Industry Update Nov 2023 - Issue 135 by Industry Update

AUSTRALIA'S LARGEST CIRCULATING MANUFACTURING MAGAZINE

Issue 135 November 2023 $12.00 inc. GST

Peace & goodwill to all!

PEACE Alarming landfill figures lead to first locally manufactured plastic-free wipes By Margie Smithurst

least 30,000 tonnes of non-biodegradable plastic wipes go into Australian landfills each year – an “alarming” amount, says Scardigno. However, as he tells Industry Update, the true amount is probably much higher than that. “It’s scary… we’re worried about single-use plastic bags, cutlery, and straws, but this is far worse, and it sort of falls on deaf ears.”

Corey White (L) and Phil Scardigno, owners of Hygiene Co.

et wipes are big business. They’re used in the medical sector, for cleaning workplaces, and in the cosmetics market. They’re also used as toilet paper, sold as ‘flushable’ wipes. The majority – more than 95% – are plastic, non-biodegradable and imported. They’re also not flushable, as we’ve learned from the alarming ‘fatberg’ stories of gigantic mounds of wipes blocking metropolitan and household sewage systems. But it’s the landfill figures that flabbergasted Phil Scardigno and Corey White, who established Australian environmentally friendly wipes manufacturer Hygiene Co. in Adelaide in late 2021. When they started looking into it, they calculated that at

Combilift turns 25, takes innovation to new heights

From textiles to wipes Scardigno’s journey to manufacturer of plastic-free wipes began during Covid. At the time, Scardigno owned a business called Axis Manufacture that made coatings used with textiles in the construction industry, and was asked by the SA government to make wipes for the aged care sector because the supply and demand ratio was knocked off balance by the pandemic. He began producing perforated rolls of wipes for canisters but was prompted to investigate the market more broadly when he was told none of the 20 million packs of wet wipes used in Australian hospitals during the pandemic were manufactured in Australia. Post-pandemic, the opportunity came up to sell his coatings business and refit the building. Around the same time he met White, who came from the medical sector, and the pair started looking into manufacturing wipes. “The horrific thing that we both realised when we started to bring this company together was that it was all single-use plastics — thrown in Continues on page 44

AUSSIE MADE P2 RESPIRATORY PROTECTION The first cup style P2 respirator manufactured locally in Australia.

Adjustable nose band

Manufactured to AS/NZS 1716:2012

Moulded for comfort & fit

Latex free

WIN 1 of 10 $2000 Luxury Escapes travel vouchers! Scan the QR code to find out how to enter www.greatsouthernsafety.com.au

Dura Vision Lighting: Oil free Industry update ad v3.indd 1 compressed innovation and quality air for critical has a new name industries Special 4-page pullout

39 75

Energy Chain®• Chainflex Cables Bearings • Robotics

For more information • 1300 65 75 64 • or info@treotham.com.au

3/10/2023 2:08:03 PM

2 | Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023

industryupdate.com.au

Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 3

CONTENTS Australian Made....................................... 6

WHAT’S POOR LUBRICATION COSTING YOU?

From the Publisher.................................... 8 From the Minister....................................10 From the Shadow Minister....................... 12 NSW Manufacturing............................... 18 Combilift 25 Years..................................20

www.greasemax.au

Defence Industry News............................24 Business & Manufacturing Finance............26 Employment & Training............................28 Universities, Research & Collaboration.......32 Cyber Security........................................36 LED & Industrial Lighting..........................37 Workplace Hygiene................................44 Energy, Waste & Recycling......................45 Automation Robotics & Smart Factories.....46 Fasteners & Adhesives.............................49 Food & Beverages..................................56 Alcohol & Drug Awareness......................59

MANUFACTURING MAGAZINE Industry Update Media Pty Ltd ABN 25 083 502 783 Suite 403, Level 4, 116-118 Christie Street, St. Leonards NSW 2065 +61 2 9439 1288 / sales@industryupdate.com.au

Circulation 17,754 Readership 71,016 as at September 2022

All material in this publication is copyright to the publisher and/or its contributors. No material may be reproduced in part or in whole without the written consent from the Publisher. It is a condition of purchase or acceptance of this magazine that the Publisher does not assume any responsibility or liability for any loss or damage which may result from any inaccuracy or omission on this publication or from the use of the information in this publication or from the use of the information and illustrations contained herein and the Publisher makes no warranties, express or implied, with respect to any of the material contained herein. © Copyright Industry Update Media Pty Ltd 2023 Publisher SCOTT FILBY scott@industryupdate.com.au

Sales Executive JAMES ROBINSON salesassist@industryupdate.com.au

Finance & Accounts MICHELLE ALCOCK michelle@industryupdate.com.au

Editor MARGIE SMITHURST editor@industryupdate.com.au

Marketing Manager DUMINSHA UDESHIKA marketing@industryupdate.com.au

Consultant TRACY FILBY tracy@industryupdate.com.au

Writer CHRISTINE POWIS writer@industryupdate.com.au

Creative Director EDWIN KWONG production@industryupdate.com.au

Accounts Receivable LYN SLIGAR lyn@industryupdate.com.au

Universities & Collaboration Editor DAVID SLIGAR unieditor@industryupdate.com.au

Production Manager DUMINSHA UDESHIKA copy@industryupdate.com.au

Subscription Assistant TODD ALCOCK info@industryupdate.com.au

Sub Editor WILLIAM POOLE subeditor@industryupdate.com.au

Video Editor & Producer CHARLIE LOUGHLIN video@industryupdate.com.au

Circulation Assistant JERIN BURZACOTT circ@industryupdate.com.au

Advertising Sales Director SCOTT FILBY scott@industryupdate.com.au

Office Admin JESSICA SUDESH admin@industryupdate.com.au

Printer SPOTPRESS

Workplace Health and Safety..................62

DOWNLOAD

IT Hardware & Software..........................66

MEDIA KIT

Events.................................................... 76

MANUFA

CTURIN

G MED

Web Developer JINI M R

AUSTRA INDUST LIA’S NO.1 MA RIAL EQU NU IPMENTFACTURING & MAGAZ INE & DIR ECTORY

MEDIA KIT 20

National Media to take over Workplace Health and Safety Shows

xperienced trade show organiser National Media has acquired the twice-yearly Workplace Health And Safety Shows. A privately owned company in operation for 30 years, National Media’s portfolio includes trade shows across a variety of sectors, including hotel and accommodation, architecture, interior design, kitchen and bathroom, and fitness and active lifestyle. Under the new leadership, Marie Kinsella, CEO of the International Exhibition and Conference Groups, says the Workplace Health and Safety Show

4 | Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023

will “continue to build momentum as Australia’s only dedicated workplace health and safety show that empowers professionals with tools and resources.” The Sydney and Brisbane shows in 2023 attracted large crowds, with 2300 people attending the Sydney event, which was held alongside the Modern Manufacturing Expo. Sam Palermo, Exhibition Director of the Workplace Health & Safety Show has transitioned to National Media, joining National Media Commercial Director, Sam Blackie. industryupdate.com.au

We keep your industry alive We are your trusted partner for cable and connectivity solutions in the field of intralogistics.

industryupdate.com.au

1800 931 559Industrylapp.com.au Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 5

AUSTRALIAN MADE

Discover the future of non-woven manufacturing in Australia by Planet Protector

lanet Protector is proud to offer contract manufacturing services to the Australian market. Our ‘stateof-the-art’ non-woven fibre manufacturing facility is being commissioned in Melbourne, Victoria. We are ready to support you in your commitment to Australian-made production. Our sophisticated machinery has the capability to produce a variety of non-woven products, supporting a diverse range of downstream industries including bedding, geotextiles, acoustics, recycled textiles, horticulture, and felts and filters.

A sustainable manufacturing solution Planet Protector, established in 2016, is an impact-driven social enterprise on a mission to rid the world of expanded polystyrene (EPS), an insidious and destructive plastic which has dominated cold supply chains since the 1950s. Planet Protector utilises crossbred sheep wool, wool that is unsuitable for textiles and ordinarily destined for landfill. This wool is a byproduct from sheep that are being raised for their meat, rather than their fleece. Planet Protector has leveraged the

superior thermal properties of wool and monetised a waste stream to create a disruptive insulation product that is revolutionising supply chains. Planet Protector’s innovative and disruptive Woolpack packaging range is now being used across Oceania to ship everything from food and beverages including wine to pharmaceuticals and life sciences. With a vision to reduce supply chain risks, onshore manufacturing and reinstate sovereign capability in Australia, Planet Protector has invested in our own ‘state-of-the-art’ non-woven fibre manufacturing machinery which we are currently commissioning in our facility in Melbourne, VIC. With this capability, we are excited to manufacture 100% Australian made products, move into new verticals and launch new product innovations; at the same time reducing our carbon emissions. Being sustainable is core to our business. We are building a better future through a regenerative circular economy; moving away from the traditional ‘take-make-waste’ linear model. Unveiling our advanced technology We can offer customised solutions tailored to your exact specifications. Our machinery can process fibres such as wool, cotton and polyester, to hemp, jute and even pineapple fibres! This means we are poised to process any input material into a bespoke uniform product solution. With the latest advanced technology, our machinery is highly efficient and cost-competitive. We are passionate about supporting other businesses to realise their ESG goals,

6 | Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023

localise supply chains using Australian materials, and reduce carbon emissions. Consumers are increasingly driving the demand for sustainable materials, underpinned by the growing environmental momentum. In 2024, there will be mandatory climate disclosure reporting driven by ESG which is now an imperative for all businesses. Why choose Planet Protector? • Onshore supply: Enjoy speed-to-market advantages, reduce risks in your supply chain and foster new product development. • Customisability: Opportunity to create 100% customisable products in size and product composition. • Reduce Carbon Emissions: Minimise your environmental footprint and reduce your scope emissions with our sustainable practices. • Innovate with Hypoallergenic Fibres: From wool, cotton, bamboo and hemp to denim, cellulose, jute, coconut and pineapple fibres. • Versatile High-Loft Products: Our unique high-loft offering caters to diverse industry sectors such as bedding, acoustic and upholstery. • Support local industry, local manufacturing, and local economies. • Create positive social impact with ethical manufacturing practices. • Realise your environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals.

Planet Protector planetprotectorpackaging.com

industryupdate.com.au

Do you want to

Australian Made

MANUFACTURE in AUSTRALIA?

Contract Manufacturing for Non-Woven Fibre Products

Get in Touch TODAY!

Eliminate Supply Chain Risks Onshore Supply for Speed to Market Reduce Carbon Emissions Realise your ESG Targets • • • •

BUILDING INSULATION HORTICULTURE BEDDING GEOTEXTILES

Contact: 1300 9665 2665 enquiries@planetprotectorpackaging.com

industryupdate.com.au

• • • •

ACOUSTICS UPHOLSTERY RECYCLED TEXTILES FELTS & FILTERS

STATE OF THE ART MANUFACTURING

Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 7

FROM THE PUBLISHER Publisher

Editor

Margie Smithurst

Scott Filby

n the ever-evolving landscape of Australian manufacturing, one thing remains constant: change. As the owner and publisher of Industry Update Media, I’ve witnessed first hand over 33 years the incredible resilience and innovation that characterise Australia’s manufacturing industry. Today, I want to share my insights on where we are heading and how embracing change is not just necessary but can be the catalyst for unprecedented growth and success. The heart of our industry beats with innovation. From advanced manufacturing techniques to cutting-edge materials, Australian manufacturers are continually pushing the boundaries. We see a surge in automation and AI, making processes more efficient and precise. Embracing these technologies is crucial for staying competitive on a global scale. Who could have imagined five years ago that the fortunes of Australian manufacturing would face a swift reversal from constant decline to exceptional growth. The COVID-19 pandemic was a watershed moment for global manufacturing, with disruptions in international supply chains prompting a significant shift. Many Australian manufacturers have responded

to these challenges by bringing production back home. This resurgence of local manufacturing is not just about mitigating supply chain risks; it’s a strategic move towards greater self-reliance and a bolstered economy. This shift is a testament to the adaptability and strength of our industry. One of the most significant trends I’ve observed is the increasing collaboration between industry, academia, defence and government. These partnerships are vital for fostering innovation and addressing complex challenges. Industry Update Magazine has been at the forefront of these collaborations by moving quickly to ensure our editorial direction moves alongside these developments and offer our readers in-depth reporting. At Industry Update, we’re committed to being more than just a magazine. We’re a partner in this journey, providing the latest news, insights, and opportunities for growth and connection. Let’s work together to shape the future of Australian manufacturing. As always, this Christmas I encourage you to help out people in need. “And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.’” Luke 2:10

elcome to Industry Update’s last edition of the year. Thank you for being such loyal readers in 2023. In his column, Industry Minister Ed Husic emphasises the importance of sovereign manufacturing capabilities in the medical and biotech sector. Funding a new nuclear medicine manufacturing facility, and partnering with Moderna and the Victorian government to establish the first commercial-scale mRNA vaccine production, are just two ways the federal government is walking its talk in this regard. This edition highlights the innovations of other local manufacturers in the healthcare sector. Australia heard plenty of examples of companies pivoting during Covid to produce much-needed local supplies, including hand sanitiser. In this edition, we hear the story of wet wipe manufacturer, The Hygiene Co (front cover), which is now taking on the big global wipes manufacturers with its locally made environmentally-friendly plastic-free products. Their story began with a SA government request for medical wipes, which were running short in hospitals.

Realising that most wipes in Australia were clogging up landfill and sewage systems, owners Phil Scardigno and Corey White went on a mission to make biodegradable and flushable ones, and now supply their CleanLIFE range to retail outlets and hospitals around Australia. The Shadow Minister, in her column, focuses on the importance of vocational training - which is a personal issue for her. Skills training in general has finally become a focus for governments, who are critically aware of the current skills shortage. For small scale manufacturers like the NT brothers who are building electric quad bikes (p30), getting the skills they need can be difficult. Small skills training grants such as those on offer from Manufacturing Skills Australia can be vital in giving enterprising young producers the right direction to build their products. Also, as usual, we highlight some examples of the great collaborations happening between universities and industry. If you’re in a bushfire zone, then the fire retardant paint developed by UNSW engineers and now on sale at Bunnings (p33) might be the perfect Christmas gift (and Boxing Day activity).

Whatever you need to lift & move . . . there's an Altrac crane for that! CUSTOM BUILT TO YOUR SPECIFIC NEEDS AUSTRALIAN MADE FULL WARRANTY AND SUPPORT Altrac Monorail Crane

Altrac Gantry Crane Altrac Jib Crane

Each crane is engineer-designed to suit your specific manufacturing process and facilities.

Made in Australia with high-quality materials for quick turnaround from design to install.

If you need advice, spare parts or are expanding your business, we'll be here to help.

(03) 9796 5300 www.bomac.com.au/get-a-quote industryupdate.com.au

INDUSTRY NEWS

CSIRO’s KickStart Program connects SMEs with research expertise acting as your inhouse RD division

More kick-starts by CSIRO

igger Australian businesses with turnovers of up to $10 million can now access R&D funding and expertise through the national science agency CSIRO, which has significantly expanded its Kick-Start program. Previously companies had to have a turnover of $1.5 million or less to access the program which combats common obstacles for small business such as insufficient funding or expertise. CSIRO’s Kick-Start program assists Australian small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and scale-ups by providing facilitation and dollar-matched funding to access CSIRO’s research expertise and capabilities for company-led R&D projects. In its five years’ operation, the KickStart program has been a catalyst for over 260 small business projects to which Kick-Start has contributed just under $24 million in R&D activities. These companies now hold a market value exceeding $2 billion collectively. Dr Doug Hilton, CSIRO’s new Chief Executive, said the program’s expansion underscored CSIRO’s commitment to create benefits for Australia. “Expanding the eligibility of the CSIRO Kick-Start program means we can offer more Australian businesses, more Australian innovators, more Australian entrepreneurs access to the resources, knowledge, and support they need to flourish,” Dr Hilton said. From AI-powered tech to native skincare, hydrogen prototypes to Indigenous farming, the CSIRO Kick-Start program connects visionary businesses with industryupdate.com.au

cutting-edge science and technology. Key elements of Kick-Start include: • Facilitation to refine the research question • Connecting businesses with relevant CSIRO expertise and capability: CSIRO tells businesses to “Think of us as your in-house R&D division” • Dollar-matched funding support to improve the affordability or expand the scope of R&D services Dr Megan Sebben, CSIRO’s Kick-Start Program Manager, said the program accelerated technologies’ journey to market in a fast-changing world where innovation is the lifeblood of success. “Yet many start-ups and SMEs face barriers such as limited expertise and insufficient funding that hinder R&D access.” Dr Sebben said Kick-Start drives change by helping overcome these challenges. Eyes of AI (EAI), a Sydney-based company which achieved groundbreaking progress in dental x-ray analysis and pathology detection in collaboration with CSIRO researchers, made possible through the CSIRO Kick-Start program. Dr Sen Le, co-founder of EAI, dentist, and multiple practice owner expressed enthusiasm for the program. “Being able to harness the AI and imaging expertise of CSIRO’s Data61 team, a global leader in the field, is both an honour and an exciting development for our company.” “Thanks to Kick-Start, EAI’s award-winning dental software sets a new standard in radiograph analysis,” Dr Le said. Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 9

FROM THE MINISTER

Minister for Industry and Science

Ed Husic

Medical innovations made in Australia for Australians

ho knew venom from the deadly funnel web spider might potentially yield a lifesaving therapeutic to treat heart attack and stroke victims? No one, until two Aussie researchers, Professor Glenn King and Associate Professor Nathan Palpant, discovered a molecule in the venom of the Fraser Island funnel web spider that prevents

the cell death caused by loss of oxygen to the heart during a heart attack. It’s no surprise given Australia is a country chock-full of world-class medical and biotechnology researchers. I had the pleasure of meeting Professor Glenn King last month after he was awarded the 2023 Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation for his discovery and work to develop and trial a drug that

READY FOR CHANGE? SCAN TO DISCOVER NEW JOB OPPORTUNITIES

CRAFT YOUR FUTURE WITH US

10 | Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023

can prevent the tissue damage caused by heart attack and stroke. There are currently no drugs in clinical use that prevent the damage caused by heart attack, a leading cause of death worldwide. A drug derived from spider venom research would solve a large unmet medical need. And by broadening our sovereign medical manufacturing capability, we can make it here in Australia. Manufacturing is often associated with smokestacks and assembly lines attended by workers in blue overalls. But we need to think more broadly about advanced manufacturing, particularly medical manufacturing. Australians should have access to vaccines, medical devices and medicines made here by Australians for Australians. We don’t want a repeat of the COVID19 pandemic when shortages and disrupted supply chains had major impacts on Australians. Nobody could find a RAT test anywhere. Masks and hand sanitiser were just as scarce. The first vaccines themselves had to be shipped in from overseas. Many people were forced to go from store to store in the hopes of finding basic supplies and being turned away empty-handed. The lesson from this was clear. We needed to boost our sovereign capabilities in medical manufacturing. Funding for sovereign capabilities That’s why the Albanese government has decided to fund a new nuclear medicine manufacturing facility at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) to help treat thousands of patients for diseases like cancer and receive essential diagnoses. On average, every Australian will need at least two nuclear medicine procedures during their lifetime. Each week, ANSTO produces approximately 12,000 patient doses of nuclear medicine at its ageing Lucas Heights production facility. It’s life saving work. That’s why the

Australian government is boosting investment to ANSTO so it can build a new state-of-the-art production facility, bolstering our sovereign capability to manufacture nuclear medicines and enabling the introduction of new radiotherapies. The new facility can produce crucial medicines not only for Australians, but it has the capacity to supply to our neighbours in the Pacific. The government is also partnering with Moderna and the Victorian Government to establish an onshore, population-scale mRNA manufacturing facility in Melbourne. Soon Australia will be one of a few countries with commercial mRNA manufacturing capability. This will enable Australia to become a global producer of new RNA vaccine treatments for conditions ranging from COVID-19 to influenza in humans, as well as vaccines for animals. I recently met with key players from Australia’s biotech sector in Brisbane at the new Vaxxas headquarters to discuss how the National Reconstruction Fund (NRF) can support the sector. Because boosting our onshore manufacturing capabilities creates opportunities to turn Australian science breakthroughs into Australian jobs. We value the work of our incredible scientists, and we owe it to them to enable them to commercialise as well as manufacture their drugs or devices here in Australia. The $1.5 billion set aside for medical manufacturing projects through the through the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC) will make a big difference to our capabilities. This will also promote our retention and attraction of talent to our shores to grow this industry. We can be a nation that not only makes medical discoveries but manufactures them too. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but the Australian government is up for the challenge. industryupdate.com.au

From the Minister

RELIABLE & SIMPLE WATER AERATION

Much safer and much easier to maintain.

Before

industryupdate.com.au

After

sales@HydroInnovations.com.au www.HydroInnovations.com.au

Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 11

FROM THE SHADOW MINISTER Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Industry, Skills and Training

Sussan Ley

Recognising vocational education: a win-win for Australia and industry

s October and November roll around each year, thousands of Australian students pick up their pens, or open their laptops, and sit their final exams. They do so with the goal of getting that score they’ve been working all year to achieve. But far too many of them go into the exam hall without thinking about picking up a trade or taking up a skill. Far too many will think that going to university is their first and only choice. Far too many people think that if you are a ‘bright spark’ you should get a degree and far too many of us are the ones telling them to do so. It cannot, and should not, be a case of vocational education versus university. But all too often it is, and students are pressured to head out of the classroom and into the lecture theatre without seriously considering a trade or a traineeship. As we all know there is a real impact to this deep cultural problem. Because when too many students focus on university over vocational education, the incredible world-leading industries we have across Australia find it harder and harder to get the workers they need to grow and industry-update-141mm-139mm-v1.pdf 1 31/10/2023 9:22:30 AM develop. I understand what it is like to make this choice.

CMY

12 | Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023

When I completed school I decided to undertake training through Australia’s vocational education system. Indeed, I regard myself as a product of that system – my training aided my career as a pilot and shearer’s cook. When I was finishing school, my parents were pretty clear with me that as far as they were concerned the only path worth taking was to go to university. But I had my own aspirations and my own plan, and I first chose to pursue a vocation, not a degree. When I graduated school, I could think of nothing worse than sitting in an office or in a lecture hall. I wanted to fly. So I enrolled in the local training organisation and learned to fly. It was not easy, and I had to work at it but like all skills development, with time and effort I passed my course and got my qualification. Sadly, because I was a woman I wasn’t ever afforded the opportunity to fly passenger jets so I found a way to live my dreams through being an aerial stock muster pilot in Western Queensland. So, skills policy is personal for me. I know what it is like to struggle and grapple with the demands of vocational education. Indeed I am sure all of us understand the challenge and the value that vocational education provides people realising their aspirations. We can all think of an example of how we felt when we saw that young person graduate from that course or land that first apprenticeship. We can all think of that moment when we see someone’s eyes light up when they get that circuit to work or when they get the finishes just right. Perhaps you have those people in your business right now, I would love to hear their story. These sorts of moments are what happens in our training organisations and our TAFEs, in our factories and in our workshops. We also know that once we get those apprentices and trainees qualified, they go on to do incredible and often quite lucrative things in their careers. So, at this end of the year, we must all recommit ourselves to elevating the status of vocational education in Australia. This is critical because we must reject the idea that TAFE or vocational education is the second-best choice. A vocational qualification is simply not second best. Going to university is not the be all and end all and it certainly does not guarantee you a better or more secure job in this new era of artificial intelligence. Shifting the perception of vocational education is one of those rare win-wins in Australian public policy. It is a win for our next generation, it is a win for our economy, and it is a win for you and your industrial enterprise. In recognising our VET system, we also recognise that Australia is a nation built by the tradies, it is a nation cared for by the childcare workers and the nurses. Australia is defined by our industries just as much as it is defined by its landmarks. In recognising the value of a skilled career we recognise that Australia’s prosperity has been won through the skills of our people. With that in mind, getting those students in those exam halls to rethink their careers will be hard but it is worth it. industryupdate.com.au

INDUSTRY NEWS

WA pioneers pearl shell bone manufacturing

Patrick Moase, a marine biologist with more than 22 years of commercial pearling industry expertise, said Marine Biomedical aimed to demonstrate the capacity for innovation, research excellence and life sciences opportunities in regional areas such as Broome. “At Marine Biomedical we hope to establish a way to harness the incredible regenerative capacity of marine organisms,” Mr Moase said. “What was established with the research undertaken for PearlBone™ is groundbreaking, and the full range of potential applications for marine

resources in the medical industry provides a solid pipeline of products and opportunities for the future. While opening the new facility, Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson said PearlBone has the potential to revolutionise the use of synthetic bone in orthopaedic, trauma, and reconstructive surgery. Marine Biomedical was established through a partnership with local Broome pearling business Willie Creek Pearls, with research expertise through The University of Western Australia’s Medical School.

Major bone trauma example of how PearlBone™ might assist with bone repair (Image: Marine Biomedical)

A biotech company Marine Biomedical has opened a facility to safely and synthetically manufacture human bones using pearl shells. The Broome state-of-the-art laboratory and manufacturing facility will see mother-of-pearl shells – the byproduct of pearling – turned into a natural bone substitute to be primarily used in orthopaedics. The patented PearlBone™ technology comes from the nacre of the pearl, and will be sourced from Broome’s pearling industry. Nacre is a natural source of calcium carbonate that contains trace elements

beneficial in supporting bone formation. The bone substitute was initially developed by University of WA researchers, and Marine Biomedical says it is looking to get regulatory approval for the medical innovation, which supports new bone growth and promises new uses across a range of orthopaedic and dental applications. The company says the pearl bone will be a low-risk alternative to existing synthetic bone products, such as limestone, which can cause adverse reactions and lead to inconsistent bone formation. Marine Biomedical Chief Executive

Raw mother-of-pearl shell and nacre powder (Image: Marine Biomedical)

NEW full feature oil injected screw compressors 4-22kW

NEW generation series-4 screw compressors up to 160kW

Oil free scroll compressors Medical, instrument, dental

High pressure piston and booster up to 40 bar(g)

NEW refrigerant compressed air dryer with sustainable, efﬁcient and smart operation From 15-6,000 cfm

For sales and service support contact your nearest BOGE partner www.boge.net.au or (03) 5940 5913

industryupdate.com.au

Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 13

INDUSTRY NEWS

Tritium to close Brisbane EV charger factory

V charger manufacturer Tritium is set to close its Brisbane factory and consolidate its operations in the United States to stay in business and continue to be listed on Nasdaq, the US exchange for tech companies where it listed in January 2022. The company this month announced plans to improve efficiencies by consolidating its global manufacturing operations in Lebanon, Tennessee, and reduce expenses in Brisbane which will focus on R&D and sales. Tritium says it will “grow” its 200-person R&D team and maintain its world-class test facility as well as sales and service teams. However it has already shed Brisbane staff, with numbers reportedly already down by one third from 600 to 400. Announcing the transition to manufacturing just in Tennessee, Tritium CEO

Jane Hunter said strategic restructuring of the business was necessary to drive both profitability and shareholder value. “The implementation of this plan, including the closure of the Brisbane factory and consolidating our manufacturing operations in Tennessee, supports the ongoing market competitiveness and positioning of the company as a world leader in its category, driven in part by the highly successful scale-up of our US plant and the NEVI and BABA programs in the United States, while bringing our manufacturing operations closer to our largest markets.,” said Hunter. The opening of its Tennessee factory in August 2022 was an important step in Tritium’s strategy to achieve Buy America Build America (BABA) compliance, as required by the $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program which funds

fast chargers every 50 miles along American highways. “The changes reduce our capital requirements and hasten the timing of the company becoming EBITDApositive,” Hunter said. Despite recently reporting record revenue and gross margin, and winning a significant order from French charging Network Driveco just last month, Tritium has been busy seeking finance from Australian state and federal governments — but has so far been unsuccessful. The company has yet to find another investor to help it reverse its finances before it faces a potential delisting on the Nasdaq, which on October 12 sent the company a notice that Tritium was failing its minimum bid requirement whereby shares must be at least US$1 (shares are currently US$ 0.23 cents). The company has until April 9 next year

to regain compliance on its share price. It is understood, as reported by the Australian Financial Review, that the Queensland government had rejected a proposal from Tritium to provide $90 million, and that funding proposals have also been rejected by the Queensland Investment Corporation and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation. Although Tritium has not approached the National Reconstruction Fund — from which funds are not expected to be transferred until next year — Industry Minister Ed Husic has said the company had a lot to work out before an approach was timely. Shadow Minister for Industry Sussan Ley blames the Labor party for Tritium’s financial problems. On the Liberal party website, Minister Ley wrote that the Brisbane closure will see 400 jobs lost from the heart of Brisbane which, she says, is a devastating result. “The closure of this factory is directly attributable to unaffordable energy costs and a failure of the Albanese Government to get the economic settings right for Australian manufacturers,” Minister Ley wrote. “Tritium represents the very best of Australian innovation and manufacturing and is exactly the sort of Australian manufacturer we need to ensure Australia can transition to a low-emission economy.” She alleged that the “very factory the Prime Minister used to market his politics will close thanks to his policies”, and that “Labor’s much-vaunted National Reconstruction Fund is proving useless as Aussie jobs go offshore.” Founded in 2001, Tritium designs and makes the proprietary hardware and software for direct-current chargers for electric vehicles. It has rolled out a fleet of more than 14,500 chargers across 47 countries which are usually badged with the name of the EV charging network which relies on Tritium for its hardware and support.

ARC training centre to contribute to a sustainable mining future

he Australian Research Council (ARC) has launched a training centre for the manufacturing of more sustainable mining equipment. Called the ARC Training Centre for Innovative Composites for the Future of Sustainable Mining Equipment, it’s led by the University of Wollongong and aims to produce highly qualified professionals and engineering graduates who’ll take on future challenges in the mining equipment, technology and services (METS) sector. “By bringing together world-class researchers and industry leaders, this training centre will improve and streamline the R&D process, building a solid national network addressing

the needs of the mining equipment manufacturing sector, enhancing sustainability, and making a safer mining environment,” Deputy Chief Executive Officer Dr Richard Johnson said. “The research outcomes will facilitate the application of innovative composite materials with higher resistance in corrosive conditions for use across diverse industries including shipbuilding, construction, and transport. Expected to attract 40 students, 50 researchers, and 40 research fellows and assistants, ARC is investing $5 million over five years in the centre under the ARC Industrial Transformation Research Program scheme. “This centre will enhance the

14 | Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023

competitiveness of Australia’s mining industry and contribute to Australia maintaining its position as a world leading innovator in the METS sector,” Dr Johnson said.

ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centres

industryupdate.com.au

INDUSTRY NEWS

Incat will offer its zero emission ferries to the world

asmanian ship builder Incat has announced plans to make its innovative zero emission battery electric vessels available to the world market for short sea ferry journeys. A globally respected shipbuilder, Incat Tasmania has been constructing the world’s largest lightweight battery ship (130m length) for South America’s Buquebus. The vessel will be 100% electric with a huge 40MWh energy storage battery system. Now, founder Robert Clifford says he has plans to build more smaller and large vessels that will “do for short sea ferry services what Boeing did for the aviation industry, but with zero emissions”. “Boeing was able to do it with aircraft over the last 100 years, and we are working on an expansion plan to enable the Incat Shipyard to produce multiple battery electric vessels each year,” Clifford said. “We are offering the global ferry market options for series produced vessels both small and large just like Boeing did with the mass produced 737 and Airbus did with the larger Airbus 380. Incat says its shipyard is ideally placed to produce multiple smaller 70 metre vessels as well as a larger vessel of over 140 metres every year. The larger vessels would have capacity to carry more than 2000 passengers and 225 vehicles.

Incat’s 70-metre electric vessel concept. “Incat will build these ships to its trademark high-quality design and every customer will have the ability to create their own statement with each vessel through internal fixtures, fittings and design. And if they want a bespoke

option, we can design that too.” Incat plans to double its workforce to realise its plans, and says more than 1000 workers will be on its Hobart site over the next couple of years. “To reduce emissions in line with

ambitions around the world, and to meet customer expectations over the next decade, hundreds if not thousands of zero emission ships need to be built, “ said Clifford. “Battery electric propulsion coupled with lightweight aluminium constructed ships on shorter sea routes will be the ideal choice to cut emissions.” “Our plan is to revolutionise the world shipping industry once again by delivering more zero emission ships more efficiently than anyone else. This will benefit ferry owners, their customers, and importantly, our environment.” Led by Clifford, Incat has been a world leader in the passenger and vehicle fast ferry market for four decades, developing large vehicle carrying catamarans in the 1990’s. Incat recently hosted representatives from the global ferry industry attending the Interferry conference in Hobart. “We have captured the world’s attention by constructing the largest battery electric passenger and vehicle ferry and announcing our ambitions to make zero emission battery electric vessels more readily available for the world,” Clifford said. “This has resulted in around 300 representatives from the ferry industry converging on our shipyard to see the industry leading innovation happening at Incat.”

When Safety, Convenience and Reliability are important... Workshop/Warehouse

Service Centre

• Maintains a safe area reducing the risk from cable tripping hazards and ladder falls from spring reels

• Maintains a safe work area reducing the risk from cable tripping hazards and the impact on personnel and the service area.

• Keeps the power socket in safe location at all times reducing wear and tear and risk from electrocution • Provides power when and where it’s needed and out of harm’s way when not required • Safe, easy and secure operation for staff/operators requiring minimal training

• Removing the need for ladders with spring cable reels reducing the risk from a ladder fall • Keeps the power socket in safe location at all times reducing wear and tear and risk from electrocution • Safe, easy and secure operation for staff/operators requiring minimal training

• Reliable 240v 10amp supply directly at your workspace

Factory Floor

Office Space

• Maintains a safe work area reducing the risk from cable tripping hazards

• Safe, easy and secure operation for staff/operators requiring minimal training

• Removing the need for ladders with spring cable reels removing the risk of a ladder fall

• Maintains a safe area reducing the risk from cable tripping hazards

• Keeps the power socket in safe location at all times reducing wear and tear and risk from electrocution

• Keeps the power socket in safe location at all times

• Safe, easy and secure operation for staff/operators requiring minimal training • Reliable 240v 10amp supply directly at your workspace

• Quiet and smooth operation not creating issues during operation • Provides power when and where it’s needed and out of harm’s way when not required

SPECIFICATIONS • Standard Australian 240v 10amps power outlet • In built clutch prevents damage if cable gets caught • Powerful enough to retract 10 metres of cable and socket

• Integrated Bluetooth® Technology - works from any Bluetooth® activated phone • Safety protocols lockout second user while in operation • One APP will operate up to 10 reels

1800 733 722 | e: sales.au@conductix.com | w: www.conductix.com.au

industryupdate.com.au

Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 15

INDUSTRY NEWS

Multi-purpose work tables made in Australia

by Tony Vercoe, Managing Director, Automation Engineering Services Pty Ltd

hrough my Australian company Automation Engineering Services, I have created the Select-A-Tool range of space-saving worktables. It was about 20 years ago, when walking through the factory of my former employer, I saw something that gave me the idea that a square section could disengage from a mating part, then (supported by a round section) rotate and then be captured into a new position. A bit like putting a square peg in a round hole - can’t be done, can it? Well, yes, in fact it can! It wasn’t until about 15 years later in my semi-retirement that I decided to do something about this idea, an idea that I couldn’t get out of my head. I have a three-car garage in my apartment block, and in that garage I have a car and seven motorcycles – certainly no room to have a fully equipped workshop. But then I thought, maybe there is a way - and began trying to build my idea for a multi-station worktable that indexes between each station. The trouble was that I had to develop the concept into an engineered product. I was trained on a drawing board, a long time before computer aided design, so the first thing to do was to learn how to use AutoCad. Eventually I had a design and after some refinement thanks to feedback from Mike Miller & Sons, Opie Manufacturing, International Seal

Products, and some good friends of mine, I had it ready to go. That was six years ago, and because of the material quantities that I needed to buy, I built seven of the work tables. There is not much difference between those original work tables and the production units that we are building now, apart from a few refinements. Another early challenge involved things that I had no idea about at all: patents, design, registrations, trademarks. It was after a discussion with the patent attorney who was helping me that I expanded on my concept, leading to another two products – one that is mounted to the corner of an existing workbench, and one that fits into the back of a work van. In total, there are now three WorkHub products: • Hercules: the original heavy-duty, free-standing model • Expand-a-Bench: which is mounted to the corner of an existing workbench. • Trade-Buddy: which fits into the back of a work van or utility. How do they work? The 60cm2 Hercules work table, for example, has four sides, which can be used for different tools. When the user needs to access a tool on the other side of the work table, the user releases the lever under the table,

The Hercules workstation presses the foot lever, and spins the table to the required position. The Trade-Buddy is bolted to the floor of the ute or van, and can be flipped up against the side to take up minimal space. I call them all WorkHubs because they are multi-function, indexing work tables that can be adapted to the specific tasks/ needs of the user, and can also be tucked away in a corner of an otherwise dead area of a workspace, or stored neatly in the back of a ute.

So, that’s the story about my all-Australian invention, fully manufactured in Australia from Australian materials wherever possible. Try one, I’m sure that you will enjoy it as much as I do!

Select-A-Tool

selectatool.com.au

AML3D to build huge 3D metal printing system for Austal US

delaide-based industrial metal 3D printing machine and parts manufacturer, AML3D, has won another big order, from Austal USA for the biggest custom-built metal 3D printer so far made by the company. The tailored ARCEMY unit will be based on the ARCEMY 6700 system and, once installed, will use a 11,000kg positioner and a linear rail of over 4 metres, to create a build volume of up to approximately 35 cubic metres. It’s expected to be installed at Perth-based Austal’s USA Advanced Technologies facility in Charlottesville, Virginia by mid-2024.

AML3D’s machines combine welding engineering, robotics and computer-aided design to build large-format additively manufactured parts. AML3D Managing Director Sean Ebert said the sheer size of the custom-built ARCEMY unit demonstrates the breadth of demand for and application of the technology. “Importantly, it reaffirms the potential to further expand our footprint within the US Government and defence supply chain.” “This order demonstrates strong alignment of our strategy with Austal USA

16 | Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023

Advanced Technologies efforts to revolutionise the US Navy’s supply chain through the implementation of additive manufacturing for castings, forgings, and fittings. Austal USA Advanced Technologies and its industry partners run the US Navy’s Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Danville, Virginia, which is the US Navy’s centre for making components for the next generation of ships and boats. The latest $2.2m order for Austal USA came through reseller Phillips Corp which is supplying ARCEMY units to the US marine shipbuilding industry, including the US Navy’s supply chain and industry, to help it adopt advanced manufacturing technologies for its sovereign defence and submarine industry. The first sale in November was a $2.5m contract to supply an ARCEMY 6700 system to contractor Cogitic Corporation which supplies submarine componentry to the US Navy. The ARCEMY system will allow Cogitic to supply metal 3D-printed parts to the US Navy submarine industrial base. Cogitic is an engineering and manufacturing company specialising in complex geometry components and assemblies for critical, ‘cannot-fail’ applications in marine defence and defence-related industries. Ebert also pointed to the two orders as demonstrating the success of AML3D’s

reseller agreement with Phillips which began in April this year. “This second order by Phillips over the past few months evidences the success of the reseller agreement with Phillips, which provides us with leverage of their long-standing relationships with the US Department of Defense and their suppliers, enabling us to accelerate the development of a US ARCEMY sales pipeline to both Navy and its industrial base.” Meanwhile, Austal Australia has signed a memorandum of understanding with famous, 160-year-old UK shipbuilder Harland and Wolff to jointly explore shipbuilding opportunities in the UK. The two firms will work jointly in a non-exclusive partnership on opportunities. Signed in November at the Indo Pacific Maritime Exposition in Sydney, the MOU includes the transfer of technology, skills, and shipyard capabilities required to build the next generation of patrol vessels for the United Kingdom for maritime security agencies. Opportunities the parties have already identified include the UK’s Border Force vessel replacement program.

AML3D

aml3d.com

industryupdate.com.au

From the Shadow Minister

[ SPACE SALES NOW OPEN ] IT’S ON AGAIN IN 2024

AUSTRALIA’S PREMIER MANUFACTURING SOLUTIONS EVENT TA K E ADAVAN TAG E O F TH E E NORM OUS SUCCESS OF AM W M E L BOURNE 2023 A ND B E PA RT O F TH E AUSTRALIAN M ANUFACTURI NG WEEK JOURNEY – D ON ’T MIS S OUT !

17–19 APRIL, 2024 I NTE R NATI ONA L C O N V E N T IO N C E N T R E , S Y D N E Y

1754AMWSYD24INDUP

industryupdate.com.au

For further equiries contact Anne Samuelsson (Head of Sales) on 0400 115 525 or email asamuelsson@amtil.com.au AUSTRALIANMANUFACTURINGWEEK.COM.AU

SCAN HERE TO LEARN MORE

Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 17

NSW MANUFACTURING

Driving sustainable manufacturing in NSW with future-mapping tools The NSW government is helping local businesses develop sustainable manufacturing capabilities.

ith NSW manufacturers employing more than 235,000 people and generating around $125 billion annually, the NSW government is committed to supporting the growth of the state’s domestic manufacturing industry. Energy and digital transformations are rapidly changing the work manufacturers do, requiring updated skills to meet mandatory obligations for environmental sustainability and digital competency. At a time when regulations, incentives and the community are driving global decarbonisation efforts, industries that produce significant volumes of carbon emissions are now compelled to decarbonise their processes and supply chains. This presents a transformative opportunity for businesses to reimagine their business models, aligning profitability with sustainability. By putting sustainability at the centre of their business strategy and pursuing meaningful decarbonisation goals, NSW manufacturers can go beyond expectations of simply improving their environmental and social impact, to also create value and generate competitive advantages. This is why the NSW government, led by Investment NSW in collaboration with Training Services NSW and the NSW Office of Energy and Climate Change, is partnering with The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) to

offer Industry 4.0 futuremap® and Net Zero futuremap® workshops. The workshops are designed to assist NSW businesses respond to the changing market conditions and customer expectations of a net zero economy. What is futuremap? Industry 4.0 futuremap and Net Zero futuremap are Ai Group-owned diagnostics tools that guide executive teams and boards on their journey of business model innovation. The diagnostics help businesses assess and understand their current state of maturity, as well as identify areas of focus and potential investment to transform and future-proof their business. The tools have been developed specifically for Australian manufacturers and their suppliers so they can assess and map the maturity levels and capabilities of their business in the areas of market positioning, leadership, strategy and change. Successful and sustainable operational capabilities will be based on industry leaders taking a holistic approach and building sustainability and awareness of net zero responsibilities into their skills and workforce model. Business leaders can accomplish this by setting a clear business strategy around sustainable operations while aligning organisational capabilities to support their strategy and enabling employees to deliver through awareness and upskilling. This holistic approach can help manufacturers reach two main objectives:

• meeting regulatory requirements on managing their carbon footprint during operations and through their supply chains (scope 1 and 2 emissions); and • reducing the impact of their products and offerings on the environment when in use (scope 3 emissions). Companies may also find that putting sustainability at the heart of their business strategy will open opportunities for developing new products and entering new markets. The training and awareness program covers three distinct areas: 1. Organisational leaders and change agents 2. Operational team leaders 3. Existing workers. The future net zero manufacturing workforce will be unrecognisable and

this program offers a roadmap for business leaders to build the capabilities they need for sustainability. Contact Investment NSW to express interest in attending a futuremap workshop and to start making your opportunities grow in NSW. The dedicated team offers free, confidential and personalised support to businesses. Industry Update will have a special section on NSW Manufacturing in our April 2024 edition. Investment NSW investment.nsw.gov.au

$320 million steel factory for western Sydney

BlueScope Steel’s $320 million development, which is being built on BlueScope’s existing site at Erskine Park in the Penrith LGA, was classified as a ‘state significant project’.

new BlueScope Steel factory in Western Sydney to be completed in 2025 will then produce 240,000 new Colorbond steel rooftops per year, or 80,000 new steel house frames.

The factory will firm up the supply of BlueScope steel products for the building and construction industry. The NSW Government approved the development to boost domestic manufacturing jobs, the

18 | Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023

local economy, as well as housing supply. The privately funded $320 million development, which is being built on BlueScope’s existing site at Erskine Park in the Penrith LGA, was classified as a ‘state significant project’ for approval. NSW Premier Chris Minns said the development is exactly the kind of innovation the government wants to see in NSW. Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully described the project as a “$320 million investment into the future of domestic steelmaking” that will play an important role in housing and infrastructure projects. Minister for Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement Courtney Houssos said that, after neglect by the previous government, the Minns government is committed to rebuilding our domestic manufacturing industry. “This project will create good, wellpaid jobs in Western Sydney, with the important multiplier effects they bring.” BlueScope’s Chief Executive

Australian Steel Products, Tania Archibald, said the NSW Planning Minister’s decision to approve planning will allow BlueScope to progress the construction of a state-of-the-art, metal coating line, the first to be built in more than 30 years. “Construction of the manufacturing facility will allow BlueScope to better meet the growing demand for steel building and construction products, in particular Truecore® steel for light gauge steel framing and feed for the company’s iconic Colorbond® steel products for roofing and walling applications. The Western Sydney community is set to benefit from more than 300 new job opportunities, with 43 ongoing jobs at the plant. Approximately 258 jobs will be created during the construction process. With private investment of $320 million, the factory will be built at the existing BlueScope Western Sydney Service Centre on Templar Road, Erskine Park. industryupdate.com.au

NSW Manufacturing

APRIL 24

NSW MANUFACTURING SPECIAL FEATURE

We invite all NSW manufacturers to participate in Industry Update’s biggest ever feature in our April/May 2024 edition NEW SOUTH WALES: AUSTRALIA'S LEADING MANUFACTURING STATE! Innovation Hub: NSW is at the forefront of technological innovation, home to cutting-edge research facilities and a thriving ecosystem that fosters groundbreaking advancements in manufacturing. Strategic Location: With access to major ports and a robust infrastructure, NSW offers unparalleled connections to domestic and international markets, making it an ideal location for manufacturing operations. Skilled Workforce: The state boasts a highly skilled and diverse workforce, trained in the latest manufacturing techniques and technologies. This talent pool is key to the quality and efficiency that NSW manufacturing is known for. Government Support: The NSW government actively supports the manufacturing sector with initiatives and incentives, facilitating growth, innovation, and global competitiveness. Diverse Industries: From advanced materials and agribusiness to pharmaceuticals and clean technology, the diversity of industries in NSW ensures a dynamic and resilient manufacturing sector. Promote your business in our exclusive feature, NSW: Australia’s Leading Manufacturing State. NSW is where manufacturing excellence is not just an aspiration but a reality.

Advertising inquiries, contact: Scott Filby on 02 9439 1288, or email sales@industryupdate.com.au. Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 19

industryupdate.com.au

COMBILIFT 25 YEARS

Combilift turns 25 and takes innovation to new heights

arlier this year, Combilift donated its 75,000th truck to Convoy of Hope, a not-for-profit humanitarian relief organisation which brings hope and help to people who most need it. The forklift company based in Monaghan, Ireland, celebrates another milestone this year – 25 years in business. More than 80,000 Combilift machines have been shipped to 85 countries, frequently to the US, Canada, Europe, Asia and Australia. The company now stakes its claim as the world’s biggest manufacturer of multi-directional, side-loading and articulated forklifts. Week-long 25th anniversary

celebrations saw the company applauded for its progress, partners, distributors, customers and especially its team, which includes many staff who have worked with the company for 10, 15 and even 25 years. The celebration included awards for staff and support partners. One award winner, mechanical engineer now head of R&D, Mark White, was the first employee, having started with Combilift co-founder Robert Moffett’s earlier firm Moffat Engineering in 1993. White then continued on with Combilift since its inception in 1998 when Moffett and Martin McVicar teamed up to create the world’s first internal combustion

The Combi-LC moving wind turbine parts engine-powered, all-wheel-drive, multi-directional forklift. When White started with Combilift, he was designing with AutoCAD before it had the luxury of 3D. These days he uses Solidworks and 3D printing to take product from concept to prototype and testing, and is motivated by the company’s culture of continuous product 20 | Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023

development and emphasis on safety. “The culture within the company is very good for ongoing product development [because] we listen to the customer and we listen to our salespeople for what’s needed in the market,” White says. “Now we have about 140 patents worldwide.” A fistful of significant product industryupdate.com.au

Combilift 25 Years

Ireland’s Rural and Community Development Minister Heather Humphreys addresses Combilift employees at their 25th anniversary celebrations launches were announced to draw attention to the company’s commitment to the new: five new products were officially unveiled at birthday events. Customisation, innovation and flexibility are the reasons for the company’s success and longevity ever since it released a world-first, multidirectional three-wheel, all-wheel drive forklift – the C4000 – in the year the company was established. These days almost every truck it

makes is a ‘one-off’ after careful customisation and consultation on needs such as saving space. When Combilift’s 60,000th unit came off the production line, it was shipped to Australian steel building products supplier, Metroll, in Southern Queensland. Metroll’s Combi-CB3000 was typical of Combilift’s customisation, having been fitted with features such as 4.9m triplex mast with a 3050mm spreader to

safely and easily manage the long loads handled by Metroll. Addressing the party crowd in September, co-founder and CEO Martin McVicar said the firm has a strong track record of innovation. “We invest 7% of our revenue annually in R&D and today is the culmination of many years’ hard work. We are delighted to be continuing this tradition of innovation 25 years on.”

This is significantly higher than many manufacturers’ R&D spend: ABS data show that R&D expenditure from all organisation types in Australia – business, government, higher education and the private non-profit sector – fell to 1.68% of gross domestic product in 2022. `“Now employing over 800 people in Monaghan and 200 people in other locations across the world, the success of Combilift is testament to our people, our customers and our supporting dealers around the world. We are looking forward to the next 25 years,” McVicar said. The Irish Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys told attendees that Combilift has made an important impact on the Irish economy. “Combilift is a visionary company in every sense and I’m delighted that the Irish government, through Enterprise Ireland, has supported Combilift through its incredible 25-year journey.” Just last year the company was Ireland’s award-winning Manufacturing Exporter of the Year.

Combilift comblifit.com

Combilift’s latest five 1. Combi Connect telematics Australia is a great customer of Combilift’s forklifts, and with the new release of Combi Connect telematics for enhanced fleet management, this is likely to increase. “Our new telematics software, Combi Connect, will be especially useful in Australia where we face the tyranny of distance, because the system works remotely to diagnose a truck’s condition,” says Combilift’s Country Manager for Australia, Chris Littlewood. “For example, if a truck in Karratha, northwest WA 1500 kilometres from Perth, goes down at 4pm on a Thursday, it’s 7pm in Sydney but only 8am in Ireland so the support team in Ireland can look at the machine, diagnose its issues and advise what’s to be done.” And, if they’re unavailable locally, the Irish will put components on a plane, too. Combi Connect gives real-time data on performance including speed, operator presence and other safety monitoring, plus location tracking and fleet mapping, usage analytics, and maintenance alerts so that operations can be optimised. The software is easily installed across all Combilift models including electric, LPG and diesel models, and is available on subscription. 2. Combi LC, a giant parts handler Customisation reached new peaks this year as Combilift entered the offshore wind sector. The Combi LC was designed in partnership with Spanish–German company Siemens Gamesa Renewable

industryupdate.com.au

Energy. As one of the world’s biggest wind turbine and tower manufacturers and service providers, Siemens Gamesa has well defined requirements for lifting, gently handling and safely placing massive wind turbine blades and towers and storing them as compactly as possible. This dual remotely operated or manually operable parts handler can move blades of about 70 tonnes and 115 metres for distances of up to 5km.

path is sensed by laser-based sensors on its chassis, the AGT slows and will stop if needed before continuing when the path is clear. Business demands for driverless sideloaders were motivated partly by safety concerns to remove staff from aisles, as well as for better consistency in handling procedures and maximising order fulfilment. Manual mode is handy in case of disruptions.

3. Combi-AGT, the autonomous sideloader This autonomous vehicle is a four-wheel electric, stand-on model and offers optional manual operation. It’s the first dual operational sideloader for long loads and was developed by Combilift in liaison with steel suppliers to meet typical specs. The Combi-AGT can lift 5,000kg to various lift heights and, after software development collaboration with Irish Manufacturing Research, integrates with multiple warehouse management systems. The AGT is based on the electric, manual Combi GTE which has won long-standing popularity in steel service centres for efficiency in narrow, rail-guided aisles. The AGT’s navigation system is based on existing warehouse features such as walls, racking, or columns, so warehouse infrastructure does not need to be changed nor do wire guidance or reflective landmarks need to be added. When an obstacle or pedestrian on its

4. Combi-Cube, an electric innovation The enhanced handling and driver comfort features of the Combi-Cube were first appreciated at the LogiMAT International Intralogistics show in Stuttgart in April this year. The Cube sets the latest standard for manoeuvrability in the counterbalance forklift market with seamless directional changes while on the move made possible by the optional Dynamic 360 Steering system. An extra-large rear wheel and rubber tyres mean the Combi-Cube will work on semi-rough terrain. The driver’s position in the centre of the cab is roomy and has excellent all-round visibility. The angle of the telescopic steering column can be adjusted and the Grammer MSG65 seat, combined with hydraulic cabin mounts guarantees a comfortable ride. An adjustable arm rest is mounted to the seat suspension which incorporates a multi-function joystick and an LCD

colour touch screen. 5. The Combi-CB70E, the latest electric These machines are renowned for robust performance, extended battery life, and unmatched ergonomic design. The Combi-CB70E is the shortest 7-ton capacity counterbalance truck on the market. This size, combined with multidirectional capabilities make it the solution for versatile, space-saving handling of both small and bulky loads. The CB70E made its debut in May at this year’s Ligna timber industry expo in Hanover because its high lift capacity, manoeuvrability, and compact wheelbase make it ideal for the demands of that industry. Independent electric traction gives all front and rear drive wheels 100% traction control so there’s no need for differential lock on slippery surfaces and the benefit of reduced long load momentum twisting when travelling sideways. The cab’s gas strut suspension combines with the super-elastic tyres to create the smoothest of rides on uneven ground conditions typical of lumber yards. Combilift’s newly developed, optional auto swivel seat was on show, too — automatically engaging and swivelling the seat and armrest 15° to the right or left according to the direction of travel selected by the operator — to minimise driver strain especially when reversing.

Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 21

INDUSTRY NEWS

SMC continues growth trajectory under new leadership in ANZ

Simon McDonald, Managing Director of SMC Corporation Australia New Zealand

hen recently appointed Managing Director Simon McDonald talks about SMC Corporation Australia New Zealand (ANZ), four keywords continuously surface: success, growth, investment and improvement. Maintaining SMC’s world leader

status is an effort underpinned by the company’s commitment to the Japanese concept of Kaizen (continuous improvement). “The business has incredible foundations and strengths, but also opportunities, and I wanted to be a part of the continuation of SMC’s success and growth,” says McDonald.

McDonald’s journey with SMC began in 2018 when he was appointed as the Chief Financial Officer, where he worked closely with then Managing Director, Wayne Driver. “SMC has a history of strong leaders and during my tenure as CFO, Wayne empowered me to take on several broader business responsibilities. Moving into the role of Managing Director has been an extension of these responsibilities.” “A highlight to date has been how we’ve been able to achieve a high level of internal transparency and strategic direction, creating alignment and driving a strong workplace culture,” comments McDonald. McDonald closely aligns to SMC’s customer-centric focus, detailing plans to further prioritise customer support. “For us, it’s all about the customer experience and moving beyond specifying products to providing carefully thoughtout solutions.” Describing himself as an energetic and action-orientated leader, McDonald believes in mobilising and empowering staff. “We invest in our people, and they invest in SMC which strengthens and supports everything that we do - from customer service and technical support to product innovation and the development of genuine solutions.” SMC’s products need to be readily available to customers to meet the high

demand for quality automation solutions in the market. As a result, McDonald adds that the team has ambitions to increase the volume of product in the market and believes that it has all the support required to achieve this realistic goal. “There is a clear and achievable path ahead. We have the people, resources, skills and experience to deliver without question. I feel confident knowing that I am backed by a team of this calibre, and it makes my job that much easier.” A futurist by nature, McDonald says that what excites him most about the automation industry is that it’s forever evolving. “The continuous innovation within our range and the industries that we service helps to create new opportunities. The manufacturing sector continues to evolve - it’s incredibly exciting.” The man behind the title of Managing Director is one who subscribes to the mantra of self belief and continuous learning: “if someone else can do it, so can I”. He believes in motivating others to achieve their full potential. “It’s equal parts about their satisfaction and the results that it creates for the business,” he concludes.

SMC smcworld.com

Advanced manufacturing skills to fly at Eagle Farm

ork has begun on the stateof-the-art $40 million Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Centre (RAMC) at Eagle Farm, Queensland, so that it’s ready to upskill the manufacturing workforce to embrace automation and Industry 4.0 after completion in late 2024. RAMC will meet demand with training in process instrumentation, renewable technologies and telecommunications — as well courses in robotics and advanced manufacturing. Part of the government’s $100 million Equipping TAFE for our Future initiative, RAMC will include digital labs, specialised workshops for robotics, hydrogen, renewable energy and electrotechnology plus learning areas, and amenities. Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said the RAMC is an investment in Queensland’s future advanced manufacturing workforce. “The workforce will receive the best training in a high-tech, supportive environment and will gain the necessary skills to take on high-value jobs – in the lab and on the production line,” she said. “Young Queenslanders who first started exploring STEM in primary school are now of an age where they’re

seeking careers in Industry 4.0 and the new facility is our response to the escalating demand for training in robotics and advanced manufacturing. “We want Queensland to be at the forefront of the revolution already underway in the manufacturing sector, which is all about providing sustainable jobs while improving cost, productivity, profitability and operations.” “Today’s sod-turning is the latest in a string of TAFE infrastructure milestones in 2023 – which includes construction commencing on new Advanced Manufacturing Skills Labs at Cairns TAFE and TAFE Queensland’s Bohle Campus in Townsville. Demand for advanced manufacturing skills has bloomed as the Advanced Manufacturing Gateway to Industry Schools (GISP) program has shown. In 2022, more than 2200 students participated in GISP advanced manufacturing-related activities. Seven participating schools in 2017 grew to 46 participating schools this year — achieving its current target. Manufacturing is already worth $20 billion per year to the Queensland economy and is now the third-largest employer of full-time workers – and that

22 | Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023

Queensland Minister for Employment, Training and Skills Development, Di Farmer, at the start of construction on the site of the ‘Big Build’ - the Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Centre at Eagle Farm, Queensland is expected to grow to 178,000 people by 2024-25. Manufacturing Skills Queensland CEO Rebecca Andrews said her organisation was set up by the government to help future-proof the state’s manufacturing sector. “The foresight and investment behind the Eagle Farm TAFE Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Centre is critical for industry futures and MSQ looks forward to working with industry and TAFE Queensland towards delivering our shared goals.”

“Through collaboration with our stakeholders, including jobseekers, apprentices, workers, unions, and businesses, MSQ will deliver best-practice programs, investments, partnerships and research to support a thriving, diverse and skilled manufacturing industry for all of Queensland,” Andrews said.

RAMSC at Eagle Farm

industryupdate.com.au

INDUSTRY NEWS

Federal government looks to limit carbon leakage from heavy industry

he federal government has opened public consultations for ways to address the risk of carbon leakage and “protect the future of Australia’s heavy industries”, such as steel and cement. Carbon leakage occurs when industries move from countries with more ambitious emissions reduction policies to countries with weaker policies. As the world decarbonises, more countries are implementing policies to prevent leakage. The government says the review will assess the need for an Australian carbon border adjustment mechanism, emissions product standards, further funding for decarbonisation, and multilateral initiatives. Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said addressing carbon leakage would help Australian companies remain competitive in a global net zero economy. “We want to see Australia’s heavy industry decarbonise, while continuing to manufacture the steel, cement, aluminium and other products needed for the energy transformation,” Minister Bowen said. “By continuing to address carbon leakage risk, we will protect Australia’s reputation as a reliable and secure trading partner, promote our ambition to become a renewable energy superpower and secure a future home for green industryupdate.com.au

industrial goods like green steel. “Highly skilled manufacturing jobs and industry will form the bedrock of the world’s decarbonisation and this review will help them have a long-term presence in Australia. “We welcome submissions from industry, business, environmental groups, researchers, trade partners and the broader community about how best we can assess and address the risks of carbon leakage.” The review is being undertaken by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, steered by Professor Frank Jotzo, an expert in the economics of climate change. Consultation is open until 12 December 2023, and a second round of consultation will be held in mid2024, seeking input on the feasibility of detailed policy options to address any identified leakage risks. Final advice from the review will be provided by 30 September 2024. The government says detailed design of any agreed policy options would take place after the review and would be taken into account in its Net Zero 2050 Plan.

Information or to make a submission

Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 23

DEFENCE INDUSTRY NEWS

Defence-Mitsubishi Electric deal

n a unique collaboration between Australia’s Department of Defence and Mitsubishi Electric Australia (MEA), the organisations have agreed to develop and transition a cutting-edge laser capability for the Australian Defence Force to enhance surveillance and also ‘survivability’ of defence platforms. The new capability – already being developed by Defence’s Science and Technology Group – is being industrialised in partnership with MEA and Japanese industry Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (MELCO) which is highly experienced in defence applications. This collaboration combines Defence Science and Technology Group’s laser technology development of a decade with MELCO’s proven ability to commercialise and deliver electro-optic systems for defence applications.

The agreement will enable Defence and MEA to collaborate and develop capabilities and prototypes using this technology. It will also create opportunities for MEA to access MELCO defence technologies that interest the Australian Defence Force. In Tokyo last week at Japan-Australia Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Tokyo, Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles and Japanese Minister of Defence, Kihara Minoru celebrated this first-ever collaboration. Chief Defence Scientist, Professor Tanya Monro said the agreement would ensure leading laser technology developed by Australian defence scientists was transformed into new tech that protects Australian Defence Force personnel. “This will not only lift Australia’s capability, but deepen our science and technology collaboration with Japan.

“Maintaining a technological edge relies on Australia committing to working with partners on defence science and technology. “We look forward to collaborating with Mitsubishi Electric Australia to

deliver new capability, using technology developed by Defence, which enhances surveillance and survivability of defence platforms.”

SA companies take bulk of $3.6 million in defence industry grants

Hendon Semiconductors gets significant Defence grant

delaide company Hendon Semiconductors has been given a $690K federal government grant to improve its sovereign manufacturing capabilities. The company, which is a division of Legend Corporation, will match the grant, and use it to launch its Defence Manufacturing Capability Modernisation Project. Hendon says it will upgrade its facilities by acquiring advanced manufacturing equipment to enhance its Hybrid Integrated Circuit (HIC) and Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) production capabilities as well as its sustainment services for the defence sector. The company says the new equipment will enable it to significantly improve the lead time and build quality of both prototypes and small manufacturing runs of electronics to the Defence industry and in doing so strengthen Defence innovation in Australia.

“I’m thrilled at the opportunity to fast-track Hendon’s modernisation, particularly in relation to our ability to quickly develop quality prototypes without the reliance on overseas partners, strengthening and significantly accelerating innovation in Defence and other industries in Australia - something we’re very passionate about,” said Brenton Judge, Executive General Manager for Hendon Semiconductors. Hendon says the total investment of $1.6M – including the matched funds from the company - will allow it to procure and install state of the art equipment including PCB prototyping equipment, flying probe test systems, conformal coating machine, x-ray machine and soldering robots. The upgraded facility will be completed in October 2024, though most equipment will be online in in early March.

24 | Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023

en Australian businesses have split $3.6 million in defence industry grants, with South Australian companies taking the largest share. The biggest individual grant went to NSW-based Armor Australia - just under $810,000 - for the construction of “high-compression moulding stations” used in the manufacture of armour for Defence personnel. More than 220 Australian businesses have already benefited from almost $97 million awarded through the grant programs. The Defence Global Competitiveness and Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority programs provide 50 per cent matching grants so Australian companies can boost manufacturing, harness their expertise and increase jobs. The latest recipients are: • Armor Australia (NSW): $809,580 to construct high-pressure compression moulding stations with precision thermal and hydraulic controls to produce advanced hard armour products for Defence personnel in land, vehicle and aerospace platforms. • Advanced Navigation (NSW): $150,000 to install a calibration and testing system for validated production of sonar hydrophone sensors deployed in autonomous underwater vehicles. • Protonautics (Qld): $150,000 to acquire a computerised numerical control machining capability to produce components for the Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat and the Currawong battlespace communications system. • Cold Logic (SA): $585,598 to install a large-scale environmental test chamber facility to evaluate components and systems used in maritime, combat

vehicle and aerospace platforms. • MyModular (SA): $420,166 to install specialised injection-moulding equipment to produce low-voltage lighting solutions used in shipbuilding facilities. • Kennewell (SA): $357,091 to acquire a coordinate measuring machine and video measuring system to form a metrology lab for geometric validation of complex manufactured components used in Defence maritime, land, radar and medical technology applications. • McMahon Metal Fabrication (SA): $150,000 to acquire a precision sheet and tube cutting metal fibre laser to fabricate metal components with technical capability and scale required by the US Navy. • Advanced Composite Structures Australia (Vic): $187,706 to acquire new cutting, winding and geometric verification equipment to manufacture structures from ultra-high-temperature fibre composite materials to enable supply of components for hypersonic applications and space vehicles. • Parish Engineering Company (Vic): $291,334 to acquire a computerised numerical control lathe with barfeeder to produce air brake fittings and couplings for Defence vehicles. • IKAD Engineering (WA): $560,410 to acquire a range of computerised numerical control capabilities including wire cutter, lathes, turning and machining centres to produce complex components for naval ships systems.

industryupdate.com.au

Defence Industry News

Ready, Set, Grow Transform your business with the help of our Manufacturing and Wholesale specialists, dedicated to connecting you with solutions that meet the unique needs of your business. If you’re ready to fire up your business, talk to us today.

Matthew Kelly Head of Manufacturing & Wholesale 0412 265 197

Manufacturing & Wholesale

manufacturingwholesale@stgeorge.com.au stgeorge.com.au/manufacturing

Things you should know: T&Cs, fees, charges and eligibility and credit criteria apply. © St.George – A Division of Westpac Banking Corporation ABN 33 007 457 141 AFSL and Australian credit licence 233714. COM 0348 0223 STG

industryupdate.com.au

Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 25

BUSINESS & MANUFACTURING FINANCE

Door and metal frame manufacturer leads in technology investment Pro Industries Director Mario Ciarrocchi with Adam Dowling from St.George at Pro Industries’ Smithfield factory

ro Industries is Australia’s ‘leading’ manufacturer of pressed metal door frames, able to manufacture more frames per day and more complex shapes than any other competitor, according to the company. Since its inception in 2006, Pro Industries, which is based in Smithfield, Western Sydney, has invested in software and machinery to improve efficiencies in both administrative and production processes. It’s that technology investment that has enabled the company to become the leader in its industry, says Pro Industries Director, Mario Ciarrocchi. Pro Industries recently purchased laser cutting machines and is working through upgrading other machinery. The software it uses to design its customised orders is constantly being updated as well, says Ciarrocchi. Investing in automation Automation is key to the company’s plans. Pressing metal sheets into bespoke metal

door frames of different profiles is currently a manual process, which takes 6-12 months training per operator. Ciarrocchi told Industry Update the company is investing in large robots for its welding and folding operation to help speed up the process for the more common profiles, however the more complex profiles will still require experienced operators. The current staff will be trained in these technologies which will increase production capacity. In 2019, the business expanded its operations into the manufacture of fire doors, leasing a factory nearby which it has fitted out with equipment and machinery fit for purpose. Ciarrocchi says that due to labour shortages and safety considerations on construction sites, Pro Industries has also invested in a five-axis CNC machine that is able to machine hinge, lock and do other hardware cut-outs on the doors. “Currently we only use CNC machines to machine certain hardware and the remaining hardware such as hinges, locks

Pro Industries’ Mario Ciarrocchi shows St.George’s Adam Dowling the fire doors. and fitment of the door is a manual operation that is done on site by our customers.” “The time and logistics savings from not having to do the above processes manually on the construction site will be considerable,” says Ciarrocchi.

Laser cutting of pressed metal door frames 26 | Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023

Banking on finance Pro Industries’ significant investments in machinery have been helped by the company’s long term relationship with St.George Bank, and with the bank’s Relationship Director of Manufacturing & Wholesale Industry, Adam Dowling. Ciarrocchi says it’s been very useful having someone at the bank with whom they have a face-to-face relationship. “As we got bigger, we needed more financing in every department – I’m talking from cash flow to trade finance, hire purchases, etc and that’s when I met Adam. “He was able to get us to transition into the business side of banking. “If I need anything, I’ll just give him a

call. I explain it to him and ask him what the process is, what we have to do to get things moving. That’s the kind of thing that we enjoy with St.George.” Disclaimer: This information is general in nature and has been prepared without taking your objectives, needs and overall financial situation into account. For this reason, you should consider the appropriateness for the information to your own circumstances and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice. | © St.George Bank - A Division of Westpac Banking Corporation ABN 33 007 457 141 AFSL & Australian credit licence 233714.

Pro Industries proindustries.com.au

St.George Bank stgeorge.com.au

industryupdate.com.au

Business & Manufacturing Finance

SME restructuring regime can revive your business by Garth O’Connor Price and Sean Wengal, Directors, Restructuring and Insolvency division at William Buck.

n times of economic uncertainty, SME businesses are generally squeezed harder than larger ones, with fewer levers to help them navigate financial distress. This is particularly relevant for manufacturing businesses which have faced headwinds in recent times caused by high inflation, increasing interest rates, high energy costs, supply chain issues and challenges sourcing skilled people. This uneven playing field was improved with the introduction of the Small Business Restructuring (SBR) regime in 2021. SBR is a tool exclusively available to SME businesses to restructure their affairs, break the cycle of Process

industryupdate.com.au

funding historical losses and set themselves up for future profitability.

Manufacturing SBR Example Available Working Capital

Eligibility To be eligible for the small business restructuring regime, a company must have: • Liabilities of less than $1 million • No outstanding employee entitlements (i.e. superannuation) • Lodged and returned all outstanding lodgments to the ATO • It is also worth noting that a director can only use the SBR regime once every seven years

less: SBR Costs Residual Working Capital

(20) 30

add: SBR Contribution (Unlocked Equipment Equity)

100

$ (‘000)

Creditor Dividend Pool

130

Creditors

500

Dividend Rate

26%

Net Asset Position Pre SBR Changes:

(300)

Reduction in Creditors

500

Reduction in Working Capital

(50)

Increase in Non-Current Debt

(100)

Net Asset Position Post SBR Improvement in Net Asset Position

50 350

Outcome A manufacturing business in distress is likely to have an escalation of trade and statutory creditors as declining performance requires that creditors are pushed out. However, it is also likely that the business may have equity locked up in equipment which could be used to address a build-up of creditors. Above is an example of how this might work: The above table outlines the potential upside to a manufacturing business of creating a restructuring plan with its creditors. Factoring in current working capital and costs, unlocking $100k in equity to fund the SBR contribution could lead to an improvement in the company balance sheet of $350k. This result is based on the secured creditor increasing the company’s facilities with preservation of their security (i.e. plant and equipment) and unsecured creditors accepting a dividend of 26c in the dollar for their claims. This result is likely to be a better

one for all creditors than liquidation. If the company ceases to trade, employee entitlements will crystalise and the value of the plant and equipment would decrease, reducing the equity available to pay creditors. The SBR contribution can be generated in several ways including a third-party injection of funds or future trading profits. Alternatives As mentioned, the SBR is exclusively available to SME businesses. The alternatives for larger distressed businesses or those that don’t meet the eligibility criteria for the SBR regime include a formal restructure through a voluntary administration or an informal restructure under ‘safe harbour’.

William Buck williambuck.com

Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 27

EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING

New skills agreement to deliver national and local priorities

elcomed by Australian Industry Group, October’s new five-year National Skills Agreement (NSA) between national, state and territory governments will see the federal government invest $12.6 billion across the country to transform the VET sector and access to it, and to meet critical skills priorities locally and nationally. If states and territories access all available NSA Commonwealth funding, the combined investment by all governments would exceed $30 billion. The $12.6 billion includes an additional $3.7 billion over five years—above the funding that would have been available under the current projected Skills and Workforce Development National Specific Purpose Payment — over the same period. The agreed additional funding includes up to $2.4 billion to increase the capacity of state and territory skills sectors and deliver skills for critical and emerging industries. It also includes up to $1.3 billion to support agreed reforms. Priorities include: • Australia’s sovereign capability, including advanced manufacturing skills, national security, food security and construction • Clean energy and net zero transformation of the economy • Care and support services • Ensuring Australia’s digital and technology capabilities The NSA was developed on principles previously agreed by National Cabinet and, starting next year, the agreement places TAFE at the heart of the VET

sector, with TAFEs to be supported by baseline funding commitments. Ai Group welcomed the finalisation of the agreement between the governments. “This agreement is a potential game-changer if implemented well and swiftly,” said Innes Willox, Chief Executive of the national employer association Ai Group. “We encourage the states and territories to fully engage with the Agreement and to make the most of this historic and economy-changing plan.” Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor said a high-performing and world-class VET sector is crucial for achieving a fairer society and a stronger economy. “By providing genuine national leadership in partnership with states and territories, we are building a system that is greater than the sum of its parts.” The federal government, states and territories agreed on amounts each would contribute to transform their VET sectors. For example the Albanese government will contribute $2.54 billion to support Queensland’s investment of close to $4 billion to improve and expand access to its VET sector. NSW is set to get $3.8 billion in federal funding while Victoria will get up to $3.15 billion. Funding and reforms will include setting up a nationally networked TAFE Centres of Excellence based on partnerships between TAFEs, universities, Jobs and Skills Councils and industry. A new National Stewardship model will shape a framework for cooperation across state borders and priorities while

In your lifetime, you will spend...

45,000

hours handling emails

Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor, centre the shared National Stewardship of VET will ensure NSA funding is used more effectively to achieve opportunities for all Australians. It aims to coordinate strategic investment in skills across the economy and still give states and territories the flexibility to meet local industry skills needs. There is up to an additional $1.3 billion of Commonwealth funding to implement agreed reforms including: • $325 million to establish nationally networked TAFE Centres of Excellence and strengthen collaboration between TAFEs, universities and industry. • $100 million to support, grow and retain a quality VET workforce. • $155 million to establish a National TAFE leadership Network to promote cutting edge curriculum. • $214 million for Closing the Gap initiatives to be designed in partnership with First Nations peoples and led by them. • $250 million to improve VET

completions including women and others who face completion challenges. • $142 million to improve foundation skills training capacity, quality and accessibility. • $116 million to improve VET evidence and data. Ai Group’s Willox said that delivering a high-performing training system is critically important to addressing Australia’s poor productivity performance. “It will enable us to meet current and emerging challenges while increasing real incomes. “This Agreement could not be more timely or more pressing and we need to make it happen and get on with the job at hand,” Mr Willox said. This new NSA funding is on top of $414 million already committed for the delivery of 300,000 Fee-Free TAFE places from 2024.

Why not spend...

27,000

hours in Zoom meetings

hour focusing on your business?

Let’s talk

William Buck Hour

Strategic planning in just one hour The William Buck Hour is designed to help middle-market businesses assess their current position, realign thinking and maximise their business’s potential. In just one hour, we’ll guide you through a detailed discussion structured around a range of key fundamentals. Following the session, our advisors will conduct an analysis of your business using commercial insights, professional experience and best practice standards to develop a prioritised action plan for your business. The end result is a fresh perspective and a focused strategy to help you move forward.

28 | Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023

industryupdate.com.au

INDUSTRY NEWS

Vic advanced manufacturing attracts foreign investors

Minister for Economic Growth Tim Pallas

ata in a new report Connecting Victoria to the World shows that Victoria is the leading Australian investment destination for advanced manufacturing projects, attracting $588 million in direct foreign investment last financial year and the highest reported agrifood investment of $202 million. More generally, the report highlights the Victorian government’s achievements in supporting local exporters to succeed internationally and strengthen Victoria’s position as a top investment destination.

Victoria’s success in attracting investment is outlined in the report by global investment consultant fDi Markets [sic], which shows Victoria attracted $4.3 billion in overseas investment in 2022-23. Minister for Economic Growth Tim Pallas said that Victoria’s active pursuit of trade and investment opportunities showed the world that it is a great place to do business – and that creates jobs. “We’ll keep moving forward and supporting Victorian businesses and workers because it keeps communities strong and the state growing.” More than 2,500 new jobs were created out of 43 new international investments secured by the Labor government in 2022-23. Of these new investments, 29 were first-time investors in the state while the others expanded their presence in Victoria. To maintain Victoria’s position as a valued global trading partner and key investment destination, the 202324 Victorian Budget committed $20 million to the International Investment Attraction Fund and $12 million to the Boosting Victorian Exports program. In 2022-23, the government supported Victorian exporters to generate more than $700 million in export sales, led 48 trade missions to strengthen export opportunities for various industries and helped more than 640

companies to trade in global markets. This includes some of the world’s top companies such as Microsoft which was supported by Invest Victoria to identify and secure sites to enable the expansion of its Azure Availability Zone in Melbourne, and to create 300 new full-time roles. International education is the state’s highest value services export, generating

$8.4 billion in revenue last year and supporting more than 40,000 jobs across the state. Melbourne was ranked the best international student city in Australia this year in the QS Best Student City index, shining a spotlight on Victoria’s unmatched educational opportunities, affordability and cultural diversity.

TENTE LEVINA LIGHT CASTORS 75 - 82 kg

103 - 160 mm

75 - 125 mm

ONE CASTOR – 3 TYPES OF “PLUG IN” FITTINGS Plate

Grip Ring Stem Secure connection with four screws.

Safe distance between castor and application due to collar.

Threaded Stem Solid fitting due to threaded screw.

1300 836 831 | tente.com.au Healthcare Furniture – Bedside Cabinets – Medical Carts – Medication Carts, X Ray Carts, Ventilators – IV Poles Sterilisation Equiment – Surgical Equipment – Laboratory Equipment – Professional Furniture – Educational Furniture Janitor Carts – Audio Visual Equipment – Food & Catering Equipment – Store Fixtures – Display Tables – POS Display industryupdate.com.au

Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 29

Employment & Training

Skills grants help NT brothers make electric quad bikes and seamstress master her craft By Margie Smithurst

Augustine says he’ll use the knowledge gained from the Chinese factory and the courses completed through University of Warwick to help develop a set of Australian standards for the safe manufacture of lithium ion battery packs for the NT’s very hot conditions.

Augustine and Zachariah Thorbjornsen building the Spartan Mini V3

ugustine Thorbjornsen and his brother Zachariah had the idea to start making electric quad bikes after getting annoyed by the small, noisy quad bikes being ridden by kids on rural properties outside Darwin. “Everyone has these quad bikes, and …the kids don’t maintain them, and parents don’t have time to maintain them. So we thought we could capture a market,” Augustine told Industry Update. When they began manufacturing their electric ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) in 2021, Augustine said there were no other electric quad bike manufacturers “in the world”. Since then, just one – a Chinese company – has started producing them for kids. Now the brothers, who have a workshop outside Palmerston in Coolalinga, are up to their fourth iteration – a race category version for 16+ year olds and one for 12+ year olds (utility versions, which go faster and are much more dangerous, are required to have roll cages).

“I’m also going to China in November to visit an electric battery manufacturing company”. They now make the bikes out of sheet metal with lithium ion batteries, but have plans to start making the batteries themselves. Despite being an enterprising and resourceful pair, they say acquiring the skills to manufacture the electric quad bikes and the batteries wasn’t possible in the NT. Augustine, a software engineer, and Zachariah, a mechanical engineer, were helped by grants of about $4000 each from Manufacturing Skills Australia’s Industry Development Fund. “Zachariah spent his grant on

upskilling himself in laser cutting and sheet metal manufacturing techniques. When we started to manufacture our quad bikes, we realised that there’s a lot of room for error in tubular design and so we’ve redesigned our manufacturing process to be manufactured from sheet metal, which requires a laser cutter.”

“With the local fashion manufacturing industry reduced to such a small scale.. businesses aren’t willing to invest in training juniors.” Augustine used his grant to undertake battery manufacturing courses through the University of Warwick in the UK. “I’m also going to China in November to visit an electric battery manufacturing company called Varchea Technologies to understand the machines required to manufacture their battery packs, because there are no current written standards for battery pack manufacturing in Australia.” Manufacturing the lithium ion battery packs locally would save the boys on costs. “The problem that we found… was that you could only purchase a certain amount of batteries, and the shipping from one country to the next was very expensive, because it’s a heavy, dangerous commodity. “So the shipping and the import taxes blew out the end price of our ATVs. “If we are able to manufacture in-house, the cells would come to Australia individually, which isn’t a hazard because they’re not connected up into a battery system.”

30 | Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023

Fashion forward Young fashion designer Kalaurie KarlCrooks, whose atelier is in an old broom factory in Melbourne’s inner north, says it’s not easy to become a master of her craft in a shrinking industry. She started her made-to-order womenswear label ‘Kalaurie’ in 2017 after being drawn to the hands-on side of the fashion industry and the “rewarding nature of having the practical skills to make something from scratch”. But getting the training for those skills has been a challenge. “With the local fashion manufacturing industry reduced to such a small scale, it’s actually quite difficult to pursue technical production roles such as pattern maker, cutter or sample / production machinist, as businesses aren’t willing to invest in training juniors,” she told Industry Update. “…so I had to work extremely hard from the ground up to develop my skills.” Karl-Crooks says a lot of her existing skills were developed over years of freelance work (which she still does) and

individual research. Those skills are now being upgraded thanks to two grants of up to $10,000 each, received in two consecutive years from Manufacturing Skills Australia’s Industry Development Fund. “As an independent craftswoman in the industry, the grants have been extremely valuable in allowing me to expand my technical skills and knowledge in manufacturing. They have allowed me to fill in the gaps and take my knowledge to a new level.”

“There are no courses in Australia, or in our universities, that can teach us the things that we want to learn.” Getting the word out on grants Manufacturing Skills Australia, which morphed from a federal government-funded council to a not-for-profit charity, is trying to promote its fund for skills development across the national manufacturing sector.

Kalaurie Karl-Crooks in her atelier industryupdate.com.au

Employment & Training Its Industry Development Fund grants are available for anyone working at any level in manufacturing. Applicants can apply for between $1,000 and $10,000 to develop their skills and knowledge through research, education and/or training. Leon Drury, who manages the fund and the MSA, says he’d like to see the fund’s grants taken up by more people. “It’s rare for the manufacturing industry to have the opportunity to access funding for skills that do not have support from governments via apprenticeships or traineeships. “[This is] an opportunity to support people that require assistance in developing their careers through non-traditional means.

“We will consider applications from individuals with a passion for manufacturing.” “From people with a vision to develop their skills to bring a new technology into being, through to support to take time out to study with an industry expert, we will consider applications from individuals with a passion for manufacturing to build the future for Australia.”

Why investment matters For the recipients of the grants, their benefits have been obvious. “There are no courses in Australia, or in our universities, that can teach us the things that we want to learn,” says Augustine Thorbjornsen.

“As a soletrader, grants like the Industry Development Fund for skills development are really important.” Kalaurie Karl-Crooks is concerned that without more investment, skills like the ones she’s pushing to develop as a fashion designer will disappear. “The industry and government needs to seriously consider apprenticeships for technical production roles such as seamstresses, tailors, pattern makers, graders and cutters so that the next generation can step up and keep manufacturing in Australia alive before the knowledge is lost. “As a sole-trader, grants like the Industry Development Fund for skills development are really important. “There are a lot of grants out there to

The Spartan Mini V4 work on projects which are public facing or to design collections etc, but often the really important and valuable behindthe-scenes work is dismissed. “There needs to be more funding for industry training, development and research.” For now, Karl-Crooks says she’s happy to be able to work in her chosen field and to say she’s a professional seamstress. “Every year is another year of my goal of working towards being a master of my craft.

“In the future I would really like to be in a position to build a small team within my atelier who are as passionate as me about local manufacturing and craftsmanship to pass my knowledge onto them.” To apply for the MSA Industry Development fund

Industry Development Fund Manufacturing Skills Australia is pleased to announce support payments designed to assist and support skills for workers within the Manufacturing industries. If you are working at any level in manufacturing and you are passionate about innovation, we want to help you achieve your goals! We are encouraging and supporting people that work or study in sectors and occupations within manufacturing industries, including: • metal, engineering and boating • aerospace • process manufacturing, including chemicals, hydrocarbons, mineral products, plastics and rubber • laboratory operations

• • • •

recreational vehicles textiles, clothing and footwear furnishing competitive systems and practices • environmental monitoring and sustainable operations.

Applications are now open and will be assessed quarterly Entry Conditions: Applicants for scholarships must: be Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia, be committed to a Manufacturing industry related area, be prepared to attend interviews as required agree to abide by the decision of the Manufacturing Skills Australia Development Fund in relation to their application.

industryupdate.com.au

Scan for more info

mskills.org.au/industry -development-fund

Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 31

UNIVERSITIES, RESEARCH & COLLABORATION efficient computational solver. But the application areas are endless, everything from flow chemistry, carbon composite structures, catalytic systems, filters and membranes, plasma devices, microwave components, etc. If your team works on a complex product, then we want to hear about it, because we may be able to collaborate in this exciting area leveraging our broad materials and algorithmic capabilities.

Emerging technologies that offer competitive advantage by Christian Ruberg, Future Digital Manufacturing Lead, Manufacturing, CSIRO

An AI-designed bespoke static mixer geometry

As the government’s national science and research agency, CSIRO is working with local manufacturers to use our science, engineering and tech expertise and world-class equipment and facilities to improve products and processes.

Christian Ruberg, CSIRO

he dynamic synergy between manufacturing and materials science is undergoing a profound transformation, transitioning from traditional heavy industry to the realm of cutting-edge, eco-conscious production techniques that underpin high-tech products. Concurrently, the business landscape is evolving as well. A subset of enterprises has adeptly reconfigured their strategies and stands poised to redirect their focus toward fresh markets, offering innovative solutions and applications. Meanwhile, a spectrum of others are either in the midst of the adaptation process or pondering the requisite changes to align with the evolving terrain. Australia’s manufacturing sector is poised to seize considerable strategic growth prospects, but realising these opportunities will require substantial technological breakthroughs across the sector.

Domestic technology opportunities Taking a look at the manufacturing industry landscape as it sits today, many aspects of smart manufacturing are well served by commercial suppliers featuring technologies developed internationally. Key elements of Industry 4.0 manufacturing are: networks of distributed information, known as the industrial internet of things (IIoT), dashboards and rules engines to display and visualise information and yield rapid effective decision-making. Decisions ultimately result in manufacturing activities that are increasingly intelligent and autonomous, typically involving interoperable, interconnected machine automation, industrial robotics and collaborative robotics (cobots). However, notwithstanding this offthe-shelf solid imported foundation, there are opportunities for domestic ingenuity and innovation. Our scientists and engineers have developed capabilities in two relevant areas driven by our often unique domestic challenges. 1. Artificial Intelligence for Design Framework AI is advancing quickly and many Australian manufacturers are struggling to see how to take advantage of this

32 | Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023

technology to improve their operations. CSIRO’s Artificial Intelligence for Design Framework (AI4Design) is being developed to integrate generative design and optimisation concepts with existing computational modelling tools. 3D additive manufacturing techniques adds to this capability with rapid production and testing of prototypes. This is one way that CSIRO is contributing to Australia’s manufacturing industry to deliver an evolving highly integrated, collaborative and export-focused ecosystem that provides highvalue customised solutions within global value chains. Due to our high level of science capability, and domain expertise in many fields and challenging environments, we can compete globally in the development and implementation of complex products, and in turn, assist industry in their R&D efforts. Products that require computational modelling (not just a modest evolution of existing products), but products where AI offers new perspectives on high-level design concepts taking inspiration from, for instance, biomimicry or exploring the limits of parameterised designs. If you imagine the solution space to be an undulating surface with several peaks representing viable solutions, the AI is designed to explore all the feasible and unfeasible solutions. It will then optimise the design with a Bayesian search. This approach has already given rise to flow-chemistry devices that are capable of delivering a 15% improvement in performance from conventional designs. A critical element however, is a fast

2. ROSella robotics, automation and computer vision development platform Advanced intelligent autonomous automation and robotics are also receiving a tremendous boost from recent emerging technologies. Not only are current complex activities yielding to automation, but whole new product lines are being created. Look no further than agile robots that look a bit like dogs for infrastructure inspection, or hordes of intelligent drones to put on spectacular light shows. Typically, these advanced and intelligent systems are coded from the ground up by talented scientists and engineers. But what if there was a standardised development platform with proven up-to-date advanced algorithms, and large numbers of trained practitioners to support them? Enter the ROS2 platform (2nd generation Robotic Operating System). Developed by Stanford University, but now supported by a large global community of open-source developers. Australia may have its own chapter, let’s call them the ROSella. Australia has dominated the world of field robotics development, starting with container straddle cranes in the 1990s, and more recently mine haul trucks, and autonomous mine drilling. CSIRO has extended this capability to take equal second prize in the DARPA subterranean challenge with algorithms for autonomous movement, robot teaming, 3D situational awareness, object identification, rapid video streaming and analysis, mapping, and navigation. These algorithms are anticipated to find their way into a widely accessible robotic system development platform. The objective is to provide the tools for Australian system integrators to quickly create sophisticated robust solutions that are well supported by widely available trained engineers. Australia may be a niche player in global supply chains, but we have the opportunity to excel in specific areas with a sustainable competitive advantage built on our system development platforms, and domain knowledge unique to our environment and scale. If these thoughts resonate with you, and you are looking for a co-development partner, then I invite you to make contact with CSIRO.

CSIRO csiro.au

industryupdate.com.au

Universities, Research & Collaboration

UNSW engineers create fire-retardant paint to protect homes from extreme fires

fter nearly five years of work, a team of UNSW Sydney engineers have made a new fire-retardant paint, the first to pass a stringent Australian standard test that simulates a bushfire attack. The paint, which is now on sale at selected Bunnings stores, achieved the Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) 40 standard - meaning it has been tested and approved to withstand higher levels of radiant heat (up to 40kW/m²) and ember attack during a bushfire, providing increased protection in areas prone to extreme fire conditions. Commercially branded as FSA FIRECOAT, the paint was developed at UNSW in partnership with Flame Security International, and partially funded via a $3m Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) grant from the Australian government. Professor Guan Yeoh, from UNSW’s School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, led the team that perfected the formula. The paint formula The resulting product is a type of intumescent paint which means it is designed to expand as a result of heat exposure.

Expertise - Passion - Automation

The specific chemicals in the paint also produce a thick layer of char which offers an insulating barrier and effectively deflects the heat from the fire away. “The special additives we include in the paint mix formula promote the growth of the char, which is the important insulating element. The char is what helps the substrate, that is your house or your building, stay protected from the fire,” said Prof. Yeoh, director of the ARC Training Centre for Fire Retardant Materials and Safety Technologies at UNSW. “In the rigorous tests you can see this char being created, but at the end you can just wipe it away and the wood underneath has virtually no damage.” One major challenge for the research team was to ensure the all-important char, once produced, would not simply fall off vertical surfaces such as external walls. The char needed to remain firmly in place to continue to work as a fire barrier. “If it just falls off, that defeats the whole purpose. The char – which is basically pockets of air and carbon – can be more than 50mm thick, so retaining it in place can be tricky,” said Prof. Yeoh. “But it’s so important because it’s providing insulation and preventing the penetration of the heat.”

Professor Guan Yeoh from UNSW with the new fire-retardant paint FSA FIRECOAT. Photo:UNSW One of the big advantages of the new paint is that it does not need any special equipment to apply it, meaning it can be brushed or sprayed onto a variety of surfaces – including existing render, timber, aluminium, steel, concrete, plasterboard and brick – in the same way as normal paint. The carbon ingredient means the FSA FIRECOAT product is only available in grey, but any standard coloured topcoat can be applied without affecting the fire-retardant properties.

Prof. Yeoh says the new fire-retardant paint could help prevent bushfires from spreading over a wider area, given the fact it protects buildings from burning down. “If a building is not protected in any way and it starts to burn then it can become a source of heat for the fire to continue, like a chain reaction,” he said. “So we can say this paint assists in limiting the spread of bushfires because it prevents a building from igniting and therefore compounding the original fire.”

Energy savings of the future

SMC’s Air Management System reduces air consumption by up to 62%.

NOW!

But how?

1. Sustainability benefit: CO2 reduction of air consumption thanks to standby mode. This feature senses changes in your machines’ status and “automatically” reduces the air pressure. 2. Visualisation of the system’s air status: Pressure, flow and temperature can be visualised and monitored. 3. System scalability: Compatible with wireless systems and complete with a unique encryption for high security.

#FutureNow #SMCSmarts SMC - more than pneumatics

industryupdate.com.au

SMC Corporation Australia | New Zealand Group

www.smcanz.com Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 33

Universities, Research & Collaboration

Flinders Uni signs ‘historic’ agreement with US on undersea tech research

linders University in South Australia has joined forces with a key United States Navy research centre in what it calls a ‘history-making partnership’ as the first Australian university to do so. The university says the Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with Naval Undersea Warfare Centre (NUWC) Division Newport will boost SA’s defence research capability in the field of undersea technology. NUWC Division Newport is the US Navy’s full-spectrum research, development, test and evaluation, engineering, and fleet support centre for submarine warfare systems and other systems associated with the undersea battlespace. Flinders University President and ViceChancellor Professor Colin Stirling said the CRADA was an important milestone in the US-Aust defence research relationship. “Flinders is proud to be at the forefront of advancing submarine defence capabilities in Australia. This landmark collaboration reinforces Flinders’ position as a global leader in underwater technologies and underscores our dedication to innovative research,” Professor Stirling said. “We look forward to the

transformative research outcomes and educational outcomes that will arise from this partnership,” he added. Under the terms of the agreement, Flinders University and NUWC commit to working together to identify and collaborate on cutting-edge research projects and initiatives related to undersea technology. The historic collaboration will enable Flinders University’s researchers and NUWC Division Newport’s undersea experts to combine their complementary skills, capabilities, and technologies to address critical Navy challenges and opportunities at an accelerated pace. The agreement also opens opportunities for Flinders University researchers to develop rapid solutions, future partnerships, skills exchange, and opportunities for on-site training to develop expertise in undersea technology, contributing to the advancement of Australian and US joint interests. The university says the agreement is a significant step in fostering closer US-Australia research cooperation on the largest infrastructure investment in Australia’s history and signifies South Australia’s strategic position at the heart of Australia’s continuous naval

Deputy Premier Susan Close, Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling and Premier Peter Malinauskas announcing the Cooperative Research and Development Agreement shipbuilding program, including both AUKUS pillars. SA Premier Peter Malinauskas congratulated Flinders University on seizing the AUKUS opportunity. “Building ships and submarines in our state will deliver thousands of jobs at Osborne. But this endeavour is about more than cutting steel. “This research partnership is exactly what we’re seeking — more highly

educated South Australians doing more complicated and interesting work in a way that builds the overall complexity of our economy. That will deliver us a higher standard of living for our state.” With headquarters in Rhode Island, NUWC Division Newport is a leading US defence agency with more than 3,500 employees, a budget of over US$1.5 billion, and operations in West Palm Beach, Florida, and Andros Island in the Bahamas.

Investment in SME partnerships to continue at UTS

fter a successful 18 month trial, the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) will commit to ongoing annual investment of $250,000 for its university-SME partnership program. So far, SME engagement has connected 17 SMEs to UTS student-led projects valued at up to $15,000 each. Delivered through its SME@UTS program, the initial $1.3 million investment by UTS and the federal government targets NSW businesses by supporting them to invest in next-generation advanced manufacturing solutions. The program also offers a wealth of other low or no-cost engagement opportunities, including ‘futuremap’ strategic workshops, masterclasses, and innovation consultations, along with access to world-class R&D facilities and university expertise. “SME@UTS supports SMEs to invest in innovation and digital technologies by providing access to university resources, including the remarkable expertise of UTS students,” said Annette Dockerty, Program Lead, SME Engagement at UTS. “SMEs can also extend their professional networks and tap into resources across our innovation ecosystem that includes CSIRO, all levels of government, industry groups and other university and VET partners.” Over the last 18 months, student

UTS students who worked with fried chicken outlet Butter at the Optik Project, showcase a trackable and reusable food packaging system they produced for takeaway meals. (Photo: Andy Roberts ) projects funded by SME@UTS have delivered everything from IoT wearable devices, web-based services, and new business models to new robotic product strategies. These collaborative projects also

34 | Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023

provide work-integrated learning opportunities for UTS students, leading to internships and jobs as SMEs fill their talent pipelines. At technology solutions company Opn.Systems, students in the UTS Optik

Engineering Consultancy internship program built a software platform that supports SMEs to automate their standard business processes. At Sydney-based fried chicken outlet Butter and its associated social enterprise arms Betizen and Forever Containers, another Optik partnership is tackling the challenge of plastic waste in Sydney’s CBD. This project, which has produced a novel food packaging system (pictured), will soon see takeaway meals at the UTS Central Food Court distributed in trackable, reusable containers. “Our student group had a mix of skills from engineering to marketing and business — perfect for a project of [such] complexity,” says Julian Cincotta, Butter’s chef and co-owner. “This is something we’re passionate about developing while also working full time, so having a group of switched on students who had capacity to work on the project definitely moved us along faster than we could have hoped to move alone.” SME@UTS is supported by funding from the Commonwealth Department of Education until December 2023. The university is currently seeking additional support from state and federal governments for 2024 and beyond.

industryupdate.com.au

Universities, Research & Collaboration

Potential in new method of recycling carbon fibre A new method of recycling carbon fibre, developed at UNSW Canberra, shows potential for ultra-light cars made from recycled carbon fibre

s more advanced and sophisticated materials are used in manufacturing and technology, they also become more complicated. In particular, when these products reach the end of their usable life, they’re either difficult or expensive to recycle, or both. One material that has been difficult to recycle is carbon fibre. Now, a UNSW Canberra researcher has developed a method to recycle the material in a way that not only wastes less of it, but also uses less energy and leaves more of it intact and able to be turned into more useful new products. Carbon fibres are thin strands of carbon that are exceptionally strong and lightweight. The fibres are combined with plastic to create a composite that can be used to construct a variety of products. Carbon fibre is commonly used to build aircraft, wind turbines, and it is the primary material used in Formula 1 race cars, which need to be as light as possible to increase performance. You might encounter carbon fibre in highend bicycles or other sporting equipment such as hockey sticks or tennis racquets. UNSW Canberra researcher Di He

said that, until now, recycling carbon fibre had always resulted in the material being heavily degraded. “This project was a collaboration with our partner in the automotive industry, who wants to investigate building cars out of recycled carbon fibre,” Dr He said. “But with the previous methods of recycling carbon fibre, the material was heavily compromised. “The mechanical performance of objects made from the existing recycled fibres is degraded by 80 to 90 per cent, compared to using new fibres. “Typically, it is only reused to make lowvalue products like tables or chairs, products that don’t experience heavy forces or loads. “The existing method of recycling involves shredding the composite, which destroys the carbon fibre, before heating it to remove the plastic. After it has been shredded, the fibres look like individual hairs or cotton wool strands,” he explained. “In our method, we don’t shred the carbon fibre and we optimised how we heat it in a furnace. “This leaves the fibres intact, and therefore the new product made from the recycled carbon fibre is much stronger. “Our method degrades the carbon fibre by less than 30 per cent, which is a 50 per cent improvement on existing methods.” While the recycled carbon fibre produced using Dr He’s method is not yet

REDUCE MAINTENANCE COSTS

ON OVERHEAD CRANES

suitable for constructing a car, it is significantly closer to that goal than before. The new and improved recycled carbon fibre can potentially be used to construct individual parts of a car, such as a roof. Appeal of recycled carbon fibre Car manufacturers are interested in carbon fibre vehicles as the lower weight can make the cars more energy efficient, helping them meet the new fuel efficiency standard announced by the Australian government earlier this year. As we transition to electric vehicles, this would also help reduce vehicle electricity consumption, thereby increasing vehicle range. Carbon fibre is expensive to make, which explains the appeal of recycled carbon fibre, in addition to its environmental benefits. Recycling carbon fibre requires one-tenth of the energy needed to produce it from scratch. One of the lead researchers from the UNSW Canberra Advanced Manufacturing Research Group, Associate Professor Matthew Doolan, said that as the world progressed with engineering and technological advancements, it needed to think more about reducing waste. “As we make more advanced products we also make them from significantly more advanced materials, and as a result we are creating problems at the end of the life of that product,” A/Prof. Doolan said.

UNSW Canberra researcher Di He with a sample of carbon fibre recycled using a method he developed. Image: UNSW Canberra “The standard practice of just dumping these products, or burning them, is unsustainable and cannot continue forever. “Exploring other options available to us is one of the key questions we’re hoping to help answer at UNSW Canberra.”

I N ST RUMEN T AT I ON & CALIBRATION PTY LTD S P E C I A L I S T S www.ams-ic.com.au

LOAD LIMITERS

ROPE AND CHAIN CRANES AND HOISTS

AMS have been suppliers of instrumentation and calibration equipment to all industries since 1973 representing some of the world’s

• Helps reduce the risk of accidents • Protects against overloading of Crane and supporting structures • Quick and easy installation and available for all capacity cranes • Available preset or easily calibrated on site • Helps reduce maintenance costs • Minimizes down time • Automatic reset by reducing the load

CONDUCTOR BAR • • • •

Available in steel & copper Quickly and easily installed Supports required only every 1.5m Also available in a compact cluster range

SIDE PULL PREVENTERS / ROPE GUIDE PROTECTOR Prevents side pulling and protects rope guides and drums on most multi-fall cranes & hoist • Prevent dragging of loads • Easily fitted to any crane/hoist • Helps reduce down time Flow Measurement Specialists

Liftco Industrial Supplies Pty Ltd

(02) 9829 4411 sales@liftco.com.au

industryupdate.com.au

www.liftco.com.au

www.ams-ic.com.au sales@ams-ic.com.au

Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 35

CYBER SECURITY

Australian manufacturers warned of high rate of cyber attacks

he rate of cyber incidents faced by industrial sectors such as manufacturing, transport and utilities is higher than that faced by Australian businesses, according to a report on the cyber-readiness of Australian industry released by Ai Group. Ai Group estimates there are around a quarter of a million cyber incidents affecting Australian businesses annually – meaning one in five businesses deal with a cyber incident each year. However, in industrial sectors like manufacturing, transport and utilities, one in three businesses face an incident each year. Announcing its report on how businesses are adapting to digitisation and managing cyber risks, Innes Willox, Chief Executive of the national employer association, said the findings were timely in the wake of the latest cyber-attack against port management company, DP World, in November. “[The findings ] reveal that industry leaders are conscious, concerned, and moderately confident regarding their cyber preparedness. But there remain some significant gaps in our national cyber defences,” said Willox. The main points in the survey, based on feedback from 200-plus Australian businesses of various sizes from across the economy, included the following: • Cyber security is now a mainstream investment decision. The report found that it is the fifth-highest investment priority for businesses today – which Ai Group says is not far behind conventional

capex, and roughly equal to R&D. • Cyber-related IT investments ranked higher than other IT investments – showing cyber concerns have become dominant for chief technology officers. • Businesses treat cyber just like any other investment. Just under half (48%) of Australian companies said the main factor shaping their cyber investments is a return on investment,

and 34% say it is the cost of technology. • Few businesses work alone on cyber security. The research revealed that 82% of Australian businesses bring in external help to augment their in-house IT teams.

36 | Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023

• Size matters for cyber security: Big businesses with a greater risk profile due to their rich data and deep supply chain linkages are twice as likely to suffer a cyber-attack. They also have greater capacity to protect against these threats with defensive systems. • Medium-sized businesses – those with between 20 and 200 employees – face the greatest cyber risk because

they often have a similar risk profile to large businesses but not the same resources for defence. Willox warned that businesses therefore need to think carefully about designing appropriately scaled cyber solutions.

“One size fits all’ cyber approaches will end up fitting no one,” he said. • Good cyber security relies on technology and people. More than half (53%) of Australian industrials told Ai Group researchers that they invest in cyber security training for all employees, not just the IT team. Willox said the digitalisation of industry is not just a risk. “It also provides rich opportunities to increase our innovation, productivity and international competitiveness. But to do it securely, we need to embed good cyber security practices into every step of business operations.” Ai Group surveyed more than two hundred private-sector businesses across all Australian states which collectively employ 52,000 people or, on average, 258 people in each. The industrials grouping of manufacturing, construction, mining and defence companies contributed the highest proportion of respondents (63%) The balance of respondents, a services group, included IT, communications and media services; transport, post and storage services; wholesale trade; retail trade; finance and insurance; property services; professional services; and administrative services. Ai Group Cyber Security Survey 2023 Cyber Readiness in Australian Industry

industryupdate.com.au

LED & INDUSTRIAL LIGHTING

Illuminating industry with Australian-made quality

ituated in the dynamic hub of Queensland’s Gold Coast, Aqualuma is a testament to innovation in the lighting industry. Their innovative LED solutions deliver more than just light—they transform spaces. Established in 2004 by two brothers, the company is an Australian-owned hallmark of durability and performance. Since then, they have been at the forefront of LED technology, crafting high-quality, efficient lighting solutions. Their extensive array of LED lighting products serves a range of commercial needs, from expansive industrial complexes to precise food-safe environments. The company’s dedication to Australian design and manufacturing is unwavering. With a focus on Australian craftsmanship, the company has proprietary components manufactured in four different states to ensure that each product meets high standards. This homegrown approach guarantees that the lighting solutions are not just made in Australia but embody the spirit of Australian innovation and quality. LED solutions Aqualuma’s product portfolio represents the pinnacle of LED engineering, industryupdate.com.au

specifically produced to meet and exceed the demands of various sectors. At the heart of the company’s premium commercial range is the Aqualuma LED Highbay, a luminaire designed with precision to replace traditional metal halide or induction lighting. This versatile fixture is ideally suited for both indoor and outdoor applications, and is excellent for environments such as factories, cold stores, and expansive warehouses.

The Highbay range has five optic options, tailored to enhance area-specific lighting requirements, ensuring optimal light distribution and performance. The Aqualuma LED Highbay comes with the assurance of Aqualuma’s 10-year commercial warranty, symbolising the company’s commitment to long-term reliability and customer satisfaction. Evolving further to meet stringent

standards, Aqualuma also makes the HACCP International Certified Highbay and Canopy light, an innovation designed for food processing facilities, commercial cold stores, fuel station forecourts, and similar canopy roofs. The HACCP Highbay can be suspended or bracket mounted, the canopy light facilitates easy installation and can be surface-mounted on various ceiling types, including concrete or sandwich panel. With its slim, low-profile design or standoff frame, the Canopy light needs minimal maintenance while upholding Aqualuma’s reputation for product reliability and energy efficiency. All of the range can be supplied with options such as in-built motion sensing or intelligent Bluetooth mesh controls. Aqualuma understands that every space is unique. That’s why they offer a tailored lighting design service, adhering to Australian and New Zealand standards, to ensure that each client receives the bestsuited lighting for their specific needs. For more information or to explore how Aqualuma can enhance your retrofit or new build with advanced lighting solutions, follow the QR code link below. Aqualuma aqualuma.com

Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 37

Cyber Security

VIDEO PRODUCTION Tim Webster

Product Videos / Case Study Videos / How To Videos Manufacturing Current Affairs Videos

NEW

Australian news presenter (Channel Ten, Foxtel, Sports Tonight, 2UE And 2CH)

2-Part

Documentary

Video Production Highlights • Hosted by national news presenter Tim Webster • Filmed in a 6pm nightly news broadcast style • Creating a high level of integrity for client’s products and services • Average video length of 1 - 2 minutes • Individual client playlists, all videos in one place • Videos on website or any social platform • All magazine advertising includes a QR code that links back to website Product Video Packs

Important Online Video Statistics

Companies now need good video content, buyers expect it and will just go elsewhere if they don’t have something interesting and informative to watch.

In 2022, online videos will make up more than 82% of all consumer internet traffic — 15 times higher than it was in 2017 (Cisco).

More importantly it increases sales by 81% With over 1.5million impressions and 600,000 views in less than 12 months, our videos are getting high rates of engagement. Each video has an accompanying story published online, in e-news and in the magazine (with a QR code) to integrate all media options.

Industry Update youtube.com/c/IndustryUpdate

2,502,095 impressions 1.1 million views Since its launch in 2017, Industry Update Video has been a remarkable success, with content spanning the whole of the manufacturing industry.

43% said video was made necessary by new challenges, including the coronavirus pandemic. Viewers retain 95% of a message when they watch it in a video, compared to 10% when reading it in the text (Insivia) 22% said they had become clearer on the ROI of video and this had given them confidence to invest. Source : wyzowl.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com

Some of our Industry Update Video clients

Number one manufacturing publication in Australia Circulation of 19,233 and readership of 76,932 Audited by

02 9439 Update 1288 / Issue sales@industryupdate.com.au 38 | Industry 135 November 2023

industryupdate.com.au industryupdate.com.au

DURA VISION LIGHTING ARE SUPPLIERS OF COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL LED LIGHTING TO A WIDE AND VARIED RANGE OF WORKPLACES ACROSS MANY DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES AROUND THE WORLD. Designed and manufactured right here in Australia and backed by 20 years of knowledge, innovation and insights into the lighting world, we know what’s important to you. We offer custom lighting solutions - from planning to delivery, providing exceptional service to you, our customers. We have total control over our manufacturing processes allowing us to make sure we are bringing you lighting that is durable, high performing and efficient to suit your needs. We stand behind the quality of our products, offering a 5-7 year warranty on the majority of our lights, to give you peace of mind that you won’t be left in the dark. With expertise in commercial, warehouse, heavy industry and more, Dura Vision can tailor to your environment with lighting that doesn’t break the bank and is built to last.

We innovate. We customise. We deliver.

GET YOUR COMPLIMENTARY OBLIGATION FREE LIGHTING PLAN

Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 39

LED & INDUSTRIAL LIGHTING

Experience, innovation and quality has a new name Commercial & industrial LED lighting solutions made in Australia by experts who understand what’s important to workplaces.

n early 2023, Dura Vision Lighting, formally Leitech, was acquired by high performance LED lighting manufacturer Ultra Vision Lighting. An Australian family business based in Swan Hill, Victoria, Dura Vision Lighting has nearly 20 years experience in developing, designing and manufacturing LED lighting for all types of commercial and industrial industries. Dura Vision applies everything it has learned from supplying lights to many different sectors to make commercial lighting products that are long lasting, high performance and have all the features that work for a range of workplaces. Why Dura Vision lighting? Dura Vision Lighting offers high quality, high performance, durable lighting solutions that are energy efficient and versatile. The company can offer custom options for multiple commercial industries, from

the very specific requirements of the food and beverage sector, to large warehouses and manufacturing plants, through to mining/heavy industries. Dura Vision strives to offer lighting that best suits each industry, integrating quality parts and components that offer performance that exceeds industry requirements. With a wide range of options to suit various workplaces, the company is constantly innovating to maintain its position as market leader. Why choose LED lighting? Installing LED lighting leads to lower energy consumption, less maintenance and better quality light. It is more sustainable than traditional halogen and fluorescent commercial lighting, and uses up to 70% less energy. LED lights also last longer - saving the business in costs and reducing carbon footprint. Lighting in heavy industrial areas often has to withstand harsh environmental conditions, and the reduced maintenance required with LED lighting means less inconvenience. In an economic environment where

A commercial warehouse lighting set up

FOOD & BEVERAGE LIGHTING

Being Australian made, Dura Vision Lighting understand all the stringent requirements that need to be met in the Food & Beverage industry and our products are compliant with HACCP regulations and food safety requirements. Our products are designed to make it easy for you to meet and exceed these in your workspace – whether you need lights that can withstand the rigours of high-pressure cleaning for hygiene, or the power to make sure workers are able to perform visual inspections easily, we can provide a solution for you.

B CY

E RLI TE *

N CA

OPUS *

We also offer lighting systems that can assist specialised industries; for the broiling industry you need the optimum light for breeding, rearing or growing, and we can customise products to offer the correct colour spectrum and wavelength, be flicker free, plus be dusk/dawn dimming compliant, all while reducing energy consumption and maintenance costs. Dura Vision knows how important lighting is to the industry, so we’ll work with you to make sure you get the set up you need to be successful.

SILON * GET YOUR COMPLIMENTARY OBLIGATION FREE LIGHTING PLAN

*Compliant with HACCP regulations and food safety requirements

DVL0382_DuraVision_IUMMPressAd_4ppInsert_FA.indd 2

40 | Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023

17/11/23 1:00 pm

industryupdate.com.au

LED & INDUSTRIAL LIGHTING Australian manufacturers are trying to cut costs, installing LED lighting could be one way of meeting profitability targets.

proudly displays the Australian Made logo. Dura Vision has total control over the quality and output of the lights, and can confidently offer a 5-7 year warranty on the majority of products, irrespective of the environment. In their lighting, Dura Vision is able to

Why Australian made? Dura Vision’s range of lighting is manufactured in Australia, and the company

use carefully selected parts and components that give the best performance for the best price. Because their range is Australian made, Dura Vision understands the lighting needs of the varied workplaces across the nation. It also allows the company to give customers the support they need, when they need it. With an established manufacturing process and logistics network already in place, Dura Vision LED lights are already used by many businesses from many different industries. Dura Vision products Dura Vision offers a wide and versatile range of lighting products that meet Australian regulations and the requirements of all Australian industries and commercial sectors. The product range includes batten lights, troffers, flood lights, feature lights and street or pole lights. The company’s range enables a complete lighting set-up for commercial or industrial spaces. The Australian made range of LED high bays, to light large spaces, produce light ranging from 16,380 lumens to 44,480 lumens, while ensuring energy savings of up to 85 percent.

Dura Vision PCB technician Paul working in head office in regional Victoria

The company also makes a range for the extreme conditions in the mining sector and for use with heavy machinery. Dura Vision can offer a range of light output options - including colour spectrum, wavelength, colour temperature, flicker free, dimmable lights and more. Customer first Dura Vision is committed to providing an exceptional customer experience for all customers, starting with free lighting plans that can be developed for customers without obligation. Dura Vision provides a full service for customers, from planning to delivery, that covers all customer needs. Plus, energy efficient lighting tailored to your environment that doesn’t break the bank and is built to last. Dura Vision is proud of the quality and durability of their lights - so proud they’ve added it into their name. Durability = Dura Vision.

Dura Vision Lighting dura-vision.com.au

X HI GH

If you’re needing to light large spaces, we can help you get the perfect blend of coverage, performance and colour that will assist in making your workplace a safe and effective environment. From warehouses to distribution centres, offices to factories, our extensive product range includes batten lights, troffers, flood lights, feature lights and street or pole lights, allowing us to handle your complete commercial set up.

HIGHB AY

Our Australian made LED high bays produce a light range from 14590 – 45986 lumens, so we can customise your lighting to suit the use of your space, while ensuring energy efficient savings of up to 85%. Along with their highly durable, high-quality build, our products are also guaranteed by 5 & 7 year warranties, giving you the confidence to know that your commercial space will be lit for years to come. Our team is based here in Australia, and is more than happy to help with your lighting plan so that you can get the most out of your Dura Vision lights. We can also assist with installation and troubleshooting of your high bay LED light fixtures, allowing us to be your central, go to hub for all things lighting.

N IC RO N 5 GET YOUR COMPLIMENTARY OBLIGATION FREE LIGHTING PLAN

DVL0382_DuraVision_IUMMPressAd_4ppInsert_FA.indd 3

industryupdate.com.au

COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL LIGHTING

17/11/23 1:00 pm

Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 41

Mining & Heavy Machinery is no joke. When you’re tackling some of the most extreme conditions on earth, you not only need excellent power and performance, but reliability that won’t let you down. Dura Vision has the knowledge from a decade of developing and delivering LED lighting products for the harshest environments. We know that you need the most durable, best performing and highest-quality lighting solutions for your machinery and sites, to allow you to keep on working when the going gets tough.

FORCER

ATOM

Innovation and development in LED’s, electronics, thermal controls and manufacturing processes has been the corner stone of our success over the years, allowing us to consistently produce lighting that excels no matter what you throw at them. Being made in Australia allows us to keep a strict eye on quality, as well as stay up to date with the latest industry requirements, so that we can deliver world-leading products that outshine and outlast competitors. With tailoring options available to suit bespoke machine and mining requirements, you can be sure that wherever you are in the world, Dura Vision can help you light the way.

MAST OD E O L

MINING & HEAVY MACHINERY LIGHTING

MAST ER NE O Z

GET YOUR COMPLIMENTARY OBLIGATION FREE LIGHTING PLAN

Whatever the industry, whatever the size, whatever the problem - let us provide the lighting solution for you. At Dura Vision Lighting we believe in Customer first. We’re here to make things easy for you and deliver exactly what you need – which is why we offer complimentary, obligation free lighting plans so that you can see the quality and performance of our lighting for yourself.

GET YOUR COMPLIMENTARY OBLIGATION FREE LIGHTING PLAN

CONTACT US For more information visit dura-vision.com.au or call 1800 66 55 66 42 | Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023

industryupdate.com.au

INDUSTRY NEWS Australia well-placed to become a battery manufacturer: report

ith extensive government support, a new battery manufacturing industry could be built up in industrial regions such as the Hunter, Latrobe Valley, Central Queensland and Kwinana in Western Australia, according to Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE), an independent think-tank which is privately and charitably funded. BZE CEO Heidi Lee said BZE’s Battery Supply Chain report finds an Australian lithium battery manufacturing industry could create 44,000 jobs and $57 billion in GDP in 2035. This echoes a federal government report released earlier this year which found that battery industries were accelerating more rapidly than previously thought and that “the opportunity for Australia has more than doubled previous forecasts”.

The government’s 2023 Charging Ahead – Australia’s Battery Powered Future report found that diversified battery industries in Australia could provide $16.9 billion gross value-add per annum and could support 61,400 local jobs by 2030. This was more than double the gross value-add revenue of $7.4 billion the government had forecast in its earlier Future Charge report in 2021. There’s no doubt demand is growing fast. The lithium battery market worldwide is estimated to be worth $1.25 trillion by 2030, jumping to $1.9 trillion by 2035, not including the market opportunity for recycling. BZE predicts the world will require 280,000 gigawatt hours (GWh) of battery storage by the year 2050. At the moment, the dominant player, China, produces 1,200 GWh a year which is three quarters of current annual global production. For perspective, Australia’s yet-tobe-completed biggest battery, underway at Waratah on the NSW Central Coast, will be 1.7GWh while total current global production is 1,600 GWh. BZE’s November report advised that government incentives for Australian industry should focus on the grid and heavy vehicle batteries such as those in buses, mining trucks, and used on farms. The government’s earlier report also pointed out that other countries’ subsidies were “eroding Australia’s cost position’’

in the value chain and this was especially true for battery manufacturing. Mine and make, not dig and ship Lee says Australia, with its skilled workforce, can create a niche battery market because it is the only country in the world which has all the minerals required to make batteries, inverters, and relevant components needed for battery energy storage systems and electric vehicle batteries. Yet, the BZE report found, as Australia stands on the brink of opportunity, it “risks stumbling at the starting gate”.

“Currently Australia’s economic participation is one of ‘top and tail’. It digs and ships at one end of the lithium-ion battery supply chain, and assembles them from imported components at the other”, the report says. “This means that although Australia captures over half of the global market share of raw lithium materials, it only captures 4% of the supply chain value. Australia sends its raw material to overseas destinations who capture 96% of the supply chain value through processing and component manufacture.

ARE YOUR

PRODUCTS

CERTIFIED

AUSSIE?

APPLY TO USE THE LOGO

CONVEYOR ROLLERS AND COMPONENTS German Components, Assembled in Australia

BEARINGS

WHEELS

DRIVES

Comprehensive Roller Range - Many size and material combinations. Polymer and Metal Versions assembled here in Australia. (Static & Driven) Component Range unmatched from any other Australian supplier High Quality & Reliable Performance – Backed by supplier. No comparable European products Available as sub-assemblies on the local market. Competitive Pricing on all Parts and Rollers Design Assistance & Product Support – For the designer and conveyor manufacturer. Supporting the needs of the maintenance engineer.

industryupdate.com.au

02 9771 1748 mrtaustralia.com.au

Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 43

WORKPLACE HYGIENE

Alarming landfill figures lead to first locally manufactured plastic-free wipes Continued from front page

lot of labour.” They made a multi-million dollar investment in their factory, says Scardigno, and were helped with a $600,000 grant from the Australian

“Things that can actually flush are a really good environmental waste stream.” the bin after a wipe, and these were all polypropylene polyester.” Scardigno says he was also astounded to learn that 80% of wipes are water, which meant the sector’s supply chain was heavily carbon intensive. “It’s like bringing swimming pools full of water into Australia every day!” With the staggering landfill wastage and supply chain intensity, the pair knew their mission: to make plastic-free and flushable wipes in Australia using a plant-based or plastic-free material. Flushable standards Scardigno says making wipes flushable to Australian standards was hard at first because there were none – imported wipes were made to American or European standards. However, the Water Services Association, the governing authority, was developing a set of standards. “They gave us a copy of a draft Australian standard that was about to come out for flushable products outside of toilet paper. “The new standard was stricter than Europe and the US because of our septic systems and the way drainage is here. “What intrigued us was, when we

plant-based viscose fabric. In August this year, Scardigno says Hygiene Co. became the first company to have their product certified as meeting the new Australia / NZ flushable products standard. On shelves and in wards Hygiene Co. now has a range called CleanLIFE that supplies biodegradable as well as flushable wipes to medical and retail sectors in both canisters and soft packs, for which they had to import a machine from Europe. Scardigno says they’re able to keep the price point reasonable because they have invested in significant factory automation. “The barrier to entry in this market is not just the idea, you need to have the equipment and machinery that can punch out a high volume of packs per minute. With automation, you cut out a

“We’re worried about single-use plastic bags, cutlery, and straws, but this is far worse.” spoke to the water authorities, things that can actually flush are a really good environmental waste stream — because they end up as compost. So it’s quite green-friendly. “We then worked with some partner companies to develop a fabric.” Because Australia no longer has a textile industry, they had to source the flushable fabric from overseas – finding a wood pulp fabric that was fit for purpose. The company’s biodegradable non-plastic wipes which are not intended for flushing are made from imported bamboo or 44 | Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023

Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC). “By looking at its business through a capability lens, Hygiene Co. was able to identify that it had the capability to serve an unmet market need, and then address the need while improving the product,” said Dr Jens Goennemann, Managing Director of AMGC. “Such features are key ingredients to manufacturing success and why AMGC backed Hygiene Co. with co-investment. “As a result of Hygiene Co.’s efforts and early co-investment from AMGC, Australia now possesses an onshore capability that supports a broad range of industries, de-risks supply chain disruption and delivers significant environmental positives, all while generating jobs and prosperity onshore.” National aspirations Chemist Warehouse is now a national supplier of CleanLIFE products, having

come on board early after hearing about the locally made, environmentally friendly brand. They’re also supplying Foodland, Unique Health Products, Baby Bunting, and the IGA supermarket group, and are hoping to see their product in large retailers like Coles and Woolworths in 2024. “We’re based in South Australia but have the infrastructure to supply anywhere.” Their Adelaide factory now also produces five products listed with the TGA — the only medical wipes listed with the TGA that are biodegradable. The challenge, says Scardigno, is to raise more general awareness plastic-free wipes. “A lot of the medical sector we spoke to did not know that wipes were made of plastic. They all thought it was cotton or some sort of fabric that wasn’t plastic based.” The pair haven’t been shy in pointing out that there are now environmentally friendly alternatives. “We have been a little bit annoying, but we’re just gonna keep banging that drum. “We really believe in this. The fact is, the medical industry and consumer industry are using wipes hourly and globally, the trend is not going away.”

The Hygiene Co. thehygieneco.com.au

industryupdate.com.au

ENERGY, WASTE & RECYCLING

Star Scientific’s US facility to star in New Mexico

ustralian hydrogen company Star Scientific Ltd, has formalised its commitment to planning a site for an R&D and mass manufacturing facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico in the US. The Central Coast NSW company, which also has a base in Switzerland, and New Mexico’s Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the Letter of Intent and announced the news at the Sustainable Energy Council’s Asia-Pacific Hydrogen Summit in Sydney in late October. Star Scientific five years ago developed the globally patented Hydrogen Energy Release Optimiser or HERO® — a coating which, when applied to ceramics or metals and in contact with hydrogen and oxygen, catalyses hydrogen and oxygen. This catalyst can create industrial-scale heat to 700 Celsius within a few minutes, and it does so without burning the gases and without generating greenhouse gases. Global Group Chairman of Star Scientific Andrew Horvath said the company will be developing greenhouse gas-free, process-heat systems for industry and stand-alone power systems while researching other projects. “The facility in New Mexico will mirror the facility we will build in Australia, and it will service customers in the United States, Canada and initially, in South America,” he said. Star Scientific also intends to develop a local purpose-built R&D campus and mass manufacturing facility, likely to be

in the Central Coast-Hunter region, or possibly Queensland or Victoria. HERO® is made from relatively common, non-toxic elements but the critical thing about the technology is that it is a ‘true catalyst’ – meaning it is not used up in the process. Once the gases are removed, it reverts to its inert state. “We do not have the same supply-chain issues that other aspects of the renewable energy transition find challenging. Our inputs are sourced from responsible supply chains.” Horvath and team are excited to embark on their US journey. “From the earliest conversations, the officials in New Mexico outlined their long-term commitment to hydrogen and the benefits of their state for a company such as Star Scientific,” Mr Horvath said. “We were impressed by their whole-of-government approach to manufacturing, logistics, higher education and research and their vision for the role hydrogen will play in their future. “We were equally impressed that they had holistically planned important human details such as housing for families that will work at our facility, education incentives for their children and lifestyle and leisure infrastructure. “There is also an infectious ‘can do’ attitude which greatly appeals to we Australians.” Making the announcement, Mr Horvath also thanked New Mexico’s

Star Scientific Global Group Chairman Andrew Horvath and New Mexico’s Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham shake hands after announcing news that Star Scientific will set up in New Mexico, at the Sustainable Energy Council’s Asia-Pacific Hydrogen Summit Environment Secretary James Kenney for his lead on the project. “From the outset, Secretary Kenney understood the potential of HERO® for New Mexico and has been a vigorous and respectful representative of his State,” said Horvath. Packaging news Horvath announced a new pilot with packaging company Trendpac, a private contractor serving major companies and supermarket chains with products such as shampoos and detergents, often formulated and mixed on site. It is already running a pilot with Mars; both pilots involve

the greenhouse-gas-free production of process heat and are slightly different, yet complementary, industrial processes. Trendpac and Mars are members of the Central Coast Hydrogen Food Cluster, an initiative of Star Scientific and Central Coast Industry Connect. While many see hydrogen’s role as to decarbonise heavy industry through complex and capital-intensive processes like green steel, and Horvath does not doubt that is part of the future, he believes there is plenty of more immediate work that renewable hydrogen can do to decarbonise other industries, such as food production and packaging.

Regulators need to encourage innovation: hydrogen summit

Andrew Horvath, Global Group Chairman of Star Scientific, told the audience at the Asia-Pacific Hydrogen Summit 2023 to be wary about “locking in” technologies whose time may be limited

hile Star Scientific’s HERO® chemical catalyst is award-winning, it is far from mainstream. So it was not surprising that Global Group Chairman of Star Scientific Andrew Horvath delivered strong messages in his speech to the Asia-Pacific Hydrogen Summit, hosted late October by the Sustainable Energy Council and the Australian Hydrogen Council. He told the audience that regulators’ policies should encourage technological innovation to flourish … and be wary about “locking in” technologies whose time may be limited. “The renewable energy sources of 2050 industryupdate.com.au

will look very different from today’s solar panels, wind turbines and batteries.” There was no doubt, he said, that governments, consultancies, and investors have needed to focus heavily on hydrogen’s supply-side issues of generation, storage and transport. But he warned that not enough attention has been paid to the demand side of the equation. “The assumption in countless reports and at conferences like this one is that the demand side – how to use hydrogen – will be met by fuel cells and by burning hydrogen. However, as our network of potential customers has been telling us, both have their limitations. “This is where HERO® fits in. It is the missing link in the hydrogen energy chain. It can extract the energy from the chemistry of hydrogen and use it without generating greenhouse gases and without the engineering complexities of burning it. Star Scientific sees two commercial pathways for HERO®: firstly process heat, as a service, ranging in temperatures from 100 to 700 degrees Celsius where the primary target is the food sector. Secondly, there are opportunities in facility-scale energy. Horvath said orthodox thinking about how to liberate the energy from hydrogen is to burn it – either on its own or blended with natural gas. “At Star Scientific, we reject this.

We don’t believe that you should burn hydrogen to liberate its energy.” “You don’t have to dig too far to find public statements from turbine manufacturers about the engineering problems of burning hydrogen, particularly blending it with gas. Aside from the engineering and efficiency issues related to hydrogen turbines, there are issues with their water use. Further, when you blend it with gas, you are creating greenhouse gases.” He told the audience the good news: there’s an alternative way to decant the energy from hydrogen for large-scale electricity generation without burning it. This involves the mating HERO® to the new generation of supercritical C02 turbines where C02 is at a temperature and pressure above its critical point where liquid and gas phases are not distinguishable. “[Supercritical C02 turbines] avoid the downfalls of combined cycle turbines – sCO2 is a proven technology, no greenhouse gases need to be vented, and the systems are air-cooled, avoiding the massive water needs that wet-cycle combustion turbines require. To top it off, they are about 1/10th the size of an equivalent steam turbine and, therefore, easily transportable and deployable. Further, Horvath explained that this has significant, exciting implications for economic growth and energy justice for people who don’t have a modern,

large-scale energy grid. Star Scientific is developing a technology program on sCO2 and Horvath looks forward to being able to talk about it soon.

“We don’t believe that you should burn hydrogen to liberate its energy.” Horvath said similarly innovative R&D and results were evolving on the the supply side of green hydrogen but, he complained, media and their commentators overlooked this and talked instead of the energy transition “stalling” in the face of material limitations and political obstacles encountered by solar and wind technologies and the need to upgrade the grid. He finds fault with this “orthodox box” that says the transition is all about masses of solar panels and giant wind turbines. “We [at Star Scientific] take issue with the almost uncontested assumption that green electrons are locked into current solar, wind and hydro technology. “Visionary innovators and investors will solve some of these issues. We are on the cusp of seeing alternate technologies, however, NDAs prevent me from disclosing these at this conference.”

Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 45

AUTOMATION ROBOTICS & SMART FACTORIES

Reliable data networks keep intralogistics Alive

ntralogistics is a fast-growing industrial segment that includes a complete system for the distribution and processing of goods in distribution centres and warehouses. Intralogistics technologies are used to move, lift, cut, weigh, count, pack, label, track, and load all kinds of stored products fully automatically. But none of it can be done without a reliable data network that is able to transmit and process an enormous amount of data. LAPP Australia – part of the globally recognised cable and connectivity leader, LAPP Group – has been

expanding its range of products and services to meet the growing needs of industries such as intralogistics. This process is advanced by a holistic approach to service, engagement, and supply of the cables and technology integral to the process, as encapsulated by the LAPP corporate signature, Alive by LAPP. Alive by LAPP LAPP’s powerful industry solutions form the neural systems for the seamless interaction of production systems. From mobility to direct current, or from the Industrial Internet of Things to

46 | Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023

predictive maintenance, LAPP technology keeps manufacturing, intralogistics, and production technologies alive. “Ever since LAPP’s founder Oskar Lapp invented the first industrial control cable, ÖLFLEX®, LAPP has been supplying customised and individual solutions to meet the needs of diverse industries,” says LAPP Australia Managing Director, Simon Pullinger. “We’ve seen automation growing exponentially in Australia, and we know that industry needs products that are high quality, durable, backed by service, and Standards compliant. “Our growth in Australia has included establishing a dedicated Industrial Automation and Networking Division, with technical specialists to assist companies with specifying the right products to meet complex needs. “In much the same way that intralogistics systems are the lifeblood of so many industries, the cable, connectivity, and industrial IT solutions LAPP Australia provides, form the lifeblood of intralogistics.” LAPP solutions for intralogistics applications include cables, fibre-optic cables, patchcords, PROFINET, EtherCat,

control cabinets, cable chains, Ethernet, connectors, switches and more. Powering intelligent automated logistics Future-proofing the supply chain and logistics is crucial especially in a world challenged by the Covid outbreak. Pullinger says companies worldwide are seeing intralogistics as a vital factor to be implemented to ensure a continuous growth in the years to come. From Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) to robotic stackers, all the way to Automated Storage & Retrieval Systems (ASRS), LAPP products play a pivotal role in keeping intralogistics solutions alive. “From conveyor technology to intelligent sorting, LAPP’s innovative solutions streamline picking and goods tracking, and optimise key processes in warehousing and logistics. Our robust components save time and money in facilities where every second counts,” adds Pullinger. LAPP Australia lappaustralia.com.au

industryupdate.com.au

Automation Robotics & Smart Factories

“ANY ISSUE IS FIXED STRAIGHT AWAY. THAT’S THE BENEFIT OF A LOCAL SUPPLIER WITH FULL TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND BACK-UP.” STEVE MORRISS, CLOSE THE LOOP, SOMERTON, VIC

DHL Supply Chain and AutoStore expand global warehousing automation

HL Supply Chain, global leader in contract logistics, and AutoStore, a pioneering robotic technology company specialising in automated storage and retrieval systems, are expanding their partnership in a move set to further automate warehouse operations on a global scale. DHL Supply Chain, already involved in nine operational AutoStore warehouse projects with four more in the planning stage, is poised to become one of AutoStore’s largest 3PL clients, reinforcing their commitment to digitalisation and automation. The nine existing systems effectively operate 800,000 AutoStore bins, with the forthcoming four systems increasing the total number of bins to a remarkable 1.2 million. In the future, DHL intends to construct five more facilities in addition to those already in operation or planning. The innovative automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) technology has been developed to efficiently manage and optimise inventory using vastly reduced space within warehouses. Its highly modular and scalable design makes it a preferred solution for e-commerce and businesses handling smaller products such as fashion and tech items. The strategic aim of DHL and AutoStore through this partnership is to accelerate the implementation of this ground-breaking technology that enhances abilities to meet diverse client needs.

More than 1,000 robots Markus Voss, COO and CIO at DHL Supply Chain, emphasised the importance of this collaboration. “We are pleased to expand our existing relationship with AutoStore as we continue to implement our digitalisation and automation strategy in a growing number of warehouses, allowing us to better and faster serve our customers. industryupdate.com.au

“AutoStore’s standardised and modular technology perfectly aligns with our aim to make our operations more efficient, enabling swift scalability and adaptability across various use cases and end-markets – a crucial factor for us as a third-party logistics provider. “Through a standardised approach and dedicated stock availability we will be able to significantly drive down implementation times. Additionally, the AutoStore network of partners is invaluable in supporting our growth strategy across multiple geographies.” Since 2012, DHL Supply Chain and AutoStore have partnered to implement cutting-edge solutions across sites in Singapore, Poland, Germany, Australia, and the US. The ongoing collaboration has already led to expansions at all operational sites, resulting in a fleet of more than 1,000 robots worldwide that significantly increase operational efficiency and throughput. “Our longstanding collaboration with DHL Supply Chain has showcased the strength, reliability, and efficiency of AutoStore technology,” said Mats Hovland Vikse, CEO of AutoStore. “We are excited about the significant growth opportunity that this represents for AutoStore, as we continue to drive innovation in the world of logistics.” This expanded partnership between DHL Supply Chain and AutoStore promises to redefine the future of warehousing, offering scalable, adaptable, and efficient solutions that cater to the ever-evolving needs of customers worldwide. AutoStore autostoresystem.com

At Applied, our number one priority is ensuring that our customers across the country get the machinery they need, with the support they expect. With nearly 30 years’ experience, and thousands of satisfied customers across the country we’re here for the long term. We’re a true machinery partner – just ask Steve Morriss. Real Service. Real Support. Real People. That’s Applied Thinking.

Call: 03 9706 8066 Email: sales@appliedmachinery.com.au Visit: www.appliedmachinery.com.au or www.genoxmachinery.com.au

Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 47

ENERGY, WASTE & RECYCLING

Five ways Australian manufacturers can optimise energy-intensive operations this summer by Jacob Mahoney, GM of Energy Solutions, Flow Power

nother hot, dry El Niño summer is just around the corner for Australia, leading many businesses to start planning their energy strategy for the season. The extreme forecast conditions have prompted the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) to flag an increased risk of electricity supply interruptions for some consumers, with potential for rolling blackouts. Electricity is essential for Australia’s manufacturers, so we’re sharing five ways you can optimise operations and secure your energy supply this summer. 1. Strategise for supply interruptions Energy supply disruptions can wreak havoc for manufacturing operations. Having an energy strategy in place to manage this is vital, ensuring your business can keep the power running when it matters most. The simplest way to manage supply interruptions is by shifting the majority of your electricity usage to periods of low grid demand. However, if your business must operate during peak demand periods, a backup generator or battery can stand in for any unexpected supply shortfalls.

operations to capitalise on these lowprice periods, while reducing consumption during higher price periods, switching to a wholesale electricity contract can deliver significant savings. 3. Use energy at the right time The price of energy changes every five minutes on the wholesale market, which means the time you use energy can have a big impact on how much it costs. Wholesale market prices fluctuate but typically follow a similar daily pattern, as Australia’s growing solar capacity contributes to declining daytime energy prices. As solar generation tapers off later in the day and electricity demand increases, thermal generators begin to ramp up. This leads to an increased ratio of fossil energy in the fuel mix within the grid, which is

2. Switch to a wholesale electricity contract Most businesses are locked into a flat contract structure which provides consistent pricing but doesn’t reflect the wholesale electricity price – or pass on any of the savings. Wholesale prices are often cheaper, or even negatively priced during daytime hours, as an influx of low-cost renewable energy is supplied to the grid. If your business can optimise 48 | Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023

when prices begin to increase. Powering down or reducing the amount of energy you use during this fossil-fueled period can help your business save money and contribute to a reduction in overall carbon emissions. 4. Power down, get paid Did you know there are opportunities for large electricity users, like manufacturers, to be financially compensated for powering down? The Reliability and Emergency Reserve Trader, or RERT, is a mechanism set up by AEMO to help maintain power system reliability and reduce strain on the grid during periods of extreme electricity demand. RERT periods typically occur during heatwaves, as consumers turn

on air conditioners to combat the heat. Additionally, unexpected power outages are more common during extreme weather conditions. Sudden increases in demand, or reduction in supply, can pose serious challenges for grid stability, which is when a RERT event will be called. Businesses eligible to participate in RERT are financially compensated if they elect to reduce their electricity consumption during these periods, with the choice to either power down or switch to a backup source of generation. 5. Get connected to renewable energy Making the switch to renewable energy is more than an ethical business practice, it’s a strategy that can secure longterm price stability. For some manufacturing businesses, installing on-site solar or battery storage provides an ideal solution to match your energy needs. Alternatively, for large electricity users, a Power Purchase Agreement, or PPA, is preferred. This tailored, long-term energy contract allows you to source up to 100% of your electricity volume virtually from a real renewable energy project, or multiple different projects to meet your demand. Whichever you choose, your business will be creating more demand for renewable energy, and supporting a cleaner, cheaper energy future for us all.

Flow Power flowpower.com.au

industryupdate.com.au

FASTENERS & ADHESIVES

United Fasteners revamps its showrooms

nited Fasteners, a leading industrial fasteners and hardware solutions provider, is taking its commitment to customer satisfaction to the next level by updating and modernising its branch showrooms. These revamped showrooms showcase a wide range of products in an aesthetically pleasing and organised setting. The showrooms feature interactive product displays, live demonstrations, knowledgeable staff, and intuitive layouts. United Fasteners’ commitment to an exceptional customer experience is evident in these improvements, reaffirming the company’s customer-centric approach. According to Sam Mitchelhill, Executive Director “Our customers are at the core of everything we do. These revamped showrooms reflect our commitment to providing a pleasant, efficient, and informative experience for our valued customers.” These enhancements align with United Fasteners’ commitment to

75K+ PRODUCT SKUS

AUSTRALIAN OWNED

ongoing improvement and their continual care and focus to improve their customer’s business, making them a standout leader in the fastener industry, dedicated to delivering exceptional customer experiences, innovative solutions and building lasting customer relationships. Customers are invited to experience the new showrooms and see the difference for themselves. With 13 branches located throughout Australia, United Fasteners stock everything needed to keep it together. Discover their comprehensive range of products, including: fasteners & fixings, abrasives, cutting tools, sealants, adhesives, lubricants, hand tools, safety, construction chemicals, materials handling, petrochemical, and special manufacture. United Fasteners unitedfasteners.com.au

NATIONAL DISTRIBUTION

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KEEP IT TOGETHER Get a quote today 1300 580 954 unitedfasteners.com.au industryupdate.com.au

Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 49

Fasteners & Adhesives

Synonymous with excellence in fastening solutions

M Fasteners is not just about selling fasteners; it also about providing engineering solutions. With a commitment to quality and competitive pricing, the Sydney-based team has over 25 years of collective experience in the fastening industry. This expertise means the company can handle both individual and bulk orders with the same efficiency and customer-centric service. Their product range is comprehensive, covering everything from bolts, nuts, washers, and screws to anchors, hardware, rivets, threaded rods, and balustrades fasteners. LM Fasteners takes pride in being one of the best-stocked warehouses in the region, ensuring that

most customer requirements can be met immediately. What sets the company apart is its ability to offer more than just products. Their trade counter is known for its quick and efficient service, making shopping a hassle-free experience. LM also provides prompt delivery services throughout Sydney and its neighbouring areas. Their expertise in fastening solutions is what really makes them stand out. They offer advice and support for all kinds of projects, catering to both trade and individual customers with no minimum sales limit. The company believes every client is important, regardless of the size of their order.

50 | Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023

Understanding the diverse needs of different environments, they offer a range of stainless steel fasteners in various grades. SS304 is perfect for normal weather conditions, while SS316 is the go-to for harsher environments like marine, food, and chemical industries. They also stock high-tensile options like Bumax stainless in grades 8.8 or 10.9 for projects requiring exceptional strength. This globally recognized product has won numerous awards and is highly regarded in Europe. LM Fasteners’ inventory includes stainless bolts in configurations like hex head, cup head, and both metric and imperial threaded options.

Their nuts and washers come in various types, including standard, locking, and decorative styles. The screw range they offer is just as diverse, suitable for wood, metal, and aluminum applications, including self-drilling and self-tapping options for various materials. LM Fasteners is more than just a supplier; they’re a partner in your engineering projects, ensuring you have the right fastening solutions every time. LM Fasteners lmfasteners.com.au

industryupdate.com.au

Fasteners & Adhesives

GROW YOUR BUSINESS WITH YAWEI. THAT’S APPLIED THINKING. Precision Precisionsheetmetal sheetmetalprocessing processingsolutions. solutions.

Fiber Lasers • Pressbrakes • Tube Lasers • Panel Folders • Laser Punches • Laser Welders Call: 03 9706 8066 Email: sales@appliedmachinery.com.au Visit: appliedmachinery.com.au industryupdate.com.au

Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 51

Fasteners & Adhesives “Setting the standard for Quality & Value”

Swiftcut PRO

CNC Plasma Cutting Table Australia's most popular CNC plasma, With Swiftcut tables made in the UK & Hypertherm Plasma units made in the USA there is no compromise on quality. • UP TO 25MM CUTTING CAPACITY DEPENDING ON THE HYPERTHERM UNIT SELECTED • DXF & JPEG PHOTO IMPORT FOR CREATION OF CUTTING FILES • SOFT SENSE DIGITAL TORCH-HEIGHT CONTROL (DTHC) • QUICK RESPONSE FOR IMPROVED CUT QUALITY AND IMPROVED CONSUMABLE LIFE.

Operator Control

Height Sensing Optional Engraving Tool

Four Machine Sizes 1250 x 1250mm 2500 x 1250mm 3000 x 1500mm 4000 x 2000mm

Heavy Duty Gantry

Heavy Duty Welded Base

Priced from

$38,390 inc GST

HYDRAULIC PUNCH & SHEARS

Includes Auto Touch & Cut Systems, Laser Punch Guide & 6 Sets of Round Punches & Dies

The Sunrise Punch & Shears are manufactured in Taiwan, also known as Ironworkers are well recognised in our Australian market for the machines being reliable & durable due to their structurally well manufactured unique design & engineering excellence. Sunrise is ISO-9001 certified by BVQI, and our products meet the CE safety requirements and regulations. Sunrise relentlessly seeks continuous improvement and product development to keep a step ahead of their competitors.

60 to 80 Tonne Capacity

IW-60B

Includes Multi Vee Pressbrake Attachment, 6 Sets of Round Punches & Dies

IW-45M

IW-125SH

Includes 6 Sets of Round Punches & Dies

Includes Hydraulic Plate Clamping, Laser Punch Guide & Auto Touch & Cut Systems & 6 Sets of Round Punches & Dies

IW-60S $

IW-80S

21,285 inc GST (P174) / 25,575 inc GST (P175)

SAVE $990

SAVE $1,100

60 Tonne Capacity

18,975 inc GST (P172)

SAVE $814

45 Tonne Capacity

10,450 inc GST (P170)

SAVE $495 UNIQUE PROMO CODE

INU2311 ONLINE OR INSTORE!

52 | Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023

125 Tonne Capacity $

38,445 inc GST (P177H) SAVE $1,705

VIEW AND PURCHASE THESE ITEMS ONLINE AT

www.machineryhouse.com.au/INU2311 Specifications & Prices are subject to change without notification. All prices include GST and valid until 30-11-23

industryupdate.com.au

Fasteners & Adhesives

LIVE DEMONSTRATIONS THUR. 16TH

SAT

EVERYTHING IS ON SALE! ONLINE OR IN-STORE

FRI. 17TH

SAT.18TH

- FREE SAUSAGE SIZZLE

18th - EXTENDED TRADING, OPEN TILL 3PM

PUMA LEO 1600 CNC Turning Centre

LG-1000AP CNC Vertical Machining Centre • HARTROL PREMIUM 3 CONTROL, 15 ” COLOUR LCD • HARTCAM 2.5 CONVERSATIONAL SOFTWARE • BT40 SPINDLE TAPER • 1000, 510, 630MM X, Y, Z TRAVELS • 700KG TABLE LOAD CAP. • 100~730MM SPINDLE TO TABLE • 10,000RPM SPINDLE SPEED • 11KW SPINDLE POWER

• FANUC I SERIES CNC CONTROLLER • 150MM Ø HYDRAULIC CHUCK • 320MM TURNING DIAMETER • 4000RPM SPINDLE SPEED

Order Code (M8795))

• CHAIN TYPE, CHIP CONVEYOR • PARTS CATCHER WITH PARTS BOX • COOLANT OIL SKIMMER

Order Code (L7130)

130,790 inc GST

87,466 inc GST

MILLING MACHINES

• 3-Axis digital readout • 2-Axis X & Y scales only • Dovetail column • Mill head tilts up to 90º left or 45º right • 2hp 240V motor

• 3MT spindle, 6 speeds • 480 x 200mm table travels • Micro down feed adjustment • 1.5kW / 2hp 240V

HM-51B - WORKSHOP TURRET MILLING MACHINE

BM-90HV - INDUSTRIAL TURRET MILLING MACHINE - HORIZONTAL VERTICAL

• 3 Axis digital readout system • Tilting head ±90º left to right • NT30 vertical spindle • (X) 580mm (Y) 190mm (Z) 350mm • 2.2kW/3hp, 240V motor

HM-32B - MILL DRILL BELT DRIVE

• NT40 vertical & horizontal tapers • 3 Axis digital readout system • Hardened ballscrew X & Y-Axis • (X) 1120mm (Y) 520mm (Z) 440mm • Variable speed, 60-3600rpm • 1470 x 370mm work table • 3.75kW / 5hp, 415V motor

BM-23A INDUSTRIAL TURRET MILLING MACHINE

• 3MT spindle, 12 speeds • (X) 540mm, (Y) 235mm, (Z) 310mm • 820 x 240mm work table • 2hp, 240V motor

• 3 Axis digital readout system • Tilting head ±90º left to right • NT30 vertical spindle • (X) 585mm (Y) 295mm (Z) 400mm • 2.2kW/3hp, 240V motor

Order Code (M137)

2,145 inc GST

SAVE $220

Order Code (D185)

Order Code (M140D)

Order Code (M577)

Order Code (M595D)

Order Code (M633D)

3,069 inc GST

4,015 inc GST

SAVE $220

$70 FREE www.machineryhouse.com.au/signup

DISCOUNT VOUCHERS

SYDNEY

(02) 9890 9111

1/2 Windsor Rd, Northmead

industryupdate.com.au

6,655 inc GST SAVE $440

9,625 inc GST SAVE $550

BRISBANE

MELBOURNE

625 Boundary Rd, Coopers Plains

4 Abbotts Rd, Dandenong

(07) 3715 2200

(03) 9212 4422

47,850 inc GST SAVE $1,595

PERTH

(08) 9373 9999

11 Valentine Street, Kewdale

06INU 061123 061123

DMF-44 - PEDESTAL MILL DRILL - GEARED & TILTING HEAD

HM-47B - MILL DRILL GEARED & TILTING HEAD WITH DIGITAL READOUT SYSTEM

Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 53

PRODUCTS

Revolutionising pallet strapping with ErgoStrap the ErgoStrap Semi-Automatic System for its keen focus on ergonomics, efficiency, and user-friendliness. This innovative system combines the benefits of both manual and fully automatic strapping systems, to strike a balance that optimises pallet-strapping processes.

n the world of logistics and warehousing, efficiency and productivity are the names of the fast-paced game. Companies constantly seek innovative solutions to streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance the safety of their employees. The ErgoStrap Semi Automatic Pallet Strapping System, designed and manufactured by ErgoPack Germany, is a shining example of how technology can revolutionise the way people secure and transport goods. The importance of pallet strapping cannot be overstated: it’s the final step that ensures that products are not only protected during transport but also stable and safe for handling. Traditional manual strapping methods, while effective, can be physically demanding and time-consuming for employees. Another leading name in packaging, Trio Packaging Systems, has endorsed

Key features: • Enhanced ergonomics: The user-centric design significantly reduces the physical strain on employees by automating the strap feeding, tensioning and sealing processes, allowing them to work more comfortably and efficiently. This improves workplace safety and increases productivity. • Customised strapping: The system offers versatile strapping options, allowing businesses to choose strapping PET or PP materials and dimensions to suit their needs. This adaptability ensures products are securely strapped, regardless of their shape, size or weight.

Metal component manufacturing for Australia’s manufacturers

• Intuitive operation: The ErgoStrap Semi-Automatic System is userfriendly. Employees can quickly learn to operate the system, minimising training time and reducing the likelihood of errors. • Increased throughput: Thanks to its semi-automatic design, this system significantly accelerates the strapping process, enabling companies to handle a higher volume of pallets in less time. • Cost-effective: While offering the efficiency of automated strapping, the ErgoStrap system is more budget-friendly than fully automatic

alternatives so it can benefit businesses of all sizes. • Sustainability: In today’s environmentally conscious world, the ErgoStrap Semi-Automatic System aligns with sustainability goals. It optimises strapping materials, and reduces waste and environmental impact. ErgoStrap Semi-Automatic Pallet Strapping System is a game-changer for the logistics and warehousing industry. By optimising the strapping process and improving the well-being of employees, it offers a clear advantage. ErgoStrap’s semi-automatic system has truly set a new standard in the world of pallet strapping, and businesses that adopt it will enjoy enhanced productivity, reduced costs, and a safer work environment. Trio Packaging Systems is the authorised licensed distributor of the ErgoStrap Semi-Automatic Pallet Strapping System. The system’s positive impact on efficiency, safety, and overall operational excellence is testament to the company’s commitment to providing top-notch solutions for the packaging and strapping needs of businesses worldwide. ErgoStrap triopackaging.com.au/ ergostrap

FOR WHATEVER YOU’RE MAKING,

WE’LL DO OUR PART.

> Quality manufacturer of bespoke metal parts > Springs > Wire forms > Pressed parts > Specialty coatings > High volume contract manufacture or bespoke jobbing > In house design and tool making > ISO 9001:2015 accredited supplier

REQUEST YOUR FREE 2024

Catalogue & Calendar +16127299365

bokers.com

SPRINGS SPRINGS WIRE FORMS WIRE FORMS PRESSED PARTS PRESSED PARTS SPECIALTY COATINGS SPECIALTY COATINGS Australian manufacturer of bespoke metal products marshalliance.com.au Australian manufacturer of bespoke metal products marshalliance.com.au

54 | Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023

industryupdate.com.au

INDUSTRY NEWS

At 70, Marsh Alliance adds Mastercut to the group

arsh Alliance’s humble beginnings were in Brisbane’s southern suburb of Macgregor in 1953, where founder Thomas Marsh started making springs. Since the days of Thomas Marsh & Co, Marsh Alliance has grown to become one of Australia’s most trusted names in spring and wire product manufacturing. Under the directorship of Thomas’ son Greg and the leadership of CEO Adam Forrester, the company has evolved into a large, modern production facility in Carole Park, Queensland, which is proud to be powered by a carbon-neutralising 300kW solar farm. Business acquisitions over the last 13 years have enabled Marsh to increase weekly production capacity to over 120 tonnes of finished products and build significant inhouse capability in cold coiling, CNC wire forming, pressed parts and speciality coatings. Marsh Alliance is the major supplier of garage door springs in Australia today, and thousands of other Marsh products are made for: door and security solutions, building fixtures, electrical distribution networks, automotive and agricultural components, heavy transport and infrastructure, medical aids, defence applications… the list goes on! Adam Forrester says Marsh is grateful to its loyal and growing customer base for support over the last 70 years. industryupdate.com.au

to the group. Mastercut is a highly skilled laser-cutting operation with national and international credentials based on the Gold Coast at Burleigh Heads. With its thin- metal and high-precision cutting capabilities, Mastercut represents aligned and complementary metal fabrication services within the Marsh Alliance. This acquisition represents broader service opportunities and added value for both Mastercut and Marsh clients. “We are proud to be the new owner of Mastercut,” says Forrester. “Mastercut will continue to operate as normal for its customers, some of whom we already share within the Marsh business.” As the 70-year anniversary celebrations continue, the future looks promising for Marsh Alliance and its customers.

Outgoing Mastercut owner Bill Dennis (left) with Marsh Alliance CEO Adam Forester “To ensure we’re around for another 70 years, the company has defined its purpose: Marsh Alliance exists to make essential products for our customers that improve everyday life, and to strengthen Australian manufacturing”. “We want to be world class in our metal fabrication capabilities and service offering and we will achieve

this through continual investment in technology and automation and through the acquisition of specialist capabilities,” says Forrester. At the beginning of October this year and in its latest example of acquiring specialist capability, Marsh Alliance was delighted to welcome Mastercut Technologies and its existing customers

Marsh Alliance marshalliance.com.au

Mastercut mastercut.com.au

Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 55

FOOD & BEVERAGES

Ipswich distribution facility to help Suntory Oceania transform the beverage industry

Paul Woods, Site Operations Director Beam Suntory and Frucor Suntory have announced an exciting new $3bn partnership, Suntory Oceania, to become the region’s new multi-beverage powerhouse.

ith a combined portfolio of over 40 brands, two manufacturing sites, five distribution

centres and a workforce of more than 1,500, Suntory Oceania is positioning itself as the fourth-largest beverage group in Australia / New Zealand. At the core of this is a $400 million investment in a cutting-edge manufacturing and distribution facility in Ipswich, Queensland - a venture that represents the most substantial FMCG investment in a single site in the past decade. Collaborating with production sites globally, including those in New Zealand, North America, Europe, and Japan, this facility is set to significantly amplify both capability and capacity. Paul Woods, Site Operations Director at the Queensland facility, was asked about the factors influencing the choice of Ipswich, how employment prospects are linked to the facility, and the impact on the local beverage market.

Artist impression of Ipswich facility

Suntory Oceania multi-beverage portfolio

Q: Why was Ipswich chosen as the home for your new facility? A: Ipswich emerged as the ideal location for our future business. The availability of a greenfield site and the prospect of constructing a state-of-the-art facility were pivotal. Moreover, Ipswich’s robust infrastructure, connectivity, and the

opportunity to tap into the local talent pool solidified its status as the perfect choice.

exploring technologies like VR to transform safety and training procedures.

Q: What opportunities do you see this unlocking?

Q: As Site Operations Director, what culture are you aiming to create, and what skills are you looking for?

A: The Ipswich facility marks a significant milestone as Suntory’s first in Australia. It affords complete control over our multi-beverage portfolio from end to end. The partnership holds enormous opportunity for employees, customers, and the broader community. Q: Tell us more about the sustainability ambitions for the Ipswich site?

ARE YOUR

PRODUCTS

CERTIFIED

AUSSIE?

APPLY TO USE THE LOGO

56 | Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023

A: Suntory’s commitment to ‘Growing for Good’ over 120 years positions us to set a benchmark for sustainable investment in the FMCG sector at the Ipswich facility. We’re actively incorporating renewable energy sources, low-emission technologies, and collaborating with partners like CleanCo to achieve our netzero ambitions. Q: The new facility is expected to create numerous job opportunities. What roles are currently in market? A: We’re just starting our first recruitment phase. We’re looking to fill positions such as manufacturing specialists, automation engineers, electrical and maintenance experts, and logistics specialists. Beyond job creation, the facility serves as a catalyst for skill development,

A: We value a diverse range of characteristics—adaptability, effective problem-solving, and excellent communication. Alongside qualifications, we’re looking for individuals eager to join our journey as we build a A$3 billion multi-beverage business. Our culture is about being bold and ambitious, encapsulating the ‘Yatte Minahare’ spirit—the belief that nothing is impossible. Q: What is the long-term vision for your presence in Ipswich? A: Our vision is to be a longstanding member of the Ipswich community, embodying Suntory values and providing excellent employment opportunities to Queenslanders. We aim to create a workplace culture similar to our facility in New Zealand, fostering a community where employees have been part of the Suntory family for 20 plus years.

Frucor Suntory frucorsuntory.com

industryupdate.com.au

AUSTRALIAN MADE

Local value tops the Christmas spending tree

re-Christmas spending is declining compared with the same time in 2022 according to a study conducted by the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) in conjunction with Roy Morgan. Last year shoppers increased their Christmas spend after delayed overseas travel but in 2023 shoppers are expected to be more conservative with their

budgets due to inflation. ARA CEO Paul Zahra said bargain-driven Christmas shoppers will actively seek out the best deals and look for value purchases. With consumer sentiment shifting towards value for money, businesses which can call attention to the quality of their products will stand out, and research shows that shoppers believe

that products tagged with the Australian Made logo provide that value. A 2022 Roy Morgan study found that 94% of Australians associate Australian Made products with high quality, 93% associate them with being reliable, and 85% associate them with good value. Roy Morgan research shows that certified Australian Made businesses that highlight their local manufacturing credentials are often sought out ahead of products made overseas, with shoppers willing to pay more for locally made over imported products. Australian Made Chief Executive Ben Lazzaro said it was reassuring consumers recognised the value in buying local. “Australian Made products are made to some of the highest manufacturing and safety standards in the world. They are trusted and known for their quality and reliability,” said Lazzaro. “Research shows Australians recognise the quality and longevity of a locally made product, which is why it’s so important businesses make their Aussie credentials known. The Australian Made logo is the most powerful and effective way to do this. It has a proven 35-year track record in making the ‘Australian connection’ both here and overseas.” The green-and-gold kangaroo is recognised by 99% of Australians, and 93% of Australians said they are confident

Viatris Australia goes AMAG

edicines made in Australia by Viatris Australia are adding the green-and-gold Australian Made, Australian Grown (AMAG) logo to their marketing. The maker of many medicines on the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule, Viatris plans to have all its industryupdate.com.au

128 Australian-made products wear the AMAG logo. At this stage, about 50 products — all made in its Carole Park, Queensland, facility — bear the logo, and more Viatris products are slated to gain similar status by the end of the year. Products bearing the AMAG logo will

include medicines across more than 10 major therapeutic areas covering a wide variety of non-communicable and infectious diseases, ranging from cardiovascular health, antidepressants to well-known antibiotics. Rob Elliot, Head of Operations ANZ says Viatris is proud of its

Do you want to MANUFACTURE Non Wovens in AUSTRALIA? See pages 6-7

Get in Touch TODAY!

STATE OF THE ART MANUFACTURING

products displaying the logo are actually made or grown in Australia – making it one of Australia’s most trusted certification brands. Over 4,500 businesses are licensed to carry the Australian Made logo on their products, boasting their genuine Australian credentials to shoppers as an unmissable selling point.

Australian Made australianmade.com.au

Australian-made status. “At Viatris our commitment to producing high-quality medicines is embraced across our entire global network which, in turn, supports building a resilient supply chain to reach more patients,” says Elliot.   The manufacturing facility at Carole Park is among the biggest pharmaceutical manufacturing sites in Australia. It produces approximately 4 billion doses of high-quality medicines for Australia and over 40 export markets. The recent launch of a new standalone manufacturing suite at Viatris’ facility enabled Viatris to produce approximately an additional 1 billion doses of medicine every year to support the secure supply of medicines. “This is a commendation to our colleagues at Carole Park who are dedicated to producing high-quality medicines, furthering our mission to empower people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life,” said Mr. Elliot.   “We look forward to adding the logo to more of our locally made, locally supplied products.” Parent company Viatris Inc. integrates global and local manufacturing networks to leverage collective expertise to connect people to products, avoid disruption and provide access to critical medicines. Viatris viatris.com

Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 57

AUSTRALIAN MADE

BAC Systems offers new hose storage solution

nnovative storage solutions manufacturer BAC Systems is now offering Hydraulic Hose Storage solutions, along with its well known BAC Drawer Storage cabinets. At a recent expo in Sydney, BAC Systems brought along some of these solutions, with some recent upgrades, to raise awareness in the local market and to seek feedback from potential clients. The company’s Hose Drawers and Hose Reel Racks did not disappoint. Expo visitors tried out the easy rolling and quick access to the hose that these new storage solutions offer. The BAC team demonstrated how easily

over-pull was rewound and how quickly new hoses could be loaded for use. Customers were keen to discuss how much hose they could move closer to the point of use (the cut-off saw) and how they would no longer have to store their bundles and reels up on pallet rack, to be taken down by a forklift each time they needed to cut a two-metre length from the bundle. BAC Systems is regularly amazed at the difficulties people will endure in their workplaces due to a lack of a good storage solution. For hydraulic hoses, and many other item types, BAC offers some of the most innovative solutions available. Poor storage results in lost production time, a need for more floor space, damage to stock, and possible harm to workers. Of course, most workplaces act to reduce harm to workers and damage to their stock, and rightly so, but the cost of this is often an expensive increase in more time wastage and more badly used floor space. BAC Systems appreciates these problems and works hard to design storage solutions which focus on reducing all four of these problems concurrently. Having recently modified its early hose storage solutions from large, heavy structures to lean, modular storage cabinets, BAC now has a flexible range that offers hose workshops more options, more

innovation and more potential saving. BAC Hose Drawers are storage solutions for loose bundles of hose, up to 1.5“ NB and 15 metres of length. These drawers are fitted with a turntable on which the hose is coiled. It is then an easy matter to draw out the length you need to cut. BAC Hose Reel Racks are a cabinet with three levels of rollers used to mount the reels of smaller diameter hose. These are far more effective than storing the reels on a spoolbar as spoolbars often have to hold multiple reels, and changing reels on a spoolbar is a lot more cumbersome. The rollers support reels of up to 100kg and roll freely, making drawing and rewinding hose a simple matter. For large, heavier hoses For the much larger, and heavier hose bundles, BAC offers a vertical storage solution known as Hose Bundle Shelving. Adjustable vertical separators divide shelves so that these heavy bundles can stand on their end, making access very simple. BAC offers separators to suit bundles of 600mm diameter, 900mm diameter and 1100mm diameter. Between the Hose Bundle Shelving, the Hose Reel Racking, and the BAC Hose Drawer, there is a high-density storage solution for 95% of typical bulk hydraulic hoses.

Add to this a BAC hose-making workbench, with drawer storage for hose ends, covers and a convenient mounting bracket for a cut-off hose – which makes up all the workshop furniture needed to outfit a new hose shop. If you are considering upgrading your current workshop, or you are building a new production facility, don’t punish workers by using the dated solution of a pallet rack with a few spoolbars across the bottom level. Design the space intelligently so that your workers can work productively. Contact the BAC technical sales team and request a site survey and assistance in working out your new hose shop layout. BAC Systems bacsystems.com.au

Ora et Labora

BAC Systems Pty Limited Phone: (02) 9832 2777 58 | Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023

Order the latest BAC Catalogue online now!

www.bacsystems.com.au

“all has its Method” industryupdate.com.au

ALCOHOL & DRUG AWARENESS

Navigating the festive season: substance use and mental health

By Liz Tully, Workplace Mental Health Specialist and Founder, Mental Wealth at Work

ith the festive season just around the corner, it’s important to address the effect it can have on our mental health. For some, the Christmas period means fun, food and family time but for others it can be a challenging time. This may include feelings of loneliness, disappointment and anxiety, particularly with the increased cost of living. Watching ‘perfect’ Christmas celebrations on social media, TV advertisements and talk around the work lunchroom can create extra stress and burden. During the holiday season, many will see an increase in alcohol consumption during family gatherings, social events and end of year celebrations which for some people can be problematic. The current Australian government guidelines for healthy adults is no more than 10 standard drinks in a week and no more than four standard drinks in one day. With a bottle of full-strength beer being the equivalent of 1.4 standard drinks, it’s easy to see how these guidelines are regularly exceeded. Alcohol affects us all differently and has short and long-term effects. At low levels, we may have short term feelings of being relaxed, talkative and more confident. At higher levels these shortterm effects can be more severe with loss of coordination, unstable emotions, impaired judgement and engaging in risky behaviours. The long-term effects include developing a substance use disorder, brain damage, heart issues, increased risk of cancer and liver failure. Substance use disorder is classified as a mental health condition and is the third most common mental illness, with anxiety disorders and depressive disorders coming in at first and second place respectively. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in the 2020-22 reporting period, 19% of Australian adults had experienced a substance use disorder within their lifetime. Males have twice the rate of substance use disorders than females. Not surprisingly, the most misused substance is alcohol, which for many is an ingrained part of holiday celebrations. Given its place in Aussie culture, its social acceptability and ease of access, it’s easy to see how alcohol consumption is a tricky subject for some. If you are concerned about your alcohol consumption, here are some practical tips for navigating this festive season. • Eat whilst drinking. If you can, involve another activity other than drinking being the sole focus of the event. For example, organise a BBQ and barefoot bowls as a social activity. • Drink at your own pace. Avoid ‘keeping up’ with friends and drinking games and competitions. industryupdate.com.au

• Be comfortable saying no: It’s OK to say no and not have to explain your reasons for not drinking. You could volunteer to be the sober driver, to avoid unnecessary pressures. • Drink slowly, one drink at a time. Try to avoid having multiple alcoholic drinks on the go at once. Consume plenty of water and drink lower and no-alcohol alternatives in between drinks. Some other strategies for dealing the pressures around Christmas time may include: • Understand your triggers. If a certain family member seems to always ‘push your buttons’, try to avoid social situations with that person where possible. Plan an exit strategy if necessary. • Set boundaries: It’s OK to say no. This might be saying no to buying gifts, hosting Christmas, attending events, drinking alcohol or engaging in certain topics of conversation. • Take some time for yourself: During this period, engage in activities that you enjoy. Often we feel pressured to ensure everyone else’s happiness rather than take care of our own needs. Help is available The National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline provides confidential support for people struggling with addiction. You can call the Alcohol Drug Information Service (ADIS) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 1800 250 015. Hello Sunday Morning is an organisation with a mission to change the world’s relationship with alcohol, one Sunday at a time. Visit their website for some helpful tips to change your relationship with alcoholhellosundaymorning.org Turning Point is Australia’s leading national addiction treatment, training and research centre, for those affected by addiction. For further details visit turningpoint.org.au Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for crisis support - call 13 11 14 Liz Tully is a Workplace Mental Health Specialist and Founder & Owner of Mental Wealth at Work. Mental Wealth at Work

The Alternative Solution Any business needing to move more product out the door does have options. As frequency of parcel movement increases, any level of automation can only assist. Handling freight and moving customer orders in greater numbers has certainly accelerated in recent times, and finding quicker, smarter ways has always been key to success. Certainly the rapid growth in e-commerce has exponentially multiplied the rate at which parcels need to get out the door and at ever-faster turnaround times. Often we get a request to assist in sometimes quite simple, “low-target” solutions to lift performance to get the customer through a perceived temporary situation. However most customers are very receptive to receiving an alternative and longer term solution that will give them broader and more sustained scope for growth. By providing “the alternative solution”, Adept Conveyor Technologies shows the customer much greater potential by looking in broader terms rather than just the temporary or initial request.

It takes just one phone call.

Adept Conveyor Technologies 6-8 Amour St, Milperra NSW 2214 1/116 National Blvd, Campbellfield VIC 3061

www.adeptconveyor.com.au

mentalwealthatwork.com.au

Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 59

Alcohol & Drug Awareness

60 | Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023

industryupdate.com.au

Alcohol & Drug Awareness

industryupdate.com.au

Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 61

WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY

Conquer complexity and erase risk

by Chris Notley-Smith, Head of Product, HSI Donesafe When it comes to environmental, health and safety risks, we know complexity is a major challenge. Yet, the future is bright as new technology can radically reduce complexity.

n December last year, the Harvard Business Review reported that 82% of respondents in a management survey cited IT complexity as a major impediment to success. At the same time, 46% of respondents said that reducing IT complexity drives innovation. In December this year, HSI Donesafe will release the results of a globally commissioned survey of EHS leaders and managers. The research has focused on measuring the capabilities, organisational structures and practices that limit and enable best practice. Initial analysis of the data shows that complexity features heavily as an obstacle. This is amplified in the manufacturing sector. While manufacturers may not typically be exposed to the high levels of risk that define, for example, oil and gas, the sector is nonetheless complex and for many, becoming more complex.

Manufacturers, like others, are increasingly becoming digitised. With digitalisation comes data, which can be both a blessing and a curse. Any statistician worth their salt will tell you that you do not collect data you don’t need. The challenge is knowing how to best manage the data that new technologies can generate, and it seems that this is the challenge the Harvard study has identified – disparate IT systems are producing disparate data and it is difficult, if not impossible, to gain a unified or holistic view of what is going on. Yet for EHS managers, data has the potential to not only show us what is going on but also to show us how to ultimately prevent risks arising in the first place. The good news is that the software industry is now maturing fast. When we consider the growth of the software industry, it was only 30 years ago that Boole & Babbage coined the term ‘enterprise software’, and in the time since many one-stop shops have been promised. But 30 years on we can reliably say that software-as-a-service (SaaS) platforms are living up to the one-stopshop promise. Moreover, it is the advent

of a true, unified platform that allows us to conquer complexity, and in doing so enables EHS teams to erase risk. And, while technology can play a big part in reducing complexity and risk it is not enough. The research HSI Donesafe will release in December also analyses issues around culture and engagement, as they too play a vital role in achieving EHS best practice. In short, if an organisation views safety primarily through a compliance lens, then it is missing the point. The

most mature organisations, those that have achieved best practice, are those that see EHS as a vital capability that pays a return to the organisation and readies it for tomorrow. Modern SaaS technology, like HSI’s Donesafe platform, simply allows best practice to be achieved. Register for Global EHS Readiness Index (GERI) report (releasing Dec23)

Train for safety and measure results

ustralia’s high-risk industries reveal a clear link between industry fatality rates and the training of employees, according to a report. While manufacturing was found to be among the better performing industries, it can improve the way it measures the effectiveness of its training. Research on behalf of training software firm Cloud Assess, surveyed 500 learning and development professionals working within deskless industries in December 2022. Surveys of industries known to be the highest-risk in Australia including transport, mining, construction, utilities, and manufacturing — has found manufacturing to be one of the better-performing sectors. Manufacturing was found to have a strong commitment to the quantity and quality of training provided and, according to Safework Australia, it has the lowest fatality rate of the high-risk industries. Rob Bright, Founder of Cloud Assess, says the research shows effective workplace training for high-risk roles can be lifesaving, and the manufacturing sector is a great example of this. “Whilst there is still some work to be done, it’s encouraging to see that manufacturing firms which are prioritising consistent, high-quality training for all staff are succeeding in reducing the number of preventable incidents amongst employees,

with the industry’s annual fatality rate comparatively low,” says Bright. On average manufacturers were found to offer more consistent training than industries with higher fatalities. More than half (59%) of manufacturing workers undergo training every single year, compared with just 54% from the transport sector and 50% from the mining sector — which both have higher annual fatality rates. This pattern is also reflected in training delivery methods, with

62 | Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023

manufacturing firms consistently implementing a blend of both online and in-person training which maximises learning benefits. By contrast, businesses in the transport sector — statistically the most dangerous industry in Australia — are more likely to offer videos and virtual classrooms despite the practical nature and high-risk profile of roles in transport. There’s still room for improvement by manufacturers when it comes to how upskilling is being measured. For example,

just 29% of manufacturers measure changes in behaviour as a result of training, compared to 64% of utility firms. Similarly, just 21% measure safety improvements, compared to 49% of transport firms. “Manufacturing organisations must ensure they’re not only prioritising the delivery of excellent training, but also measuring the impact of this training to ensure it’s as effective as possible in keeping employees safe. “We hope that these new insights will act as a catalyst to all employers in high-risk industries to reassess their approach to training and maximise its potential as an essential tool for protecting their workforce.” To benchmark your business against other firms, and find out how the manufacturing sector compares to other deskless industries, read the full report: Fatal Negligence: Unveiling the Deadly Consequences of Inadequate Employee Training Cloud Assess is a provider of training and assessment software, which was founded in Australia to bring learning technology to the deskless worker and enable organisations to conduct training anywhere at any time. Cloud Assess cloudassess.com

industryupdate.com.au

Workplace Health and Safety

Sherm Software: a smart solution for workplace safety and compliance

orkplace safety and compliance are not only legal obligations, but also essential factors for business success. A safe and compliant workplace can reduce risks, costs, and liabilities, as well as improve productivity, quality, and reputation. However, managing workplace safety and compliance can be challenging, especially for small and medium-sized businesses that lack the resources and expertise to handle complex and dynamic regulations and standards. That’s where Sherm Software comes in. Sherm Software is a cloud-based safety, health, and employee risk management application that is designed to help businesses of all sizes and industries manage their workplace safety and compliance issues. Sherm Software offers a range of features and benefits that make it a smart solution for any business. Some of the key features and benefits of Sherm Software are: • Easy to use and access: Sherm Software is a web-based application that can be accessed from any device, anywhere, and anytime. Users can log in with their email address and password, have access to company documentation, complete online training, update licenses and certificates. Sherm Software has a user-friendly interface and a dashboard that allows users to view and track the information that is most relevant to their roles and responsibilities. • Comprehensive and customisable: Sherm Software covers all aspects of workplace safety, quality management, risk and compliance, including access to policies, procedures, conducting inspections, completing training and competency assessment, safety data sheets and more. Sherm Software has extensive reporting capability, reminder notifications, planning and scheduling functions and monthly data

industryupdate.com.au

analysis reporting. • Secure and reliable: Sherm Software is hosted on a trusted cloud platform that ensures data security and privacy. Sherm Software uses encryption, authentication, and backup technologies to protect data from unauthorised access, loss, or damage. • Affordable and scalable: Sherm Software is a cost-effective and flexible solution that is priced based upon the number of workers in the business. Our clients commend us on providing a robust system that is price competitive. Our capacity to add additional features as part of our process to continuous improvement is streamlined in our project management plan based upon priorities and at no cost to our clients. • Mobile App: Sherm Software mobile app is available freely from both App Stores! This enables your workers to have the key features of reporting hazards and incidents, raising issues, conducting inspections, accessing SDS and completing any training and competency assessments. The mobile App makes is easy to update licenses, certifications and personal information, all of which is notified back to the company’s System Admin. Sherm Software is more than just a software. It is a partner and a resource for businesses that want to improve their workplace safety and compliance. By using Sherm Software, businesses can benefit from: • Reduced risks, costs, and liabilities: Sherm Software helps businesses identify, assess, and mitigate workplace hazards and risks, and comply with legal obligations and other obligations. This can prevent accidents, injuries, illnesses, fines, penalties, lawsuits, and reputational damage, and save businesses money and time in the long run. • Improved productivity, quality, and reputation: Sherm Software helps businesses streamline and automate their workplace safety and compliance

processes and improve their communication and collaboration across different departments and stakeholders. This can enhance the efficiency, effectiveness, and accuracy of the operations, and improve performance and outcomes. Sherm Software also helps businesses demonstrate their commitment and responsibility to workplace safety and compliance, and build trust and loyalty with their customers, employees, and partners. Sherm Software is a smart solution for workplace safety and compliance. It is a software that can help businesses achieve their goals and objectives and

stay ahead of the competition in today’s dynamic and complex markets. Sherm Software is a flexible software solution that can make a difference to the administration and management for the business and demonstrate to relevant stakeholders the commitment made to manage risk to workers health and safety, compliance and to continuous improvement.

Safety For Life safetyforlife.com.au

Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 63

PRODUCTS

Bringing the safety to the machine

Hybrid Safety Blocks & TBSB safety switch box, ideal for field use

ndustrial safety systems are not known for fitting in with challenging industrial environments. Sensors aside, the safety system is usually mounted inside a cabinet well away from the process being protected. Decentralised safety is an integral part of decentralised automation and has many benefits including efficiency and versatility. Turck now has the TBIP and TBPN-safe I/O modules and TBSB safety switch boxes which are all ideally suited for field use. The safe I/O modules can be used as remote I/O devices in PROFIsafe or CIP Safety systems or, using the Turck safety configurator program, they can also be used as the safety controller in smaller systems. Full safety modules have four SIL3 safety inputs and four configurable SIL3 safety input/outputs while the unique hybrid safety modules have two SIL3 safety inputs, two configurable SIL3 safety input/outputs and four configurable nonsafe input/outputs, two of which can use the integral IO-Link master. The full safety and hybrid safety modules are suitable for most industrial environments. Rated from -40 to +70°C, they are IP65/67/69K, fully potted and they use proven industrial M12 connectors (power connection can be M12 L Code or 7/8” five or four pin). Turck safety modules are fast and

simple to implement, and: • provide extensive diagnostic functions • enable internal pre-configuration of the safety application • reduce wiring effort • are field mountable • can combine safe and non-safe I/O including IO-Link in one versatile module • can have programs transferred between modules and • have simple device replacement in the event of a fault. The TBSB safety switch boxes are used for disconnecting actuator voltage when the load exceeds the 2A individual maximum switching load capability of the TBIP and TBPN modules. With M12 L code, 7/8” 5 pole or 7/8” 4 pole industrial connectors these robust IP65 electromechanical switch-off boxes can be used in the field to replace safety relays in the cabinet. Depending on wiring, the TBSB devices are suitable for use in safety applications up to SIL3 or Cat.4 and Ple. By moving control systems into the field and closer to the process, efficiency is increased, wiring is simplified and versatility is maximised. Turck turck.com.au

Easier and safer container unloading with mobile vacuum lifters

anually unloading trucks or containers puts employees at risk of injuries from repetitive lifting and fatigue. Swedish company Piab Lifting Solutions has a history of over 40 years in Australia. Under the TAWI brand they have just released their latest generation vacuum container unloader for warehouses and distribution centres. The product is a boon for warehouse logistics as it’s ideal for tight spaces like trucks and shipping containers. The system, which is mobile and adaptable, has a number of user-friendly features: • Flexible modular system • Fully mobile • Integrated ergonomic vacuum lift • Mobile conveyor belt • Safe operator platform

Phone 02 9971 7577 Email sales@serpent-dove.com serpent-dove.com.au 2/6 Taronga Place, Mona Vale NSW 2103

64 | Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023

PIAB piab.com

industryupdate.com.au

Workplace Health and Safety

industryupdate.com.au

Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 65

IT HARDWARE & SOFTWARE

Electronic components come full circle

by Missy Hall, Vice President of New Market Development, DigiKey

could come back through the DigiKey website as a shop light fixture and be sold via Marketplace. Sometimes products can even enter and pass through DigiKey’s doors multiple times in evolved forms. Let’s use the example of a Dremel tool. It started as a set of components from DigiKey that were then put on a board with a motor that we also sell and after several steps it became a finished product – that we also sell. To further explain this full circle of electronic components, here are a few real-world examples from DigiKey customers. • POKIT Innovations is an Australian manufacturer of small, pocket-sized digital multimeters that allow an engineer to take measurements on the go. Through DigiKey, POKIT Innovations has a source for quality components and can also bring their products to customers on a global scale. • Kingfisher International, based in Australia since 1986, manufactures fiber optic inspection equipment that includes connectors, displays, microcontrollers and an extensive range of electronic components.

Digikey has always had the components to build products, but now it is selling its customers’ finished products, too.

istorically, companies providing the components weren’t also selling their customers’ final products. Yet DigiKey saw potential to be a partner which could enable designs through the sale of components as well as provide an online marketplace to sell customers’ finished products. The changing customer landscape Until a few years ago, DigiKey focused on what went into a product rather than selling the finished product. In 2019, DigiKey launched DigiKey Marketplace, an online marketplace as a repository for engineers, technicians and general consumers across all industries to fulfil needs for electronics and technology product in one place. By expanding its product range, DigiKey could offer semi-finished and finished products such as single-board computers, plug-and-play sensors, industrial robots and consumer tooling. It now has over 2 million products.

This full circle approach had not been done in the tech/electronic component industry. More than 40,000 new customers have used DigiKey’s Marketplace in the past four years to make a purchase, resulting in more than $25 million in sales. These initial results show DigiKey’s customers not only buy traditional components there but also use this growing sales platform to sell their finished products. Being able to serve our customers in a new way, and frankly the industry, is exciting for DigiKey. Now we’re not only a partner for their upstream process,

but we can also be a sales chain partner for the finished product’s journey to the customer. DigiKey’s easy-to-use website and ordering process is no longer strictly used for business-to-business sales; it’s now being used as a business-to-consumer marketplace, selling products for both business and personal use. Full circle products Many of the finished products on the DigiKey Marketplace likely had one or more components originally sourced from DigiKey. For example, a reel of LEDs shipped to a business customer

More than components Due to changing customer needs and interest, DigiKey continues to push into new areas of technology. The choice at DigiKey Marketplace goes beyond components and related products: it now includes Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, alternative energy, bare PCBs, tools to aid in industrial automation and more – selling much that’s related to technology innovation.

DigiKey digikey.com

Espresso Displays releases 17-inch portable touchscreen

spresso Displays, the Australian portable touchscreen company started by UTS engineering graduates, has launched its latest model – the Espresso 17 Pro, a 17 inch touchscreen optimised for MacBook users. Functioning as a second screen, the company says the 17 Pro model “sets a new benchmark” and was developed after “thousands of hours” of feedback from professionals including animators, artists, content creators and business executives. The new screen has 4K resolution, a 1 billion colour and 10 bit spectrum and a unique touch-screen for new ways to interact with applications. It works via a single USB-C connection with thousands of devices, with compatibility options for other devices. “Espresso 17 Pro is meticulously crafted to support professionals and creatives who need to perform at their best, wherever their work takes them and whatever platforms they use,” said Will Scuderi, cofounder and CEO at Espresso Displays.

66 | Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023

‘Jot’ software Reflecting the company’s shift towards building software as well, all 17 Pro purchasers get a free download of new ‘Jot’ software, which is activated by the Espresso Pen (an optional extra). Jot aims to improve use of the pen, and opens up a notepad, screenshot and markup tool, as well as introducing a new way to write over the top of on-screen content. Described as a “digital sketch pad”, it’s compatible with hundreds of desktop and web-based applications. Magnetic stand & accessories The Espresso 17 Pro also comes with a range of custom accessories, including a new adjustable, portable stand that secures magnetically to the rear of the display, and is optimised for drawing and sketching. Another accessory available is the Espresso Creator, which is a paper-esque screen protective adhesive layer for the 17 Pro, enabling a “smooth writing and drawing experience”.

Espresso Displays au.espres.so

industryupdate.com.au

IT Hardware & Software

The evolution of TwinCAT software the first commercial version of TwinCAT was launched,” said Supriya Suhale, Category Manager, Connectivity for Beckhoff Automation. “Looking back, it’s unbelievable to think about how instrumental this innovation was in shaping the industry that we know today.” TwinCAT is an integrated development environment used to transform almost any PC-based system into a realtime control solution with multiple PLC, NC, CNC and robotic runtime systems. And while it may seem obvious now to hand over industrial control to a PC, it is thanks to innovations like TwinCAT it is possible. Supriya Suhale, Category Manager, Connectivity for Beckhoff

ow almost 30 years old, the renowned TwinCAT software suite was initially developed by Beckhoff Automation in response to changing market demands, and it has come a long way since its inception. Beckhoff Automation was founded in 1980 when nuclear physicist, Hans Beckhoff, began building control cabinets for customers of his parents’ electrical installation business. From its humble beginnings as a oneman business, operating out of a small storage space, Beckhoff Automation went on to become a leader in the development of automation systems that enhance manufacturing processes. “In 1986, we produced our first PC-based controller system and in 1996, industryupdate.com.au

“Our software was one of the first to make use of a PC with Windows as an operating system,” notes Supriya. TwinCAT 3 at APPEX 2024 Now in its third generation, APPEX 2024 (previously AUSPACK) is the ideal exhibition for the launch of TwinCAT 3 (the latest generation of TwinCAT technology). Beckhoff Automation will be exhibiting at this industry-leading exhibition, which takes place from 12 to 15 March 2024 in Melbourne. “TwinCAT 3 enables seamless integration of machine learning, vision, edge computing and cloud connectivity

– enabling user modules to be executed in real-time. APPEX is the ideal platform to demonstrate the benefits of TwinCAT 3 for the packaging and process sectors.” TwinCAT 3 makes the convergence of IT and OT a reality. It fulfils the fundamental principles of an open, highly scalable control system, and provides several key advantages, including the ability to develop, build, and debug code on-the-go without the need for hardware. It enables proof of concept before committing resources and offers a wide range of interface options - all at a cost-effective price with a free development licence. There are also added innovations in TwinCAT software - including industry specific functions (i.e., plastic processing) as well as advanced features for TwinCAT HMI. Beckhoff controllers feature many open interfaces, and communicate easily with other third party hardware via Ethernet/IP, Profinet, ModbusTCP or OPC-UA, to name a few. “We look forward to showcasing TwinCAT 3 at APPEX – it boasts big benefits, and we are very proud to bring this revolutionary technology to the market,” she concluded. Visit Beckhoff Automation at APPEX (stand D025) from 12 to 15 March 2024.

Beckhoff Automation beckhoff.com Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 67

IT Hardware & Software

Littelfuse via element14

lement14 has partnered with diversified industrial technology manufacturing company, Littelfuse, to create a more complete one-stop-shop. Littelfuse circuit protection products safeguard electrical systems and personnel. Its products provide protection against electrostatic discharge, power surges, short circuits, voltage spikes, arc flash, and other harmful occurrences. Element14 now distributes Littelfuse fuses, circuit breakers, surge protectors, TVS diodes, Thyristors, Diodes, MOSFETs, IGBTs, Gate Drivers, power modules, switches, and sensors in Australia and the Asia Pacific. There’s also a comprehensive range of Littelfuse advanced power semiconductor technologies, including silicon and wide band gap solutions in discrete and module packages. A broad platform of Littelfuse technologies will sense proximity, flow, speed, temperature, and fluid level, and are ideal for complex electronic systems. “This collaboration enables our customers to access Littelfuse’s range so it simplifies the procurement process and accelerates time to market,” says Jose Lok, Product Category Director, Semiconductors at element14. Littelfuse’s extensive range supports several sectors such as automotive, consumer, industrial, building, medical

devices, aerospace, and data centre and cloud. Some of the best-selling Littelfuse products available at element14 include: • High side/ low side gate driver LF2181N: The LF2181N is a high-voltage, high-speed gate driver capable of driving N-channel MOSFETs and IGBTs in a half bridge configuration. The process technology enables the LF2181N’s high side to switch to 600V in a bootstrap operation. The LF2181N logic inputs are compatible with standard TTL and CMOS levels (down to 3.3V) to interface easily with controlling devices. The driver outputs feature high-pulse current buffers designed for minimum driver cross conduction. The LF2181N is offered in SOIC(N)-8 package and operates over the extended temperature range of -40 °C to +125 °C. • USP10973 Thermistor Assembly: This copper probe assembly is suitable for a wide range of temperature sensing applications. It has a tight tolerance, is moisture resistant, and has PVC insulated lead wires. The maximum operating temperature is 105°C. • DST Series: DST series Ultra Low VF Schottky Barrier Rectifier is designed to meet the general requirements of commercial and industry applications by providing high temperature, low leakage

and lower VF products. It is suitable for high frequency switching mode power supply, free-wheeling diodes and polarity protection diodes.

element14 element14.com

Mouser now stocking next generation Raspberry Pi 5 single board computer

ouser Electronics is now offering the highly anticipated Pi 5 single board computer from Raspberry Pi. Building on the success of the Raspberry Pi 4, the Pi 5 single board computer (SBC) delivers a two-three times increase in CPU performance, a significant uplift in GPU performance, and noticeable improvements to display, camera, and USB interfacing. The Pi 5 SBC offers an affordable, easy-to-use solution for applications including home automation, industrial automation, edge computing, robotics, and surveillance. The Raspberry Pi 5 single board computer is the first full-size Raspberry Pi computer to be built with silicon developed in-house. The RP1 I/O controller chip supports improved interfacing, as well as faster transfer speeds to external USB attached SCSI (UAS) drives and other high-speed peripherals. The new high-performance SBC is based on the Broadcom BCM2712, QuadCore Arm® Cortex®-A76, 64-bit systemon-chip (SoC) at 2.4GHz. The Pi 5 SBC includes a MicroSD card

68 | Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023

slot with support for high-speed SDR104 mode, as well as a high-speed single-lane PCI Express 2.0 interface, offering support for high-bandwidth peripherals. The SBC features two USB 3.0 ports supporting simultaneous 5 Gbps operation, in addition to two USB 2.0 ports. The Pi 5 also includes a VideoCore VII GPU supporting OpenGL ES3.1, with a Dual 4Kp60 HDMI display output with HDR support. Two four-lane 1.5 Gbps MIPI transceivers enable users to connect up to two cameras or displays. The Pi 5 is offered in 4 GB and 8 GB variants and features Bluetooth® 5.0 with Bluetooth Low Energy, dual-band Wi-Fi®, and Gigabit Ethernet, providing users with the flexibility to choose between wired and wireless connectivity. The Pi 5 also extends support for Power over Ethernet (PoE), enabling it to be powered via Ethernet, alongside a USB Type-C port for alternative power sources. Mouser mouser.com

industryupdate.com.au

IT Hardware & Software

Why bigger is better for screens in your workplace

e tend to measure progress by how much smaller we can make our devices. But there’s an area of technology where going big could be much better – that’s in the screens we increasingly use as an interface in our working life. If it involves technology, then size, portability and convenience factors are often powerful selling points. However, touchscreen information kiosks are a notable exception to that rule. Touchscreen kiosks: bigger is better Information kiosks are growing in popularity. You’ll find them in shopping centres, fast food restaurants, medical clinics, airports, hotels and in industrial design and manufacturing settings, to name just a few applications. As the people in our society become increasingly comfortable with using digital technology and the platforms that power them, like iOS and Android operating systems, using a kiosk to access information is no big deal. When it comes to the design and the interface for these kiosks, though, having to squint or struggle to see the screen or navigate its functionality contradicts the user-friendliness of the design. Large screen kiosks in retail In simple terms, large screens mean increased visibility. Kiosks tend to be anchored in one spot or, at the very least, aren’t being lugged around by the user, so portability isn’t an issue. Accordingly, having a large screen in a retail environment to assist people with wayfinding or accessing more detailed maps to assist navigation stands to reason. Not only does a bigger screen facilitate access to more information, but the slim and functional design of today’s large

screens means they can be easily integrated into various interiors or designs without calling the wrong attention to themselves. Their relatively small footprint, despite the size of the screens themselves, means they can fit into spaces in a way that is not possible with bulkier options. Going bigger in the workplace Bigger screens support a number of psychological benefits that enable employees to get more work done, and faster. Furthermore, studies have shown that larger screen size boosts productivity in the workplace. Data released by ViewSonic claims that more screen space “increases overall productivity by [between] 30 and 50%. It also enables users to complete tasks up to 52% faster… larger screen sizes boost reading comprehension by making more text visible at once,” much the same as has been shown in retail and service environments. The benefits of accessing larger screens were something that featured heavily in Integra’s thinking when we designed our Integra K4.0 kiosk. A “virtual job bag”, as our Managing Director Paul Hughes calls it, this K4.0 system of kiosks combine Integra’s own in-house developed software with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, Computer Assisted Drawing (CAD) and live machine monitoring data (IoT) to deliver a wide range of efficiencies – from smarter ways of working to ensuring top-notch quality control. Additionally, these K4.0 kiosks offer greater collaboration and communication across every stage of the design and manufacture process. Every kiosk is equipped with video-conferencing capability and the operator can create a live video link between the design office and the client directly from the machine on the manufacturing floor, which is

further enhanced by the large screen. “We’ve been down the path of tablets but, unless it feels like it’s got a presence in the factory, it can feel a bit temporary,” explains Paul Hughes. “I think the big screen, apart from it being really easy to look at and extract details, actually commands respect. The large-format kiosk in the factory says, ‘Take notice!’. It’s there to be used.” From the mouths of the users The staff at Integra act as living and working examples that support the research linking psychological and productivity benefits with large screen kiosk displays. Since introducing the big screens of the K4.0 kiosks right across Integra’s facility in 2020, staff morale has evolved immeasurably. “The big screen of the K4.0 is great because it allows you to see designs in their full scale,” says Darby Connell, Production Site Manager at Integra Systems and Integra TransForm. “I can have drawings at the top and the program running down the bottom, so the K4.0 big screen is great for multitasking.” “The big screen is fantastic because it

works as a visual aid when working,” adds Max Paterson, Forming Leading Hand at Integra Systems and Integra TransForm. “The large scale makes the information really easy to interpret, and it’s great for documenting programs and spreadsheets. When you consider the number of parts we have to deal with, the big screen makes it so easy to look over everything.” In conclusion When it comes to technology, convenience and utility often work handin-hand with the physical size of the technology or its casing. In the majority of instances, this can be a powerful selling point. With information kiosks and other such displays, this is a case where bigger usually means better. For employees, larger screens offer considerable productivity and work satisfaction while, for customers or other users, improved accessibility and information are some of the major advantages of such screens. Sometimes, it just doesn’t pay to think small. Talk to Integra TransForm about how our K4.0 designs can help you achieve your Industry 4.0 ambitions Integra Systems integrasystems.com.au

industryupdate.com.au

Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 69

IT Hardware & Software

Jon Devine, Senior Solutions Consultant, SYSPRO Australasia

Why fabricated metals manufacturers must integrate business processes By Jon Devine, Senior Solutions Consultant, SYSPRO Australasia

he fabricated metals industry manages intricate production processes and diverse material requirements, and it services customers with high expectations of suppliers. Manufacturers grapple with unique challenges but they can also seize the potential for remarkable improvements through enhanced integration of business processes. The sector is ever more challenging with rising energy, materials and labour costs, workforce shortages and the ongoing logistics challenges from almost three years of pandemic disruptions. However with the right approach and investment, these challenges are not insurmountable. Integrating business processes to elevate the visibility of management information would empower more informed decisions — which are crucial for businesses to thrive. Effectively addressing this sector’s challenges requires manufacturers to gain complete visibility and control over their shop floor operations. This is indispensable for averting problems and capitalising on opportunities as they arise. To attain this heightened level of control, businesses must adopt a two-pronged approach. They must combine robust business software with a well-crafted digital strategy that ensures real-time critical information is captured at source and is available to the management team.

ERP can optimise processes To confront these challenges head-on, fabricated metals manufacturers should consider implementing a modern enterprise resource planning (ERP) system tailored to their industry’s needs. Generic ERP solutions often need more industry-specific features and functions to support nuanced requirements. ERP systems designed exclusively for manufacturers can streamline processes across the entire value chain. This includes order management, production planning, inventory control, and quality assurance. Such an integrated solution seamlessly coordinates operations and offers real-time visibility into processes, leading to enhanced collaboration, datadriven decision-making, more efficient scheduling and better shop floor control. Automation optimises resources There is an unmistakable shift towards automation in modern metals manufacturing, particularly on the shop floor. This reflects a broader industry trend to optimise efficiency and resource allocation. As automation takes over repetitive processes, human resources are freed up to focus on managing the more intricate aspects of manufacturing operations. This strategic realignment of human capital enables companies to tap into the full potential of workforces.

70 | Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023

Integrating MOM A pivotal component of this approach is integrating sophisticated systems such as manufacturing operations management (MOM) within an ERP solution. MOM is a cornerstone in providing invaluable support throughout the manufacturing lifecycle, ensuring that precision and consistency are upheld in the most complex manufacturing environments. With MOM’s integration with ERP and its capacity to collect data from the shop floor, manufacturers can achieve consistency and precision that goes beyond what human-centric processes can offer. This integration minimises the margin for error and safeguards the quality and reliability of the end product, thereby bolstering overall operational excellence. The five operational benefits of an ERP system with MOM for fabricated metals manufacturers are: 1. Advanced scheduling Advanced scheduling leverages algorithms and optimisation techniques to create optimal schedules, considering machine capabilities, material availability, labour capacity and delivery deadlines. It balances workloads, minimises idle time and enhances productivity. 2. Streamlining processes across the supply chain Implementing an ERP system fundamentally centralises and streamlines critical processes across the supply chain from managing the

customer order through to delivery and servicing, creating a unified and synchronised operational framework. The newfound efficiency reduces operational redundancies and fosters better decision-making through realtime data access. 3. Administrative efficiency enhancement With the adoption of ERP, companies can dramatically reduce administrative overheads by automating tasks that were once manual and time-consuming. This boosts efficiency and frees up resources for more strategic and value-added activities. 4. Cost reductions through automation As processes are automated and streamlined, operational costs decrease. ERP’s automation capabilities extend across functions, from procurement and inventory management to financials and customer relations, resulting in substantial cost savings. 5. Visibility informs decision-making One of the most profound benefits of ERP implementation is its granular insight into production data and key performance indicators. Data-driven insight equips management with the tools for strategic decision-making, driving efficiency and profitability to new heights. The takeaway In a market characterised by rapid change, manufacturers may not have control over external forces but they can leverage technology to optimise their operations. ERP solutions tailored for manufacturers offer metal fabricators the tools needed to integrate their processes seamlessly, improve the visibility of management information and proactively confront challenges. The path to success in the fabricated metals industry is unequivocal: embrace integration, harness the capabilities of ERP systems designed for manufacturers and use data-driven insights that drive efficiency, profitability and sustainable growth.

SYSPRO au.syspro.com

industryupdate.com.au

PRODUCTS

Deco quality by the sea

anufacturer of aluminium building products and finishes Deco Australia has gained another quality certification. The Qualicoat Seaside licence ensures the highest quality architectural powder coating for coastal environments where there are more severe conditions such as salt and high humidity. With most Australian populations living along a coastline, the Qualicoat Seaside certification is critical for the durability and longevity of Australian buildings. The Qualicoat standard is the most robust specification available in Australia for architectural powder coating. Based in Zurich, Switzerland, Qualicoat is an independent, not-forprofit organisation which offers the only

specification for third-party auditing and accrediting of powder materials and powder coat applicators. Deco received its standard Qualicoat licence in 2022, as an applicator of exceptional quality architectural powder coat and sublimated finishes. The Qualicoat certification covers its entire powder coat offerings. The Qualicoat Seaside licence requires additional steps to the already rigorous Qualicoat Process Specification, including different pre-treatment requirements and additional testing to the 18 standard tests already required as part of the standard Qualicoat licence. These additional steps are critical in providing additional corrosion resistance. Deco Australia General Manager,

Richard Hamber said Deco is committed to offering the best quality architectural powder coat finishes on the market. “Our dedication to the Qualicoat Process Specification showcases our commitment to quality. As part of our Qualicoat licence, our team undertakes tests across every single order that we receive. It’s no small feat to provide the best quality powder coating on the market.” As a licensed Qualicoat Seaside

applicator, Deco can provide additional durability for architectural projects located near the coast where saltwater exposure and humidity can be detrimental to poorly finished aluminium. Deco deco.net.au

Uni collaboration leads to fully programmable liquid filler

n the manufacturing landscape where adaptability and innovation are paramount, packaging equipment and services provider Packserv is at the forefront of change. In the aftermath of Covid, Packserv is championing self-sufficiency and helping to foster onshore manufacturing by setting a new standard for Australian packaging production. What sets Packserv apart is its unwavering commitment to being a wholly local, engineering design facility. This homegrown advantage equips Packserv with the capacity and stateof-the art design facilities necessary to engineer cutting-edge, digitally enhanced machines poised to disrupt traditional packaging processes and drive efficiencies across the entire FMCG sector. In a groundbreaking collaboration with UTS, PhD candidate Solomon Ould has been working with the design team at Packserv. They are on the verge of launching a liquid filling machine that represents a leap into the digital future of manufacturing. The key innovation? Full digital programmability. Say goodbye to manual adjustments of filler heads, bottom-up fill, gates, speeds and timings. With the onboard technology of this machine, height adjustments are as simple as

industryupdate.com.au

programming via the HMI digital screen. This new machine is designed to be fully customisable, accommodating as many filling heads as required, making it suitable for businesses ranging from SMEs to large-scale manufacturers. But the innovation doesn’t stop there. Packserv’s commitment to redefining Australian-made packaging machinery includes the introduction of individual adjustable cylinders. This feature enables filling containers of multiple sizes simultaneously. Furthermore, that twin-lane access system expedites production by eliminating the need for fillers to wait for indexation of bottles. Instead, fillers can swiftly transition to the secondary lane effectively doubling production outputs. The exciting news is that this game-changing machinery is set to make its debut at the APPEX trade show in March 2024. Manufacturers visiting APPEX will have the unique opportunity to experience first-hand the future of packaging technology and Packserv’s new range of machinery. Packserv packserv.com.au

Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 71

PRODUCTS

Smart monitoring by Air-Alert

aunched at the Hannover Fair in Germany earlier this year, Elgi’s new IoT-based Air Compressor Monitoring System Air-Alert is available in Australia. The data transmission, analysis, and alert system monitors critical parameters and sends out actionable insights and alerts to users who can use it remotely. Given its insights, customers can improve uptime and maximise compressor efficiency and performance. The service also enables customers to act in time to avoid potential failures. It delivers trend graphs and information about operating parameters, including discharge pressure, oil temperature, variable frequency drive (VFD) speed (where fitted), total running hours, trips, and alerts on a live online interface

accessible remotely from anywhere in the world. Air-Alert also notifies customers and ELGi dealers about scheduled maintenance and fault occurrences while predicting common failures. Customers receive monthly summary reports on overall health and operating parameters, including upcoming service requirements and preventative maintenance based on the data obtained. The operational and performance data from the compressors are acquired by Air-Alert from the compressor controller, transmitted in an encrypted form, and sent to secure and dedicated Air-Alert servers in the cloud. Smart algorithms then work on the data to enable intelligent prediction with alerts, reports, and trends — which are

returned securely to the operators as easy-to-read actionable dashboards. Throughout the process, the data is structured for smart analysis that helps users to plan maintenance activities, enabling energy efficiency improvements with the compressor. The Air-Alert failure prediction module also predicts if the compressor is likely to fail in the future. At the end of the process, data is translated into comprehensible alerts and reports that allow the user to take timely action. With ELGi’s Air-Alert, users can track highly informative utilisation trends providing actionable intelligence and take corrective action, such as: • Operating pressure band optimisation based on the utilisation rate • Replacing an existing fixed speed unit

with a variable speed VFD unit/ or adding a retrofit VFD • Installing an energy efficient, lower size compressor in case of very low utilisation rate • Detecting leaks based on an unexpected change to a higher utilisation rate over time The Air~Alert device can be factory-fitted on new ELGi EG, AB, and OF Series compressors or retrofitted on units with a Neuron III, III+, or IV controller.

ELGi elgi.com

One castor, three fittings

evina Light is a new range of Tente castors available in 75mm, 100mm and 125mm with the option of three easy plug-in fittings, making castors more efficient and reliable in production processes. The housing is made of glass-filled nylon in swivel and swivel brake configurations. Levina Light comes in three standard colours with other colours available for minimum quantities. The wheel tread is made of thermoplastic rubber making this castor ideal for the healthcare and furniture industries. Applications for Levina Light castors include: • Healthcare furniture (over-bed tables, bedside cabinets),

• Medical and science applications eg ultrasound and x-ray carts, ventilators, IV poles, sterilisation equipment, surgical and laboratory equipment, • Office and professional furniture • AV and entertainment equipment, • Catering equipment • Store fixtures including racks, display tables What makes the Levina Light so versatile are the many pop-in fittings available in many sizes; there’s no need to change the castor when a different fitting is required, just change the fitting. Levina Light uses popular fitting sizes and has a weight capacity of 75kg for 75mm and 82kg for 100mm and 125mm

72 | Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023

diameter sizes. The range is competitive on cost, and offers high quality and performance as well as flexibility in design options.

Tente tente.com.au

industryupdate.com.au

PRODUCTS

Greater Western Water chooses Gorman-Rupp pump in water delivery project

ydro Innovations was engaged by an engineering consultant to select pumps for Greater Western Water’s WIN project to deliver water to irrigation pivots and also to storage tanks on the north-western fringe of Melbourne. Duty points ranging from 30 l/s to 150 l/s at a constant pressure of 68m for the pivots and 58 l/s at 43m up to 115 l/s at 46m for future flows were required from the same pumps. Hydro Innovations offered the Gorman Rupp VS6A60S-B pump with 110kW motors. These pumps are a two-stage self-priming pump capable of delivering the full flow ranges, either using a single pump or running two pumps in parallel. Although designed by Gorman-Rupp for wastewater handling duties, including raw sewage, the pumps are so efficient and produce such high pressures that they are an ideal choice for this application for Greater Western Water. Greater Western Water was impressed by the simplicity of the solution and the great quality of the Gorman Rupp pump. Hydro Innovations delivered the pump sets coupled to the motors on galvanised steel bases ready to be bolted to the pipework and connected to power. The pumps run quietly and will deliver the flows required by SCADA reliably and without the need for an

operator to be present. As they are above ground, they are easily accessed by maintenance and operations staff without the need for lifting equipment, confined space entry or a large crew of people. Floating suction lines mean the pumps can operate across the changing water levels throughout the year without hassle. The supplied pump is part of GormanRupp’s Ultra V Series range of pumps, which are available in single or two-stage configurations, giving them a pressure range between 10 and 95 metres. They are available in three sizes [3”, 4”, and 6”], with flow ranges from 10 litres per second [L/s] through to 100 L/s. Predominantly a wastewater pump, they can also be fitted with GormanRupp’s eradicator solids management system to enable the pumps to handle stringy materials such as rags, feathers and wet wipes. Pumps can operate on suction lifts to 7.6 metres, allowing them to be mounted ‘high and dry’ at ground level, allowing easy and safe access for operators to monitor and maintain them. Hydro Innovations hydroinnovations.com.au

Azbil’s single-loop, high-precision controller

he new C1A single-loop controller, which features high accuracy, fast responses and less work for staff from installation through to maintenance, is now available from Azbil Corporation. Despite its compact 48 × 48 mm front panel size, the C1A achieves a high accuracy of ±0.1% of the reading (for thermocouple or Pt100 RTD) and high-speed response with a sampling cycle of 25 ms, and it is equipped with various labour-saving functions for manufacturing sites. For devices like single-loop controllers which are built into other equipment there is a growing demand for smaller size and higher performance. It’s also important to reduce downtime by maintaining a constant understanding of the state of processes while equipment is running to prevent problems. To cope with problems like a decrease in skilled workers and labour shortages, the manufacturing industry has begun to use more intuitive and simpler methods of PID adjustment rather than methods that rely on experienced workers. Communication with a programmable logic controller (PLC) can be set up easily without special programs. This makes it easy to create a system for remote process monitoring, for example using a host system, touch industryupdate.com.au

panels, and other external devices. One of the main applications of controllers is controlling temperature using electric heaters, which are known to deteriorate and have a limited service life. An effective method of diagnosing deterioration is to monitor the resistance of the heater. The C1A calculates the voltage, current, and resistance of the heater using voltage transformer (VT) and current transformer (CT) inputs. These values can be monitored on the front panel of the C1A or be used to output alarms if the preset threshold is exceeded. By monitoring the resistance along with the controlled temperature, the condition of a heater can be easily understood and unexpected heater burnout can be prevented. Additionally, the Smart Loader Package for the product includes a PID simulator based on proprietary Azbil simulation technology as a standard feature. The PID simulator uses operating data to create mathematical models that reproduce characteristics of the object of control, allowing the user to simulate PID control on the PC and reduce adjustment time.

AMS Instrumentation and Calibration ams-ic.com.au Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 73

PRODUCTS

Multiply the benefits of clean lubricants and bearings

he importance of bearing and lubricant cleanliness is perhaps self-evident yet too little attention is paid to this critical quality. The results of poor maintenance and dirty bearings is unnecessary maintenance, plant down-time, and productivity losses as well as unnecessarily high energy costs. This avoidable failure creates costs that cannot be ignored in an increasingly competitive world. According to a major bearing producer, a particle of 5 microns – 5 µm — or less can cause a precision bearing to fail. To put this into perspective a human hair averages about 100 µm; coal dust 1-100µm, iron dust 4-20µm, atmospheric dust up to 30µm, combustion-related particulates from industrial processes up to 2.5µm and tobacco smoke up to 4µm These particles are minute but with their potential for damage, the message has to be that it is vital to maintain a high degree of cleanliness inside precision bearings. Even when small particles of foreign matter are not actually causing failure, they can ruin the bearing’s

smooth-running qualities and low torque values – which, again, means higher energy bills and a less competitive plant. In general terms, dirt and contaminants that can impede a bearing’s performance are divided into three main categories: • Airborne contaminants: industrial smoke and dust, metal flakes, abrasive flakes, lint etc. which might enter the bearing due to poor storage and/or workshop practices. • Transferred contaminants: dirt that is picked up from one source and passed along to the bearing from hands, work surfaces, packaging, tools and fixtures, poorly managed grease packing during assembly, grease degraded by moisture (condensation in the container and/ or housing) and contaminants such as fumes and smoke. • Introduced dirt: impurities that enter the bearings from dirty lubricants or can be forced into the bearing during re-lubrication by contaminated equipment or grease points not thoroughly cleaned.

74 | Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023

These sources of contamination should all be considered abrasive, corrosive, or leading causes of degradation of bearing performance and are all avoidable. Cleanliness should extend beyond the bearings themselves to work and storage areas, benches, tools, fixtures and housings. Bearing installation operations should be located away from other machining operations, such as grinding and drilling etc. to help minimise contamination problems. Poor lubrication practices are a leading cause of contamination. Unsealed containers are susceptible to contamination from solids and from water due to condensation. Contact with the air in opened containers will cause oxidisation of the oil in the grease. Water contamination increases the rate of oxidation. Once a grease container is opened, it is susceptible to oxidisation and water contamination which results from condensation caused by daily temperature cycles and also from storage in humid conditions. Oxidisation and condensation also occur the same way inside bearing housing. Strict attention needs to be paid to

cleanliness during grease transfers from bulk supplies to greasing apparatus, and to the application of greasing equipment to grease points. Due to the nature of site conditions and the task itself, careful cleaning of grease points prior to greasing is frequently either not carried out properly, or at all. Static charges caused by friction in drives or belts can cause bearing currents which in turn can cause the steel rings and balls of the bearings to become magnetised, which worsens the problem of fine metallic particles introduced into the bearing as they will tend to stay there. Electrolytic action is present in most bearings where it is possible for the bearing and journal to act as electrodes, and where, due to some electrical phenomena, a difference of potential exists between them. A clean lubricant oil film acts as an insulator but impurities are the main cause of conductivity. Clean, uncontaminated lubricant oil cannot act as an electrolyte: the presence of water or other foreign matter will initiate electrolytic action of the oil in the grease, which will shorten the life of the bearing. If the static charges create induced currents or there are leakage currents — which may exist in certain circumstances in electric motor bearings, and these are large enough, the effect of shaft currents passing through an oil film in the bearing will be to accelerate polymerisation and oxidisation of the grease and cause thermal decomposition. The oil darkens in colour, sometimes increases in acidity, and generally deposits a chocolate-coloured precipitate in the lubricant oil. In severe cases arcing will also cause small particles of metal to flake off and contaminate the lubricant. If a shaft current is produced that is of sufficient strength to arc through the oil film, it can cause pitting of the shaft and bearing. GreaseMax lubricators are an answer to poor lubrication practices and can produce substantial improvement to maintenance and productivity outcomes. Greasemax greasemax.au

industryupdate.com.au

PRODUCTS

Peace of mind for contaminant-critical industries

ubricant contamination in compressed air systems is a risk. The quality of sensitive end products such as food and electronics, damage to tools and equipment, loss and delays in production and, in a worst-case scenario, the unlikely event of a complete shutdown for cleaning, repair and re-commissioning. Excess lubricants in the system can also cause a nutrient-rich environment, which would encourage unwanted microbiological growth. Oil contamination in food processing can be detrimental to taste, smell and appeal of the end product and can also damage consumer health. Packaging companies must also be aware that lubricant contamination of their products can leach into packaged products. Removing lubricant contamination Lubricant-free air is used in all kinds of sensitive industries where air quality is paramount for the end product and production process. These applications include food and beverage processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing and packaging, chemical and petrochemical processing, semiconductor and electronics manufacturing, the medical sector, automotive paint spraying, textile manufacturing and many more. In these critical environments, contamination by even the smallest quantities of lubricant can result in costly production downtime and product spoilage. Using lubricant-free compressors is one way to minimise oil contamination, however, this does not preclude the need for filtration because vapourised lubricant, hydrocarbons and other contaminants from the ambient air must also be removed prior to the point of use. Subsequently, air treatment identical to that used for an lubricant-injected screw compressor is frequently still required to ensure a given quality of compressed air. Lubricant-free and food-grade lubricant operated compressors cannot guarantee complete elimination of atmospheric and cleaning solvents’ intrusion to the system

industryupdate.com.au

so it is vital for containment-critical industries such as food manufacturing and packaging to incorporate stringent maintenance, proper filtration and regular testing into their disciplines. Manufacturers should determine a thorough risk assessment and analysis in relation to their compressed air system and product type to ensure the right purity class and strategy to remove any risk of lubricant and other contamination. Accredited laboratories can be engaged to assess and conduct appropriate testing to help formulate a suitable strategic and system monitoring program. Lubricant-free rotary screw compressors In a lubricant-free, dry compressor, the air is compressed entirely through the action of the screws, without the assistance of a lubricant seal. They usually have lower maximum discharge pressure capability as a result. However, two-stage lubricant-free compressors, where the air is compressed by two sets of screws, can achieve pressures of over 10 bar.g (150 psig), and output volume of over 50 m2/min (measured at 60 °C and atmospheric pressure). Lubricant-free rotary screw compressors do use lubricant for bearings and gears but these are isolated from the compression chamber. The lubricant is not part of the compression process and therefore, does not cause compressed air contamination. Krof, Kaishan’s new oil-free compressor A recent advanced innovation in oil-free air compressors is the Krof series from Kaishan. The Krof is a two-stage, oilfree, rotary screw air compressor that provides high-quality, ISO 8573-1 Class 0 lubricant-free, compressed air. By using two sequential compression stages — intercooling and aftercooling — users will receive high-quality air suitable for sensitive applications where purity is critical. Designed and manufactured in the US, the Krof series offers stellar efficiency and performance while

The Krof is a two-stage, oil-free, rotary screw air compressor that provides highquality, ISO 8573-1 Class 0 lubricant-free, compressed air providing highest purity air to meet and exceed the strict demands of critical compressed air standards users. Lubricant-free air blowers The food and beverage industry uses air blowers in many processing applications. The requirement for lubricant-free air in such applications is critical in the risk reduction of contamination in the end product and damage to the processing system. Delivery of 100% lubricant-free air also guarantees meeting government and industry regulations and energy saving targets. Lubricant-free blowers eliminate the need or risk of lubricant filtration methods throughout the system. Compared with a Roots blower*, the energy-saving ratio of a lubricant-free rotary screw blower increases with increases in operating pressure. Screw blowers operate at considerably lower temperatures and the sealed bearings remove the need for lubricating the air end. New advance in oil-free, high efficiency, low noise, lubricant-free screw blower Kaishan Compressors has introduced a high-performance double screw blower for Australian industry wanting a high efficiency, energy saving, low-noise blower for critical contamination-free applications. The advanced JNb series

of lubricant-free rotary screw blowers adopts a patented, double screw rotor profile with 6-4/5-3 male and female rotors. The advanced air end uses a pair of high precision, synchronous gears for the meshing operation. The blower includes a Y-4 profile double screw rotor; The Vi design includes multiple pressure ratios. For different discharge pressure applications. Pressure ratios are configured to achieve maximum efficiency. Low noise: The intake, exhaust noise reduction technology and fully sealed noise enclosure ensure the noise level meets international standards. Stable operation: With balanced power operation the blower can be easily installed without special foundations. Flexible flow control: Frequency converter adjusts air volume to meet demand thereby reducing energy usage. Integrated control system: With a dedicated microprocessor providing frequency conversion, interlock and air output variation, operation is easy to control and manage either remotely or at the machine.

*Roots blowers are commonly referred to as air blowers or positive displacement blowers.

Kaishan kaishan.com.au

Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 75

Events EVENTS

‘Celebration of manufacturing’ to return in 2024 delivering another strong show.” The numbers from the Melbourne AMW 2023 show are something of which AMTIL is particularly proud, as 15,914 attendees visited 348 exhibitors in the biggest exhibition space in Australia. AMW 2024 is expected to deliver the same if not better. “We will again be running the Future Solutions Speaker Program on the floor of the show. Themed towards opportunities and managing change, the speaker program is once again free for visitors to attend,” says Kim Banks, AMTIL’s Head of Events. “Our plans for AMW 2024 include

ustralian Manufacturing Week organiser AMTIL wants AMW 2024 to be more than an exhibition, it wants the show to be the centrepiece of a week-long celebration of manufacturing in Australia. Australia’s premier manufacturing technology trade show, Australian Manufacturing Week is a dynamic event that brings together professionals, companies and experts from many industries related to manufacturing, engineering and technology.

expansion of our Welding and Air Technology Zone and Robotics and Automation Zone. This will round out the event in representing the manufacturing technology sectors in Australia.” AMW 2024 When: 17-19 April, 2024 Where: Sydney ICC Darling Harbour

AMW australianmanufacturing week.com.au

“We are very pleased to have the support of the NSW Government as the Major Sponsor for AMW 2024. Government support is important in delivering the message to our industry that manufacturing is important and that the support mechanisms are there to assist,” said Shane Infanti, CEO of AMTIL. “On the back of the overwhelming success of AMW 2022 in Sydney, we have returned to Darling Harbour, Sydney for April 2024 and we’re excited to be

AMW2024 Seven Distinct Zones

reminder of the seven distinct zones at AMW 2024, each showcasing the highlights of the different active sectors in Australian manufacturing: The AUSTECH Machine Tool Zone is targeted at the metalworking, machine tool and ancillary market. AUSTECH covers advanced manufacturing products and processes including • CNC machinery, lathes, mills • contract manufacturing/precision machining • cutting tools, tooling and tool holding • forming and fabricating machines • plasma, laser, waterjet and ultrasonic machines • ancillary equipment suppliers. The Additive Manufacturing Zone will showcase the most advanced additive technologies and techniques including: stereolithography, selective

laser sintering, material extrusion, sheet lamination, binder jetting, cold spray-processing, material jetting, directed-energy deposition, powder-bed fusion, VAT photo-polymerisation and wire-arc manufacturing. The Australian Manufacturers Pavilion showcases the capabilities of Australia’s precision engineering and advanced manufacturing. It includes some of Australia’s more accomplished component manufacturers, precision engineering firms, toolmakers, advanced manufacturers, and general engineering companies. The Manufacturing Solutions Zone exhibits solutions to the most common manufacturing challenges — from materials handling and warehousing to integrated manufacturing and safety. Equipment from materials handling and

76 | Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023

logistics, safety products, through to the latest software for streamlining manufacturing operations, as well as specialist services including law, finance, skills, training, and recruitment are all here. The Robotics and Automation Zone at AMW 2024 will feature the latest state-of-the-art equipment and processes for the optimisation of manufacturing operations. Robots are practical technologies, with artificially intelligent software ‘brains’, created and designed by engineers to refine, manufacture, and move Australian manufacturing ahead. The robots of today are liberating human workers from an ever-growing array of repetitive and dangerous tasks. There will be industrial robotics, robots, automated solutions, instrumentation control systems, measurement, pneumatics, IOT, Industry 4.0 and digitalisation.

The Weld and Air Solutions Zone will highlight advanced welding processes and offers interactive experiences that demonstrate developments and applications. Welding is used in creating more than half of all products manufactured in Australia and of course is critical in metal fabrication and manufacturing. The Plastics Technology Zone is a hands-on opportunity to see and feel the latest in plastics machinery, mould-making technologies, recycling materials, and many processes in plastics manufacturing. Plastic technology is a specialisation which includes the study of diverse types of chemicals that exhibit plasticity and ways plastics can be used.

industryupdate.com.au

PRODUCTS

MGB2 Modular locks in adaptability

modular design is the secret to the adaptability of Euchner’s MGB2 Modular door and fence system which secures safety doors and

fences on machines and installations during hazardous machine movements. Available from Treotham Automation, the MGB2 Modular

consists of a locking module, plug-in submodules with control and indicating functions, plus an MBM bus module for connecting to ProfiNET/ProfiSafe and now also to EtherCAT/FSoE and EtherCAT P/FSoE as well. Two submodules let users integrate up to six different controls and indicators in the locking module. If that isn’t enough, the MCM expansion module considerably enhances what the Multifunctional Gate Box MGB2 Modular can do. All information from the connected modules comes together in the MBM bus module and is transferred to the installation’s control system. Comprehensive diagnostic and communication functions in the form of EtherCAT or ProfiNET messages and the integrated web server provide a fast, detailed overview of the device status. Electrical components and products supplier Treotham Automation is the Euchner distributor for Australia and New Zealand.

NEW full feature oil injected screw compressors 4-22kW

NEW generation series-4 screw compressors up to 160kW

Treotham treotham.com.au

A stylish accordion door that keeps curved openings secure

Oil free scroll compressors Medical, instrument, dental

High pressure piston and booster up to 40 bar(g)

rellis Doors’ stylish S08 accordion door is ideal to secure curved openings, whether these are tenancies, reception areas, curved glass windows or restaurant lease lines, benchtops or serveries. Secures special radius curves While the curved accordion door is able to traverse a 90 degree curved opening through a standard 600mm radius, it can also just as easily secure special radius bends – even S-bend configurations when the application requires. Each door is custom designed and built to ensure it meets your specific job requirements. industryupdate.com.au

Maximum design specifications Since the system can be fabricated in easily manageable sections through a series of intermediate up/down locks, it means that the door span is unlimited and can span any width. The maximum recommended height is 4000mm Advantages Unlike roller shutters, no cumbersome removable mullions are required and no headroom is needed for this product to be able to fit within your opening.

Colour range These doors are available in a standard black satin or pearl white powder coat finish. Special finishes are available at a premium. Warranty A 12-month warranty against defective materials and workmanship applies. Trellis Doors trellisdoors.com.au

NEW refrigerant compressed air dryer with sustainable, efﬁcient and smart operation From 15-6,000 cfm

For sales and service support contact your nearest BOGE partner www.boge.net.au or (03) 5940 5913

Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 77

Events

Upcoming Events Shaping Change at the 23rd World Congress on Safety and Health at Work 27 - 30 November 2023 ICC, Sydney The triennial World Congress on Safety and Health at Work is an opportunity to connect with global leaders in safety and harm prevention from more than 120 countries. Hosted by SafeWork NSW, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the The International Social Security Association.

ARBS 2024 28-30 May 2024 ICC, Sydney ARBS 2024, the Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Building Services Exhibition, is Australia’s only international HVAC&R and building services trade show. ARBS provides the most comprehensive range of HVAC&R and building services products and solutions in one location, allowing the entire industry to connect across three days. arbs.com.au

safety2023sydney.com

CeMAT

AUSTRALASIAN PROCESSING + PACKAGING EXPO

23-25 July 2024 MCEC, Melbourne

Yasmin Catley MP and Norman Ballard from Senquip at the Hunter Manufacturing Awards 2023

The CeMAT exhibition will be a onestop-shop of the leading technology and service providers in intralogistics, robotics and automation, warehousing, supply chain management and materials handling.CeMAT will showcase innovation and best practices in a wide variety of settings and sectors – from e-commerce to manufacturing, from the food industry to resources.

Awarding manufacturing success in the Hunter

12-15 March 2024 MCEC, Melbourne Australasia’s Processing and Packaging Expo is an exhibition that will truly represent all sectors of the industry, including machinery, ancillary equipment, materials and packaging, food processing and industry services. It will provide a comprehensive range of all processing and packaging equipment and services under one roof..

cemat.com.au

appex.com.au

Australian Waste & Recycling Expo

AMW 2024

24- 25 July 2024 ICC, Sydney

17-19 April 2024 ICC, Sydney Australia’s premier manufacturing technology trade show, Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW 2024), promises to be a dynamic event that brings together professionals, companies and experts from many industries related to manufacturing, engineering and technology. Organiser AMTIL’s goal is that AMW 2024 is more than an exhibition. Rather, it is to be the centrepiece of a week-long celebration of manufacturing in Australia. australianmanufacturingweek.com.au Sydney Build Expo 1-2 May 2024 ICC, Sydney Now in its 8th year, Sydney Build is the best-attended Construction & Design Event in the whole of Australia. The two-day event showcases all the latest opportunities in NSW and Australia. The event connects all key players in the industry and attracts attendees from: contractors, architects, engineers, housebuilders, developers, government and construction professionals.

Discover an exciting showcase of full circle innovative products and sustainable solutions to collect, process and recycle waste more smartly. Future critical areas include Machinery & Equipment, Software & Services, Bins, Vehicles, Food & Organics and more. awre.com.au LAND FORCES 2024 11-13 September 2024 MCEC, Melbourne A variety of exhibition and participation options are available and, as a centrepiece regional exhibition, the opportunities for business engagement at Land Forces will be considerable. In addition to hosting senior international military, defence, government, scientific and industry delegations from around the world, Land Forces will attract a comprehensive array of defence professionals and trade visitors at all levels. landforces.com.au

sydneybuildexpo.com

78 | Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023

igh-tech signmaker Hi-Vis took out multiple awards in October’s Hunter Manufacturing Awards, which recognised local businesses’ innovation and advancement in the sector. Carrington-headquartered Hi-Vis wore a path to the podium to collect the 2023 Manufacturer of the Year 50 Employees or More Award, along with the Excellence in Sustainable Operations Award and the Excellence in Manufacturing Capability Award. As a market leader in highly intelligent visual information systems (HIVIS), its signage products have been keeping Australians safe for more than 40 years. Hi-Vis has made significant investments in manufacturing technology and enjoys a close relationship with the engineering department at the University of Newcastle. HIVIS employs over 70 staff from digital printers and machinists to mechatronics engineers, installation teams and IT design and data specialists. The other major award winner, for Manufacturer of the Year - Less than 50 Employees, was telemetry products maker Senquip. The Taylors Beach business manufactures telemetry equipment that monitors and controls remote machinery in harsh industrial environments. Senquip also picked up the Excellence in Product Design Award. Its patented telemetry products are so highly adaptable they obviate the need for bespoke solutions. Senquip sells to New Zealand, England, France, Spain, the US, India, Italy, Uruguay, South Africa, and Papua New Guinea with significant potential for growth in each of these markets In recognising the winners HMA Chair Jacqui Daley said this year’s theme ‘Made in the Hunter, for the World’ encapsulated the purpose of the Hunter Manufacturing Awards.

“In a world marked by increasing demand and government initiatives aimed at advancing manufacturing capabilities, our local manufacturing sector is experiencing a resurgence,” Daley said. “[Hunter] manufacturers are innovating across a diverse range of sectors, from the medical and food industries to supply chains, embracing smart technologies and revitalising traditional processes,” she said. And the winners were … 1. Manufacturer of the Year – 50 Employees or More Award: Hi-Vis Group 2. Manufacturer of the Year – Less than 50 Employees Award: Senquip 3. Apprentice of the Year – Manufacturing: Adam Potter, Molycop 4. Rising Star Award (joint winners): Liam Manning, Saphi Engineering and Curtis Gibson, A.E. Gibson & Sons 5. Manufacturing Leader Award: Craig de Leon, Elecbrakes 6. Excellence in Sustainable Operations Award: Hi-Vis Group 7. Collaboration Partnership Award: Resourceful Living and Hunter New England Health 8. Excellence in Innovation Award: Saphi Engineering 9. Excellence in Manufacturing Capability Award: Hi-Vis Group 10. Excellence in Building Workforce Capability for the Future Award: Hedweld 11. Excellence in Product design: Senquip 12. Outstanding Start-up Award: Janus Electric 13. Excellence in Marketing: Hey Zomi 14. Excellence in Export and Global Supply Chains Award: Bekaert Australia industryupdate.com.au

PRODUCTS

BOGE’s S-4 compressor series has better efficiency and longevity

hether as a direct work medium, or as a pneumatic drive or to control valves and switches, compressed air is an important component of many industrial processes. The energy source is also used for power transmission as well as for transport or cleaning of materials. With the S-4 series, BOGE’s developers and engineers have achieved a major breakthrough. The models have significant advantages when it comes to the following aspects: • Energy consumption • Sound insulation • Maintenance • Longevity • Sustainability. The S-4 series quickly pays dividends. It is even suitable for use in sensitive and demanding environments, such as food technology, or in adverse conditions, such as the mining sector and foundries. The S-4 compressors The airend specifically developed by BOGE is powered directly. The drive is hermetically sealed, very robust and therefore low-maintenance. No dust or dirt can get in and wear is significantly minimised – a huge advantage compared with belt-driven compressors. As an option, the speed can be controlled using a frequency converter and can be adapted to the compressed air requirements. How can efficiency be increased? Compared with the competition, the S-4 series models produce excellent free air delivery at low specific power consumption. These efficiency benefits are based on the revolutionary construction concept – the generously-sized components reduce internal pressure losses. The powerful, energy-saving IE4 motors provide an additional advantage in terms of efficiency.

Which components ensure quiet operation? Flexible mounting brackets for the drive motor, airend and oil separation tank result in quiet operation. Oscillations cannot be transmitted, thanks to the smart fixing on the base frame. The generously sized cooling/ventilation unit with separate oil and air coolers ensures sound-optimised cooling air. Furthermore, the sound pressure level is reduced by the radial fan’s low speed. In addition, sound insulation panels limit acoustic emissions. How does BOGE guarantee quick maintenance and a long service life? The compressor offers reliable operation with little need for maintenance. Oil separation, for example, takes place via a standing oil separator with a central oil separating element. The innovative separation technology allows service lives of up to 9,000 operating hours. The cartridge can be replaced easily and conveniently. During maintenance, sound insulation panels and components can be removed or replaced using only a few actions. Access is provided from two sides. Oil and air coolers can easily be removed and cleaned via a tray.

S-4 series supplemented with additional power range The S-4 series models have previously been available in the range of 55 to 160 kW. BOGE has nowextended this. Thanks to the new series with a range of 45 to 75 kW, companies and businesses with low compressed air requirements can now also benefit from the S-4 series advantages. For the new models, BOGE reduced the footprint to 1.2m x 2m, thus creating a compact design with cost benefits. The compressors feature the tried-andtested airend and are characterised by all the S-4 series advantages. The efficient motors must also be highlighted here: Customers can choose between compressors with a fixed speed and IE4 motor and frequency-controlled models with a permanent magnet motor. This reduces power consumption again compared with the previous models and increases free air delivery. Use of the efficient motors and low energy consumption is also accompanied by a reduction in CO2 emissions.

BOGE has also improved user-friendliness again. For example, the operating element that is attached to the housing is now angled for optimised legibility. Designed to take the lead even under tough conditions Thanks to the technology, construction and design changes, the S-4 series compressors in the range of 45 to 75 kW – as well as the models in the higher power range – are suitable even for sensitive applications and demanding environments, withstanding dust and dirt. The models provide maximum reliability and are designed for a long service life. In combination with the smart control and other options, such as external heat recovery, efficiency values can be increased and maintained at the maximum level.

BOGE boge.com

WHAT’S POOR LUBRICATION COSTING YOU?

www.greasemax.au industryupdate.com.au

Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023 | 79

Events

Your Global Automation Partner

The Best Move – Safety First

LEARN MORE

Decentralized safety systems place personal protection close to the danger points and create levels of freedom for modular production www.turck.com/da-safety 80 | Industry Update Issue 135 November 2023

industryupdate.com.au