Smart Manufacturing

Australia needs to speed up its response to the AI revolution

Far from a future fantasy, University of South Australia Professor of Sociology, Anthony Elliott says the Artificial Intelligence revolution is right here, right now. Co-author of a report – The effective and ethical development of artificial intelligence – commissioned by the National Science and Technology Council and Australia’s Chief Scientist and released in Canberra today, Prof Elliott says Australian governments and industries need to integrate an understanding of the impacts of AI into their planning swiftly. “We are already witnessing the spread of advanced AI which is mobile, situationally aware and adaptive and is in real-time communication with other intelligent machines,” Prof Elliott says. “Robots move boxes in factories as well as conduct shelf-auditing in supermarkets, and complex algorithms complete tax returns and trade on financial markets – this is all happening now. “We have to be much more interventionist, and craft policy-thinking to cope with the unexpected, unanticipated shifts stemming from the digital revolution.” The report, undertaken by the Australian Council of Learned Academies and supported by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Australian Research Council, and the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science – sets out a far-reaching series of findings seeking to improve Australia’s economic, societal and environmental well-being. Author of a major new book The Culture of AI, Professor Elliott, says theACOLA report will be highly significant for the governance and harnessing of AI for 21st-Century Australia. “Australia has come to this review quite late – most advanced countries have already completed government-sponsored reviews of AI,” Prof Elliott says. “In the UK, the House of Lords Select Committee on AI really set the bench-mark for the kind of policy-rich analysis that governments require.” He says now that the ACOLA report has been delivered it is an important start for public discussion […]

Jacobs to use Seequent’s solutions on civil and environmental projects

Seequent, a world leader in the development of geoscience analysis, modelling and collaborative technologies, has announced Jacobs, one of the world’s leading providers in technical, professional and construction services, has signed a major agreement to use Leapfrog® Works on its civil engineering and environmental projects. Jacobs staff in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Hong Kong and Canada are covered under the agreement and will use Seequent’s solutions to to better understand and communicate geology and risk. Jacob’s has successfully used Leapfrog® Works on many significant projects including the Emu Swamp Dam – a proposed 12,100 megalitre urban and irrigation supply dam on the Severn River in Stanthorpe, Queensland – to gain a clear understanding of the geology and mitigate the potential risks they faced. Jacobs used Leapfrog Works to create a subsurface model of the Emu Swamp Dam which identified potential geological challenges, such as areas in the proposed dam footprint that may require mitigation in the design phase, and successfully communicated these challenges to all stakeholders including engineers, farmers, and the community using Seequent’s highly visual 3D collaboration tools. “Effectively assessing and communicating geological risk in the context of proposed infrastructure designs is critical for successful civil engineering,” says Daniel Wallace, Seequent’s General Manager of Civil and Environmental. “Fast and dynamic 3D subsurface modelling made possible with Leapfrog Works has an important role to play. We are pleased to support Jacobs, one of the top engineering consultancies in the world, with our highly visual solution specifically designed for civil engineering and environmental industries.” Jacobs was contracted to complete a detailed business case for the Emu Swamp Dam project including a reference design – providing all engineering expertise, stakeholder communication, environmental works to offset harm, baseline economics and provisional water sales assessment. With an estimated capital cost […]

Teamwork leads to thermal signature defence solution

A world-first in commercial viability and agility, and a new capability for the Australian Government, the product enables army personnel to successfully engage practice targets using remote SMArt155 Precision Guided Munitions. The new REDARC Thermal Signature Enhancement Kit (RTSEK) ensures weapon sensors can distinguish target vehicles as being operational without the need for complex or hazardous infrastructure. The solution also minimises risk to the environment and those using the equipment. It is the result of a collaboration between two Adelaide companies – REDARCand Form Cut – and New South Wales-based Intelli Particle. The partnership last week won the Teaming Award at the 2019 Defence Teaming Centre Awards. Establishing realistic thermal vehicle signatures to guide the SMArt155 to its practice target would have typically required a generous time frame to both acquire and set-up an expensive system of high-voltage heat mats and large generators. But the RTSEK delivers an innovative solution without all the complex infrastructure and additional costs. South Australian automotive electronics company REDARC has established itself as a key SME in the Australian Defence sector over the past five years. REDARC identified a potential solution and partnered with New South Wales start-up Intelli Particle, which manufactures carbon and graphite formulations that produce heat under electrical charge. Through local in-house testing, the combined REDARC and Intelli Particle team discovered that a new controlled thermal signature identifiable to weapon sensors could be created. REDARC approached manufacturer Form Cut with the solution, having previously collaborated with them commercially. REDARC Managing Director Anthony Kittel said the Lonsdale company was well positioned to support unique Defence requirements now and into the future. “The award is a great acknowledgment of what can be achieved when successfully combining the technologies of multiple SMEs,” he said. South Australian industrial design and manufacturing company Form Cut has scheduled more production of the controlled thermal […]

Zebra Technologies’ recognised with fifth consecutive Red Dot

Zebra Technologies , an innovator at the edge of the enterprise with solutions and partners that enable businesses to gain a performance edge, announced the ZC100 and ZC300 series card printers received a Red Dot distinction in the 2019 Product Design category. This marks the fifth consecutive year Zebra has received this international honor. Zebra’s design team puts the customer at the heart of everything it does which is central to this consistent recognition of its product portfolio. The ZC100 and ZC300 series design process was one of immense collaboration, pooling insights from designers, engineers, sales teams and customers. “Zebra is delighted to receive this prestigious recognition of our ZC100 and ZC300 series card printers by Red Dot,” said Curt Croley, Senior Director, Innovation and Design, Zebra Technologies. “Our design leverages Zebra’s best-in-class card printing technologies combined with a thoughtful user-centered design approach. Zebra’s commitment to creative, intuitive and effective design for enterprise customers helps us deliver unprecedented visibility and productivity at the edge of our customers’ operations.” The ZC100 and ZC300 series card printers securely print a wide range of identification, payment and membership cards for retail, finance and hospitality sectors. The design addresses key end-user needs with user interface simplicity, self-aligning media and intuitiveness of card loading and removal. These printers offer unique industrial design with the slimmest profile and lowest clearance in their class. They can be installed in space-constrained environments such as under a counter or shelf. “I would like to congratulate the laureates sincerely on their wonderful success,” said Professor Dr. Peter Zec, founder and CEO of Red Dot, in reference to the winners. “The fact that their products were able to satisfy the strict criteria of the jury bears testimony to their award-winning design quality. The laureates are thus setting key trends in the design industry and […]

Digital transformation driving real change

Digital transformation (DX) is permeating every vertical market, and industries are looking to evolve to better align with their customers’ changing requirements. The result is the development and integration of cutting edge technologies and a change of methodology to improve processes, according to Y Soft. Adam O’Neill, managing director, Y Soft, Australia and New Zealand, said, “DX is radically changing how organisations operate and is shaking up industries at speed. Organisations are increasingly launching initiatives to expand or build digital capabilities to deliver business efficiency or increase top-line revenue growth.” According to the 15 industries surveyed as part of the Gartner 2018 CIO Agenda Industry Insights report, 47 per cent of CEOs are being challenged to make progress in digital business, and 56 per cent of respondents reported that digital improvements have already improved their overall profits. The 2018 edition of The Hackett Group’s annual key issues study, The CIO Agenda: Driving Value from Transformation, found that the use of virtual assistants, chatbots and other cognitive technologies is anticipated to grow at least five-fold in overall adoption rates over the next few years. Unsurprisingly, 74 per cent of companies are expecting DX to disrupt their industry and 82 per cent expect it to fundamentally change the operating model of their business. Adam O’Neill said, “These findings show that every industry is either already participating in or ready to join in with digital transformation. This seismic impact prediction calls for immediate action, and many companies have already begun their DX journeys and are automating and streamlining business processes by investing in artificial intelligence (AI), specifically machine learning.” Digital transformation is already having a significant impact on four vertical industries: Legal. Traditionally, the pace of digital change within the legal industry has been slow, with the legal profession resisting many […]

High performance internet rolls out in Queensland

A new enterprise-grade internet network is being rolled out in Queensland by leading telco Vastnet to provide regional businesses with an extremely high level of connectivity and security available anywhere in Australia. Vastnet is gearing-up to connect more businesses throughout Queensland to its high-speed enterprise internet network, following the installation of new advanced communications technologies in Mackay, Gladstone and Toowoomba. Businesses in regional Australia now have the opportunity to make huge digital leaps with the support of Vastnet, an innovative telco specialising in bespoke internet solutions for regional business through its own independent core network and infrastructure, as well as direct access to new types of fibre. Vastnet Director David Stevens says the rollout is a major undertaking as businesses in regional parts of Queensland were dealing with some of the slowest legacy connections he had ever come across. “These are brand new rollouts that require new fibre and microwave technologies to be installed,” he said. “Our advanced high-speed internet network utilises the latest technologies available to provide fast, reliable internet with unlimited data and scalable bandwidths that expand as our clients’ businesses grow.” National supply chain company Minemech’s regional branches in Mackay and Gladstone endured “incredibly slow” internet and regular network outages with their previous provider before changing over to Vastnet for their internet and voice services. Vastnet was able to provide an alternative, superior solution for Minemech in both Mackay and Gladstone by installing new technology infrastructure to increase internet speeds. Minemech IT Manager Sonia Williamson said Vastnet had greatly improved the company’s internet and voice services at Minemech’s regional branches. She said business in regional Australia were putting up with inferior internet and voice services because there was an impression that it was all they could get. “We would visit the branches in Gladstone and Mackay and […]

Advances in Corrosion Science and Corrosion Engineering

The Australasian Corrosion Association (ACA) will be hosting an International Symposium focusing on the latest advances in corrosion science and corrosion engineering. This two-day symposium will be held on 24-25 July 2019 at the Marriott Hotel in Melbourne. The symposium will celebrate the significant contributions of the following ACA notables: Les Boulton, Bruce Hinton, Brian Kinsella, Brian Martin, Greg Moore and David Nicholas. Featuring keynote presentations from 15 high calibre International and Australian speakers, this event will bring together leading local and global corrosion experts and showcase the latest advances in corrosion science and corrosion engineering. A panel discussion and open forum will be held at the end of each day and technical papers of high quality and substantive length will be available to delegates. Engineering Alloys will take centre stage in the first session of the symposium with a presentation titled ‘Alloy Design for Corrosion Resistance’, delivered by John Scully, University of Virginia, USA. Following this, Nick Birbilis from Monash University will discuss the latest insights into corrosion of light metals. The first day of the Advances in Corrosion Science and Corrosion Engineering International Symposium will also showcase the latest industry knowledge in Corrosion Resistant Alloys; Corrosion Modelling & Prediction; and, Cathodic Protection. In addition to the technical program, there will also be a trade exhibition and attendees will have the opportunity to network during morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea breaks. At the conclusion of the first day’s events there will be a networking cocktail function followed by the event highlight – the Symposium Dinner and Awards presentation. The second day of the symposium will have a strong industry focus. Corrosion management in the oil and gas industry will be the heart of the morning session. Topics covered will include: Corrosion Monitoring for Oil & Gas Applications; Microbiologically […]

The four factors essential to building a quality production line

-Andrew Stackpole, Assembly Shop Manager at Facteon Developing an efficient and polished machine building process can take a manufacturing company decades. What’s most important is that throughout this process, the focus is on building a quality production line that allows for the manufacturing of best-in-class product. Since beginning my career as a Machine Builder in 1994 and working through to my current role as Assembly Shop Manager at Facteon, I’ve come to learn that there are four key factors involved in developing a quality production line. 1. Quality components produce quality product By keeping the production of machinery components in-house where practical and possible, you will play a more active role in quality control. It was for this very reason that Facteon established its own in-house Build Shop and Machine Shop to cater to internal and external customers. The team retains full control over every component produced and as it’s not heavily relying on delivery by third parties, it can be certain that the component will be available on site when required. To achieve the necessary levels of precision in component manufacturing, collaboration is key – both in the initial phase of producing your components and in the build phase of the production line. Looking at opportunities to integrate the latest technologies with more traditional machining methods, will allow you to fully harness the potential of the machinery while using the latest technology to improve precision and efficiencies. Partnering with reliable external suppliers For any components that can’t be produced in-house, consider looking beyond your own capabilities and using the services of thoroughly vetted external providers. For example, Facteon uses suppliers based in New Zealand, China and the United States and vets these suppliers through a tiered rating system to ensure that our standards are met. If you’ve outsourced the […]

Dragon eases documentation burden for professionals

Speech recognition solutions such as Nuance’s Dragon can help professionals work better, faster and smarter because they help you power through your documentation work. Nuance’s Dragon Professional software for Windows systems understands the sound of your voice and the language you use to transform spoken words into text to create more detailed, compliant documentation, faster than ever before. By simply using your voice, you can create reports, documents and other paperwork three times faster than by keyboarding, and with up to 99% accuracy. Better still, as Dragon leverages the latest in Deep Learning technology, it constantly learns and adapts to your unique voice and environmental variations even while you are dictating to deliver new levels of personalised accuracy and productivity. The speed and precision of Dragon helps save you time and money while increasing your productivity and lets you focus on what matters most, delivering the best possible personalised client service. Improving Compliance For many professionals capturing client conversations, disclosure regarding commissions and fees, discussions concerning conflicts of interests and general client instructions is increasingly important so as to meet compliance requirements. With Dragon, client communication and instructions can be documented immediately and accurately. You can then feed the information back into your CRM systems or simply maintain it within the relevant client file. The process also creates an auditable trail to help ensure compliance. Working from Anywhere at Any time Some speech recognition solutions also let you keep up with financial documentation from any location. Powered by the cloud, Nuance’s mobile app, Dragon Anywhere, delivers the powerful, professional productivity features of Dragon desktop speech recognition to Android and iOS mobile devices. This lets you complete and share documentation – by voice – directly on your device while you are on the move. Plus, with Dragon Anywhere you can also […]

HandySCAN 3D scanner meets Boeing’s requirements

Creaform, the worldwide leader in portable 3D measurement solutions and non-destructive testing (NDT) solutions, has announced that its HandySCAN 3D metrology-grade 3D laser scanner can now be used for recording physical attributes of aircraft dents and blends on all models of Boeing commercial airplanes. Boeing has released a service letter with guidance on the use of 3D scanners for measuring dents and blends on airplanes. The SmartDENT 3D solution and the flagship HandySCAN 3D scanner were used in the process of guiding Boeing’s quality requirements for the service letter. “Creaform is proud to see leaders such as Boeing, turn to 3D scanning solutions for surface defect inspection. With SmartDENT 3D, our goal is to provide the most accurate damage assessment to our customers, so they can make informed and safe decisions, while getting their aircraft back flying with minimal down time,” said Jérôme Beaumont, Global NDT Business Manager at Creaform. Overview of SmartDENT 3D benefits: Speed: 80 times faster than the pit gauge technique. It is the fastest and most reliable aircraft surface damage inspection tool available on the market. Metrology-grade measurements for aircraft maintenance: The scanner is accurate to 0.025 mm (0.0009 in.) and has a resolution of up to 0.100 mm (0.0039 in.) with high repeatability and traceable certificate. Intuitive pass/fail assessments: With its intuitive design and real-time software visualization, Creaform’s NDT solutions ensure short learning curves and minimal operator experience influence on the accuracy of results. Live visualisation and portability: Weighting less than a kilo, the handheld scanner is the perfect tool for work in hangars or directly outdoors. Users can easily perform 3D surface inspection of any part of an aircraft on which they would use manual techniques—including on and under wings. In addition to complying with Boeing’s service letter, Creaform HandySCAN 3D scanners are listed […]

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