Month: September 2019

If you’re hearing the term ISO 9001 for the first time, the short explanation is it’s a set of procedures dictating all of the processes in an accredited manufacturing business – everything from the design and prototyping to the manufacturing itself, right through to the delivery of goods and invoicing. As Paul Hughes, Managing Director of Integra Systems, explains, “It’s a set of procedures that pretty much govern the way you do business. “I’ll build a quote in our system. If the job gets converted to a sales order then it gets converted to a work order. Once a work order is raised, all your materials can be purchased from it. In effect, it creates a ‘traveller’ that goes around the factory, through the process, tracks your materials then, finally, it gets invoiced out. So that’s ISO 9001’s underlying framework to the business.” Having the official accreditation has not always been an essential component to doing business at Integra. However, the company’s growth…

Transporting a part inside a shop-floor, mounting and clamping it in a machine tool, and machine set-up are major challenges. Workholding massive and large parts is no easy task, and often requires non-standard solutions. Machining large parts involves removing a lot of material that may cause significant deformations due to unrelieved stresses. Another factor, which leads to dimensional problems, is thermal expansion caused by heat generation during cutting: the large sizes make it much more sensitive compared with more standard-sized workpieces. The necessity to remove a significant material stock requires appropriate chip evacuation to prevent the chip re-cutting, which negatively affects the applied cutting tools. The key for overcoming the difficulties lies in technology, based on effective process planning and utilising the most suitable machine tools, optimal workholding, and minimal part relocation. Single set-up machining represents an absolute ideal for machining a…

As experts in thermal spray technology, QSP Engineering specialises in the reclamation, repair and resizing of worn components, with the company servicing clients come from a wide and diverse range of industries including the mining, construction, earth-moving, marine and industrial sectors. QSP’s large workshop in Bethania, Queensland, allows the team to repair small items such as respraying household irons to repair and reclamation of very large parts worn and corroded through excessive and heavy usage – for example, pivot shafts. Over 40 years of successful operations, the company has built a range of services to meet the needs of its clients, resulting in a highly trained team with expertise in spraying techniques. QSP offers high-velocity oxy fuel spraying (HVOF), arc spraying, ceramic and plasma spraying. The latest laser technology has now been added to this mix, with a Laserline system that allows QSP to offer reliable finished workpieces. With a…

Graphene, a material that is just a one atom thick, has exceptional physical properties. The European Commission launched the Graphene Flagship in 2013 to facilitate the transition of graphene and related materials from academic laboratories to applications. With a budget of €1bn for an initial period of 10 years, the Graphene Flagship is one of Europe’s biggest research initiatives, aiming not only to continue developing graphene in academic laboratories, but spearheading efforts for the commercialisation of graphene, preparing for its widespread adoption in industry. Halfway through the 10-year project, the Graphene Flagship has successfully developed more than 25 commercial products, using the impressive conductivity, strength and flexibility of graphene to improve on the properties of previously used materials. However, bringing a new material to market is not without its challenges. ‎Historically, it takes…

The entry-level segment of Tornos’ machine tool range comprises two product lines, namely the CT20 (the second version of the machine recently introduced), and the Swiss DT machine. Both model variants are subject to constant evolution to remain at the forefront of technology with a cost-effective and competitive platform. Against this backdrop, the Swiss DT13 and Swiss DT26 models have undergone significant modifications that are aimed at improving their rigidity and their axis feed rates. Moreover, the TISIS programming software has been enhanced to enable maximum performance and productivity. CT20: For a rapid return on investment The CT20 is a small and sturdy machine that is easy to use with its five linear axes and two C-axes. In its basic configuration, the CT20 machine comes equipped with drive motors for driven tools for main and back machining operations. Next to the counter-spindle, the machine can accommodate two driven tools for…

Melbourne lawyers Rigby Cooke have been announced as the exclusive Corporate Partner for legal for the Australian Manufacturing and Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), cementing their ongoing commitment to servicing Australia’s manufacturing industry. The partnership formalises a longstanding relationship between Rigby Cooke and AMTIL, and follows Rigby Cooke’s recent opening of a business hub in Melbourne’s South East, a region which accounts for 44 per cent of Victoria’s manufactured product. Rigby Cooke Lawyers Managing Partner Bill Karvela said the partnership was a perfect fit. “We have an extensive background with manufacturing clients, and we understand the challenges this industry faces, but also the great opportunities it presents,” said Mr Karvela. “Our manufacturing clients, small and large, benefit from the full suite of industry-informed services, including commercial agreements, acquisitions, intellectual property advice, employment and WHS, customs and trade advice, litigation, insolvency and tax advice, which we are excited to offer to all AMTIL members. “This partnership grows our existing commitment to the manufacturing industry, which will also be supported by our South East Business Hub in the heart of Victorian manufacturing – Melbourne’s South East. “Rigby Cooke believes that the manufacturing industry has a great future in Victoria particularly as many…

SLM Solutions establish a new organisational structure in cooperation with Raymax for Australia and New Zealand. SLM Solutions continues to respond to trends in the market as 3D metal printing moves from prototyping to large scale production and is moving to a new organisational structure as an integrated solutions provider and metal additive manufacturing partner taking an active interest in long-term customer success with the Selective Laser Melting technology. To provide excellent customer support, SLM Solutions is pleased to announce that Raymax Applications will be the first point of customer contact for Australian and New Zealand customers. Raymax is a strong and experienced sales partner in this region. This action is backed by the establishment of a dedicated team with strong R&D, applications, sales and service at SLM Solutions’ headquarters in Germany who will support customer project development in Australia and New Zealand. SLM Solutions will optimize support of Raymax starting by reinforcing the local service team for six months. We’re happy to focus on any requests and inquiries and to discuss the newest SLM® technology, available machine upgrades and range of service contracts available. Should you require support or information please contact Raymax on +61 2 9979 7646…

The new Manufacturing Modernisation Fund will contribute $50 million in co-funding over three years to support transformative investments in technologies and processes, as part of the government’s pledge to help manufacturing businesses innovate, develop global competitive advantage, and create new jobs. Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews says the fund will also “support businesses to upskill workers to maximise the benefits of technology” and is a “key part of the Government’s economic plan to create 1.25 million new jobs over the next five years”. Available funding The $50 million funding pool will be accessible via two streams: $20 million for grants of between $50,000 and $100,000 for small-scale technology and efficiency improvements $30 million for larger grants between…

A third-generation family company, Redline commenced operations in 1969 when the legendary record-breaking drag racer Eddie Thomas decided to turn his passion for designing and manufacturing automotive speed equipment into a business. He launched what has gone on to become a precision component manufacturing enterprise, and the drive, passion and high-performance commitment continues today through Eddie’s son Ken Thomas, now Redline’ Managing Director, and his son-in-law Ken Stuart, the company’s Director and General Manager. The two Kens lead a team of highly skilled and dedicated personnel. With an eye to precision, Redline purchased its first Okuma machine in the early 1990s. The company has subsequently developed an enduring, strong supplier relationship with the Okuma brand over the intervening period, with those early precision machines still in operation more than 20 years on. “When reviewing the market for our next new machine, Okuma was the standout with their professional proactive approach,” says Stuart. “It is one of the few companies which has had a constant presence in…

As a manufacturer that works primarily with automotive OEMs, as well as F1 engine manufacturers, aerospace, defence, rail and nuclear business sectors, Advanced Engineering prides itself on its quality management systems. As well as ISO 9001 accreditation, the Birmingham-based company can comply with all requirements, from other industry-specific criteria such as the TS: 16949 Automotive standard and the AS: 9100 standard, to meeting varying customer needs and expectations. The company has spent more than over £3m ($5.4m) on new equipment in the last five years; two of the most recent arrivals have been a VARIAXIS i-700 five-axis machining centre and a Quick Turn 250 turning centre, both from Mazak. This now gives the company a total of 19 Mazak machines, which undertake everything from complex prototype work through to automotive production projects. Such activities entail all levels of…

Just like the world-class manufacturers have done, mid-sized Australasian manufacturers want to increase production efficiency, improve quality and traceability, whilst improving the customer experience by being continuously updated. IIoT technology is a key part of Industry 4.0 and large multinational corporations have already adopted it as an essential part of doing business. It’s not good enough to adopt elements of IIoT for the sake of it though, there needs to be a clear perspective to identify the revenue and profit values at stake, the expected time frame to implement it, the technical enablers required, the optimal level of investment in technologies and services, and the capabilities that must be developed to ensure success. According to the report IIoT platforms: The technology stack as value driver in industrial equipment and machinery…

Are you considering implementing manufacturing control software in your business but unsure of the applications? Or have you just heard about control software and want to learn more? Here are the top seven reasons why manufacturers are choosing manufacturing control software: Improved planning processes While the product is being manufactured, the materials used are tracked to allow you to order materials in advance instead of realising too late, creating a smart manufacturing process. Reduced cycle times Through the use of manufacturing control software, manufacturers have greater visibility and control of the order process from step one right through to completion and the final shipment. By having all steps in the process automated, scheduled and with materials in full supply, there is less chance for scenarios to crop up that would delay the manufacturing process, hence reducing the cycle times. Improved product quality Every part that…

Robots that process tubes in an effective and flexible way have already been used for some time in transfluid’s production cells. Since the beginning, these bending systems have been capable of taking isometrics data and using them to generate bending data, without the need for separate robot programming. The high-tech engineering company has now taken the development of its bending robots one step further and improved them again. “We wanted a solution that was even easier to use. This applies to the programming, which has been reduced or completely eliminated,” explains Stefanie Flaeper, Director at transfluid. “And at the same time, we have managed to make the robots even more flexible. It was a very big challenge to significantly improve bending robots that were already working extremely well. That is why I am even happier that our team of experts has been successful.” Synchronised and clear identification Tried and tested transfluid bending units with two robots can bend long tubes from both sides. This way the tubes can be supplied already with forming…