Grant helps Mecha step up with tech

Gladstone's Mecha has made the most of advancing technology to supercharge its capability to manufacture plant and equipment spares under its Rapid Reverse Engineering Project. The project attracted $230,000 in funding from the State Government Manufacturing Hubs Grant Program (MHGP) in 2021 and is being hailed as an example of the program's success as the latest $10 million round of funding goes up for grabs. Highly advanced laser scanners, virtual reality and holographic technology are at the heart of the Mecha project, which has cost more than $400,000 to establish. General manager Mat Canniffe said these components were complemented with a hand-held material ID x-ray machine and software, along with expert staff to operate them. "The Mecha Rapid Reverse Engineering Project creates a capability for multiple organisations’ to rapidly reverse engineer on a large scale," he said. Mecha general manager Mat Canniffe with Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing Glenn Butcher. "The current traditional techniques including measurement, documentation and manufacturing are laborious and time inefficient." He said the Rapid Reverse Engineering Project was an exciting opportunity in the local manufacturing of plant and equipment spares, "(The clients we service) have warehouses full of parts that they order from all over the globe," Mr Canniffe said. "The current market, both overseas and interstate, to procure these components is prone to interruptions due to increasing freight costs and growing delays in delivery times. "This ultimately increases cost and risk to each of the business." Mecha's increased capability under the Rapid Reverse Engineering Project allowed it to provide a comprehensive in-house solution from concept to delivery, he said. Mr Canniffe said it had generated a very positive response as clients were truly understanding the value of being able reproduce and manufacture parts quickly and locally. "It de-risks any supply chain issues," he said. Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing and Gladstone MP Glenn Butcher officially announced the latest round of the MHGP this week. “I’m thrilled to announce another $10 million in funds for the next two years to help even more regional Queensland manufacturers take the next step in transitioning their business to 4.0 technology," he said. To date, the MHGP has awarded more than $13 million to 49 projects, including for business development, technology adoption, skills and training across the five eligible regions throughout Queensland. For more information visit: www.rdmw.qld.gov.au/regional-development/mhgp

Grant helps Mecha step up with tech

Industry Queensland

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