Month: January 2022

Rows of computerised numerical control (CNC) machine tools sharing a workspace with industrial robots that transport machined parts, accompanied by a minimal number of machine operators, are already a common characteristic of the modern metalworking plant or machine shop. CNC machines are the catalyst that created progressive advances in computer data engineering that have enabled this new reality. Advanced multi-axis machines facilitate the production of very complicated shapes with minimal set-ups. Advanced milling and turning capabilities, combined together in multitasking machines, open new opportunities for effective process planning. Innovative CNC metal cutting systems are on the verge of single set-up, full-part production – the ultimate dream of every manufacturer. A quantum leap in CNC technology is enabling a practical understanding of machining methods that had been theoretical for a long time, such as power skiving. The progress made in the world of computerised numerical control is impressive. It has impacted related spheres such as workholding and toolholding – as well as the diverse world of cutting tools.…

Unfortunately, our use of plastic products is one of ‘make, take, and throw’, without thinking of its long-lasting impact on the environment. A recent CSIRO report, Advanced recycling technologies to address Australia’s plastic waste, showed human consumption of plastic over the period of 2016-17 reached some 3.4m tonnes. However, the following year, Australia managed to recycle less than 10% of all this waste! Reducing plastic waste is critical to our environment and our economy. Australia can no longer export waste to China, so we must find ways to deal effectively with it ourselves. Today, only half of our end-of-life plastics are recycled – some is compressed to go into landfill, taking decades to breakdown while exuding dangerous gases; some is incinerated; polluting the air; while other waste finds its way into the ocean with devastating consequences on bird and marine life. However, there is a way to rectify this by building a circular economy through effective plastic recycling processes. Due to plastic’s flexible…

“We were making around 3,000 HSVs annually,” says Stoddart. “But now we are producing around 9,000 different vehicles each year here at Walkinshaw. Most of those are left- to -right-hand-side drive conversions for our customers, including General Motors Specialty Vehicles (GMSV), and some of the most popular vehicles sell for up to $160,000. “We also do a performance up-fit for Volkswagen. They supply us with a complete vehicle and we transform it, enhancing the interior, wheels, tyres and suspension. Volkswagen is now co-branding with Walkinshaw with the release last year of the Volkswagen Amarok Walkinshaw W580, a four-door light commercial vehicle. That’s really big for Walkinshaw, co-branding with such a well-known global company, and there’s even a ‘Walkinshaw Station’ TV commercial by Volkswagen promoting the W580.” Racing car driver and automotive entrepreneur Tom Walkinshaw teamed up…

The benefits of technologies such as Big Data and artificial intelligence (AI) are increasingly apparent; when deployed appropriately there’s no denying their potential impact on an organisation’s bottom line. According to a study by Partners, businesses are reaping the rewards of Big Data and AI, with successful business outcomes almost doubling in the past half decade from 49% to 96%. More and more businesses across sectors are increasing their use of data, with 99% of businesses surveyed by NewVantage shown to have invested in data initiatives. The value of investments in Big Data has also increased 10-fold between 2011 and 2021, and this number is expected to reach US$100bn by 2026. The implication is clear: businesses across sectors are aware that optimal data-harnessing can deliver great value. To achieve this, however, they will need to tap into the right technological framework. Conserving natural resources has emerged as a non-negotiable priority for businesses in…

It is a well-known fact that the welding industry is facing a global shortage of skilled welders. In Australia and New Zealand, we know this only too well. Top welders are in very high demand and command substantial annual salaries. Many experienced qualified welders are now over 45 years of age, and Millennials or Gen Z are not queueing up to enter the industry in sufficient numbers to even replace the aging welders of today. The harsh reality is that the situation is not going to get any better in the foreseeable future. Significant demand is building for qualified welding operators in the mining, defence and manufacturing sectors. Competition for the limited welding resources is intense and requires premium rates to be paid to attract and retain the best available talent. Small to medium manufacturing businesses are finding it hard to compete in this environment, with many struggling to find and retain crucial welding personnel. Add to this the constant cost pressures…

Picture a machine shop that is free from dangerous chemicals and harsh odours, while also enjoying increased productivity and high levels of employee health & safety. Now imagine parts fresh off the machine with a finish that looks like they have been polished. One might wonder how this can be achieved. The answer is simple: Hangsterfer’s. Since 1937 US-based company Hangsterfer’s Laboratories has been committed to producing high-performance metalworking lubricants that are environmentally friendly and operator-safe. Hangsterfer’s coolants are certified with the top international safety standards pertaining to hazardous substances and chemicals – REACH, RoHS, VOC and Globally Harmonised System (GHS) – and have additionally gained approval for use in industries such as medical, defence and aerospace. GHS regulations require products to have the appropriate safety data sheets and pictograms for all hazardous materials. However, Hangsterfer’s coolants are free of hazardous ingredients and as such, do not require pictograms depicting any potentially harmful substances. “The manufacturing industry has…

The perception over recent years has been that Australia is not suited to electric vehicles (EVs) due to their perceived range limitations and the long distances we have in Australia. As a result, the adoption of domestic EVs here has fallen behind that of other countries. However, the reality is Australia’s EV manufacturing industry is booming, because this market is incredibly well-suited to EVs. Firstly, our renewable energy capacity (mainly solar) is growing at a world-leading pace, with the ability to provide a cheap and easily deployable recharging network. Moreover, a lot of major Australian industries lend themselves to EV deployment. For example, the use of EVs such as utes or trucks in the mining industry makes absolute sense. It is significantly safer (especially in underground conditions), but the vehicles are also cheaper to maintain, with fewer mechanical parts subject to wear in harsh conditions. Many mines in Australia are remote and already have plans to begin operating their own micro-grids, renewable energy plant and storage…

The hemp industry is worth more than US$3bn globally, and is expected to grow significantly over the coming years. The cultivation of industrial hemp was only legalised in Australia in 2017, and as a result our development of locally produced hemp fibre, seed, and oil-based products for global markets lags the rest of the world. Currently, the major constraint to market development in the Australian hemp industry is the lack of hemp processing facilities. AGCOM was established in 2006 as an agricultural business. Over the years, AGCOM has been involved in the engineering, design and development of machinery for the primary industry sector. Within the hemp industry, AMCO has accumulated a solid base of technical knowledge and expertise in processing equipment, built up over many years through collaboration with partners from Canada, America, and Australia. This knowledge has now been transferred to an engineering design for the development of a prototype mobile hemp processing machine (decorticator). The decortication process efficiently separates the short, woody interior fibres from the soft,…

Founded in 1986 by Managing Director Albert Carrion, Sharp Tooling’s strong investment policy has helped it maintain an enviable position in advanced general engineering. Its latest purchase is an Okuma VTM-2000YB model, with OSP-P300SA-H controller, and accessories including a Capto C8 60-tool automatic tool changer. The five-axis machine has a 2,400mm swing capacity with a 1,400mm turning height. The machine is so large, Okuma engineers from Japan as well as locally assisted in its installation. “This is my second Okuma machine,” says Carrion. “I have been overwhelmed with the technical support, information and training we continue to receive for this machine, even under COVID-19 conditions. This is the largest Okuma machine of its type in Australia and its precision, outstanding rigidity and five-axis capabilities will take us into new markets. We now have the capability of new large general engineering jobs, with opportunities to provide even greater service. I have always strived to offer something special for my customers and we can…

One of Enmin’s long-term customers is leading snack manufacturer Fine Food Holding (FFH) based in Keysborough, Victoria. The company was established around seven years ago by FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) specialist Jim Leckey and his partners. Together they shared a clear vision of developing and producing a range of innovative, high quality, specialty snacking products. To say the company has been successful is something of an understatement. From starting with just six employees, FFH now has around 250 staff with the company supplying both domestic and export markets including the US and Europe. FFH offers an extensive range of premium snacking crackers that include wafer crackers, seeded crisps and seeded flatbreads. Combining grains, fruit, nuts and herbs, the biscuits are an ideal partner for cheese and other toppings. In keeping with current customer trends, a gluten free range is also available. The company supplies its products to…

Allin has achieved a 25% growth in sales in the past 12 months, and employee numbers have increased from 20 to 30 in the past five years. Managing Director Penni Donato emphasises that 30% of the company’s employees are female: “Although they are not working in trades and manufacturing at the factory, but in customer service and in administration, we are certainly open to training both male and female apprentices in fabrication and auto electrical work.” Allin supplies the automotive trade and general public with towbar design, engineering, manufacturing, supply and installations. Its employees manufacture hundreds of types of towbars, custom-built for many different vehicles. These towbars are fitted directly to the car, either at the workshop, from mobile vans, or by resellers in their workshops. The company is a one-stop shop supplying rear steps, SmartBars, Bull-Bars, electric brakes, dual-battery systems, towing mirrors plus other caravan and 4WD accessories. They are also proud stockists and…

Thermoplastics are polymers that become highly flexible when heated, and hard when cooled. Their structure consists of monomer chains with weak bonds between them that can break upon heating. Thermoplastics can be heated and cooled a number of times without losing much of their chemical or mechanical properties. When heated, they can be moulded into virtually any shape. For example, a thermoplastic composite could be pultruded into a flat structure, and then bent afterwards to create a curved shape. Thermoplastics can also be shaped through injection moulding. In this manufacturing process, plastic pellets are loaded into a barrel where they are melted and injected at pressure into a mould cavity, which fills and solidifies to create the final product. Injection moulding can be used for more than just a standalone part, as it opens the possibility of over-moulding. During this process, additional components are…

We have all seen the politicians on the evening news, touring a factory and wearing their obligatory hi-vis vests. Almost every factory that I visit requires that we put one on. It is the accepted safety practice in any workplace where there are forklifts in operation. I appreciate the concern for safety, but I am amazed that we accept this as the best we can do to protect us from one of the most dangerous pieces of equipment in a factory. When we design any piece of automation equipment we are obliged by both law and morals to take all reasonable and practical actions to ensure the safety of everybody who comes into that plant. We undertake a detailed risk assessment and classify all the possible risks we can identify. For each risk we assess the likelihood of the occurrence (LO) happening, the frequency of exposure (FE), the degree of harm should it happen (DPH), and…