As Australia's largest defence industry expo opens in Melbourne today, the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Hub and EM Solutions are celebrating a successful collaboration using artificial intelligence (AI) to help deliver a multi-million-dollar naval defence contract.
Together they've created a digital twin to speed-up the manufacturer of satellite communications (SATCOM) systems for the Royal Australian Navy.
EM Solutions, renowned for its expertise in the development and manufacture of advanced microwave and radio frequency communication systems, was awarded a $150m contract to upgrade the Navy's SATCOM systems across its existing fleet of vessels.
The company – which is attending Land Forces 2024 -- is responsible for the manufacture, assembly, installation, and maintenance of the King Cobra SATCOM terminals, critical components designed to ensure continuous communication in all oceanic and weather conditions.
ARM Hub Founder and CEO Professor Cori Stewart said the project was an exemplar for the use of data and AI in scaling-up manufacturing.
"AI is having a transformative impact on manufacturing. It is giving manufacturers the opportunity to become data-driven businesses that are competitive in the global market," Professor Stewart said.
"It has been fantastic working with EM Solutions on this challenge. It highlights the ARM Hub's role in driving innovation and technological advancement within Australia's manufacturing sector.
"We are excited to support EM Solutions in their mission to deliver cutting-edge communication systems to the Royal Australian Navy."
A digital twin is a virtual representation or model of a physical object, system, or process. The model is designed to simulate the real-world counterpart in real-time, allowing for monitoring, analysis, and optimisation.
EM Solutions VP Programmes John Logan said the company – which is a world-leading supplier of satellite communications systems for international naval ships - is trialling the digital twin to reduce testing time from one month to seven days.
"We approached the ARM Hub to help us with scaling-up our manufacturing to meet national and international demand," Mr Logan said.
"The King Cobra satellite terminal is a large structure fitted to the top of the naval ship that consists of 22,000 individual components. The intricate nature of these components has historically presented challenges in manufacturing.
"This new digital twin replaces our outdated version and leverages open-source software to offer unparalleled accuracy in identifying issues early in the production process.
"EM Solutions is committed to delivering the highest standards in communication technology for the Royal Australian Navy. Our partnership with the ARM Hub has been valuable in enhancing our manufacturing capabilities to meet our business demands."
EM Solutions and ARM Hub are currently at Landforces 2024.
Key Facts:
The ARM Hub and EM Solutions have created a digital twin to speed up the manufacture of satellite communications systems for the Royal Australian Navy.
About us:
About EM Solutions
EM Solutions is a world leader in the design, manufacture, and deployment of advanced microwave and radio frequency communication systems. The company provides innovative solutions to meet the unique needs of defence, maritime, and commercial customers, with a focus on delivering reliable, high-performance communication systems.
About ARM Hub
The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Hub is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that connects industry, research, and government to advance manufacturing innovation. Through partnerships, the ARM Hub provides cutting-edge solutions to improve manufacturing processes, boost productivity, and foster economic growth in Australia.
