Member News

In October 1981, the first Okuma DCMC for the Australian and New Zealand markets was completed and installed. That first machine, an MCV-A model delivered to a customer in Christchurch, New Zealand 37 years ago, is still in active use to this day. Okuma DCMCs are defined by their basic construction. Often referred to as bridge construction, Okuma prefers the DCMC description. The machines have fixed columns either side of a table that moves underneath an elevating cross rail (W Axis). The table is connected to the two columns, along which the Y-axis/main-spindle headstock travels. This is actually similar to the MB-V/Genos M Vertical Machining Centre (VMC) range, another market-leading product line for Okuma. The key for the DCMC is its five-face machining ability using a choice of angular, extended or high-speed attachments. For…

The oil & gas industry has suffered considerably over the past years, due to the global economic crisis that left the major manufacturing players – in both the upstream and downstream sectors – having to meet low market requirements for new reserves, while making severe cuts to their workforce, machinery output and further development. A positive shift in 2017 set new demands from well-known offshore deep-water oil & gas exploration companies for rig components such as pressure heads and valves, Xmas-tree and wellhead valves, and manifolds. Components of these kinds are all made from or with nickel base exotic materials that can resist extreme conditions such as high-low temperatures, high pressure, and most if not all abrasion and corrosion side-effects. Parting off Jet-Cut technology The Jet-Cut line provides advanced cut-off machining technology…

Drive north from Melbourne CBD for about an hour, and you could until recently have been forgiven for not noticing Merrifield at all. It won’t show up in a search on Google Maps; switch to satellite view and for the most part it’s just empty, green fields. It doesn’t have a Wikipedia page. Or a pub. But all that is set to change. The area is currently undergoing an ambitious development program, with plans to build homes for up to 7,000 residents, retail and leisure facilities, and a business park projected to create 20,000 jobs. And in addition, Merrifield is now home to one of the most advanced manufacturing facilities of its kind, rated among the top factories in the world implementing the principles of Industry 4.0. DuluxGroup’s new Merrifield site is the biggest water-based paint plant in the Southern Hemisphere, occupying a footprint of 22,000sqm – larger than the playing area of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). When it reaches full production, the $165m facility will produce around…

Construction & demolition (C&D) in Australia produces 19 million tons of waste every year, accounting for approximately 40% of the country’s total waste generation. It isn’t surprising then that the C&D waste management industry is an upcoming one in the country, with immense scope for business growth and employment generation. Presently, there are more than 500 active businesses in the C&D waste management industry in the country, making it a strong supplier of jobs and resources to the economy. As the name suggests, C&D waste is what gets generated from demolition activities at construction sites – either residential or commercial. Such waste typically comprises timber, concrete, wood, metals, plastics, cardboard and mixed site debris such as soil and rocks. Since C&D waste incurs heavy landfill levy costs, recycling it is a more cost-effective approach. As a result, most C&D waste in Australia gets recycled. In most Australian states, recovery rates are at…

Dr Foley is a world-renowned physicist and science leader most noted for her work developing superconducting devices and systems which have assisted in unearthing over $6bn in minerals worldwide. Dr Foley will start in the role at the end of September. She said her priority will be promoting science, STEM and women in science. “Australia’s future prosperity will be fuelled by science,” Dr Foley said. “Science which creates new industries, new jobs and shapes the minds and aspirations of our future leaders. We can’t keep thinking about science as something which is locked away in a lab. It connects and drives everything we touch and do. I’m looking forward to not just spreading the word, but helping shape the science agenda and raising the profile of the role of women in STEM.” Dr Foley is currently the Deputy Director and Science Director of CSIRO’s manufacturing business unit. She has been an advocate for women in science, for the communication of science and…

Under the theme ‘Strategies for Manufacturing Resilience and Growth’, the 2018 AMTIL National Conference will be held at Leonda by the Yarra in Hawthorn, Victoria, on 22 August. The one-day event will take delegates on a learning journey that will help them to build resilience in their businesses, explore opportunities for growth beyond their traditional avenues, and inspire them to think outside the square. These themes will be explored in a program that encompasses every aspect of running a business today, touching on issues ranging from the relevance of automation for small manufacturers, through to how you can develop effective leadership, communication and relationship-building skills, and much, much more. To address these themes, AMTIL has assembled an impressive roster of experts who will be speaking at the Conference. Inspiring speakers Iconic athlete Deanna Blegg will deliver the closing address at the 2018 AMTIL National Conference, in which she will be discussing ‘Personal Resilience’. In 1994, at the age of just 24, Deanna was diagnosed with HIV after…

Under the direction of Managing Director Eric Woodgate, Shamic rapidly gained the excellent reputation it has today for providing high-quality sheet metal units and parts for a wide range of customers – from small producers to large multinational companies including motor vehicles, electrical and electronic products and industrial components and parts. In 1985, the sheet metal specialists began manufacturing wood heaters, acquiring the rights to an array of well-known heater brands between 1998 and 2001, with gas heaters added to their impressive portfolio in 2001. Having grown extensively over the years, in 1998 Shamic moved to a larger manufacturing and warehousing facility in Croydon, Victoria. Today, Shamic manufactures and sells the full range of HeatCharm, Arrow and Coonara wood and gas heaters across Australia through a huge network of more than 150 distributors. With strong relationships with distributors across the country, Shamic prides itself on staying true to Australian suppliers and the industry, employing expert staff to support the local market. Remaining competitive Shamic provides a vast service offering for its customers, manufacturing…

Based in Lytton, Queensland, ART has developed Metaltek XB1200, an advanced robotic structural steel processing system that has the potential to help Australian firms better compete with cheap imported fabricators through lower costs, quicker turnaround and superior accuracy. David White, Director of ART, said the grant funding would enable the company to transition from research & development (R&D) to a production product. “This grant will help us cover the costs of building and installing a prototype system here at our Brisbane facility,” White said. “It will also help us complete and transport a display model they we can use for real-world demonstrations in Australia and overseas. This will help us generate leads with companies that are crying out for this kind of product, because we’ll be able to actively demonstrate the efficiency of this system in an industry neutral environment.” To mark the awarding of the grant, ART was visited by Senator Michaelia Cash, Federal Minister for Jobs and Innovation, and Ross Vasta, the Federal Member for Bonner.  Vasta…

With the theme ‘Strategies for Manufacturing Resilience and Growth’, this year’s Conference will provide delegates with insights and strategies that can help them to build resilience in their businesses, capitalise on opportunities for growth beyond the traditional routes, and think outside the square. The one-day event offers a program that touches on every aspect of life in a manufacturing business today, looking into issues ranging from the relevance of automation for small manufacturers, through to ways that managers can develop effective leadership, communication and relationship-building skills, and a whole lot more. We have put together a great program and a terrific array of speakers, who will be informing you at the Conference. I get asked all the time by manufacturers that want a chance to get into the defence industry: how do I do it? Well, come and hear what is involved in being a supplier to a major US defence company. Rick Shalders is the Director of Raytheon Australia’s Industry Development Unit. His presentation,…

Small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) are in the best position to excel in advanced manufacturing because their size makes them agile; allowing them to be more flexible, innovative and take more risks. However, their barriers to long term growth are their lack of planning and organising. The Industry 4.0 era, is one of automation and data exchange, with new markets, new products, new technologies and new ways to manufacture existing goods. For an SME to succeed in Industry 4.0, the question manufacturers need to ask is, where do we want to go and how do we get there? The answer is reliant on two key factors: Assessing practical areas of business management - namely strategy. Utilising grants to help develop their strategic plan and increase budgets. Getting strategy right – redefine the long-term Technology is an ongoing strategic negotiation that challenges businesses to evolve rapidly. The rapid pace of change means business owners have to work in compressed timeframes, making it harder to plan.…

SWI Engineering – Globally respected machinery SWI Engineering has grown steadily since the 1990s to become one of the largest sheet metal machinery manufacturers in Australia. The Warrnambool-based company now enjoys significant acclaim internationally as a high-quality manufacturer with the most comprehensive range of high-tech sheet metal machinery in the world, effectively competing against European and US manufacturers, where those companies tend to specialise on just one type of machine. Manufacturing sheet metal folders, automatic slitters and uncoilers, plus the seamless eBend app, the company now has a strong domestic market with volume export sales to United Kingdom, USA, New Zealand and Asia. SWI Engineering has recently commissioned an Okuma CNC horizontal machining centre model MA-600HII with OSP-P300MA control and ten- pallet facility, along with a Fanuc Robocut model Alpha-C600iA wire cutter with Fanuc series control. “Manufacturers rave about these machines as they are not too complicated with easy programming, are totally reliable,…

The new website has been designed to offer improved navigation and enhanced functionality, allowing users to gain easy access to all the products and services that AMTIL has on offer. Created with the user experience in mind, the site is based around a clear, accessible layout that makes it effortlessly easy for anyone visiting to find the resources they are looking for. Importantly, the site has been optimised for viewing on mobile devices – an essential feature in today’s digital landscape – as well as via desktop browsers. “AMTIL’s website is a vital portal both for our members and for anyone seeking information about advanced manufacturing in Australia,” said AMTIL CEO Shane Infanti. “The site has always performed exceptionally well by industry standards, both in terms of page visits and user experience. However, the world of digital media is changing constantly, and it’s important we retain an online presence that keeps in step with the latest innovations. We felt it was…

Back then the family business was focused on servicing, overhauling and repairing other watch brands. Five years ago, Josh and Nicholas created their own brand, Rebelde, which included the design, assembly and adjustment of the products. A huge turning point came two years ago, where the father-son duo decided to manufacture individual watch components themselves, rather than send parts out for sub-contract work. Not only was it a complete business change – it also means that Nicholas Hacko Watches is now the only watch company in Australia to manufacture their own parts. Josh explains that the decision to manufacture their own parts in-house was a “huge learning curve”, so they spent a great deal of time researching the best machinery for the job. The business needed a machine to enable them to continue producing the highest quality of watches for their customers, with timely and accurate service. With industry leaders in Switzerland favouring Makino over local Swiss manufacturers, Nicholas Hacko Watches followed suit. Josh says that the outstanding machine specs contributed to their…