Month: August 2018

Kaeser Compressors has just announced the launch of its Mobilair 210 series portable compressor. Part of its larger range of diesel powered portable air compressors, the M210 is the ideal solution for continuous operation in tough environmental conditions - such as those applications found on mine sites - where free air deliveries of up to 21.2 m3/min are required. Powered by a 146 kW diesel engine from Caterpillar with exhaust emission Tier 3, and featuring the flow optimised Sigma Profile screw compressor block, the new Mobilair 210 rotary screw compressors provide a free air delivery of 21.2 m3/min at 7 bar (g). In addition, 8.6 and 10 bar versions are available respectively delivering 19.7 and 18.0 m3/min. At the heart of the M210 series portable compressor lies the Sigma Profile screw compressor block. Developed by Kaeser some years ago and continuously enhanced ever since, it achieves power savings of up to 15 percent compared with conventional screw compressor block rotor profiles. This contributes to the overall high efficiency of these compressors. Part of the renowned Mobilair range of portable compressors from Kaeser that are manufactured at a state-of-the-art production facility in Germany, the recently launched M210 comes complete with…

Kaeser will be exhibiting at the International Federation of Hospital Engineering 2018 Congress. Being held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from 6-11 October 2018, visitors to the Kaeser stand will be able to learn more about the Industrie 4.0-ready medical compressed air system solutions that Kaeser Compressors has to offer. This includes Kaeser’s latest range of CSG-2 series dry-running rotary screw compressors. Available with drive powers ranging from 37 to 90 kW, these two-stage machines provide free air deliveries from 5.4 to 13.1 m³/min for pressures between 4 and 10 bar (g). Together with the existing DSG-2 and FSG-2 series, Kaeser‘s dry-runner range covers free air deliveries ranges from 5.4 to 50.0 m³/min, and 3.2 to 50.8 m³/min for variable speed machines. Delivering ultra-efficient compressed air production at all times, the CSG-2 systems are the ideal choice where absolutely clean and dry compressed air is required, such as in the medical sector. At the heart of these versatile units lies a quality, two-stage compressor block. The rotors are equipped with ‘ultra coat’ which is resistant to temperatures up to 300oC. This cost reducing coating is highly abrasion-proof. After years of operation, its sealing and protection performance therefore…

The Australian PMI has indicated positive conditions for 22 consecutive months, but the pace of growth has slowed from a record high (63.1 points) in March 2018 (readings above 50 indicate expansion in activity, with the distance from 50 indicating the strength of the increase). Of the seven activity sub-indexes in the Australian PMI, three expanded, three were stable and one contracted in July. The sales sub-index tends to be volatile around the end of the financial year and dropped 15.7 points to 45.5 – its lowest result since early 2016. The new orders sub-index fell 6.5 points to 51.1, suggesting modest activity growth for most parts of manufacturing in the months ahead. The input prices sub-index eased by 2.2 points but remained elevated at 68.1 in July, while wages lifted 1.8 points to 60.6 points. A sharp drop in manufacturing employment growth was also evident in July (down 7.8 points to 50.3 points). “Infrastructure projects continue to support demand for manufacturing products, but rising energy costs…

With the theme ‘Strategies for Manufacturing Resilience and Growth’, this year’s Conference will provide delegates with insights and strategies that can help them to build resilience in their businesses, capitalise on opportunities for growth beyond the traditional routes, and think outside the square. The one-day event offers a program that touches on every aspect of life in a manufacturing business today, looking into issues ranging from the relevance of automation for small manufacturers, through to ways that managers can develop effective leadership, communication and relationship-building skills, and a whole lot more. We have put together a great program and a terrific array of speakers, who will be informing you at the Conference. I get asked all the time by manufacturers that want a chance to get into the defence industry: how do I do it? Well, come and hear what is involved in being a supplier to a major US defence company. Rick Shalders is the Director of Raytheon Australia’s Industry Development Unit. His presentation,…

Small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) are in the best position to excel in advanced manufacturing because their size makes them agile; allowing them to be more flexible, innovative and take more risks. However, their barriers to long term growth are their lack of planning and organising. The Industry 4.0 era, is one of automation and data exchange, with new markets, new products, new technologies and new ways to manufacture existing goods. For an SME to succeed in Industry 4.0, the question manufacturers need to ask is, where do we want to go and how do we get there? The answer is reliant on two key factors: Assessing practical areas of business management - namely strategy. Utilising grants to help develop their strategic plan and increase budgets. Getting strategy right – redefine the long-term Technology is an ongoing strategic negotiation that challenges businesses to evolve rapidly. The rapid pace of change means business owners have to work in compressed timeframes, making it harder to plan.…

Founded in Sydney in 1981, Cochlear is a global leader in implantable hearing solutions. The company has a global workforce of 3,500 people and invests more than $150m a year in research & development. Products include hearing systems for cochlear, bone conduction and acoustic implants. Over 450,000 people of all ages, across more than 100 countries, now hear because of Cochlear. Cochlear has completed the final phase of redevelopment at the Newstead site, which it has owned since 2007 when the company acquired the manufacturing operations of Brisbane company Crystalaid. Currently around 200 people are employed on the site, with 130 working in direct manufacturing and logistics, 40 working in engineering, and the remainder in administration and operations. The new facility has been built for growth in mind, with Cochlear planning to expand and take on more employees, commencing in early 2019, plus ongoing training and upskilling for staff currently employed. Cameron Dick, State Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure & Planning, and Grace Grace, State Minister for Education and Minister for Industrial Relations,…

There are a lot of issues with the so-called ‘Open Innovation’ model – a prime example of course is ownership of intellectual property (IP). This has the potential to be a minefield if not properly understood and managed. However, before we go too far down the path of collaboration and open innovation, it may first be useful to agree on what we even mean by innovation, a word that seems to have been corrupted by so many, achieving nothing more that turning the simple into the complex! It can be argued that innovation is the basis for all things new and better. But what inspires innovation and new ideas? More to the point, what is the link between an innovative or inventive idea and an outcome? If we think of innovation when applied to building a business and making money, we need to think about the risks in business. In most cases when…

Anticipated to run over a three-year period, the research alliance covers the first phase of a project to research solutions that will revolutionise how composite polymers are used to manufacture mineral separation equipment and create new manufacturing technologies. UTS will house all project work at a new additive manufacturing (AM) facility at its Broadway campus to network and brainstorm various conceptual ideas. Located in the UTS Faculty of Engineering and IT, the project will be undertaken with Rapido, a unique rapid prototyping unit established in 2016 to help industry, government and community partners translate innovative ideas and complex problems into viable products and solutions. Herve Harvard, Director of Rapido, says the unit seeks research partnerships to engage staff and students in innovative projects that help to bridge the gap between industry and universities. Two PhD students will be allocated to the Downer/IMCRC project and mentored throughout its lifecycle. “Partnering with Rapido harnesses a unique capability in terms of the breadth and depth…