Product News

Anthony Albanese has made a major speech in Brisbane where he outlined the creation of a Future Made in Australia Act. The Prime Minister has said on Thursday at the Queensland Media Club, that Australia needs to stay in the global race for jobs. This is legislation that centres on using subsidies to boost domestic manufacturing and guarantee more local jobs. This package covers new and existing projects in Growth Industries like clean energy, batteries, and critical minerals. But this is not a new idea. Massive taxpayer subsidies are on offer to private companies in countries like the US with their Inflation Reduction Act, and also with the EU, Japan, and Korea, even Canada. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in his speech that Australia needed to sharpen its elbows and offer these incentives or risk losing entire industries overseas. This will be a key part of the PM's pitch for a second term in government with an election now around 12 months away. The effort would be consolidating existing efforts under one banner, which included the Hydrogen Headstart, the…

Despite all of the time, money, and effort invested into ERP systems many manufacturers are still using Excel and other manual methods to manage production. It’s not that the software is bad, the software does exactly what it was designed to do – use a finite capacity scheduling algorithm to schedule production. It is understandable that if you are giving your ERP system inaccurate information, it will produce bad outcomes. So the natural tendency is to focus on improving the detail and accuracy of the information. Chaos Theory, often described as the ‘butterfly effect’ tells us that in complex systems, small changes can lead to vastly different outcomes. To say it another way, there are many variables and everything cannot be precisely known. To summarise the traditional approach, we Plan by running a capacity loading algorithm (Scheduling Program), which generates priories for the shop floor typically in the form of a Work To List. These are then sent out to production to Execute.  Often production looks at these priorities generated by the computer program and comments, “They look a lot different…

Novarc Technologies Inc. is a full-stack robotics company, specialising in the design and manufacturing of cobots and AI-based machine vision solutions for autonomous welding. Novarc will be bringing its Spool Welding Robot (SWR) - the world’s first of its kind in pipe welding applications, to Australian Manufacturing Week. Visitors will be able to see first-hand how Novarc’s SWR increases productivity, delivering superior weld quality and improving welder ergonomics. Novarc’s SWR helps fabricators needing to transition from manual welding to an automated solution, to significantly lower the cost of welding, while achieving superior weld quality.  Being a ‘cobot’, Novarc’s SWR works alongside the human operator, allowing lower-skilled welders to work collaboratively with welding robots in the fabrication shop. The result is welding with greater precision, accuracy and speed, and a never-before-achieved balance of quality and productivity. From a safety perspective, Novarc’s AI-driven welding control technology also delivers the lowest airborne, energy consumption, and metal waste during the fabrication process. Novarc’s full stack customised automation solution significantly reduces the welding…

Registrations are still open for Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW2024), held at the ICC in Darling Harbour in Sydney. AMW2024 will occupy more than 6,764 square metres of exhibition space at the ICC, with over 270 organisations taking stands to showcase the latest manufacturing technologies, processes, and support services. On Wednesday 17th April, AMW2024 will be officially opened by NSW Government Executive Director Maroun El-Khoury, and Brendan Kerin from the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council doing a Welcome to Country presentation on the Future Solutions Speaker Session stage. AMW2024 will provide a platform to explore new technologies, meet industry leaders, and witness cutting-edge innovations in manufacturing, all available right now. After registering to visit AMW2024, you can log in and tap through to My Show Planner. The My Show Planner online tool has everything you need to make the most of your three days at AMW2024 in Sydney. My Show Planner is the AMW2024 visitors-side view of Map Your Show. You can connect with Exhibitors online, set up appointments and plan your time so you don’t…

Sutton Tools, the Australian family business renowned for its high-quality precision cutting tools, will be back at Australia’s premier advanced manufacturing and machine tool exhibition this year showcasing their range of high-performance tooling for a wide range of specialised industrial applications, focusing on both the Australian made content and the best we have to offer from our international agencies. Sutton Tools team of local and international experts will be on hand to walk visitors through their range of high-performance tools, their diverse offerings to the CNC machining industry, and their customer service and technical support. The exhibit will feature a range of Sutton Tools offerings, plus agency products from Walter Tools, SupplyPro, Cimco, and the Hoffmann Group, just four of the many agencies Sutton Tools now represents. Sutton Tools A selection of Australian-made solid carbide milling cutters and solid carbide drills up to 30x diameter with internal coolant in addition to Australian-made tapping solutions in all size and style variations. Sutton Tools can provide local and secure supply chain solutions for all your tooling needs. Walter Tools With around…

In the dynamic landscape of high-tech industries, where intricate high-mix, low-volume production intersects with complex products and rapid technological advancements, achieving precision in inventory management can pose a formidable challenge. Recognising the critical role of robust inventory management in overcoming these challenges, Raider Targetry, a pioneering force in military training solutions, proudly unveils a groundbreaking advancement in efficiency through the integration of Fishbowl Inventory, a market-leading software solution for inventory management. CEO & CTO Mick Fielding, alongside Executive Director Cody Webster, envisioned Raider Targetry's global potential since its inception. Fielding emphasised the strategic importance of establishing a solid foundation for products and services to support the company's growth trajectory, stating, "When we were looking at building the business, we knew that we needed an inventory management system that would support us today, but also into the growth that we would expect in the future." According to Simon Jupe, Fishbowl APAC Managing Director, "Accurate and efficient tracking of inventory movement from inception to its final consumption point is crucial for effective control and decision-making processes within a business. Investing…

Kaeser Australia’s new CSG.1 rotary screw compressors have air flow rates ranging from 4 to 15m³/min and pressures up to 11bar. Customers are offered the choice of air- or water-cooling and can select an optional integrated refrigeration dryer or an i.HOC (Heat of Compression) dryer. The CSG.1 can be specified as a fixed speed, fixed flow rated machine or, for applications with fluctuating compressed air demand, variable speed controlled ‘SFC’ versions are available with IE5 Ultra-Premium Efficiency synchronous reluctance motors. The risk of potential product contamination by oil from the rotary screw compressor is evaluated and minimised using an HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) analysis. Process validation is made easier for the customer, as KAESER’s diligence is confirmed by the TÜV Rheinland in the form of a residual oil class 0 certificate by ISO 8573-1. The CSG.1 has also been certified according to ISO 22000:2018, which covers the manufacture of food and beverage equipment. To further formalise the supply chain’s integrity, customers can also option the CSG.1 with Pharmaceutical, Food or Engineering Industry…

A new collaboration between Monash University and Coates Engineering Solutions is using high-strength steel, common to the automotive industry, to develop a lightweight high-capacity propping solution for temporary construction works. The innovative solution, called Quadshore, has undergone rigorous destructive and non-destructive experimental tests at material, component and system levels, under Australian Safety Standards, to demonstrate the durability and superior performance of the product. Lead academic researcher, Associate Professor Amin Heidarpour, from Monash University’s Department of Civil Engineering said high-strength steel has not been efficiently utilised in temporary structures due to its limited plasticity. “Quadshore contains hybrid components that creatively maximise optimum use of both high-strength and mild-steel to create lightweight, high-strength structural elements and boltless connections,” Associate Professor Heidarpour said. “The unique experimental facilities and lab environment at Monash’s Civil Engineering Department allowed our team to undertake the experimental tests on this product that replicated its behaviour in real-world settings.” With a working load limit of up to 170 tonnes, it is the lightest heavy-duty structural propping system available anywhere in the world. Over the past ten years research…

Apart from the high performance, productivity and precision of Mazak machines, Aldus Engineering’s decision to invest in another Mazak was heavily influenced by the applications and service support behind each Mazak machine delivered by John Hart. John Hart has a thorough understanding of the importance of providing timely, reliable and skilled support. That’s why the company boasts an Australia-wide Mazak service network with a team of highly experienced and qualified application, mechanical and electrical engineers, and a comprehensively stocked Mazak Spare Parts Department, enabling John Hart to provide the best overall support of any machine tool company in Australia. John Hart engineers also have a thorough understanding of the unique applications of machine tools and technologies required to process various components from titanium, heat-resistant super alloys, aluminium, or stainless steels. John Hart engineers are available to discuss specific part challenges and how Mazak technologies make machining these complex parts easier and more efficient. The latest Mazak addition The Mazak Quick Turn 200MSY CNC turning centre with multi-tasking capability brings together advanced technology, productivity, and value to deliver…

Laser Automation Engineering Sdn. Bhd. (LAE) is thrilled to announce its participation in the upcoming AMW Sydney 2024 exhibition, marking a significant milestone in our 30-year history of innovation and excellence. As a beacon of advanced engineering solutions, LAE, in a joint venture with Smartlink Engineering Sdn Bhd., has garnered international acclaim for our precision machining, aerospace engineering, and manufacturing process. At AMW 2024, our exhibition stand will spotlight our expertise in delivering a wide array of services, including precision machining, manufacturing of tools & dies, jigs & fixtures, wire & diesinker EDM, bending & welding, parts fabricating, and electrical & mechanical module assembly. With state-of-the-art facilities encompassing conventional turning & milling, surface & cylinder grinding, CNC turning & milling, and CNC 5-axis milling centres, we are equipped to meet the diverse needs of industries ranging from automotive and semiconductor to medical technology. Our international footprint extends to collaborations with clients from Switzerland, the US, Japan, Italy and beyond, underscoring our adaptability and proficiency in providing tailor-made solutions that propel the advanced manufacturing industry…

Edge computing and AI are driving an inevitable transformation in the industrial sector. Industrial needs are evolving rapidly and therefore necessitating advanced solutions that provide a consistent platform to simplify the complexity of deployment. With edge-enabled platforms, the industrial sector is bringing data processing to the data source, simplifying the complexity of industrial systems. This is just one-way manufacturers are breaking down the barriers between their information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) infrastructure. The gradual blending of IT and OT in industrial systems goes hand in hand with the need for more efficient manufacturing. Over time, bringing together IT and OT delivers lower operating costs and accelerated time-to-market with quality, reliable and secure solutions for manufacturers. However, as manufacturers race to realise the potential of these innovations, data management is now more critical than ever in providing business insights and supporting real-time control over processes and operations. Unlocking the full potential of advancements such as AI and edge computing requires the transformation of the underlying…

Pharmaceuticals, foodstuff, healthcare, chemicals and other specialised engineering applications have especially high demands when it comes to compressed air quality. For these sensitive processes, Kaeser Australia has released the latest class 0 oil-free compressor. Recently launched in Australia, the new CSG.1 rotary screw compressors have air flow rates ranging from four to 15 m³/min and pressures up to 11 bar. Customers are offered the choice of air- or water-cooling, and can select an optional integrated refrigeration dryer or an i.HOC (Heat of Compression) dryer. The CSG.1 can be specified as a fixed speed, fixed flow rated machine or, for applications with fluctuating compressed air demand, variable speed controlled “SFC” versions are available with IE5 Ultra-Premium Efficiency synchronous reluctance motors. The risk of potential product contamination by oil from the rotary screw compressor is evaluated and minimised by means of an HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) analysis. Process validation is made easier for the customer, as KAESER’s diligence is confirmed by the TÜV Rheinland in the form of a residual oil class 0 certificate in accordance with ISO…

Australia's landscape is vast and rugged. As a nation thriving on development and progression, Australians demand portable, durable, efficient, and innovative solutions. Enter Sureweld, the country's leading aluminium loading ramps and plant trailers manufacturer and a company synonymous with quality and resilience. Focused on keeping Australian commercial contractors moving, Sureweld has grown exponentially since it was founded in 1976. Its ramps and trailers are 100% Australian-made, using locally extruded aluminium sourced from Capral and manufactured in Wangaratta, in northern Victoria. Sureweld sales manager Gareth Hansen joined his father, Sureweld managing director Carl Hansen, in the business when he left school. He has advanced from dispatch and welding to driving sales and supply relationships. “We manufacture the strongest and lightest weight ramps on the Australian market, on a strength-to-weight ratio,” Hansen says. This isn't just a claim. The company has consistently outperformed its competitors. “We have a ramp with a six-tonne capacity that weighs a little over 50kgs; others on the market weigh 70- to 80kgs,” Hansen points out, emphasising the immense value their products provide to operators who…