Smart Manufacturing

Laugh, cry, or get angry when a time warp “Standard” offers no protection to customers?

Someone call Doc Brown (or perhaps David Webb, pictured) because referencing IEC 439, a Standard that dates back to 1990, is trying to take us back to the future. By David Webb* The film Back to the Future showed how choices today (in 1985) can have a large and long-lasting impact tomorrow. The message of the film – featuring the shiny, superficially tempting, but commercially tragic DeLorean car – brought to my mind some of the claims by non-NESMA manufacturers throughout Australia who parade products built to outdated standards as if the time-warp standards had some value and offer safety and compliance protection for customers. The fact is modern manufacturing techniques have progressed to the point where reference to very old standards – literally last century stuff – is totally irrelevant. They do the opposite to measuring up to the protections offered by the Standard we are obliged by statute to follow, AS/NZS 61439 AS/NZS 3439 Rather than protections, they are a ticking time bomb liabilities that can come back to bite customers, when and if anything goes wrong – when their switchboards are inspected for safety and Standards compliance, for example, leading on to insurance and workplace responsibilities. It will happen. The message of Back to the Future, featuring the superficially tempting but commercially tragic DeLorean (pictured), reminded David Webb of some of the claims by non-NESMA manufacturers in Australia who parade products built to outdated Standards Let’s look hypothetically at the range of specifications that come across our desk that do not even reference our industry’s obligatory statutory Standard, AS/NZS 61439 or AS/NZS 3439 – and the compliance protections it offers. I say hypothetically, because we are not singling out just one consultant writing a specification here, but rather spanning the broader spectrum of specifications that leave compliant […]

Smart manufacturing starts with Plex

Rockwell Automation will be showcasing its Plex cloud-based manufacturing platform at this year’s Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW) in Melbourne from May 6-9. Demonstrations will be held at stand MS210 (Manufacturing Solutions Zone). Plex Manufacturing Execution System (MES), integrated with Rockwell’s suite, offers comprehensive manufacturing software, providing real-time production management, enhancing compliance, quality, and efficiency. “Plex is a cloud-based platform, that enables future-focussed manufacturers to achieve real-time integration, high levels of availability and flexibility, cybersecurity, and scalability,” says Anthony Wong, vice president, enterprise software sales, Asia Pacific, Rockwell Automation Plex has been used by Australian and New Zealand companies to enhance operational efficiency, with examples including: STM Brands, a manufacturer of high-quality, award-winning accessories for tablets, laptops, and phones with a worldwide retail presence and offices in Sydney, San Diego, London, and Kuala Lumpur. As air freight costs began to rise, STM Brands realised its supply chain and spreadsheet-based planning was not accurately keeping up with demand volatility, and this was eating into the company’s margins. After implementing Plex, STM Brands increased gross profit margin by 5%, improved operating margin by 20%, reduced costly air freight by 50%, and decreased overall freight to sales ratio by 25% year-over-year. Importantly, Plex’s Supply Chain Planning (SCP) integrated into STM’s existing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, allowing for seamless data transfer. Tasti Products Limited, New Zealand, a snack bar and wholefood ball manufacturer. Recognising their legacy ERP system could no longer support an expanding business, Tasti Products searched for a smart manufacturing solution that would allow the company to scale in size and improve the speed in which business analytics could be performed. Tasti sought a manufacturing solution that was cloud-based and could help drive its end-to-end digital transformation. With the ability to offer world-class food safety and its established presence in the food […]

NT gas industry welcomes crackdown on activist lawfare

The NT gas industry says the Territory Government’s moves to clamp down on lawfare will boost investment and energy security. Australian Energy Producers NT Director David Slama welcomed the Petroleum, Planning and Water Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, set to be introduced in Parliament this week, as an important step in stopping activist groups from vexatiously using the legal system to delay critical gas projects in the Territory. “We commend the Territory Government for moving decisively to stamp out activist lawfare putting at risk economic and energy security for Territorians,” Mr Slama said. “At a time when Australians are facing cost-of-living pressures, the Territory Government has recognised the need to remove barriers to new gas supply so Territorians continue to have reliable and affordable energy. “It is not in the public interest for activist lawyers to damage the Territory’s attractiveness as a place to do business and to invest, undermining our economic and energy security.” Mr Slama said activists exploiting the Merits Review process had deterred much-needed investment in the Territory. “A long list of vexatious cases has exposed the extreme tactics of activists who are more interested in delaying projects than genuinely representing the interests of Territory communities,” he said. “Removing the Merits Review process is a significant step towards streamlining approval processes to enable new gas supply to be brought online sooner. “We need to expedite project delivery and improve environmental outcomes.”

$17m Laverton North liquid and hazardous waste management upgrade: World’s best

A $17 million dollar revamp of Evoro’s Laverton North liquid and hazardous waste management facility will transform the operation into one of the world’s best. Upgrade works are underway at the Melbourne site and scheduled for completion by late 2025, following a comprehensive planning and approvals process spanning five years. The improvements will enable Evoro to operate with better versatility across a spectrum of liquid and hazardous waste management services, including: Neutralising acids and alkaline materials for safe disposal or discharge as stormwater. An example is acids used in galvanising processes to manufacture corrosion resistant products; Processing wastewater for safe discharge as stormwater. An example is wastewater resulting from industrial plant wash-downs; Separating and purifying water from oil. An example is workshop ‘oily water’ (water mixed with oils and other lubricants). Recovered oil can be reused as an industrial fuel source; Purifying waste glycol (antifreeze) for reuse; Processing hard-to-treat liquids such as Hydrogen Fluoride and waters containing PFAS for safe disposal or reuse. The result will be improved efficiency, more flexibility for clients and better environmental outcomes. New weighbridges and enhanced truck unloading processes to improve customer experience will be central to the upgrades. Evoro Chief Executive Officer Susan McBurney said the investment would incorporate leading global technology and practice. “This is a sweeping site overhaul enabling us to modernise operations to world-class standard,” McBurney said. “Our clients from multiple industrial sectors will reap the benefits of better efficiency, cost effectiveness and service. “Much of what we’re doing is a response to client feedback, and in line with strict regulatory requirements.” Evoro Victorian General Manager Jenny Barnes emphasised the environmental benefits. “Our forte at Laverton North is handling difficult-to-treat industrial waste, giving it a second life through recycling or preparing it for safe disposal,” Barnes said. “It’s a […]

Breakthrough Victoria launches groundbreaking fellowship program to boost research entrepreneurship

Breakthrough Victoria is excited to announce the launch of the Breakthrough Fellowship Program, a pioneering initiative designed to ignite research entrepreneurship talent across Victoria. The Breakthrough Fellowship Program is a $7.5 million, multi-year initiative aimed at fostering research entrepreneurship in Victoria. It is projected to establish up to 50 new startup companies and create at least 50 jobs, thereby nurturing entrepreneurial talent and enhancing future investment pipelines. The program addresses critical market gaps and aims to cultivate the next generation of startup founders from Victorian universities and medical research institutes. Data from the U.S. National Science Board highlights the pivotal role of STEM founders in attracting investment and creating high-paying jobs. Despite this, internal analysis by University College London (UCL) revealed that the optimal time for starting companies is during the PhD level, particularly when multiple PhDs collaborate on varied research topics to uncover commercial possibilities. In Victoria, however, there is a notable lack of awareness about entrepreneurship and startup careers among students. A post program review of the University of Melbourne’s PhD Innovators program led by the Melbourne Entrepreneurial Centre’s Professor Colin McLeod found that 89 per cent of participants were interested in becoming venture founders yet faced a scarcity of investment opportunities. The Breakthrough Fellowship program is designed to bridge this gap. This unique fellowship program is the first in Australia to offer a tangible salary and research commercialisation funding, alongside mentoring and skills development. Under the Breakthrough Fellowship Program, Breakthrough Victoria will invest up to $150,000 per startup. Each startup must focus on commercialising research conducted by the founders or associated university professors. Fellows will have to draw a salary between $60,000 and $90,000 from the invested capital, ensuring financial stability during their entrepreneurial journey. The remaining funds will support additional hiring or product development. Applicants must […]

State approval for North West Shelf extension a key step to energy security

Australian Energy Producers welcomes the Western Australian Government providing environmental approval for the North West Shelf Project Extension. “The North West Shelf project is critical to providing energy security and emissions reductions to the state and region – through long-term gas supply to Western Australian households and businesses and supporting WA’s key trading partners,” Australia Energy Producers WA Director Caroline Cherry said. “The North West Shelf Project continues to be a truly nation-building project. For more than four decades, it has been a major contributor to Australia, providing more than $40 billion in royalties and excise alongside significant employment and business opportunities in the region.” “The approval recognises the increasingly urgent need for new gas supply in Western Australia to ensure households and businesses continue to have reliable and affordable energy.” “More gas will be needed to serve rising demand supporting renewables in electricity generation as coal is phased out while underpinning the economic benefits produced by the mining sector as a key power source.” Ms Cherry said the state government approval now triggers recommencement of the Federal Government’s environmental approval process. “The Federal Government must recognise the need to bring on more gas supply sooner, while providing certainty to a project that delivers wide-ranging benefits to Australia, Western Australia and regional trading partners,” Ms Cherry said. A recent independent report by EnergyQuest found that without new gas investment, Western Australia would run out of gas for electricity – which accounts for 60 per cent of the state’s power – from the early-2030s and its mining and industrial sectors would be left without gas from mid-2030s.

MGA Thermal selected by Chevron for innovative clean steam solution study

Clean energy innovator to conduct Front-End Engineering Design study for global energy leader MGA Thermal, a leading innovator in clean energy solutions, today announced its selection by Chevron to conduct an initial engineering and design study for an innovative clean steam solution. This study marks a significant milestone for MGA Thermal and underscores the growing importance of decarbonisation technologies in the energy sector. The study focuses on the application of MGA Thermal’s clean steam solution on a 5MWh trial unit designed for a Chevron site. “Collaborating with Chevron represents a big milestone for MGA Thermal and advances our mission to decarbonise industrial heat on a global scale,” said Mark Croudace, CEO of MGA Thermal. MGA Thermal’s innovative technology uses input variable renewable energy to generate process-grade steam on demand, enabling a 24/7 supply of reliable industrial heat at scale. MGA Thermal’s TES system can deliver steam at temperatures ranging from 150°C to over 550°C. This effectively firms variable renewable generation without the need for cost-prohibitive batteries, aligning perfectly with the growing demand for sustainable energy solutions in heavy industries. The study will be concluded by the end of 2024, with Anacapa serving as the appointed owner’s engineer and EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) partner. “This study with Chevron represents a significant opportunity to demonstrate the real-world impact of our technology,” said Dr. Alex Post, CTO of MGA Thermal. “We’re confident that our clean steam solution will play a crucial role in helping industry leaders meet their ambitious decarbonisation goals.” “At Chevron, we’re committed to delivering affordable, reliable, and ever-cleaner energy. Our collaboration with MGA Thermal is just one example of the forward-thinking required to deliver on our strategy to reduce the carbon intensity of our operations and advance new solutions for major industries,” commented Luc Huyse, Manager, Operations and Facilities […]

Australian businesses can learn about circularity from Europe’s new product eco-design rules

Ross Thompson, Greenbox In the face of climate change, governments and businesses are either pushing or being inevitably pulled to reset their strategies, practices and systems from linear to circular. Legislation and regulations, along with certifications, are a key lever for this mega trend. Mandatory climate-related financial disclosure for big business in Australia and other jurisdictions are just the start of changing times. Keeping household and business products and materials in use is one part of the circular picture, and countries at the forefront of circularity are creating regulatory frameworks that design waste and pollution out of the system. Europe is at the leading edge of this seismic shift. The region provides an indication of what Australian companies might expect ahead and indeed will soon be impacted by when exporting. Let’s consider some notable features and implications of Europe’s new product eco-design rules, which came into force in July 2024: Sustainable products becoming the rule, not the exception The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulations (ESPR) are a framework for setting ecodesign requirements on specific product groups (almost all physical products) – implemented gradually over time based on prioritisation. Priority products range from steel and textiles to tyres, detergents and ICT products and other electronics. These rules will be developed based on scientific evidence, economic analysis and stakeholder consultation. The aim is to improve circularity, energy performance and other sustainability aspects of products placed on the EU market. This regulation brings in rules for a broader range of products and more expansive rules as appropriate. Towards a circular economy, it’s about better durability, reusability, upgradability, reparability, recycling, resource efficiency, carbon footprint and information transparency. Scanning products for sustainability, stop destroying unsold products, and ‘Green Public Procurement’ Novel measures in the ESPR are a ‘Digital Product Passport’, rules to address the destruction […]

Student architecture exhibition challenges the boundaries of our skyline and imagination

Student architects from Western Sydney University have hosted their second consecutive end of year exhibition highlighting innovative and creative works by talented students within the University’s Architecture program. The exhibition, titled ‘Beyond the Horizon’, challenged the current architectural landscape and skyline of Sydney by offering new insights and re-imagining urban landscapes for the future of Western Sydney. Supported by Western Sydney University’s School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment, and organised by student led organisation, Beyond Architecture WSU, the exhibition was attended by industry experts, academia, and representatives from Blacktown and Cumberland City Councils. President of the Beyond Architecture team, Mary Anne Yosef said the exhibition featured a range of projects designed by architectural students throughout the year. “Beyond the Horizon is a wonderful opportunity to witness the creativity and passion of the next generation of architects,” said Mary Anne. “The conceptual designs and models reflect our students’ exploration of new and creative approaches to design. I am both proud of and deeply grateful to our amazing Beyond Architecture team and our tutors for coming together to bring this remarkable exhibition to life.” Maters of Architecture student and Vice President of Beyond Architecture, Amanda Eessa’s project, titled ‘Cultural Landscapes: Migration’s Influence on the Architectural Identity of Western Sydney’ investigates the dynamic relationship between migration and architecture in Western Sydney. Aiming to inform on how migration influences design practices and architecture, Amanda’s work has identified a gap in contemporary research regarding the unique architectural identity of Western Sydney, specifically, the influence of diverse migration patterns on creating cultural hubs. “By utilising a mixed-method approach, the research offers an analysis on Western Sydney’s cultural community hubs and micro-neighbourhood infrastructure, and significant cultural practices that can inform how future architects design for diverse households,” said Amanda. Bachelor of Architecture student, Raymond Haroon’s project, titled ‘Parramatta Arcade’, is a […]

Caroline Cherry is the WA Director of the Australian Energy Producers.

Accelerate new gas projects to fuel WA’s economy

Industry efforts in Western Australia to boost gas supply have eased concerns around potential shortfalls, but fast-tracking new gas projects remains critical to ensure reliable energy for the state’s households and industry. The Australian Energy Market Operator’s (AEMO) 2024 Western Australian Gas Statement of Opportunities (GSOO) today confirmed the state’s gas industry has led an improved near-term gas supply outlook compared to last year, with sufficient supply forecast through to 2027. “The GSOO confirms the industry has stepped up to provide more gas to the WA domestic market,” Australian Energy Producers WA Director Caroline Cherry said. “However, a forecast increase in WA’s gas consumption from 2027 reinforces the need for more investment in new gas supply. “The GSOO forecasts a risk of annual supply gaps that will require new sources of supply from 2030 onwards as a result of increased demand from industrial and commercial users coinciding with depletion of existing gas fields.” Ms Cherry said additional gas supply was critical to growing WA’s mining and manufacturing industries and to continue to provide reliable and affordable electricity, with gas generating 60 per cent of WA’s power. “Getting the state’s energy policy right to incentivise investment in exploration and project development will be key to securing WA’s long-term energy needs,” Ms Cherry said. “The GSOO identifies fast-tracking proposed projects and new gas fields as an action to eliminate the risk of a supply shortfall before 2030.” AEMO reinforced “These gas fields could be developed as separate or expansion projects to take advantage of the LNG export incentive under the updated Western Australian Domestic Gas Policy”. “The industry looks forward to continuing to work with the WA Government to unlock new supply and ensure affordable and reliable energy for WA homes and businesses,” Ms Cherry said.

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