Industry News

Combined products and strategies address specific machining situations to provide the highest productivity. Current progress in rough milling operations, for instance, clearly illustrates the benefits of applying advanced metalworking technologies in an integrated way. Elements of the process The machine tool is the foundation of the milling process. To rough mill effectively, a machine must possess enough rigidity to resist cutting forces, as well as the capability to accelerate and decelerate axes at rates that maximise metal removal and minimise wasted time between cutting passes. Also, a powerful spindle facilitates high cutting speeds and aggressive application parameters. And finally, a machine’s CNC system must have computing power to sufficiently look ahead and meet rapidly changing demands for machining power and movement of linear and rotary axes. CAM software determines what those demands will be. In generating milling toolpaths, software developers must consider milling processes ranging from simple…

Australia is an island nation and it informs the way we see ourselves: remote, parochial and protected from global changes that threaten the status quo. However, in a digitally connected world, we are no longer sheltered from economic market forces. While digital disruption is nothing new, until now manufacturing has been relatively untouched by its presence. But as B2C experiences groom customers to expect ease of use and seamless transactions, B2B organisations can no longer afford to trail their retail counterparts in the experience stakes. This will be a huge change for the industry. Luckily for Australia, we have an opportunity other markets are seldom afforded. We have a window into the industry of tomorrow, leaning on the experiences of the US and Europe. In the US, digital effectively disrupted the entire market dynamic…

Romar was founded in 1968 by Robert Wilson, the company’s name a combination of his own name and his wife Marion. Robert began operations out of his own garage, before moving to a facility in Sefton in Sydney’s western suburbs. After a few years, Robert’s son Neil Wilson joined the company, and today he remains Romar’s Managing Director and owner, with Mathew Farag coming on board as CEO around three years ago. In the early days, the company’s business was based around providing tooling for the car manufacturing industry, but around 15 years ago it began to diversify into medical devices, initially producing silicone masks for Resmed. Today Romar is predominantly engaged in the medical sector, though it also works in several other high-tech industries, such as aerospace, lighting and electronics. While it still operates from the same facility in Sefton, it has spread to four other sites on the same street as well as…

CSIRO’s research is broad and its research capabilities traverse many scientific and engineering disciplines as it seeks to be a trusted adviser to Australian industry. A strong focus of the CSIRO strategy is to aid the transition of Australian businesses towards more advanced, sustainable and profitable practices – whether that be in agriculture, mining, energy or manufacturing. The recent announcement of CSIRO’s Future Science Platforms (FSPs), an investment in breakthrough research growing to $52m per year over five years, demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to undertaking fundamental science in areas that will be critical to the opportunities and challenges we face in the future. One Future Science Platform is Active Integrated Matter (AIM). The AIM FSP, led by CSIRO’s Dr Danielle Kennedy, is looking towards 2030 with a focus on new discoveries that occur when you combine what are core research strengths for CSIRO: materials, processing, sensing, robotics, autonomous science and big data. According to a number of future forecasts, there will be dramatic and wide-ranging changes in the…

To compete with global manufacturing hubs, leading Auckland-based injection moulding company, TCI New Zealand (TCI) were looking for an automated solution that would offer a more cost-effective means of producing its customers’ products. TCI found the solution in Universal Robots (UR) - a global developer and manufacturer of six-axis industrial robots. TCI has now deployed two of Universal’s industrial robotic arms: the UR3 and UR5, to perform labelling and assembly tasks for the company’s EasiYo Yoghurt Maker line, as well as its storage bins. With a UR robot assisting, several key processes in the manufacture of these products have been automated, relieving employees of repetitive assembly processes and ensuring smooth production flow. The UR3 was the first machine implemented by TCI, with the costs of the robot recouped six months after it was first purchased. Satisfied with this return on investment, TCI then decided to purchase the UR5, with the payback period expected to be under 12…

This year’s theme is Growing Advanced Manufacturing, which highlights the opportunities for innovation in Victorian manufacturing. Award categories include Young Manufacturer of the Year, Manufacturer of the Year, Company Induction and addition to the Honour Roll. Awards will also be given to companies operating in high-growth future industries sectors, such as medical technology and pharmaceuticals, transport, defence and construction technologies, food and fibre, new energy technologies, professional services and international education. The nominations will be judged across a range of criteria indicative of best practice manufacturing, including innovation, adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies, business and environmental sustainability, and skills development. “The Andrews Labor Government is working with industry to create jobs, support growth and promote forward thinking in manufacturing, we want to recognise and acknowledge the achievements made across the sector,” said Acting Minister for Industry and Employment Philip Dalidakis. “Manufacturing is growing from strength to strength in Victoria, in the last 12 months the workforce has grown by 42,500 workers to employing more than 305,000 people.” The Hall of Fame Awards, which…

“Many local manufacturers have taken advantage of cheaper overseas production costs in the hunt for greater efficiencies and profits,” says Brett Cowell, Chairman of Partners at Cowell Clarke. “While the practice has become commonplace, that doesn’t mean it’s simple. Done right, it can be a very astute move and help open up new sales networks into global markets. However, offshore manufacturing is not the silver bullet for every Australian operator under cost pressure.” Through its membership of ALFA International, the global legal network Cowell Clarke utilises its local relationships worldwide to support Australian businesses transacting and operating in foreign countries. Cowell said for some companies, cheaper base production costs in offshore manufacturing may be offset by a number of unexpected expenses. “Difficulties in communication, blow-outs in set up costs, additional ‘political’ or administrative requirements and large minimum quantity demands can add significantly to the cost of offshore production,” adds Cowell. “Offshore manufacturing can also expose the company to greater intellectual property (IP) theft risk and quality control inconsistencies.…

AMT: Let’s start with your professional background and how you came to your role with the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre? Jens Goennemann: For the past 20 years I have been working for Airbus, eight of them based here in Australia responsible for the Australian and New Zealand operations. When it was more than time to go back to Europe, it became a family decision to give it a miss – Australia had become my home. So, it came that I joined the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre earlier this year, and as anticipated it is a very interesting and promising opportunity. Manufacturing in Australia isn’t what the public perceives it to be, and I felt that we could do something quite extraordinary if we started to believe more in our potential – especially from what I have seen coming from previous experience at Airbus by working closely with innovative Australian manufacturers. AMT: And what is the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre? Why was it established, and what are its objectives? JG: The…

Most people have little to no understanding of how vibration can be used in product handling. However, this technology has been successfully used in many materials handling applications for years and can be of great benefit when it comes to cost-efficient materials handling and packaging processes. Vibratory equipment can be applied in a wide range of processes: Moving product from A to B In most production processes there are requirements to move ingredients, parts or finished product from one point to another. Automation is critical to productivity and a vibratory feeder provides the ideal solution. It offers a range of significant advantages over a conveyor, including: It is easy to install. It is hard-wearing. It is highly compatible with hygienic environments. It is easy to clean. There is no carry-back on…

Annaliese is the Managing Director at Headland Machinery Pty Ltd and CEO of Klugo Pty, based in Burwood, Melbourne. Adam is the Managing Director of Nichol Industries Pty Ltd, from Nunawading, Melbourne. Andrew is the General Manager of Bolts & Industrial Supplies Pty Ltd. “I’m delighted to welcome Annaliese, Adam and Andy to the AMTIL Board,” said AMTIL CEO Shane Infanti. “All three are well-known figures who enjoy a great deal of respect and credibility across the industry. The experience and acumen they will be able to provide will be of enormous value to AMTIL and to our members. They will be great additions to the team.” Annaliese, Andrew and Andy join existing Board Members Brigitte Stavar, Mark Dobrich, Paul Philips and Phil Xuereb, with Paul Fowler continuing as AMTIL’s President. The new arrivals coincide with the departure of two longstanding members: Pat Boland of ANCA Pty Ltd and Saxon Fletcher of Metal Cutting Technology Pty Ltd. Both have stepped down after eight years, with Pat also…

Funded by the Federal Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, Food Innovation Australia Ltd (FIAL) was set up just over three years ago to encourage commercially driven collaboration and innovation in the Australian food and agribusiness industry. FIAL operates across the entire food and agribusiness value chain, from growers, raw material producers and manufacturers, to packaging, sales, marketing and retail providers, through to final users of the sector’s output. FIAL works with major food manufacturers, universities, scientific research organisations, supermarket chains and industry groups across Australia. There are around 180,000 food and agribusinesses nationally, and they can all use FIAL’s services. “We are currently working with Data 61, to develop a searchable directory for the sector,” says FIAL’s Managing Director Dr Mirjana Prica.” A vision for the industry has also been developed involving industry stakeholders from across Australia over the past year. This is due to be released in October.” FIAL offers a range of opportunities for the industry, among which are: knowledge of technologies…

The Krasser Centurio provides a complete solution for thin sheet applications, optimally combining both protective storage of coils and the precise and logistically efficient cutting of coiled sheet. Once the coil is loaded into the storage system, all movements of the material occur automatically without any physical labour. Storage and transport damage to material and edges is minimised. The automatic adjustment of slitting knifes with patented blade gap adjustment ensures precise strip widths and guarantees the best cut quality. Coil loading and slitting processes run simultaneously while guarded by a safety fence. To change a coil from the furthest coil storage position takes only two minutes; this process includes straightening and weighing the coil. According to Sheet Metal Machinery, these features and benefits make the Centurio the safest and the fastest coil processing and slitting system worldwide. Extendibility is absolutely the biggest advantage of the Centurio coil processing system. Depending on requirement and budget Sheet Metal Machinery is able to offer…

Demo3D is an advanced material handling demonstration tool that offers virtual reality 3D solution to designing, simulating, presenting and testing all material handling solutions. Demo3D stands out in the modelling world as it incorporates realistic physics to show the way loads and other model elements interact. The Demo3D world takes into account mass, friction, force, inertia, gravity, and momentum to represent the interactions between various model elements. Products on Demo3D conveyors behave according to real world physics. They can bump into each other, slide, jam, and even fall to the floor. You can interact with them as the model runs, using the mouse to pick them up and put them down somewhere else in the system if you want to; you can stop and start conveyor motors, and the modelled system will respond in the same way as the real system would. Demo3D allows to users to model the most simple conveyor or the most…