Business

Registrations for AUSPACK 2022 now open

Registrations for AUSPACK 2022, the southern hemisphere’s leading processing and packaging trade event, are now open. The globally recognised, long-running biennial event, which is part of Packaging and Processing Week, is heading back to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on 17-20 May, 2022. It brings expanded business sessions and improved online searchable directories to enhance visitors’ ability to tailor and plan their visit. Mark Dingley, Chairman of the Australian Packaging & Processing Machinery Association (APPMA), which owns AUSPACK, said, “AUSPACK 2022 will showcase a host of global mega trends in the food, beverage and pharmaceutical processing and packaging industries. “As the first industry expo since 2019, it will be the perfect place for people across the packaging and processing sectors to find solutions to increase efficiencies across their business.” This year, more than 250 suppliers representing hundreds of global brands will be on the show floor, offering visitors solutions that address a range of industry trends and themes. AUSPACK 2022 will allow attendees to see first hand, products that offer enhanced safety, security, automation and cost-saving benefits. The AUSPACK Leaders Forum, from 18-19 May, will offer business owners the opportunity to benchmark as an organisation of the future, gain knowledge and inspiration, and network with like-minded, forward-thinking leaders. Key themes include: future supply chain adapting and diversifying for commercial success future technology sustainability and the circular economy investment and collaboration future workforce The expanded Solutions Theatres at AUSPACK 2022 will give visitors in-depth overviews of technology, solutions and strategies, with sessions covering: supply chain and procurement education preventative maintenance materials and packaging design network security the circular economy the future of manufacturing and warehousing … and more The exhibition floor will also feature an array of new zones: IT & Services, Processing Equipment, Packaging and Packaging Materials, and Packaging […]

Overcoming the security challenges of Industry 4.0

Lani Refiti, ANZ Regional Director at Claroty The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted every industry in very different ways. The need to maximise remote working has been universal, but certain industries have seen demand for their products and services surge; while for others, demand has diminished to virtually zero in some cases. Manufacturers with heavily digitised and sophisticated operations were well-placed to manage both the transition to remote working and the demand fluctuation for their products and services. They were able to rapidly pivot from in-person to remote working, and to spin up production of high-demand goods such as hand sanitisers, personal protection equipment and ventilators. Meanwhile, manufacturers with less sophisticated operations found themselves scrambling to react. The technological capabilities that enabled manufacturers to successfully adapt their operations during Covid-19 can be summed up in one phrase: Industry 4.0, the next generation of manufacturing technology. The concept was conceived in Germany as Industrie 4.0 and made its debut at the 2011 Hannover Fair. It has come a long way since then and means different things in different countries. The Australian Government says, “Industry 4.0 is transforming how businesses operate by connecting the physical with the digital world.” It gives as examples, “Artificial intelligence, advanced automation and robotics.” Industry 4.0 embraces machine-to-machine communication, human-to-machine communication and the idea of a connected ecosystem that links customers, supply chains and production facilities. It enables real-time communication to ensure smooth operation of supply chains, the tailoring of supply to meet demand and, in more advanced versions, the concept of direct control of production according to demand. Industry 4.0 has increased manufacturers’ flexibility, competitiveness and their ability to exploit new market opportunities. Industry 4.0: where IT meets OT However, there is a major hurdle to realising the vision of Industry 4.0, one that manufacturers have struggled […]

Rio Tinto purchases first battery-electric trains for the Pilbara

Rio Tinto has agreed to purchase four battery-electric trains for use in the Pilbara region of Western Australia as part of the company’s strategy to reduce its carbon emissions by 50 per cent by 2030. Rio Tinto purchased the four 7MWh FLXdrive battery-electric locomotives from Wabtec Corporation with production due to commence in the United States in 2023 ahead of initial trials in the Pilbara in early 2024. The locomotives, used to carry ore from the company’s mines to its ports, will be recharged at purpose-built charging stations at the port or mine. They will also be capable of generating additional energy while in transit through a regenerative braking system which takes energy from the train and uses it to recharge the onboard batteries. A full transition to net zero emissions technology of its entire fleet of rail locomotives would reduce Rio Tinto Iron Ore’s diesel-related carbon emissions in the Pilbara by around 30 per cent annually. Rio Tinto Managing Director of Port, Rail and Core Services Richard Cohen said delivery of the prototype locomotives will be an important early step for the company on the path toward a decarbonised Pilbara. “Our partnership with Wabtec is an investment in innovation and an acknowledgement of the need to increase the pace of our decarbonisation efforts. “Battery-electric locomotives offer significant potential for emissions reduction in the near term as we seek to reduce our Scope 1 & 2 carbon emissions in the Pilbara by 50 per cent by 2030.” Rogerio Mendonca, President of Freight Equipment for Wabtec, said the FLXdrive is ideally suited to support Rio Tinto’s decarbonisation targets. “This locomotive provides the power, fuel savings and emissions reductions to cost-effectively run rail networks in the mining industry. The rapid adoption of the FLXdrive by Rio Tinto and other mining operators demonstrates […]

Why manufacturing needs a new approach to cybersecurity

Article by Robert Nobilo, Regional Director ANZ at Virsec Cyber-attacks continue to be an increasing concern for every industry. But recently they’re becoming a bigger issue for the manufacturing industry than most others. Cyber criminals frequently target manufacturing operations for their ransomware attacks. According to PwC’s Cyber Threats 2020: A Year in Retrospect report, the manufacturing sector and retail sectors shared the dubious honour of being the industries most targeted by ransomware: each accounted for 17 per cent of the total, well ahead of the second sector, technology, media and telecommunications with 10 per cent. The PwC report detailed one ransomware attack on a multinational manufacturer based in New Zealand; “The attack saw the vast majority of its systems encrypted and rendered inoperable, breaking its supply chain, halting global manufacturing and distribution, and putting its banking covenants at risk.” Another manufacturer hit by a cyber attack was local brewer Lion Australia, which also produces dairy products. In June 2020, it was hit by two ransomware attacks within 10 days, forcing it to halt beer production. The attackers were reported to be demanding a payment in excess of $AUD 1 million. Earlier this year, JBS USA Holdings, the world’s largest meat company, was hit by a ransomware attack and, as a result, paid a $11 million ransom. JBS Australia, Australia’s largest meat and food processing company, was disrupted by this attack and forced to close 47 meat processing plants in Australia. With these and other successful attacks, manufacturing will continue to be a high value target of ransomware gangs. The costly impact of ransomware on manufacturing The manufacturing sector is particularly sensitive to the impacts of ransomware and other cyber-attacks on two counts. Firstly, any disruption of day-to-day operations would likely leave a manufacturer unable to meet production demands, resulting […]

The Future of Manufacturing

By Charlie Wood, CEO, Wiise The manufacturing and supply chain industry has undergone a massive change in the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lockdowns and travel restrictions have caused immense disruption locally and globally but have also accelerated technology adoption in the sector. While global markets remain volatile, trade is starting to bounce back. There are exciting opportunities ahead for businesses that invest in the right processes and technologies for the new era of the supply chain. These three tech trends will be key: The rise of anywhere economy and asynchronous model Today’s supply chains are increasingly complex, involving an ever-wider range of parties across the globe. As we’ve seen with the pandemic, one problem affects the whole chain – but it’s not always initially clear where the bottleneck is or how to resolve it. If a factory in China can’t supply a particular component, can it be sourced elsewhere? Once every part of the supply chain gets connected digitally, companies will be able to get a real-time pulse of their business. Through intelligent ERP systems, they’ll know what stock is where and be able to track and divert shipments, with backup routes and providers to avoid any obstacles and outages. If there’s a sudden change in border restrictions or a shipping route is closed (e.g., the Suez Canal blocking in March 2021) the system will help calculate and re-route alternative options. Businesses will also look for more efficient ways to collaborate with customers, employees, and partners. With the rise of the asynchronous model, we will see the increase of shorter, “button-click”, in-app meetings like Slack’s “Start Huddle” to replace longer, scheduled meetings. Democratised IT is the new norm Businesses of any size can now access sophisticated platforms that leverage AI and machine learning. Businesses are “buying […]

Kemppi adds powerful 535 welding model to MasterTig range

Kemppi, has released the latest addition to its MasterTig family – the MasterTig 535 ACDC GM. It is the most powerful TIG welding source in the Kemppi portfolio. Apart from providing welders with greater choice, the 500A welder delivers excellent performance, welding characteristics and functionality. The MasterTig 535 ACDC is a world-class solution that offers true mixed TIG capability so that welders can use the machine to weld a wide range of materials regardless of whether they are heavy or thin metals. The inverter welding power source has a maximum welding current of 500 A at 40% load and allows welding in AC TIG, DC TIG and MMA mode. The MasterTig 535 ACDC has been designed with the professional welder very much in mind. The machine has a large, easy-to-use, interactive digital display panel. What’s more, its Weld Assist feature lets welders’ setup faster to help increase productivity. Welders select the material thickness, joint type and welding position so that Weld Assist can help them determine the best parameters for the welding task. It also provides recommendations for the electrode size, filler wire, gas flow, groove type, pass profile and travel speed. Welders can also weld up to 30% faster, thanks to the MasterTig 535’s Double Pulse function. Double pulse accelerates the travel speed in DC hand welding and mechanised applications. This not only allows welders to power through work, it reduces distortion levels and delivers excellent weld appearance. Double Pulse also reduces heat input by 20%, helping to minimise welding costs. The machine’s MicroTack function lets welders complete multiple, repetitive tacking on thin sheet applications quickly and without forgoing quality or the visual appearance of the weld. The MasterTig 535 also features 99 memory channels so that users can set and save a range of parameters for fast retrieval. […]

CSIRO combines best of humans and machines

Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, will be part of reinventing the way humans and Artificial Intelligence work together, contributing to global efforts to design a completely new capability called ‘Collaborative Intelligence’. The newly launched $12 million Collaborative Intelligence (CINTEL) Future Science Platform aims to move beyond machines replacing people or automating their jobs, and instead to create teams that maximise the benefits of both human and machine intelligence. One of CINTEL’s first projects will draw on the expertise of CSIRO’s Robotics and Autonomous Systems Group who recently claimed a silver medal in the international DARPA Subterranean Challenge. The challenge, which has been described as the ‘robot Olympics’, involved using teams of robots to explore and locate objects in unmapped underground environments under the supervision of a human operator. CINTEL Leader Dr Cécile Paris said lessons from the challenge could help inform future human/robot teaming. “The project will focus on developing a richer, dynamic human-robot collaboration, enabling humans and robots to respond in real time to changes in the environment and make better decisions, together,” Dr Paris said. “CINTEL will research dynamic situation awareness and mechanisms to ensure a collaborative dialogue between humans and robots throughout, for example, a rescue mission. “Rescue missions are often ill defined and dynamic, and the humans must use their own knowledge and skills, like reasoning, intuition, adaptation and experience, to identify what the robots should be doing. CINTEL will investigate how humans can fully utilise their unique skillset in collaboration with the robots for successful outcomes.” Other early CINTEL projects include developing a digital team member to help scientists make sense of the massive amount of information in modern biological collections and supporting cybersecurity analysts with collaborative surveillance. The program will be run by CSIRO in collaboration with research and impact partner Saber Astronautics, as […]

How Covid has changed Australian manufacturing

The pandemic has had a dramatic, global-scale impact on a variety of businesses and manufacturing has certainly not been spared. However, while manufacturing in Australia is the subject of a targeted $475 million government drive to boot a dwindling industry, the country’s unique management of the Covid crisis has had some startling results. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the country had managed to stabilise and begin to rebuild the total number of manufacturing jobs between 2015 to early 2020. Even with the disruption of Covid and the loss of 56,600 jobs in the latter half of 2020, the industry has not been as severely affected as most others. The Alternative Path of a Pandemic Recession Previous Australian recessions have seen large declines in a variety of manufacturing industries. These include textiles, clothing, footwear, passenger car assembly and more. Recession during Covid has brought a very different landscape – mainly driven by the activity restrictions that have hit industries such as hospitality, travel and the arts the hardest. Manufacturing that concentrates on areas that support these related industries, such as beverage products and pulp, paper and converted paper products, have reported job losses of 10.2 per cent and 8.1 per cent respectively for the period from 14 March to 19 September 2020 (according to ABS-ATO payroll data). This can be directly attributed to the closure of restaurants and hospitality venues for the former and the rise in home working for the latter. Conversely, the manufacturing of chemical and chemical-related products – for example, hand sanitiser and pharmaceuticals – has increased over the same period. The demand for personal care items and health supplements has risen, with many of these being made by local manufacturing firms. A Shift from Global to Local One marked change that can be directly attributed […]

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PNY launches new PNY XLR8 PS5 SSD Heatsink

PNY are seeing a significant uptake of their XLR8 CS3140 M.2 NVMe Gen4x4 Solid State Drive which not only delivers next-generation speed and ultra-high performance, but is proving to be the ideal entry upgrade for the PS5 in Australia and New Zealand, where they have also just launched their new PNY XLR8 PS5 SSD Heatsink. XLR8 CS3140 M.2 NVMe Gen4x4 Solid State Drive product highlights Designed for gamers 13 times faster than SATA based SSDs Transfer speed up to 7,500 MB/s Faster boot-up and quicker application launch Better overall system performance, reliable storage Low power consumption, cool and quiet operation PNY’s quest is to develop the absolute ultra-fast internal storage to answer today’s demands of 4K and 8K content creators, high-intensive applications and ever more demanding games, lead to the launch of the company’s first PCIe 4.0 Solid State Drive. With the ever-growing support from CPU and motherboard manufacturers to the latest NVMe Gen 4.0 protocol, it is critical to have a supporting SSD that, when combined, will bring intensive users to a true Gen 4.0 level and deliver the performance and experience they ultimately demand. Delivering the future of ultra-high performance and next-generation speed today, the CS3140 offers sequential speeds1 of up to 7,500MB/s Read and 6,850MB/s Write that accelerate productivity and elevate the gaming experience to a whole new level. Key features • Next generation in speed of up to 7,500MB/s Seq. Read and 6,850MB/s Seq. Write • Enhanced bandwidth that allows for extreme performance and low latency, making it superior to SATA and NVMe Gen 3 based SSDs • Lower power consumption that results in greater energy efficiency • Greater endurance due to the drive’s ability to withstand extreme conditions and to retain data even when dropped. Product Specifications: • PCIe 4.0 interface (NVMeGen4x4), supports NVMe1 .4 • Form Factor: M.22280 • Speed1: up to 7,500MB/s Read and up to 6,850MB/s Write (vary by model) • 1TB2, […]

A wicking good idea for water conservation in the garden

A Gold Coast garden and agricultural specialist has just sold its innovative water saving system to the United Arab Emirates in its quest to help transform deserts into thriving market gardens. The Aqualess deal with the Middle East using WaterUp wicking cells, designed and manufactured in Australia, is the latest coup for the Gold Coast company and its revolutionary system. The Aqualess system grows produce using 80 per cent less water than traditional horticulture and cuts agricultural watering times by as much as 90 per cent. Aqualess owner Paul Jones said the Woongoolba-based business had only been operating from the Gold Coast for the past 12 months but was part of a new wave of water-saving agricultural methods in high demand globally. “It’s a revolutionary thing happening all around the world. This is something that allows people to start green deserts and remote areas,” Jones said. “For example, if you were watering your garden vegetables, you’d have to water them every second day pretty much, but you can leave this for weeks. “Your garden is getting moistened from beneath so it’s better than from above. It encourages plant growth, and you get much bigger and better crops for a fraction of the time you would have to normally spend watering a garden.” The WaterUp wicking cells made by Gold Coast company Aqualess. Aqualess spokesperson Rosemary Charles said the system turned wicking on its head, using recycled products to ensure that water and air were underneath the plant to provide a consistent amount of water to a plant for quick, consistent growing and nutrient-dense produce. “We’ve only been seriously in the market up here for around 12 months. Already we are exporting to Canada and Iran and now the Middle East,” Charles said. “There are so many uses for it, rooftop […]

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