A proposed $50 million Flinders University-led Australian Centre for Innovative Manufacturing (ACIM) at Tonsley will be the nation’s first reconfigurable ‘Future Factory’- connecting Australian companies with the latest manufacturing technologies, research expertise and providing training to modernise workforces.
The advanced manufacturing test bed facility at Flinders’ Tonsley Innovation District is expected to play a key role in providing state of the art facilities to explore the application of new technologies capable of manufacturing next generation products.
Advanced manufacturing technologies featured at ACIM could include automation, robotics, collaborative robots, digitally assisted assembly, photonic sensing, and land and maritime autonomous systems.
Professor John Spoehr, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Research Impact and Director of the Australian Industrial Transformation Institute, welcomed a $20 million commitment from the federal Labor party.
“This is an initiative that transcends politics and is deserving of broad support in the state’s – and the nation’s – interest,” Professor Spoehr said.
“Advanced technologies are transforming manufacturing around the world, fuelling the growth of new and existing companies and generating thousands of well-paid and rewarding jobs.”
ACIM will be established with a mandate to create jobs and promote growth in areas of strategic importance to Australia, including defence and aerospace.
The future factory is expected to generate $182 million in economic activity for SA.
It will incorporate more than 200 academics from Flinders, employ an additional 20 researchers and technical personnel and be capable of hosting up to 50 industry personnel working collaboratively on multiple projects.