November 30, 2021

Elexon Electronics named Moreton Bay Region’s Business of the Year

Operating for more than 15 years, Brendale-based Elexon Electronics has continually evolved in response to both changing customer needs and developments within the mining, medical and defence industries, while also being a passionate contributor to the Moreton Bay regional community. It received its award in a ceremony delivered by Moreton Bay Region Industry and Tourism (MBRIT) in partnership with Moreton Bay Regional Council. “Being recognised in the sector of Advanced Manufacturing is quite an achievement especially during this challenging year,” said Frank Faller, CEO of Elexon Electronics. “It recognises our outstanding performance and is our testament to our continuous development. It also marks an important return of customer confidence, shifting from a dependence on overseas suppliers to homegrown manufacturing talent and capability once again.” The event featured 58 finalists across 12 categories, after a record number of businesses from a diverse range of sectors were nominated. The winners were decided via a judging process involving 40 expert judges, who evaluated nominations based…
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November 25, 2021

Bombardier: On track for efficient production

Bombardier Transportation is a global mobility solutions provider. Its lead engineering site for Central and Eastern Europe and Israel is located in Hennigsdorf, Germany. This location is responsible for pre and small-series production of mainline and metro projects, as well as design validation to enable the large-scale manufacture of passenger vehicles at other Bombardier Transportation sites around the world. Maintaining, servicing and manufacturing these vehicles while upholding Bombardier’s standard of excellence requires fast, effective and cost-efficient processes across many teams. A key factor in achieving these objectives is the versatility to work efficiently across different projects.With specific goals to support digital inventory and produce large certified interior train components, Bombardier Transportation’s Hennigsdorf site invested in industrial-grade 3D printing. “Our customers choose Bombardier Transportation because we deliver innovative design concepts,” André Bialoscek, Head of the Vehicle Physical Integration department at Bombardier Transportation, explains. “Each of these customers has different yet demanding manufacturing requirements, so it’s vital we deploy the most advanced technologies available to ensure we effectively fulfill their needs. That is why we decided to invest in…
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November 25, 2021

AMW 2022 – Where technology meets innovation

Owned and operated by AMTIL, AMW is Australia’s premier manufacturing solutions event. Under the theme ‘Where technology meets innovation’, AMW 2022 will take place at the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) in Darling Harbour from 7-10 June 2022. “We’re getting very excited about the way the work on AMW has been going,” says Kim Banks, Head of Events at AMTIL. “The response from industry has been incredibly positive, with the exhibition space already fully booked apart from a handful of stands. This is a really big, important new venture for AMTIL, so we’re really thrilled with the enthusiasm for it that we’ve seen out there.” AMW will occupy more than 9,000 square metres of exhibition space at the ICC Sydney, with more than 140 organisations taking stands to showcase the latest manufacturing technologies, processes and support services. Six dedicated zones will cover a range of specialised aspects of the modern manufacturing landscape: w Additive Manufacturing. Australian Manufacturers Pavillion. Machine Tools & Ancillary Equipment. Manufacturing Solutions. Robotics & Automation. Weld Solutions. While AMW is a brand…
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November 25, 2021

What do the changes to the export market development grants mean for you?

The Export Market Development Grant (EMDG ) provides funding to assist over 4,000 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) per year cover export-related costs such as producing promotional material, travelling overseas, and providing free samples. What’s changed? Traditionally, the EMDG program operated under a reimbursement model, where eligible applicants were able to claim eligible expenses incurred during a particular financial year once that financial year had ended. Whilst the program still operates this way for any eligible export marketing expenses incurred up to 30 June 2021, significant changes came into effect on 1 July 2021 that changed the EMDG program from a reimbursement scheme (where an application is made in retrospect) to a traditional grant program. Importantly, applicants can now apply for the grant (for eligible export-related expenditure for each year over the next 2 or 3 years) and receive confirmation of funding before those expenses are incurred. These changes are designed to: Be more responsive to the needs of…
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November 25, 2021

Positive signs for +addeva

The idea behind +addeva came about several years ago. Whilst running prototyping and manufacturing facilities, Leon Gairns, now director at +addeva, was regularly approached to quote and supply custom signage, vehicle badges and to remedy parts ordered offshore. Often, these projects were well suited to local additive manufacturing but lacked the appropriate CAD files and design input. In the early stages, the team at +addeva approached several software developers that could offer part of the solution but ultimately did not proceed, instead deciding to provide an end-to-end solution themselves. The Build It Better (BIB) voucher programme, provided through AMTIL’s Additive Manufacturing Hub, offered a pathway to design, optimise and validate the part geometry intellectual property (IP) in parallel with developing the online platform. The intent was to maximise the adoption of localised additive manufacturing. The challenge To allow the geometry and process validation of a customisable signage system with design freedom. To remove the burden of CAD expertise,…
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November 23, 2021

Smooth commissioning of Eilbeck’s new vertical lathe with Applied’s support

If one was to nominate an Australian company that epitomises success in manufacturing, Eilbeck would have to be a lead contender. With close to 115 years of experience in the manufacturing sector, the family-owned company is currently managed by its owner/director Tom Eilbeck. Today the company’s staff numbers have increased to around 300. Initially starting as a foundry on the Swan River in West Australia, the company evolved into a machine shop and eventually into designing and building overhead cranes. Today Eilbeck Cranes has around 65% of the local overhead crane market, supplying to a diverse range of industries including civil and industrial developers. In the bespoke crane market, the company’s market share has increased to around 75%. The company is now into its fourth generation of the Eilbeck family and has grown through sheer hard work, an ability to capitalise on market opportunities, and an overarching commitment to producing the highest quality equipment. This high level of quality has been reflected…
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November 23, 2021

OMAX: The recipe for faster cutting

The Austrian educator and management consultant Peter Drucker once wrote: “Time is the scarcest resource and unless it is managed nothing else can be managed.” There are two types of machine tool manufacturers: those who offer machines that cut faster; and those who say cutting faster is unimportant. When looking to buy new equipment, the ability to process parts faster IS an important consideration because it affects the bottom line. It seems obvious that when a machine can process parts 30% faster, it will reduce the cost of labour, consumables, and utilities. On the other hand, when a machine tool is not fully utilised, there can be a tendency to dismiss faster cutting as irrelevant: when in fact it is relevant. If a machine tool cuts 30% faster than the competitor, and the cost of operation is $38.00 per hour for consumables, then over the course of 1,000 hours machining time, faster cutting will save $11,400.00 in consumables alone! Faster cutting is one consideration when buying a…
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November 18, 2021

Frontline Manufacturing – Reinforcing capability with new Deratech press brake

Matthew Ellis is a true inspiration to the Australian manufacturing industry. He established Frontline Manufacturing in 1996 when he was just 26 years old . In 2010 he lost it all when the Queensland floods destroyed his business and the insurance did not cover the loss. However, he successfully rebuilt the company and subsequently sold it to a larger company that shares his belief in Australian manufacturing. This financial support has seen Frontline grow into a 40-staff operation. With investment in new machines such as the recently acquired Deratech Ultima 1500/6100 press brake, the company’s future looks ever brighter. Ellis spoke to us about the company and the new machine. AMT: Tell us about Frontline Engineering? Matthew Ellis: I started Frontline in Queensland in 1996 with the aim of manufacturing pressed components. We started making componentry for the Australian manufacturing industry, and over…
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November 16, 2021

Fixing what isn’t broke: Why manufacturers should embrace new tooling solutions

For manufacturers, stepping away from the established way of doing things – whether it’s a production process, method of communication, or a trusted machine or tool – invites risk. No wonder it so tempting to fall back on the old adage of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. Could a new tool or digitalised process create more disruptions than it’s worth? Yet, there is more onus than ever on manufacturers to change with the times – whether they are dealing with mass or batch production scenarios. Research by Pinsent Masons, the German law firm, has identified three main drivers for change. First, its survey of 100 German manufacturers and German students found that disruptive Industry 4.0 technologies, like artificial intelligence (AI) and intelligent…
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November 16, 2021

Collaborative palletiser available for demonstration

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November 11, 2021

One on One: Cori Stewart

AMT: Firstly, what is the ARM Hub and why was it established? Cori Stewart: The ARM Hub is now a year and a half old, and it was established around a couple of drivers. Firstly, to see Australia drive the commercial value of robotics and come out big in the way robotics are applied to industry. One of our founding partners, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), is the nation’s leading robotics centre, and they got behind it. Along with its national partner network, QUT has been conducting amazing fundamental research in robotics. That technology is now coming down and being used on the factory floor – things like computer vision, AI, machine learning ... all the things that make robots smart and integrate into wider manufacturing capability. So, ARM Hub came about to offer this agile translation capability, and also knowhow, for new technology. The other part was as the country drives towards a manufacturing future – and this was happening before COVID – we had major manufacturing strategies in…
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November 11, 2021

Additive manufacturing and the ‘zero-mile’ supply chain

Manufacturers must often respond fast regarding the repair and turnaround of faulty equipment, minimising production disruption and downtime. Using 3D printing, parts can be produced rapidly in common materials such as steel, titanium, aluminium, or more exotic materials. Moreover, new materials designed specifically for AM offer improved performance. Given the large inventories found within typical manufacturing operations, a major question is: which parts are technically and commercially viable for AM? A recent audit for a US operation included a total inventory of 4,500 individual parts. Of these, some 450 were identified as technically feasible for printing, and 200 offered significant commercial benefits to the company compared with historic sourcing. Given the speed of production possible using AM in prototyping and serial production, manufacturers may consider investing in their own in-house 3D printing operation. The advantages include a ‘zero-mile’ parts supply chain, avoidance of high inventory levels, better process control, and risk mitigation against costly downtime. The alternative option is to source from a supplier offering printing services, with their specific lead…
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November 11, 2021

CSIRO helps Aussie SMEs shoot for the stars

Supported by the Australian Space Agency, CSIRO’s ‘Innovate to Grow: Space’ program will support 20-25 small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) with mentoring from some of Australia’s leading space experts, including from CSIRO and the Space Agency, access to world-class research facilities and infrastructure, and support to navigate grant application processes. Innovate to Grow is a free ten-week training program designed to boost the innovation and take-up of research and development (R&D) by Australian small businesses in industries with high innovation potential, like space, agrifood, plastic waste, net zero, and cybersecurity. CSIRO Space Research Program Director Dr Kimberley Clayfield said collaboration was key to growing Australia’s space industry. “CSIRO works with leading global companies, international space agencies and small-to-medium businesses on a variety of space-related activities,” Dr Clayfield said. “SMEs have a lot to contribute and when combined with our strong capabilities in Earth observation, robotics, advanced manufacturing and communications, the sky is no limit to what we…
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