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Hugely durable Wearply outstanding for materials handling and electrical tasks

In the picture (below):Wearply from Cut To Size Plastics is used for applications ranging from insulated rail joints, above, through to vibratory conveyor leaf springs used in processing and loading equipment as well as electrical motor, generator and transformer components. A hugely durable reinforced plastic composite that weighs less than aluminium but has up to 10 times the specific strength of 1020 steel is being offered by Cut To Size Plastics for demanding rail, ports, mineral processing, materials handling facilities, infrastructure construction and associated electrical and industrial applications. Wearply reinforced plastic composite is ideal for maintenance, engineering and fabrication tasks which aim to optimise design and performance of infrastructure and machinery components and leaf spring assemblies in which performance and reliability is vital. Wearply can withstand millions of stress cycles at 1400 bar (20,000 psi) without fatigue failure, says Pat Flood, NSW Manager of Cut To Size Plastics. It derives its enormous strength, performance and durability from epoxy resins reinforced with continuously aligned, non-woven filaments. This allows plies to be laid so reinforcement is oriented to give greater strength and stiffness in the direction, or directions, in which it is most needed. Parallel filaments resist the stress abrasion that can shorten the fatigue life in conventional reinforced plastics. “This advanced engineering material is winning the attention of machinery designers globally for its superior performance in a huge range of applications, from rail, materials handling facilities and associated electrical plant through to vibratory machinery in minerals and primary production processing and loading applications. “The same qualities that make it suitable for advanced aerospace and medical applications – such as helicopter blades and MRI equipment – mean it can be employed with confidence in rail, materials handling, marine and ship loading and high-precision tasks where reliability is vital,” says Mr Flood, who has […]

Lapp launches in Australia

One of the world’s leading providers of branded cable and connector systems and integrated electrical and automation engineering solutions, Lapp, is establishing a fully-fledged subsidiary in Australia. Lapp Australia – headquartered at Eastern Creek, Sydney – will meet demand nationally for technologies used in future-focussed areas of industry, such as automation, robotics, energy management, data distribution and intelligent manufacturing, buildings, infrastructure and process engineering. Lapp Australia General Manager Simon Pullinger says the new facility – to open on February 1 – will bring new levels of service and choice to the Australian market, offering strong inventory of over 1,000 product lines onshore as well as direct access to more than 40,000 standard items from Lapp’s global ranges. Lapp Australia will work in close co-operation with its established key local Lapp distribution partner in Australia, Treotham Automation, which brings market-leading local expertise to its specialised markets. Lapp Australia will also extend its strong association with ECS New Zealand, a family-owned business, like Lapp, which has been a Lapp distributor for more than 30 years. ECS Investments is a 50 per cent shareholder in the new Lapp Australia business, with the other 50 per cent owned by Lapp Holding Asia. The existing online Lapp Express website, meanwhile, will continue to expand in both countries, complementing the new strengths delivered by Lapp Australia. Mr Pullinger says Lapp’s investment in a new full subsidiary in Australia is a strong vote of confidence in local industry as it increasingly moves into the global industrial automation market, which is forecast to grow to an annual worth of $US 350 billion ($A460 billion) by 2024. The new Eastern Creek facility provides a strong base for engineering, technical and product support staff, operating in a technology and distribution environment modelled on Lapp’s global facilities supplying more than 100 […]

Production automation opens up new opportunities for thermoplastics

As production automation seeks to drive down the cost of manufactured and processed products, machinery engineers must find materials that enable their designs to achieve faster, more efficient and more reliable applications. The search for high performance materials that are also low cost, safe and sustainable has led some producers away from traditional metal solutions and into engineered thermoplastics, which can in many cases be carefully formulated to precise and clean, green performance characteristics for applications. One example of such new age materials offering outstanding service life as OEM and metal component replacements is the Wearlon family of thermoplastics from Cut to Size Plastics, which are used for machine building, process automation, drive and conveyor equipment and ancillaries used in such industrials as food and beverage processing, manufacturing and materials handling. There is much more research going on now into the correct materials to use for production automation, because it is a major investment that may be key to a company’s future. So it is no longer good enough to do things the old way they have always been done, because the rate of change in automation is accelerating and it would be very easy to be left behind completely. Sometimes change is driven in automating industries by pure economics, while, in other cases, issues such as HACCP food safety requirements are important. It is important to say there is no one ideal answer to all applications – whether they be metals or engineering thermoplastics – but it is certainly essential to consider all the options. Where required, Cut to Size can draw on the globally respected expertise of its international suppliers, including Licharz GmbH, producer of Linnotam and other members of Cut to Size’s Wearlon family of polyamides. Licharz’s applications laboratories and […]

Rio Tinto’s vision of ‘mining as manufacturing’ comes a step closer

What is manufacturing? It could be said to be a series of discrete often automated operations, co-ordinated and linked by sensors and data, to create an efficient and seamless production and logistics process from raw material to product. Rio has for many years been pursuing a vision of mining as just such a thing – a factory if you like, just a very de-centralised one. Thus drill hole creation at its Pilbara mines are an automated process, the drilling begun or ‘pulled’ through the system by the requirements of specific ships approaching Port Hedlend to pick up blended iron ores for individual customers. Just as cars are built for specific customers, ore is only mined when sold. The company has been automating key elements of the iron ore production chain – automated mine trucks, ore crushers, ore blenders, ship loaders etc…..and now the company has run its first driverless train. (see story) All this is controlled from a single centre located from Perth. Ultimately the company sees its Port Hedland operation working like a well oiled Toyota factory – a series of standardised operations, linked by logistics, centrally controlled and making only product that customers have already bought. An exciting concept – maybe our definitions are more out of date than we think.

Austal continues its success selling ships to the US Navy

Perth ship builder Austal has continued its often underappreciated success building ships for the US Navy – it operates what is now America’s fifth biggest shipyard. It has received its 15th order – the second this year – for a $750 million littoral combat ship (LCS) to be built at its Alabama shipyard. Significant parts of the ship are built at Austal Perth for incorporation into the ships. The 127 metre long three hulled vessel was originally modelled on its successful passenger ferries, but has now evolved such that it is a contender for even larger orders to meet America’s future frigate needs. The LCS was originally conceived as a multi-role vessel, with removable modules to suit different needs such as mine laying. The ship is now being given anti-ship missile and other offensive capabilities. Austal also supplies a second vessel for the USN – the Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF), a twin hulled transport vessel. Austal’s continuous production techniques, modular construction and efficiency set it in good stead to win the $3 billion Offshore Patrol Vessel contract for the Royal Australian Navy. A great example of an Australian multi-national designer and manufacturer – it also builds ships in the Philippines.

Luxury watchmaker secures ceramic manufacturing deal

Lightweight ceramic components for luxury watches will be manufactured in South Australia under a new agreement. -Stephanie Richards, The Lead South Australia Bausele CEO and founder Christophe Hoppe. Australian watchmaker Bausele has strengthened its ties with Flinders University to form a Bauselite ceramics supply and manufacturing company in South Australia’s capital Adelaide. Australian Advanced Manufacturing was launched last week and will continue to produce Bauselite componentry for luxury watches. The components will be made at Flinders University campuses in Adelaide, more than 15,000km from Switzerland where the majority of luxury watch componentry is made. Bauselite is a very strong, very light ceramic material developed by Dr Jonathan Campbell and colleagues from the Flinders Centre for NanoScale Science & Technology. It was used to create Bausele’s Terra Australis watch, released in 2015, which became the first watch from Australia to be accepted for showing at Baselworld, the world’s largest watch and jewellery trade fair. “The new material and method of production solved a number of issues specific to using ceramics in watches,” Dr Campbell said. “It’s a significant accomplishment that watch components are being produced here, signalling a major step forward and a powerful statement about Flinders’ delivery of elite engineering.” Bausele CEO Christophe Hoppe said Australian Advanced Manufacturing aimed to expand its production of high quality watch components. “Controlling manufacturing is really important and it can be both difficult and costly but with Australian Advanced Manufacturing I think there’s a real opportunity to make key components here in Australia,” he said. “Having the company will give us the flexibility, the freedom and the control – I think it will just make everything work better.” The Bausele Terra Australis watch design has been heralded as the first world-class timepiece ever made from parts designed and crafted in Australia. A five-pronged diamond clasp to secure the watch face is […]

Precision’s journey from car part maker gathers steam

-Peter Roberts I was lucky enough to visit Precision Components in Adelaide several years ago just as they were wrestling with the looming closure of auto assembly. Precision had a collection of metal stamping presses, often pretty old units bought from Holden and given basic automation functions, producing metal parts and complex sub-assemblies. Like all components suppliers the discipline was ‘cost-down’ delivering 5% cost reductions per year over the generally seven year life of its contracts with the assemblers. As such it was extremely lean, and totally tuned to its final customer. The company had invested in new laser cutting and hot metal pressing equipment, but it still needed to find products of its own or new customers that would give it a future. Ideas such as pre-fabricated metal buildings and furniture were considered, in fact every permutation of metal product standard and emerging was looked at. Precision seems to have found more than a niche in centralised solar voltaic power – where heliostats reflect and concentrate sunlight onto a receiver on tower, generating steam. There are numerous manufactured products involved. Now it is able to participate in solar R&D, establishing a research field with UniSA. Precision Components’ Director Mat Fitch described the project as ‘an important milestone’ for the company, which has been gradually moving away from its core car parts business to limit the impact of the car industry downturn. “This is another significant step in the diversification strategy we implemented to safeguard the future of the business and to create employment opportunities for South Australians,” Mr Fitch said. I wondered at the time whether Precision would make it, but am delighted to see their resilience, determination and willingness to innovate pay off in such a way. Congratulations Precision!

ANCA taking nominations for apprenticeship program

Australian machine tool manufacturer ANCA is putting the word out about its apprenticeship program. If you know of any bright young folks with a passion for mechanical/electrical engineering, pass this on to them. ANCA is a long established manufacturer of CNC Precision Grinding Machines that is recognized globally for its world class products and technologies. Its products are sold worldwide and is synonymous with innovation, engineering excellence, quality and pride. Stuart Gurney, the Apprentice Master said: “ANCA has a proud history of investing in its people to develop a highly skilled and engaged workforce. My apprentices get exposure to CNC machining, precision fitting, electrical testing and grinding applications throughout their four-year program.” “My passion is supporting the next generation of talent to enter the fascinating world of CNC grinding. Far from just being a manufacturing company we sell 99% of our product overseas and compete with German, Swiss, Japanese and US competitors successfully. We are honestly an Australian manufacturing success story. “It is very rewarding to see how much my team develops over the four years to graduate with a fantastic career ahead of them,” Stuart concluded.’

AIB introduces Australian first MBA online tools

Australia’s largest MBA provider, Australian Institute of Business (AIB), has introduced what is a first in Australia -‐ a new online calculator which aims to help prospective students make the life-‐changing decision to study an MBA. The MBA Time-‐to-‐Study Calculator helps future students determine how they would fit MBA study into their busy schedules. Joel Abraham, AIB Joint CEO, said that the MBA Time-‐to-‐Study Calculator lets people look at their study opportunities each week in a practical and planned approach. “Even with work, family and other commitments, people might be surprised how much study time they can fit into their lives,” Mr Abraham said. The MBA Time-‐to-‐Study Calculator is also a great tool for Course Advisors to use when determining with prospective students whether the AIB Agile MBA is the right course for them. Kerry Kingham, Head of Student Recruitment, explains, “We know that most students will need to spend around 20 hours per week on all aspects of their study to complete an MBA. The MBA Time-‐to-‐Study Calculator can be used to easily establish when they could allocate time for study and whether it suits their lives.” AIB has also launched the Agile MBA ROI Calculator, which allows people to work out what an MBA could be worth to them in future earnings. The ROI calculator is based on graduate data collected in the 2017 Alumni Insights Survey, and can help future students work out future earnings over the years to come. Since softly launching to the market in August, AIB have had over 22,000 unique visitors to their tools which have resulted in 1,200 reports generated and sent to potential students. The Australian Institute of Business is the […]

HT28 RTJ PRO Telescopic Boom with in-built safety and sustainability innovations

United Forklift and Access Solutions is introducing to Australasia its new Haulotte HT28 RTJ PRO Telescopic Boom, featuring the latest advanced safety and sustainability innovations for optimal performance in a range of access and maintenance applications. The new Haulotte HT28 RTJ PRO boom lift has a maximum outreach of nearly 24m, below ground reach of 3m and ground clearance of 48cm. It is compact, easily transported and offers excellent rough terrain capabilities. “The HT28 is robust, easy to maintain and suitable for all industries. The latest innovations will bring the productivity and reliability that the Haulotte brand is already known for globally,” said Mr Andrew Macdonald, National Product Manager – Access Division, United Forklift and Access Solutions, which is the national distributor for Haulotte products in Australia. In the picture: Alexandre Saubot, CEO Haulotte Group, left, congratulates David Maxwell, Managing Director of United Forklift and Access Solutions, right, on receiving the first HT28 RTJ PRO to arrive in Australia. “It is ideally suited to tasks requiring access equipment in industries such as building, construction and infrastructure, ship maintenance, forestry, mining and maintenance of large structures,” said Mr Macdonald. The new HT28 boom also has an optional dual load capacity of 230-350kg. In the 350kg mode, the platform can accommodate up to 40% extra equipment weight. The unit also has an oscillating axle, 4 wheel steering, hydraulic differential wheel lock, high ground clearance, and gradeability up to 45%. Safety The new HT28 comes with in-built ACTIV’Screen technology that provides real-time diagnostics and is capable of displaying malfunction resolution, machine settings, maintenance alerts and service intervals. ACTIV’Screen’s on-board fully coloured monitor screen and diagnostic system provides precise information for operators to help avoid unnecessary service calls or field intervention on rental equipment, maximising machine uptime. By directly accessing the machine parameters […]

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