Industry News

Walter AG has a wide range of solutions tailored to its customers’ individual needs. This means that they can always select the best tool and the most cost-efficient machining process. In addition, starting values and cutting data can be determined in a matter of seconds. The user benefits from process reliability and saves valuable time and money. These innovative solutions enhance Walter’s range of machining services and ensure a consistently smooth process – even from outside the production hall. Dramatically reduce wear with the wear optimisation app The latest solution from Walter helps users to get the best use out of their tools by reducing wear rates and therefore associated costs. The app can identify all wear patterns on indexable inserts and solid carbide tools in turning, drilling, threading or milling applications. Each wear pattern is shown with a zoom function, both graphically and in high-quality photos.…

October’s shift to mildly expansionary conditions in the Australian PMI was driven by stronger growth in exports (up 6.0 points to 56.0), sales (up 3.6 points to 55.0) and new orders (up 6.4 points to 54.7). Readings above 50 indicate expansion in activity, with the distance from 50 indicating the strength of the increase Three of the eight manufacturing sub-sectors expanded in October (that is, above 50 points in three-month moving averages): printing & recorded media (down 6.0 points to 56.8), machinery & equipment (up 1.3 points to 54.1), and petroleum & chemical products (up 2.7 points to 55.4). The food and beverages sub-sector lost some steam but remained stable (down 2.4 points to 50.4).               The metal products sub-sector slipped back into negative territory (down 4.1 points to 47.2), while textiles & other goods (down 7.9 points to 32.5), wood & paper products (down 9.8 points to 38.8) and non-metallic minerals (down 0.7 points to 45.3 points) all moved further into contraction. “The lift of…

Since 1991, Integra Systems has worked with hundreds of Australian businesses and helped them deliver award winning results that enhance their prosperity in both local and global markets. With innovation as the cornerstone of its culture, Integra has enabled and empowered clients in key areas of industrial design, product design engineering and mechanical engineering, via highly efficient in-house advanced manufacturing systems and project management expertise. Integra TransForm focuses mainly on innovative ways of enhancing business performance. The division was created this year with the acquisition of Integra’s revolutionary Salvagnini L5 fibre-optic laser cutter. The fibre optic laser technology has empowered Integra to manufacture its own new products and bring them to the market. It has also provided Integra with the ability to experiment, co-create and involve their customers in the entire process, from design through to manufacture. Integra TransForm’s most recent releases are the WorkSmart Collection and the Pro-Click Collection. The WorkSmart collection comprises of sit-stand ergonomic solutions, the BioSmart and the AeroSmart, aimed at relieving desk-bound professionals and industrial workers…

Historically, renewable energy technologies could not compete with conventional fossil fuels and were reliant on government subsidies to be competitive. However, continuous innovation and economies of scale have driven down the cost of at least the more mature clean technologies, such as wind and solar, to the extent they are now near parity with conventional electricity production. Another perceived obstacle to large-scale implementation of wind and solar farms is the variable nature of these energy sources. However, fast developing energy storage technologies are addressing this obstacle. A world-first large-scale solar farm with integrated battery storage is being built in the Lakeland region of north Queensland. The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)’s CEO Ivor Frischnecht has said: “Battery storage will play a critical role in our future energy systems. The benefit of adding batteries to solar farms is simple; they store energy from the sun for use at peak times and overnight. They can also smooth solar energy…

The company specialises in the production of innovative and modern castings for a variety of different industries, including transport and aerospace. Alphacasting has carved an enviable reputation for the quality, precision, reliability, compliance and on-time delivery of all the casting projects it works on with clients. It is through its commitment to high standards that Alphacasting has perfected a rigorous quality control system to inspect all the parts it produces. The challenge Alphacasting uses traditional tools, such as conventional fixed co-ordinate measuring machines (CMMs), X-ray inspection systems, callipers and fixtures, to perform quality control inspections on the parts it manufactured. However, according to Steven Kennerknecht, Head of Engineering for Alphacasting, getting good information quickly on every occasion a part needed to be inspected was difficult at best. In particular, for the development of a recent aluminium casting for the lube and scavenge pump on the passport engine for Bombardier’s Global Express ultra-long-range business jet series, quality control processes were to…

AMT: Firstly, what’s your view on the state of manufacturing in Victoria. Wade Noonan: There’s a lot said about manufacturing, and I guess the point that needs to be very clear from the outset is manufacturing is alive and well in Victoria. It’s a big employer. It employs more than 270,000 people. Manufacturing is in essence probably going through a period of transition. Someone said to me last week that advanced manufacturing was “the new black”, and I think that’s a reflection of the proud heritage of manufacturing in Victoria and a desire from those including in the Government to see a bright future for manufacturing in Victoria ongoing. AMT: What do you think are the great strengths we’ve got in the state? WN: In the three months that I’ve been the new Industry Minister, I have regularly visited manufacturing workplaces and I have been exceptionally impressed with the resilience of manufacturing, the capacity of large and small businesses to find new markets and new opportunities, the fact that they leverage the great…

Available in Australia through Industrial Laser, the All-In-Light cutting package from Precitec combines disc laser technology, laser light fibres and state-of-the-art cutting heads. The package is made possible due to a new, long-term strategic co-operation partnership between Precitec and German laser specialists Trumpf. Manufacturers of laser cutting machines can now benefit from this strategic co-operation, which makes the disc laser technology available for manufacturers of flatbed and tube cutting machines. The Precitec-Trumpf collaboration delivers the complete optical chain for laser cutting from a single source, and more specifically enables the advance of new developments in order to provide a perfectly co-ordinated, optimal package with a range of sophisticated features. Moreover, it has the benefit of combining state-of-the-art laser technology with innovative cutting head technology, along with the additional advantages provided by a ‘One-Stop-Shop’, leading to a reduction in complexity and easier sourcing and purchasing of parts. Precitec will continue to maintain its independence and co-operate closely with all laser source manufacturers. Therefore, the company can optimally respond to its…

Based in Dandenong South, Melbourne, Silvan Australia has been a pioneer in the development and manufacture of agricultural machinery since its establishment in 1962. In more recent years it has diversified into distribution of products from overseas manufacturers, as well as light manufacture of hardware products. The company’s involvement with the Entrepreneurs’ Programme began with a series of meetings between AMTIL business adviser Vineet Ahuja, and Silvan’s CEO Michael J Tricarico, its CFO David Young, and General Manager Frank Scotta. Through detailed discussions, data collection and site visits, Vineet developed a full understanding of Silvan, its operations, and the opportunities for assistance and support. “Vineet certainly understands companies like us,” says David. “I assume he’s had a lot of exposure to privately owned and operated businesses. He could see a lot of things we were doing right, and  where we could improve.” A Business Evaluation was submitted in August 2015, containing the Winning Measures benchmarking analysis for Silvan’s operations both in Australia and…

As a member of the AMGC, Thales will be able to play a pivotal role in influencing the future trajectory of Australian manufacturing and will directly benefit from the Centre’s upcoming Sector Competitiveness Plan. “The signing of Thales is a positive outcome for the Australian manufacturing industry,” said Dr Jens Goennemann, Managing Director of AMGC. “Fostering collaboration and connecting our local manufacturing firms and scientific research community with large multinational manufacturers is key to growing the sector and improving our global competitiveness.” Thales is a global technology leader for the aerospace, transport, defence and security markets. Thales in Australia is a trusted partner of the Australian Defence Force and is also present in commercial sectors ranging from air traffic management and ground transport systems to security systems and services. Employing around 3,200 people, Thales in Australia recorded revenues of more than $1bn in 2015. Thales has a strong commitment to manufacturing and innovation in Australia. The company has invested millions of dollars in manufacturing over many years, in areas such as sonar systems for navy ships…

In 2013, the global market for railway technology was approximately €150bn. This is expected to see an annual growth of 2.7% over the next few years, reaching an average annual value of €176bn before 2019. The railway segment has been a focus for Dormer Pramet for many years, with the company offering customers a wide range of cutting tools to help with both production and maintenance. Tomáš Hantek is International Application Manager for Railway at Dormer Pramet. “Railway wheels and rails are the most important components in any railway operation, as they represent the interface between vehicle and track,” he says. “Therefore, both rail and wheel surfaces must always be of the highest quality. Any roughness or irregularity in surface quality can create undesirable forces, friction, vibrations and wear, developing unwanted effects on…

According to the US consultancy IDC, there is a growing preference across the Asia Pacific region to invest in manufacturing automation compared with investment in innovation processes, as it offers more tangible benefits and a clear return-on-investment (ROI). In particular, in countries where wages are increasing such as Australia, Singapore and China, companies are looking for fast productivity gains that allow organisations to remain competitive while guaranteeing high wages. Unlike traditional factories, the smart factory sees employees working side-by-side with collaborative robots or ‘cobots’, using these robots as a multi-functional tool, like a screwdriver, packaging device or palletiser. Ensuring the safety of this type of working environment becomes particularly vital when bearing in mind that 85% of manufacturers now believe the connected workforce will be commonplace in the industry by 2020. In fact, IDC suggests that plant modernisation is a key technology priority for 2016…

“Once a niche market, 3D printing has continued its rapid transformation into a broad-based mainstream technology embraced by consumers and enterprises around the world,” said Pete Basiliere, research vice-president at Gartner. “The evolution of hardware and software along with an ever-expanding collection of usable materials has driven growth in both the consumer and enterprise 3D printing markets.” 3D printing is experiencing widespread acceptance beyond its application in specialist industries. It is being used to create prototypes, augment manufacturing processes and produce finished products. Industries in a broad range employ 3D printing to a modest extent. Gartner expects wider and more diverse growth to continue as new technology providers and processes emerge. Seven technologies constitute the current 3D printer market, with material extrusion forecast to lead the market through 2020, largely due to the low cost of entry-level material extrusion printers. Stereolithography printer…

Modern international rail manufacturing has increasingly evolved to focus on the production of high-tech, high-value components. For Australian manufacturing to keep up, there is much work to do to continue the evolution of advanced manufacturing in rail, focusing specifically on innovative research and development (R&D) activities. This is why the formation of the Rail Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) is great news for both the sector and Australia as a whole. It started with a roadmap The strategic direction for Australian rail manufacturing was outlined in the On Track to 2040 – Preparing the Australian Rail Supply Industry for Challenges and Growth Roadmap. Commissioned by the former Department of Innovation Industry Science and Research (DIISR), through the Rail Supplier Advocate, the roadmap was developed through intensive collaboration between industry stakeholders, government and the higher education and research sectors. It represented the consensus view of 210 industry…