AE Gibson gets hands-on with robotic automation

AE Gibson & Sons new Robotic Training and Demonstration Technology Centre supports future manufacturing and upskilling of much needed engineers.

Australian engineering and family-owned business AE Gibson & Sons is in its fifth generation of operation, with historical roots that can be traced back to the late 1800s. They’re an awardwinning industry leader in designing, servicing, and supplying specialised machinery and optimised robotic automation systems, with a mission to help their clients implement more sustainable manufacturing operations in industries including timber, renewables, biomass, waste processing, infrastructure, agriculture, and other heavy industrial applications throughout Australia and the entire Asia Pacific region.

Located in Kendall NSW, AE Gibson’s has recently become the successful recipients of a share in $534,667 from round two of the NSW state government's Regional Job Creation Fund. The funding has helped to develop a newly established robot training and demonstration centre and facilitate AE Gibson’s mission to expedite training for their wave of apprentices that are brought into the business as well as junior engineer graduates, whilst upskilling existing employees.

The intent is to develop their skills in the areas of robotic automation as the business expands into emerging sectors in Australia and looks to support the reshoring of manufacturing to overcome supply chain backlogs in the industry.

“Our employees are very forward-thinking and have really embraced our vision to integrate robotics into our business model,” Curtis Gibson, AE Gibson General Manager says. “Customers who have come through the technology centre repeatedly mention their appreciation for being afforded the opportunity to see the advancements in engineering machinery face to face, but furthermore interact and program it themselves.”

This exposure has shown them not only why they need to adopt robotic automation in their businesses, but also how easy it is to do so.”

With his own expertise in adopting new technology and innovation such as 3D design modelling and Industry 4.0, Curtis acknowledges the welcome opportunity to train their employees and customers about the benefits of robotics and the future of automation.

The Centre currently holds an ABB IRB 1660 industrial robot, the market’s highest performing 10kg robot typically used for arc welding and machine tending. The robot selected for AE Gibson’s Technology Centre is ABB’s IRB 4600 industrial robot. It’s so compact and optimised that it can cut the cycle times of the industry benchmark in applications like palletising, dispensing, pick and placing, machining, measuring and assembly, by up to 25%.

The Centre is all about showing how versatile industrial robots really are. Software advancements have reduced programming complexity and design features are helping industrial manufacturers of all types and sizes to increase their operational performance and gain better access to a well-trained workforce.

"The role of automation in reshoring and improving productivity has the ability to bridge the current skills gap and labour shortages"

“The role of automation in reshoring and improving productivity has the ability to bridge the current skills gap and labour shortages we’re facing locally and internationally, but also propel Australia further onto the world stage,” Simon Parker, Global Business Development Manager said.

“Investment demonstrates growth. While working with a wide range of companies developing solutions I have found that generally by the time the first robot is installed the company is planning the next system after realising the benefits of automation to their business.”

Robotic demonstrations at the Centre feature standardised grippers and additional attachments that can be trialled in applications such as materials handling, palletising, timbers, and metals and plastics production. It’s significant because the manufacturing industry requires highly skilled, deeply trained professionals where the learning was previously done in-house.

Having a facility such as the Robotic Training and Demonstration Technology Centre means businesses can gain access to the latest technology with training provided intrinsically by AE Gibson - industry leaders in this space. With more sophisticated understanding, they can take employees who were previously doing the dirty, dangerous, and mundane jobs, and repurpose them into more appealing roles with opportunities for career advancement.

It also allows AE Gibson to showcase their capabilities to design, develop, commission, and provide after-sales support for tailored solutions to meet their customer’s distinctive requirements.

“We’re really proud to be a part of supporting AE Gibson & Sons in this project which is creating avenues for students and industry alike to learn about robotic automation and also give them a chance to develop integral skills in what’s becoming rapidly necessary in Australia,” Adrian Shore, Robotics in Manufacturing Sales Specialist for ABB Australia said. “With a longstanding history of supporting the local community, youth activities, and advocating for growing manufacturing in Australia, Curtis says, “this isn’t just about evolving our capabilities with modern technologies to keep up with the market, but just as importantly providing a launching pad for young people to learn and work and essentially keep jobs and manufacturing local.”

“The level of service and support we receive from ABB shows that they share in our immediate and long-term vision and that’s critical and why we chose them as a partner,” Parker added.

Thanks to another NSW Government funding approval, AE Gibson has become new recipients of an Innovation Grant. With this, they’ll start recruiting more engineers to join their business, with the hopes to develop a formal graduate engineering program and work with local universities to spur increased interest in STEM, influence research and development from an industry perspective, and also collaborate on uniquely innovative projects that will help to support Australia’s manufacturing future. abb.com aegibsonman.com.au