Smart Manufacturing

Royal Wolf lifts club’s spirits

The surprise donation of a shipping container has thrilled a Queensland-based sporting club recovering from theft, vandalism and the ravages of Covid-19. In June 2020, Wynnum Wolves Football Club on Brisbane’s bayside was left devastated after thieves stole soccer equipment and recycled cans worth thousands of dollars. In November, tragedy struck again when vandals ruined new facilities worth more than $50,000. On hearing of the century-old club’s struggles, national shipping container company Royal Wolf stepped in, surprising club members with the donation of a shipping container to store and secure equipment for its community teams. The gesture represented a meeting of wolf packs – two similarly named organisations that value the contribution made by community groups at a grassroots level. Wynnum Wolves Football Club president, Rabieh Krayem, says the club was humbled to be singled out for the donation. He says the theft of 5000 recycling cans as well as valuable club equipment and the subsequent vandalism had been heartbreaking for club members, who volunteered hours of their free time to raise funds to improve club facilities, and to lower fees so more children could enjoy the sport. “Even the kids couldn’t work it out,” says Mr Krayem. “Why would someone come and steal our cans? I think it shocked the kids, but I also think it united the club and brought our members together and other people into the club. “I think when you’re part of a community, people will come. When you see the amount of kids here and the numbers growing, you know that this club means a lot more than just a football team. “It’s part of the community, part of the fabric of Wynnum.” Like many community groups across Australia, the Wynnum Wolves faced an uphill battle to maintain morale during the Covid-19 lockdown. Games […]

ILME MIXO pneumatic: at full air!

Treotham provides the new improved ILME MIXO modular system by adding new metal contacts for pneumatic connections. A step up for the winning MIXO series that guarantees better mechanical resistance and increased airflow for transmitting dry, compressed air in pneumatic systems. The metal pneumatic contacts: can now withstand a constant pressure of 10 bar; are available in straight and angled versions for different size plastic tubing: 3, 4, 6 mm, for both inner and outer diameter – ID and OD designation; are fully reusable after the assembly, using the given removal tool: a performance guaranteed up to 10,000 matings with HNM enclosures and MIXO frames. In a single MIXO module, two different pneumatic fitting techniques find their place meeting the user’s needs: quick push-in fitting for OD tubing (straight and angled versions) hose barbs fitting for ID tubing (straight version only) If needed, the female contact can be ordered with a retaining valve to avoid any airflow losses with the uncoupled connector. The ILME pneumatic series can be used side to side to all the MIXO series modules and inside all the ILME enclosures, especially with the high construction versions.

Rob Stummer, CEO Asia Pacific, SYSPRO AUS MN

“MOM’s” the word for manufacturers getting a competitive edge

By Rob Stummer, Asia Pacific CEO at SYSPRO The manufacturing sector is incredible with how almost two years into a ‘new normal’, a pandemic is not letting the industry reduce the productions of goods that the world demands. What has remained constant is the expectation that costs and waste stay minimal while the business functions efficiently. Without a doubt, manufacturing is a globally competitive industry that’s often responding to market supply and demands. The unpredictability of some market conditions can make it challenging for domestic manufacturers to often operate efficiently but there are solutions that can help business gain a competitive edge through better operational efficiencies. Most factories have a myriad of data sources that are often neither connected nor integrated. To harness the power of big data analytics and operational optimisation in manufacturing, it is critical to ensure interoperability between data sources. The issue is that from a data collection perspective, every machine can in theory generate megabytes of data that is often not used to its full potential. But what is the best way to improve operational efficiency in a manufacturing environment? Manufacturers should fully embrace connected and automated manufacturing by digitally transforming their operational processes, because connecting with machines to read real-time data without manual inputs will drive efficiency and transparency to manage operational performance better. The best way to achieve this is to ensure the intelligent interconnectivity between automation, digitisation and data analytics, which will drive transformative change within their operations and help them realise the promise of Industry 4.0. The changes this industrial revolution promises are profound and over the next decade, forward-thinking manufacturers will transform themselves through digital interconnectivity. Industry 4.0 is heralding a transformation in the manufacturing sector by facilitating new ways for humans and machines to work together and empowering manufacturers to achieve greater insights, reduce the risk of error and make better decisions. It encompasses three technological trends driving this transformation: interconnectivity, intelligence and automation. It converges […]

Funding growth of nano satellite technology -$26.4m round

·Fleet Space Technologies has secured $26.4m (USD) in investment, valuing the company at $126 million (USD). This represents a major step forward for Fleet Space Technologies, which is committed to creating the world’s most advanced low-power satellite network, securing planet-wide coverage for millions of compatible Internet of Things (IoT) devices by using its in-house Nanosatellite technology. The funding will underpin significant expansion in Fleet Space’s manufacturing footprint and will expand the company’s highly skilled workforce. The investment, which exceeded the initially targeted $25m (USD) is a clear endorsement of Fleet Space’s vision. The Australian start-up, co-founded by Flavia Tata Nardini and Matt Pearson, has created the most advanced smallsat payload yet delivered to orbit. These smallsat devices, roughly the size of a shoebox, generate ten times more throughput per kilo than larger spacecraft and will support radical new efficiencies for hundreds of industries using IoT. This will transform the ability of companies and institutions to manage and control their remote assets across the world and in real time, 24 hours a day, even in remote areas, where cellular connectivity is not available and where operations are critical. The investment also represents a firm commitment to Australia’s rapidly emerging space industry, which the Federal Government plans to grow to a $12 billion, ranking the sector among the nation’s fastest growing industries. Its expansion in the region will also create 70 jobs, including many highly desirable science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) positions in the first phase of growth. These roles not only secure a bright future for the country’s technical innovators and critical thinkers, but will support in making Australia a home for innovative solutions that drive positive change on a global scale. The International Data Corporation predicts that there will be more than 14 billion connected, low-power devices by 2025. To unlock the […]

Australian Hydrogen Council welcomes CEFC funding for hydrogen vehicles

The Australian Hydrogen Council (AHC) has welcomed the landmark investment by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) of up to $12.5 million to help Queensland-based AHC member Ark Energy Corporation to produce green hydrogen to power fuel cell electric trucks. Dr Fiona Simon, CEO of the Australian Hydrogen Council (AHC) says “We are delighted to see this funding from the CEFC through the Advancing Hydrogen Fund to support hydrogen production, refuelling infrastructure and five zero emissions trucks. “Queensland has chased the hydrogen opportunity with gusto, and this is just another example of Queensland delivering on its ambition to develop a world-leading hydrogen industry. “In the AHC’s recent whitepaper, we called for a Net Zero Fund to assist specific applications that are more dependent on hydrogen for decarbonisation like heavy transport. “The Australian Hydrogen Council sees the trials of hydrogen fuel cell buses and trucks as an immediate priority, given the need to procure vehicles. “We have an enormous opportunity in Australia to create a vibrant hydrogen industry, both for domestic use and export but taking up hydrogen won’t happen without buy-in, funding, co-ordination and the right policy settings from governments. “An acceleration of government policy can get the nation to net zero faster, and it can leverage the incredible resources already being invested by other states and corporations. “ “In the AHC’s recent whitepaper, we called for a Net Zero Fund to assist specific applications that are more dependent on hydrogen for decarbonisation like heavy transport. “The Australian Hydrogen Council sees the trials of hydrogen fuel cell buses and trucks as an immediate priority, given the need to procure vehicles. “We have an enormous opportunity in Australia to create a vibrant hydrogen industry, both for domestic use and export but taking up hydrogen won’t happen without buy-in, funding, co-ordination and […]

SYSPRO delivers more with new ERP software

SYSPRO, a leading global provider of ERP software, has announced the release of SYSPRO R2 2021 which includes industry-built capabilities aimed at assisting manufacturers and distributors to improve control of internal operations, increase self-service and flexibility across the supply chain and provide better insights and intelligence for improved decision-making. “There is no doubt that the pandemic impacted the way that manufacturing and distribution businesses operate. It altered the way that the industry interacts with suppliers and customers, consumer preferences shifted and the workplace as we knew it forever changed. As a result, businesses have needed to re-align with the ‘new normal’,” said Paulo De Matos, Chief Product Officer at SYSPRO (pictured). “With those key considerations top of mind, we looked at incorporating solutions into our roadmap that would allow our customers to not only focus on improving efficiencies across internal operations, but also to help the industry to connect our customers to their suppliers and customers far more effectively and securely. “There is also an appreciation that businesses are expanding – into new geographies as well as into new territories and many are looking for consolidated systems, and central information and intelligence.” A few highlights of the latest release include: Improved control of internal operations A challenge faced by customers has been the growing demand for next-day deliveries. Especially during the pandemic, the industry needed efficient processes and logistical solutions to ship orders quickly to compete in the market. To address this, SYSPRO has introduced new inventory control capabilities for businesses to have accurate control over the stocking process. Warehouse operators will be able to leverage the functionality using a mobile device, which in turn saves time. Improving flexibility and connectivity across the supply chain Manufacturers and distributors have started to see the importance of continuous engagement with an ecosystem of suppliers and […]

Expanded migration a turning point in the skills crisis

Australian Resources and Energy Group AMMA warmly welcomes the Morrison Government expanding the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) to include several high-skilled occupations in critically low supply across the industry. Many of the 22 new occupations added to the PMSOL, most notably chefs and mining, petroleum and geotechnical engineers, are in severe shortage in Australia’s resources and energy industries, threatening to put a handbrake on Australia’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Australia’s resources and energy industry has been firing on all cylinders throughout the pandemic. Hundreds of thousands of dedicated Australian employees have kept industry among the most productive and prosperous in the world. However, prolonged closed borders to the small pool of international skilled migrants that supplement our domestic workforces has wreaked havoc on Australia’s resources industry, as it has most others. AMMA’s members have been reporting worsening skills shortages that have threatened to cripple our national recovery from the pandemic’s crushing economic impacts. Significant data and evidence have been provided to government at all levels about these serious skills issues for well over a year. The next step is for government to urgently formulate a roadmap to both domestic and international reopening. A clear roadmap will provide the business community with certainty and confidence to plan for future investment and employment opportunities.

A global energy crisis? What happened?

Far from emerging from the Covid shock awash with fuel, as might be expected after an economic slowdown, the world is entering a new energy crisis the like of which hasn’t been seen since the 1970s. European and Asian gas prices are at an all-time high, the oil price is at a three-year high, and the price of coal is soaring on the back of energy shortages across China, India and Germany. The surge in demand is being driven mostly by recovering economies and anticipated extreme weather across Europe and north-east Asia. China is stockpiling domestic coal and gas reserves, and Russia is reluctant to supply gas to Western Europe. Closer to home, Australia’s gas prices are soaring, but might soon plummet. Petrol pandemonium In Britain, a shortage of the truck drivers who move fuel has led to panic-buying amid fears of a shortage. After Brexit, many European truck drivers went back to their home countries and never returned. Compounding Britain’s problem was its so-called “windless summer” in which renewable power production was much lower than normal. This put a significant strain on electricity generation as around 40% of its power is produced by wind. Britain has transitioned away from coal as an electricity source and with low emergency supplies will find it difficult to suddenly switch back to coal. Prime Minister Boris Johnson remains committed to wind generation and says he wants the UK to become the “Saudi Arabia of wind power” with offshore wind farms generating enough electricity to power every UK home within a decade. Oil on a roll Oil prices have soared in response to the windless summer and British and German difficulties in getting access to Russian gas. Those increases will soon hit Australia which imports 80% of its petrol, diesel and jet fuel. OPEC+ […]

D-Link launches world’s first Wi-Fi 6 USB 3.0 Adapter and new Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Router

It’s fair to say that D-Link is one of the leading forces ushering in a new digital home transformation with its slew of Wi-Fi 6 devices including today’s launch of the DWA-X1850, the world’s first Wi-Fi 6 USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB 3.0) Adapter and a new Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Router – the EXO AX AX3200 DIR-X3260. DWA-X1850 world’s first Wi-Fi 6 USB 3.0 Adapter The new DWA-X1850 AX1800 Wi-Fi 6 USB 3.0 Adapter along with the DIR-X3260 AX3200 Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Router are engineered to power the increasing number of high-bandwidth devices and support high-intensity data traffic for remote workers, students and families. D-Link A/NZ MD Graeme Reardon said, “We live in a world where more is now the norm for home and business networks. More devices, more bandwidth, more speed and more range. These new Wi-Fi 6 devices enable streamlined and seamless mesh connectivity with efficient AX performance that, put simply, give you more.” The DWA-X1850 is a slim and compact wireless Adapter that plugs into any USB port and provides instant connectivity to your laptop or PC. Delivering a simple, affordable upgrade to Wi-Fi 6 performance for existing desktop and notebook computers, the DWA-X1850 is the world’s first Wi-Fi 6 USB 3.0 Adapter in the market. Featuring the latest 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 technology, it delivers smooth, reliable combined speeds up to AX1800 (574Mbps + 1200Mbps), ideal for large file transfers, online learning lessons and gaming. The Adapter also features 128-bit WPA3 encryption giving customers added peace of mind over network and device protection. This clever Adapter has others smarts too with its Multi-User or MU-MIMO technology for better efficiency of upstream and downstream transmission and Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) technology (where small data packets destined for multiple devices are transmitted together and never have to […]

Australia’s clean hydrogen revolution is a path to prosperity

–John Mathews, Professor Emeritus, Macquarie Business School, Macquarie University. Days out from the United Nations climate summit in Glasgow, the Morrison government on Tuesday announced a “practically achievable” path to reaching its new target of net-zero emissions by 2050. As expected, the government will pursue a “technology not taxes” approach – eschewing policies such as a carbon price in favour of technological solutions to reduce emissions. Developing Australia’s fledgling hydrogen industry is a central plank in the plan. This technological shift should not be seen as a cost burden for Australia. Yes, major transformation in industry is needed as it moves away from conventional fossil-fuelled processes. But this green industrial revolution is a potential source of great profit and prosperity – a fact Australia’s business sector has already recognised. Acting quickly, and powering the shift with renewable energy, means Australia can be a world leader in green hydrogen technology and exports, particular to Asia. A ‘priority technology’ Hydrogen can be produced in several ways. So-called “green” hydrogen is produced using electrolysers, powered by renewable energy, splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen. “Blue” hydrogen is produced from coal or gas, with some carbon emissions trapped and stored underground. A report released earlier this month found Australia could create 395,000 new jobs and generate A$89 billion in new trade by 2040 by investing in clean energy exports. Some of the biggest opportunities were in green hydrogen produced using renewable energy. The National Hydrogen Strategy, published in late 2019 and spearheaded by then-Chief Scientist Alan Finkel, aims to make Australia a world leader in hydrogen. Under the most optimistic scenario, it predicts Australia’s hydrogen industry could be worth A$26 billion to the economy in 2050. Energy Minster Angus Taylor on Tuesday said clean hydrogen was a “priority technology” in the government’s roadmap to reaching net-zero emissions this century, […]

«‹ 13 14 15 16 ›»

News Ticker

Smart Manufacturing