February 23, 2018
HP has expanded its HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing technology into Australia, announcing iOrthotics as the first commercial customer to purchase an HP Jet Fusion 3D 4200 Printing Solution in the country. Adopting HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing technology will allow iOrthotics to become one of the first orthotics manufacturers in the world to have completely transitioned from polypropylene milling to 3D additive manufacturing – a faster, more sustainable method producing custom-made orthotics devices that are significantly stronger. iOrthotics recognised the economic benefits that would flow from digitising their operations and shifting to the market’s most advanced 3D printing innovations to produce products faster, superior in quality and with almost zero waste. “Patients depend upon their orthotics for comfort and wellbeing, so it is only natural that they expect these devices to be strong, sturdy and dependable,” said Dean Hartley, founding Director and General Manager, iOrthotics. “The extensive research and testing we conducted with the University of Queensland provided the empirical evidence that devices manufactured by HP’s Multi Jet Fusion 3D…
February 16, 2018
The Telstra Business Awards offer entrants, finalists and winners a range of benefits and opportunities including a comprehensive Business Benchmark Report with actionable advice and insights, as well as access to exclusive masterclasses and networking events. For the 26th year running, the Awards are giving Australia’s best small and medium businesses (SMBs) and charities a chance to shine among their peers, and to demonstrate that they are ‘that’ business – a leader in their field. Vicki Brady, Telstra Business Awards Ambassador and Group Executive, Consumer and Small Business, said the Awards are part of Telstra’s commitment to SMBs: “As a technology company and trusted advisor to SMBs, we are proud to be able to continue empowering businesses by providing them with the tools they need to enable their future success, and we’re there to celebrate with them with these awards. “From the personalised Business Benchmark Report and networking opportunities, to the national recognition finalists and winners receive, the Telstra Business Awards not only support innovation and inspiration in our business…
February 16, 2018
Set to run well past 2040, the three-part, continuous build program will include 12 submarines, nine frigates and 12 offshore patrol vessels (OPVs). Canberra hopes it will do away with the cyclical, feast/famine nature of the sector, allowing it to build up muscle tissue, target export markets, and improve the digital literacy of the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) involved. As Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull put it, when the winning Future Submarine bid was finally announced in 2016: “The spin-offs to the rest of the economy will be immense.” The nature and magnitude of spinoffs from this “generations-long national endeavour” of naval work will be known later. However, the efforts needed to grow the SMEs (there are an estimated 3,000 SMEs in the sector, according to the Defence Industry Policy Statement) that will support the endeavour are already underway. The Australian Manufacturing Growth Centre has described the submarine project, properly approached, as offering a “moon-shot opportunity” for…
February 16, 2018
One such company that exemplifies this is Hizeaero, a South Korea-based aerospace structure manufacturer, which utilises the Faro Edge ScanArm HD to conduct its safety inspections across its projects. Established in 1999, Hizeaero first started supplying aircraft wings to various domestic and international aircraft manufacturers. The company’s operations later expanded to include the entire aircraft manufacturing process, ranging from aircraft assembly to refurbishment maintenance, and the production of aircraft components – such as sheet metal machining and surface treatment. In 2017, Hizeaero set up its third factory, occupying a total area of 11,000 square metres in Busan. Some of the aerospace industry’s biggest names are Hizeaero’s customers. They include Boeing, AVIC International, COMAC, ShinMaywa, ACM, ST Aerospace, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), Korean Air and Asiana Airlines. A new challenge In 2016, Hizeaero signed a supply contract…
February 8, 2018
The Entrepreneurs’ Programme is a Commonwealth Government flagship initiative focused on raising the competitiveness and productivity of eligible companies at an individual level. The Programme forms a part of the Australian Government’s Economic Action Strategy and deploys more than 100 experienced Advisers and Facilitators, offering support to businesses through three key elements: Business Management Business Growth Services Supply Chain Facilitation Innovation Connections Accelerating Commercialisation To run a successful business, it’s not enough to have a great product or service. You also need to understand your challenges and continually identify and leverage growth opportunities to improve your business performance. This is where the Entrepreneurs’ Programme can help. The Business Management element of the programme provides practical support to help businesses improve and grow through strong, sustainable strategic business management and business capability. The Business Management element offers: On-site support from an industry specialist Business Adviser or Business Facilitator who will give you objective insights and recommendations aimed at helping you improve and grow your business. Funding through matched grants of up…
February 8, 2018
GE is investing US$10m globally over the next five years to create a pipeline of additive manufacturing experts to accelerate advanced manufacturing under its Additive Education Program. A hand-picked team of GE specialists evaluated and selected eight universities to receive the 3D printing equipment, with UNSW the only recipient outside the US. “This is a wonderful opportunity for GE to partner with UNSW and continue to grow the design possibilities for Australian engineers,” said Max York, GE’s CEO for Australia. “This collaboration will help UNSW and GE to take the lead in fostering the next generation of additive manufacturing technology in Australia.” Tom Gleeson, General Manager for Global Sales at GE Additive added: “That UNSW would be selected from 250 college and university applications under the GE Additive Education…
February 8, 2018
At the threshold of Industry 4.0—the technology and innovation Industrial Revolution—we are only beginning to notice a profound shift taking place. The magnitude of this transformation is, according to the founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum, Klaus Schwab, unlike anything that humankind has experienced in history, and the industry poised to lead the Australian economy into the 21st century is advanced manufacturing—an industry in the midst of a historic transformation across the entire industrialised world. The Productivity Commission has already confirmed that the labour market will change significantly over coming years, and while the enormity of…
February 8, 2018
One such opportunity became apparent as Productivity Improvers, a Lean consultancy and training businesses, were coming to terms with the loss of the Simulated Work Environment (SWE), a unique training facility that was owned and housed at Caterpillar’s facilities. The SWE had traditionally been used by Caterpillar to teach the Lean manufacturing principals that underpinned its productivity across the world. Productivity Improvers had only recently developed a three-day, nationally accredited training course in Competitive Systems and Practices (Lean) that utilised the SWE. The course had seen attracted demand from industry, and delivered amazing results. “We had to find a practical way to keep the SWE here in the North-West,” says Productivity Improvers Director Clynton Jaffray. “The potential for it to positively contribute to improving the culture and productivity of business in our State was obvious.” One of the biggest advocates for the SWE was Lee…
February 8, 2018
January marked a 16th month of expanding or stable conditions for the Australian PMI – the longest run of expansion since 2005. For the third consecutive month all seven activity sub-indexes in the Australian PMI expanded, with six accelerating their pace of growth. Five of the eight manufacturing sub-sectors expanded in January (according to trend data), led by the very large food & beverages sub-sector (61.4 points). Large differences in conditions were evident, with the petroleum, coal & chemicals sub-sector recording its highest monthly result in almost a decade (67.9 points) while the textiles & clothing sub-sector recorded its lowest monthly result in a similar timeframe (33.5 points). The input prices (down 1.1 points to 69.7) and wages (down 1.1 points to 59.1) sub-indexes continued to recede from November’s historic highs, while the selling prices sub-index indicated mild price reductions in January (down 4.2 points to 49.2). Manufacturers…
February 1, 2018
Victorian Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll announced the opening of nominations on 31 January during a visit to Carbon Revolution in Geelong, a manufacturer renowned for its innovative carbon-fibre wheel technology. Manufacturing is worth $27.7bn to the Victorian economy and employs 286,000 Victorians across more than 13,000 businesses. In 2016, manufacturing experienced the fastest employment growth of any industry in Victoria with around 40,000 new jobs created. This year’s theme is Advancing Victorian Manufacturing, which highlights innovation and the strengths of Victorian companies in advanced manufacturing. The 2018 awards will feature a new award, Woman Manufacturer of the Year, to recognise outstanding women working in the manufacturing industry. Other categories include Young Manufacturer of the Year, Manufacturer of the Year and Leader in Workforce Skills Development and Company Induction. Awards will also be given to companies operating in high-growth manufacturing sectors: transport, defence & construction technologies; medical technology and pharmaceuticals; new energy technologies; and food & fibre. “I’m proud that this year’s awards feature the new Woman Manufacturer…
February 1, 2018
The plan is designed to boost Australian industry, increase investment, and create more jobs for Australian businesses. According to the Government, a strong, exporting defence industry in Australia will provide greater certainty of investment, support high-end manufacturing jobs, and support the capability of the Australian Defence Force. The Defence Export Strategy includes several new initiatives and investments, including: A new Australian Defence Export Office, which will work hand-in-hand with Austrade and the Centre for Defence Industry Capability to co-ordinate whole-of-government efforts, providing a focal point for defence exports. A new Australian Defence Export Advocate, who will provide high-level advocacy for defence exports and work across industry and government to ensure all efforts are co-ordinated. A new $3.8bn Defence Export Facility administered by Efic, Australia’s export credit agency. This will help Australian companies get the finance they need to underpin the sales of their equipment overseas. According to the Government, it will provide confidence to the Australian defence industry to identify and pursue new export opportunities…
February 1, 2018
The Thai Government understands that manufacturing will be a key driver of the country’s long-term economic growth and has been encouraging companies to establish facilities in their territories through tax and other incentives. As a result, the country today has flourishing automotive and aerospace sectors that require suppliers. SK Precision has around 50 people working two shifts servicing their traditional market of cutting carbide tools and PCD tools. “We have been operating for over 20 years and know the local Thai market intimately,” says Tibordee Srikul, President of SK Precision. “We saw an opportunity in the tap grinding segment as until now companies could only source taps from overseas suppliers and that means longer lead times of up to three months and higher cost. Our customers want just-in-time products so they can reduce stock and inventory costs. Having a local supplier who can deliver taps in a short period of time helps them achieve a more efficient supply chain. “Taps are…
February 1, 2018
Lapp Australia – headquartered in new 3100sqm premises at Eastern Creek, Sydney – will meet demand nationally for technologies used in future-focussed areas of industry, such as automation, robotics, energy management, data distribution and intelligent manufacturing, buildings, infrastructure and process engineering. Lapp Australia General Manager Simon Pullinger says the new facility – opening in February – will bring new levels of service and choice to the Australian market, offering more than 1,000 product lines onshore as well as direct access to more than 40,000 standard items from Lapp’s global ranges. “We are offering a one-stop shop for highly integrated, efficient and reliable systems which comply with the leading Australian, European and American compliance and quality standards, which are among the most demanding in the world,” says Pullinger. “In addition to major Lapp brands, Lapp Australia will focus strongly on world-class total solutions incorporating highly compatible components from the one source. This integrated approach will save customers time and money when assembling optimum solutions to their particular needs,…