October 13, 2020
McIntosh specialises in supplying quality forage and feed-out wagons, tip trailers, manure spreaders and bale feeders to farms and vineyards and wanted to replace its existing ERP system to significantly improve its production and scheduling capabilities. The company has been designing and manufacturing reliable farm and agricultural machinery for more than 60 years from its Palmerston North production facility on New Zealand's North Island, after being established by the McIntosh brothers as a farm equipment maintenance business. The company provides its farming equipment through over 200 trusted dealers across New Zealand, Australia and Chile. The firm had concerns over its ability to plan for future customer orders, ensuring it had the right stock on hand to meet production needs. The management team also felt that as a family-run business with a loyal longstanding workforce, much of the knowledge and expertise is in people’s heads. Many processes are paper-based, and the company has over 6,000 production drawings featuring around 20,000 parts. “We found our…
October 8, 2020
A starting point would be to recognise that manufacturers across the developed world succeed not because they make certain products, but because they have invested in manufacturing technology, adopted sophisticated manufacturing methodologies and process techniques. They typically use a combination of three factors to remain competitive: advanced knowledge, advanced processes and advanced business models. But this is not new news. According the World Economic Forum’s Readiness for the Future of Production report, Australia is a “high potential” country for this type of future production. Key opportunities and advantages are arising for Australian manufacturing from increasing amounts of investment in digital technologies, but also from the integration of these new technologies into an increasing range of the manufacturing processes and supply chains. Manufacturing workplaces increasingly rely on technologies, methodologies and techniques (what we…
October 8, 2020
There are various types of cutting materials: cemented carbide, polycrystalline diamond, high-speed steel, ceramics and so on, and each type contains different grades. At various stages in the history of metal cutting, the introduction of each new cutting material and its use have led to a significant change in the level of cutting speeds, and consequently of productivity. However, if the previous century, especially its second half, was marked by the rapid progress of tool materials, today we do not see any significant new solutions in this field. Does this mean that the development of new tool materials has already reached its peak and is experiencing stagnation? Of course not. It is simply that the new developments are deep within the cutting material and are focused on its structure and can be observed only with the help of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron backscatter diffraction (EBCD), and other sophisticated methods. They cover a tremendously complicated world of…
October 6, 2020
The modern industrial robot has come a long way since 1961 when Unimate #001, the first industrial robot arm, appeared on the General Motors assembly line in Trenton, New Jersey. When entreprenuer Joseph Engelberger, the father of modern robotics, appeared on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in 1966 to demonstrate the Unimate, many began to envision a future where it might be possible for artificial intelligence to completely take over industrial production processes. Six decades later, we have not seen the Hollywood narrative of the 1956 sci-fi movie Forbidden Planet play out, where robots perform every task requested of them by their masters. And we are still some time away from full automation with a science fiction icon like ‘Robby the Robot’ taking control of manufacturing systems. We have, however, seen industrial robotics improve rapidly and adapt into its most commonly recognisable form: the SCARA (Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm, or Selective Compliance Articulated Robot Arm) format. For business owners and engineers, selecting the right SCARA robot…
October 6, 2020
With the aim of retaining QSP’s position as a key provider of metal spraying repairs for worn parts, Managing Director Neville Brokenshire looked to install the latest innovations in metal spraying technology, to ensure high-quality output and a more efficient, cost-effective process to integrate into its workshop services. Already utilising a fibre-coupled high-power diode laser by Laserline supplied by Raymax Applications for laser cladding with metal powder, Brokenshire sought advice from Dr Cédric Chaminade from Raymax in regard to improving output. A new coaxial nozzle was deemed the solution. High processing speeds with specifically designed coaxial nozzles used with Laserline fibre-coupled diode lasers provide distinct advantages, including low exposure time, strong metallurgical bonds between the cladding layers and substrate, low warpage, and short, highly energy-efficient cladding times. By introducing a new laser cladding nozzle, QSP has effectively extended the current available advantages to its customer base. A coaxial nozzle combines inert gas flows and metal powder with exceptional throughput capability. Additionally, protection glass monitoring…
October 6, 2020
The report, Averting an Escalating Labour Market Crisis for Young People in Australia: A Proposed National Job Cadet Program, argues that utilising parts of Australia’s apprenticeship platform in new occupations, not covered by the current system, will create the tens of thousands of jobs needed to avert a major crisis in the youth labour market. “There is very strong evidence that combining an employment contract with formal education and training improves employment outcomes,” said Professor Peter Dawkins, Vice-Chancellor of Victoria University and the report’s co-author. “This job cadetship program will help reverse the long-term deterioration in youth employment outcomes that the pandemic has intensified.” New research in the report shows that school leavers and recent graduates have been hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic. While there has been a small improvement in other parts of the labour market, recent graduates have missed out with 100,000 fewer jobs available than before the pandemic. Most concerning is the increase in young people who are not in…
October 2, 2020
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the plan on 1 October, which will see around $1.5bn in new funding invested over the next four years in a Modern Manufacturing Strategy to make Australian manufacturers more competitive, resilient and able to scale-up to take on the world. The centrepiece of the Strategy is the $1.3bn Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI), which will see the Government strategically invest in projects across six priority manufacturing sub-sectors, helping manufacturers to scale up and create jobs. Shane Infanti, CEO of AMTIL, was broadly positive about the plan, while stressing that the details to be unveiled in next week’s Budget will be critical. Infanti welcomed a $50m increase to the Manufacturing Modernisation Fund and greater commitments to government procurement and supply chains, while warning that the Strategy’s focus on six National Manufacturing Priorities should not leave other sectors at a disadvantage. “Identifying specific sectors we have a competitive advantage in and supporting these sectors with a robust, long-term plan…
October 1, 2020
Morrison made the announcement on 1 October in an address to the National Press Club. Under the plan, around $1.5bn in new funding will be invested over the next four years in the Modern Manufacturing Strategy, in a bid to make Australian manufacturers more competitive, resilient and able to scale-up to take on the world. “We make things in Australia. We do it well. We need to keep making things in Australia. And with this strategy, we will,” said Morrison. “The COVID crisis opens a new chapter for Australian manufacturing as a revitalised source of high-wage jobs, valuable exports and national income. “Our Modern Manufacturing Strategy is at the heart of our JobMaker plan. It starts with creating a stable and competitive business environment to grow our all parts of our manufacturing sector, but it does not end there. It will play to Australia’s strengths, improve collaboration and commercialisation, and create a sector that is modern, dynamic and highly skilled. “Through this Strategy, we are…
October 1, 2020
Victorian manufacturers continue to report the weakest results among the larger manufacturing states with the Victorian PMI falling further into contraction – down 6.4 points to 37.6 (readings above 50 points indicate expansion in activity, with higher results indicating a faster rate of expansion). NSW (down 6.7 points to 44.3) and Queensland (down 3.8 points to 43.3) also reported a decline in activity while South Australia rose further into expansion (up 2.1 points to 67.4), given its manufacturing sector’s greater number of clients related to agriculture. “The disappointing contraction of manufacturing and the slump in manufacturing employment in September is a timely reminder that recovery from the COVID-19 crisis, at least in its initial stages, will be tentative and prone to periodic setbacks,” said Ai Group Chief Executive Innes Willox. “Manufacturing activity was demonstrably dragged down by the Melbourne lockdown and associated restrictions in other parts of Victoria as well as the tougher…
October 1, 2020
In September 2001, aged just 18, Mike contracted one of the deadliest diseases on the planet, meningococcal septicaemia. His chances of survival were as little as 5%, and the infection left him with horrific internal and external injuries, including the amputation of both his legs. Mike spent six months in hospital, where he was told it could take years to perform even such basic tasks as walking and driving. His journey back to health was aided by a positive outlook, an adaptive mindset and a conscious decision to embrace challenge and change. Mike’s accomplishments as a double amputee include running again after many years, representing Australia in golf, climbing one of Australia’s tallest buildings, and supporting other amputees facing similar circumstances. Mike’s method of building resilience is simple yet effective: what can we take away from our life in order to improve it? He believes we are all far more powerful than we can ever imagine and must never underestimate our capabilities – a timely message for…
October 1, 2020
Based in Brendale, north of Brisbane, Bridgeman has been in operation for over 20 years. During this time the company has evolved into a specialist in stainless steel fabrication, with the ability to undertake fully customised designs, engineering and installation. Bridgeman’s work can be found in restaurants, shopping centres, domestic and commercial kitchens, and bespoke bars , as well as for leading food manufacturers in Queensland and across Australia. A key to Bridgeman’s success has been its ability to work within tight deadlines while producing complex solutions. To enhance this capability, the company recently moved into brand new purpose-built facilities with greater floor space. The nature of Bridgeman’s activities necessitated working around the clock and on weekends to meet tight deadlines. Third-party supply for profile parts also created delays. This prompted Bridgeman to investigate the purchase of a laser cutter for internal use. When Bridgeman began narrowing down the list of potential suppliers, Bystronic was identified as a leading manufacturer. To support the case for investment, several companies were asked to provide…
October 1, 2020
Through the Agreement, signed with ZEN Energy, 26 CSIRO-managed research sites in ACT, NSW, and Victoria will be supplied by renewable generation from two regional solar farms. This includes the iconic Parkes Observatory in regional NSW, the Canberra Deep Space Communication Centre in Tidbinbilla and the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness in Geelong, the site of key research in the rapid global response to COVID-19. The Agreement is the largest of its type in place for a Commonwealth Government agency. Dave Agnew, CSIRO’s Director of Business & Infrastructure Services, said the agreement will enable CSIRO to halve its annual carbon emissions associated with electricity use at CSIRO sites. “This is a very significant step towards being net-zero in our operations, and is in line with our broader remit to help Australia navigate to a low emissions future,” said Agnew. CSIRO’s energy research portfolio is delivering affordable, reliable and sustainable solutions for the nation. This includes innovation and simulations to support Australia’s electricity network transformation, and key…
September 29, 2020
The hub includes a significant high-tech industrial software grant from Siemens, as well as support by the Federal Government to participate in an innovative trial of a new Industry 4.0 teaching model in higher education. With these grants, RMIT joins a national network of universities driving change to help prepare students for the future of work. On Thursday, the Federal Minister for Education, Dan Tehan, announced the Government will provide a grant of $1.2m to enable RMIT to join a multi-university trial of an advanced apprenticeship-style Associate Degree in Digital Technologies (Industry 4.0). RMIT will join five other universities across Australia participating in the pilot, which will provide an opportunity for employees of local industry partners to gain skills in software applications, design and engineering methodologies, and practical problem-solving approaches in advanced manufacturing. The announcement reinforces a MoU commitment between Siemens, RMIT and Festo announced in June this year, to explore major areas of co-operation to help drive workforce transformation for Industry 4.0 in the Australasian region, including…