The University of Wollongong (UOW) is helping link Defence with industry and academia through its strong presence in Defence-related research and training and maritime security. UOW is a founding member of the Defence Materials Technology Centre (DMTC).
The Facility for Intelligent Fabrication (FIF) is a collaboration between UOW, TAFE NSW and Weld Australia. To ensure the international competitiveness of the Australian fabrication industry, the FIF was established to be a one-stop-shop where it demonstrates Industry 4.0 technologies such as robotics, smart sensors, augmented reality, machine learning and automated offline programming. The FIF also provides training and certification for the manufacturing sector.
UOW forms a critical part of the estimated $1.3 billion contract awarded to Thales Australia on automated robotic solutions for the manufacture of the Bushmaster and Hawkei land vehicles. BlueScope Steel and Bisalloy Steels also draw on the experience of UOW to work on providing steels specifically designed to suit the construction of Australia’s future maritime platforms.
UOW has established an Industry 4.0 Hub in the Shoalhaven to specifically provide access to information, training, technology demonstrations and a link to UOW expertise and capabilities. This ecosystem provides a setting to learn about, workshop and implement Industry 4.0 principles such as (but not limited to) robotics, digital twins, smart systems, augmented and virtual reality. UOW Industry 4.0 Hub is working with local organisations such as Mellori and GDS.
