Additive manufacturing is slashing prototype lead times, reducing supply chain dependencies, and enabling new levels of product customisation. 

In this episode, Marie Penny from Project Flock and Simon Marriott from Formero share their combined experience helping Australian manufacturers and product developers use 3D printing to move faster and smarter from concept to market. We cover: 

• How additive manufacturing streamlines prototyping and reduces reliance on overseas supply chains 
• The realities of using 3D printing for production-grade parts: speed, adaptability, and durability trade-offs 
• How to unlock new product customisation possibilities that weren't feasible with traditional manufacturing 
• Common pitfalls when adopting additive manufacturing in a production context 
• Practical steps for manufacturers looking to integrate 3D printing into their development process 

Whether you're a product developer, design engineer, or manufacturer exploring additive manufacturing, this episode gives you an honest, practical view of where the technology delivers and where to be careful. 

Show notes and links for this episode: https://www.manufacturingtech.au/episode/43-revolutionising-product-development-the-power-of-3d-printing-with-marie-penny-and-simon-marriott/ 

Australian-made solar panels, modular battery storage, and conveyor systems built for our conditions — live from All-Energy Australia 2024. 

Shane reports live from the All-Energy Australia Conference and Waste Management Expo, speaking with leaders of five Aussie companies driving renewable energy and sustainable manufacturing innovation. We cover: 

• Tindo on manufacturing durable solar panels engineered for harsh Australian weather conditions 
• Power Plus Energy on reliable 48V modular battery storage systems for industrial applications 
• Evo Power on scalable behind-the-meter energy management solutions for manufacturing sites 
• Mastec on innovations in wheelie bin design for residential and commercial waste management 
• Kinder Australia on conveyor systems that enhance efficiency and reduce downtime across industries 

Whether you're a plant manager evaluating energy upgrades, a manufacturer exploring sustainable infrastructure, or an operations leader focused on downtime reduction, this episode showcases Australian-made solutions built for the Australian environment. 

Show notes and links for this episode: https://www.manufacturingtech.au/episode/42-powering-australia-renewable-energy-and-innovation-from-the-all-energy-australia-conference-waste-management-expo/ 

ERP projects fail more often than they succeed. Shane Williams, Virtual CTO and author of ClustERPuck, breaks down the 21 critical mistakes — and how to avoid them. 

In this episode, Paul Mason turns the mic on co-host Shane Williams to unpack the hard lessons from decades of ERP implementations across Australian manufacturing. We cover: 

• The most common ERP scoping errors that blow budgets before go-live 
• How to build trust with vendors and manage the relationship through delivery 
• The stakeholder engagement mistakes that kill ERP projects in the critical phases 
• Insights drawn directly from Shane's book, ClustERPuck: 21 Critical ERP Implementation Mistakes 
• What medium-sized manufacturers should do differently in 2025 to protect their ERP investment 

Whether you're planning a new ERP implementation, mid-rollout, or evaluating an upgrade, this episode gives you a frank, experience-backed framework for avoiding the mistakes that cost manufacturers millions. 

Show notes and links for this episode: https://www.manufacturingtech.au/episode/41-unpacking-erp-and-software-implementation-pitfalls-as-we-turn-the-mic-on-shane/ 

Generative design is not the same as generative AI — and the distinction matters if you want to cut manufacturing costs and optimise complex parts. 

In this episode, Mark Davis, former Head of Autodesk Research with a decade of experience in generative design, breaks down how this technology delivers value for both engineers and manufacturing business owners. We cover: 

• The key differences between generative design and generative AI — and why conflating them causes confusion 

• How generative design helps engineers optimise complex parts in automotive, aerospace, and furniture manufacturing 
• How business owners can use it to cut costs, improve sustainability, and make smarter investment decisions 
• Real-world examples where generative design has delivered measurable improvements 
• How to assess whether generative design is relevant to your manufacturing context 

Whether you're an engineer, product designer, or manufacturing business owner, this episode gives you a practical understanding of a powerful tool that most manufacturers haven't yet explored. 

Show notes and links for this episode: ⁠https://www.manufacturingtech.au/episode/40-unlocking-the-power-of-generative-design-with-mark-davis/ ⁠

Three Australian companies are solving problems in metal manufacturing, aerospace testing, and electronics that global supply chains can't easily address. 

In this episode, we spotlight three Australian innovators pushing the boundaries of advanced manufacturing. We cover: 

• Byron Kennedy from SPEE3D on their technology that enables rapid on-site production of metal parts — critical for mining, defence, and oil and gas operations in remote locations 
• Kheang Khauv from 1Millikelvin on thermal camera systems that are transforming aircraft stress testing and making aviation safety testing more efficient 
• Matthew Cove from Hendon Semiconductors on printed circuit board prototyping and thick-film hybrid technology for faster electronics development cycles 

Whether you're in defence manufacturing, aerospace engineering, or electronics production, this episode showcases what Australian sovereign manufacturing capability looks like at the frontier. 

Show notes and links for this episode: ⁠https://www.manufacturingtech.au/episode/39-aussie-innovators-3d-printing-thermal-cameras-semiconductor-manufacturing/ ⁠

MES is the cornerstone of Industry 4.0 — but most implementations underdeliver. Bob Dedekind from Aspect PT explains how to get it right. 

In this episode, Bob Dedekind, CEO of Aspect PT, walks through what a successful Manufacturing Execution System implementation looks like — and why so many fall short. We cover: 

• Why MES is the critical link between ERP and the shop floor in Industry 4.0 operations 
• The tangible OEE and operational efficiency gains manufacturers achieve with a fully integrated MES 
• What a successful MES implementation looks like from scoping to go-live 
• The most common pitfalls manufacturers encounter and how to avoid them 
• Practical advice for manufacturers at any scale who are considering MES or looking to optimise an existing setup 

Whether you're a plant manager, operations director, or technology buyer evaluating MES options, this episode gives you a grounded, implementation-focused framework for maximising your investment. 

Show notes and links for this episode: ⁠https://www.manufacturingtech.au/episode/38-unlocking-manufacturing-efficiency-the-power-of-mes-with-bob-dedekind/ ⁠

Neglecting configuration management leads to costly product recalls and reputational damage — Pieter de Koning explains how to avoid them. 

In this episode, Pieter de Koning, configuration management specialist, shares why this often-overlooked discipline is critical to protecting product quality and brand reputation in manufacturing. We cover: 

• What configuration management is and how it originated in U.S. military manufacturing programmes 
• Why maintaining design data integrity across a product's lifecycle prevents costly downstream failures 
• The real cost of getting it wrong: product recalls, reputational damage, and regulatory consequences 
• A case study from LG showing the tangible benefits of effective configuration management 
• Practical steps for implementing and maintaining a configuration management system in your operation 

Whether you're a product engineer, quality manager, or operations director, this episode gives you a clear case and practical framework for a discipline that most manufacturers underinvest in. 

Show notes and links for this episode: ⁠https://www.manufacturingtech.au/episode/37-avoiding-costly-recalls-configuration-management-insights-with-pieter-de-koning/ ⁠

Swisslog AMRs, ECI ERP strategies, and Zebra RFID for smarter warehouse operations: CeMAT 2024 Part 2 floor coverage. 

Recorded live at CeMAT 2024, Shane speaks with three industry leaders showcasing the latest in warehouse automation and supply chain technology. We cover: 

• Sean Ledbury from Swisslog on their autonomous mobile robots and high-bay storage solutions for scalable warehouse operations 
• Andrew Mamonitis from ECI Solutions on ERP strategies that help manufacturers manage and improve operational efficiency at scale 
• Daniel Park from Zebra Technologies on how RFID technology enhances inventory management and drives supply chain visibility 

Whether you're a warehouse manager, operations director, or supply chain leader looking to evaluate automation and data capture technology, this episode gives you a concise overview of what was on show at CeMAT 2024. 

Show notes and links for this episode: https://www.manufacturingtech.au/episode/36-cemat24-show-highlights-part-2-harnessing-automation-with-sean-ledbury-andrew-mamonitis-and-daniel-park/ 

Three Australian businesses innovating in the EV space — from right-hand drive conversions to purpose-built towbars and world-class solar racing. 

Recorded live at the 2024 Electric SUV Expo, Shane speaks with three pioneering Aussie EV innovators who are solving the problems the big brands haven't addressed. We cover: 

• Alan Brady from AusEV on the engineering challenge of converting the Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck to right-hand drive for the Australian market 
• Nick Carney from EV Towing Australia on their custom towbar solutions designed specifically for the structural requirements of electric vehicles 
• Andris Samsons from the Aurora Solar Car team on the cutting-edge technology behind their success in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge 

Whether you're interested in the EV transition, automotive manufacturing, or Australian sovereign innovation, this episode showcases what's being built locally for local conditions. 

Show notes and links for this episode: ⁠https://www.manufacturingtech.au/episode/35-electric-suv-expo-2024-australian-innovations-in-the-ev-space/ ⁠

Automation trends, AI in warehousing, and cyber risks in supply chain: live from CeMAT 2024 Day 3 Knowledge Theatre. 

Recorded live from the CeMAT 2024 Knowledge Theatre, Shane hosts a panel of three warehouse automation experts covering the current state and near future of robotics and AI in supply chain operations. Featuring: 

• Sean Hewitt from Tompkins Robotics on current automation trends and the most impactful use cases 
• Sean Ledbury from Swisslog Australia on the challenges manufacturers and 3PLs face when deploying AMRs and high-bay storage 
• Michael Kemeny from KNAPP Australia on the role of AI and machine learning in next-generation warehouse systems 
• Panel discussion on cybersecurity in supply chain, the human element in automation, and how to approach workforce transition 

Whether you're a supply chain leader, warehouse manager, or technology buyer evaluating robotics options, this live panel gives you a candid, expert view of where automation is heading. 

Show notes and links for this episode: ⁠https://www.manufacturingtech.au/episode/34-cemat24-live-panel-day-3-future-of-robotics-and-automation-with-sean-hewitt-michael-kemeny-and-sean-ledbury/ ⁠