Future of Manufacturing

There may not be enough skilled workers in Australia’s pipeline for a post-Covid-19 recovery

Scott Morrison wants to overhaul the skills workforce to ensure a better post-COVID-19 recovery. But there may not be enough people with the necessary skills to do so. And travel restrictions, which will reduce migration, will only compound the issue. A Productivity Commission interim report released today found the proportion of people without qualifications at a Certificate 3 level or above decreased from 47.1% in 2009 to 37.5% in 2019. This will not be enough to meet a Council of Australian Governments (COAG) target of 23.6% set for 2020. The report also found while the number of higher-level qualifications (diplomas and advanced diplomas) sharply increased between 2009 and 2012, it has since fallen to its 2009 level. The 2020 target was set out in the 2012 National Agreement for Skills and Workforce Development (NASWD), which identified long-term federal and state objectives in skills and workforce development. Australia’s Vocational, Education and Training (VET) sector is underperforming, excessively complicated and suffers from ad hoc policy approaches. The report noted the skills agreement is no longer fit for purpose, and the A$6.1 billion governments spend annually on vocational education and training can be better allocated to improve outcomes. What the report found The National Agreement for Skills and Workforce Development was intended to significantly lift the skills of the Australian workforce and improve participation in training, especially by students facing disadvantage. Several targets, performance indicators and outcomes were agreed to. These included to: halve the proportion of Australians aged between 20-64 without qualification at certificate 3 level and below, from 47.1% in 2009 to 23.6% by 2020 double the number of advanced diploma and diploma completions nationally from 53,974 to 107,948 in 2020. The commissioners admit some of the targets agreed to were arbitrary and ambitious. The report says: If targets are unattainable, they quickly […]

D-Link adds two new intelligent AI-based camera solutions to mydlink portfolio

D-Link A/NZ has launched two new mydlink cameras, the DCS-8526LH Full HD Pan/Tilt Pro Wi-Fi Camera and the DCS-8630LH Full HD Outdoor Wi-Fi Spotlight Camera. Both feature edge-based person detection with AI technology, allowing for more intelligent surveillance capabilities and personal automation options for every smart home. The DCS-8630LH also has an integrated spotlight to literally help you see in the dark. Not only are the cameras interoperable with other devices in the mydlink ecosystem, but they also work with the Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, as well as conform to the ONVIF standard, allowing seamless recording to external devices such as a NAS or NVR. Additionally, both cameras feature built-in Bluetooth for fast and easy setup, both cloud and local recording options, and support remote viewing and management via the free mydlink app. The enhanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) used by the cameras cleverly identifies human motion, ensuring they will not be triggered by the likes of a pet, bird or passing car that may come into the viewing area. Edge-based technology also processes information on the device locally so there’s no need to send video to the cloud for processing, speeding up alert response times and ensuring you receive alerts only when a real person is detected. A passive infrared (PIR) sensor further reduces false triggers so you only see what you want and need to see. One of the biggest concerns with IoT devices and Wi-Fi networks these days is privacy. To combat those concerns both these new mydlink cameras feature the latest and most secure industry-standard 128-bit encryption ensuring greater privacy throughout users’ devices and networks. Another clever and useful feature involves the camera’s built-in microphone and speaker, providing a 2-way audio service for you to both speak and listen to delivery drivers, children and other people and pets that are within earshot […]

Groundbreaking deal set to elevate Australia’s manufacturing sector

Leading computer numerical control (CNC) distributor Innovync has inked a new distribution deal with European manufacturer CMS. The deal provides Innovync’s partners and other Australian advanced manufacturers with access to a range of new and innovative advanced materials and plastics. The deal, which was signed on 7th August 2020 marks an important milestone for Innovync. It is also significant for Australia’s advanced manufacturing sector which will now have greater accessibility to leading European products and materials which are playing an increasingly significant role within the aerospace, automotive, renewable energy, sporting, marine and electronic industries and which are already in use by companies including Spacex, Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Hyundai. Commenting on the announcement, Pierre Sullivan, Innovync’s Managing Director said: “CMS has been machining plastics, composites, carbon fibre, aluminium, light alloys and metal at extremely high standards for years. They continue to invest heavily into research and development and are always at the forefront of cutting-edge design”. CMS’ machines provide precise and customisable equipment that is capable of machining carbon fibre, plastics, foam, composite material and metals within a 0.006mm tolerance. “These machines offer Australia’s advanced manufacturing sector a fresh chance to usher in a new era of nation and industry-wide advancement. We are incredibly proud of our continued relationship with CMS and to be trusted to bring their entire suite of machines to the Australian and New Zealand markets, which we believe will unlock great opportunities for local manufacturers by providing access to European industry-leading machinery,” Mr Sullivan added. The CMS announcement is the latest in a string of accomplishments for Innovync and will enable the firm to continue to deliver innovative solutions to its clients which include luxury super-yacht builder Vikal International, G James, Weir Minerals and Pacific Stone.

Hyster 4-wheel lift trucks tough and cost-efficient

The UT series of 4-wheel electric forklifts, in capacities from 1 to 3.5 tonnes complements the broader UT series range for customers seeking Hyster toughness, quality and strong service backing. It also brings the performance of electric forklifts to a new market sector seeking optimum cost-efficiency for their needs. Features of the new machines, which provide an ideal solution to meet users’ needs for less frequent usage, include an ergonomically designed operator compartment laid out to help operators work comfortably across a range of applications, including food and beverage, frozen produce, manufacturing, distribution and truck and transport centres. Power options including wet cell batteries with single point watering or maintenance- free Lithium-Ion technology. Smooth, progressive high performance is provided by AC traction and hydraulic motors with electronic control. European designed AC controllers are coupled with AC traction and hydraulic motors to allow for precise controllability. A small steering wheel facilitates fine control, with eight degrees of adjustment and low steering effort for operation in confined spaces. The low steering effort without kick-back facilitates precise positioning. Further features include: High strength profiled steel overhead guard for added protection coupled with low step height for easy access. The secure overhead guard has passed CE drop test and safety standards. Wide view mast to enhance operators’ forward view field. The high-vis mast provides soft landing technology as standard to absorb shocks. Controlled mast lowering speeds help to avoid damage. LED lighting is standard. Full suspension seat that reduces driver fatigue, which, like the steering wheel, is adjustable to suit a wide variety of operators. Safety features also include an Operator Presence System. Performance features include simple and clear display of speed, power, error code and working hours to keep operators fully informed. Colour displays integrated with functions such as performance selection to configure […]

Morrison warns against ‘solely transactional’ trade approach in address to US audience

Scott Morrison says the Covid-19 crisis has created new opportunities for “like-minded economies” to work together – but warned against “solely transactional” trade approaches undermining these relationships. In a Wednesday keynote speech to the US Aspen Security Forum, delivered virtually, Morrison says expanding the scope and scale of co-operation by like-minded economies must be done “thoughtfully”. “Security and trade policy approaches must be well integrated, not at odds with each other,” he says in the address, released ahead of delivery. Although Morrison is unspecific about which countries he has in mind on the trade front, his remarks will be read as a reference to the United States. President Trump’s America First policy, with its aggressive transactional approach and emphasis on “deals” has come with costs for a number of like-minded economies. Morrison says: “A solely transactional approach to trading relationships can undo some gains made in other parts of relationships with like-minded partners. Australia’s foreign policy is not simply transactional.” “As we build the network of like-minded economies, we need to build a greater sense of unity across all elements of our engagement. “That means taking a more pragmatic and rounded approach to our global and regional relationships,” he says. “The sense of unity necessary among like-minded partners can be undermined if positive political and security relationships are accompanied by abrasive or confrontational trade relationships. “We should avoid cases where we build closer strategic co-operation, only to see the cohesiveness of those relationships undermined by trade disputes.” Morrison says he is not suggesting seeking to constrain “the national instinct of our business people and exporters to compete in global markets”. Nor should we “turn a blind eye to unfair trading measures imposed by our friends”. Morrison’s speech continues his recent assertiveness about Australia’s foreign policy and defence stance. Saying that […]

D-Link A/NZ extends COVR Wi-Fi Certified EasyMesh System series

D-Link ANZ has extended its ground-breaking COVR AC1200 Seamless Mesh Wi-Fi System range, one of the world’s first Wi-Fi Certified EasyMesh™ home and home office mesh systems, to now offer a three unit pack (COVR-1103), as well as a single add-on unit (COVR-1100). Adding these new options now truly gives any user the flexibility to cover any home or home office with D-Link’s unique COVR mesh Wi-Fi solution. With high-speed AC1200 Dual-Band Wi-Fi and 11ac Wave 2 with MU-MIMO, the COVR-1100 and COVR-1103 like the COVR-1102 before them are fast enough to support multiple devices undertaking everyday data-intensive tasks like HD streaming and video chats simultaneously. The COVR-1100 is perfect if you’re just starting out in whole home networking or have a smaller space. The COVR-1102 two-pack gives you more reach and coverage up to 325 square metres and the COVR-1103 three-pack truly blankets any home with up to 464 square metres of seamless Wi-Fi. The COVR industry-standard mesh networking technology allows for device flexibility and ease of use, as users can now easily expand any existing COVR mesh Wi-Fi network by adding additional single unit COVR-1100 points as required. That said, if you have a larger space or perhaps a townhouse over multiple levels then the COVR-1103’s three COVR points and optional wired Ethernet backhaul is the system for you. All three COVR systems work with the Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa and all have profile-based Parental Controls for setting boundaries online. They are super simple to set-up with the D-Link Wi-Fi App and Quick VPN capabilities allows you securely connect to a remote network. COVR’s Quality of Service (QoS) prioritises network traffic to minimise the impact of limited bandwidth and its Triple Play VLAN support allows ISPs to provide multiple services with just one router. COVR-1100, COVR-1102 and COVR-1103 […]

ASM production of titanium metal alloy

Australian Strategic Materials’ (ASM) partner, ZironTech has successfully produced another run of titanium metal alloy at the joint venture (JV) commercial pilot plant in South Korea. This subsequent run produced approximately 22 kilograms and confirmed energy savings of up to 50 per cent compared to current commercial production methods. ASM is successfully progressing the pilot plant testwork on low emission, high purity metal technology to produce zirconium, titanium and rare earths for permanent magnet metals. The production of metals indicates significant cost benefits to ASM’s integrated business strategy and is key in the development of the Dubbo Project to supply critical materials. The commissioning of the electrorefining section of the pilot plant is proceeding, which will produce ultra-high purity metal, including neodymium, praseodymium, other rare earth metals, zirconium and hafnium metal. Australian Strategic Materials Managing Director, David Woodall said: “Our progress towards an independent fully integrated ’mine to metal‘ business of critical materials is continuing very well. ASM’s focus is to be a stable, secure and alternate supplier of clean metals for the domestic and global markets with the production of these metals coming from our Dubbo Project in Central West NSW. The clean metal technology can be applied to all the products from the Dubbo Project with our focus on the key critical materials of neodymium, dysprosium, zirconium, hafnium and praseodymium. ASM management is currently in Korea to progress discussions on the commencement of a definitive feasibility of a clean metals plant and the progress of a joint Australian / Korean strategy that could ensure supply security and stability of these critical materials to the Australian and Korean manufacturing sectors.”. ASM continues with the optimisation of the Dubbo Project through the integration of flotation into the proven flowsheet seeking improved project capital and operating costs. ASM’s JV partner continues […]

Hero plastics performance during Covid-19 pandemic points to expanding uses

Cut to Size Plastics is registered on the NSW Government’s Covid-19 Emergency Suppliers portal as a company that can supply raw material for manufacturing processes and products, including adapting its processes to manufacture components for urgently needed medical equipment, such as ventilators. One of the major groups of materials protecting medical and front-line workers during the Covid-19 pandemic, engineering plastics, is also making headway as an alternative to metals in hygiene and safety-conscious industrial markets, including machinery componentry, safety, automation and industry 4.0 and process applications. Most of the PPE equipment used in the masks, goggles, gloves, gowns and coveralls involved in the Covid-19 pandemic are made of non-woven polymer polypropylene, while other translucent shields between customers and retail staff, for example, are made from polycarbonates such as Wearguard, which are not only very tough, but also very easy to wash down and resistant to chemicals involved. “It is in fact quite possible to introduce anti-viral and anti-bacterial qualities into the formulation used to manufacture different engineering thermoplastics families – while other plastics groups are suitable in their natural or food grade state to substitute hygienically and cost efficiently for metals used in production process and Industry 4.0 higher speed automation,” says engineering plastics authority Mr Laurie Green. Custom manufactured plastics – sometimes with added hygienic, mechanical and lubrication qualities – can include Wearlon PTFE (Polytetrafluorethylene) and Wearex UHMWPE (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene). Standard product groups, including Wearlon Nylon, Wearace Acetal and Wearthane polyeurethane can not only be modified, but are often suitable in their natural state as light but tough high-performance alternatives to metals in applications demanding excellent impact resistance, high mechanical strength, high physical protective qualities, strong washdown and chemical performance and outstanding sliding and machinability qualities. “In addition to being used as machinery components – such as […]

Cloud integration technologies enable manufacturers to navigate global disruptions

By Mark Morley, Director, Strategic Product Marketing at OpenText Manufacturers operate complex production processes which are highly dependent on the timely supply of parts from external suppliers. While the manufacturing sector regularly manages disruption from events such as natural disasters (you only need to go back to earlier this year when bushfires ravaged large parts of Australia), the global spread of Covid-19 has severely impacted material flows and the smooth functioning of production facilities across the globe. It is fair to say that global supply chains are experiencing levels of disruption not seen before. According to a recent report from the Institute for Supply Management, 75 per cent of companies are reporting supply chain disruption. To combat this, manufacturers must look for ways to minimise the impact on operations and improve supply chain resilience. Flexibility Organisations that are best positioned to weather these unforeseen circumstances are those who have embraced the cloud. Cloud-based deployments have become essential to managing costs, resources and risk without sacrificing competitive advantage, product innovation or customer satisfaction. When a manufacturer shifts its data from on-premise to the cloud, it also ensures that all business information can continue to be stored securely and accessed globally. CollaborationThe key to maintaining business continuity also lies within the collaborative relationships between trading partners. Cloud-based platforms can facilitate effective communication between trading partners which is particularly beneficial when a global disruption such as the one we are seeing now occurs. Partners can continue to monitor and supervise the execution of dual sourcing strategies and quickly establish the post-disruption condition of a supply chain, providing a significant competitive advantage. In addition, centralised management of all trading partner contact information provides an opportunity to conduct post-disruption assessment of a manufacturer’s supply chain, which leads to better risk assessment and preventive steps for […]

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3M launches webinar series on abrasives technology

The 3M Abrasives System Division are offering a webinar series to industry professionals providing unique insights into abrasive technology and best practices. This three-part ‘Shop Talk’ series commences Tuesday 21st July 2020 and focuses on how businesses can improve efficiencies by adopting innovativepractices and technologies while enhancing operational safety. 3M abrasive expert Nathan Bamford will guide attendees through a range of topics in the series, with the first session focusing on satin finishes on stainless steel, removing welds and deburring without risk of gouging or rounding corners. The webinar series has been developed to provide professionals with the opportunity to upskill and make smart choices for their businesses in the future. ‘At 3M we are aware of how big an impact COVID-19 has had on the industry locally, so we’re keen to share our knowledge on products and techniques to give local specialists and businesses an edge,’ said 3M Abrasives System Division Marketing Manager, Jonathan Small. ‘We hope that by engaging in our short, on-line learning sessions our customers can find solutions to current issues and learn improved methods to operate which may help with efficiencies and on-site safety in the future.’ To register for the 3M Abrasives Shop Talk Webinar series, please visit go.3m.com/ShopTalk_Webinar_AU 3M Abrasives Technology Webinar Series Session 1: Tuesday July 21st, 2020 12:00pm – 12:30pm EST Agenda ⦁ How to achieve a satin finish on stainless steel ⦁ How to remove a weld and take it to a number 4 finish ⦁ How to deburr without gouging or rounding of the corner plate Session 2: Tuesday August 25th, 2020 12:00pm – 12:30pm EST Agenda ⦁ How to save time on your mild steel processing projects ⦁ How to maximise the life of your belt ⦁ Safer alternatives to wire brushes Session 3: Tuesday September 22nd, 2020 […]

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Future of Manufacturing