The precision engineering and automation industry forms the backbone of the manufacturing sector, providing the machines, tools and equipment needed to produce all manufactured goods. The industry covers tooling, machine tools, cutting tools and precision components.

The Australian precision engineering industry has demonstrated excellence in:

• design and manufacturing
• mechatronics and cleanroom facilities
• precision machining
• precision metrology
• small production runs and specialised production

The Australian precision engineering industry is a clean, high-technology industry with vertical and horizontal networks among professional subcontractors and suppliers. Through collaboration and networking between specialist firms and partnerships with research establishments, precision engineering companies create innovative and technically advanced solutions, and new technologies to meet emerging demands.

Machinery is produced in Australia and exported for a range of applications including agriculture, mining, scientific research, food processing, material handling, heating and cooling.

Within Australia, the tooling industry supplies the automotive, aerospace, metal products, electronics, consumer goods, construction and mining sectors. Emerging opportunities include the shipbuilding, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and renewable energy industries.

Innovation

Australian manufacturers are adept at using new business models and production techniques, working with new materials and in collaborative networks.

Innovation in the sector is driven by the Cooperative Research Centres, CSIRO, Austool Australian Centre for Toolmaking Innovation (AACTI), QMI Solutions, Australian Technology Showcase, Centre for Advanced Manufacturing Research and Centre for Advanced Materials Manufacturing.

Successes

US crushing and sizing machine manufacturer McLanahan Corporation found the combination of skilled people, quality local suppliers and strong transport links made Australia the ideal base from which to serve Asia.

HuaGong Farley Laserlab conducts design, manufacture, R&D, sales and export of its cutting systems to Asia and the USA from Melbourne due to Australian brand strength and engineering quality.

Swedish Group Sandvik manufactures and distributes tools, and materials handling system components for the mining industry in Australia and exports to Asia.

There are also many leading Australian tooling companies supplying overseas customers such as Lockheed Martin, Lufthansa, Mercedes Benz, Alcatel, Airbus and British Medical Laboratories.

Die/mould manufacture

Closely integrated with local and international automotive supply chains and other precision moulding and forming industries, the die and mould sector in Australia has high level capabilities in the design and manufacture of precision and complex tooling to suit the latest and most efficient production techniques. Based on its know-how and modern facilities, it is able to achieve highly competitive costs and lead times, with the capacity to undertake and support entire local or export program packages.

Precision machining

Australia possesses a broad array of companies with extensive and highly adaptable precision engineering capabilities, focused on delivering outstanding quality design, development, manufacturing and testing services to a range of high tech industries including automotive manufacturing, scientific research, mining and exploration and biomedical equipment.

Tooling

Machine tool manufacture

Australian precision machine tool builders have developed globally competitive solutions for many specialised and niche production processes. Among these companies, a number are recognised as international industry leaders in their specific fields. The industry also comprises a broad, strong capability in special purpose machine design and construction and the integration and tooling of CNC machinery and other standard equipment to provide turnkey production systems.

Cutting tool manufacture

Australian cutting tool suppliers offer the design and manufacture of high quality and highly optimised application specific tooling as well as the distribution and support of leading global brand products. They also provide total tooling management services to both low and high volume manufacturers.