Month: March 2021

Manufacturing economics determines a company’s profitability. With metal cutting, production economics should focus on ensuring these processes and environments are secure and predictable. There should be two ultimate goals: firstly, maintaining the highest production output; and secondly, the lowest production cost. These goals present challenges in steel turning operations, with bottlenecks, production slow-downs, or restrictions in the number of components produced per run. Now, there are the wider industry challenges posed by COVID-19. Manufacturers, particularly in mass production, are especially conscious of cost-per-part when managing steel turning operations. The basic principle of cost-per-part is calculated by the total fixed costs plus total variable costs, divided by the total units produced. The parameters of steel turning also depend very much on market demand, with a view to either reducing production costs or increasing output. Companies that manufacture automotive components, for instance, could face either high or low demand scenarios going forward. Low…

The flight of the first military aircraft to be designed and manufactured in Australia in more than 50 years flew under the supervision of a Boeing test pilot monitoring the aircraft from a ground control station at the Woomera Range Complex. “The Loyal Wingman’s first flight is a major step in this long-term, significant project for the Air Force and Boeing Australia, and we’re thrilled to be a part of the successful test,” said Air Vice-Marshal Cath Roberts, RAAF Head of Air Force Capability. “The Loyal Wingman project is a pathfinder for the integration of autonomous systems and artificial intelligence to create smart human-machine teams. “Through this project we are learning how to integrate these new capabilities to complement and extend air combat and other missions,” she said. Following a series of taxi tests validating ground handling, navigation and control, and pilot interface, the aircraft completed a successful take-off under its own power before flying a pre-determined route at different speeds and altitudes to verify flight functionality and demonstrate the performance of…

AC Australia CAD CAM Solutions is the authorised reseller of ALPAHCAM in Australia. AC Australia is dedicated not only to supplying software, but to delivering solutions that optimise the production of Australian manufacturers. Lead by Brand Manager, Blake McCrossen, the AC Australia team aims to work closely alongside all of its customers to ensure that manufacturing is enhanced as a result of their investment. Describing the benefits of ALPHACAM, McCrossen explains: “ALPHACAM is a customisable system that can be configured to generate and produce files for all CNC machines. We customise and integrate the software to suit each individual business’ needs. This allows AC Australia to provide a customised approach to improving manufacturing processes and ensures our customers gain the most out of their software investment.” CAD Translator functionality is at the core of ALPHACAM’s CAM (computer-aided machining) capability, as it can import and analyse almost any CAD (computer-aided design) file while applying tooling operations…

Robots are such an integral part of industry these days it is hard to imagine production facilities without them. However, their use requires strict safety measures, especially when they come into contact with people. A new generation of robots drastically minimises the risk of injury and offers other advantages: these new robots are made of a flexible material, such as silicone. The movement of the robot is created by a specific filling and emptying of cavities (often using compressed air or vacuum). An example of a soft robot already used in industry is the so-called pneumatic gripper. These actuators are characterised in particular by their high flexibility in gripping shapes and the non-destructive handling of fragile objects. However, the production of these flexible grippers is a challenge. The complex geometries and the many cavities make injection molding very complex or, in some cases, impossible. This can be remedied…

The scanner will be small enough to be placed in ambulances or Royal Flying Doctor Service aircraft and will give more Australians rapid access to treatment in the crucial first “golden hour” after a stroke. It is expected to revolutionise stroke care particularly for rural and remote Australians who are twice as likely as city stroke survivors to be left with a serious, lifelong disability. The Australian Stroke Alliance received $40m under the initiative for a five-year program to lay the foundations for a national and equitable approach to the treatment of stroke. Micro-X will receive $8m of that to develop the portable scanner using their unique technology. Stroke patients have a much greater chance of surviving and avoiding long-term brain damage if they are diagnosed and treatment begins within that first hour. “We are excited to be at the forefront in developing technology which has the potential to radically transform health care for all Australians,” Micro-X Managing Director Peter Rowland said. “This unique collaboration puts Australia and the Australian Stroke Alliance at…

An international study by car rental comparison website StreeFreeCarRental.com has ranked the top ten countries in the world when it comes to adopting carbon-saving electric vehicles, and Australia is nowhere to be seen. The electric vehicle market in Australia has faced various difficulties and the country is falling behind its global competitors. The Netherlands was found to be most advanced in the rollout of electric vehicle technologies followed by Norway and Sweden with France ranked in fourth place. Researchers looked at both electric vehicle sales per head of population and state investment in infrastructure and charging points to compile a definitive leader board of the countries showing the way when it comes to electric cars. The study highlights how much work there is still to be done for Australia to catch up with other countries in the race to net zero carbon emissions. Although there continues to be an undeniable upturn in electric vehicle sales as registrations hit 20,000, the percentage of vehicle sales that were pure electric in…

The emergence of cleaner energy options, and more ‘energy producers’ in the market, has increased the competition for your green dollar. There is already a clean alternative to fossil fuels that does not emit greenhouse gases and unlike solar and wind energy, can be produced at any time of the day or night, whatever the weather. Green hydrogen is made using clean electricity from renewable energy to electrolyse water (H2O), separating the hydrogen from the oxygen. Aside from the sustainability factor, one of the benefits of hydrogen is that it can be used immediately or be stored and transported for later use, making it a mobile energy source. It can also be used as a clean fuel for transport, for providing additional electricity to the grid,…

AMTIL has announced the opening of space bookings for Australian Manufacturing Week and Austech 2022, to be held in Melbourne from 8th – 11th March 2022. Significant discounts apply for AMTIL members who wish to exhibit at these events. Anne Samuelsson asamuelsson@amtil.com.au 0400 115 525 With AMW covering the entirety of modern manufacturing, and with such a diverse array of visitors in attendance, the exhibition will feature a number of dedicated Product Zones covering specific segments or aspects of the industry. These specialised areas will help visitors to AMW find the products and services of most interest to them, while giving exhibitors the option to choose the most suitable location for their stand. AMW 2022 will include the following Product Zones: AMTIL’s longstanding showcase of state-of-the-art machine tools and ancillary equipment. Additive Manufacturing. The latest advances in 3D printing, featuring exhibits from users, suppliers and supporters of additive manufacturing. Digitalisation (IoT). Exploring how developments in digital technology and the Internet of Things (IoT) are ushering in a new era of smart, connected manufacturing. Air Technology. Highlighting a range of cutting-edge compressor systems and associated technologies. Engineering Solutions. Engineering plays a vital role in modern manufacturing – this…

Project Details CWP Renewables is developing the Bango Wind Farm project in NSW.  Project Approval for the Bango Wind Farm was granted in December 2018 for the construction and operation of 46 wind turbines and associated infrastructure including a substation and transformers, underground and overhead cabling, operations and maintenance facility and access tracks.  The EPC Contract has been awarded to General Electric International Inc. (GE). The site is located between Yass and Boorowa, approximately 30km north of Yass, accessed via Lachlan Valley Way.  The site is situated across Yass and Hilltops Valley Councils. Early works for the project commenced in August 2019 with the commencement of the upgrade to the site access intersection on Lachlan Valley Way.  Following the completion of the intersection, internal construction will commence on the access road to the substation followed by all roads, hardstands, and foundations.  Construction of these assets is expected to commence in October 2019 through to February 2021. Please visit www.bangowindfarm.com.au for more information on the project. How to register an Expression of Interest This is an initial, general EOI submission and Work Packages currently available to submit an EOI for are listed below. Shortlisted SMEs will be invited…

Historically, a higher proportion of manufacturing sites are owner-occupied than leased in comparison to other sectors, but the ‘buy versus lease’ equation is not always clear cut and should depend on the specific circumstances of each business and its operations. As we discussed, manufacturers when leasing have tended to rely on the advice of commercial real estate developers and investors and their agents when structuring leases, far more so than other sectors. Structuring leases in the right way can significantly reduce operating expenditure and/or raise capital for investment in plant and equipment.  This can reduce payback periods for a capital project, while also providing the right balance of security of tenure and flexibility to enable future growth. A simple audit of a lease or no obligation consultancy will often reveal significant cost-saving or capital raising opportunities for a manufacturing business. Manufacturers currently accessing government grants to invest in new plant and equipment, or to create new jobs should be considering the right structure of their leasehold or freehold interests to support their objectives. For further information or a no cost consultation you can contact Dylan O’Donnell dodonnell@lpc.com.au +61 411 222 826 mobile +61 2 9235 1300…