March 16, 2021
From inflating your car tyre at your local service station or getting your car washed at the automatic car wash, many everyday tasks make use of compressed air from a type of piston or rotary screw compressor. Even when you get your fast food, the drinks that you get are being filled by compressed air these days. As technology advances in pneumatic equipment so is the technology used to make compressed air. Manufacturers like Peerless Products are always thinking outside the box for creative ideas to generate efficient compressed air while reducing power or fuel consumption. Power consumption is a key point for the Australian market amid fluctuations in voltage supply and rising costs. As advancements in electrical motors and variable speed controllers become more accessible and affordable, manufacturers are taking advantage of this technology. By implementing them in single-phase and three-phase rotary screw compressors, consumers get overall cost savings in the long run for the lifespan of the air compressor. Variable speed drives (VSD) give the consumer greater control of how they…
March 12, 2021
Currawong Engineering was awarded $150,000 from the Federal Government’s Centre for Defence Industry Capability (CDIC) Defence Global Competitiveness Grant last September. A great boost for the business, the grant has enabled the Huntingfield-based firm, a world leader in the design and manufacture of powertrain solutions for the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) industry, to purchase specialist plant equipment in order to expand its electronic production capability. This will ensure improved quality, reliability and lead times for its electronic speed controllers. Ultimately the CDIC grant will boost Currawong’s North American export opportunities, where most of its sales are currently made. Gavin Brett, the founder, CEO and principal development engineer at Currawong, advises that the total project cost is estimated to be around $300,000, with up to 50% provided through the CDIC grant. “The first item that we purchased (for this project) is an automatic optical inspection machine to inspect Printed Circuit Board (PCB) assemblies,” he explains. “Next, we are buying an electric component replacement machine…
March 12, 2021
The fund will be managed and administered by the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC), in collaboration with the five other Industry Growth Centres: AustCyber, Food Innovation Australia Ltd (FIAL), MTPConnect, METS Ignited and National Energy Resources Australia (NERA), and the CSIRO. Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the Commercialisation Fund will foster projects that bring industry and researchers together to commercialise new manufacturing products and processes. “Making science and technology work for industry is one of the central pillars of our Government’s $1.5bn Modern Manufacturing Strategy and this fund is just one of the ways we’re delivering on that,” said Andrews. “The Morrison Government is positioning Australia’s manufacturing industry at the cutting edge of innovation and this fund will help bring together the best of research and manufacturing capability to generate commercial outcomes. “We know that by making our manufacturers more competitive and helping them to take on the world, we will create jobs for Australians – both for the COVID-19 recovery and for…
March 12, 2021
Today, metalworking manufacturers have the luxury of options when it comes to selecting a suitable plasma cutting system for their operations. However, with globalisation and a competitive business environment, manufacturers have to grapple with demands for high-quality products delivered within a short period of time, while balancing upfront investments and long-term operation costs. With all these challenges to juggle, it may seem like an easy choice for companies to opt for low-cost cutting systems. However, to ensure their products are of high quality and that they remain competitively priced, manufacturers must consider the type and volume of cutting that needs to be done, and determine specifications that can impact the cutting applications, productivity, and accuracy requirements. So, the question is: how can one determine if a plasma cutting system can meet your production needs while keeping costs low? Here are three important considerations that manufacturers should factor into their decision. #1 – Is the system a proven solution? In general,…
March 12, 2021
The word “smart” gets tossed around a lot when referencing any new innovation. But what does it mean, really? “Smart manufacturing” is a broad term that can refer to a few different techniques and concepts. AI is at the heart of many of them, improving industrial systems and reducing inefficiencies automatically. Of course, none of this would be possible without human innovation. But the difference between automatic and manual processes is in the execution – humans tell AI how to do something correctly, and robots have a much better track record for speed and accuracy. Smart manufacturing is also defined by its use of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). You’re probably already familiar with the concept of the “Internet of Things,” which refers to the way technologies communicate with each other. The IIoT…
March 12, 2021
The program will provide grants for equipment upgrades, technology development and setting up new clean industries such as green hydrogen. Energy Minister Matt Kean said the Net Zero Industry and Innovation Program is about co-investing with industry to reduce carbon emissions and develop low-emissions technologies . “NSW was one of the first jurisdictions in the world to set a net zero objective, but we must get there in a way that grows the economy, makes our businesses and industry more competitive and puts us ahead of the pack in the low carbon global economy,” said Kean. “This $750m program will support the development of new clean technologies, create world-leading centres of research and development and help existing industries future-proof their operations.” Funding will focus on three key areas: $380m to support existing industries to re-tool with low-emissions alternatives and futureproof their businesses. $175m to set up low-carbon industries such as green hydrogen to create the jobs of the future. $195m to research and…
March 9, 2021
Based in Melrose Park, New South Wales, McNeall Plastics services customers across the broadest range of industries, including mining, energy, pharmaceutical, transport, automotive, packaging, building and construction, bulk handling, foundries and many more. The company continues to looking to the future to expand on its reputation as a leading supplier of high quality engineered plastics. Its latest acquisition is the recently commissioned Okuma Genos L3000-eMYx1000 CNC lathe, along with an OSP-P300LA controller and accessories. The new machine is already enhancing volumes and size capabilities in precision components and will allow the company to produce tooling for casting moulds in-house. “The selection of the Okuma machine was an easy one for us as the name is known throughout the industry as one of the highest precision machine brands available,” says Josh Budd, Managing Director at McNeall Plastics. “And the technical support and training from Okuma is just outstanding.” McNeall Plastics has the only major nylon…
March 9, 2021
The new UX range is engineered to bring to a wider range of users Yale’s value proposition – “Simply Efficient” – which has at its core the understanding that, if a forklift usage is only around four hours a day, companies don’t need a more expensive forklift that has been designed to handle all-day, everyday applications. The expanded UX family delivering this no-nonsense, uncomplicated approach to materials handling with efficiency and strong safety features now includes three-wheel forklifts in 1,600-2,000kg capacity, pallet lift trucks in 1,500kg capacity and stand-up and sit-down tow trucks in 3,000-6,000kg capacity respectively. “All are engineered to expand the long-established strengths of the Yale brand into wider markets seeking a quality, cost-efficient solution backed globally by service and customised solutions to meet users’ needs for applications requiring less frequent usage,” says Mark Chaffey, Hyster-Yale Area Business Director, Pacific. Yale is a leading provider of a full line…
March 9, 2021
The new precinct is a joint venture between Frasers Property Industrial, Aware Super and Altis Property Partners. With an end value of $1bn, will be a benchmark in Australian industrial development and cements the region as a key distribution hub in New South Wales. Strategically located on the corner of Mamre Road and the future Southern Link Road in the Western Sydney Aerotropolis, the development is Australia’s first industrial community. It is also one of Sydney’s largest industrial developments, spanning 70 hectares. The development will provide a significant boost to the Western Sydney economy and become a key employment hub for the region. In total, The YARDS is expected to generate over 3,500 jobs during construction and after completion, helping to fulfil the NSW Government’s objectives for growth in the region and the creation of the 30-minute city. Frasers Property Industrial CEO Reini Otter and Aware Super CIO Damian Graham were joined on 4 March by NSW Minister for Jobs, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres, Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies and Mayor of…
March 9, 2021
The majority of issues that arise in a job shop can be linked to miscommunication during the very first interaction with the customers and their request for quote (RFQ). Common errors are made due to a lack of or missing information in the source drawing, correct interpretation of the process layers in the source drawing and duplicate data in part names or part IDs, to name a few. These can occur in any one item of the quote request. Of course, with errors come unhappy customers who can’t rely on you to deliver exactly what they expected, and we all know what happens next. The good news is that these issues can be addressed, and your customers’ experience enhanced if you have a system in place that addresses the “Three Rs”: Records: Maintaining a record of each and every communication with the customer about their RFQ and their requirements ensures compliance to quality systems and reduces the cost of quality.…
March 9, 2021
Mars operates six manufacturing sites in Asquith, Ballarat, Bathurst, Wacol, Wodonga and Wyong and two sales offices in Melbourne and Sydney – which will be offset with 100% renewable electricity from the new Kiamal Solar Farm. The commencement of generation of the Victoria-based Kiamal Solar Farm, developed by renewable energy producer Total Eren, follows announcements from the Federal Government to modernise Australian manufacturing. The Kiamal Solar Farm has an eventual grid output of 200MW and spans more than 4.6 sqkm, featuring 718,000 solar panels. The 50MW that the Kiamal Solar Farm generates for Mars Australia is enough renewable electricity to power the production of 185 million 180g bags of peanut M&Ms; or 30 million 3kg bags of Pedigree; or 1.4bn bottles of Masterfoods tomato sauce; or 2.5 billion packets of Extra. Marking a key step in advancing Mars’s global Sustainable in a Generation goals to reduce its global greenhouse gas emissions by 27% by 2025 and 67%…
March 4, 2021
Businesses with a track record of reliability, performance and quality are best placed to serve our national defence procurement needs. One such company is Elexon Electronics. This Australian-owned, Brisbane-based company prides itself on delivering innovative solutions to customers from ‘niche’ markets, with an unmatched ability to offer turnkey solutions of electronics products using local suppliers and Australian resources. “Throughout the last 16 years, we have successfully developed a wide range of unique products serving the medical science, mining and automotive industries,” says Frank Faller, CEO of Elexon. “Now we are offering our extensive intellectual property (IP), ability to quickly innovate, and state-of-the-art manufacturing facility to defence suppliers.” Elexon’s growth and development over the past two decades means their customers now include many renowned national and international companies such as Rio Tinto, Newcrest, Volvo, Aurizon, Aim Lab, Agilent and…
March 4, 2021
Employers that are increasing both their headcount and payroll can receive up to $10,400 per year for each new job they fill with an eligible employee aged 16 to 29 years, and $5,200 for each eligible employee aged 30 to 35 years. To be eligible new employees must: Be 16 to 35 years old. Commence employment between 7 October 2020 and 6 October 2021. Work or be paid for an average of at least 20 paid hours per week during the reporting period. Have received the JobSeeker Payment, Parenting Payment or Youth Allowance (except if they are receiving the allowance because they are undertaking full-time study or are a new apprentice) for at least 28 consecutive days (or two fortnights) in the 84 days (or six fortnights) prior to starting employment. Deputy Commissioner James O’Halloran said that employers do not need to satisfy a turnover test for their business and the three-step process to access the credit is straightforward. “The first step for a business is to…
