Future of Manufacturing

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Manufacturers be prepared: AI will be regulated

By Lori Witzel, Director of Research for Analytics and Data Management at TIBCO. Manufacturers are benefiting significantly from artificial intelligence (AI), which allows for better and quicker analysis of products and processes in addition to automation. The use of AI in manufacturing is now common. Research by the Harris Poll and Google Cloud found that 64% of manufacturers using AI every day and 25% were spending 50% of their IT budget on AI-related projects. Why? AI delivers significant benefits to manufacturers in asset management, predictive maintenance, and anomaly detection, among many use cases, while broadly improving decision-making and providing greater flexibility and agility. As a result, leading manufacturers worldwide are deploying AI, but there are complexities to come. As AI adoption grows, regulation follows. If manufacturers are to continue reaping AI benefits, they must track emerging regulations and align their practices with those in regulatory focus. As you’ll learn, it’s worth the effort. Bringing AI into your manufacturing processes can help you outperform competitors. AI delivers measurable benefits McKinsey & Company undertook an in-depth study of detailed study of manufacturing operations, comparing different organisations’ uses of AI against performance. It found that leading adopters achieved three or four times the impact of average players. In Australia, the metal engineering and fabrication company Sevaan Group is already seeing benefits in the workplace and is realising AI’s enormous potential for metal fabrication and machining, enabling outstanding accuracy and quality for both prototyping and production. For example, AI-enhanced predictive maintenance has reduced machine downtime and improved tracking and data collection for better production planning. Predictive and preventative maintenance is done by analysing large volumes of data gathered from multiple sensors on machinery and factory systems, monitoring temperature, noise, vibration, and other parameters to detect any changes that could be indicative of wear, degraded […]

Unpacking the channel’s role in securing Australia’s utilities

By Bryan Stibbard, Director – Channels and Alliances AN/Z at Palo Alto Networks The recent electricity market wobbles have unveiled a level of fragility among some of Australia’s largest utility operators that have surprised many, but this is nothing compared to the potential problems presented by the cyber threat landscape. Operators of utilities and other critical infrastructure around the world have increasingly been targeted by malicious actors, and Australia is not immune from this trend. As recently as April this year, the cybersecurity authorities of Australia, the US, Canada, New Zealand and the UK advised critical infrastructure organisations to implement immediate measures to protect against Russian state-sponsored and criminal cyber threats as the war in Ukraine raged. Not only have such threats demonstrated the rising role that so-called Industry 4.0 technology is playing in the lives of the country and its people, they have also opened a new door of opportunity for channel partners in the local market. It’s no secret that cyber security has quickly become a big ticket item for channel partners around the country. Over the past two years many managed service providers (MSPs) have found themselves building out managed security services in addition to their core offering in order to meet evolving customer demand in this area. With the emergence of Industry 4.0 – the fourth industrial revolution, marked by the incorporation of connected ‘smart’ equipment – even more opportunities are emerging for partners willing to embrace cyber security as a source of growth for their businesses. There are legitimate security challenges resulting from the rise of Industry 4.0 technology in industry. Industry 4.0 businesses are highly automated, digital first businesses. This means any disruption to their digital systems, especially from a cyber incident, can have a material impact to the organisation as a whole. Operational […]

Adelaide smart street furniture manufacturer eyes expansion

An Adelaide engineering company has further plans to tackle the global market with an export-friendly line of smart furniture and modular buildings. Since the COVID-19 lockdown, Specialised Solutions has seen strong demand for its line of off-grid park benches and shelters and its modular buildings. Worker and supply shortages in the building and construction industry and councils zeroing in on renewable energy projects are behind the demand for its cutting-edge products. Brad Riddle, the company’s national business development manager, said Specialised Solutions were now eyeing more opportunities on a global scale. Riddle said the company has distributors in the United States and New Zealand but said there is “strong interest” from European and Middle Eastern markets. “We are working on an export version of our products,” Riddle said. “We’re still working on that, but it will be a little more transportable and more modular. “A number of our products are larger and made of aluminum and steel and so we need to look at transport efficiencies to ensure that we can still be competitive in the international market.” Based out of the Tonsley Innovation District in Adelaide, South Australia, the company has been manufacturing its Sedi line of smart furniture for the last three years. The original outdoor bench has since spawned bins, bike racks and heaters harnessing their power from the sun. Designed by JPE Design Studio, the furniture is made from steel and sustainable timber and, using a small battery, can provide Wi-FI, lighting and charging ports to people. Riddle said the company saw increased demand for the unique products during the COVID-19 lockdowns. “I think COVID-19 has put a new focus on public spaces and councils are looking for innovative ways to deliver in those spaces, and our products fit within that perfectly,” Riddle said. “We’ve also seen large public […]

NSW Export Award finalists celebrate economic diversity

New South Wales leading exporters from a range of industries are being celebrated as finalists in the 2022 Premier’s NSW Export Awards. Interim Investment NSW CEO Katie Knight said the diversity of the finalists showcases the growing number of NSW sectors and businesses expanding internationally. “I’m thrilled to see the rich diversity of exporters showcased in this year’s finalist list. From industrial robotic automation and high-tech medical devices to Australian native botanicals, all these businesses play a key role in contributing to our state’s $82 billion export economy,” Ms Knight said. “Exports support one in five jobs in Australia so it is vital we continue to support our state’s exporters to expand and thrive internationally. The breadth of this year’s finalists demonstrates the unwavering international demand for NSW’s world-class goods and services.” Now in its 60th year, the 2022 Premier’s NSW Export Awards are being delivered in partnership with the Export Council of Australia (ECA), recognising businesses across 13 national categories and 4 NSW categories. Chair of the ECA, Dianne Tipping said the Awards have received a significant number of nominations this year across all categories providing the opportunity to recognise the achievements of NSW exporters who have had to respond to on-going challenges associated with trade including global supply chain and logistics issues. “The calibre of entrants for this year’s Awards is outstanding. We are proud to provide a platform for these exporter success stories to be told and celebrated,” Ms Tipping said. One of the finalists in the Regional Exporter category, Lismore based Australian Native Products Company, is the largest grower and exporter of lemon myrtle in the world, and a first-time finalist. General Manager of the Australian Native Products, Ross Norris said being a finalist in the Awards will help boost the company profile and recognise the […]

Mitsubishi Electric to showcase data analytics solutions at Modern Manufacturing Expo

Peter Drucker’s statement that ‘you can’t manage what you can’t measure’ has quickly become the new business mantra. Reliable, accurate information is imperative to the development of a successful business strategy. Yet collecting the data itself is not enough. “If this is our only focus, we can quickly end up in a world of data overload where we have an enormous amount of data but no easy means of interpreting that data into information to achieve our purpose,” explains Meighan Heard, Executive Director, Commercial and Corporate, Mitsubishi Electric Australia. She goes on to say that it’s what an organisation does with data that makes all the difference to management of operations, goal achievement and overall company results. “Steven Rice puts this nicely in the well-known quote: “I believe that data will set you free. At the end of the day, it’s all about how you turn those pieces of information into insights that will improve your business”. Transforming data into actionable business insights This is where analytics software solutions come into play, transforming large volumes of real-time data (such as that from manufacturing or facility operations) into actionable intelligence. The information obtained from these analytical tools can be used to drive improvements in productivity, efficiency, quality and sustainability. “When this is taken to the enterprise level, the information obtained can be applied to solve common business challenges. For example, expert systems and machine learning can be applied to Big Data, leading to visualisation and reporting solutions for energy optimisation, fault detection and diagnostics, predictive maintenance, SPC quality control, and equipment efficiency,” elaborates Meighan. Mitsubishi Electric provides technology, systems and software to enable companies to collect data, analyse that data and drive helpful insights into their operations and activities. At an enterprise level, the products and solutions provided by the company’s bespoke […]

Aussie manufacturers cracking US market

A growing number of South Australian manufacturers are expanding their footprint into the United States on the back of renewed interest in American and European markets. Global engineering companies, tech firms and manufacturing businesses based out of the Tonsley Innovation District in Adelaide, South Australia are among those broadening their reach across the Pacific and opening offices in cities across the United States. XFrame managing director Carsten Dethlefsen said they launched in the US last year at NeoCon in Chicago, one of the country’s largest commercial furniture conferences. Without using a single nail or screw, the Tonsley-based business has invented a system of interlocking plywood that can be used to build shelters, office pods and studios. “Within two weeks of that conference we had projects on our books,” Dethlefsen said. “We delivered those projects within four weeks of that, so speed to market there. The type of clients I think caught us a little by surprise as well.” A phone booth made by XFrame, which can be easily disassembled and moved. Dethlefsen said there was a “big appetite” for their work post-COVID-19 because many offices needed reconfiguring. Their product allows companies to change their fit-out down the track without costly renovations. Dethlefsen said construction of trade show booths and retail display stands were in hot demand. As a result, the company now has manufacturing partners in Michigan, Oregon, and Grand Junction, Colorado. He said companies also wanted XFrame to build ancillary housing units to meet the huge demand for housing in the US. “The booth we did for that conference was all manufactured in the States, so we used local manufacturing, local supply chains and local labour. “We designed it up, sent it across the desert, they cut the components delivered to our team, they pre-assembled it and stood it up in the […]

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Keeping blackouts at bay

On June 15 this year, Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) suspended trading across the country’s east coast electricity power network as it faced an increasingly volatile situation. AEMO was set up in 2009 and this is the first time the operator took such drastic action across the entire network that it manages. There has been much debate and discussion on the causes ranging from the onset of winter to the war in Ukraine and maintenance shutdowns at power stations. While policy makers, regulators and power generators grapple with the situation, consumers are being asked to better manage their consumption. The conversation is evolving from generating more energy to better managing the energy we produce. With domestic consumption, energy transmission terminates at the premises of the end consumer. In the current situation, a lot is being asked of this often-neglected group. They are being requested to reduce consumption by shutting down appliances in certain times or use them outside peak periods. Customers have also been warned about potential blackouts. Current policies around demand management are focused on industrial plants and other large energy consumers, and these are governed by clear policies and processes. Consumers meanwhile are bracing themselves for energy price hikes and power cuts. Fortunately, technology has advanced and, when implemented, can give consumers more visibility and control over their energy usage. A good example is Sense, which has developed AI that runs on smart meters. Over two million Sense-enabled meters have been announced in the US and this technology is now coming to Australia. Their machine-learning algorithms can assess domestic electricity right down to the appliance level in real time. According to a directions paper released by the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC), only 25 per cent of premises in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and the ACT […]

RS PRO launches energy efficiency products for manufacturers

RS is again expanding its Australasian RS PRO range with the addition of products that deliver improved energy saving and efficiency. Due to the popularity of these products they are being fast-tracked to market and will launch in September. The product range is tailored to reduce energy consumption from building facilities and the production line, from solar panel solutions, smart lighting options and high-efficiency power supplies. “We’re helping our customers embrace energy efficiency with the RS Pro brand,” says Scott Philbrook, Managing Director RS ANZ. “Both production line and facilities products are part of this launch. From energy meters, power supplies and lighting right down to PPE and Tool Kits that deliver improved energy savings and efficiency are included.” 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 warranties reflects RS Components 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. “Every corner of the manufacturing environment is being pressured by energy costs and this is an opportunity for our customers to have variety in their product selection,” he explained. RS has supreme confidence in the RS PRO brand and has invested heavily in expanding these product ranges and anticipates a favourable response and uptake in both the Australian and New Zealand markets.

Victorian opposition recognises gas for cleaner energy future

Australia’s oil and gas industry has noted the return of a balanced discussion about Victorian energy policy, with recognition from the State Opposition that natural gas is central to the cleaner energy future. The Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA) today said Opposition Leader Matthew Guy’s pledge to end natural gas bans and use the energy source to replace coal and partner with renewables on the road to net zero was a sensible position backed by experts. APPEA Chief Executive Samantha McCulloch said: “This position understands the fundamental energy system changes occurring globally – with natural gas widely acknowledged to have a central, and even wider, role in the future energy mix than it does today. “Natural gas will replace higher emitting coal and firm renewable power generation, support manufacturing, help make everyday products as well as act as a feedstock for hydrogen. “As the Federal Government’s special adviser on low emissions technology, former chief scientist Dr Alan Finkel, said recently, gas can even speed up the journey to a cleaner energy future.” Ms McCulloch said Mr Guy had called out the untenable position of Victoria relying heavily on coal-powered electricity while having minimal onshore gas production because of a decade of development bans, which have deprived Victorians of the cheapest gas available to them. “Victorians currently pay $2 extra for every gigajoule of gas to be transported from Queensland under this policy, which ignores the fundamental rule that the cheapest gas is the gas produced closest to the customer,” she said. “The industry has announced over $20 billion of new supply investments over the past two years. But little of that has been in Victoria because of a decade of uncertainty, moratoriums and bans. We need certainty and the investment policy settings to be right. “As well as […]

Hydraulink franchise owner brings strong capabilities to Milperra businesses

A man who spent six months researching the hydraulic hose, fitting and service needs of Milperra’s businesses says he is delighted to have joined a Hydraulink national team dedicated to the same values he holds. Peter Tsekenis recently became the latest member of the Hydraulink family of franchise operators, which spans more than 400 services points across Australia and New Zealand. He says Hydraulink – which trades under the market signature “Best Under Pressure” – is an ideal fit for a person such as himself with a strong mechanical background and expert understanding of the importance of safety, precision, attention to detail and a can-do attitude that starts with first understanding customers’ needs. “We have a huge diversity of industries in Milperra – all dependent upon good hydraulic service to keep mobile and plant machinery functioning reliably without wasting downtime. The robust industry base here extends from distribution, transport and major import and export logistics, through to building, construction, diesel and civil machinery, metalworking, conveying and just about everything mechanical under the sun. Milperra really is a production powerhouse – and nearly all the machinery involved uses hydraulics in one way or another. “My research told me all of these could benefit from a door-to-door maintenance and breakdown service that gives them maximum uptime. As someone experienced in the civil engineering industry, I understand that breakdowns and ‘that’ll do’ maintenance cost big money, so I want to bring excellence and quality to the table.” Researching the market “When I as doing my research, driving around Milperra and talking to business for six months, I found that a lot of local industries were going outside the district to get their service needs. “So there seems to me to be a real gap in the market here for someone operating locally within […]

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Future of Manufacturing