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The case of the missing microns

With 85% of Australia’s population living within 50km of the coast, sand and fine grit are ever-present problems in municipal and industrial water and wastewater systems. At the Ozwater’20 exhibition Stand N04 (to run from 5-7th May in Adelaide), local wastewater and screening authority CST Wastewater Solutions will be showcasing the latest advances in fine screening, grit removal and clarifier technologies, including globally proven Smith & Loveless technologies, for which it is Australian distributor. According to Smith & Loveless, as much as 40-80% of the grit contained in municipal wastewater is in the 105-200 micron size range, but most grit removal systems are designed to remove grit in the 200-300 micron range. “This discrepancy has meant that grit removal systems have been stuck in the 20th Century, but Smith & Loveless has new, superior technology to advance grit removal and improve local wastewater systems,” says Mr Michael Bambridge, Managing Director of CST Wastewater Solutions. Bringing grit removal into the 21st Century Smith & Loveless’ latest PISTA® VIO™ system removes 95% of grit down to 105 microns, and features full variability of the inlet and outlet channels. This technology – which CST will be displaying at Ozwater’20 – features a hydraulic vortex grit chamber design that utilises a new baffle system. This type of grit removal system – one of the first of its kind in the industry – provides the ability to design the inlet and outlet channels at any variable angle up to the full 360° of the chamber. Designers can arrange the system to fit existing sites, or maximise space during construction on new sites. The choice is clear for clarifier technology In addition to grit removal, CST will also be displaying its range of Smith & Loveless clarifier technologies at Ozwate’20, including centre feed clarifiers, peripheral feed […]

Workshops to help minimise virus risks

With Prime Minister Scott Morrison activating Australia’s emergency response plan to deal with the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Risk Management Institute of Australasia (RMIA) have moved to host a series of one-day workshops to help businesses minimise the operational, financial and reputational risks the virus poses. The sessions, which will be hosted in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in mid-March, are designed to assist risk managers, occupational health and safety managers and human resources develop plans to protect the health and safety of their employees, deal with the challenges in their supply chain and keep their businesses operating as the dangerous contagion spreads. The RMIA’s CEO and Executive Director Jason Smith said: “The workshops will be led by industry experts who will deliver comprehensive information and tools to help organisations manage their business continuity and crisis plans in order to mitigate against the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. “The crisis around the coronavirus has clearly moved to the next level with the Australian Government expecting the virus to move to a pandemic phase and stepping up measures to prepare authorities for what is likely to be a sustained period of instability and disruption. A pandemic outbreak could last up to 10 months, 40% of the country’s workforce could be sidelined by illness or caring for family members, and Australia’s GDP could take a 10% hit. “From what we understand, emergency measures are set to be deployed at hospitals, schools and aged care facilities. Some hospitals are preparing coronavirus specific wards, while schools are expected to be prepped for a pandemic response that could result in classes being reduced or cancelled. Border Force personnel have been called in to escalate screening at airports, as cases of the flu-like virus grow across the region. “Our workshops will help managers identify the issues most likely […]

Defence companies vie for slice of $35 billion Australian frigate pie

Detailed planning for Australia’s Hunter Class Frigate Program is well underway as local companies vie for a slice of the $35 billion project. Nine anti-submarine warfare frigates will be built by ASC Shipbuilding at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia in what is being described as the largest surface ship project in Australia’s defence history. Construction of the first test blocks for the project will begin towards the end of this year with defence companies now being short-listed to carry out part of the work. Among them is Adelaide defence company AFL services, which has been down-selected for lucrative blast and paint work. AFL services was one of four Australian companies recently invited to tour global defence company BAE Systems’ world-class shipyards in Scotland to inspect painting processes used on the Type 26 Global Combat Ship. This is the reference ship design for Hunter class. “AFL Services has a proud history of working on defence projects, from land vehicles with BAE/Tenix toll defence, and components for Navantia to the Collins Class submarines,” General manager Adam Levi said. AFL Services now has more than 60 staff and winning a slice of the Frigate work would boost projections. ASC Shipbuilding won the head contract to provide the design and build framework of the nine anti-submarine warfare frigates that will be replacing the nation’s eight Anzac Class frigates. ASC Shipbuilding has become a subsidiary of BAE Systems throughout the build process before ownership is returned to the Commonwealth at the completion of the project. The two-year first building of five test blocks at the world-class digital shipyard in Osborne, Adelaide, is beginning in December this year with building of the first frigate expected to commence in 2022. “We appreciate that BAE System is embracing Australian industry content and helping small businesses reach their […]

How 3D printing will transform design and engineering in the future

3D printing is now mainstream within schools and businesses because of its flexibility and ability to unleash users’ creativity. 3D printing offers a fast, inexpensive way to create prototypes, test ideas, and even manufacture components and products for commercial sale or use. This is triggering a change in the way organisations build and design their products. The results include cost reductions and the ability to improve products by applying design thinking principles such as latticing, part consolidation, and light weighting. On top of this, savings in supply-chains, product storage, and waste can be realised. 3D printing is maturing and changing quickly, and so too is the future of engineering and design. For example, the automotive industry can now benefit from much shorter lead times when using 3D printing, which allows for much faster development and testing of components. As 3D printing technology evolves, and new materials are developed, products that were previously not viable to print because of size, accuracy and material constraints become feasible. There has been a huge surge across the industry recently towards end-use parts. 3D printing’s ability to manufacture and combine parts has become more effective and is increasingly being integrated into an augmented manufacturing process. For example, dentistry companies can embed 3D printing into manufacturing process to create digitally engineered moulds for patients. 3D printing has made this process much more cost effective. Eric Holtsmark, general manager – strategy, transformation and technology, Konica Minolta Australia, said, “The future of product development can also be aided by 3D printing. The design of consumer goods such as electronics depends heavily on current market needs. As these needs change, 3D printing not only offers manufacturers a way to adapt quickly by shortening the design stage, but also the ability to produce cost-effective short production runs to test the […]

Cardboard boxes on conveyor rollers ready to be shipped by courier for distribution

Datalogic AV500 industrial scanner enhances efficiency and accuracy

Datalogic’s new high-performance AV500™ 2D image-based reader enhances scanning efficiency and accuracy for high speed logistics conveyor applications, airport baggage handling systems, as well as static reading applications A new industrial scanner that extends the functionality of unattended data capture solutions is being introduced to Australasia and South East Asia by automatic data capture and process automation leader, Datalogic. The AV500 2D image-based reader incorporates several industry-leading features that allow the scanner to be used in a wider range of logistics, transport, distribution, retail and airport applications than were previously possible, without compromising on accuracy. Automated data capture systems radically advance the efficiency and reliability of inputting data, which used to be a time-consuming manual practice. Unattended data capture advances this further, with the automated processes and technology not requiring supervision from a person. “Advantages of unattended data capture solutions include improved accuracy and speed, improved cost-efficiency, reduced errors, faster turnaround times and reduced frustrations with paperwork or tedious tasks,” says Mr Mike Svetal, Senior Product Manager, Datalogic. “Datalogic’s new AV500 scanner enables unattended data capture to function to the highest levels of precision and efficiency, due to its industry-leading high-resolution 5 MP sensor, image acquisition at 32 frames per second, dynamic or adjustable focus, and multiple lens options,” he said. “The AV500 means that multiple reading attempts are no longer needed, because this powerful scanner covers a large area within a single image,” said Mr Svetal. “Additionally, the variable dynamic focus of the optical system increases the working depth of field of the camera, and its toggle mode provides variable focus for applications without the need for distance input, reducing overall system costs without sacrificing performance.” The rugged scanners come with IP65 rated metal enclosures, suitable for harsh environments with operating temperatures from 0 to 50 °C (32 to […]

Australian Iot company buddy’s up with major lighting manufacturer

Buddy Technologies Limited has licensed its software suite to Hong Kong-based Eastfield Lighting as part of a 10-year multi-product agreement. The agreement provides for a non-refundable payment of US$250,000 to initiate the arrangement, and further provides for a license fee per piece of manufactured product powered by Buddy’s LIFX platform. Buddy listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) in December 2015 and established its Australian headquarters in Adelaide, South Australia in 2016. It announced the acquisition of smart lighting technology company, LIFX, earlier this year. Eastfield is a prominent manufacturer of lighting products in southeast China, manufacturing well in excess of 10 million lights per year, including the company’s LIFX brand of smart lights. Buddy’s founder and Chief Executive Officer David McLauchlan spent 15 years working for Microsoft in Seattle, founding Buddy Platform, and acting as an advisor to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation before moving to South Australia. In addition to manufacturing consumer lighting products, Eastfield is also a prominent manufacturer of high bay lighting, outdoor lighting, streetlights and other commercial products. “Having spent a lot of time at Eastfield’s factory in Shenzhen and seeing the vast scale at which they manufacture lighting products, I’m delighted to have the opportunity to work with Eastfield on making their products smart, and delivering even greater value to their customers globally,” McLauchlan said. “The fastest way for us to place our technologies into some of the most prominent brands and products in the world, is to do so via partnerships with their manufacturers such as this. “This agreement is a big win for our commercial licensing team and for future customers of Eastfield’s lighting products.” Buddy’s consumer business trades under the LIFX brand and has established a leading market position as a provider of smart lighting solutions. The company’s suite of Wi-Fi […]

sonnen receives Australia’s Research and Development Investment Award

sonnen has won an award from The Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment (MTTI) for its direct investment in Elizabeth, South Australia to manufacture sonnenBatteries bringing new skills and capabilities to Australia and creating export opportunities for its home batteries to Asia Pacific. sonnen received the Research & Development Investment Award at the 57th Australian Export Awards in Canberra. The Investment Award pays tribute to an international company or joint venture that has made an enduring contribution to the Australian economy through creating or safeguarding jobs, cultivating innovation or developing new industry capability in Australia, facilitating the expansion of Australian industry within global supply chains and making a difference to the local community. Nathan Dunn, CEO of sonnen Asia Pacific said, “We are honoured to receive the Research & Development Investment Award. sonnen established a manufacturing facility at the former Holden factory as it provided a perfect opportunity for us to leverage the skills that South Australia has built in its workforce for manufacturing. We’ve hired former Holden employees and equipped them with new skills and jobs to build a cleantech manufacturing industry right here in Australia.” “As part of our commitment to innovation, we have created a small research and development team in South Australia that looks into how we are adapting sonnenBatteries for deployment in Australia and to support the rollout of Virtual Power Plants. With the growth in the adoption of rooftop solar, we have the capacity to export sonnenBatteries to Asia Pacific creating new economic opportunities for our country.” sonnen commenced the manufacturing of home batteries in November 2018 and it produces sonnenBatteries that are installed in Australia and exported to New Zealand. sonnen’s home batteries are certified Australian Made and recognised by the South Australian Office of the Industry Advocate (OAIC) as a manufacturer of […]

Nulon manufacturing moves to Fuchs Sunshine and Beresfield plants

Fuchs has made the decision to move the manufacturing of iconic Australian brand Nulon to its world class production facilities in Sunshine (Victoria) and Beresfield (NSW). Wayne Hoiles, Managing Director Fuchs Australasia said: “We are investing $4m to upgrade these two facilities to manufacture Nulon products and engine coolants with a greater level of automation.” The business is also investing over $1m in new IT systems and technology which will make working with them even more seamless. “The move means that we will have greater capacity to increase production volume and allows Nulon improved scope to deliver innovative new products to the market. We will remain the only automotive fluids supplier who is manufacturing lubricants, additives, greases and engine coolants in Australia,” he said. Customers will further benefit from Fuchs global technology and local manufacturing capabilities. Utilising the decades of manufacturing experience within both Nulon and Fuchs, all Nulon products will benefit from world best practice production standards and customers will continue to receive best in breed products that their consumers rely on them to provide. “We are committed to manufacturing Nulon products in Australia and will continue to market Nulon as a separate iconic Australian brand,” Mr Hoiles added.

Aus-needs-more-women-engineers-Aus-MN-website

Australia needs more women engineers

Lisa Harvey-SmithProfessor and Australian Government’s Women in STEM Ambassador, UNSW Engineering skills underpin the functioning of our societies and economies. As we face the global challenges presented by a changing climate, food and water scarcity, loss of biodiversity and globalisation, these skills will only become more important. In Australia, we have a high demand for qualified engineers but we train relatively few compared with similar industrialised nations. As a consequence, about half of Australia’s engineers come from other countries. While skilled migration is an important and largely positive element of our economy, relying on skilled workers from overseas could leave us vulnerable to factors outside our control. Extending the talent pool One part of the engineering pipeline problem is the lack of diversity in those who engage with the subject. Industry values diversity because it boosts innovation and improves financial performance. Despite numerous outreach and engagement programs and initiatives, however, only a small fraction of undergraduate engineering students are women. In vocational training, the number is less than one in ten; at universities it’s around one in six. This enormous disparity means women are missing out on designing the future. It also means that engineering challenges are being tackled from a narrow set of perspectives. A search for new ideas In 2019 the deans of engineering at Monash University, the Australian National University and the University of New South Wales created the Engineering for Australia Taskforce. The goal of the taskforce is to find ways to boost the numbers of women applying for university engineering programs. The taskforce has two major concerns. First, engineering enrolments do not reflect the diversity of the Australian population, particularly gender diversity. Second, engineering has a low visibility in schools and society in general. Today, the taskforce launched a new report that explores what factors affect girls’ participation in […]

Eaton announces appointments to ANZ senior leadership team

Power management company, Eaton today announced an expansion to its senior leadership team in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) with two new appointments. Mark Anning appointed General Manager, Circuit Protection and Control (CPC) and Kevin Nesdale appointed General Manager, Power Distribution Systems and Services (PDSS). Dan Agnew, Managing Director of Eaton ANZ said the appointments strengthen Eaton’s power distribution offering as it focuses on meeting growing demand for products, systems and engineering services that deliver safe, reliable and sustainable power. “With energy requirements continuing to transform across the entire power train and in most communities across the region, it is critical that we continue to work closely with our customers and channel partners to help customers solve challenges and invest for the future.” Based in Melbourne, Mark Anning will build on his previous role at Eaton which saw him revamp and significantly expand the Power Distribution Partner Program. Prior to joining Eaton in 2017, Mark spent 10 years at ABB in sales and channel management roles. “Mark brings an incredible amount of experience to the role and a deep understanding of the electrical channel. He will continue to grow the Power Distribution Partner Program and drive market growth across Eaton’s circuit protection and control products including our xEnergy switchgear which will play a vital role as the AS/NZS 61439 standard is mandated in 2021.” Based in Sydney, Kevin Nesdale brings more than two decades of technical and leadership expertise from his previous roles with Eaton, Cooper Power Systems, Eaton & electrical utilities. Working with Australia and New Zealand’s leading utilities and other MV customers, Kevin is focused on delivering power systems that help support energy transformation being driven by renewable energy, affordability and reliability. “Kevin (pictured above) will lead our Power Distribution Systems and Services team which includes our Cooper […]

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