Month: August 2023

The Hon Tim Ayres, the Assistant Minister for Industry and Science appeared at Weld Australia’s National Manufacturing Summit, on an unnervingly mild mid-winter morning in Canberra. He spoke of the challenges ahead for Australia. “We must move fast in this changing environment. And everything needs to work together,” he said. After a decade of inaction by the LNP governments, Minister Ayres said his government was ready to sign on to actionable plans. There are some positive moves in the Powering the Regions Fund, the National Reconstruction Fund, Rewiring the Nation, and the Capacity Investment Scheme which was the start of the transformation of industry policy in Australia. What’s needed though, as stipulated by other speakers at the event was the biggest piece of economic policy since the post-WW2 Marshall Plan. The EU, Canada, and the US have all brought their programs into action, pushing manufacturing and construction in the States with their IRA and CHIPS Act. According to the CEO of…

RMIT University’s exciting Discovery to Device (D2D) advanced manufacturing facility will open this September at its city campus in Melbourne. The $16.7m Victorian Medical Device Prototyping and Scale–Up facility will enable entrepreneur start-up manufacturers and researchers to work together to develop new medical technologies for healthcare and diagnostics. Earlier this year, Victorian Minister for Higher Education, Gayle Tierney announced $12.7m in funding from the Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund (VHESIF) for RMIT’s new facility. D2D Director, Professor Sharath Sriram says that this complex will be the first ISO-accredited prototyping facility in the Asia-Pacific to support rapid translation of partnered and industry-led research projects in wearable, nearable and flexible medical technologies. It will also follow the ISO 13485 standard used in the design and production of medical devices. The facility will be available for universities and industry across Victoria for collaborations on wearables (wireless electronic devices that can be worn as accessories, embedded in clothing or implanted in the body), nearables (smart devices that can sense and send data but don’t need to be attached to a person) and point-of-care…

The Royal Adelaide Hospital’s (RAH) fleet of 25 Automated Guidance Vehicles (AGVs) are responsible for distributing food, linen, waste, pharmaceuticals and stores, 24/7 365 days. The AGV system controls 14 dedicated lifts and services 31 lobbies over 9 floors, including 44 CSSD operating suites. The hospital aisles are shared with staff and other traffic therefore the on-board safety sensors allow the vehicles to avoid personal injury and damage to the payload, surrounding items and infrastructure. The new flexible AGV control system offers many benefits, such as lower operating costs, reduced transport damage and consistent delivery times. Customer requirements A hardware life cycle upgrade was required for the client’s existing fleet of 25 AGVs, located at the RAH. The existing AGV Control System also had limited support from the previous supplier. Technology had taken a significant step forward to a more modern, Window based, smart and easy-to-edit control software system. RA Health provided project consultancy from initial concept, through to design, implementation, and closure stages. MAXAGV confirmed the existing…

Industries such as mining, shipbuilding, and power generation have particular requirements for extremely large nut and bolt fasteners. These pose huge difficulties with applying specified bolt tensions because, for example, a nut weighing thirty kilograms is not going to be tightened with hand tools. These are installed or removed with sledgehammers, stud heaters, or torque wrenches, which might weigh as much as the person using them. Installation of such large fasteners is extremely time-consuming, can be hazardous to workers, and frequently may not result in even tightening of every fastener to the precise tension required for long and safe joint life. Disassembly for maintenance can be equally slow, hazardous, and damaging to equipment and production schedules. A proven best-practice solution is the use of the Technofast EziTite® family of hydraulic fasteners, which are proven in service to tension large bolts. Assembly and removal times are some 15-20 times faster than conventional means, while also cutting downtime and enhancing safety and joint precision. The fasteners are so efficient and swift in operation – including operating in hazardous, hot, underground, and confined spaces –…

Enhancing productivity and efficiency Investment in technology plays a pivotal role in boosting productivity and efficiency across industries. Through automation, artificial intelligence, and advanced software systems, technology streamlines processes, reduces human error, and accelerates output. Robotic automation, for instance, can handle repetitive and mundane tasks, enabling human workers to focus on more creative and complex endeavours. Moreover, the integration of technology in supply chains, logistics, and manufacturing facilitates seamless operations, leading to increased efficiency and cost savings. Fostering innovation and economic growth Technology has proven to be a catalyst for innovation, driving economic growth and societal progress. Investment in technology fosters a fertile environment for research and development, encouraging the creation of groundbreaking solutions to pressing challenges. These innovations often have far-reaching effects, spurring the growth of new industries, creating employment opportunities, and attracting further investment. Improving quality of life Investment in technology directly contributes to…