Smart Manufacturing

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Configuring and programming igus linear robots – as easy as playing PlayStation

Gamification approach and additional features make online configurator for low-cost linear robots even more intuitive. With the help of the game engine Unity, motion plastics specialist igus has given its online configurator for low-cost linear robots a facelift, making its operation even more efficient. Now, users can configure an individual linear robot ready for connection faster and easier – in just five minutes. With the help of the online tools, any automation solution can be programmed and tested directly in the selected working area and also load CAD data and a suitable drawing. Even small and medium-sized companies can immerse themselves without a barrier in the world of automation – without the know-how of specialists and CAD software. Increase efficiency, reduce errors and lower costs: many companies are recognising the benefits of process automation. But choosing the right robot can be time-consuming – and time is money. Last year, igus developed an online configurator to make it easier getting started with automation. With just a few clicks, customers can easily configure ready-to-connect low-cost linear robots based on sliding drylin linear guides. Linear robots are available without control system, and with control system and software. “Since the launch of the configurator, we received a lot of positive feedback on the gamification approach and intuitive usability,” says Alexander Mühlens, head of the Automation Technology and Robotics division at igus. “Nevertheless, we asked ourselves: Can we continue to improve operation with this feedback? The answer was a resounding yes. As a result, we have further optimised the configurator and added new functions.” Configure individual robots — even easier thanks to the gaming platform For the new design of the configurator, the igus developers used Unity – a platform used in the development of games for PC and game consoles. Operation of the configurator […]

Albanese lays out radical new vision for Australia in the region: clean energy exporter and green manufacturer

Authors: John Mathews, Professor Emeritus, Macquarie Business School, Macquarie University. Elizabeth Thurbon, Scientia Associate Professor in International Relations / International Political Economy, UNSW Sydney. Hao Tan,Associate Professor, Newcastle Business School, University of Newcastle.Sung-Young Kim, Senior Lecturer in International Relations, Discipline of Politics & International Relations, Macquarie School of Social Sciences, Macquarie University. Gone are the days when the federal government would cheer on Australia’s fossil fuel exports to the exclusion of all else, while seemingly doing everything in its power to hold back the switch to renewables. Now we have a new government, the clean energy transition is accelerating. Labor is framing the transition not just as decarbonisation but as a green economic boom through manufacture of electrolysers, green steel, green cement and green fertiliser. If successful, this will amount to a green industrial revolution. This radical new vision was laid out in Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s speech to the Sydney Energy Forum. He proposed a new era for Australian energy industries and exports as well as using our wealth of renewables to drive deeper involvement in our region. It makes good commercial and climate sense for the federal government to target the Indo-Pacific for this green industrial revolution, since the region is already the world’s leader in clean energy investments. As of 2021, our region accounts for over 80% of the world’s private investment in clean energy. India, China, Japan, Korea, Indonesia and Pacific nations are natural partners for Australia in this new green push as well as leaders creating the market for clean energy and green products. Australia could gain greatly by exporting green power and green products, Prime Minister Albanese said this week. Brook Mitchell/AAP What does this actually look like? For a sign of what’s to come, look to the massive Sun Cable project, launched four years ago with early funding […]

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Innovative space start-ups to create a software-defined space to ground capability

Sydney, and Adelaide – Space start-ups Antaris Inc and Quasar Satellite Technologies have announced a partnership to bring a breakthrough innovation in satellite constellation management to market. Under the agreement, Quasar’s digital multibeam Phased Array technology, which enables customers to manage spacecraft constellations through a single ground station connection, will be integrated into Antaris Inc’s software-defined Open Satellite Platform. Antaris Inc Co-founder, Shankar Sivaprakasam said: “We are hugely excited to be partnering with Quasar to help mission owners and satellite operators significantly reduce the cost of managing constellations. Quasar’s digital multi-beam Phased Array ground station is a game-changer. “Rather than having to establish links to satellite constellations using multiple ground stations and providers, Quasar’s connectivity from a single station vastly simplifies and creates a cost-effective earth-spacecraft communication. “Being able to offer Quasar connectivity-as-a-service via the Antaris software-defined satellite platform for our SaaS customers will give us a significant advantage as we start to roll out our platform to clients across the world.” Under the agreement, Antaris will be one of Quasar’s first demonstration users once the company’s multi-beam service launches in early 2023. Antaris plans to make ground contact from its demonstrator satellite (launching late 2022) via an API service with the company’s S band antenna, and other bands into future. Antaris will then offer Quasar connectivity via its marketplace to customer base, which is expected to include satcomms providers, space agencies, defence and intelligence entities and contractors, and space start-ups. Quasar Satellite Technologies CEO, Phil Ridley, said “We are looking forward to working with Antaris on building an end-to-end software defined satellite platform for delivering capability to space. “The Antaris SaaS marketplace solution for orbiting mission design and management is a perfect match for our flexible ground station solution, and together they offer satellite mission designers a range of choices for […]

Enhance your customer experience with integrated CX tools

– Lindsay Brown, Vice President and General Manager, Asia Pacific & Japan, GoTo. Advancements in automation, AI and digital transformation have created an opportunity for industry sectors to be leaders in internal and external business excellence, ultimately leading to best practice customer experience (CX). The manufacturing industry is a sector to lead the way and set the standard. Customers have become more savvy and more connected to every touch point in their supply chain, expecting more from every interaction. This newfound expectation has led to manufacturing companies increasingly focusing on quality assurance across all aspects of delivering products and services, while enhancing their business models. This inevitably results in boosting CX. In addition to product specialisation and best-in-class talent, companies are realising the urgency of unlocking the operational efficiencies that make work easier and more flexible. In Foundry’s Global MarketPulse Survey commissioned by flexible communications provider GoTo in Australia and New Zealand, 52% of businesses rated improving customer experience as a top customer support goal in 2022. Fifty-six percent also rated faster resolution times as a top customer goal, and 44% rated improving operating efficiencies and reducing costs. Yet there are challenges to overcome. Eighty-two percent of businesses surveyed rated simplifying the support experience for customers as a challenge, as well as integrated ticketing with communication channels (82%), increasing visibility into agent/technician performance/standard metrics (86%) and integrating remote support with CRM (88%). With customers at the centre of virtually every business decision, a growing number of companies are clueing into the wide-reaching benefits of flexible, cloud-based communications systems in delivering a competitive advantage through industry leading CX. The new technology is greatly assisting manufacturing companies – no matter what size or industry – to stand out by (over) delivering on their customer promises, by delivery in full and on time. […]

CSIRO to create world’s best respirator for Defence Force with Australian businesses

Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, will accelerate the development of ground-breaking protection for our defence force from chemical, biological and radiological agents, with an $8.6 million Defence Innovation Hub contract to further develop and commercialise its world-leading respirator technology. This is the largest contract signed by the Hub to date and will help bring the technology a step closer to being realised. The single canister device is a step change from existing technology, providing both protection for longer periods, and against more potential threats. As well as providing protection from biological and radiological agents, it will significantly reduce exposure to a broad spectrum of toxic industrial chemicals, also critical to the nation’s first responders. CSIRO will be working with Melbourne-based chemical manufacturing business and porous material’s producer, Boron Molecular, and Brisbane-based, Veteran Owned EPE Trusted to Protect, to develop the respirator, as well as Monash University. CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Larry Marshall, said Australian innovations that protect our Defence Force personnel are a critical part of maintaining a secure Australia and region. “We are using science to create real-world solutions, working with Australian industry to build sovereign capability and turn brilliant ideas into something ground-breaking to protect our troops. “We are aiming to develop a respirator that will be the most capable in the world.” CSIRO researcher, Professor Matthew Hill, said CSIRO has been studying porous solids for around 10 years and has developed an efficient and cost-effective manufacturing process. “By combining our expertise in nanofibers and porous solids, we’re developing a technology that will protect our military personnel from weaponised toxic chemical gases and vapours and give them a greater chance to safely complete their mission.” Nanofibres are super-light filters that can stop particles from getting through, and combine nanofibers with some of the world’s most porous materials […]

CNC Design invests in Application Centre

CNC Design is investing more than $3.5m in the establishment of its new CNC Design Application Centre, which will feature Innomerix, within the new advanced additive manufacturing centre. Founded in Melbourne in 1984, CNC Design has established itself in recent years as a pioneer in the design and manufacture of large-volume 3D printing and machining systems. Situated in a facility close to its head office in Nunawading, eastern Melbourne, the new CNC Design Application Centre and the Innomerix facility will focus on two key areas: the development and testing of new advanced composite materials for additive manufacture; and the expanded development of CNC Design’s range of VSF thermoplastic, wax and concrete printers, including support for customer applications and training. “We’re thrilled to be announcing our new Innomerix subsidiary, which will be co-located in our advanced application centre, situated here at CNC Design,” says Bruce Rowley, managing director and owner of CNC Design. “This is one of the most exciting areas of development in additive manufacturing today, with potential applications ranging from the maritime and construction industries, to production of hydrogen fuel cells. “The launch of both the CNC Design Application Centre and Innomerix builds on CNC Design’s work in this field to date and puts us at the forefront of innovation in this area going forward.” Innomerix will be the first Australian manufacturer of high-performance thermoplastic composites, producing a range of thermoplastic compounds using different additives and reinforcement materials such as synthetic fibres like carbon, Kevlar and glass. Taking its name from a combination of the words ‘innovation’ and ‘polymeric mix’, Innomerix will further advance the company’s innovative work in material technologies. The facility will specialise in creating new materials for additive manufacturing, in particular aiming to reduce the cycle-time for the development of new composite materials for 3D printing, […]

Kemppi releases new MasterMig range

Leading international welding equipment manufacturer, Kemppi, has released its new MIG/MAG MasterMig welding machine models 353 and 355. The 358 model is scheduled for release later this year. Designed in conjunction with professional welders, the new MasterMig range delivers a range of features to help enhance industrial welding productivity and quality. Faster set-up for greater productivity The new, compact and powerful Kemppi MasterMig range comes with Weld Assist as standard. This feature lets users set-up welding parameters quickly and easily to save time and improve productivity levels. By simply selecting the joint type, welding position and material thickness, users are ready to weld. Equipped with memory channels, the MasterMig range also lets users save chosen parameters for fast retrieval. The ability to save customised settings means welders do not have to go through an initial setup for every job. At the turn of a knob, they can highlight the desired setting and proceed to weld. Highly convenient, this feature saves precious time, while helping to increase productivity. Better Arc Performance Delivers More Productivity For greater welding productivity and control, the MasterMig 355 and 358 models can switch on the new MAX arc performance welding processes. MAX Cool, MAX Position and MAX Speed are new Kemppi welding processes that offer solutions for challenging steel, stainless steel and aluminum welding applications by increasing productivity, minimising spatter and speeding up welding without compromising quality. The MAX software options easily integrate with the MasterMig 355 and 358 models. A choice of models Suitable for use on site or at the workshop, the MasterMig range delivers real choice. It includes the 353, 355 and 358 models in the compact MIG welding category. These are available as manual, synergic (Auto), and pulse (Auto Pulse) welding options. Users can also choose to weld with gas-cooled guns or […]

Normet Group to buy Garock Pty Ltd

Normet Group Oy has entered into an agreement to acquire Garock Pty Ltd, a leading manufacturer and supplier of ground support systems for the mining and civil industries in Australia. With the acquisition, Normet strengthens its portfolio in dynamic ground support in underground mining and construction infrastructure projects. “This is a strategic acquisition for Normet in the Asia-Pacific market with impact on our global ground support business. With Garock, Australia will become Normet’s Global Centre for Rock Reinforcement R&D with ability to innovate in the future”, comments Ed Santamaria, President and CEO at Normet. Garock Pty Ltd will trade under the Normet Group from 1July 2022. Garock Pty Ltd, founded in 2012, offers highly innovative ground support systems that are fundamental to modern, safe underground mining and civil construction operations. Garock has a manufacturing presence in Western Australia and New South Wales and have 18 employees.

Crucial role for gas for decades

Gas will play a crucial role for decades as a stabliser for the electricity grid in a cleaner energy future, according to a new 30-year roadmap by the national energy market regulator. The Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA) today said the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) had confirmed the long and enduring value of natural gas partnering with renewables with the release of its 2022 Integrated System Plan (ISP). APPEA Acting Chief Executive Damian Dwyer said the Plan showed the key role of gas as the world decarbonises by citing the mid-2040s as a time when gas would back up electricity largely powered by renewable generation after the retirement of coal-fired power. “As a sector strongly committed to economy-wide net zero by 2050, the oil and gas industry recognises the growth of renewables and the importance of multiple energy sources working together to ensure the power generation sector can continue to decarbonise,” Mr Dwyer said. “The plan confirms the central role of gas in that future as a reliable and flexible stabliser for renewable power generation when the wind doesn’t blow and the sun doesn’t shine. “Coal won’t get you to the goal and this plan details how gas will step up and take over from coal and also be a cleaner source of energy in the grid.” Mr Dwyer said this firming role was exemplified in the Plan’s modelling showing how gas would be needed during low and high outputs of renewables during peak demand periods. “Even at a period of high renewable output, AEMO says gas will be required to firm renewables during high demand just after sunset and through the night to cover wind variability,” he said. Mr Dwyer said the need for rapid gas during recent energy system pressures – when coal outages combined […]

RS PRO grow their IoT range

RS Components have responded to growing demand for Industrial IoT solutions and launched another 300 products in their RS PRO IoT range this June. IO-link sensors, data cables and HMI displays, including antennas and network testing equipment, are just some of the new products in the range. This brings the RS PRO IoT offer to over 8400 IoT enabling and smart connectivity products. “We’re helping our customers embrace the IoT revolution”, says Scott Philbrook, Managing Director RS Components AU/NZ. “From wireless pressure transducers, to help safely monitor pressure in hazardous or inaccessible locations, to sensor boxes, which are compatible with all sensor brands, our Industrial IoT range has what our customers need to improve their operational efficiency.” Each RS PRO product is backed by the RS Seal of Approval, which represents industry standards for audit, inspection, test and certification. This – combined with longer than average product warranties – reflects RS confidence in the quality and longevity of their products. According to Scott, the expansion in the range is meeting demand in the market for affordable options for engineers looking for a choice. “We’ve seen an upswing in the sourcing of our current IoT product range and due to interest in other product verticals we have gone to work on this expansive range,” he explained. RS PRO makes IoT practical and accessible for everyone, providing a dedicated range with a wide variety of smart objects and elements needed to connect them together. The enhanced Industrial IoT range will be welcomed by RS PRO’s loyal customer base. These people recognise that as demands on productivity increase, only the smartest workplace, with the smartest tools, will win the race of efficiency. Check out the RS PRO guide to the Internet of Things here: RS PRO IoT range

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