Flinders Factory of the Future

Australia’s manufacturing transformation hub.

Flinders
Factory of the Future

Australia’s manufacturing transformation hub.

Rediscovering Australia’s manufacturing advantage

Australia's future prosperity depends on a strong, innovative and globally competitive manufacturing sector. Flinders Factory of the Future exists to accelerate manufacturing innovation by helping organisations adopt new technologies, develop new products, strengthen workforce capability and translate research into real-world impact.

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Our areas of expertise

Human-technology Interaction

Additive Manufacturing

Digital Twinning and Simulation

Cyber and Artificial Intelligence

Design and Prototyping

Testing and Validation

Workforce Development

Strategic Support

Working across industry sectors

Advanced Manufacturing

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Medical Devices

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Maritime Defence

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Energy & Renewables

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Your challenge.
Our expertise.
Real impact.

Manufacturing challenges are rarely solved by technology alone. Success requires the right combination of technical expertise, commercial insight and workforce capability.

Flinders Factory of the Future brings together transdisciplinary expertise to help organisations innovate, improve performance and build a sustainable competitive advantage.

How we help

I have a new idea, product or technology

FORGE

FORGE takes the guesswork out of early-stage innovation. We move you from idea to validated product through our structured pathways, expert guidance and access to facilities, networks and specialist expertise.

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I want to improve my business

GROW

GROW helps manufacturers improve productivity, adopt new technologies and strengthen competitiveness. Through structured discovery, feasibility and transformation pathways, we work alongside organisations to identify opportunities, reduce risk and deliver measurable business outcomes.

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I need specialist expertise or facilities

Direct Engagement Services

Access research expertise, consulting, collaborative projects, facilities, equipment and industry-connected support.

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I need training

Industry Education

Build capability for the future through industry-focused training, workshops and workforce development programs that help individuals, teams and organisations thrive in a changing manufacturing environment.

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Our flagship programs

FORGE

Turning ideas into products.

FORGE takes the guesswork out of innovation. Through a structured pathway, expert guidance and access to specialist expertise, facilities and networks, we help innovators progress ideas from concept to validated opportunity.

Our approach considers more than technology and product development. We work with innovators to understand the market opportunity, customer needs, commercial model, intellectual property, regulatory requirements, manufacturing pathways path to market, reducing uncertainty and creating a clear plan that focuses effort on the activities most likely to create value.

Built on the 18-year track record of Flinders University's award-winning Medical Device Partnering Program, FORGE combines proven innovation methodologies with access to expertise across the Flinders Factory of the Future, Flinders University, industry and our local and global networks.

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The FORGE Medical Devices program

Built on nearly two decades of success through Flinders University’s Medical Device Partnering Program, FORGE Medical Devices delivers an end‑to‑end system to take medical innovations from concept through to clinical trials and scale.

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Manufacturing Growth Accelerator (MGA)

Manufacturing Growth Accelerator (MGA) program

The Manufacturing Growth Accelerator (MGA) enables SMEs to accelerate the adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies through access to Flinders Factory of the Future. The Manufacturing Growth Accelerator is supported by funding from the Government of South Australia through the Department of State Development.

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Building workforce capability

Because innovation is ultimately powered by people, we build workforce capability alongside technical solutions.

Drawing on Flinders University’s expertise, we co-design and deliver tailored micro-credentials to upskill your team and provide a talent pipeline through programs that ensure your business has the skills it needs to thrive.

Surrounded by industry.
Designed for collaboration.

Anchored at the Tonsley Innovation District and connected through a broader network beyond it, Flinders Factory of the Future sits alongside manufacturers and technology‑driven organisations working on similar challenges.

This co‑location supports collaboration, knowledge‑sharing and faster testing of new ideas in real manufacturing contexts.

Our impact

Making manufacturing more accessible, and more efficient

Through Flinders Factory of the Future, MyModular worked alongside researchers, engineers and experts, with co funding from BAE Systems, to rethink and redesign cable processing. The result is a flexible, inclusive work cell that boosts efficiency, opens doors for people with disability, and shows how collaboration can deliver real world change.

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Research to recovery: transforming knee rehabilitation

For thousands of Australians undergoing knee replacement surgery each year, rehabilitation can be one of the hardest and most overlooked parts of recovery.

Flinders University researchers and MAXM Skate are helping people get back to doing the things they love.

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Allin Towbars - Exploring Cobot welding integration

In partnership with Flinders University’s Factory of the Future, Allin Towbars explored cobot welding to supplement its workforce and boost throughput.

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Perfect Squeeze – Improving precision in life-saving ventilation

A Flinders–industry collaboration is developing a real-time guidance system to help first responders deliver precise ventilation during resuscitation.

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Building Australia's Digital Shipyard

Factory of the Future partnered with BAE Systems Maritime Australia to explore how emerging Industry 4.0 technologies could support the development of a digitally enabled shipbuilding workforce.

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