January 16, 2020

Financial Leadership in Manufacturing: Five things a CFO should be thinking about

A recent report by Sage, CFO 3.0 - digital transformation beyond financial management on the evolving role of the finance function, highlights that 93% of finance professionals believe their role has changed in the past five years, with 67% stating they now perceive themselves as strategic advisers rather than leaders responsible for compliance and accounting. Over half attributed this change to the digitalisation of the industry creating a new era of customer expectations. The report found that while cloud adoption is high in Australia, CFOs are not fully leveraging the capabilities of financial management technology. As CFOs face a more automated future, they have a new opportunity to propel digital transformation into the wider business. Becoming an agent of change is a big leap from the traditional role of the CFO. But…
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January 16, 2020

Electric utility truck launched in Australia

The fully electric vehicle is based on the Landcruiser 79 series platform and promises a range of up to 350km. The pickup was developed in Adelaide, South Australia, over the past year by Dave Mitchell and Tim Possingham, who both have extensive experience in motorsport and original equipment manufacturing (OEM). They set up Zero Automotive to address the growing demand and fleet targets for zero emission vehicles, especially in the mining and agribusiness industries. Possingham said they didn’t plan to mass-produce the ZED70 but would rather supply commissioned vehicles that met specific industry needs. “This vehicle is a bespoke vehicle that we designed to suit the application whether it be mining, agribusiness, or local and state governmental agencies,” he said. The South Australian company specifically worked with mining and energy companies to understand their vehicle fleet needs, such as zero emissions in underground mines and the elimination of diesel fuel on sites. “It’s a priority for those types of clients to reduce their emissions and also clean up the environment that…
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January 9, 2020

Improving safety and functionality in 3D printed automotive parts

Already examples are emerging, such as the 3D-printed titanium brake caliper for the Bugatti Chiron. Produced as a single unit from titanium through the layering process in the build chamber of an SLM 500 multi-laser machine, it features a tensile strength of 1,250 N/sqmm and a material density over 99.7%. On testing the parts, Bugatti found the 3D-printed components sustained strength and  retained stiffness amid the high temperatures witnessed at the speeds of more than 375km/hour achieved by these high-performance sports cars. When BMW redesigned the folding mechanism of the BMW i8 Roadster and built it in the metal-powder bed fusion chamber of an SLM Solutions laser machine, it found the part to be 10 times stiffer than the plastic injection moulded counterpart. It was also 44% lighter as it was built from AlSi10Mg. Traditionally the folding mechanism of the i8 Roadster’s soft top is cumbersome, loading the car with unwanted additional weight, and taking up boot space. The new folding mechanism reduces all of…
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January 9, 2020

High-speed machining and the importance of tool accuracy

The metalworking industry adopted high-speed machining (HSM) in the 1990s. This method was engrained in various industrial branches and caused significant changes in technology and machine tool engineering. The well-known advantages of HSM are repeatedly cited in various books, guides, magazines and other sources of information. Recently, there has been a significant interest in accurate HSM and, more specifically, in precision and other characteristics of cutting tools and toolholding devices intended for this purpose. Accurate (or precise) machining means maintaining repeatable strict tolerances during cutting operations. The level of such a “strictness” depends on the machining method – for example milling, turning, or drilling – and the type of operation: rough, semi-finish or…
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January 9, 2020

Cut To Size sees growth trends for engineering plastics

Manufacturers and machinery engineers in these sectors are adopting engineering plastics* to maximise advantages in applications where outstanding hygiene, corrosion and deterioration resistance, low friction, automation and safety are critical, according to engineering plastics innovator Laurie Green, Managing Director of Cut To Size Plastics. “Australia and New Zealand are starting to catch up with pan-Asia and global trends towards the use of engineering plastics in expanding uses to which they are eminently suited,” says Green. “Metals are great for some applications, but manufacturers, operations managers, processors and infrastructure specifiers here are waking up to opportunities to optimise their low-maintenance infrastructure and automation applications with plastics.” Cut To Size has more than 40 years’ experience in engineering plastics applications throughout the Asia-Pacific, and distributes advanced materials from international leaders in plastics technology including Licharz, Gehr and Beck-Wefapress. The company has just launched a new website to help groups such as engineers, operations managers, safety managers and others to decide whether…
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January 9, 2020

Tube processing for agricultural engineering

In agriculture, most production processes have gone from manual manufacturing to industrial production. Agricultural product that used to be processed with simple farm machinery is now undertaken using equipment that is often highly automated, in processes that have to be designed along rational lines. This applies to all areas of agriculture, from tractors to combine harvesters and driverless machines for many different applications, but also to comparatively small pieces of equipment and accessories. As a specialist in tube processing machines and systems, transfluid has already been delivering its solutions to this sector for many years. “The developments are very exciting and we are happy to continue to contribute to that”, says Stefanie Flaeper, Managing Director at transfluid. “When we look at the tube processing for the manufacturing of agricultural machinery we see two key types: heavy tubes and profiles, that are often used in the construction of frames; and on the other hand the large hydraulics systems.” Hydraulics is a method…
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January 6, 2020

Australian PMI: Manufacturing downturn adds weight to calls for fiscal stimulus

With new orders again in negative territory in December and trending down since March, the Ai Group believes that current weak conditions for manufacturers are likely to continue into the New Year, with the strong food & beverages sector a notable exception. Among the six manufacturing sectors in the Australian PMI, only food & beverages expanded in December (up 0.6 points to 61.8) while machinery & equipment (down 1.0 points to 50.4) and the chemicals sector (down 0.9 points to 49.3) were broadly stable. The metals products (up 0.6 points to 45.0), building materials, wood & other manufacturing (down 3.4 points to 38.1) and TCF, paper & printing (down 0.1 points to 41.6) sectors all contracted again in December (according to trend data). “2019 closed on a disappointing note for Australian manufacturing with production and employment both weaker in…
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December 19, 2019

From hurricane lamps to Olympic torches – Harrington Industries hits 100 years

Harrington Industries was established in 1919, originally trading as GA & L Harrington, named after its founding brothers. George Arthur (affectionately known as GA) and Len Harrington set up a general engineering shop in Ultimo, New South Wales. The company’s centenary marks the culmination of four generations under the Harrington family: GA’s son George Harrington joined in the late 1920s, and his son John Harrington started in 1959 and is now the company’s Chairman & Director; Len’s grandson Mark Bennett (Engineering Director) came onboard in 1974; and John’s sons Trent (who is now the Managing Director) and Marshall (Purchasing Director). Four generations in one Australian company may possibly represent an unrivalled feat. ‘Trusted for 100 years’ is the company creed, and that trust has been forged and repeatedly proven over the century. Since its first product – a rabbit trap for farmers – the company has been an active participant in many of the landmarks of the last century of Australian history. In…
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December 19, 2019

Brent & Warburton – Choosing the best machine for the job

Now in its fourth generation, Brent & Warburton continues to build on more than 100 years of knowledge and capability in machining, manufacturing, fabrication and fitting. Its Tomago workshop boasts six CNC lathes, six CNC mills, as well as a number of manual machines, fabrication and fitting facilities, along with six overhead cranes. An important factor behind Brent & Warburton’s longevity is its tradition of constantly striving to be a world-class manufacturer. This is also one of the factors behind the business’ recent purchase of a Mazak FJV60/80, a high-precision, high-productivity, double-column vertical machining centre with enhanced performance, intelligent functions and rigid machine construction. The Mazak FJV60/80’s special design ensures extremely high-precision machining over extended periods of operation by eliminating the spindle overhang often seen in C-frame vertical machining centres. Furthermore, its ergonomic design ensures convenient loading and unloading of large workpieces and overall ease of operation. Darcy Currey, General Manager at Brent & Warburton, spoke to AMT about the…
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December 19, 2019

De Bortoli Wines boosts quality, compliance and optimisation with QAD

The De Bortoli Wines journey started more than 90 years ago when Vittorio De Bortoli emigrated to Australia from Northern Italy with dreams of building a better life. Vittoria purchased a fruit farm near Griffith, in the New South Wales Riverina region, and turned unwanted Shiraz grapes into wine for family and friends. From these humble beginnings, De Bortoli Wines has grown to become the sixth largest winery in the country, exporting to 75 countries around the world with bottling plant operations in Europe and distribution in the UK. Operating estates across five Australian winemaking regions, De Bortoli Wines has also demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability and views this as a key philosophy of leaving a positive legacy for future generations. De Bortoli Wines operates a complex vertically and horizontally integrated business model that encompasses wine production and distribution from grape to glass. “De Bortoli is a vertically integrated business that is involved…
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December 19, 2019

STEM education in Australia – A student’s perspective.

Since the age of five when my grandfather took me to my first science event, I have had a keen interest in STEM and I always wanted to make a difference. When I was younger I often found myself looking for ways to get involved in STEM programs outside of school. Unfortunately, due to a lack of options in Australia, I often find myself looking for opportunities outside of the country, particularly in the USA. Since there are fewer options in Australia, this creates a gap. This gap describes people knowing less about this area and all its potential. That’s why programs like FIRST are so important. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is an international organisation with the aim to inspire young people to be science and technology innovators by engaging them in competitions. FIRST is such an amazing competition – it takes…
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December 19, 2019

Trends in tool development

The German government has set itself the objective of reducing carbon dioxide emissions in Germany by 55% by 2030. This has a considerable impact on the development of machining tools, as new fields of application are emerging and existing ones need to be adapted. Alternative drives, new, lighter materials and concepts that save energy and resources are now more in demand than ever before. Developers see great potential in design modifications to tools, new coatings, new machining strategies and digital solutions which respond to the existing framework conditions in real time. Ramping milling cutters increase tool life by up to 200% The current trend is for new, lightweight aluminium-lithium alloys. These materials quickly overwhelm conventional tools. This results in an increasing demand for high-performance tools specifically designed for this range of applications. For instance, aircraft components made of aluminium alloys often have machining volumes of up to 90%. Depending on the required component geometry, numerous bevels and cavities need to be…
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December 18, 2019

Brigitte Stavar named new President of AMTIL

Stavar brings an impressive track record of manufacturing industry experience, having spent more than 16 years as General Manager at Sheetmetal Machinery Australia, a leading supplier of innovative high-precision sheetmetal machinery, based in Ferntree Gully, Victoria. She has been a member of the AMTIL Board for six years, and succeeds Paul Fowler, Managing Director of Dimac Tooling, who is stepping down having served as President since 2013. “I look forward to continuing the great work AMTIL is involved with, representing our members interests and supporting the current initiatives such as the AM Hub, Export Hub and the Entrepreneurs Programme,” said Stavar. “The Australian manufacturing industry is undergoing change and to remain competitive we need to become innovative, adaptive and flexible; embrace the latest technologies; and improve efficiencies, training and education to be the best we can be in the global economy. The AMTIL Board will focus on developing and supporting strong networks in helping businesses grow within the manufacturing sector.” Together with the AMTIL Board, Stavar will be responsible for providing strategic leadership over AMTIL’s full…
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