Forming & Fabrication

Kerr Engineering has added a new double column machining centre to its expanding dedicated machine shop at its base in Henderson, Western Australia.  The company has installed and commissioned an Okuma double column machining centre model MCR-A5CII, joining a range of advanced machines in a building currently being extended to exceed 4,000 square metres.   The expanded machine shop, which includes another eight Okuma models, will take Kerr’s machining, fabrication and paint facility to 8,000 square metres in total, with a further expansion to an additional 2,000 square metre fabrication site nearby set to come.   Since purchasing Kerr Engineering in 2000, owners David and Mark Kinsman have transformed the company into one of the State’s most advanced engineering shops, today specialising in customised metal work, precision machining and fabrication.   Mark said Kerr Engineering had concentrated its development on using machines from Okuma Australia for more than 20 years.   “In doing so we have established a strong partnership with Okuma Australia based on unwavering technical support and the…

Flexible Smart Job Shop (FSJ) is an advanced, connected, and fully integrated flexible production system that enables the automatic production of various parts without operator intervention or machine downtime for retooling. The systems that make up the FSJ can operate independently or collaboratively, adapting to diverse production needs, from creating small batches to producing complex kits. The integration of intermediate storage and upstream and downstream workstations provides exceptional flexibility, making it ideal for optimising production flows and supporting just-in-time production, thus reducing idle times and waste. The RVS artificial vision system streamlines the management of robotic assistance, accelerates the intermediate recognition and handling steps, and maximises the value of the finished part. In fact, due to enhanced connectivity and the latest technological solutions, FSJ leverages the capabilities of artificial intelligence and robotics to optimise production processes. It also addresses the increasingly stringent environmental and economic sustainability requirements, contributing to an efficient and responsible production model. The FSJ consists of the new L3.G4 fibre laser, which is fully automated; the P-Robot, which…

In the current competitive manufacturing landscape, the principles of efficiency and precision are paramount. Advanced Steel Fabrications, a leading steel processing and fabrication company here in Australia, has recently invested significantly in cutting-edge CNC laser technology to enhance its production capabilities. By integrating both AORE 2D Sheet and 3D Tube CNC Laser Cutting Machines, the company has effectively improved its operations' speed, quality, and versatility. Meeting industry demands with AORE CNC lasers Advanced Steel Fabrications has built a solid reputation for delivering high-quality steel components for construction, mining, and infrastructure sectors. As the demand for more complex and precision-engineered components grew, the company sought a solution to streamline production without compromising accuracy. After evaluating various options, Advanced Steel Fabrications selected AORE’s 2D and 3D CNC laser cutting solutions. The combination of these machines has enabled them to increase cutting speeds, minimise manual processing, and achieve superior edge quality, ultimately enhancing the efficiency of their production workflow. Transforming production with 2D & 3D cutting capabilities The AORE 2D Sheet CNC Laser Cutting Machine has afforded Advanced Steel Fabrications the ability to…

Price’s Fabrication + Steel is a family-owned business based in Williams, Western Australia. They specialise in custom-designed agricultural sheds and water tanks, serving the Southern Wheatbelt and Lower Southwest regions. Their shed offerings include machinery, workshop, hay, commercial, drive-through, and fertiliser sheds. Price’s Fabrication + Steel is a strong, well-managed, and successful WA business with a positive outlook.   The challenge Price’s Fabrication + Steel encountered several growth-related challenges and sought external support to help resolve bottlenecks, uncover new opportunities, and enhance overall productivity. An initial visit to the Williams site revealed several areas ready for improvement. Price’s was dealing with a 12-month backlog of orders at the time. Compounding the issue, large volumes of materials occupied valuable space on-site due to long restock times—some items required up to six months to replenish. As a result, the company held six months' worth of inventory at any given time to manage supply chain delays. One of their most persistent issues was design inaccuracy. Transitioning design plans from paper to digital was underway to improve precision, but inefficiencies remained. Additionally,…

Export award-winning, Tauranga-based Oasis Engineering continues to expand its international market as a specialist manufacturer delivering world-leading solutions to those pushing the boundaries of energy and fluid transfer to benefit humanity and the environment. The company initially began as the maintenance division of a soft drink brand but was separated during a restructuring during the 1980s. The new company quickly established a strong reputation as a machine shop that reliably produced high-tolerance precision machined parts in difficult-to-work materials such as stainless steel and titanium. This led to work manufacturing valves and couplings that were required for the new and emerging Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fuel market for a major CNG supply company and this quickly expanded to every major CNG supplier and to every significant CNG market in more than 40 countries. Today, Oasis Engineering is part of the ELAFLEX Group of Companies of Hamburg and is manufacturing precision CNG, LPG and Hydrogen reticulation products for the world market, with approximately 80% of production going to the USA, 10% to other world markets and 10% to the…

In the fast-paced and cost-driven world of manufacturing, businesses often face tough decisions when investing in new machinery. While price is a major factor, cutting costs by opting for non-certified machines can have serious consequences—ranging from safety hazards to costly downtime, regulatory challenges, and limited resale opportunities. Globally, machinery safety regulations have become more stringent, particularly in regions like Europe, where CE certification is the benchmark for compliance. While Australia does not mandate CE certification, the risks of operating non-certified equipment are becoming increasingly evident. What is CE certification, and why does it matter? CE certification, or CE marking, is a European safety and compliance standard ensuring machinery meets rigorous health, safety, and environmental protection requirements. The CE mark signifies that the manufacturer has verified the machine’s compliance with European safety directives, often involving independent assessments and rigorous testing. For manufacturers, CE certification assures that equipment meets a globally recognised standard, minimising the chances of operational failures, safety incidents, and compliance issues. While Australian standards such as AS/NZS 4024 focus on machinery safety, CE certification continues to be a well-regarded mark…

For over 30 years, Dimac has supported manufacturers across Australia and New Zealand with expert workholding solutions that enhance the performance of CNC machines. As a trusted performance partner, Dimac works closely with clients to streamline processes, improve productivity and strengthen operator safety. With tailored solutions that deliver precision, repeatability and efficiency, Dimac helps clients achieve consistent performance while reducing operational costs and driving long-term value. One such client is Marand Precision Engineering — a leader in precision manufacturing that understands the value of continuous improvement. Looking to implement a more efficient workholding strategy, Marand engaged Dimac’s Sales Manager (Victoria and Tasmania), Adrian Crisan, to explore the best fit solution. Challenges in modern CNC manufacturing For over five decades, Marand has been at the forefront of precision engineering, supplying high-quality solutions to industries including defence, aerospace, rail, mining and energy. As the demand for higher efficiency and standardised manufacturing processes grew, Marand needed a solution to: Reduce machine downtime caused by lengthy and inconsistent workholding setups. Ensure part accessibility to optimise cycle times across various CNC machines. Create a universal…

A versatile new family of safety and efficiency-focused medium frequency induction heaters is being introduced to Australasia by the global motion technology company Schaeffler, providing shorter heating times and reducing bearing mounting and dismounting times by half. The new generation medium frequency technology (MFT) heaters enhance safety during bearing mounting and dismounting by eliminating the need for traditional heating methods that involve open flames, such as gas burners or oil baths, ensuring more controlled and stress-free heating of machinery components. Crucially, unlike conventional heaters suitable only for mounting, MFT heaters offer a large thermal capacity and flexible installation methods that enable safe and efficient bearing dismounting. This minimises the risk of damage to both the bearing and the shaft, thereby allowing for quick dismantling and rebuilding times. The productivity gains of the energy-conserving MFT heaters – including nine models ranging from 1.2kW to 45kW – dramatically reduce maintenance costs, even for heavy workpieces such as gear wheels, gear drives, bearings, and couplings. The ‘HEATER’ series of induction…

Established in 1974 and trading as Jenkin Bros. Engineers until last year’s 50th anniversary, the new trading name Jenera pays homage to the company’s founders, Bob and Graham Jenkin, while looking forward to a new era in its evolution. Some key developments in the company’s history occurred with a buyout of management in 2004 by a group including Frank Taranto and Jamie Macaulay, the current business directors and owners. The acquisition of Arthur Ward, a fabrication business, in 2009 significantly boosted the company’s capabilities. The transfer of around two million dollars worth of Kenworth parts business from Australian Engineering (previously Elliott) in 2013 significantly increased turnover. Simon Bowen is the current CEO, and staff numbers today are around sixty. Operating primarily in Melbourne, Jenera’s key services include precision CNC machining, laser cutting, welding, bending, thread rolling, folding, and painting. A dedicated finished assembly area connects manufactured components, providing customers with a one-stop shop for all their sheet metal needs. Its machining centre features nine CNC lathes, five VMC mills, and two CNC saws. On the…

James Hardie Australia is proud to mark Australian Made Week by celebrating its partnership with Australian Made, reaffirming its long-standing commitment to Australian manufacturing, innovation, and community development. Today, with more than 450 employees across local manufacturing, operations, research and development, James Hardie champions Aussie ingenuity from its facilities in Rosehill, New South Wales, and Carole Park, Queensland. “Our vision is to inspire how communities design, build, and grow today and tomorrow,” said John Arneil, President of James Hardie Asia-Pacific. “Our partnership with Australian Made is a symbol of our commitment to local manufacturing and product innovation. We’re proud to help create jobs, grow local capability, and build stronger communities - right here at home.” “No one understands Australian homes better than Australian manufacturers. By producing locally, we deliver products engineered specifically for our climate and building standards. Our investment in Australian manufacturing is a commitment to supporting local jobs and the communities we serve.” To help deliver on its purpose to build a better future for all, James Hardie had its range of fibre cement products certified…

AMTIL sincerely hopes you enjoyed exploring the latest technology and network with industry leaders at Australia’s biggest precision engineering and manufacturing event. AMW2025 has proven to be the largest and most successful manufacturing trade show ever staged in Australia. The feedback has been pretty humbling. The Future Solutions Speaker program, sponsored proudly by the Victorian Government, active over the first three days has now completed, leaving room for the Schools and Skills Summit, where selected technical college students are given the chance to sit down in front of their potential future employers, as potential real-world future employees. After the presentations in the speakers room, groups of 15 or so students were shown around the halls and directed to where they could potentially end up as employees.  They even had badges depicting their ‘Future Employee’ status. The feedback was tremendous. Numbers through the doors will be revealed elsewhere, but suffice to say, the show was a roaring success. There seemed to be extra energy in people at the stands, right up to and even after the…

Today, the AMW halls were open from 10am to 7pm, so there’s plenty of space in the day if someone wanted to carve out some hours in the halls. Impress your manager with your initiative by coming across to AMW for the final day tomorrow, Friday, 10am to 4pm. Thad Roos from KAESER compressors was in early Thursday, hoping for the predicted bump that exhibitors experience on the Thursday of these shows. I think everyone is feeling the same anticipation at this time of the morning. He was pleased with the quality of the visitors and that they were at that stage of ordering compressors. Grahame Aston, son Matthew and the others in the PPC Moulding services crew were setting up, ready for the day. They had a Liquid Silicone 3D printer release a couple years ago which uses injection-grade LSR. Front and very much centre was their extremely new Freeformer 750-3X 3D polymer printer. These and other printers take carbon fibre re-enforced Nylon, ABS, PC, TPU, PLA, PP with more…

Whatever we did is working. I cannot fault the stallholders' passion and enthusiasm at AMW2025. Everyone wants to be here because they know what they will gather in the end—connections, sales, and renewed, happy business relationships. Also, walking along through the crowds, I find a couple of visitors staring intensely at a screen displaying work being done by an OKUMA robotic machine. They know what they’re looking at. They understand the detail and that’s the difference in crowds between this year and the last time AMW was in Melbourne in 2023. The crowd has a more professional flavour. A few measures were put in place this year for registrations, and I think it focused the visitors. Perhaps the fact that the Federal Election was so last weekend (feels like a month ago, right?), so people are now thinking longer term. They know they can plan out til the end of next year and beyond. All day yesterday, today and Thursday, the ever-popular Future Solutions Speaker program continues to roll out intense presentations in the…