Manufacturing Technology

Olympus launches new portable, powerful videoscope

The IPLEX G Lite industrial videoscope features powerful imaging capabilities and a small, rugged body. Lightweight and able to go almost anywhere, the IPLEX G Lite videoscope provides users working in challenging environments with a remote visual inspection tool that has the image quality and ease of use to get the job done. The IPLEX G Lite is the successor to the compact and lightweight IPLEX UltraLite model, and can be used to capture images inside aircraft engines, piping, and other equipment without the need for disassembly. With two times the brightness of its predecessor, the IPLEX G is also suitable for a variety of applications within the security industry and clean energy sector, including wind turbines. According to Jack Zhang, RVI Product General Manager at Olympus Asia Pacific, “Recent years have seen an increasing emphasis on safety management and quality assurance in fields such as aerospace, security and architecture. This has been accompanied by the use of industrial videoscopes for equipment inspections as these instruments can be used to conduct inspections without the need for disassembly.” The IPLEX G Lite is small and lightweight making it easy to use with one hand, while also featuring enhanced image processing. The tip of the videoscope is fitted with a very small camera and can be freely manipulated, making these instruments ideal for tasks such as periodic maintenance or inspecting a component’s quality. Ease of use has been improved in the IPLEX G with the adoption of a touch panel monitor and electrically operated scope tip bending, enabling users to complete inspections more quickly. New recording and playback functions have also been added; including constant video recording and the ability to add bookmarks to save time during video reviews and find critical moments quickly. When inspecting in oily environments, getting oil on […]

Power PDF 3 enhances worker productivity

Nuance Communications has announced Power PDF 3, the newest version of the company’s award winning Power PDF software allowing businesses to create, edit, sign and share PDF documents. Power PDF 3 builds on the rich features of previous iterations, delivering benefits in several areas including user experience, conversion accuracy, document compatibility, eSignature support with workflow integration, collaboration and text editing. In NZ and Australia Power PDF 3 IS used as a business tool mainly in SME, corporates, manufacturing, industry, professional firms such as engineers. Power PDF frees organisations from the high cost of dealing with PDF licensing while providing a secure, user-friendly experience that satisfies the individual worker. For workers, it allows them to work more efficiently completing more tasks at a higher quality. Specifically, Power PDF 3 improves organisational performance with key new capabilities and benefits, including: Increased conversion accuracy: Leveraging the latest advancements in Nuance’s document conversion technology, workers immediately benefit from incredibly accurate and searchable PDFs and Microsoft Office documents with layouts stringently maintained. This enables PDF power-users to spend more time doing their jobs by avoiding rework fixing misidentified words or page formatting. Document compatibility: Power PDF 3 now supports the ISO PDF 2.0 standard, ensuring Power PDF documents are compatible with the widest range of existing PDF readers and processors which is critical for driving better business practices. Enhanced productivity: Power PDF 3 features real-time document collaboration, allowing multiple parties on the same network to edit PDF documents without inefficient back-and-forth processes such as email, while also eliminating document merge conflicts. These new features help workers work not only faster, but smarter while collaborating with one another. DocuSign® secure document workflow integration: Today’s workers demand secure, convenient workflows offering the ability to easily sign and certify PDFs. Power PDF 3 features eSignature support from DocuSign®, […]

Global collaboration gives rise to 3D printed field test kit

A three-cornered collaboration between South Australia, Texas and Ethiopia is using 3D printed technology and design innovation to efficiently diagnose a deadly disease that infects a million people every year. -Jim Plouffe The kit to diagnose leishmaniasis is being trialled this month by the Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as part of a program to revolutionise the way diseases are tested and treated. Working with Austin-based infectious disease virtual incubator PandemicTech and the New Venture Institute (NVI) at Flinders University in Adelaide, South Australia, Dr Endalamaw Gadisa has been able to quickly iterate his knowledge of a better way to test for leishmaniasis into a practical and cost-effective design. Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease spread through the bites of sandflies. The World Health Organisation estimates that up to 1 million new cases and 30,000 deaths occur annually, usually among malnourished people living in poverty and or unsanitary conditions. Although it can lead to ulcers and death, leishmanias is curable if diagnosed and treated early. Addis Ababa-based Dr Gadisa identified several difficulties in testing for the disease in Ethopia, leading to the need for more effective and practical diagnostic equipment. The difficulties with the current system include the cost of a liquid medium (reagent) used for testing, the fragile test tubes used to store the reagent, the challenge of viewing the samples under available microscopes, and the length of time it takes to get results, which can be more than a week. He developed a design for a test tube that requires significantly less reagent (10 microliters versus 25 millilitres) and could provide results in as few as three days, but he lacked the ability to build his prototype in Addis Ababa. Andrew Nerlinger, the director of PandemicTech in Austin, offered to work with Dr Gadisa as one of the incubator’s […]

BAE Systems wins $35 billion bid to build war frigates in South Australia

ASC Shipbuilding will build nine anti-submarine warfare frigates for the Australian Navy in Adelaide after BAE Systems was chosen as the preferred tenderer for the $35 billion SEA 5000 project. – Andrew Spence The Global Combat Ship – Australia is based on BAE Systems’ Type 26 frigate, one of the world’s most advanced anti-submarine warships, which the company is currently constructing in Glasgow for the British Navy. The BAE Systems design was selected over Italian company Fincantieri and Spanish ship builder Navantia for the SEA 5000 project. The ships, named the Hunter class, will be built at ASC’s headquarters, the Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide, South Australia. ASC Shipbuilding, currently wholly owned by the Australian Government, will become a subsidiary of BAE Systems during the build. At the end of the program the Commonwealth will resume complete ownership of ASC Shipbuilding. The Hunter class will have the capability to conduct a variety of missions independently, or as part of a task group, with sufficient range and endurance to operate effectively throughout the region. The frigates will also have the flexibility to support non-warfare roles such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Incorporating the leading edge Australian-developed CEA Phased-Array Radar and the US Navy’s Aegis combat management system, with an Australian interface developed by Saab Australia, the Hunter class will be one of the most capable warships in the world. The project is expected to create and sustain 4000 highly skilled jobs, providing a significant contribution to the development of Australia’s continuous naval shipbuilding capability and a boost to the nation’s manufacturing industry.

Recycling robots: Reducing waste the smart way

Just last month Apple showed off Daisy, a recycling robot that can strip apart iPhones and allow the materials to be reused. It’s highly likely that other smart device manufacturers will follow suit with similar robots in future. The benefits of a device like Daisy are twofold. For starters, it allows customers to safely dispose of their discarded smart devices. Secondly, it reduces the resources spent on sourcing the materials for new devices, as the materials can be taken from older models and reused.

First Pacific Patrol Boat launched

The first of 21 Guardian Class Pacific Patrol Boats to be designed and built by Austal has been launched. The launch of the first vessel comes just two years after the contract was awarded to the Australian shipbuilder. The first vessel is now scheduled for delivery to Papua New Guinea in late October 2018. The launch of the first Pacific Patrol Boat is a milestone for Austal, with the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement (PPB-R) program marking the company’s first steel ship program. “Austal is proud to be delivering the PPB-R program for the Commonwealth. This is the first steel ship program we have managed and we are doing so on time and on budget,” Austal chief executive David Singleton said. “It is a testament to the skills, experience and management of the Austal PPB-R team that the first vessel has met its project milestones for design and build, on schedule. The overall construction program is well underway, with vessels two and three in build and the fourth vessel commencing construction in June.” Singleton said the program will support 200 direct jobs at Austal and 200 indirect jobs in the broader Australian industry in a program that now extends out to late 2023. This employment is in addition to several hundred jobs at Austal created by a number of large commercial export contracts currently under construction and planned for construction at the Henderson shipyard. “We are already working on export opportunities leveraging off the Pacific Patrol Boats, which will assist Australia to sustain its sovereign naval shipbuilding industry. Austal has already delivered over 40 patrol boats to international customers around the world,” Singleton said. The Pacific Patrol Boat contract was awarded to Austal in May 2016, worth $305 million for the original 19 vessels and associated in service support, with a further […]

Are you a future-ready manufacturer?

Greg O’Loan, regional vice president, ANZ for Epicor Software Corporation For manufacturers to compete successfully in the face of cheaper overseas competitors, it’s essential to look to technologies that can offer improved processes, increased efficiencies, and substantial cost savings. Before businesses can determine whether they’re a future-ready manufacturer, they need to understand exactly where their business sits today, where it could be in three to five years, and how the business can embrace innovation and automation. This requires a time investment to create a roadmap. However, this investment will pay off as the business becomes truly future-ready and can leverage new and emerging technologies to compete more effectively. At the very least, tackling these tough questions will put organisations ahead of competitors who are consumed with putting out today’s fires rather than focusing on growth opportunities. Manufacturers that don’t invest in breakthrough technologies will be rendered irrelevant and, more often than not, it will happen at a much faster rate than they ever could have dreamed possible. It’s important to address this significant business risk sooner rather than later by embracing ways to work smarter and more efficiently. The next generation of manufacturers can’t afford to sit on the sidelines. Future manufacturers will need to be aware of how the world is changing, pay attention to economic and geopolitical forecasts, and invest in technology. While innovation is important, the key for the average manufacturing plant looking for a toehold is knowing your customers and their needs just a little bit better than the competition does. The opportunities for growth have increased recently and the Australian manufacturing industry is set for a resurgence. It has added 40,000 new jobs in since June 2016, and increased the value of Australian-made goods sold to international markets by more than $20 billion since 2009. […]

Konecranes explores advanced networks with Nokia’s Digital Automation Cloud

Konecranes Executive Vice President, Technologies, Juha Pankakoski (centre) talks about the future of Konecranes digital solutions and the company’s collaboration with Nokia on cloud technology. Konecranes is exploring advanced networks and global digital automation cloud that enable Konecranes to utilise future network technology and develop 5G capabilities already today. Konecranes has been one of the first companies to employ technology giant Nokia’s Digital Automation Cloud. Konecranes Executive Vice President, Technologies, Juha Pankakoski believes that this advanced technology – which was showcased at Hannover Messe this year – has potential to enhance Konecranes’ current offering by increasing network capacity and reducing latency. Mr Pankakoski first discussed the customer benefits of utilising cloud technologies at a Nokia studio broadcast at the end of last month (April), where he was joined by experts from Nokia and Business Finland. Konecranes digital solutions are already implemented in global scale, with over 570,000 digitised service assets in 55,000 locations, including more than 1,500 in Australasia. More connections are being added every day. Real-time equipment monitoring technologies, such as Konecranes’ TRUCONNECT can be employed on any of Konecranes’ broad range of overhead cranes, jib cranes, gantry cranes, and lifting devices, that can typically lift anywhere between 500kgs and more than 2,000 tonnes. Konecranes TRUCONNECT technology monitors equipment in real-time. “Konecranes is actively exploring advanced mobile networks that help our customers establish fast and reliable connections to cranes, even in harsh conditions where there is no general network available,” said Mr Pankakoski. “Konecranes equipment is used in a huge variety of industries, from basic manufacturing and assembly through to large logistics hubs and shipyards. There’s no ‘one- size fits all’ approach when it comes to digital solutions for these industries, but the basic outcome remains consistent: to enhance the efficiency, reliability and safety of material handling operations,” he […]

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 […]

Labour-saving tools at EMEX 2018

A time and labour-saving range of Enerpac Sync Grip Pullers that enable one person to safely handle many jobs previously requiring two will be highlighted at the EMEX 2018 engineering machinery exhibition in Auckland from May 1-3. The SG puller range – in mechanical and hydraulic capacities up to 45 tons – will be a highlight of the joint Jonel Hydraulics-Enerpac stand 232 at EMEX, which will simultaneously feature Enerpac’s go-anywhere XC cordless pumps, offering the performance capabilities of an electric or pneumatic powered pump with the convenient portability of a hand pump. XC cordless pumps are constructed of lightweight materials, equipped with a powerful, one-half horsepower motor, and feature 28-volt, Lithium-Ion battery technology. Used with Enerpac’s global range of lifting, forming, crimping, cutting, fabrication and maintenance tools – including hydraulic SG pullers – they promote operator safety by removing trip hazards associated with traditional powered pumps. SG pullers – which feature synchronised movement of their locking jaws for simultaneous engagement and optimised safety – can be used as a standalone tool or hydraulic units can be combined with the cordless pump to deliver outstanding safety and convenience, particularly in hard-to-access areas. “The XC/SG combination is ideal for a wide variety of common maintenance tasks either off-site or in workshops where operations staff appreciate the power and precision of safety-first hydraulics that are easy and convenient to apply to sometimes less accessible and potentially hazardous jobs,” says Enerpac New Zealand Country Manager Mr Neville Stuart. SG-Series Sync Grip Pullers optimise safety, simplicity and speed of removal of bearings, bushings, gears, sleeves, wheels, fly-wheels, sprockets and other shaft-mounted items. They enable one person to do jobs that often previously took two, in applications such as maintenance of fixed and mobile machinery and plant as well as heavy vehicles and rolling stock […]

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