December 2019

Getac Select delivers specialised solutions

Getac has announced the launch of its new Getac Select program to the Australia market, offering a fast and reliable way for customers to solve complex IT challenges. Getac Select combines carefully chosen, pre-configured rugged devices, software, accessories and professional services into a series of specialised solutions, optimised for individual applications and user groups. Each solution draws on extensive customer feedback and Getac’s deep industry experience to create particularly advantageous combinations of products and services that can’t be found anywhere else as a single offering. Since its foundation 30 years ago, Getac has established a proven track record of working closely with customers, helping them to overcome the business/operational challenges they face and delivering complete satisfaction. At the C-level, this means using strategic IT investment to optimise business performance against strict budgets. For IT managers, it’s efficient operations, comprehensive device management and fast repair times, resulting in low total cost of ownership. For end users, it’s having powerful devices and accessories they can rely on even in the toughest working environments. In recent years, these challenges have increasingly required unique product and/or software configurations not available off the shelf, making procurement more difficult and often involving compromises. Getac Select eliminates this by enabling customers and partners to quickly obtain complete, pre-configured solutions to their specific industry challenges, all from a single, central source. A clear structure helps guide them to the right solution for their needs, containing all the necessary devices, software, accessories and professional services required. This streamlined approach means customers also benefit from optimal product availability and fast delivery times, with all devices thoroughly tested and certified to ensure the high-quality standards they expect from Getac. The launch of the Getac Select program in Australia provides users access to devices that have been carefully chosen and pre-configured, optimised […]

OnRobot launches VGC10 electric vacuum gripper

OnRobot, a global leader in robotic end-of-arm tooling, announces the VGC10 compact electric vacuum gripper that addresses customer demand for a small but powerful and highly configurable gripper for nearly any application. Based on the design of the award-winning OnRobot VG10 electric vacuum gripper, the compact VGC10 is smaller and lighter than its larger cousin, so is ideal for constrained environments and smaller robot arms, but offers the same impressive payload of 15 kg (35 lb). The VGC10 provides fast out-of-the-box deployment but also offers unlimited customisation, with easily changeable suction cup options and the ability to add or replace arms to fit highly specific application needs. With this configurability, the VGC10 can grip and move a wide array of small, multi-dimensional, and heavy objects even with a lighter payload robot arm. The VGC10 features two independently controlled air channels that allow it to act as a dual gripper with pick-up and release in the same action, further increasing efficiency and reducing cycle time. The gripper can also be used with a single air channel for higher gripping performance. With no compressor or air supply needed—eliminating the cost, noise, space, and maintenance of producing compressed air—this compact electrical gripper is easy to implement and move. Fully integrated software through OnRobot’s new One System Solution platform makes it quick to deploy and redeploy on any major collaborative or light industrial robot arm for greater production flexibility. “We heard from customers that they loved the features of the VC10 gripper but sometimes needed a more configurable, compact version, so we delivered,” said Enrico Krog Iversen, CEO of OnRobot. “The VGC10 is another great example of OnRobot’s mission to be the one-stop-shop for innovative, collaborative end-of-arm tooling that lets manufacturers focus on their application rather than the complexities of the robot.” VGC10 Features […]

ABB powers with manufacturing management technology

The Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) software suite powers production for increased productivity and profitability, enabling seamless plant orchestration. The new version will offer an extended range of capabilities and new digital applications. This flexible and secure software platform with a broad suite of industrial applications gives operators, supervisors and plant managers the visibility and insights to take the right actions for increased productivity, quality and compliance. Features in the enhanced manufacturing operations management platform include: Enhanced user experience based on new HTML 5 web client; A new smart interactive dashboard application that provides greater visibility and collaboration; A new statistical process control (SPC) application, to determine if each process is in a state of control; A new Batch Compare application – for advanced batch analysis Manufacturing Operations Management is a comprehensive, scalable and modular software suite that optimises visibility, knowledge and control throughout the operations domain. This release provides a range of rich new functionality and a new enhanced user experience that enables operations to become more productive and responsive.” Manufacturing Operations Management is designed to simplify production management by enabling performance monitoring, downtime management and maintenance support, as well as providing statistical production analysis tools. It provides solutions and tools to facilitate the collection, consolidation and distribution of production, quality and energy information via the plant’s web-based reports, trends, and graphs. A new, self-service dashboard application promotes increased collaboration, providing visibility from shop floor to top floor and spanning IT and OT environments. It increases data connectivity to all apps and modules within the MOM suite, combining historic and manufacturing data and providing the user with improved customization capabilities. Dashboards can be shared amongst users, further promoting collaboration between teams. Trends and events are displayed together, which enables customers to identify issues and opportunities enabling informed and timely decisions. The new common services […]

Takeovers Panel findings in relation to Energy Resources of Australia

Rio Tinto acknowledges the findings of the Takeovers Panel in relation to Energy Resources of Australia Limited’s (ERA) renounceable entitlement offer to raise $324 million (A$476 million) for the rehabilitation of the Ranger Project Area in Australia’s Northern Territory. The company will consider the Panel’s judgement before determining next steps. Rio Tinto group executive Energy & Minerals Bold Baatar said “Rio Tinto agreed to fully subscribe to and underwrite an entitlement offer in the absence of any other commercially viable solution being available to ERA for the rehabilitation of the Ranger Project Area. “We will now consider our options in light of the Panel’s orders so that ERA can fulfil its important rehabilitation obligations and commitments to the communities in which it operates and relevant authorities.” Under the terms of its mining approvals, ERA is required to end mining and processing activities at Ranger by January 2021 and complete final rehabilitation by January 2026. On 8 February 2019, ERA finalised its closure feasibility study for Ranger Project Area rehabilitation, resulting in a material increase in anticipated rehabilitation costs. Following this increase, ERA advised it needed extra funding to meet its rehabilitation obligations to the Commonwealth Government, Northern Territory Government and Traditional Owners.

Oomiak Refrigeration opens office in Kuala Lumpur

The Melbourne Markets Epping plantroom is concepted, designed, installed and maintained by Oomiak Refrigeration. The company started in 2006 in Adelaide, South Australia, and has established a presence in every mainland Australian state with its expertise in the design and manufacture of industrial and commercial refrigeration. Oomiak already has several clients in Asia including in Sri Lanka, South Korea, Philippines and major Malaysian frozen food manufacturer Kawan. Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Cate McGuire said establishing a permanent presence in Asia had always been part of Oomiak’s growth plan. She said the new Kuala Lumpur office had already attracted interest from the Malaysian government, which has recognised the need for sustainability in fresh produce. “The Asian market has a rapidly growing appetite for fresh fruit and vegetables, and with that comes the need to adequately cool and store produce to ensure it maintains maximum freshness for customers,” McGuire said. “Our leading-edge industrial refrigeration equipment and fresh produce ripening systems, as well as the expert advice we give to clients, has been extremely well received in Asia. Oomiak was engaged by Perth Shipbuilder Austal to supply and commission air conditioning systems for two Cape Class Patrol Boats for the Royal Australian Navy. “We see enormous growth in the region over the next decade and we feel we’ve really got something to offer in terms of reducing wastage, preserving the shelf-life of food and adding value for them.” The use of natural refrigerants such as ammonia and its engineering capacity to design efficient systems tailored to specific client needs has been key to Oomiak’s success. Oomiak has about 65 employees with about 25 of those based at its Adelaide headquarters

AEMO gives SA-NSW interconnector project top priority

A $1.5 billion project to build a high capacity electricity interconnector linking South Australia and New South Wales has been listed as a top priority by interconnector the Australian Energy Market Operator. AEMO has published its Draft 2020 Integrated System Plan (ISP), listing the 330kv SA-NSW transmission line at the top of its Group 1 Priority Projects. The 900km interconnector linking Robertstown in South Australia’s Mid North with Wagga Wagga in central New South Wales is expected to provide grid stability and lower electricity prices in South Australia when completed from 2022. Electricity infrastructure provider ElectraNet is planning the $1.5 billion 800MW National Energy Grid interconnector with its NSW counterpart TransGrid. The project was listed as Group 2 in the previous 2018 Integrated Systems Plan. Other projects given Group 1 priority in the 2020 Draft ISP include upgrades to interconnections linking Queensland with NSW and NSW with Victoria and Increasing inertia and fault current in South Australian transmission networks. South Australian Minister for Energy and Mining Dan van Holst Pellekaan said the project would increase stability and reduce electricity prices for residential and commercial customers. “In essence AEMO has labelled the SA-NSW interconnector a ‘no brainer’ to deliver cheaper, more reliable electricity for South Australian households and businesses,” he said. “South Australia currently only has interconnection with Victoria which puts us at the end of the line and vulnerable to the type system risks that saw the entire state blacked out in 2016.” Modelling released earlier in the year showed that small and medium businesses with significant electricity consumption will save many thousands of dollars each year when the interconnector is energised. The South Australian Government granted the interconnector Major Project Status in June with the NSW Government is declaring it Critical State Significant Infrastructure in August. AEMO describes Group […]