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Konica Minolta at National Manufacturing Week

Konica Minolta is offering manufacturers a first look at revolutionary technology that will propel them into the future at National Manufacturing Week, from May 9-12 in Sydney. Konica Minolta is offering manufacturers a first look at revolutionary technology that will propel them into the future at National Manufacturing Week, from May 9-12 in Sydney. Marc Brandon, 3D and Robotics Marketing Manager, Konica Minolta, said, “Konica Minolta is showcasing a new wave of technologies for Australian manufacturers that will accelerate operations and reshape businesses. These technologies – spanning additive manufacturing, material sciences, software, and robotics – are advancing and intersecting at such a rapid rate that they are for the first time, a reality for industry-leading organisations.” Konica Minolta is partnering with 3D SYSTEMS to make 3D production a reality for the Australian manufacturing industry, with the new Figure 4™ system. This new, high-speed digital moulding system will redefine manufacturing by accelerating production, automating manufacturing processes and producing flexible and scalable production, through a new processing technology known as Digital Light Printing (DLP). In an Australian-first preview, Konica Minolta will showcase the 3D SYSTEMS Figure 4 Standalone system, part of a wider family of Figure 4 technologies, at National Manufacturing Week 2018. These cutting edge DLP systems, deliver the industry’s first scalable, modular, fully-integrated 3D printing platform with ultra-fast speed, enabling throughput improvement up to 15 times and up to 20 per cent lower parts cost. Matthew Hunter, National Manager 3D, Konica Minolta said, “Konica Minolta is already engaging with industry and organisations that are willing to partner with us in bringing this and other additive manufacturing production systems to the market. By working together, we can expedite its arrival, while leveraging Konica Minolta’s industry leading support capabilities, to the benefit of all manufacturers in Australia.” Another technology that is making […]

Top practices for a top-performing production floor

Quality is an area where local businesses can excel. The Australian manufacturing industry continues to face significant challenges that mean businesses need to find ways to evolve and outperform their competitors to remain viable. Competition from overseas manufacturers with lower costs and a strong Australian dollar have put pressure on local businesses in recent years. “However, there are signs the Australian manufacturing industry could be set for a comeback with manufacturing jobs increasing by 40,000 in the last 12 months. (1) This suggests Australian manufacturers have found new ways to compete and prove their relevance,” said Greg O’Loan, regional vice president, ANZ for Epicor Software. The most successful manufacturers tend to concentrate their efforts in three key areas: 1. Production planning and scheduling Manufacturers must first plan what products need to be produced to satisfy existing orders, then when these products can be made. There are four ways manufacturers can maximise production: Define existing capability for production: a realistic assessment of production capacity includes factors such as the availability of machine time, the flexibility of the various types of machines for different tasks, and the availability of skilled labour within the organisation. Improve accuracy of production scheduling: organisations must continuously refine both manufacturing processes and the time allocated to them. This may be achieved by storing the load time (the amount of time it takes for production) for each job operation and recalling this to improve scheduling accuracy for future quotations as well as for actual production. Use technology to enhance production control: an accurate schedule should be available not only to those in production planning, but also to people on the shop floor who may be actively managing or producing products. An enterprise resource planning (ERP) system has these capabilities and is flexible enough to accommodate changes. Communicate the […]

Advanced manufacturing hub opens in Geelong

The Victorian Government is bringing more manufacturing jobs to Geelong, with the official opening of the industrial innovation and accelerator hub, ManuFutures. The Victorian Government has invested $3 million towards the $13 million project to create a future for Geelong’s manufacturing future. The facility will focus on creating new products and driving the region’s transition to advanced manufacturing by leveraging Deakin University’s industry-focused research expertise. The new facility includes flexible manufacturing production space, lab space, serviced offices, reception, and meeting areas. Tenants will also benefit from co-location with Deakin University and have access to research teams, student placement programs, specialist technologies and equipment through various Deakin centres. So far, seven tenants have been secured, including Insight Engineering, HeiQ, Flaim Systems, Partington Advanced Engineering, FormFlow, Conflux Technology and The Smart Think. SEA Automotive has also been confirmed as a partner organisation.

An Aussie car maker – can it really be done?

It’s at least interesting to see another company floating the possibility of making cars here. ACE Electric Vehicles plans to make EVs in Nth Queensland, and says it can manufacture here at volumes of 10,000 a year. ACE says it will release its first vehicle by the 3rd quarter, with parts made in China and assembled here. “They are shipped to Australia and put together like Ikea,” MD Greg McGarvie told the SMH. Mr McGarvie said once demand increases all manufacturing will shift to Australia. “Once we hit around 10,000 units a year we can shift all building and manufacturing to Australia.” After the sad end of Tomcar, success would make it the country’s only car manufacturer. ACE wouldn’t be the first company in recent years saying they can make cars viably in Australia, and I’m not going to bash anyone for having a go (and wish them the very best of luck) but I’m skeptical. -Brent Balinski

Archer’s Jamieson Tank manganese project capable of battery production

Archer Exploration Limited (ASX: AXE), is pleased to announce outstanding results from recent metallurgical test work conducted on a composite drill sample sourced from the Company’s 100% owned Jamieson Tank Manganese Project (located near Cleve, South Australia). The metallurgical test work was completed by Kemetco Research Inc, the same company that did the Ketchowla manganese and cobalt test work (ASX announcement 12 February 2018), and showed that the Jamieson Tank manganese was capable of making an EMD product with a manganese content of >92%, which is the standard required for alkaline and lithium-ion batteries The test work involved the leaching of the manganese from the old drill sample provided by Archer, purification of the leach to remove iron, cobalt, nickel and other potentially deleterious elements and finally the precipitation of the electrolytic manganese dioxide onto graphite cathode and titanium anodes. Executive Chairman, Greg English commented: “It is very exciting that our manganese at Jamieson Tank has been independently shown to be suitable in the production of high-grade manganese EMD, with its high-value applications in emerging and established battery technologies. This is consistent with our expanding exploration portfolio focus on advanced materials and reliable energy storage technologies.” Mr English continued: “The Jamieson Tank Manganese Project complements our nearby Campoona graphite and graphene project with its granted mining tenements, and our other manganese and cobalt exploration prospects at Ketchowla and North Broken Hill. We look forward to updating the market on further developments over the coming weeks.” The Jamieson Tank Manganese Project The Jamieson Tank Manganese Project straddles two separate tenements both owned by Archer: Carappee Hill (site of the proposed Sugarloaf Graphite Processing Facility) and Waddikee. The Carappee Hill portion was initially drilled by Archer in 2008 with follow up drilling under a joint venture between Archer and the manganese miner […]

Business loans ideal for short term investments in the industrial sector

While banks and other major lending institutions are turning short term investment financing into a drawn-out and useless process, Warbler Enterprise has brought a solution to the construction sector specifically to negate this problem. Apart from providing a turnaround in as little as 48 hours, the company has also eliminated the much hated administration and processing costs that otherwise fill the pockets of lawyers and brokers rather than the coffers of your business. And it is doing this for loan amounts ranging anywhere from $100,000 to $10 million for loan periods of one to six months – time frames which are vital for businesses in the engineering and manufacturing sectors. Spokesperson for the organisation,Val Pavlovic, says it was the added processing and establishment charges making most short-term finance a near-useless affair and in the end provided no benefit to those in the industrial sector needing short term finance that can be turned around quickly. “Warbler does things very differently,” he said. “We don’t ask the applicant company for many thousands of dollars up front for all manner of admin, brokering and processing fees; our charges are just $495 and that covers our due diligence on their business and valuation on equity.” “There is a set interest rate for the agreed period, so any business that applies knows exactly how much it is going to pay over the course of the short-term business loan. “And because we don’t have these annoying additional fees it makes it absolutely viable for companies that are seeking very short-term loans for up to six months. “While other lenders would expect tens of thousands of dollars in their own pockets above and beyond your interest payments for no valid reason over the short space of time which effectively makes other short-term lending useless.”

Countries with the highest density of robot workers

Data from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) reveals that industrial automation is accelerating across the globe. In 2015, the average global robot density in manufacturing industries was 66 robot units per 10,000 employees. Just one year later, the number increased to 74 robot units. Europe is the reigning champ, sporting a robot density of 99 units per 10,000 workers. The next highest regions are the Americas and Asia, with 84 and 63 units, respectively. When it comes to overall growth rate, Asia tops the list. “Robot density is an excellent standard for comparison in order to take into account the differences in the automation degree of the manufacturing industry in various countries,” says Junji Tsuda, president of the IFR. “As a result of the high volume of robot installations in Asia in recent years, the region has the highest growth rate. Between 2010 and 2016, the average annual growth rate of robot density in Asia was nine percent, in the Americas seven percent, and in Europe five percent.” Breaking those numbers further down by countries, South Korea had the largest installation of industrial robots per 10,000 employees in 2016, reaching 631. South Korea’s electrical, electronics, and automotive sectors have all contributed to this high installation volume. Singapore comes in second, with 488 units. “About 90 percent of robots are installed in the electronics industry in Singapore,” according to the IFR. Germany (309 units) and Japan (303 units) ranked third and fourth, respectively. Check out the full IFR report here to learn more. https://www.statista.com/chart/13645/the-countries-with-the-highest-density-of-robot-workers/

National Manufacturing Week, Sydney 9-11 May

Ian Harrison from Australian Made Campaign Ltd to discuss what it takes to be Made in Australia at National Manufacturing Week 2018 by National Manufacturing Week Ian Harrison, CEO of Australian Made Campaign Ltd (AMCL), announced to speak at National Manufacturing Week 2018. National Manufacturing Week (NMW) 2018 returns to Sydney as Australia’s largest showcase of manufacturing innovation, inspiration and information under one roof. Held from 9 to 11 May 2018, the three day event gives industry decision-makers the opportunity to see the next generation of technology in action and hear how it will transform the industry. Among highlights at this year’s event are the topical Industry 4.0 Theatre and Business of Manufacturing Theatre programs, in which industry leaders will discuss the impact of digital transformation, innovative design, and new business practices on the manufacturing industry. The program will feature more than 40 confirmed speakers with the Business of Manufacturing Theatre speakers to include Ian Harrison, CEO of Australian Made Campaign Ltd (AMCL). Research shows demand for Australian-made products is on the rise globally. Ian Harrison will review key research findings, and outline the changes to the requirements businesses must meet to make ‘Made in Australia’ claims. In this informative session Harrison will reveal everything you need to know about marketing your products as authentically Australian, here and around the world. During Harrison’s time with AMCL, he has repositioned the Australian Grown logo as Australia’s global product symbol – giving country of origin information to consumers, wherever they may be, and providing businesses with a powerful marketing tool to highlight in markets everywhere that their product/produce is Australian. NMW 2018 will be again co-located with the Safety First Conference & Expo Australia’s one-stop workplace safety event, as well as Inside 3D Printing Conference & Expo, the world’s largest 3D printing event. […]

The Show that can’t be missed!

EMEX 2018 can’t be missed, as over 170 international and local exhibitors will inform, delight, entertain and celebrate kiwi design and innovation across the 3 days. There’s also the serious business of putting forward great commercial deals for the manufacturing community. If you’re in Engineering, Manufacturing or Electronics then you really need to visit this free event to best position your business with the latest technology on offer. DISCOVER – what not to miss! World leading automated and robotic plasma cutting systems, designed and build right here in New Zealand for local and international markets by Plazmax in Rotorua, is highlighting the Kiwi Made Innovation feature at EMEX 2018 showcasing 3 separate automated plasma cutting systems, bringing both new and improved innovation to the market. Plazmax will be showcasing their world class capabilities with live demonstrations for all interested parties. After their introduction at SouthMACH 2017, Caliber Design and Locus Research are back at EMEX 2018 and proud to present some amazing examples of collaborative product design in the newly created Innovation Quarter. The products on display at EMEX 2018; the Stabicraft 1600 Fisher, the Ubco 4 x 4 bike and the 2018 Oscar winning Shotover Camera System, are the result of an intensive interaction during the entire product development process. You’ll be impressed by what you’ll see! ENGAGE – Find the right people for the job The Employment and Training Hub will provide you with the opportunity to discuss the well documented skills shortages in the industry with experts from M.I.T and Competenz. As a manufacturer or engineering company this is your chance to learn more about these highly successful programs. You’ll have your chance to engage potential apprentices who have chosen a career in technology by signing up for the ’speed meets’ that are organised during EMEX 2018. […]

2018 Forecast: Advanced manufacturing remains bullish

Manufacturing in Australia has capped 14 consecutive months of expansion – led in part by the food and beverage industry, according to projections tracking this sector’s performance. The manufacturing sector continued its expansion throughout 2017, notes an index released by the Australian Industry Group (AI Group), Australian Performance of Manufacturing Index. November was marked by strong performance, while mirroring an uninterrupted growth phase that kicked off in October last year. This trajectory was influenced by strong sales, production and jobs growth, and an escalation of exports across emerging and traditional markets. Among the trends, the traditional manufacturing industry will thrive, together with a factory floor adoption of the newer, more advanced manufacturing technologies. The AI Group notes that manufacturers are in a “rebalancing act,” marked by pockets of growth in food, beverages, groceries, and specialist machinery. The other sectors incorporate pharma, building materials, industrial textiles and furniture. Advanced manufacturing is defined by an ability to blend the skills of a multidisciplinary team, leveraging internet and emerging technologies, and capturing customers’ needs to deliver innovative products and services. This roadmap is also highlighted at the 2nd Annual Industrial Internet 4.0 Summit being held 21-22 February in Sydney. With a line-up of 30+ speakers and industry partners, this dedicated forum highlights core trends, and reflects industry forecasts, among these: INDUSTRIAL INTERNET OF THINGS (IIOT) AND AUTOMATION The future of manufacturing is influenced by the industrial internet of things (IIoT), robotics, automation, sensors, connected devices, big data, analytics, and mobile apps. Manufacturing is entering a phase of restructuring. This blueprint recalibrates cumbersome business processes, embraces automation, and adopts the more advanced techniques to improve productivity. On the automotive front, local manufacturers compete with low-cost imports. This sees a trend in moving production overseas, especially to Asia, while managing the overheads and reducing pressures on the bottom […]

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