April 28, 2017

DMU 65 monoBLOCK – Dynamic, accurate universal five-axis milling

In its flexible extension ranges encompassing the five-axis machine with its dynamic NC swivel rotary table, the DMU 65 monoBLOCK masters all disciplines in milling technology, from roughing through to finishing at an uncompromisingly high level and at a very attractive price. With its DMU 65 monoBLOCK, DMG MORI is offering a world-class machine for all fields of industry. The uncompromisingly high quality of the DMU 65 monoBLOCK is apparent in its design details. In conjunction with the high-speed rotary axes of the NC swivel rotary table, these have resulted in a remarkable increase in dynamics, and, amongst others, the 45mm wide roller guides maximise process stability. Moreover, the DMU 65 monoBLOCK impresses with its three-point support for shortest possible start-up times. With a footprint of 8sqm, it is the most compact machine of its class. Despite the small space requirement, the DMU 65 monoBLOCK has an extremely spacious machining compartment. With axis paths of 735mm x 650mm x 560mm (in X, Y and Z), the entire NC…
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April 28, 2017

Techni upgrade for Nasa Stones

Based in South Windsor, NSW, Nasa Stones specialises in creating high-quality stone products, from kitchen countertops to fireplaces to marble walls on the inside of elevators. The team at Nasa Stones needed a waterjet system to work as hard and efficiently as they did. Hmoozi visited a Techni Waterjet customer to evaluate a live waterjet, and knew immediately that Techni was the company he had been searching for. “I left the customer’s location and was excited about what I saw. I was impressed with the quality of the Techni product,” says Hmoozi. “Seeing the Quantum NXT electric servo pump and the PAC 60 in operation was truly what I was hoping to find. I’ve been doing my research. Techni Waterjet comes highly recommended.” The seven-year-old company has recently relocated to a larger facility. Incoming power supply was an issue for the new location, but it was not a problem for Techni Waterjet’s Quantum NXT electric servo pump and the Intec 713-G2…
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April 21, 2017

How to create the perfect digital twin

Cutting tool data can in fact be gathered more accurately and used to create precise digital twin representations – a functionality that has become fundamental in the modern workflow to prevent errors at the machining stage. Today, such processes can be fully integrated with the user’s CAM software, and can be completed with a few simple clicks as part of an easy-to-use menu-driven process. In machining applications, it is not individual tool items such as toolholders, cutters and inserts that are used on machines, but tool assemblies. In many instances this creates a somewhat laborious task for the CAM programmer, where there exist several opportunities for error, not least failing to select the optimum tool items in the first instance. Furthermore, many typical tool assemblies can take up to an hour to create. With some components demanding the…
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April 21, 2017

Haas – Machine tools for the MotoGP simulator

I worked in a machine shop from 14 years old. I did two years of vocational training, and at 16, I worked in a plastic injection moulding business. However, essentially, I’m self-taught. Although I enjoyed my work, my true passion was rallying, as a co-driver and navigator. I competed and won several big competitions, including the Spanish national championships. It was my interest in motorsport that brought Haas to my attention – through the company’s involvement in NASCAR. We only have one Haas machine – an ST-30Y turning centre with motorised tools and Y axis – but it has made a big difference to our activities.…
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April 21, 2017

Okuma – Showcasing the latest technology

Leading the Okuma exhibit will be the popular Multus U4000 twin-spindle, twin-turret, 0.001-degree indexable B-axis multitasking turning centre. With 1,500mm between noses, the Multus U4000 features a 40-position tool magazine for the milling turret and a second 12-position tool turret below. The all-new OSP Suite on-board management system will set the standard for machine controllers and adds to Okuma’s award-winning machining navigation system, hobbing, skiving and gear generation, variable spindle-speed control, Okuma’s Collision Avoidance System and Thermo-Friendly Concept, API function and 0.0001mm control increments. Also in focus will be the all-new MU5000 V-L twin pallet, five-axis machining centre, which will feature Okuma’s unique five-axis auto tuning system for the extreme optimisation of all five axes’ alignments. The MU5000V lathe also has a table turning capacity of 800rpm and a maximum work piece diameter of 700mm and a height of 500mm. The MU5000 on display shares similar OSP controller options such as collision avoidance, super nurbs, machining navigation and API function, and is ideally designed for robotic…
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April 21, 2017

SPEE3D – All-Australian additive manufacturing

Signing in at SPEE3D’s premises in Dandenong, it’s hard not to notice the mini golf green. A strip of astro-turf with a hole at one end, and a putter and ball laid out for anyone to chance their arm. It might seem a little frivolous – the sort of thing you’d expect to see at some inner-city “creative industries” outfit, rather than in the serious, pragmatic world of manufacturing – but it actually does a very neat job of demonstrating what SPEE3D is about. That’s because the head of the putter was manufactured by SPEE3D using its own innovative 3D-printing technology. “The issue today with 3D printing is that it’s too expensive and too slow,” says Byron Kennedy, SPEE3D’s CEO. “When we started this company, it was ‘How do we fix this issue, of both cost and speed, to produce parts?’ So the technology we developed is a very high-speed process and very low-cost.” SPEE3D’s technology can produce 3D-printed…
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April 14, 2017

ABB robots support Australian homewares icon

The turnkey robotic solution includes a number of ABB Robots, including the versatile IRB1200 and ABB’s flagship palletising robot, the IRB660. The system, designed and supplied by A&RT Systems, has streamlined the manufacturing, assembly and packaging of Décor’s products. Automating its manufacturing operations has enabled Décor to reduce costs while freeing up the production staff for more productive tasks. Rising demand Décor has been manufacturing plastic homewares products in Australia for more than 50 years. A homegrown success story, the company specialises in a breadth of homewares solutions that combine aesthetics, functionality, affordability and durability. From its base in Scoresby, Victoria, Décor manufactures an innovative range of plastic fridge containers enjoyed by customers around the world – from local department stores and supermarkets, to export outlets across Europe, America, India and Japan. With global demand rising for its fridge container range, Décor required a high-end robotic solution that was reliable and flexible enough to grow with…
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April 14, 2017

Austech 2017: Digitalisation – Inside the factory of the future

Manufacturing is entering a new era of rapid, drastic change. Often described as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, it will see advances in areas such as robotics & automation, the interconnectivity of devices, big data and Cloud computing, that together will usher in the smart, connected factory of the future. “We’re constantly hearing about stuff like Industry 4.0, the Internet of Things and so on, but a lot of people are still in the dark about what it all means,” says AMTIL’s CEO and Exhibition Director Shane Infanti. “That’s why we decided to introduce the Digitalisation Pavilion at Austech this year. We felt a show like Austech is a great opportunity to bring together some of the key players and the latest technology in this field, so that people can come along and find out about it first-hand.” At the Digitalisation Pavilion visitors will have the chance to learn about the implications of these developments for their businesses, and discuss how they can capitalise on…
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April 7, 2017

Vic Manufacturing Hall Of Fame – Tickets now available

This year’s black tie Gala Dinner and awards ceremony will be held on the opening night of Austech and National Manufacturing Week. To be hosted by Wade Noonan MP, State Minister for Industry and Employment, the dinner will feature fine Victorian food and beverages as well as fabulous entertainment and offers a great opportunity to network with other decision makers in the manufacturing sector. An initiative of the Victorian Government, the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame recognises exemplar companies and individuals. This year’s theme is Growing Advanced Manufacturing, which highlights the opportunities for innovation in Victorian manufacturing. Award categories include Young Manufacturer of the Year, Manufacturer of the Year, Company Induction and addition to the Honour Roll. Awards will also be given to companies operating in high-growth future industries sectors, such as medical technology and pharmaceuticals, transport, defence and construction technologies, food and fibre, new energy technologies, professional services and international education. Details of the 2017 Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Gala Dinner are as follows: Date: Tuesday, 9 May 2017 Time: 7 pm to midnight Venue:…
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April 7, 2017

Barden joins new group targeting 4WD market

ASGL has launched following the amalgamation of eight companies to form a fully vertically integrated model, listing on the stock exchange back in December last year. The new company is a consolidation of fleet and automotive businesses that specialise in the design, manufacture, distribution and retail of parts, accessories and performance technology for the 4WD/SUV market. Led by Chief Executive Officer Tanya Mason, and avid 4WD enthusiast, ASGL aims to be one-stop shop offering that caters to the growing number of 4WD enthusiasts and leisure travellers. It has become a real challenger and is positioned to become a significant player in the market. ASGL successfully raised its maximum subscription of $30m at $1 per share through its initial public offering (IPO), receiving strong support from institutional investors, high-net-worth individuals, retail investors and major institutions Microequities and SG Hiscock. ASGL is well placed to take advantage of continuing growth in the 4WD/SUV market by expanding the portfolio…
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March 31, 2017

Harnessing the possibilities of sensor intelligence

The limitless exchange of manufacturing, product, and logistics data means it is now possible to make better decisions and experience complete transparency across the value chain. At the start of the process chain, this world of greater resource efficiency depends largely on the equipment that supplies this data: intelligent sensors. It is absolutely essential for sensor technology to be intelligent, rugged and reliable when it comes to dealing with challenges such as safe interaction between people and machines, high levels of variance, and fluctuating demand at short notice. Sensors provide the senses for machines. The feedback they provide is what makes intelligent machines possible. Sensor intelligence focuses on one aspect of sensor technology: equipping machines with the ability to see, recognise and communicate intelligently. Intelligent sensors contribute the ability to classify and interpret information. This is characterised by intelligent signal processing, which derives the truly relevant information from large quantities of data and makes it available. Therefore, in addition to primary control system for machines…
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March 31, 2017

Rex J Andrews embraces CNC technology for unrivalled haulage innovation

The company, which operates out of Sydney, Adelaide, Newcastle and Portland, concentrates on moving oversize and over-mass loads, including those that require sophisticated multi-articulated systems. “Our company focus is on the jobs that no one else wants to do, projects with complex and highly specialised requirements,” says Howard Andrews, the company’s engineering manager. What distinguishes Rex J Andrews is its capacity to design and manufacture equipment internally, allowing it to create a customised, innovative solution for even the most uniquely challenging problems. “We manufacture our equipment specific to a need. We might make a truck or a trailer even just to carry one item,” says Howard. With this capability, the company can “manage the logistics of any movement both here and to or from overseas.” Its services extend to managing storage, and operating cranes and lifting systems. According to Howard, the work the company prides itself on most is with renewable energy. Specialising in…
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March 24, 2017

AUSTECH 2017 – The Big Show, Only in Melbourne

Australian manufacturing is enjoying its most positive outlook in years. The Australian Performance of Manufacturing Index has shown a trend of almost consistent growth since the last Austech two years ago, while signs of optimism abound throughout the industry. And this renewed confidence has been clear to see as preparations for Austech 2017 have advanced. The early interest from exhibitors, as well as the enthusiasm expressed by people planning to visit the show, have provided a vivid illustration of an energy and eagerness across the industry to invest and build for the future. “We’ve definitely seen a big surge in confidence this time round,” says AMTIL Event Manager and Austech organiser Kim Banks. “Bookings have been coming in a lot earlier than usual, to the point where we’re well on our way to filling the venue way ahead of schedule. What’s also very exciting is the number of exhibitors who are coming back to the show after not participating for the last few years. It’s…
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