Month: April 2015

Micron Manufacturing began trading in July 2012, and has since found itself a niche where many other manufacturers fear to tread. The newcomer, based in the Sydney, has intentionally side-stepped traditional manufacturing techniques, instead opting to implement new technology and a fresh approach to manufacturing. And already, it’s reaping the rewards, recently making BRW’s Fast Starters 2014 top 100 list. In an age where consumers expect instant results, this Generation-Y start-up is able to deliver, turning around custom jobs for clients in an exceptionally short timeframe. The design company’s strength is in its ability to go from paper to product in just 24 hours, according to director Ryan McClenaghan. “We’ve taken the down time out of the manufacturing on the shop floor through technology and software and processes,” says McClenaghan. “We’ve also invested in design-for-manufacture software that feeds automated blanking, lowering both design and blanking labour costs while speeding up delivery of the first finished part. “Traditional…

The modular Smith and Loveless FAST Process – the latest example of which is currently being installed in outback Queensland – can be easily transported, installed and operated with minimal engineering and maintenance at worksite and population centres. It is basically a plug and play system. The patented Fixed Activated Sludge Treatment (FAST) process is available in individual unit capacities of hundreds of cubic metres a day, which can be multiplied by the use of interconnected multiple units at mining and energy sites , oil and gas facilities and other remote facilities. In addition to achieving higher loading rates within a smaller footprint, effluent produced can be recycled into suitable industrial, public facility and commercial processes. It can be mixed with resource site runoff water, for example, and sprayed on haul roads for dust suppression. FAST achieves nutrient removal for applications containing high levels of nitrogen, a water pollutant that has increased significantly in industrial, commercial and municipal applications. Nitrogen is a…

NASA’s Langley Research Center began the process of setting up the advanced composite research capability that engineers are calling ISAAC (Integrated Structural Assembly of Advanced Composites) back in November. Just to get ISAAC to the Hampton, Virginia facility was a challenge financially and physically. “We have worked for two years to obtain this precise robotic technology. But we proposed the idea more than six years ago,” said structural mechanics engineer Chauncey Wu. “It will really make a difference in our ability to understand composite materials and processes for use in aviation and space vehicles.” Funding was one stumbling block, but Wu and his ISAAC project teammates Brian Stewart and Robert Martin were able to convince NASA Langley to provide about US$1.4m, the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate to kick in…

The Baleen Filter is a self-cleaning industrial water filter that can clear and separate solid waste down to a size of 20 microns. The inventor of the Baleen Filter, Yuri Obst, holds a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering and Bachelor of Science. His invention was picked up in 1999 by the University of South Australia’s commercialisation arm, called Techsearch at the time (now iTek). “We built the prototype and had quite a bit of interest in it at the time,” Obst explains. “It was working in by-products industries, dried fruits in the Mildura-Sunraysia region.” The filter works much like its namesake, the filter-feeder system inside the mouths of baleen whales. Essentially, the dirtied water flows over a filter cloth. The user decides the fineness of the filter, and it can be switched in and out at will. At 20 microns, nearly all…

There have been a number of events over the past six months including: The launch of 3D Central, an Advanced Manufacturing Centre located at the head office of Objective 3D in Carrum Downs. A 3D Printing Overview presented by 3D Printing today held at the Mulgrave Country Club. A Forum on Medical Manufacturing held at RMIT’s Advanced Manufacturing Precinct in Carlton and focused on additive manufacturing in the medical devices sector. The Opening of the Australian Research Council Industrial Transformation Research Hub at the Monash Centre for Advanced Manufacturing. The AusBiotech Advanced Manufacturing Summit held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney. VCAMM event on “Practical Engagement with Additive Manufacturing” held at RMIT’s Advanced Manufacturing Precinct. All of these events were supported by AMTIL and promoted through the Network. I would be interested on any feedback from people who attended any of these events. You may recall that AMTIL is a Core Participant and Portal Organisation for the proposed Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (CRC). We have committed (along with…

Breakthroughs in information and communications technology (ICT) are driving automation today. Increased computing power is permitting the processing of complex data from sensors in real time, enabling machines to be more responsive than ever. The more responsive a machine can be to its environment, the greater the chance it will encroach on the domain of work typically done by people. Protective bars have usually encased machines. However, some machines, such as automated guided vehicles (AGVs), necessarily operate in unenclosed environments. The trend is changing, with previously caged robotic machines becoming uncaged and far more interactive with people. For example, the exoskeletal-style robot. This robot works as an augmentation to the industrial worker, facilitating the movement and manipulation of much heavier loads than any individual could handle. Currently it is mostly large-scale manufacturing facilities that employ automation, as their scale is sufficient to offset the cost of implementing complex systems. Trends show an increase in machine complexity in parallel with their cost reduction, thus lowering the entry barriers for where automation…

AMT: Firstly, tell us about this year’s Australian Technologies Competition. John O’Brien: Certainly. We’re into the fifth year of the Competition, and the aim is that we find, mentor and celebrate the best emerging technology companies from around Australia. There are two benefits: growing emerging technology businesses, but also finding solutions for industry to help them be more efficient and competitive. This year we’ve got the categories of Food & Agritech, Energy Technologies, Advanced Manufacturing, Mining Tech and the Built Environment. We’ve also got prizes for Global Development, for solutions for the developing world, and one for the best region in Australia that supports technology. In terms of the Advanced Manufacturing category, the focus is “How do we help the manufacturing industry become more efficient and more competitive?” One previous winner was BluGlass, a Sydney company which designed a new way of manufacturing light emitting diode (LED) cells that uses less energy, operates at lower temperature, is cheaper and delivers better-quality LED cells. They’re commercialising that right now. And last year’s…

The first industrial robots were brought in to help local car manufacturers replicate the same production line approach that had long been a staple in global industrial hubs such as Detroit. These machines were responsible for building many of Australia’s iconic cars and their potential was soon seen by other large-scale manufacturers. At times, use of robotic technology has delivered some decidedly mixed results: a push for robotic sheep shearing in the 1980s brought little more than some blank looks from farmers and worried glances from sheep. However, the local industry has grown up considerably since then. Australian robotic purchases are now at record highs. According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), robot sales have reached record levels in Asia/Australia with almost 100,000 new robots deployed across the region in 2013 – up 18% cent from…

The Granex Heat Conversion System is a patented, world-first generator of clean energy developed by Granite Power. At the core of this innovation is a titanium and stainless steel impulse turbine, through which waste heat moves at more than Mach 1.7. Even though Australia is not renowned for turbine technology, the decision was made to have it designed and manufactured onshore. That task was given to the advanced manufacturing company Archer, based in Somersby, NSW. Granite Power’s Research Project Manager Sean McCracken says it was an ambitious project. “For us to make it a commercial application we needed to find a way of reducing the cost,” explains McCracken. “Having Archer make the assembly was the most economical way. We found that it was more cost-effective to design and make the parts in Australia than do it overseas.” The Granex Heat Conversion System is a modern evolution of the conventional Organic Rankin Cycle. The impulse turbine is connected to a diesel generator set (or, as in the case…

“The weaker Australian dollar is starting to drive manufacturers back to Australia in a sign the economy is adjusting to a post-mining boom world,” BlueScope Steel boss Paul O’Malley said recently. “After a very strong trend toward offshoring, we are starting to see some domestic onshoring for the first time in almost six years.” Indeed, while some manufacturers may have opened the New Year with reductions in sales, production and new orders, the fall in the value of the Australian dollar could stimulate the manufacturing sector over the coming months. This year’s Austech exhibition comes at the right time, it seems, and the show, co-hosted with National Manufacturing Week (NMW), is expected to attract a combined total of over 10,000 visitors. Owned and operated by the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), Austech provides a forum for visitors to not only view the latest technology available today but also talk about applications that help them provide value-added,…

The Pacific Patrol Boat (PPB) Program is an Australian Defence Cooperation Program (DCP) funded activity aimed at providing participating Pacific Island Countries (PICs) with the capability to monitor and enforce their 200 nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zones. The initial PPB fleet of 22 vessels was gifted to the 12 PICs between 1987 and 1995. While the PPB is owned by the PICs, Australia continues to provide ongoing maintenance and logistic support for the vessels as well as training for patrol boat crews in Australia and within the region. The fleet is approaching its end of service life, which will start to occur from 2018. On 5 March, the Government announced the Request for Tender (RFT) for the replacement – Australian-made – Pacific Patrol Boats under the Pacific Maritime Security Program, Project SEA3036 Phase 1. This project represents a significant investment in Australian defence industry with the Australian-made patrol boats worth $594m in addition to through-life sustainment and personnel…

As a global supplier of pneumatic and electrical automation technology, Festo’s core competence lies in shaping the production and working worlds of the future and offering its customers innovative solutions for the production systems of tomorrow. One of the latest projects is the BionicKangaroo, which addresses various aspects of future production, such as resource efficiency and energy recuperation, functional integration and human-machine interaction. A development team from Festo’s Bionic Learning Network spent two years recreating the jumping behaviour of the natural kangaroo as closely as possible, and then learning from it. The BionicKangaroo now demonstrates exactly what distinguishes the natural kangaroo, namely recovering and storing energy and retrieving it on the next jump. The Achilles tendon assumes an important function here, which is why it is particularly pronounced on the natural kangaroo. The function of the natural Achilles tendon is carried out with the help of an elastic band made of rubber. It is fastened at the back of the foot and parallel to…

In general, productivity is a measure of the efficiency with which a task is undertaken. Traditionally, this term applied to the so-called “muscle workers”, as Karl Marx referred to them – those who physically toil to produce an outcome. This could apply to manufacturing, mining, or agriculture and the like. In the last few years we have seen governments of all persuasions talking about improving productivity within the Australian workforce, including the public service, but just what does this mean? How is it measured? And, in any case, is it the “main game”? Look at the big picture There are several ways to look at this, but in simplistic terms, productivity increases do not lead to business development or expansion, except somewhat by accident as lower-priced products may win more market share for a company at the expense of a competitor in the same sector. Or better still, by design, if any increased profit inspires investment in innovation. But to be frank, when speaking of productivity improvement,…