focusing on small satellites, payloads, rockets, electrical vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOL), ideal applicants will be single entity companies (prime contractors) or companies with the capability, capacity and resources to operate the CUF to drive the development of manufacturing, assembly, integration and test activities for those technologies.

Defence and Space Industries Minister Susan Close made the announcement at the International Astronautical Congress in Paris, while addressing a meeting of MPs and ministers.

“The CUF will provide vital infrastructure to position Australia’s space community to deliver the entire space value chain through the design, manufacture and launch of New Space capabilities to orbit and beyond,” Close said.

The prospective partner will work with the hub’s current members, which include private companies Fleet Space Technologies, Q-CTRL, ATSpace and Alauda Aeronautics.

International aviation company Airbus has also been recently announced it will be joining the Space Park to help upscale the production of larger satellites in Australia.

Minister for Trade and Investment Nick Champion said the CUF is an opportunity for a collaboration between the industry and the South Australian Government to shape the future of Australia’s space industry.

“It aligns with Australia’s space strategy that aims to triple the space sector’s contribution to GDP to over $12 billion per annum, creating an additional 20,000 jobs by 2030,” Champion said.