March 2014

Injection moulders chosen for new BMW i3

In the picture:The production team and the machine platen. Krauss Maffei of Munich Germany have supplied BMW’s production plant at Leipzig, Germany with two double swivel plate Injection Moulding machines, complete with industrial robots that produce multi material plastics components for the New BMW i3 which went into production in September 2013. The MX 4000-17200/12000/750WL machines are impressive with dimensions of 24m Long x 9M wide x 7m High. They have a clamping force of 4000 tonnes and are producing the thermoplastic outer shell and combined substructure of the BMW i3. The BMW i3 is a five door urban electric car and is BMW’s first zero emissions mass produced vehicle that features carbon-fibre reinforced plastic that improves the vehicles energy consumption. Using the ‘joining in injection moulding’ process, the outer door shell and its substructure are injected in a single pass and are then joined when the two swivel plates turn and are bonded with a third plastic component. The combined work processes are said to ensure very high dimensional accuracy of the parts. The injection moulders were specifically developed for the project and produce the sidewall panels, rear bumper and hoods for the new generation BMW i3’s.

K-Seal for radiator leaks

An over-heating engine caused by a leaking radiator on a deserted stretch of road is a motorist’s worst nightmare, but now there’s an instant fix. It’s called K-Seal and it’s a relatively inexpensive solution to coolant leaks under the bonnet and, what’s more, it can provide a permanent repair to some problems. K-Seal will permanently repair and fix most leaks in the radiator or radiator casing up to a maximum size of 0.7mm Ð larger holes or cracks will require an epoxy putty. And, in addition to the radiator, it will also repair leaks in the head, head gasket, block, heater matrix, freeze plug and water pump casing, which makes it ideal for older engines, where the owner does not want to incur a big expense on major repairs. K-Seal is simple to use – a quick shake, then pour and go. No need to drain or flush the system. No need to worry about what type of anti-freeze or coolant is in the cooling system.It’s suitable for use with all water-cooled engines, including cars, motorbikes, commercial vehicles, heavy plant, agricultural machinery, marine engines and generators. The secret behind how K-Seal can repair a coolant leak so easily and effectively is down to a specially developed blend of chemical ingredients, including ceramic micro-fibres and copper particles.When added to the cooling system, the ingredients disperse and flow freely around the system suspended in the coolant.But if coolant is leaking from the system, either externally or internally across the head to the cylinders, then K-Seal will follow the coolant through the hole or crack and begin fixing the coolant leak. What happens is that the micro-fibres start to mesh together within the crack or the hole, building a seal literally fibre by fibre.In reality, this takes place almost instantly once K-Seal has […]

IC3D launches steel fabrication solution for SolidWorks

IC3D, a leading provider of hardware and software solutions for the Manufacturing, Architectural and Engineering industries, has launched IC3D Steel – the first SolidWorks-based application designed for modelling and detailing steel constructions. Distributed nationally in Australia and New Zealand by Intercad – the largest SolidWorks distributor in the region – IC3D Steel builds on a longstanding and collaborative partnership with Intercad to find a dedicated SolidWorks solution that saves time and cost in the design, development and manufacture of steel fabrications. IC3D Steel manages the key phases of the steel construction process, from the creation of three-dimensional models to the compilation of the Bill of Materials and drawings of the steel constructions. The application integrates seamlessly with SolidWorks and includes an SQL database that permits advanced and coherent project management in the SolidWorks environment. Mike Gilliland, IC3D Software and Consulting Services Manager, says existing steel construction design solutions often compromise the industry-standard SolidWorks approach. “Other modelling applications enforce a rigid workflow on the steel fabrication designer, requiring participants to install identical packages to allow teams to collaborate effectively,” says Gilliland. “IC3D Steel eliminates these restrictions. Users can create and manage information relating to the key phases of the steel construction process, from modelling to design and assembly. “Because of its native integration with the 3D SolidWorks environment and SolidWorks file format, IC3D Steel also ensures interoperability between all SolidWorks users involved in the construction process, regardless of whether or not they all have IC3D Steel installed. We have been careful to develop IC3D Steel in collaboration with a representative group of 20 SolidWorks users, which is how we can be so confident that it will meet the needs of the ANZ market.” Other benefits include support for all common ANZ profiles and standard joints, saving hours of design time for […]

Sydney leads the way to manufacturing’s high tech future

News that Sydney has overtaken Melbourne as Australia’s largest manufacturing centre speaks to the success of its many niche manufacturers, says Anthony Reed, Exhibition Director of National Manufacturing Week 2014 (NMW), in Sydney from 13-16 May. It is also good news for visitors to NMW, which is constantly evolving to reflect the latest trends. Designed to showcase technologies that help businesses build innovative, market-driven manufacturing capabilities, NMW is a significant opportunity for local manufacturers to arm themselves with the tools to maximise productivity, evolve their product offering and grow their business. Sydney’s manufacturing sector alone generated $21.7BN in 2012-13, with companies producing highly engineered medical and biotech products, as well as components for aerospace and advanced engineering sectors largely driving the growth. Other manufacturers are leapfrogging from their core local businesses to target the fast-growing Asian food and packaging markets, or diversifying to supply the mining equipment and services (METS) sector. Sydney is also building pools of highly skilled workers, especially in Greater Western Sydney where almost 100,000 – around half of Sydney’s manufacturing workforce – are employed. “Despite operating in a tough marketplace, Sydney’s manufacturers are gaining ground in global markets – and some are beginning to see a positive cycle where success builds on success,” adds Reed. NMW 2014 is bringing together transformative technologies from around the world for local manufacturing to see. NMW will present a record 15 Product Zones including dedicated areas for Sustainable, Digital and Additive Manufacturing, Machine Tools, Engineering Services and Advanced Materials. It will also incorporate Ausplas – Australia’s national trade exhibition for plastics technology – in Sydney for the first time since 1990. In an industry ‘first’ – and addressing the challenge for smaller companies to fund the research that underpins technological innovation – NMW will also put visitors in direct contact […]

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IVECO Dealer of the Year – 2014

Tom Griffiths, General Manager of Melbourne Truck Centre (left) receiving the 2014 Dealer of the Year award from Stavros Yallouridis, IVECO Brand Leader at IVECO Trucks Australia. More than 70 staff representing 28 Dealers from across Australia gathered in Melbourne recently for the 2014 IVECO Dealer Conference. Hosted by Stavros Yallouridis, IVECO Brand Leader at IVECO Trucks Australia, the event included presentations and a gala dinner where the 2014 Dealer of the Year award was announced. At the dinner, held high above the Melbourne skyline at the prestigious Eureka 89 restaurant, the guests were entertained by MC Vince Sorrenti who also took part in the official proceedings. Four awards were presented to Dealerships in recognition of their achievements, support for their customers and commitment to IVECO during the past year. Melbourne Truck Centre (MTC), based in Hampton Park, Victoria, took home the major prize which was awarded for the overall performance in all aspects of its business including vehicle sales, spare parts and customer service. MTC also achieved a customer satisfaction rating well above set targets indicating an outstanding commitment to its customers and support of the IVECO brand. Yallouridis introduced presentations by senior managers from sales, service and parts divisions of IVECO Trucks Australia. The sessions throughout the conference highlighted the successes and milestones of 2013 and the strategy for 2014, including a presentation by Matt King, Head of CNH Industrial ANZ outlining the vital place IVECO has in the overall global corporate structure. IVECO Australia’s manufacturing base in Dandenong, Victoria was commissioned in 1952 and has produced more than 225,000 truck and bus chassis. The Dandenong plant represents a major investment in the local truck and bus industry and employs more than 600 people Australia wide. IVECO creates employment in Australia for thousands of people in related […]

Urban renewal to revitalise Newcastle city centre

The public is being invited to comment on amended planning controls that will help shape the Newcastle city centre and which highlight how transport infrastructure can support urban renewal. NSW Planning & Infrastructure yesterday released details of the proposed amendments to the Newcastle Local Environmental Plan (LEP) and Development Control Plan (DCP). The new planning controls were developed following feedback received during community consultation period on the Newcastle Urban Renewal Strategy in 2013. Planning and Infrastructure and the City of Newcastle have worked closely with the community, land owners and businesses to develop the vision for urban renewal in the city centre, which is based around the plans for the new light rail link interchange from Wickham to the beach. The public can Comment on the proposed LEP amendments until 21 March 2014 and on the draft DCP until 4 April 2014.

India deal launches Australian firm’s global biofuels division

Australian biofuel developer, Algae.Tec will join forces with India’s largest private sector enterprise, Reliance Industries, to take its innovative technology to the market. Western Australia-based Algae.Tec has partnered with Reliance Industrial Investments and Holdings Limited (RIIHL), a subsidiary of the Reliance Group, to build a pilot biofuels plant using its algae fuel technology. RIIHL will make an initial investment of A$1.5 million with an additional A$1.2 million to follow. The plant is designed to tailor the technology for local settings and produce two barrels of biofuel a day in the pilot phase. The partners will work together towards commercialisation, with Reliance having exclusivity of the technology in India. The companies plan to take the technology to other parts of Asia to help meet the growing demand for biofuels. According to Bloomberg News, India is aiming for 20 per cent of its fuel to come from clean sources by 2017. Algae.Tec Managing Director Peter Hatfull told RenewEconomy that the algae technology had the potential to make a significant impact on India’s energy and environmental requirements. ‘India is a perfect market place for our technology. It is an absolutely gigantic market,” he told the magazine. Talking about the partnership agreement Mr Hatfull said, ‘This is a very exciting step forward. This level of financial backing and ongoing support is just what Algae.Tec needed. ‘It’s a fact of business life that emerging companies need funding injections and the technical grunt of this type to transition into the commercial phase,’ he said. Austrade’s Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner, Nicola Watkinson said, ‘As Indian companies continue to drive innovation programs to improve their competitiveness at home and abroad, they are considering Australian businesses and research institutions for mutually beneficial partnership opportunities. ‘They are on the lookout for joint research projects, or to develop and commercialise […]

New round of funding for Australian member–based business organisations targeting Asia

Austrade is seeking Expressions of Interest from Australian member–based business organisations for the 2014 Asian Business Engagement (ABE) Plan grant round. The ABE Plan was established by the Australian Government to assist member-based business organisations harness the opportunities emerging in Asia. It is focused on facilitating new initiatives to improve Australian business links into the region through these groups. Under the scheme, grants of between $20,000 and $300,000 will be awarded on merit after a competitive application process. Organisations that applied for the recently concluded round are also encouraged to apply. Applications for the new grant round open on 10 March and close on 8 April 2014. This will be preceded by an optional Expression of Interest (EOI) phase commencing on 10 February. While not mandatory, the EOI phase is part of the process allowing potential applicants to receive valuable feedback prior to proceeding to the full application stage. The majority of organisations that received grants last year indicated that the EOI process helped them improve their applications.

Unions pushed Toyota too far

In 2008 there were six companies manufacturing cars in Australia but by 2017 there will be none. The motor industry in Australia has been struggling for years and now with the demise of Toyota, there is urgent need for the future of manufacturing there to realign itself – especially to the plight of the component manufacturers who by 2017 will be struggling to exist, unless they start now to find some new markets for some new products. It has basically become unsustainable for companies to continue producing cars in Australia. Ford, Holden and Toyota have each blamed multiple factors rather than a single issue. The common factors have been a high Australian dollar that has hurt export opportunities – mostly for Toyota and Holden – and sweetened deals for those brands importing, Australia’s high production/wage costs, and a car market that has become too small and fragmented – 50-odd automotive brands compete for a slice of a million-vehicle market. Despite government industry assistance that has been estimated at between $500 million and $1 billion annually, the local car makers have struggled financially. Ford has lost about $600m since 2008, Holden was profitable only twice between 2005 and 2012, and while Toyota posted a $149m profit in 2012 it lost $150m over the three previous years. Once Ford declared in May 2013 it was planning to abandon local production of the Falcon large car and Territory SUV in October 2016, there were immediate fears for Holden and Toyota due to the implications for the critical automotive parts supplier base in Australia that served the trio. The closure of the five Victorian and South Australian production facilities operated by Ford, Holden and Toyota will directly result in the loss of approximately 6600 manufacturing jobs by 2017: 2500 from Toyota’s Altona plant, 2900 […]

Hope for Australian renewables fading fast

Deployment of solar PV has grown at a 48% compound annual growth rate since 200 in Australia. Construction of the southern hemisphere’s largest solar PV plant is getting underway. This follows swiftly on from the announcement that Australia has recently completed its two millionth small-scale renewable installation, just eight months after reaching the initial million mark. On first glance it appears Australia’s time in the renewable sun is just around the corner. Deployment of solar PV has grown at a 48% compound annual growth rate since 2005, and the state of South Australia generated over 25% of power supply during peak output in January. Yet AGL Energy’s 102MW Nyngan Solar Plant provides a false glimmer of hope for Australian renewables, which are struggling to break through the billowing smoke of the fossil fuel industry. The Verdantix Energy Profile of Australia, highlighted how power generation is overwhelmingly dominated by fossil fuels, with coal generating 70% of electricity, dwarfing both wind and solar at 2% and 1% respectively. It appears the clouds are gathering for renewables as the government is planning to water down the Renewable Energy Target – a subsidy scheme which has underpinned the surge in solar and wind investment in recent years. “Elected in September 2013 on a mandate to scrap the carbon tax, the Coalition is on the warpath to put renewables on the backburner.” Elected in September 2013 on a mandate to scrap the carbon tax, the Coalition is on the warpath to put renewables on the backburner and cement Australia’s dependency on fossil fuels, as it seeks to put the brakes on rising electricity prices. Details released in December on the Emissions Reduction Fund – the cornerstone of the Coalition’s new energy and climate change legislation – reveals that the firms failing to meet emissions reductions targets will most likely go unpunished. With a declining manufacturing […]

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News Ticker

March 2014