June 2020

How Australian firms can embrace lean manufacturing for improved competitiveness

The Covid-19 pandemic has created innumerable challenges for Australian business. However, it may also have created opportunities for some sectors, including the Australian manufacturing sector. Long beleaguered, this sector has the potential to compete more successfully if manufacturers can pivot successfully to new approaches and adapt quickly to changing market conditions, according to Konica Minolta. The Covid-19 crisis has exposed the risks Australia faces due to over-reliance on products from overseas. Australian manufacturers are making less and less of what Australians want and need, and the sector has been in decline since the 1970s. With political and market sentiment turning towards the value of Australian-made goods, now is an ideal time for manufacturing firms to reposition themselves, innovate, and take advantage of any targeted industry strategy embraced by the government. However, to do this, Australian firms will have to overcome one the biggest challenges of all; the relatively high cost of manufacturing in this country. Compared with Australia’s Asian neighbours, local manufacturers must contend with higher costs for energy, labour, and material. This makes it even more important for them to embrace lean manufacturing ideals and find ways to improve efficiencies throughout their processes. Matt Hunter, innovation product manager, Konica Minolta, said, “One of the key trends transforming manufacturing is the requirement for shorter product runs with faster turnaround. Customers are looking for the ability to customise and even individualise products at the same price-point as mass manufacturing. While this may seem impossible, new and emerging technologies are paving the way for this to become a reality.” 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a key technology that is helping manufacturers bring this dream to a reality. Useful in both prototyping and end-use parts, 3D printing can let manufacturers create products very quickly at a very low cost. When […]

Perfect Synergy of planning delicately places 30m crane into vital WA power role

The new Konecranes Turbine Hall crane, with nearly 30m span, had to be installed in a tight space, and was delivered swiftly and safely, with outstanding cooperation between Synergy and Konecranes Western Australia’s largest electricity generator, Synergy, has installed a new Konecranes 50t CXT double-girder Turbine Hall crane at its Kwinana facility as part of a series of upgrades designed to provide ongoing reliable and affordable energy to its customers. As the world’s leading supplier of cranes to the power industry, Konecranes has designed its Turbine Hall cranes to require less maintenance, and perform reliably over a longer life cycle. Made from only the best quality steel, each crane has overload protection and fail-safe operator controls for optimum safety and reliability. Synergy is owned by the Government of Western Australian and is a major retailer of electricity, with more than one million residential, business and industry customers across the State. “We opted to engage with Konecranes due to their history, market share and reputation in the crane manufacturing and service industry. As a Government-owned power generation company, ensuring a competitive quote was key factor in our decision to select Konecranes,” said Mr Steve Owen, Mechanical Engineering Officer, Gas Turbines and Distributed Generation – Asset Support, Synergy. Konecranes’ Turbine Hall cranes are designed to set new benchmarks in safety and performance. “As WA’s leading energy generator and retailer, delivery of reliable, affordable energy is Synergy’s focus, and choosing reliable partners like Konecranes plays a major role in this service,” said Mr Owen. “Other key benefits Konecranes provided us with were local fabrication, a simple construction process and the ability to meet Synergy’s strict guidelines and demanding deadlines for the installation,” he said. “Additionally, due to Konecranes’ geographical proximity to Synergy’s sites, emergency breakdowns can be acted upon with minimal disturbance to […]

New Tremco Construction Products Group unites industry leading brands

Tremco Construction Products Group (CPG) has announced its formation in Australia, bringing together several leading construction product brands. The move aims to simplify the supply chain process by providing construction professionals with a one-stop-shop for high-performance construction materials for all six sides of the building. The collaboration will make a wide portfolio of product brands available through Tremco CPG Australia. These include Flowcrete, Tremco, Euclid, illbruck, Nullifire and Willseal. With more than 30 years presence in Australia & New Zealand and as part of the Asia Pacific region, there is access to manufacturing capabilities in South Korea, Malaysia and Australia. With this capability, the group of brands is well-positioned to cater to the local preferences of the diverse markets that are spread across our region. The amalgamation of industry-leading brands means that Australian builders, architects, designers, engineers and specification professionals will have access to a wide variety of innovative construction product technologies and expert advice for all six sides of the building envelope. CPG’s portfolio of brands will provide the Australian marketplace with a one-source solution for everything from below-grade waterproofing, subfloor screeds and seamless resin flooring to air and vapour barriers, glazing, facades and fire protection products. “Tremco CPG’s expansive sales force gives contractors, building owners, architects and engineers easy access to all the information and assistance they need, whatever their project’s objectives and challenges. Our technical specialists work together on the solution that provides the performance desired while meeting aesthetic and budget parameters,” states Tremco CPG President Paul Hoogenboom. The combined strength of national support and world-class product technology will provide customers with an understanding of international best practice and deliver quality assurance throughout the stages of the construction process. Many of the innovative construction solutions available from Tremco CPG are developed and manufactured with the Asia Pacific market in mind, with popular European […]

Unlocking the future of 4.0

Cicada Innovations is running a free online panel, ‘Unpacking the future of manufacturing 4.0’ with: Deputy Director General, Department of Innovations and Tourism Industry Development CEO, Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Hub CEO, SpeeDX What really is Manufacturing 4.0? How important is it to keep the manufacturing of crucial items on-shore so they are less affected by global events? What does the future of this changing space hold and how can Australia meet that challenge? https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/monthly-buzz-unpacking-the-future-of-advanced-manufacturing-registration-111083666236 Circada Innovations is a hub of science (particularly agricultural, medical and AI) startups at the National Innovation Centre in Sydney.

B360 rugged laptop engineered for 5G

Getac has unveiled its B360 fully rugged laptop, setting a powerful new benchmark for innovation in the rugged computing industry. Fully engineered for 5G, the B360 boasts best-in-class computing speed, brightness, and rugged reliability, resulting in a highly advanced mobile solution that excels in challenging working conditions in industries such as public safety, manufacturing, utilities and defence. The B360 runs on the 10th Generation Intel Core Processor, making it the fastest fully rugged laptop on the market, capable of running large numbers of applications simultaneously without any impact on performance. A 1,400 nits full HD display as standard, the brightest in Getac’s computer line-up, is also unrivalled in the fully rugged laptop class. The IP66 rating ensures it is completely protected from dust ingress, as well as high pressure water jets and spillages. The device can also withstand drops of up to six feet when in operation, while the latest MIL-STD 810H certification gives users complete confidence in its rugged reliability. The B360 is part of the Getac Select Program, which draws on Getac’s extensive industry experience to create comprehensive rugged computing solutions for specialised industry applications. As such, it is available in two distinct models at launch: The B360, ideally suited to the public safety, manufacturing, and utilities sectors and the B360 Pro, optimised for the defence sector. The B360: In addition to best-in-class speed, brightness, and ruggedness, the B360 is the thinnest and lightest fully rugged laptop in its class. At just 34.9mm thick and weighing 2.32kg, it can be carried and operated for extensive periods of time without causing user fatigue. Despite such a compact form factor, the B360 boasts an expansive 13.3” LumiBond 2.0 display for maximum usability in all situations and weather conditions. The latest 802.11ax Wi-Fi delivers wireless speeds up to three times faster […]

Investment in new Yawei sees Jmar expand capabilities and customer base

Shepparton based Jmar Engineering was founded by Mark and Janice Hooper and recently celebrated 25 years in business. Its ongoing success is based on a commitment to providing outstanding customer service, staying abreast of local trends and ongoing diversification. Through its precision turning and milling equipment, Jmar specialises in component manufacturing, repairs and maintenance across a broad range of industries including a considerable amount of ‘reverse engineering’; fabricating components and parts that customers may have previously bought from overseas suppliers, whom in many cases are now defunct or uncontactable due to COVID-19. In addition to component manufacturing, the company has been a supplier to the agricultural industry for almost twenty five years with a unique product called the Christopher Dairy Bails; a retrofit product suitable for herringbone dairies that allows the farmer to feed in the bail at milking time. Jmar have also heavily invested in 3D modeling which has been a great sales tool given they can now provide customers with an accurate representation of the concept design prior to actual full-scale production. Nearly all of Jmar’s business comes from around the Goulburn Valley area within a 50km radius of Shepparton. Expanding its sheetmetal and cutting capabilities with a view to obtaining more local work was what prompted Mark Hooper to originally invest in a fiber laser. “Our original laser proved a huge success in securing us heavier and more voluminous work and expanding our customer base – particularly those companies that had previously sent work to Melbourne or Sydney,” Mr Hooper said. “We ended up becoming a contract cutter and it was this that prompted us to invest in an additional Yawei fiber laser. We were struggling to keep up with the work and we couldn’t afford to let our customers down; this second machine ensured we could […]

First US sale for AI petri dish scanner

The Australian manufacturer of an artificial intelligence instrument to scan the contents of petri dishes has made its first US sale.Andrew SpencePrint articleRepublishNotify me Based in Adelaide, health technology company LBT Innovations told investors it had completed the sale to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. The APAS Independence technology uses an algorithm to detect bacterial colonies and incorporates computer vision to hasten the time required to detect infections in samples from patients. The sale was made by LBT’s 50 per cent joint venture company Clever Culture Systems and follows its first European sale, made to German clinical laboratory Labor Dr Wisplinghoff in October 2019. The APAS instrument is based upon LBT’s intelligent imaging and machine learning software and remains the only US FDA-cleared artificial intelligence technology for automated imaging, analysis and interpretation of culture plates following incubation. In a global first, the technology has been connected to HCMC’s Lab Information System through Data Innovations middleware. Establishing this middleware platform will support future APAS installations with Data Innovations existing customer base. Data Innovations has installations in about 65 per cent of US laboratories. HCMC is a medium-sized clinical lab, processing about 500 specimens a day including 300 urine plates for analysis. Over the past two years it has been operating as a centre of excellence for APAS, supporting the development of new analysis modules. HCMC Director of Microbiology Dr Glen Hansen said the ability to automate the reading of culture plates with APAS had increased lab efficiency and motivated staff. “It has been a real pleasure to work with the teams from LBT and CCS over the past two years,” he said. “Their commitment and excitement towards the technology is obvious and I look forward to continuing the collaboration into the future.” LBT Innovations CEO Brett Barnes said HCMC’s status […]

Waterco buys Automated Pool Products

International water treatment and swimming pool equipment manufacturer and merchant, Waterco Ltd. continues to invest in Australian innovation by acquiring leading distributor of hardware for the domestic pool market, Automated Pool Products Pty Ltd (APP) – home of the iconic Kreepy Krauly. The move bolsters Waterco’s extensive range of filtration, sanitisation and heating equipment while consolidating its position as one of the industry’s last remaining Australian-owned and operated companies. “Purchasing APP, or Autopool as it’s known, is part of our strategy to strengthen Waterco’s market share, especially in Western Australia and Queensland,” explains CEO and Chairman, Soon Sinn Goh. “Autopool’s established brand name, excellent market reputation and digital transformation will enable us to offer comprehensive pool and spa solutions to customers throughout Australia.” General Manager Grant Craig, who will continue working for Autopool, says he’s excited to partner with Waterco. “It is pleasing that Autopool will continue on as normal,” he says. “We will maintain our existing locations and with our existing team of professional staff. It is an exciting time for Autopool to join with Waterco and we look forward to continuing to provide high-quality products and service that we have become known for.”

Australian steel wins deal to supply $35b frigate build

Australian steel is set to be used in a $35 billion project to build nine Hunter Class Frigates in South Australia after a deal was signed with BlueScope Steel AIS. More than 1500 tonnes of steel plate will be delivered to ASC Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of BAE Systems Australia, under the $2.6 million contract. BlueScope chief executive Australian Steel Products John Nowlan said the steel would be supplied for the prototyping phase of the program, where five representative ship blocks are being built at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide. “The company has a long and proud history of supplying steel into defence projects – in the 1990s we supplied more than 20,000 tonnes of steel into the original ANZAC-Class Frigate fleet that the Hunter Class ships will replace,” Nowlan said. He said the contract was an important first step for BlueScope in potentially supplying steel into the build phase of the nine submarine hunting warships. “Manufacturing is a key part of Australia’s history and today BlueScope is not only a world class manufacturer but we are also internationally competitive,” Nowlan said. BlueScope now has more than 100 facilities in 18 countries, employing around 14,000 people globally. ASC Shipbuilding is designing and building nine Hunter Class ships, which will be among the world’s most advanced anti-submarine warfare frigates, for the Royal Australian Navy. The contract is the first awarded to Australian businesses in the lead up to the Hunter program beginning with the five representative ship blocks built at the Osborne shipyard over two years. It follows news of the first new construction shed Building 20 being finished in the $500 million upgrade of the shipyard and the handover to ASC Shipbuilding getting underway. Five new sheds in the shipyard are being fitted with cutting edge construction equipment, and ASC […]

Unique machine guarding with round corners

Axelent X-Guard Contour is a part of a larger range that is easily configurable to adapt to all possible machine guarding needs for any warehouse, factory or facility. The X-Guard Contour is a unique machine guard that has been designed by Axelent to offer a sleek and functional design,’ The X-Guard Contour was the market’s first machine guard with 90-degree corner angles that offer round corners on the guarding. This innovative feature ensures that the X-Guard Contour is an ideal solution for confined areas within a production environment or narrow warehouse and has grown to be one of the most popular in the series. The X-Guard range is intuitively designed to ensure that the guarding fits easily and quickly around all types of machines and safety areas. With endless combinations available the X-Guard range offers flexibility and the guards are available in mesh panel, sheet plate and plastics sections. Thanks to the X-Guard’s smart door solutions you do not need to pre-determine whether you need a left or right-hinged door. The sections are available in 13 widths and 4 heights and is quick to assemble. The unique X-Key is designed for quick panel release and ensures that you can re-configure your panels as your equipment and demands of the facilities grow and change. The X-Key allows the customer to change the hinge and lock with a simple operation which means you can easily and quickly change the configuration of the machine guarding as and when the need arises. Axelent is a global manufacturer of unique modular-designed X-Guard safety guarding and X-Tray cable tray systems and the McCue Pedestrian Barriers; all of which are designed to protect pedestrians, machines, forklifts, racking and your facilities. Axelent Australia offers a complete safety concept for the Australia and New Zealand markets that is guaranteed […]

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June 2020