MM Apr 2021

manmonthly.com.au

MANAGEMENT >> TECHNOLOGY >> SOLUTIONS

APRIL 2021

CAPS’ BRUMBY NEW VARIABLE SPEED DRIVE 5-15kW COMPRESSORS NOW AVAILABLE

// COMPLETE SOLUTION WITH DRYER // EUROPEAN MADE

35%

POWER SAVINGS OVER // UP TO FIXED SPEED COMPRESSORS* *Based on comparible compressors running @ 75% load

caps.com.au

YOUR COMPLETE SOLUTION AIR, POWER AND GAS PRODUCTION FOR MANUFACTURING With over 40 years of experience under our belt, CAPS delivers innovative turnkey solutions.

CAPS Australia offer the widest range of industrial air compressors and power generation solutions in Australia, including centrifugal blowers, compressed air dryers, pressure vessels and industrial generators.

With nine branches located nationwide, it’s easy to get in touch with our knowledgeable team and get expert advice to ensure you purchase the right product for your requirements.

AIR COMPRESSORS

AIR TREATMENT

POWER GENERATORS

GAS GENERATION

BLOWERS

24/7 SERVICE

We have an extensive range of industrial equipment by world-renowned brands, including Ingersoll Rand, Kohler, AIRMAN and Pedro Gil. Our products are built tough for Australian conditions and backed by our 24/7 service guarantee. Our flexible range of smart air servicing packages are specifically designed to make your life as simple as possible. They include: • • • • •

Rapid-response 24/7 support Fast, easy access to local expertise Spare parts from nine nationwide service centres Quick parts deployment Multi-brand trained technicians for on-call support

OV

1800 800 878 caps.com.au

ER

To round out our complete offer, we also have rental options available to meet your short term or long term needs.

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

manmonthly.com.au

MANAGEMENT >> TECHNOLOGY >> SOLUTIONS

APRIL 2021

MANUFACTURING TO DETECT COVID-19 Official Industry Partners

INSIDE >>

Print Post Approved PP100007882

>>

26 Compressor maintenance for 2021

28 Fabrication with aluminium

34 Sustainability in manufacturing

manmonthly.com.au twitter.com/Manmonthly facebook.com/Manmonthly

Inside­­

For daily news visit manmonthly.com.au

APRIL 2021

linkedin.com/showcase/manufacturer’s-monthly/

CEO: John Murphy Publisher: Christine Clancy Group Managing Editor (Northern): Syed Shah syed.shah@primecreative.com.au Journalist: Caroline Tung caroline.tung@primecreative.com.au Production Coordinator: Michelle Weston michelle.weston@primecreative.com.au Art Director: Blake Storey Design: Kerry Pert, Madeline McCarty

26

Sales/Advertising: Danilo Cortucci Ph: 0434 419 663 danilo.cortucci@primecreative.com.au

32

Subscriptions Published 11 times a year Subscriptions $140.00 per annum (inc GST) Overseas prices apply Ph: (03) 9690 8766

Copyright Manufacturers’ Monthly is owned by Prime Creative Media and published by John Murphy. All material in Manufacturers’ Monthly is

Manufacturers’ Monthly Contents 6

Editor’s Note

25 Women In Industry

32 Industrial Connectivity

8 Comment

26 Compressors

34 Sustainability

12 News@MM

28 Metal Fabrication

36 Sensors

22 Issues & Insights

30 3D Printing

40 The Last Word

3 News

11 IICA News

13 Bearings

6 IIoT

12 Actuator Systems

15 New Products

copyright and no part may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means (graphic, electronic or mechanical including information and retrieval systems) without written permission of the publisher. The Editor welcomes contributions but reserves the right to accept or reject any material. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information, Prime Creative Media will not accept responsibility for

PACE Contents

errors or omissions or for any consequences arising from reliance on information published.

The opinions expressed in Manufacturers’ Monthly are not necessarily the opinions of, or endorsed by the publisher unless otherwise stated. © Copyright Prime Creative Media, 2019 Articles All articles submitted for publication become the property of the publisher. The Editor reserves the right to adjust any article to conform with the magazine format.

Behind the cover

manmonthly.com.au

MANAGEMENT >> TECHNOLOGY >> SOLUTIONS

APRIL 2021

Head Office 11-15 Buckhurst St South Melbourne VIC 3205 P: +61 3 9690 8766 enquiries@primecreative.com.au www.primecreative.com.au Sydney Office Suite 3.06, 1-9 Chandos Street Saint Leonards NSW 2065, Australia P: +61 2 9439 7227

As support for manufacturing continues to gain momentum with the launch of the federal government’s Modern Manufacturing Initiative, displays of Australian ingenuity continue to stand out, both domestically and around the world.

In the April edition of Manufacturers’ Monthly, we interviewed Dr David McCarthy from Monash University about the “Torpedo Passive Sampler”, a device

for detecting COVID-19. Such is the popularity of the device that the team now has 15 3D printers continuously manufacturing the sampler every day and exporting it to international markets.

We also continue to celebrate small businesses that make a difference in Australian manufacturing by exploring R&D opportunities and gain a competitive edge in the digital age.

Enjoy!

CAPS’ BRUMBY NEW VARIABLE SPEED DRIVE 5-15kW COMPRESSORS NOW AVAILABLE

// COMPLETE SOLUTION WITH DRYER // EUROPEAN MADE

35%

POWER SAVINGS OVER // UP TO FIXED SPEED COMPRESSORS* *Based on comparible compressors running @ 75% load

caps.com.au

Manufacturers Monthly Cover March 2021.indd 1

9/03/2021 1:35:52 PM

Printed by: Manark Printing 28 Dingley Ave Dandenong VIC 3175 Ph: (03) 9794 8337

4 APRIL 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

manmonthly.com.au

We bring colour into view!

Compact capacitive level switches with 360° custom-colour status display

256 colours Individually selectable: Measurement in progress Sensor switching Process malfunction

15 cm

Compact design

Hygienic adapter system

Adjustment via smartphone

$ 243 VEGAPOINT 21 G½"

www.vega.com/vegapoint

Comment

SYED SHAH – Managing Editor, Manufacturers’ Monthly

Reopening and moving on

W

ITH the government’s $1.5bn investment into its Modern Manufacturing Strategy, it does not take an expert to forecast the significant increase in components and machinery made locally down the road.

Since the start of March, the federal government has made its investment available to two of the six priority manufacturing sectors. With this, manufacturers can apply for a grant to build and strengthen their supply chains, handle mass production, train up employees, scale up technology and improve overall competitiveness.

In New South Wales, the Western Sydney region is taking the opportunity to turn into a manufacturing hotspot.

Earlier this month at Emu Plains, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and members of the Federal Cabinet attended a manufacturing forum organised

by Melissa McIntosh, the Federal member for Lindsay, to meet with local manufacturing businesses.

Scott Morrison was there together with Hon Marise Payne, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Hon Karen Andrews Minister for Industry, Science and Technology.

Representatives from numerous businesses from Western Sydney including SpanSet, Custom Denning, Sigra Technology, Baker & Provan, Grant Engineered and Two Way Cranes represented a range of industries including defence, transport, engineering and construction. They shared their challenges and thoughts around the strengths of local manufacturing industries in New South Wales with Morrison.

While there is still much to be done, since the government has begun to pledge more towards certain manufacturing industries, the activity in the sector has certainly increased.

Recently, the Australian Industry 6 APRIL 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

Group (Ai Group) Australian Performance of Manufacturing Index (Australian PMI) increased by 3.5 points to 58.8 in February 2021. According to the Ai Group, this was the index’s highest monthly result since March 2018 (readings above 50 points indicate expansion in activity, with higher results indicating a faster rate of expansion). At many points last year, the readings did fall below the 50 and at one point to 35.8 due to a halt in production and sales due to COVID-19.

With businesses across Australia adapting to COVID-19 supply chain conditions, coupled with significant grant injections by the federal government, production and employment were boosted.

As Ai Group CEO, Innes Willox, pointed out, this was especially so with producers of machinery, equipment and chemical products.

There seemed to be a lot of lost ground in 2020 that manufacturers seemed to be making up for since

late last year to the present.

Willox indicated that the food and beverage sector, which did well during the COVID-19 crisis, has continued to expand and manufacturers are “generally positive” in their outlook for the next few months. However, he, like most of us, continue to be hopeful about the pace of the easing of restrictions on activity, and cross-border travel are wound back.

At the recent Australian Financial Review Business Summit, where state premiers and the prime minister shared their thoughts on the COVID-19 situation, the opening of borders and Australia’s economic situation was raised. NSW’s premier Gladys Berejiklian was reported to have questioned the eradication mindset undertaken by her counterparts. It was reported that “small outbreaks in one state have resulted in borders being closed to that state with little or no notice

and severe economic disruption”.

This is true to a large extent and the manufacturing sector, which depends heavily on interborder access and movement, has been greatly affected by this close-as-yousee-fit policy. While it is good to err on the side of caution, still, there has to come a time where it might seem silly. Berejiklian seems to be hinting at this.

Last but not least the prime minister made no effort at hiding that we do need to upgrade ourselves. Morrison stated that upskilling was the “the most critical economic challenge” and, worryingly he also mentioned that there are jobs that “Australians refuse to do”. While that may be debatable, the simple solution lies then with upskilling – retrain or add on a new skill set if one wants to take on a higher-end, better paying job. There are already new jobs created in the market, but they require advanced skills. manmonthly.com.au

CLOSED EXPORT BORDERS NEED OPEN LOCAL MINDS The Australian ban on the export of whole used tyres from December 2021 demands real-world and innovative thinking from local rubber processors and manufacturers. If you use raw rubber or tyre derived rubber in your products or have an innovative use for end-of-life tyres, we want to hear from you.

WE SUPPORT AND FUND LOCAL SOLUTIONS AND WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) is building a comprehensive database of all things rubber related and want you to get on board. Get in contact with TSA today to discuss the myriad of options for virgin rubber right through to tyre derived products and applications.

To register email

tammie.miller@tyrestewardship.org.au tyrestewardship.org.au

Comment

GEOFF CRITTENDEN – CEO, Weld Australia

A gas-led recovery will not work

“W

E need to get the gas from under our feet.”

So said Prime Minister Scott Morrison during a speech in late January, emphasising his plans for a “gas-led recovery” following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Morrison has committed a whopping $6 billion to the development of gas in Australia, in an economic strategy that is entirely contrary to the interests of the country.

Meanwhile, Australian manufacturing is in decline, despite the significant contribution that the industry can – and already does – make towards the economy and the national interest. Our economic recovery should be led by manufacturing. It should take advantage of, and building

on, the substantial innovation, skills and technology that are readily available.

Government, at all levels, must invest in the manufacturing sector to support its growth.

Australia’s COVID-19 recovery cannot be resource led. It must be manufacturing led.

Now is the time to rejuvenate our manufacturing industry – to make manufacturing a national priority.

A resources-led recovery just won’t work The Federal Government’s plan to invest in gas would significantly expand the industry and tie our economic fortunes to the resource for decades to come.

The strategy is based on the

idea that manufacturing relies on gas in a way that cannot be replaced by alternative energy solutions. But as we know – and as Ai Group pointed out to the government – manufacturing’s reliance on gas has been completely overstated. We do not need investment in gas to become a more successful industry. We need investment in manufacturing itself, including technology, equipment and education.

Further, Australia’s major export markets for LNG, such as Japan, South Korea, and China have committed to reaching net zero emissions in the next 30 years.

Globally, countries are turning away from gas and coal and investing in renewables. It simply doesn’t

Australia needs more investment in manufacturing itself, including technology, equipment and education.

8 APRIL 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

make sense to base our economic recovery on a resource that has a clear expiry date.

In fact, the gas industry has been preparing for this transition for years, cancelling major projects and laying off workers. Since 2011, Australian gas companies have lost between 50 and 70 per cent of their value. To think that this loss-making industry is going to lead Australia out of economic trouble is absurd. Our government needs to stop pursuing industries that will be almost redundant in 30 years’ time and begin to invest in future-proofing our local manufacturing sector.

The future lies in advanced manufacturing Advanced manufacturing is the way forward. Overseas investment in advanced manufacturing is prioritised by governments, and local populations support the industry by buying locallymade goods. Advanced manufacturing employs millions of people in overseas markets, contributing billions of dollars to their economies.

In Germany, advanced manufacturing has been identified as one of the highest-priority manufacturing technology areas in need of government investment.

Over 15 million people are directly and indirectly employed in the advanced manufacturing industries in Germany. By 2025, 84 per cent of German manufacturers plan to invest €10bn per year into smart manufacturing technologies, including in engineering and construction, electronics, metal working, and the automotive industry. 20,000 industrial robots are utilised in Germany each year, making it one of the largest markets for robots in the world.

Similarly, Sweden has invested heavily in R&D and innovation to continually grow and improve their manufacturing sector. Today, the manufacturing and industrial engineering sector accounts for 20 per manmonthly.com.au

cent of Sweden’s GDP, or US$110bn.

The Swedish Government has long supported their local manufacturing industry, focusing on digitalisation, innovation, and promoting talent.

It is no surprise that the industry attracts significant investment, with current annual R&D investment of around US$11bn.

Advanced manufacturing has been shown to boost profitability in countries around the world. Labour cost savings through automation and robotics have resulted in a 33 per cent cost savings for manufacturing industries in South Korea, and a 25 per cent saving in Japan. Money invested in upgrades and new technology has been shown to be quickly recouped: in the US, a Toyota plant spent $1.2 million on a smart factory modernisation and saved $1 million in the first nine months through maintenance savings alone.

And while there has been some scare-mongering around robots replacing humans in manufacturing industries, in reality the opposite is true. Higher profits that result from smart manufacturing technologies give companies more capital to finance improvements and expansions, which require hiring more workers. Dangerous and mundane jobs are completed by robots, while humans are retrained to take on more challenging tasks. According to one research company estimate, 15 million new jobs will be created in the US over the next decade as a direct result of automation and artificial intelligence.

The possibilities of local innovation Despite having a fraction of the support and investment that has contributed to other countries’ success in advanced manufacturing and technology, Australia has made astounding advancements. manmonthly.com.au

Advanced manufacturing has been identified as one of the highest-priority manufacturing technology areas in need of government investment for many countries.

Strength through technology transfer The QUT Centre for Robotics is at the forefront of innovation in intelligent robotics. Some of their amazing projects include the development of the: RangerBot AUV, an underwater robotic vehicle with advanced real-time image processing; the ‘Kelpie’, an autonomous robot for use in large scale agriculture and weed management; and a robot manipulator designed to perform maintenance on mining machines to avoid the risk of human intervention.

Innovation in advanced manufacturing is – in no way – limited to Australian universities.

Many of our local SMEs are at the cutting edge of research and development. For instance, the Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Industry 4.0 methodologies and technologies developed

by Queensland-based IR4 are setting global benchmarks in efficiency. It is for this reason that IR4 (in partnership with Weld Australia and QUT) is in a position to engage with global prime contractor, BAE Systems, on using their technology to improve welding cobot capabilities for the Hunter Class Frigate Program.

A key ingredient in an advanced manufacturing post-COVID recovery is technology transfer. By sharing skills, knowledge, insights and technology, the Australian manufacturing industry can speed up commercialisation, reduce overheads, streamline internal processes and enter export markets more quickly.

Weld Australia recognises the importance of technology transfer, which is why we host and administer Technology Networks.

Comprised of industry-leading companies, state road authorities, major power stations and a range of prime contractors, our Technology Networks provide a forum for sharing insights and R&D, and link members with industry and research organisations.

We are not the body helping to support technology transfer in the manufacturing industry; some state governments have also stepped up.

For instance, the Queensland state government recently allocating $30m to fund a series of Regional Manufacturing Hubs. These Hubs are assisting local manufacturing businesses to take advantage of new technologies and build strong links with universities, TAFEs and schools,

developing a future workforce ready to take on the challenges of becoming a world leader in advanced manufacturing.

Manufacturing contributes around $20bn to the Queensland economy each year and creates a significant amount of direct and indirect employment. Clearly, the Queensland state government has made a smart investment in the Hubs, demonstrating a growth mindset that is sadly lacking in other parts of the country.

A manufacturing-led recovery Economic recovery in a postCOVID world must be based on investment in the Australian manufacturing industry. The boost to the national economy provided by a globally-competitive manufacturing sector would put us in a strong position to repay the $230bn pandemic stimulus package debt – something that simply won’t be achieved through federal investment in gas.

It will take strong leadership, investment in technology and education, and the support of government at all levels. Only then can Australian manufacturing return to its former prosperity and make a vital contribution to Australia’s economy, workforce, and future.

Manufacturers’ Monthly APRIL 2021 9

Comment

VONDA FENWICK – CEO, South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance

The welder shortage and an industry-led proposal to tackle it Apprenticeship training is not delivering the number of welders required and there is a need for urgent action by governments.

S

EMMA (South East Melbourne Manufacturer’s Alliance) has developed an industry-led proposal to begin to tackle the current welder shortage hitting Australian industry. As anyone who has operated in the engineering/ sheet metal sector understands, Australian industry has suffered a severe shortage of suitably trained and skilled welders for more than 25 years. The reality of Australia’s construction led COVID recovery and the increased Defence focus over the coming years will increase demand for skilled welders exponentially.

A local company in the South East has 30 welders employed from the Philippines. The only thing preventing other manufacturers from reluctantly bringing in overseas workers currently is COVID- induced border restrictions.

Existing processes and “solutions” are clearly not working. Weld Australia reports that welder training in Australia is outdated and underfunded and “the TAFE welding course and curriculum … bears no relation to what is actually required by industry”.

Apprenticeship training is not 10 APRIL 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

delivering the number of welders required: with a need for urgent action, manufacturers cannot wait for three years for welders to come on stream from their local TAFE. Several years ago, unable to get experienced welders, one of our SEMMA Board members, Todd Hartley at Hilton Engineering, set up his own welding school for a time, running a short course welding programme, in order to produce the welders he needed. At the same time, other companies were bringing in welders (some with questionable skill level!) from overseas on 457 visas.

SEMMA is now looking to reestablish the short course welding programme but this time to supply welders to SEMMA members and other key employers in the South East. We are looking to run a pilot programme for a model which we believe could ultimately be rolled out in Manufacturing hubs around the country.

For participants who complete the 150-hour welding programme jobs will be available within local

industry. SEMMA has undertakings from employers ready to employ candidates who participate in the industry-led short course.

SEMMA’s proposed short course will equip participants to perform the work of “Class 2 Welders” – sufficient to meet an estimated 70+ per cent of welding tasks required by manufacturers in the South East.

SME manufacturers in the South East do not employ welders on the basis of a TAFE or other certificate; they require a practical demonstration of the welder’s knowledge and skills. Insisting on a three-year apprenticeship, at significant cost per apprentice to the Victorian Government, is NOT an industry driven solution.

The proposed SEMMA course will NOT produce welders with the competence and capability required of a submarine, aircraft or other high-skill welding role. However, it will equip participants to perform many welding tasks in manufacturing and can provide the foundation for subsequent development

through appropriate standards-based, micro-courses to upskill them.

An initial EOI with SEMMA members received an overwhelming and rapid response; employers are desperate to fill welder vacancies and, the inability to find suitable staff has meant turning away work.

In a time when governments at both State and Federal level are publicly talking up support for manufacturing it is tragic that manufacturers are unable to fill vacancies when unemployment in the South East is at above average levels. It is also extremely disappointing that to date neither level of government is willing to financially contribute to the industry-led initiative.

It is recognised that the SEMMA short course welding programme is something of a “disruptor”; in so far as it is outside the TAFE sector, the formal Australian Qualifications framework and does not result in a recognised certificate at the completion of the 150 hours of training. However, what it does offer is a skill set in an area of demand which can provide meaningful, fulltime work and a career path for those wishing to pursue a career in the sector. At a more fundamental level it provides work for those currently unemployed and meaningful work is recognised as an important factor in mental health – an issue brought into stark relief during the constraints of the COVID pandemic.

In addition to the current welder shortages, one of the reasons we have commenced this process is a fear that the “Infrastructure Led Recovery” will pull welders from the manufacturing sector, much as the mines called welders away during the mining boom. We simply cannot wait for three years for TAFE to turn out a couple of hundred apprentices. We need a more creative solution, and we believe that is what SEMMA’s proposal offers; it is the welding equivalent of a “shovel ready project” … even though it may well be viewed by some as a “disruptor”. manmonthly.com.au

Defend your critical networks.

Strengthen industrial cybersecurity without compromising efficiency.

As industrial devices become more connected through the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) there is not only great potential for businesses to optimise operations, there is also a significant challenge – cybersecurity. Moxa’s range of robust network devices meet the technical security requirements of the globally recognised IEC 62443 standard, which ensures your critical control systems are well protected against network intrusions or attacks.

Connect with confidence.

Madison Technologies has been distributing Moxa’s reliable networking infrastructure Australia wide for more than 14 years. Our team is dedicated to ensuring our Moxa portfolio is fully supported with an extensive range held locally across our national supply chain, and a team of Moxa certificated sales and technical support engineers.

Sales Enquiries 1800 72 79 79

www.madison.tech

News @MM Boeing Loyal wingman uncrewed aircraft completes first flight

The Loyal Wingman project is a pathfinder for the integration of autonomous systems and artificial intelligence to create smart human-machine teams.

The first military aircraft designed and manufactured in Australia in more than 50 years has flown from the Woomera Range Complex.

Boeing Australia and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) have completed the first test flight of the Loyal Wingman uncrewed aircraft while supervised by a Boeing test pilot.

RAAF head of Air Force capability, Air vice-marshal Cath Roberts said the flight was a major step as part of a long-term project between the RAAF and Boeing Australia.

“The Loyal Wingman project is a pathfinder for the integration of autonomous systems and artificial intelligence to create smart humanmachine teams,” she said.

“Through this project we are learning how to integrate these new capabilities to complement and extend

air combat and other missions.”

Following a series of taxi tests validating ground handling, navigation and control, and pilot interface, the aircraft completed a successful takeoff under its own power. It then flew a pre-determined route at different speeds and altitudes and verified flight functionality and demonstrate the performance of the Airpower Teaming System design.

Boeing Defence, Space and Security president and CEO, Leanne Caret, said Boeing and Australia are pioneering fully integrated combat operations by crewed and uncrewed aircraft.

“We’re honoured to be opening this part of aviation’s future with the Royal Australian Air Force, and we look forward to showing others how they also could benefit from our loyal wingman capabilities,” she said.

With support from more than 35 Australian industry teams and leveraging Boeing’s innovative processes, including model-based engineering techniques, such as a digital twin to digitally flighttest missions, the team was able to manufacture the aircraft from design to flight in three years.

This first Loyal Wingman aircraft is serving as the foundation for the Boeing Airpower Teaming System being developed for various global defence customers. The aircraft will fly alongside other platforms, using artificial intelligence to team with existing crewed and uncrewed assets to complement mission capabilities.

More Loyal Wingman aircraft are currently under development, with plans for teaming flights scheduled for later this year.

Australian PMI recovery strengthens in February 2021 The Australian Industry Group Australian Performance of Manufacturing Index (Australian PMI) increased by 3.5 points to 58.8 in February 2021.

It is the index’s highest monthly result since March 2018 (readings above 50 points indicate expansion in activity, with higher results indicating a faster rate of expansion).

Ai Group CEO, Innes Willox, said Australia’s manufacturers lifted production and employment in February, as sales recovered a large share of the ground lost in 2020.

“Growth was distributed broadly across manufacturing with particular strength among producers of machinery and equipment and chemical products,” he said.

“The building products sector saw a welcome return to growth on the back of strength in house building and renovations.

12 APRIL 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

“The large food and beverage sector continued to expand while the metal products sector slipped lower in February. Manufacturers are generally positive about the outlook for the next few months with new orders coming in at a greater pace as restrictions on activity and cross-border travel are hopefully wound back.”

Six of the seven activity indices in the Australian PMI expanded in February 2021 , with only the stocks (inventories) index contracting (down 5.6 points to 48.0), because of buoyant sales in the month (up 15.7 points to 62.2).

Production, sales, employment and new orders improved from the December and January period, with the new orders index (up 5.3 points to 59.9) indicating further strong production in the coming months.

Five of the six manufacturing sectors in the Australian PMI

expanded in February, with only the metal products sector reporting mildly negative conditions (down 0.8 points to 48.7).

The input prices index jumped above its long-run average (67.4 points) to record its highest result since October 2019 (up 9.7 points to 74.1), indicating

faster input price increases, on average, for manufacturers.

Selling prices increased slightly (up 0.4 points to 51.2).

The average wages index returned to more normal levels in February (up 1.8 points to 58.2) after dropping sharply due to COVID-19 in 2020.

Australia’s manufacturers lifted production and employment in February, as sales recovered a large share of the ground lost in 2020.

manmonthly.com.au

News @MM PM promotes Australian Made The Prime Minister and members of the Federal Cabinet recently attended a Manufacturing Forum to meet with local manufacturing businesses.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Hon Marise Payne, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Hon Karen Andrews Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, joined Melissa McIntosh Federal Member for Lindsay, who organised and hosted the forum.

Representatives from numerous businesses from Western Sydney including SpanSet, Custom Denning, Sigra Technology, Baker & Provan, Grant Engineered and Two Way Cranes represented a range of industries including defence, transport, engineering and construction.

“I have been fighting for Western Sydney to be at the forefront of the

manmonthly.com.au

Prime Minister Scott Morrison met with members of the Advancing Manufacturing Taskforce and learned how the government can better support manufacturing. new era in Australian manufacturing.

The forum was a great opportunity to demonstrate the strength of our local manufacturing industries and provide feedback from local manufacturers directly to the Prime Minister,” McIntosh said.

“I brought the Prime Minister

to meet with members of my Advancing Manufacturing Taskforce in a roundtable discussion. From Australian made windows and furniture to transport and defence, the Prime Minister heard directly from local manufacturers on the support the Morrison Government is

delivering, and how we can further support them to build a resilient and sustainable manufacturing industry,” she said.

Following the forum, McIntosh and the Prime Minister joined executive chairman of Visy, Anthony Pratt, at Visy Glass in Penrith where Pratt, announced a $2 billion investment over the next decade into Australian manufacturing.

“I spoke with Anthony Pratt about how we’re both backing manufacturing in Western Sydney.

Visy’s investment in Penrith is a great show of confidence in our local manufacturing industry. Our plan is about getting the economic conditions right so manufacturers can do what they do best, from large businesses like Visy to small businesses like PlusTec, so they can scale up, expand, and create more local jobs,” said McIntosh.

Manufacturers’ Monthly APRIL 2021 13

News @MM CSIRO secures licence to develop medical cannabis CSIRO is currently the only independent research institute in Australia able to develop drug manufacturing protocols in the medicinal cannabis space.

CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, will develop new medicinal cannabis products to help people with a variety of conditions including multiple sclerosis and chronic pain.

Under a new licence, CSIRO will support the burgeoning local industry and partner with local manufacturers to drive the development of new cannabis therapeutics, in a move that will create new jobs in Australia.

The global market for medicinal cannabis is projected to be worth US$44 billion by 2024.

CSIRO Scientist, Adjunct Professor Peter Duggan, said the licence placed CSIRO at the forefront of research into the development of new cannabis medicines.

“Around the world, researchers 14 APRIL 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

are exploring the potential for medicinal cannabis to help with conditions such as epilepsy and the nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy treatment, multiple sclerosis and chronic pain,” Duggan said.

“We had been able to do early-stage work with cannabis, but the new licence will enable us to develop cannabis-derived cannabinoid medicines using innovative extraction, refinement and formulation techniques.”

CSIRO is currently the only independent research institute in Australia able to develop drug manufacturing protocols in the medicinal cannabis space.

This work will bridge the gap between the growing of plants and the manufacture of medicines, with the researchers developing

the manufacturing protocols and preparing the first prototype products before transferring the technology to manufacturers for large scale production.

The use of cannabis for medicinal purposes is highly regulated in Australia.

However, in December the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved over-the-counter pharmacy sales of a low dose form of cannabidiol (CBD), one of the key components of cannabis that can help with a range of medical conditions.

Medicinal cannabis products, in the form of oils, capsules, oral sprays, lozenges or other drug formats, can also be prescribed through the TGA’s Special Access Scheme.

Peter Crock, CEO of industry

leading medicinal cannabis company, Cann Group, and Chair of Medicinal Cannabis Industry Australia (MCIA), said there were over 20 medicinal cannabis companies currently listed on the ASX, and a growing number of licenced cultivators and manufacturers now in Australia.

“Cann Group has worked closely with CSIRO over the past three years and has been pleased with the results,” Crock said.

“With this independent license CSIRO will be able to play a key role in helping establish a vibrant industry in Australia.

“Research that creates new and enhanced medical products and improves manufacturing processes is important if we want Australia’s medicinal cannabis industry to be competitive in a global market.” manmonthly.com.au

News @MM Vic government $4.4m grant for innovators to manufacture from reusable waste The Victorian state government is giving innovators $4.4 million to create everyday products from reusable waste while getting those ideas out of the lab and into the market with a new round of recycling infrastructure grants.

Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio announced 19 projects will share in $2.6 million to support innovative use of recycled materials in infrastructure projects delivered by local councils and alpine resort management boards.

“We’re reshaping our waste and recycling industry, driving job creation and putting valuable materials back into the economy,” Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio said. “Projects like this give old tyres

and old materials a new life. This kind of innovation creates endless business opportunities and jobs.”

Together these 19 projects will support 338 new jobs and use approximately 2,000 tonnes of recycled materials, including glass, plastic and rubber, to create roads, footpaths, outdoor park furniture, drainage and pavements.

Among the successful councils is the City of Darebin, who has secured $300,000 to upgrade the KP Hardiman Hockey Field using recycled material. Players are expected to be scoring goals at the upgraded facilities by July 2021.

As part of the redevelopment, recycled glass will be used in new concrete pathways, recycled plastic will become asphalt, and outdoor furniture and shockpads installed

under artificial turf will be made from rubber tyres.

The Labor Government will further increase the use of recycled materials across the economy by supporting innovation and product development with the launch of the $1.8 million Research and Development Fund.

Grants of between $75,000 and $300,000 are available to support

research institutes and industry to develop new products made from recycled materials including plastic, paper, cardboard, glass and tyres.

These grants will see more recycled materials used in local community spaces and the development of exciting products that we are yet to discover, helping to create local jobs in new industries.

With the grant, 19 projects will support 338 new jobs and use approximately 2,000 tonnes of recycled materials.

SERVICING ALL YOUR INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL AIR COMPRESSOR NEEDS Sullair works with some of Australia’s most prominent brands across manufacturing, mining, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, engineering, and utilities.

MMHPH0321

Delivering robust, reliable, and energy efficient compressed air solutions, Sullair is a global leader in oil-free and oil-injected air compressors and accessories.

Designed and engineered for Australian conditions, our customers have relied on our compressors to perform in the most demanding conditions on the planet.

For more information Call 1300 266 773 or visit sullair.com.au

manmonthly.com.au

Manufacturers’ Monthly APRIL 2021 15

News @MM Funding in Gladstone for high-tech manufacturing and jobs Gladstone manufacturer Mecha – Engineered Mechanical Solutions has been awarded funding through the Queensland state government’s Regional Manufacturing Hubs Grants program to adopt world-leading technology and processes.

Minister for Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water Glenn Butcher said Mecha would receive $243,605 from the $13.5 million program.

“This funding provides an exciting opportunity for Mecha to undertake a rapid reverse engineering project which will allow multiple organisations within the region to collaborate and reverse engineer parts on a large scale, Butcher said.

“Mecha’s new advanced manufacturing equipment will include hand-held and in-situ 3D laser

scanners, a 3D printer for proto-typing, a holographic wall for design and display, and software to integrate and operate the equipment.

“Currently, the process to procure parts from overseas and interstate is liable to disruptions.

“Through this new Rapid Reverse Engineering system Mecha will be able to manufacture plant and equipment spare right here in Central Queensland, retain local jobs and create new high-value roles.”

Mecha’s CEO Matthew Canniffe explained the grant has given the company the opportunity to leap into technological areas that were not thought possible in early 2020.

“Our concept for the 3D scanning, prototyping and local manufacture of parts has been endorsed by our clients and we appreciate and

know that our clients and other stakeholders will benefit from the new technology,” Canniffe said.

“We have managed to protect 42 jobs at Mecha through continuous improvement and create 2 new skilled jobs through the technology enabled by the grant.

“This technology will create many more jobs for locals when it becomes broadly adopted in the very near future.

“Gladstone will now become home for a technology that opens up opportunities for manufacturing and engineering alike in ways not previously possible.”

The $13.5 million Manufacturing Hubs Grant Program supports the regional manufacturing sector to implement and deliver world leading technologies, processes and

practices. Financial assistance from $5,000 up to $1 million is available to eligible businesses.

With the Regional Manufacturing Hubs Grants program, Gladstone will now become home to a technology that opens up opportunities for manufacturing and engineering.

New biofabrication institute opens in Brisbane

The team at HBI hopes to integrate biofabrication technologies seamlessly into everyday patient care within 10 years.

16 APRIL 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath has opened the Herston Biofabrication Institute, an innovative new facility at the forefront of healthcare research and technologies in Queensland.

The $10 million institute at the Herston Health Precinct, located on the grounds of Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH), was funded by Metro North Hospital and Health Service with a $5 million donation from RBWH Foundation.

The Institute includes a full mechanical workshop, a number of 3D printers in the printing lab, a digital innovation hub, a tissue culture laboratory and patient consultation rooms.

“The Herston Biofabrication Institute will bring together clinicians, academics and industry leaders to advance knowledge and technology in 3D printing, scanning and modelling of medical devices and tissues such as bone,” D’Ath said.

“It will combine engineering and medical expertise to develop new medical devices and new ways of working.

Key focus areas include orthopaedic surgery, burns and dermatology, vascular surgery, urology, cancer care, neurosurgery, craniofacial surgery and anaesthesia and intensive care.

D’Ath said the team at HBI hopes to integrate biofabrication technologies seamlessly into everyday patient care within 10 years.

“We are looking at everything in the biofabrication space from bioactive 3D printed implants to 3D bioprinting for skin regeneration in burns patients.

“Chronic disease, trauma, cancer or any other misfortune may cause loss of part of a patient’s body.

Modern medicine is capable of remarkable things to overcome these losses but usually at some cost.

“But imagine if we could replace

the part that was missing or defective with something that fits perfectly and has been created from their own tissues with nothing more than a small sample? This is what we are working towards here at HBI. “In addition, this new facility will assist with anatomical surgical planning through 3D scanning and printing. We are also looking at new ways of teaching modern, highly sophisticated skills to ensure that our clinicians of the future are well-prepared.”

The HBI is a 30-person team with ties to academic partner, The University of Queensland.

There are more than 30 projects underway across seven key clinical streams, which means researchers and clinicians can combine efforts under one roof to advance results for Queensland patients.

Herston Biofabrication Institute will commence a number of trials this year for current research projects. manmonthly.com.au

News @MM Industry and union leaders call for unified reforms in skills sector Industry and union leaders have identified the need to work together to ensure manufacturing’s place in Australia’s future economic recovery and growth.

The Industry Leaders Roundtable virtual forum, hosted by national skill standards developer, IBSA Group, recognised that skills development must be regarded as key to building a vibrant modern manufacturing industry.

Ai Group CEO Innes Willox, Business Council Australia CEO Jennifer Westacott, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chief Economist Ross Lambie, and ACTU Assistant Secretary Scott Connolly agreed on the renaissance-like opportunities facing the sector,and that skills were fundamental to deliver a vibrant modern manufacturing industry.

IBSA Group CEO Sharon Robertson said there was broad agreement amongst panel members that industry, business and unions were uniquely and strategically placed to work together to set an ambitious agenda for Australia’s economic recovery through modern manufacturing.

“If manufacturing is to become the cornerstone of Australia’s economic future, skills development must be regarded as the bedrock for the delivery of a vibrant modern manufacturing industry,’’ she said.

This was echoed by a call from the ACTU for the sector to work together on skills development in the future.

“We need to record and document our consensus here and say it to Government in one voice,’’ ACTU assistant secretary Scott Connolly said.

Robertson said manufacturing could not grow without a skilled workforce.

“If recent times have shown us anything, it is the speed with which we need to provide these skills that will ensure the flexibility manmonthly.com.au

The meeting of industry leaders concluded that skills development must be regarded as key to building a vibrant modern manufacturing industry.

and resilience of the workforce,’’ she said.

Business Council Australia CEO Jennifer Westacott told the audience, which included, that supporting advanced manufacturing required a skills ecosystem and business environment that embraces innovation and research and development.

“We need to support upskilling and reskilling for people with a wide range of prior experience and capabilities, including through flexible, stackable microcredentials,’’ Westacott said.

Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chief Economist, Dr Ross Lambie, said there is a need quality training that is jobs-focused

and delivers skills right across the supply chain.

“Australia needs a strong modern manufacturing sector to be globally competitive, but to produce innovative products we need to overhaul our education and training sectors,” he said.

Robertson said panellists agreed discussion needed to turn away from what is not working to find solutions which harness the opportunities presented by the current COVIDinduced challenges.

Other key themes were the need for the VET (vocational, education and training) sector to be more closely aligned with higher education, the revitalisation of TAFE and the need for manufacturing

to raise its appeal as employer of choice.

The Industry Leaders Roundtable event today was the last in a series of seven online-based industry engagement events kicked off by Skills Minister Michaelia Cash involving employers and the workforce following the release of the Modern Manufacturing Strategy in last October’s Budget.

It will culminate in a report to the Minister and the federal government on findings and recommendations to invigorate the Australian skills sector.

The Delivering Modern Manufacturing Through a Skilled Workforce report is due to be released in March 2021.

Manufacturers’ Monthly APRIL 2021 17

News @MM Australia celebrates F-35 program milestone

There’s already more than 50 local companies sharing $2.7 billion worth of contracts as part of the F-35 Program.

The first F-35A aircraft has been inducted into BAE Systems Australia’s (BAESA) maintenance depot as part of the next milestone in the Joint Strike Fighter Program.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the F-35A fleet was now 33 strong and ready to deploy on operations.

“This is about protecting and securing Australia’s interests but it’s also creating jobs and driving investment right here in the Hunter and across the country too,” he said.

“This induction demonstrates the world leading capability of our local defence industry here in Australia.

“We want to give as many opportunities to Australian companies as possible which is why there’s already more than 50 local companies sharing in $2.7 billion worth of contracts as part of the F-35 Program. This investment is 18 APRIL 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

keeping Australians safe and secure while creating more jobs and more opportunities for businesses.”

After being selected as the maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade depot for the Southeast Asia region, the BAESA facility will host Australian F-35A aircraft, and in future, other nations’ F-35 aircraft.

The program is progressing on budget and on schedule and the aircraft is undergoing routine structural modifications to improve the airframe, ensuring it reaches full life, and align it with newer aircraft.

Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds CSC said up to four Australian F-35A aircraft were expected to undergo routine maintenance at BAESA’s facility this year, demonstrating the significant boost the Program was having on the local Hunter economy.

“The Morrison Government is unashamedly committed to building a robust sovereign defence industry,” Reynolds said.

“We are building our sovereign defence capabilities. We now have 41 fully trained RAAF pilots, nine of whom trained on home soil at RAAF Base Williamtown. We also have more than 225 trained technicians as the RAAF’s F-35A maintenance capability continues to develop.”

This progress is being supported through the sovereign Training Support Services contract awarded to Lockheed Martin Australia, worth approximately $70 million. It will see more than 70 personnel employed at RAAF Base Williamtown and RAAF Base Tindal.

“This demonstrates the extraordinary opportunities this program is providing for Australians and the economy, especially as it

continues to bounce back from COVID-19,” Reynolds said.

Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said the program had helped the people of the Hunter region weather the impact of the economic impact of the pandemic.

“In 2020, job losses in the aeronautics industry due to COVID-19 resulted in the closure of Jetstar’s aircraft maintenance facility here in Newcastle, and many other regional facilities,” Minister Price said.

“BAESA recently hired 25 former Jetstar employees who had been made redundant as a result of the pandemic.

“Not only have these technical workers been retained in the local Hunter aviation industry, but they will also help Defence build its sovereign sustainment capability as the fleet continues to grow.” manmonthly.com.au

News @MM New agreement to unite Australian and UK space industries The Australian and UK space industries have strengthened ties with the signing of a new arrangement to increase connection, exchange and investment.

The Space Bridge Framework Arrangement enhances cooperation between the Australian Space Agency, the UK Space Agency and each country’s trade and investment agencies.

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the Space Bridge will connect Australian and UK expertise in the space industry and showcase the strength of Australia’s space sector.

“Australia’s space industry is innovative, globally competitive and growing at a rapid pace,” Andrews said.

“The Space Bridge arrangement with the UK will allow us to continue that momentum, building on our shared strengths, leveraging individual expertise and creating jobs for the future.

“In addition to Australia’s strong manufacturing capabilities, our space priorities range from communications, to Earth observation, as well as robotics and automation – all of which can offer support to the UK’s space ambitions.”

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan said the Space Bridge would open up new opportunities for trade and investment in the growing space sector.

“The Space Bridge is a huge step forward in enabling the transfer of Australian space-related capability and knowledge,” Tehan said.

“Through the Space Bridge, Austrade will help connect Australian businesses to opportunities in the space sector and work with the Australian Space Agency to promote Australia’s space industry internationally, increasing trade and attracting greater investment from around the world. manmonthly.com.au

“This world-first agreement between Australia and the UK will reduce barriers to cooperation, address market-entry barriers and help space programs get off the ground faster, helping both countries to develop pioneering space programs and technology.”

The leaders of the Australian and UK space agencies also reinforced the importance of stronger space ties between both countries.

Head of the Australian Space Agency Enrico Palermo said

the Space Bridge Framework Arrangement will help propel the Australian civil space industry into its next phase of growth.

“The arrangement will open doors to build local capability, as well as significantly boosting our collaboration with the UK Space Agency,” Palermo said.

The CEO of the UK Space Agency Dr Graham Turnock said the arrangement will unleash innovation and promote knowledge exchange.

“This will build relationships that will help both the UK and Australia maximise the vast economic and scientific potential that the space sector offers,” Turnock said.

“It will also help create better opportunities and greater security for people in both nations.”

The Space Bridge Framework Arrangement was signed on Tuesday, 23 February at the British High Commission in Canberra and at Westminster, in London, UK.

Australia’s space industry is innovative, globally competitive and growing at a rapid pace.

Manufacturers’ Monthly APRIL 2021 19

News @MM SA government cash grants for small businesses More than $253 million in cash grants has been paid to thousands of small businesses and not-forprofits across SA to help them trade through COVID-19.

Businesses have described the grants as a “lifeline”, providing “generous and vital support” to help protect and secure local jobs during uncertain times.

Of the 20,885 businesses and not-for-profits to benefit – from cafes, restaurants and hotels to sporting clubs, clothing retailers, manufacturers and gyms – 20,097 received the $10,000 cash grant across Rounds 1 and 2 of the schemes.

A further 788 received a $3,000 grant for small businesses who do not employ staff – including sole traders/partnerships – who operate from a commercial premise

and are continuing to suffer COVID-19 hardship.

Treasurer Rob Lucas said the cash grants have provided a “huge shot in the arm” for the local economy and supported thousands of businesses – and jobs – when they needed it most.

“Our cash grants have provided critical, timely and targeted support for tens of thousands of local businesses and not-forprofit organisations to help them continue to trade through the greatest economic challenge of our time,” said Mr Lucas.

“This money has been used to help sustain jobs and assist cover a business’ ongoing or outstanding operating costs, such as rent, power bills, supplier and raw material costs as well as other fees.

“It’s part of our record $4 billion

in economic stimulus over the next two years to support South Australian business and industry and turbo-charge the state’s ongoing economic recovery.”

Steve Cox, who co-owns Orangetheory Fitness at Hawthorn, which employs 13 people, said the $10,000 cash grant was “an absolute lifesaver” and helped the business continue to trade throughout the necessary COVID restrictions.

“The cash grant was a vital support to us, it helped us pay the bills and keep the business going.

We’re growing again and hoping to be back to full strength soon – we are even looking to employ another staff member in a few weeks,” Cox said.

Treasury analysis shows the major grant program has supported more than 104,000 jobs in

businesses and not-for-profits across 400 local industries.

Cafes and restaurants (11,004 jobs), takeaway food services (4,132 jobs), pubs, taverns and bars (3,805 jobs), hairdressing and beauty services (3,526 jobs), accounting services (2,074 jobs), accommodation (1,949 jobs), dental services (1,911 jobs), electrical services (1,877 jobs), management advice and related consulting services (1751 jobs) and real estate services (1,662 jobs) were among the many industries to benefit.

Travel agents and tour guides, builders, vets, meat processors, manufacturers, fruit growers, childcare centres, aged care residential services – even beekeepers – have also received the government grants.

The cash grants have provided a “huge shot in the arm” for the SA economy and supported thousands of businesses.

20 APRIL 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

manmonthly.com.au

AUSTRALIA’S LEADING MANUFACTURING AWARDS

NOMINATIONS OPEN NOW WWW.ENDEAVOURAWARDS.COM.AU

2021 SPONSORS

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Issues & Insights Torpedoing ahead to find COVID-19 Caroline Tung speaks with Monash University’s Associate Professor David McCarthy about the engineering behind the “Torpedo Passive Sampler” for detecting COVID-19.

A

SIMPLE, cost-effective, torpedo-shaped device has been successful in detecting the COVID-19 virus in wastewater in Victoria – opening avenues for a global rollout.

Researchers at Monash University’s Department of Civil Engineering, led by Associate Professor David McCarthy, have provided evidence that passive samplers can be used to detect SARSCoV-2 (COVID-19) in wastewater. The device has the ability to detect the virus at three different scales – an individual lot, suburb and city.

The project is a partnership with a consortium of local and international universities. Dubbed the “Torpedo Passive Sampler”, the device was constructed using cotton buds, medical gauze swabs and lab grade electronegative membranes contained inside a narrow 3D-printed shell.

“Passive sampling has the

capacity to identify outbreaks, sometimes even before we can see them in the clinical data sets in nasal swabs and the like,” McCarthy explained. “Carriers of the virus can start shedding the virus before they have the onset of symptoms. It means we can detect it in wastewater.”

There are many complexities for sampling wastewater systems for viruses with the amount of foreign matter in wastewater, McCarthy said.

“The biggest issue with sampling wastewater is being at the right place at the right time. In the Australian context, we have a very low number of cases of COVID-19.

That means in a population or 100,000, you may only have one or two infected individuals.”

As McCarthy discovered, the reason the torpedo-shaped housing is really important. Initially, the team experimented with the Moore swab, invented by British scientist Dr Brendan Moore in the 1950s to

Passive sampling has the capacity to identify outbreaks – like in wastewater.

There are many complexities for sampling wastewater systems for viruses with the amount of foreign matter in wastewater.

22 APRIL 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

test for diseases such as typhoid in wastewater.

“When we put the Moore swab in the water, it started clogging very quickly. It would be ragged with a lot of materials,” McCarthy explained.

“It meant the association rate of the virus to the gauze is quite low.

We then put it into devices that allows the ragging to slip off, but the water to continue filtering through the device.”

“Once COVID-19 came along, and we tested the Moore swab, we realised it didn’t work, so we had to package it into a different shape,” McCarthy explained.

After experimenting with different shapes and sizes, the team eventually came up with an elongated design. The scale of production quickly escalated from 20 per week to now supplying 500 per week with 15 printers in continuous production. manmonthly.com.au

Issues & Insights The passive samplers were placed across eight study sites in Victoria ranging from systems that collected the wastewater of 260 residents and staff near an aged care facility, to Melbourne’s largest sewage treatment plant that pools wastewater from more than two million residents.

Seven of the eight sites were in metropolitan Melbourne, with the other in Colac. All sites were chosen due to having known cases of COVID-19 during the second wave of infections.

Analysis showed success in detecting COVID-19 using passive sampling. The research also

The process of sewerage monitoring is difficult, especially in countries like Australia where not many people are infected with COVID-19.

The Monash team came up with an elongated design which they believed was best used to collect samples.

manmonthly.com.au

demonstrated that when the daily average COVID-19 concentration in wastewater exceeds one copy per millilitre, at least one of the passive samplers deployed at the same site on the same day was also positive.

For Australian state and territory governments, and countries across the world, the intellectual property for the “Torpedo Passive Sampler” is open and 3D printing files can be shared for immediate use.

Passive sampling involves the deployment of a device in a waterbody for a known time, allowing for pollutants in the water to interact with the device.

“These results indicate that cotton buds, electronegative membranes and gauzes can be used as passive samplers of COVID-19 in human wastewater. This is the first proof of concept that one or more of these passive samplers could be prime candidates for further optimisation to monitor for COVID-19 and for other problematic viruses in the future,” McCarthy said.

“The process of sewerage monitoring is really difficult, especially in countries like Australia

where very few people are infected with COVID-19. This means we’re trying to find maybe one or two infected stool samples in a pool of tens of thousands of healthy samples.

“The portability and size of the “torpedo” means we can be more targeted in testing wastewater and narrow down the areas where people are likely to be shedding the virus, such as a suburb or aged care facility.

“Above all, the ‘torpedo’ is cheap – roughly $20 each compared to more than $5000 for each automatic sampler – easy to use, and provide more consistent results than other sampling methods.”

The idea for developing passive sampling technology for monitoring the COVID-19 virus in wastewater came from Melbourne Water’s Dr Nicholas Crosbie, who in turn was inspired by the classical work of Dr Moore.

The design behind the “Torpedo Passive Sampler” is simple.

Researchers head out to a site, throw the “torpedo” into the water and let it sit for up to four days.

During this time, the materials inside the “torpedo” absorb

traces of the COVID-19 virus as it passes – almost like a fishing net.

The samples are then brought back to the lab for analysis. Early evidence indicates that the amount of virus that is “caught” could be linked to the number of people infected in the catchment.

Wastewater sampling has been adopted across many Australian cities and towns to locate, track and trace evidence of COVID-19 in residential communities.

People infected with COVID-19 will generally shed or excrete the SARS-CoV-2 virus through faeces, via coughing or sneezing. These excretions end up in wastewater drains when people flush their toilets or have a shower.

“This discovery is exciting and ground-breaking as it can fundamentally change the way we detect critical virus spread in our community and can help with targeted health care actions. Plus, we can also offer these solutions to communities globally that are in desperate need of cheap and easy to use methods to help curb the spread of this virus,” McCarthy said.

Manufacturers’ Monthly APRIL 2021 23

, D E E N U T. O Y E R R E ER N. V E F O T N A O H IS H W D IT RC A N I E F ES TH

RELY ON AUSTRALIA’S MANUFACTURING, MINING AND INDUSTRIAL HUB 70,000 monthly users can’t be wrong. Find what you’re looking for with over 12,000 business listings and 8,000 specific product listings. Access relevant information and resources, empowering you to make a qualified purchase decision. You can always rely on your industry hub.

F E R R E T.C O M . AU

FERRET GROUP OF WEBSITES

MHD Supply Chain Solutions

Women in Industry Strive hard, bring change

The Women in Industry Awards celebrate women in traditionally male-dominated industries.

W

ELCOME to my first column as ambassador for the Women in Industry Awards.

I am currently the marketing manager at an advanced automation company, and my career has been challenging yet rewarding so far.

I started out as the executive assistant to the managing director.

My training and experience had provided me with a career in administration, but I felt I had more to be achieved.

Then five years ago, I was appointed as marketing assistant.

As I grew within the role, I was seeking newer and more exciting challenges, and as a result invested a lot of time learning many aspects of the company’s product offering. This proved to be quite complex and challenging, but extremely rewarding.

I am now in my fourth year as marketing manager and firmly believe that the more you strive, the more you will be fulfilled within your career.

In 2020, I was nominated by my peers for the Women in Industry Awards. This was a surprise to

With better gender balance in the workplace, alternative viewpoints and experiences can help a business bring about change and growth.

manmonthly.com.au

me, and I was honoured that my colleagues felt so highly about my efforts. The nomination itself was extraordinary, and then to reach the list of finalists and subsequently win the award was a personal and career defining highlight.

The Women in Industry Awards recognise outstanding success in industries traditionally dominated by men, including manufacturing, mining, engineering, transport and logistics and waste management.

My aim as ambassador is to encourage you to nominate for these fantastic awards, so that you receive recognition for your efforts in building a strong, welldefined and lasting business.

Women bring alternative viewpoints and experiences to a business, which often fosters creativity and change. Yet, the career pathway for women can be quite challenging, especially in an industry that is not highly represented by women. The Women in Industry Awards give you an opportunity to highlight key aspects and career defining moments of your many years of success and dedication.

The journey is extraordinarily rewarding, and when you have been with a company as long as I have, you can dig deep into the

Women in Industry ambassador and ifm marketing manager, Rachael Ashfield. knowledge base that you have built and realise you can contribute exponentially to your company, and industry more broadly.

I look forward to celebrating all of your success at the 2021 Women in Industry Awards.

Rachael Ashfield 2021 Women in Industry Ambassador

Nominations for the 2021 Women in Industry Awards are now open.

Visit www.womeninindustry.com. au to submit a nomination.

Manufacturers’ Monthly APRIL 2021 25

Compressors Why compressed air audits are important for your business Sullair explains what a compressed air audit can do for your business.

W

ITH day-to-day operations more unpredictable than ever, the last thing on-site managers want to encounter is an inefficient mechanical setup. Less numbers on the ground to oversee your machinery’s functionality mean breakdowns and energy wastage are almost inevitable. With air compressor equipment at the beating heart of many manufacturing systems, it is essential that these are running at their highest capabilities.

Often, audits are an afterthought triggered by rising energy bills, but this need not be the case. Conducted ahead of adjustments or new installs, air audits can not only save you dollars on operational expenditure, but also alleviate service headaches in the short and long term. By choosing Sullair Australia, air

audits will be provided at a client’s time of need – no matter where they are in the country.

What is a compressed air audit?

As is widely known in the manufacturing industry, compressed air is one of the more inefficient uses of energy; yet it is still a critical cog in the day-to-day running of most industrial operations. It is therefore essential that your air system is kept running at maximum efficiency so as to avoid wastage (and inflating costs). One way of making sure this is the case is by conducting regular air audits.

An air audit assesses a client’s machinery air usage to identify where energy may be lost. There could be a number of factors in

Sullair’s technicians are on hand to conduct an audit for your business at any time, which will help reduce energy wastage, enable machinery to run more efficiently and, as a general rule of thumb, save the client money. the mix to cause this wastage to be present, including things like air leakages, the condition of different machinery being operated in tandem, or even the energy level at which a machine runs during the day, versus at night.

With many aspects to take into account, Sullair’s technicians are on hand to conduct an audit for

your business at any time, which will help reduce energy wastage, enable machinery to run more efficiently and, as a general rule of thumb, save the client money.

Why are air audits important for your business?

Customers come to Sullair looking for air audits for a number of reasons.

Often, they have just installed a new machine and their current equipment is struggling to keep up.

In other cases, a customer wants Sullair to assess their whole system retrospectively before installing a new machine, so as to minimise impact on their existing setup. Others need help identifying the source of a leak that is causing their energy costs to soar. Whatever the reason, the Sullair team is well-versed in finding the cause of, and solution to, your air system’s problems.

How much do air audits cost?

An air audit assesses usage to identify where energy may be lost.

26 APRIL 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

Sullair generally does not charge for an air audit, though it may differ depending on the client’s setup.

Principally, the cost of an air audit should be insignificant in comparison with the dollars you will save through a proper analysis of your system.

Should a client agree to proceed with the recommendations as per the outcomes of the audit, appropriate costs will then be suggested. Sullair is dedicated to providing clients with solutions to fit their needs, and air audits are no exception. manmonthly.com.au

Compressors How does Sullair conduct an air audit?

Often our customers give us details of their problem before arriving on site but at a minimum, all air audits start with a walk-through of our customer’s current mechanical setup. Sometimes the main issue will be clear just from this task, however, our qualified technician will continue to carry out the full audit so nothing is missed.

The technician will then set up the machinery recording equipment which uses a Bluetooth SCADA device to record the machinery’s data. This equipment is left on site for a week, recording the machine’s activity and efficiency 24/7 in order to give a clear picture as to where there may be issues. This means that if your machine is experiencing problems outside of normal working hours, they will be recorded.

A report is then produced with findings that have measured everything from currents to voltage to dollars spent. This report informs the Sullair team what area of the

manmonthly.com.au

compressor (or indeed, the whole system) needs attention before recommending a tailored solution for your needs. Sometimes this solution means the reparation of existing equipment, other times the adjustment of a setup so that older and newer machinery can run sideby-side or indeed, the replacement of machinery altogether.

Once the customer has reviewed the recommendations, they can then decide what action they would like to take – if any.

What are the benefits of an air audit?

• A ir audits can help you improve the efficiency of your system, saving you money, time and energy.

• An audit can help customers gain a better understanding of their system and its needs, helping you to make smarter equipment choices moving forward.

Interested in what an air audit can do for your business? Contact Sullair today on 1300 266 773 or at www.sullair.com.au/contact-us/

Compressed air is at the heart of many manufacturing systems.

Manufacturers’ Monthly APRIL 2021 27

Metal Fabrication Importance of correct aluminium selection Press Metal International (PMI) provides a broad range of aluminium products across industries. Lim Heng Kam, general manager and executive director of PMI speaks to Manufacturers’ Monthly about the importance of correct aluminium selection for a variety of applications.

Exchanging knowledge on the strengths of aluminium

Aluminium is extremely malleable which makes fabricating it easy and can be shaped to fit any kind of application design.

A

LUMINIUM is an alloy that is widely applied in industries such as marine, transportation, automotive, consumer electronics and 5G telecommunication. It is also used as a replacement alloy, and because of its light weight, the demand for it is refined according to the needs of the different industries.

Currently PMI and PMIT serve these trending industries who have applications which have their own requirements that start with the basic requirement of alloy selection.

Mr Lim Heng Kam, general manager and executive director of Press Metal International Ltd, explained that in the marine industry (a key industry for PMI), lightweight and corrosionproof qualities are the most essential requirements, therefore 6082 or 5series alloys are the balance between performance of high strength and good anticorrosion. Friction Stir Weld (FSW) is widely used in the marine industry – it replaces traditional welding which is a big improvement on structural and 28 APRIL 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

engineering strength. Because the use of FSW is becoming trendy, it has driven costs down compared to previous times.

Consumer electronics such as handheld phone case requires strength in the material over its bending performance, and an anodised appearance as a visual cosmetic requirement. The 6013 alloy is the commonly used alloy for this.

In 5G telecommunications, aluminium alloys such as 1060 or 6101 are used in the big, wide heat sinks because of its physical properties and excellent thermos-conductivity.

Aluminium can be applied to various applications by customising the alloy. The customised aluminium alloy can have varying characteristics by adjusting the level of refinement to the alloy – to serve different applications. In order to gain the optimal benefits from aluminium, it is recommended to know the full extent of the application’s requirement before customising the aluminium alloy’s characteristics.

The density of aluminium is one third of that compared to steel, giving it a significantly higher unit strength that makes it suitable for various types of lightweight applications, said Lim. “The anti-corrosion characteristic enables the product (with the aluminium alloy) to be used with minimum surface treatment. Its high-plasticity, narrow characteristic feasibility makes it suitable to fulfill specific requirements such as conductivity, excellent surface treatment and depth fabrication,” said Lim. “With these great properties, it gives the opportunity for a product designer to draw up an idea and bring it to life. The production engineer then has wider options to customise the production chain to fulfill efficiency, EHS or even take into account the environmental aspects of the process.”

With Australia being one of

the largest shipbuilding countries internationally, for the past two years, PMI has had an increased focus on its business here due to their focus on the maritime industry. It has been promoting the use of aluminium in the local shipbuilding industry. In the maritime industry, Lim explains that with the incorporation of aluminium into the parts of boats and ships, their overall weight is significantly decreased because aluminium is roughly about one-third the weight of a steel alloy.

“In any vessel, because aluminium is light weight and even after factoring in the loads it takes on like people or cargo, the required fuel needed to power the vessel would be less and this helps with the global drive to reduce emissions,” said Lim. He said with the help of Wilson Yau, PMI’s representative in Australia, the promotion of aluminium has been getting a lot of interest. At the same time, he admires the high

Aluminium can be applied to various applications by customising the alloy.

manmonthly.com.au

Metal Fabrication level of expertise that the Australian shipbuilding industry brings.

“We have taken this opportunity to learn about products and parts that can incorporate aluminium alloys,” said Yau. “The welding process is a complex one and the Australian shipbuilders are very advanced in their techniques and possess an extremely highly skilled workforce. So, we hope to learn more from them and bring this knowledge back to share it with our staff back home.”

Benefits of prefabricated products Product fabrication is based on customers’ needs, and according to Lim, the company caters to customers across different levels. “We can supply from mill, surface treatment, light fabricated or even full fabrication,” he said. Lim explained that PMI’s main business is aluminium extrusion, whereas its subsidiary, PMIT, delivers value-added fabrication, so it is able to provide a flexibility and options to customers’ needs.

“If the aluminium alloy product’s properties are fully utilised, it could reduce the stress of overall production chain cost,” said Lim. “Its excellent malleability, in terms of extruding and fabrication compared to other material such as steel, makes fabrication easy and you can shape it to fit any kind of application design.”

In upstream process within the production chain, the stress of manufacturing and preassembly can be done and left to the downstream portion to only installation and build to construction. Also, because aluminium of its light weight, the supportive facility or tool can be lighter to operate in both upstream and downstream production.

Aluminium gradings in the manufacture of products Generally, the aluminium alloy ingredient can be divided into two categories which are: 1) pure aluminium that is re-melted into alloy for extrusion uses involves smelting from the mineral (aluminium) which makes the alloy has a higher purity which is critical for every high requirement product.

While the product quality can be manmonthly.com.au

PMI is committed to environmental sustainability by putting a lot of R&D efforts in the aluminium casting purification process and heat treatment. guaranteed, however, the energy consumption rate is relatively higher but that can be brought down using renewable and clean energy for the processing.

2) the other category is recycled aluminium. In this case aluminium scrap collected from the market from sectors like door-window, automotive or construction is used for the alloy. It is re-melted and then cast into extrusion material for production. Due to the lower melting point of aluminium, the yield rate in terms of cost and manufacturing feasibility is better compared to other commonly used metal. However, due to scrap aluminium potentially containing impurities, the final resultant alloy will not be as high grade but is still good for lower grade products.

“One of the best features of aluminium is that it is recyclable,” Lim said.

Lim emphasises that PMI is committed to environmental sustainability by putting a lot of R&D efforts in the aluminium casting purification process and heat treatment to improve the quality when recycled aluminium is used.

“This is to achieve a balance of good performance with lower carbon footprint for selected application,” said Lim.

Bringing to balance: best product with the smallest ecological footprint Because aluminium is a recyclable, it is ecologically friendly. However, one needs to consider the carbon footprint in the aluminium alloy production process in different parts.

“The material source is a big part on the upstream portion. When you look at it from the downstream, the other important factors to consider are fabrication, transportation for further fabrication, re-packaging and so on,” explained Lim. “There are many ways to reduce the downstream carbon footprint that could reduce the total carbon footprint but potentially other benefits on the side.

This is where PMI works in partnership with various customer to customise their product’s lifetime with the right kind of alloy while maintaining a low carbon footprint.

“With the ability of PMI who specialises as an extruder, and PMIT as fabricator and with the worldwide network of technical expertise and sales network, we are able offer the customer the most balanced aluminium solution,” said Lim. Due to the varying products, there will be a difference on the energy used in their manufacture, and the kind of fabrication that is done is the biggest contributing factor.

“Currently, the main power sources PMI uses to manufacture are natural gas and electricity, which is mainly from the grid with auxiliary power from PMI coming from an inhouse solar farm. There are benefits to the reliability by using power from the grid because the usage is reduced from about one to five per cent,” said Lim.

PMIT, PMI’s subsidiary, delivers value-added fabrication and provides flexibility and options for customers’ needs.

Manufacturers’ Monthly APRIL 2021 29

Additive Manufacturing EDMS uses Markforged 3D printers top promote innovation in the company and become more advanced in the defence industry.

Upping the game with industrial 3D printing EDMS Australia mechanical engineers Dean Bishop and Chris Pitcher speak with Manufacturers’ Monthly about how Markforged 3D printers are changing their business.

T

RANSFORMING EDMS Australia into an advanced manufacturing business starts with the introduction of industrial 3D printers.

Mechanical engineers Dean Bishop and Chris Pitcher have been at the centre of making advanced manufacturing a reality at the company.

Founded in 2005, EDMS

EDMS Australia is aiming to bring manufacturing back to Australia.

30 APRIL 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

Australia has a fabrication and construction division in Townsville and an engineering and advanced manufacturing division in Cairns.

Their workforce is mainly made up of mechanical and electrical engineers working in industries like Defence, construction, and agriculture.

“One of the main reasons we got the Markforged 3D printers was to

One of main reasons we got the Markforged 3D printers was to promote innovation in the company, give us a different way of thinking, and become more advanced in the defence industry. promote innovation in the company, give us a different way of thinking, and become more advanced in the defence industry,” Bishop said.

He believes introducing the 3D printers has improved efficiency in two main ways.

“We have the rapid prototyping, which these systems introduce, then also the production of end user products,” Bishop explained.

“Our clients throughout North Queensland, particularly in the past year, have relied on product development overseas, which would usually take about six to nine months to prototype. With EDMS, they can come in on a Friday afternoon, and

by Monday morning, they’ve got that prototype ready to go.”

Although most prospective clients understand the concept of 3D printing, Bishop and Pitcher

said it is challenging to convince them the printed materials are structurally sound. “There are a lot of recreational machines with the potential for rapid prototyping, but they have a lot of limitations based in terms of what can actually be printed,” Pitcher explained.

“With the Markforged machines, we can get down to accuracies of about 50 microns.

“For a commercial client wanting a prototype of their end user product, in terms of what it will look like and what it will feel like, industrial-scale machines provide a much more realistic outcome.”

EDMS Australia produces its own high-quality engineering, sources all its designs, and delivers fully detailed workshop drawings, fabrication and site installation drawings from its engineering and manmonthly.com.au

Additive Manufacturing construction division.

“We aim to bring the manufacturing back to Australia.

We want to provide costeffective strategies for our clients, and ideally use advanced technology,” Bishop said.

With the Australian Made movement gaining momentum, the driving factor behind the EDMS business is quality – while keeping everything local and supporting local businesses.

“It’s important to keep

(left to right) Chris Pitcher and Dean Bishop from EDMS Australia.

Best new technologies to meet tomorrow’s challenges

manufacturing local in places like Cairns. Unfortunately, in regional centres, it is not a simple matter of ordering something and it arrives in a couple of hours, or even weeks,” Pitcher said.

With customers favouring tight lead times, local manufacturing is more crucial than ever, said Bishop.

“It turns a lead time from what could be a 7-day lead time to a 24-hour lead time or even less,” he said. “Logistically, it’s more difficult to stock products. In Townsville, it’s always a challenge, being one of those regional hubs.”

EDMS Australia services all sorts of clients — from government organizations to small businesses — and is capable of helping anyone who wants to develop a prototype.

Since introducing the 3D printers to their business, the company has been targeting a different client base from their existing clients through word-of-mouth marketing.

“This advanced technology

offered by Markforged reinforces that supportability from someone local, who has fantastic ideas, and wants to make that a reality,” Bishop said.

“We can service individual customers with prototyping and product development, all the way to putting parts on navy vessels.”

Devoted to meeting the industry’s best standards through technology and quality. Flexibility, standing side by side, and being involved with our customers’ needs is our promise.

We currently provide for over 50 units of heliport to offshore and connecting bases worldwide. Major for ship building includes:

PMIT provides customers with the best-in-class services and products because we use the following:

• Special marine type alloys in prefabricated modules (decking panels, T-bars, etc) • Tailor-made units and living cabins for offshore platforms • Any fabrication enquiries from general CNC machining to Friction Stir Welding (FSW) • Certified by Classification Society Certifications of CCS (China), ABS (America), DNV (Norway), BV (France), and NK (Japan).

• Capable of development and production capability for 5xxx, 6xxx, 7xxx Aluminium alloy series

1) ISO / TS 16949 automotive quality management system 2) ISO14001 environmental management system 3) ISO45001 occupational health and safety management system 6) OA paperless office platform 7) SAP ERP information management system

manmonthly.com.au

The advanced technology from Markforged has reinforced the support for local innovation.

In addition, we support other industries like transport, building, renewable energy, computer, communications, consumer-electronics, and many others.

Time to check for something new. pressmetal.com.cn

Australia | Malaysia | China wilson@pmaa.net.au yumi.lin@pmitech.com.cn

Manufacturers’ Monthly APRIL 2021 31

Industrial Connectivity Increasing efficiency and reliability with secure hardened Modbus-to-BACnet Gateways Manufacturers’ Monthly speaks with Madison Technologies about the efficiency and reliability of the MOXA MGate unit for industrial applications.

The Moxa MGate 5217 Series, consists of industrial protocol gateways that support Modbus RTU/ASCII/TCP to BACnet/IP protocol conversions.

is also a similar protocol, but it’s used mostly used for industrial electronic applications. These two protocols can’t talk to each other natively,” he explained.

Secure hardened to protect critical assets

I

N the age of the Industrial IoT (IIoT) and the datadriven economy, Australian manufacturers face increasing global competition, shorter product cycles, and changing customer demands.

This places pressure on manufacturing facilities to be digitally connected to improve flexibility, efficiency, and overall throughput.

Increasing cost-effectiveness of cloud technologies enables traditional manufacturers to adopt more advanced systems and move beyond traditional supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA).

While traditional SCADA systems cannot communicate with operations and logistics, embedding more intelligent controls, sensors, and process monitoring equipment alongside existing SCADA systems can help manufacturers improve quality in processes. It also allows them to adopt preventative maintenance and condition-based monitoring strategies.

A new series of secure, hardened Modbus-to-BACnet protocol gateways, the Moxa MGate 5217 Series, consists 32 APRIL 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

of industrial protocol gateways that support Modbus RTU/ASCII/TCP to BACnet/IP protocol conversions.

This makes it easy to integrate industrial devices into an energy management system (EMS) and/or energy management devices into an industrial system (SCADA).

The MGate 5217 protocol gateways’ design is based on the IEC 62443 standard to enhance connectivity security. In addition, the MGate 5217 protocol gateways feature a reliable design that ensures continuous operation under harsh condition and easy-to-use tools to make device configuration and troubleshooting easy.

Madison Technologies technical support engineer, Navin PramKumar, said the unit allows control systems to communicate both ways for integrating applications such as power metering, lighting control, HVAC, and CCTV on to one management platform.

“Typically, you would have a monitoring system that monitors all those BACnet devices. Modbus

Critical power communication takes place in applications such as data centres where vulnerabilities are unacceptable. Based on the IEC 62443 standard, the MGate 5217 protocol gateways’ design supports various security features, such as whitelisting, account management, password policy, and a TLS secure connection, that allow only authorised users and prevent unwanted access and enhances connectivity security.

“An advantage of MOXA MGate 5217 is the cybersecurity services, such as account management, password policies and whitelisting, which are not offered by competitors,” PramKumar explained.

power status monitoring. The installation and maintenance of numerous communication devices can be a daunting job. The MGate 5217 protocol gateways support an easy-to-use configuration tool and a built-in troubleshooting tool that make installation and maintenance easy and fast.

“It’s a three-step process that’s easy to configure. It has a built-in troubleshooting process as well.

You can use that in the field if you’re coming across an issue,” PramKumar explained.

The MGate 5217 protocol gateways support an easy-to-use configuration tool.

Reliable design for continuous operation Critical power communication cannot endure system downtime, delivering reliable communication between power monitoring devices and SCADA systems is critical.

The MGate 5217 protocol gateways feature 2kV serial port isolation and a -40 to 75°C wide operating temperature range to ensure reliable communications and operations. In addition, the MGate protocol gateways come with a five-year warranty, ensuring stability and reliability for long-term operations.

In power monitoring applications, devices such as power meters, automatic transfer switches (ATS), or UPS controllers are required to be connected and communicate with SCADA systems for instant manmonthly.com.au

JUNE 2021 – SKILLS AND TRAINING Australia’s manufacturing industry is undergoing rapid change to remain competitive against a constantly changing global economy. A productive manufacturing sector with workers trained to be equipped with the right advanced skills is critical.

In June 2021, we speak with companies who are offering real skills and training solutions to manufacturing operations to skill-up and stay in the competition.

In every edition of Manufacturers’ Monthly, we’re proud to work with our commercial partners on content that helps connect you with your future customers.

Booking deadline: 05 May 2021

To book contact DANILO CORTUCCI now danilo.cortucci@primecreative.com.au | 0434 419 663

Sustainability Toughing it out with repurposed tyres Tyre Stewardship Australia is advocating for greater use of Australian crumb rubber.

Manufacturers’ Monthly interviews Taurus Mats founder Owen Henry about creating a sustainable business from Australian end-of-life tyres.

A

HOBBY farmer from the Sunshine Coast is turning old tyres into woven mats to help improve livestock welfare.

Local manufacturer Taurus Mats creates a safer, non-slip surface for livestock in high-traffic areas, made with tyre treads fastened with stainless steel bolts.

The recycled products require minimal energy to produce and are used predominantly in cattle handling and loading areas where livestock can slip and get injured on slippery, hard surfaces.

Initially trialling the product on local Queensland farms, founder Owen Henry has now garnered interest from all over Australia.

“The feedback we have received so far is very positive,” he said. “The cattle are calmer and our product has proven itself to be highly durable in the harsh conditions.”

Henry began the business making the mats by hand. He now has four specialised machines to do the job.

CEO Lina Goodman says TSA is “very proud” to be involved.

“People like Owen are coming up with innovative solutions to real problems. Being based close to its key markets in Queensland means Taurus Mats has lower transport emissions compared with international

Locally made tyre-derived mats save costs associated with imports.

34 APRIL 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

competitors. And they use up to 1,000 tonnes of Australian end-oflife tyre material each year. The potential is really exciting.”

The collaboration began when Henry questioned why the product couldn’t be made in Australia. The idea came to him while working for a cattle equipment supply company, who were bringing these mats in from America.

“People were paying a lot of money, and on top of that, they had to pay for freight, and deal with quarantine and biosecurity issues,” Henry explained. “And, I thought, ‘there’s got to be a market for this in Australia’.”

Although he admits that initially, it “wasn’t fantastic”, his business eventually generated interested through Tyre Stewardship Australia.

“Initially, I was going through one supplier and there were a lot of trial mats going out to test the product.

Now, we’re getting a lot of business, because people find the product actually works.

“Through the TSA partnership, sales grew exponentially with orders coming in from all parts of the country.”

There is no shortage of tyres, and according to Henry, the furthest he travels to source his tyre supply is

Taurus Mats founder, Owen Henry, is the only manufacturer of tyre-derived livestock mats in Australia. a mere 10km. There’s no need for a stockpile as Henry sources the tyres directly from local mechanics.

“As long as I purchase in advance, I can get the supply I need from local mechanics – and that alleviates the need for them to stockpile.,” he explained.

The mats take a lot of work to make – Henry works on only a few square metres a day – but he says the rewards outweigh the risks.

“If it was easy, everyone would be doing the same thing as me. It’s an awful lot of trial and error. Ninety per cent of what I try doesn’t work.

But that 10 per cent that does work is very rewarding,” he said.

The business has found a stable market in the cattle industry and continues to find alternative uses such as road surfacing.

“One of my customers can now go up a hill on a two-wheel drive,

whereas before only a four-wheel drive would work,” he said.

While feed lots have remained the key market, Taurus Mats is aiming to sell into small domestic producers.

He calls the nature of tyres his “biggest saving grace”, being made of a tough material to handle.

While Henry’s business continues to grow, Tyre Stewardship Australia is also focused on advocating for the use of end-of-life tyres.

“TSA’s mission is to increase the use of tyre derived materials exponentially across all sectors in Australia - if you use raw rubber or tyre derived rubber in your products or have an innovative use for endof-life tyres, we want to hear from you,” Goodman said.

For further information on this or to have a more in-depth discussion email TSA’s commercial Manager, Tammie Miller: tammie.miller@tyrestewardship.org.au manmonthly.com.au

Ventilation Systems Getting temperature and ventilation right in the workplace Fanmaster and BSC shares some key parameters on deciding the type of cooling or ventilation system for the workplace.

K

EEPING an industrial warehouse or workshop cool and comfortable in summer is an important workplace issue to address for any employer.

Warehouse air can become contaminated with dust, welding fumes, bacteria, mould and toxic chemicals, posing various health and safety risks to employees.

According to SafeWork NSW, poor thermal comfort for prolonged periods may lead to fatigue, lower concentration, poor productivity, complaints and absenteeism.

The Ouber PAC280-A Portable Evaporative Air Cooler is perfect for cooling warehouses, workshops, offices and hospitality venues. manmonthly.com.au

SafeWork NSW recommends that workplace temperatures should be between 20 and 26 degrees, depending on outdoor temperature and whether work is sedentary or more physical.

Aside from being a matter of health and safety and employee comfort, condensation, dust and other pollutants can cause damage to machinery and stock.

This is particularly relevant to the food industry where even small temperature variations can adversely impact the stored products.

Troy Lopez, general manager of Fanmaster – a Sydneybased importer and manufacturer of industrial cooling, heating and ventilation systems – says considering some parameters while deciding on the type of cooling or ventilation system can help employers in choosing the optimum solution.

“You should first identify whether you need cooling, ventilation or a combination of both systems. Sometimes the combined system is what offers the best outcome.

Next, consider the level of physical activity that takes place in each area.

An area that has a lot of racking does not require the same amount of cooling as a high-traffic area. Some industries must also adhere to environmental guidelines and limitations in terms

The Ouber IDDAC-670 Installed Evaporative Air Cooler is suitable in many commercial and industrial sites. of fume and dust control. In such cases, we advise to consult experts who can assist in meeting those legislative limitations.”

With a factory in Sydney and a national distribution footprint, Fanmaster caters to a wide range of industries with specialty cooling, heating and ventilation products and services. In recent years, Fanmaster has also partnered with BSC, a leading supplier of bearings, power transmission and industrial products, to distribute its products more broadly throughout BSC’s extensive branch network.

BSC product manager David Malthouse says the collaboration between Fanmaster and BSC is a win-win for BSC’s customers.

“The extensive footprint of BSC’s branches and the broader network of Motion Asia Pacific (BSC’s holding company) positions us to assist our customers with a deep understanding of their industries. BSC branches are ready to not only recommend products but also offer engineering and design possibilities to improve our customers’ productivity. Fanmaster’s expertise and their wide range of products further enhance this, giving our industrial solutions team the ability to supply an effective solution to our customers.”

Lopez says Fanmaster’s agility as a small family business enables it to provide a personalised customer service.

“As a small-to medium-sized business, we have the flexibility and agility to work closely with our customers and help them choose the most appropriate solution for their site. We never hesitate from going out of our way to help address customer queries. Our team often reviews drawings or photographs provided to us by the BSC representatives, which we advise on the most cost-effective product for the specific application.”

Optimal conditions for workplace environments according to SafeWork are: • I ndoor temperature: should be between 20 and 26°C. However, it may need to be slightly lower than this for high levels of physical work.

• Air velocity: needs to be between 0.1-0.2m per second, especially as stagnant air can lead to fatigue.

• H umidity: ideally this should be between 40 per cent and 70 per cent. Humidity that is too high can increase the risk of heatrelated illness, while too low can lead to respiratory conditions.

Manufacturers’ Monthly APRIL 2021 35

Sensors Stopping the flow at the right time Clean ups of the overflow of fruit pulp are time consuming and laborious.

Find out how the VEGAPOINT 21 warns reliably of overflow in the pulp container.

T

HE name says it all – Ceres, the jewel in the Western Cape of South Africa, located only 90 minutes from Cape Town, was appropriately named after the Roman goddess of fertility and agriculture. Protected by majestic mountains, the region offers breathtaking natural landscapes and ideal conditions for growing fruit. The fruit is in turn the basis for highquality fruit juices. VEGA sensors have been monitoring the production here for many years – the latest one in use is a level switch of the new VEGAPOINT series. It is deployed in a pulp residue container that is extremely problematic when it comes to level measurement.

Ceres is one of the oldest agricultural areas in South Africa.

Indigenous hunter-gatherer groups known as the San and the Koi were the first inhabitants. The first Europeans started settling in the area in 1729. While the region was initially known only for cattle breeding, the Ceres Valley quickly became famous for its fruit plantations. Decisive for the success of the fruit business here is the Mediterranean climate, which provides ideal growing conditions.

What other agricultural area in the world can claim to have an average of 300 sunny days a year? This means that crops can be harvested here all year round. Whereas cherries are

harvested from mid-November to the end of December, apples, pears and peaches are collected from the fields in summer, from mid-December to the end of February.

For 40 years, the fruit juice company has been growing steadily and has won many prestigious food and beverage awards at home and abroad. One reason for this is that the fruits are harvested and processed directly – the route from the Ceres Valley to the consumer is therefore very short. The fruit juice is now available in eleven different flavours, from apple, pear, peach and lychee to various juice blends.

Long-term partnership VEGA sensors have been used for many years in the entire production process, for example in the numerous water and chemical tanks, in wastewater treatment as well as in the pasteurisation process. During all this time, the company has always appreciated the reliability of the Schiltach-based sensor manufacturer and the close, uncomplicated relationship it has had with it.

One special challenge was a measuring point in a tank where

the residues from production are collected. This aqueous pulp contains a mixture of cellulose and other solid materials. The mixture is dewatered, and the remaining sludge ends up in another tank.

In the past, this tank overflowed now and then, and the pulpy substance spilled onto the plant floor. This happened because the vibrating level switches used at that time often failed to function properly. The problem was that the accumulation of cellulose on the tuning forks caused them to malfunction, not switching properly when the tank was emptied.

What is more, the fruit acid caused further difficulties. The result was an overfilling of the tank, as the pumps did not start in time or even switched off too early.

Cleaning the floor and the whole area around the tank was very timeconsuming and laborious.

Deployment before the official launch A new sensor from VEGA for capacitive point level measurement sounded promising, but it wasn’t yet officially on the market. Nevertheless, the fruit juice company offered to be a tester of the sensor even before the official product launch. The new VEGAPOINT 21 is a level switch with adjustable switching point for detection of water-based liquids. The sensor and the tank form the two electrodes of a capacitor. Any change in capacitance due to a level change is converted into a switching signal.

Installation can be carried out by the customer. Measuring instruments from VEGA have always been easy to set up and operate.

This was also the case with the new sensor. The connection was quite simple and there were no problems during setup and commissioning.

That’s why the company hardly ever experiences downtime in its daily operations.

One of the advantages of the new VEGAPOINT series is that the level switches can be easily adapted to any application. The VEGAPOINT 21 is largely independent of medium properties and therefore adjustmentfree. Due to its small size, the sensor can be installed not only on tanks and containers but on small, narrow pipelines as well. The compact size was an important factor in the

The new VEGAPOINT 21 is a level switch with adjustable switching point for detection of water-based liquids.

36 APRIL 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

manmonthly.com.au

Sensors The new VEGAPOINT 21 is a level switch with adjustable switching point for detection of water-based liquids. The sensor and the tank form the two electrodes of a capacitor. Any change in capacitance due to a level change is converted into a switching signal. decision. In addition, the fact that this is a very cost-effective solution was decisive, especially in view of future applications.

VEGAPOINT has also proven to be extremely easy to use in practice.

The sensor works even under difficult measuring conditions such as turbulence, air bubbles, strong external vibrations or changing media.

Features that were decisive for the application at the fruit juice company.

Even when deposits accumulate on the

end of the probe, the level switch still switches as soon as the residual water reaches the probe. It then returns to its normal state as soon as the level drops.

Sensors of the VEGAPOINT series can be used for overfill and dry run protection as well as oil/ water and foam detection. The optional universal connector with hygienic adapter ensures reduced installation costs and a smaller spare parts inventory. The series meets the requirements of hygienic processes in

the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Another advantage is the small level switch version has a compact stainless steel housing and is available in two electronics versions – simple transistor output and transistor output with additional digital IO-Link communication. The sensor can be operated wirelessly via Bluetooth with a tablet or smartphone and an app. This allows the switching behaviour, the application and many other parameters to be set or adjusted as needed.

Conclusion A special highlight – in the truest sense of the word – is the colourful, all-round switching status display of VEGAPOINT that allows quick and easy recognition of the switching status. With it the user can keep an eye on the status of the tank at all times. Workers at the fruit juice company also appreciate this feature, as it allows them to concentrate on their other tasks in juice production and not have to worry about something going wrong inside the tank.

Florian Burgert international product manager at VEGA Grieshaber KG who is responsible for the food and pharmaceutical industries at VEGA, shares more about the VEGAPOINT series.

Why was the new VEGAPOINT series introduced?

Florian Burgert: VEGA is known for the high quality and accuracy of its measuring instruments, which are often used for complex and challenging measuring tasks. However, there are many applications, in auxiliary systems in particular, that require sensor technology that is especially

Florian Burgert, international product manager at VEGA Grieshaber KG.

easy to install and reduced to the bare essentials. By introducing the

direction. The display remains perfectly

new VEGAPOINT series, VEGA

visible even under difficult lighting

has completed its portfolio for the

conditions or at great distances; not

entire range of existing point level

least because its colour can be freely

applications and is now able to

selected from a palette of 256 colours.

offer the optimal instrument for

At first glance, you can clearly see if

every measuring task – whether

the measuring result is what it should

highly complex or standard.

be or if there is a malfunction in the production process.

What sets the series apart from previous models?

One of the advantages of the new VEGAPOINT series is that the level switches can be easily adapted to any application.

manmonthly.com.au

FB: The new VEGAPOINT

For whom or for what applications is the series best suited?

instrument series includes IO-Link

FB: We’ve reduced point level

as a communication platform. The

detection to the absolute basics in

advantage of IO-Link is that the

the new VEGAPOINT instrument

technology can be flexibly implemented

series. With the usual VEGA quality,

in almost any application – whether

it reliably meets all standard

new or already existent. With the

requirements without the extras

option of bidirectional communication,

that extreme ambient conditions

device data and status information

or highly specialised applications

can be called up “on demand” in

would require. The new instruments

addition to mere process data.

can optimally cover all important

The all-round, 360° switching status

aspects: above all, plant safety and

display is also new. Switching states

reproducible product quality, but also

can thus be easily discerned from any

efficiency and economy.

Manufacturers’ Monthly APRIL 2021 37

What’sNew New VSD CAPS Brumby compressor The CAPS Brumby range of rotary screw air compressors has now been extended to include variable speed compressors. With the option of choosing a tank mounted compressor or a complete solution including tank, dryer and filters, the CAPS Brumby range offers a solution for different air requirements.

Both fixed speed and variable speed units are available in sizes ranging from 5 to 15 kW. Subhead: Fixed speed versus VSD – which option best suits your needs?

Both kinds of compressors have differences in how they operate. On a fixed speed air compressor, the motor will run at one constant speed/fixed RPM. When air demand is placed on the system, the inlet valve will open, and then close again once the demand is removed. Therefore, due to the motor only running at one fixed speed, it will maintain a pressure of 0.7 bar above the air demand at all time.

A variable speed drive compressor will use a variable speed, or VSD drive, which allows the motor to actually ramp up and down, allowing for power consumption savings. Properly sized for the same end use, a VSD compressor can yield power savings upwards of 35 per cent in some cases.

Energy is always a significant cost to any business and reducing energy consumption can yield large savings. Aside from the variable motor speed when in operation, the inverter in the VSD system performs a “soft” start operation by

ramping up the motor speed slowly, which reduce the high draw peaks that are typical when a fixed speed motor is started. This also helps protect electrical and mechanical components from the starting mechanical stresses that can shorten the life of an air compressor.

So, overtime, choosing the variable speed option will save you up to 35 per cent in power cost but will also make your installation last longer and avoid downtimes.

Company: CAPS Australia Phone: 08 6250 9800 Web: www.caps.com.au

The highest performing solids-handling pump available Gorman-Rupp has just announced the release of the Eradicator version of its high-performance Ultra-V Series wastewater pump.

Some applications are tougher than others. Whether you are dealing with today’s new sewage of sanitary wipes, plastic bags, feathers, hair, sludge, stringy material, or any other type of debris, downtime costs you money.

The Ultra-V Eradicator is able to deliver higher pressures than any other solids handling self-priming pump, while reducing blockages in wastewater streams from rags, wet wipes, undigested hay, and feathers.

The new pumps are an extension of Gorman-Rupp’s Ultra-V series pumps that are heavily used by sewage treatment plants and meat process plants.

The Eradicator Solids Management System now comes as an option with new design features including an aggressive self-cleaning wear plate incorporating a number of notches and grooves, as well as a patented lacerating tooth that helps break up stringy materials and scrape them off the impeller vanes, passing them through the pump discharge without impacting performance or interrupting service.

A special cover-plate is incorporated to make it safer and easier for operators to access pump internals, without disconnecting any of the inlet or outlet piping.

For existing Ultra V Series installations where stubborn, clog-prone materials are affecting uptime and maintenance costs, the Eradicator Solids Management System is now available as a retrofit kit and can easily be installed on any existing Ultra V Series pump in the field.

The upgrade kits include everything you need to put the best self-cleaning pump technology in the industry to work for you!

The pump is available in standard cast iron or with hardened iron internals to cope with abrasive applications. Pumps are capable of flows to 100 litres per second and pressures to 90 metres.

38 APRIL 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

Superior performance • The Ultra V Series and VS Series solids-handling, self-priming centrifugal trash pumps offer up to three times the pressure and up to 60 per cent more flow; • Available in a variety of pump station configurations or stand-alone in 3”, 4” and 6” sizes; • The superior solids-handling and increased pressure capabilities of the Ultra V Series pumps make them ideally suited for a variety of industrial and sewage applications; • Greater efficiencies; • Self-cleaning features; • Reduced footprint; • Unique configuration capabilities; • Further Improved solids-handling; and • Externally removable suction check valve.

Company: Hydro Innovations Phone: (02) 9898 1800 Web: www.hydroinnovations.com.au

manmonthly.com.au

Brought to you by

A Computerised Maintenance Management System to manage critical assets An unmaintained piece of equipment is a dangerous one. Allowing staff to continue to operate such equipment is reckless and can lead to serious consequences, not to mention prolonged downtime.

In addition, safety in the workplace is of paramount importance and maintaining a tool that can ensure the highest levels of operational health and safety (OH&S) within the workplace will not only lead to a safe working environment but also a productive one.

A Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS) allows for the early identification of operating issues, as well as keeping a sound record of your equipment’s maintenance or lack thereof. This allows you to identify any trends that could lead to the unsafe operation of your equipment or put a cap on any downtime that may occur due to overuse and under maintenance.

MEX offers a number of options to ensure our clients are compliant with current state and federal OH&S legislation. The MEX CMMS provides a framework to identify, report, and control any risks, hazards, and unsafe conditions arising during our customers’ operational and maintenance activities.

MEX also provides the ability to record what assets a company owns and manages, any maintenance work that needs to be performed or has been completed on an asset, and all the information on manpower usage, spare parts, costs, and asset failures. This makes the MEX CMMS more than just a mechanism to capture data, asset details, and maintenance strategies, but a promoter of safe maintenance.

Used correctly, MEX can help you make your workplace safer, your equipment safe to operate and your staff free from harm. Should anything happen, you are backed up with a comprehensive history of work performed and safety procedures to follow.

Company: MEX Phone: (07) 3392 4777 Web: www.mex.com.au

PCD Adapters – time-saving termination from Treotham ILME has enriched the range of PCB interface adapters, enlarging the connectors’ application in the electronics sector.

The new entries of the CIF series allow a precise cabling and an easy mounting as well as a reduction of the wiring costs, offering an efficient installation in power electronics or signal applications.

The adapters are designed for printed circuit boards with thickness up to 2.4 mm and are provided with gold or silver plated contacts.

The best product can be selected according to the customers application requirements. The new available solutions include: • CIF Q05 2.4: 5 poles, 10A/250V, compatible with CQ 05 inserts; • CIF Q07 2.4: 7 poles, 7,5A/250V, compatible with CQ 07 inserts; and • CIF Q12 2.4: 12 poles + PE, 7,5A/250V, compatible with the special dedicated CQF/M 12 CIF inserts with PE contact equipped with rear 1 mm diameter pin for the mating with the PE contact of the adapter.

The installation can be completed with the dedicated interface contacts for each of the adapters. The new PCD adapters are available from Treotham Automation.

manmonthly.com.au

Company: Treotham Automation Pty Ltd Phone: 1300 65 75 64 Web: www.treotham.com.au

Manufacturers’ Monthly APRIL 2021 39

The Last Word

INNES WILLOX – Chief Executive, Ai Group

The 2021-22 Budget is also an opportunity to take further steps to address underlying fragilities in the economy that were evident well before the onset of the COVID-19 crisis.

Federal Budget 2021-22: time to address potential risks to our economic recovery

W

HILE the annus horribilis that was 2020 may be behind us, Ai Group is wary that the economic lift we have seen to date may be more of a policy-led bounce than a self-sustaining recovery from the COVID-19 recession.

With key elements of fiscal stimulus already ended or due to end in March, there remains the risk that any recovery could stall, and business and consumer confidence could deteriorate during the second quarter of 2021. This is even though, under current settings, considerable stimulus from other measures will continue to flow over the year ahead and beyond.

Securing a full recovery will not be easy. This is particularly the case because, at least for the year ahead, notwithstanding the high hopes being placed on vaccination, there is likely to be a need to manage intermittent outbreaks and to continue to adjust to disruptions to work, social activity, commuting and interstate movement.

Tight constraints on international travel is a further barrier.

It is in this context that Ai Group in February released its submission to the Government ahead of the crucial 2021-22 Federal Budget.

The 2021-22 Budget is an opportunity to secure and build on the recovery from the dramatic economic impacts of COVID-19 and to take key steps to lift the longerterm capacity and dynamism of the Australian economy.

40 APRIL 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

Measures the government could implement include targeted support for businesses and employees experiencing ongoing severe impacts from COVID-19; additional support for the employment and retention of apprentices and trainees; a new national cadetship program and a relatively modest extension to the immediate expensing of depreciating assets measure.

Beyond the important issue of the extent and timing of further stimulus, the 2021-22 Budget is also an opportunity to take further steps to address underlying fragilities in the economy that were evident well before the onset of the COVID-19 crisis. These weaknesses showed up in entrenched low productivity growth; weak business investment (especially outside of the mining sector); and disappointing real incomes growth.

While the immediate emphasis needs to be on job creation, lifting output and rebuilding business and consumer confidence, the 2021-22 Budget should also include steps towards addressing these underlying weaknesses in the Australian economy.

Most particularly, for this Budget Ai Group proposes a concerted effort to build on the start that has been made in modernising Australia’s approach to education and training.

The measures proposed are keys to lifting opportunity, employment and employability; to securing longer-term productivity gains; and to improving

social mobility and social cohesion.

In our submission we placed our greatest focus on the education and training agenda both because it is fundamental to the long-run success of our economy and society and because of its role in improving employment and employability, which are central to the further recovery and adaptability of the economy.

If Australia is to rebuild and provide access to jobs in all emerging and continuing industries as it exists within and moves out of a pandemic environment, our education and training outcomes need to closely align with opportunities in the labour market as they re-emerge. Education and training must be related to business growth needs, integrated with industry strategies and include innovative approaches that better anticipate immediate-, short- and medium- term skill priorities for industry sectors.

Our recommendations focus on renewed strategies and funding measures to ensure that education and training is a key driver in Australia’s economic recovery.

We also propose measures across a range of policy areas including in the development of the digital capabilities of businesses and other organisations; in advancing energy efficiency; supporting the advance of hydrogen as an energy source; and accelerating the development of a domestic recycling industry.

Further, we propose several measures that will help reduce the most severe impacts of the current disruption to immigration.

Constrained international travel has pulled the rug from under immigration which has been a staple of Australian economic growth and has been critical to the supply of key skills. This presents particular challenges for the housing industry and could act as a brake on the recovery and expansion potential of many businesses.

Potential measures to address this include federal support for the states and territories to expand quarantining capacity both as a means of increasing the pace of return of Australians abroad and to create opportunities for the inflow of non-Australians to address key areas of skills shortage.

The Federal Government could also create new pathways for the conversion of temporary work visas into permanent visas. This would apply to people currently in Australia and would address the restrictions in many visa categories against looking for different work opportunities.

While the picture will become clearer over the next couple of months, an early announcement of key measures that could take effect in the second quarter could address the risk of a premature wind down of fiscal support. There is no sign that adopting such measures would place prices or wages pressure on the economy. manmonthly.com.au