Scale-ups and start-ups collaborate for Rapid Prototyping and Micro Manufacturing project in Mackay

The Greater Whitsunday region is one step closer to growing our manufacturing industry with the launch of a new pilot project.

Transforming how regional businesses design and produce their own printed circuit boards, electronics, and sensors, The Rapid Prototyping and Micro Manufacturing Collaborative Pilot project will be in a shared micro manufacturing facility at Split Spaces.

The Rapid Prototyping and Micro Manufacturing Collaborative Pilot project seeks to remove a significant gap in the design and manufacture of small-scale electronic products and pave a pathway for scale-up and start-up businesses to grow and diversify.

The project, funded by METS Ignited and Mackay Regional Council, is being facilitated by Split Spaces and Resource Industry Network and adds to the already impressive manufacturing capability and diversification efforts of the MIW region.

The collaboration is actively seeking additional partners to join leading industrial IoT company Vayeron in utilising a new robotic Pick and Place machine to produce printed circuit boards, electronics, and sensors in a shared facility at Split Spaces to gauge the viability of a common micro manufacturing facility for the region.

The new clean room facility holds a NeoDen pick-and-place machine for circuit board assembly in printed circuit board manufacturing. A robotic placement head picks up electronic surface mounted technology components and places them on a printed circuit board, then a soldering oven reflow station completes the process.

With headquarters right here in Mackay, globally focused technology company Vayeron was the first business to come on board with co-founder and CEO Ryan Norris saying the project boasts many benefits for local METS businesses.

“It means we have a local capability to develop new product designs, prototype and manufacture them; not just for our local market but for our international customers,” he said.

Split Spaces community manager Tegan McBride said the project was a significant milestone for manufacturing capability and diversification of the MIW region and was in line with Australia’s transition to Industry 4.0.

“The ability for our region to perform high tech manufacturing, alongside our existing manufacturing sector, shows the potential for our region to service new customers, bigger projects, and boast a more diverse industry base.

“The success of the pilot project could also provide a solution to certain supply chain issues experienced by SMEs and start-ups in the past couple of years,” Ms McBride said.

Resource Industry Network general manager Dean Kirkwood said the project was an extension of some of the great work already being undertaken by the organisation’s members.

“It reinforces the potential that this type of manufacturing has for the region and provides a ready-to-go platform for other businesses to undertake diversification.

NeoDen pick-and-place machine for circuit board assembly in printed circuit board manufacturing. A robotic placement head picks up electronic surface mounted technology components and places them on a printed circuit board, then a soldering oven reflow station completes the process.

“The good news is that there are still places available in the project so if you want to investigate this line of manufacturing for your business, get in contact today.

“This project encourages a collaborative approach among local businesses, and we look forward to it driving innovation and helping facilitate entry into new markets for our SMEs,” Mr Kirkwood said.

METS Ignited CEO Adrian Beer describes these projects as critical enablers for our region.

“We have a rich supply of skills and capability embedded in our regions. This project enables our regional capability to expand and scale, which will not only benefit Queensland but our entire economy,” Mr Beer said.

Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson said council, along with a number of key partners, was proud to support this innovative and cutting-edge project not just for our region, but for Queensland and Australia.

“The Rapid Prototyping and Micro Manufacturing Regional Collaboration Pilot Project is a real collaboration between industry, government and business to provide an opportunity to prototype, trial, and manufacture right here in Mackay,” Mayor Williamson said.

“The 12-month trial will provide important information about the demand for the project, future viability and will guide the project operations for the future,” he said.

The Rapid Prototyping and Micro Manufacturing Collaborative Pilot is part of the METS Ignited Bowen Basin Cluster Program and interested businesses can contact Split Spaces or Resource Industry Network to learn more.