Manufacturer's Monthly June 2022

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MANAGEMENT >> TECHNOLOGY >> SOLUTIONS

JUNE 2022

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MANAGEMENT >> TECHNOLOGY >> SOLUTIONS

JUNE 2022

BLACK SKY AEROSPACE: BUILDING SOVEREIGN CAPABILITY Official Industry Partners

INSIDE >>

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Revamping earth observation

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Advancing cold spray technology

48

Women in Industry awards

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Inside­­ JUNE 2022

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CEO: John Murphy

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Publisher: Christine Clancy Group Managing Editor (Northern): Syed Shah Assistant Editor: Billy Friend billy.friend@primecreative.com.au Journalist: Alexandra Cooper

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Manufacturers’ Monthly Contents Ph: (03) 9690 8766 Copyright Manufacturers’ Monthly is owned by Prime Creative Media and

6 Editor’s Note

28 Compressors

42 Welding

8 Comment

30 Hoists and Chains

44 Electrical Components

12 News@MM

32 Materials Handling

48 Women in Industry

18 Manufacturer Focus

34 Naval Manufacturing

58 What’s New

22 Events

37 Local Manufacturing

24 Engineering Focus

39 Additive Manufacturing

published by John Murphy. All material in Manufacturers’ Monthly is 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 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, 2021 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.

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MANAGEMENT >> TECHNOLOGY >> SOLUTIONS

JUNE 2022

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manufacturing, but the potential to transform business models.

In this story, we learn about a company making a difference to Australia’s sovereign capability. The only company to manufacture solid rocket fuel, Black Sky Aerospace uses its ingenuity to support Australia’s space and defence industries.

BLACK SKY AEROSPACE: BUILDING SOVEREIGN CAPABILITY Official Industry Partners

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While manufacturing has relied upon people to people bonds which help drive sales and business growth, today, many companies are seeing value in marketing, and not just to other businesses. Telling the story of manufacturing to a broad audience has the potential to not only change the way the public understands

Revamping earth observation

44

Advancing cold spray technology

48

>>

Women in Industry awards

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4 JUNE 2022 Manufacturers’ Monthly

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Melbourne Victoria Suite 36, Level 2/222 Lonsdale Street Melbourne, VIC 3000

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Comment

SYED SHAH – Managing Editor, Manufacturers’ Monthly

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Stepping up Australia’s front-line

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T this year’s Indo Pacific exposition, Federal Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon. Melissa Price, described the event as “an opportunity to show the world what you’re capable of.”

Australian industry doesn’t need any added incentive to prove its defence capabilities. With a government shift in the past few years to turn the screws on its defence spending, industry has responded to support sovereign capability and provide Australia’s front line with its own reliable source of infrastructure and equipment.

A Sydney-based company GME just unveiled a high-security, five million dollar manufacturing facility. The manufacturer of civilian

6 JUNE 2022 Manufacturers’ Monthly

communications equipment will diversify to support a wide range of defence industry projects, including supporting Australia’s defence manufacturing capability with its automated production of printed circuit boards.

Companies like GME are looking to quell criticisms that the Australian Defence Force is in need of a digital transformation, struggling to keep up with advancing technology.

In Victoria’s recent state budget announcement, Daniel Andrews made it clear that defence remains front of mind as well.

The budget will invest $78.3 million to boost manufacturing, including $20 million to help workers in low-carbon component

manufacturing to find highly skilled, digital jobs. Sustainability isn’t the only priority, with a $2.6 million Defence Industry Workforce Development program to deliver additional internship programs to train Victorians to leverage opportunities in the defence manufacturing industry.

In this edition of Manufacturers’ Monthly, we look at how sovereign capability can push the next generation of manufacturing forward.

Black Sky Aerospace (BSA) is about to launch Australia’s first ever locally designed and manufactured rocket into space, which will be more than just a historic moment in Australian manufacturing. The technology and lessons learned from the project will

apply to many different applications, further expanding local capability.

To support local industry, Australian ingenuity needs to be seen out on our shores. If we continue to handball our ideas and inventions to overseas, we risk a continued overreliance on foreign imports.

Lastly, I had the privilege of attending the first of two Women in Industry Awards to be held this year. Speaking to attendants from different industries, it was really a celebration of the trailblazing so many have done. Starting on page 48, we speak to the winners to learn about their stories and ambitions for more women in industry in the future. manmonthly.com.au

0622 Atla

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Operational shifts also need to be taken into account i.e., your peak production periods on weekdays and if you have lower demand on nights and weekends.

There are many different types of air compressors and each have different advantages based on the operating pressure and air volume requirement. Here is an overview of some of our core technologies to serve as your starting point in determining which machine is right for you.

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Comment

GEOFF CRITTENDEN – CEO, Weld Australia

Industry support is vital for Australian standards

Welding produces the building blocks for a more advanced world; therefore, safety is paramount.

W

ELDING is an art, a skill, a trade, an engineering discipline, and a science.

Welding is the most universal process on the planet. It is crucial to the construction of essential structures like bridges and highrise buildings, as well as mining equipment, pressure vessels and ships, and even household appliances, like stoves and washing machines.

In fact, most of the modern world contains welded materials. Crash barriers, light poles, road signs and even cars rely on welding. Welding is even used in micro-joining of medical devices, electronics and photonics.

Welding is an important process that produces the building blocks for a safer and more advanced world.

8 JUNE 2022 Manufacturers’ Monthly

A complex process delivered by highly skilled craftsmen and scientists Welding is often mistaken as a simple process. In reality, welding involves much more than simply joining two pieces of metal together. It is a highly complex process based on science and research that requires an in-depth understanding of metallurgy and materials science, as well as enormous discipline and rigorous application of the correct processes and procedures.

The engineering principles that inform the process are unbelievable. Welding requires highly skilled craftsmen, scientists and engineers who are able to solve complex problems.

The quality and accuracy of the entire lifecycle of the welding process

must be carefully controlled, from design right through to inspection.

This type of approach is essential because it is impossible to undertake complete verification of a welded joint without destroying it.

Inspection after completion does not guarantee weld serviceability.

Quality must be built into the welding process, right from the very beginning.

Welding must be done correctly the first time. A weld cannot be adjusted once it is complete. The only course of action is to scrap the weld entirely, and start again.

Australian and International Standards are crucial As such, the welding processes set out in Australian and International

Standards are crucial – they must be followed exactly. Standards like AS/ NZS ISO 3834 Quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials must be implemented.

Welders, welding supervisors and welding inspectors must be qualified to ISO 9606 Qualification testing of welders.

If these Standards are not followed, then there is a significant chance that a weld will fail – with possibly catastrophic consequences.

Imagine the collapse of a stadium or a bridge; how many bystanders would be seriously injured or worse?

For example, Weld Australia was retained as the ‘Engineer of Record’ by an Australian state government for a pedestrian bridge fabricated manmonthly.com.au

overseas. Project managers and fabricators repeatedly failed to demonstrate adherence to Australian Standards. Weld procedures were not in place, welders were not qualified, and supervision and inspection was inadequate.

As the bridge was comprised of tubular structural steel with complex nodes, it was critical that full penetration occurred on all joints. Given the circumstances, Weld Australia was not confident that full penetration had been achieved, and we refused to certify the welding in this bridge. As a result, the bridge contract was then awarded to a local Australian fabricator who completed the welding according to Australian Standard, on time and under budget.

Australian welding Standards are often not applied in the manufacture of caravans, light commercial trailers, and even heavy industrial trailers. This is because, while the manufacture and road-worthiness of towed vehicles is covered by stringent controls outlined in the Australian Design Rules for Vehicles, welding is not mentioned at all in the Australian Design Rules. Many manufacturers do not have welding procedures in place, nor do they have qualified welding inspectors, supervisors or welders. Nor are they certified to the welding quality standard ISO 3834.

This issue poses a threat to public safety – a threat that has already caused serious accidents on our roads. In an accident involving a quad axle dog trailer (which can carry in excess of 40 tonnes) in Queensland, the drawbar became detached from the trailer frame whilst it was driving, causing the trailer to jack-knife and hit car, seriously injuring the occupants.

The matter was investigated by Queensland Transport who found that there were indications of ineffective and sub-standard welding on the drawbar assembly.

The penalties applied were grossly inadequate given the potential for serious injury and loss of life—all the manufacturer was asked to do was ensure that all trailers are checked for cracking and ineffective welding in the future. manmonthly.com.au

Maintaining standards: A collaborative industry effort It is for this reason that Weld Australia has taken responsibility for maintaining Australian Standards and managing the adoption of International Standards related to welding.

Standards are developed, reviewed and revised over many years by a few dedicated volunteer engineers and tradesmen who are enormously experienced in the design and construction of welded structures. In this way, the accuracy and validity of technical data and specifications contained within Standards is indisputable.

The work of Weld Australia has made Australian welding Standards some of the best in the world. Our team of experts has honed ISO Standards so that they are applicable to the needs of Australian industry. We have pinpointed where international Standards can offer a solution to a local problem, as well as where there are gaps to be bridged between European and North American Standards and our local conditions.

Our experts have worked extensively

with Standards Australia to determine how welding Standards need to be updated to move the Australian welding industry forward, ensuring international competitiveness at all times. The Weld Australia team has made an invaluable contribution to the field and worked to reduce the bureaucracy usually associated with Standards.

When Weld Australia first started working on Standards Committees over 30 years ago, there was a significant number of large manufacturing and fabrication companies that sponsored their senior management and engineers to participate in Standards Committees.

There was no issue finding volunteers to work on Standards Committees because the maintenance of Standards is so vital to industry.

These days, it’s far more difficult to find anyone with the time and experience to participate in Committees, let alone people who are sponsored by their employer to participate.

Weld Australia, and other likeminded industry associations, are undertaking a huge amount of

critical work for industry and yet, some of the biggest players who take advantage of this work simply do not participate or contribute. Some of the industry’s largest companies, who rely on Standards the most, refuse to support the participation of their own staff in Standards Committees.

Standards exist for a reason; to ensure public safety. When it comes to welding, we cannot simply wave a magic wand and make a weld safe after the fact. When applied properly, Standards ensure that fabricated structures meet all design criteria, are fit for purpose, and remain structurally sound for the entire lifecycle of the asset. For all these reasons and more, industry needs to support the maintenance and development of welding Standards or, at the very least, support their own peak body so that we can continue with this critical work.

To get involved in Australia’s welding Standards Committees, contact Weld Australia via office@weldaustralia.com.au.

To join Weld Australia, visit weldaustralia. com.au/membership

The welding processes set out in Australian and International Standards are crucial.

Manufacturers’ Monthly JUNE 2022 9

Comment

AHK EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – Christoph von Spesshardt

German-Australian Chamber launches new strategic element The German-Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce has identified key topics businesses can no longer ignore: Digitalisation, Decarbonisation and Talent.

A

FTER a very successful launch of industry clusters last year that serve businesses and manufacturers in the health, mining, energy and F&B sectors, the newly introduced horizontal streams will focus on supporting businesses in current topics by benefiting from each other’s experience. Especially in recent years the challenges businesses face have significantly increased which is why the German-Australian Chamber

continues to play a significant role in information exchange and connecting you with industry peers and experts.

These horizontal streams, named as such due to their crosscutting nature, reflect the modern day challenges that industry must confront. Excitingly, it will also allow the Chamber to showcase the solutions many of their members possess. There already are many events in the pipeline for 2022 tackling these topics together.

Digitalisation In times where we are surrounded by algorithms, carry our mobile devices with us everywhere we go, electric vehicles are more in demand than ever before and the conversation on automating and optimizing processes, the discussion on digitalisation in organisations becomes inevitable.

At our recent Growth Summit held in Sydney in March, our Beautiful Intelligence panel with speakers

from Siemens, Aldi Australia, Weidmueller and Graphite Energy exchanged thoughts and visions on what Industry 4.0 means and the importance of collaboration between manufacturers.

No longer the prerogative of large industry players, digitalisation is now more approachable and more achievable for companies of any size. Germany stands as a powerhouse for advance manufacturing and automation has helped it remain competitive on global markets whilst still producing high quality goods.

Industry 4.0 has long arrived in the manufacturing industry too and the benefits of new technologies are widely talked about. AI/ML, IoT, AR/ VR and other futuristic sounding terms are no words of foreign origin anymore but much more centre of attention and cover more than just the IT department. When we look into manufacturing engineering, production and maintenance, quality assurance, worker safety, warehousing and even sustainability, digitalisation is a buzz word you cannot escape from. Technology has already proven how it can be used to launch new products to market in a more efficient and faster way while also keeping costs down.

The Digitalisation stream of the German-Australian chamber will discuss exactly that, how businesses and manufacturers of any size can adopt Industry 4.0 technologies step-by-step.

Decarbonisation

Energy, digitalisation and decarbonisation are often linked conversations with each affecting one another.

10 JUNE 2022 Manufacturers’ Monthly

Net zero is more than a governmental mission on a global scale as it adds further pressure on businesses, especially within the manufacturing industry, to go green sooner rather than later.

manmonthly.com.au

Green Hydrogen as a source of energy has been in the news recently and is discussed in depth within the German-Australian Chamber’s Energy Cluster. While the energy sector has started the journey to sustainability in a broad perspective, the transportation sector has also started to transform by moving towards electric vehicles.

Now often the construction sector is talked about as an ever-growing population which puts performance pressure on the industry while also trying to make a change towards net zero. Infrastructure and steel production are areas where many will pay close attention to.

It is time where we need to talk about the climate footprint of companies, big and small, and identify practical solutions on how to significantly reduce carbon emissions and eventually be net zero to align with national goals.

This also creates new opportunities to extend product portfolios and services to businesses.

manmonthly.com.au

Energy, digitalisation and decarbonisation are often linked conversations with each affecting one another.

Talent We have heard a lot about the great resignation recently. People quitting their corporate jobs, changing careers or starting their own business created a big shift on what the work environment looks like and the global pandemic made people question their current lives and where to change.

Multi-generational working has also always been a challenge but with digital natives approaching the workforce now, it is clear that traditional structures and hierarchies no longer seem appropriate and compelling. The question on how to attract the new generation without upsetting the current workforce and the ongoing challenge of retaining talent are conversations increasingly proving their importance within businesses.

Job hopping has become a trend that employers would like to see gone as the cost of finding talent and train them up is exploding.

Talent acquisition and retention is a topic the German-Australian chamber has long identified of key relevance and is excited to host a number of events and seminars to exchange ideas and visions.

Enabling services In a fast-paced world there are always new topics emerging.

Fintech, law services, logistics and supply chain challenges are all of growing importance. The German-Australian Chamber has many members in the service industry ready to help and support manufacturing businesses with their needs and share insights into their areas of expertise.

Especially the last couple of years have shown us how difficult supply chain issues can be to resolve and how important having the right logistics providers are. As an

umbrella to the horizontal streams launched by the German-Australian Chamber, Enabling Services will focus on key service areas that matter in current times.

Why it matters to manufacturing businesses As a manufacturer, you are a key player in the bilateral world, often dealing with more than one country. Being present in multiple markets exposes you to additional challenges but also enhances your opportunities of growth. Having the right systems in place and nurturing bilateral relations are crucial to grow market share and build business partnerships.

Manufacturers are the backbone of our economy and we hope with the newly launched horizontal streams we create many opportunities for future collaborations and learnings.

If you have stories and visions to share with us, we would love to hear from you and discuss future collaborations with you.

Manufacturers’ Monthly JUNE 2022 11

News @MM Image credit: IMCRC

A flexible I/O™ interface for agile minds

Humble Bee Bio to develop sustainable textile coating with Deakin

- ideal for a wide range of industrial applications

The LINAK® I/O actuator gives you full control of the exact functionalities you need. With endless modification possibilities you can move faster from great idea to effective operation. Input options let you adjust and control the electric actuator to perfection, while output data gives invaluable insights into application performance.

A showroom of advanced features for your application By installing the Actuator Connect™ configurator on your PC, you will have several configuration options available to help you tailor a movement solution to meet your requirements and integrate smoothly with your application.

Adjust movement: Decide how you want to control the actuator with full flexibility with various control options, virtual limits, and adjustable speed.

Parallel: Synchronise your parallel movement without having to worry about complex cabling or control boxes.

Diagnostics: Avoid unnecessary downtime in your application with advanced troubleshooting.

Position feedback: Get quick and easy position readouts to achieve optimal performance in your application.

Monitor: Improve actuator performance by using real-time data to gain insights about component interaction.

Protection: Decide whether your actuator should be limited to protect your application.

LINAK.COM.AU/IO LINAK.COM.AU/TECHLINE 12 JUNE 2022 Manufacturers’ Monthly

A research collaboration is developing a sustainable textile coating inspired by bees.

The Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (IMCRC) has granted New Zealand-based biotechnology research company, Humble Bee Bio, and Deakin University $70,000 to develop a sustainable alternative to the harmful chemicals used in durable water repellent (DWR) textile coatings.

The 7-month project, worth a total of $566,000 cash and in-kind funding, will be based at Deakin’s Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM) and supported by the Australian National Fabrication Facility.

Humble Bee Bio’s CEO and founder, Veronica Harwood-Stevenson, said the research collaboration would be instrumental to the success of the next stage of development for Humble Bee Bio’s novel biopolymer.

“By mimicking the properties of the solitary masked bee’s cellophane-like nesting material, we have created a biopolymer that’s water-repellent and resistant to flames, high temperatures and strong chemicals,” she said.

“This research collaboration will enable Humble Bee Bio to take our proof of concept and develop a formulation and production method for sustainable DWR biopolymer coatings. Australia is poised to become an advanced biomanufacturing centre of the world, and we are thrilled to be part of building that success.”

Professor Joselito Razal, director of ARC Research Hub for Future Fibres at IFM, said the project reinforced Deakin’s commitment to re-designing materials for a circular economy.

“Deakin University will utilise its world class expertise and facilities in fibre and materials science to facilitate Humble Bee Bio’s vision of a sustainable Australian textile industry,” he said.

Dr Dylan Hegh, IFM’s Circular Economy Initiatives manager and project lead, added that the research would provide Humblee Bee Bio with an advanced understanding of the novel material and its properties.

“In refining the formulation, this collaboration has the potential to uncover new and unforeseen applications for the biopolymer and catalyse further research and development into advanced biomanufacturing,” Hegh said.

Dr Matthew Young, IMCRC’s Manufacturing Innovation manager, said IMCRC was pleased to be supporting the industry-university research collaboration by co-funding the development of Humble Bee Bio’s biopolymer.

“Novel advanced materials are playing a crucial role in achieving a more sustainable future for Australia and the rest of the world,” Young said.

“Once commercialised, Humble Bee Bio’s sustainable DWR coatings have the potential to bridge a significant gap that exists within the textiles industry today.”

“By uniting industries and research institutions, we create an ecosystem that drives innovation and commercialisation, generating significant opportunities in specialised, high-value manufacturing.” manmonthly.com.au

News @MM

Image credit: Austal.

Austal to build more Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats for the Navy

NEW full feature oil injected screw compressors 4-22kW

NEW generation series-4 screw compressors up to 160kW

PM Scott Morrison visited Austal’s Henderson shipyard.

On visiting Austal’s Henderson shipyard in WA last week, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the Department of Defence will order two more Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats (ECCPBs) for the Royal Australian Navy.

This is in addition to the six ECCPBs currently being delivered

by Austal to the Royal Australian Navy.

“We are incredibly proud to be supporting the Royal Australian Navy by providing and enhancing fleet capability, working in collaboration with the Department of Defence and Industry partners,” Austal chief executive officer Paddy Gregg said.

“This announcement for additional Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats further strengthens and supports Australian sovereign shipbuilding capability and provides Austal, and our outstanding supply chain partners, with a level of continuity that will provide stability and security for the National Naval Shipbuilding Enterprise. Austal will also continue to invest manmonthly.com.au

and develop our facilities in Henderson to ensure we have the capability and capacity for the future programme of work the Prime Minister has previously announced.”

According to Gregg, Austal delivered the first of these vessels last month – the ADV Cape Otway.

“We look forward to continuing at pace, with all eight Evolved Cape Patrol Boats to be delivered through to 2024, providing longterm commitments to our supply chain partners in the Australian Shipbuilding Industry,” he said.

The Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat is an evolution of Austal’s proven Cape-class Patrol Boat platform, first developed for the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (now Australian Border Force) in 2013.

With eight Capes delivered to the ABF over 2013-2015 and an additional two Capes delivered to the Royal Australian Navy in 2017, there are now ten Capeclass Patrol Boats operating around Australia.

In 2021, Austal Australia delivered a further two Cape-class Patrol Boats to the Trinidad and

Tobago Coast Guard – the first exports of a vessel class which has become a benchmark for offshore patrol capability around the world.

Based on the original 58m aluminium monohull design, the ECCPBs include several enhancements that extend the capability of the vessel and the fleet. Crew capacity has been increased by 10 people, to now total 32 and quality-of-life provisions have been enhanced, ensuring those who operate the new vessels have connectivity to the outside world, regardless of the operating environment.

The ECCPBs will be used for a variety of constabulary and naval missions and play a critical role in Australia’s national security as a high-performing, reliable and effective maritime asset for the Royal Australian Navy.

In addition to the Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat Project, Austal is also currently delivering 21 Guardian-class Patrol Boats for the Department of Defence under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project, with 14 patrol boats delivered since 2018.

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Manufacturers’ Monthly JUNE 2022 13

News @MM Curtin blazes a trail for resources research commercialisation in direct support of critical minerals companies and the release of the new Federal Government Critical Minerals Strategy.

“This investment will turbocharge Australia’s critical minerals industry and backs the state’s status as an economic powerhouse for the whole country,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.

Curtin University vice-chancellor, Professor Harlene Hayne, said the Curtin-led Trailblazer will drive a cultural shift to facilitate the pathway from resources technology research, to commercial outcomes, to opportunities for university staff and students to succeed in their own businesses.

“Together with The University of Queensland and James Cook University, we will use Trailblazer to affect deep and lasting change

in the way technology readiness, commercialisation and industry-led research are prioritised, taught and rewarded in our universities,” Hayne said.

According to Curtin deputy vicechancellor Research, Professor Chris Moran, the Trailblazer will carefully listen to industry demand, then deliver the right research outputs and digital edge.

“The mission of the collaboration is to conduct and translate the research needed to link the value chains so desperately needed if Australia is to become a genuine international leader in efficient production of critical minerals, precursors and ultimately, metals,” Moran said.

“In doing so, Trailblazer will add significant value, resilience, and sovereign capability throughout

Australia’s critical minerals and hydrogen energy value chains. It will deliver the skills and the future workforce required to realise the potential benefits from our resources.

“The Trailblazer will be a key gateway for industry – opening up access for industry to the wealth of expertise inside universities to ultimately support the start-up and growth of Australian businesses.”

CSIRO will also be involved in the Trailblazer program, commissioning new Metal Binder Jet Printers and providing mineral characterisation and analytical services to support the program’s research activities.

The Curtin-led Trailblazer will deliver benefits under three pillars: • University Transformation; • Technology Readiness; and • Commercialisation.

Image credit: AMGC.

Curtin University has been named the first of Australia’s Trailblazer universities to receive a share of over $242 million in federal government funding, to develop a research commercialisation hub.

The Curtin-led Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer hub will match $50 million of government funding to more than equivalent support from the university and industry partners for a total value of the initiative of over $200 million.

Curtin University will partner with The University of Queensland and James Cook University, and 33 company partners across Australia involved in value chains requiring lithium, nickel, cobalt, vanadium and hydrogen resources.

This initiative complements the recent government announcements

SULLAIR IS TAKING THE VX160 TO A NEW GENERATION Sullair’s new next-generation Champion VX 160 offers up to a 6% increase in efficiency and reliability at minimal extra cost, saving you thousands on yearly energy bills.

VX1600522

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

14 JUNE 2022 Manufacturers’ Monthly

manmonthly.com.au

News @MM Fortescue and E.ON strive to deliver green hydrogen to Europe Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) and E.ON, a large European energy network and infrastructure operator, have set out to deliver up to five million tonnes per annum of green, renewable hydrogen (GH2) to Europe by 2030.

The partners signed a MoU to execute this ambition, with each side committing to a research and study partnership.

The partnership marks E.ON’s and FFI’s broader ambition to decarbonise Europe and strengthen green energy supply security, particularly in light of the need to reduce energy dependency on Russian fossil fuels.

Five million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of renewable GH2 is equal to approximately one third of the calorific energy Germany imports from Russia.

The two companies will work together in the spirit of the Australia-Germany Hydrogen Accord announced in June 2021 at the G7. The aim is to ramp up to five million tonnes per annum of GH2 by 2030.

This will help to decarbonise thousands of medium-sized enterprises all over Germany and the Netherlands, as well as other European cities and communities to which E.ON distributes energy, FFI founder and chairman Dr Andrew Forrest said.

“The announcement of this historic partnership today aims to diversify the future energy security in Europe,” he said.

“Green energy will reduce fossil fuel consumption dramatically in Germany and quickly help substitute Russian energy supply, while creating a massive new employment intensive industry in Australia. This is a cohesive and urgently needed part of the green industrial revolution underway here in Europe.” manmonthly.com.au

E.ON and FFI have signed an MoU to deliver up to five million tonnes per annum of GH2 to Europe.

The intention is that Australia’s renewable resources will produce the renewable GH2 along with FFI’s other planned global projects – and distributed

by E.ON. The parties will also analyse potential solutions for infrastructure issues and to build a secure value chain.

“We are rapidly establishing the building blocks across Australia and globally that will allow us to develop and fully integrate our world leading green technologies, manufacturing capabilities and green energy generation and distribution,” Fortescue Metals Group (FFI parent company) CEO Elizabeth Gaines said.

“From the beginning of FFI our philosophy was to drive performance across the entire new renewable GH2 value chain. Today’s important announcement in Europe is not just signalling to the global marketplace that now is the

time to make renewable GH2. It is also a decisive step forward in FFI’s journey to become one of the world’s largest green energy producers.”

According to E.ON CEO, Leo Birnbaum, the company is driving the green energy transition in Europe forward.

“Renewable GH2 is a key element to achieving this task, while at the same time contributing to a secure and affordable future energy supply.

Our partnership with FFI is an important milestone on this path,” he said.

“Two major international companies are joining forces to build a ‘hydrogen bridge’ from Australia to Germany and the Netherlands, based on shared values and the joint capability of realising the scale of such a project. Two together make decarbonisation possible for many, which is an encouraging message, especially in these days.”

Manufacturers’ Monthly JUNE 2022 15

Editorial credit: GagliardiPhotography / Shutterstock.com

News @MM

The Victorian government has made the largest investment in locally made trams in Australian history, with a $1.85 billion contract to Bombardier.

Next Generation Tram Project boosts local manufacturing The largest investment in locally made trams in Australian history has been made, as Bombardier Transportation Australia is awarded a $1.85 billion contract under the Victorian government’s Next Generation Trams Project to build 100 trams in the state.

This will support up to 1,900 local jobs in manufacturing, supply chain, and the construction of a new purpose-built depot and maintenance facility.

“We are delivering more comfortable, energy efficient and accessible transport services for 16 JUNE 2022 Manufacturers’ Monthly

Victorians to ensure they get to where they need to go safer and easier,” Victorian minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll said.

“Victoria’s rolling stock industry is the envy of the nation, and this project will support up to 1,900 local jobs throughout the supply chain and play a significant part in delivering more accessible services on our network.”

A local content quota of 65 per cent has been included as a requirement for the Next Generation Tram Project – the biggest for any train or tram project since rolling

stock local content quotas were introduced.

The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) has also welcomed this investment, saying it should enable Victorian manufacturing to develop a strongly competitive approach to tram manufacturing and support thousands of jobs.

“The local content figure is a significant one and should provide certainty to local manufacturers enabling capital investment, skilling of workers and competitive global pricing,” Victorian head of Ai Group Tim Piper said.

“We look forward to this decision helping to create a strong heavy engineering sector in the state.”

Following a competitive design and tender process, the proposed plans for the trams will be refined in consultation with key stakeholders including representatives from accessibility groups, passengers and tram drivers.

The Next Generation Tram order will progressively replace some of Melbourne’s longest-serving highfloor trams, to ensure the public transport network is accessible to all Victorians. manmonthly.com.au

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The BSA team poses for a historic photo in front of the first all-Australian rocket flown with the first batch of sovereign propellant.

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Above the clouds In 2022, Black Sky Aerospace will launch the first locally manufactured and designed rocket into space from Australian soil. Billy Friend speaks with CEO Blake Nikolic about how the veteran-led company is breaking boundaries to facilitate sovereign capability in space and defence.

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LAKE Nikolic grew his passion for explosives when he was a young boy, talking to his father about the possibilities of innovation and technology. His intrigue with space exploration was also transferred from his father, who taught maths and science for 37 years.

Instead of going to university, Nikolic immediately joined the workforce in IT and explosives.

Since he was a teenager, he helped to orchestrate the choreography on many large-scale pyrotechnic displays around the world, as well as locally

18 JUNE 2022 Manufacturers’ Monthly

for events like the Riverfire festival in Brisbane and fireworks in Sydney Harbour.

Soon after, his career took a turn when he joined the Australian Army to become a pilot. Today, Nikolic heads a privately-owned, veteranrun Australian company called Black Sky Aerospace (BSA), which has culminated from these past experiences: a love of explosions, aviation and service to his country.

“We are the definition of Australian Industry Capability,” he said. “COVID-19 brought up logistical nightmares and heaped pressure on

supply chains, which boosted BSA as an entity for why it exists. We aren’t beholden to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), creating a true capability that isn’t locked down to foreign influence. We love working with our foreign partners, but we ultimately have the decision to support Australian industry.”

BSA was founded in April 2018, just months before the launch of the Australian Space Agency. The inspiration behind the cutting-edge rocket company was when Nikolic saw a gap in the exponentially growing space market within the

largest land mass in the Southern Hemisphere; Australia.

“BSA was created primarily to provide a conduit to space through sub-orbital (or return-to-earth) launches for scientific and medical research, test and evaluation opportunities for on-orbit assets, and radar calibration and targeting for Defence platforms. BSA’s technology is ‘dual use’, fulfilling Space and Defence capabilities,” he explained.

To an extent, Australia hasn’t needed to manufacture solid state rockets or the fuel, happy to let other nations make the big investment and manmonthly.com.au

ManufacturerFocus take risks. After establishing the space agency in 2018, the government is again driving sovereign capability, especially after seeing the vulnerability of supply chains in the last few years.

BSA has a wide range of capabilities. Firstly, there is propulsion. BSA manufactures solid rocket fuel, solid rocket motors, common tactical boosters and common use boosters.

“We manufacture the propellant and precursor materials for defence and space applications such as guided weapons, ancillary boosters, sounding rockets and off-Earth rocket motors. We also launch rockets, have our own launch sites, and provide payload delivery systems. What we produce can be used in space and defence activities, research and development, and multiple other applications.”

For specific energetics requirements, BSA has the inhouse capability to develop custom formulas to meet particular characteristics. The experts can manufacture propellant on a buildto-print model under license, and provide unlabelled products for customer rebranding and use.

“We have a first mover advantage in solid rocket propulsion. I’ve been around rockets and technology since I was a boy, so it’s in my blood.

And when we started BSA we were ahead of the establishment of the Australian Space Agency by some months, and the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise by several years. That means we are well placed to provide services as those entities and nascent sovereign industries gain momentum.”

Since BSA was founded four years ago, Australia’s space ecosystem is growing. Part of the company’s progress involves helping grow Australia’s space industry – providing access to launch sites, airspace and flights, often for low or no cost to the start-up world.

“There’s still a lot of maturing that has to happen and it will come,” Nikolic said. “Blacky Sky is the tide that floats all boats, which is something we really pride ourselves on. Anyone who’s working on rockets, manmonthly.com.au

either has or is a customer of ours in some capacity. If we don’t help these companies succeed, or at least get a foot-up, then we don’t actually have an ecosystem to work with.”

Growing the industry from a technology standpoint is not the only focus for Nikolic and his team.

“We are frontrunners in how regulation engages with industry

– how we help shape different licencing and different rules to ensure that there is a viable industry in this country.”

At its inception, BSA had an 80 per cent focus on space, compared to defence. Since then, the space industry in Australia continues to go through a maturation phase that encompasses both industry and

We are frontrunners in how regulation engages with industry – how we help shape different licencing and different rules to ensure that there is a viable industry in this country.”

BSA engineer Elliott Williams inspects a grain of solid rocket propellant ready for launch.

regulatory stakeholders. In uncertain times through the pandemic and with a change in geo-political environments, BSA’s core focus shifted heavily to Defence and in recent times has been heavily shaped to support the Australian Government’s Sovereign Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise (GWEO).

Of course, Nikolic’s team has had to expand as well. BSA started with a heavy focus on technology to prove minimum viable products (MVP) and within eight months, delivered a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 9 product through the launch of Australia’s first commercial payloads on 21 November, 2018. Privately owned, it was important to ensure that overheads were minimised in the first couple of years, and delivery of proven capability would be critical to the longevity of the company.

By the last quarter of the 2021/22 financial year, BSA had grown to 18 FTE with dedicated teams in Avionics, Engineering, Manufacturing and Propulsion.

Nikolic doesn’t echo the sentiment that there isn’t enough skills in the Australian workforce to keep up with international innovation and technology. BSA finds chemical engineers, process engineers and other staff from similar industries like mining and oil and gas and then converts their skill sets to the world of space and defence. It’s clear that the people behind BSA hold a certain mentality when approaching projects.

“A lot of this comes down to Aussie ingenuity,” he said. “It’s a mentality. You’re often told you can’t do something or it won’t work.

It’s about finding the limits and being able to push them safely and securely.”

Nikolic pointed to the invention of penicillin and wireless internet as examples of Australia’s track-record with ground-breaking innovation.

“We just come at it from a different approach. People say to think outside the box, but once you understand there isn’t a box, you can understand there are different ways of doing things, which is how we are creating such modern capability that the world traditionally has not seen.”

Manufacturers’ Monthly JUNE 2022 19

Manufacturer Focus Xxx

BSA technician Christian Maher engineering rocket components at the factory in Southeast Queensland.

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An example of BSA’s ahead of the curve approach is when it created its composite rocket motor hardware.

“We did that with off the shelf materials, which creates a system that’s around 40 per cent lighter and between 80-90 per cent cheaper.

We’ve had composite experts look at that and not understand how it works, because by all accounts, it shouldn’t.

When they ask how does it work, I say “very well” – and that is the point of the developing this unique IP, but you have to think differently.”

Space BSA is headquartered in Logan, Queensland and has operations across the entire southern end of the state. Static testing and low altitude launches are done not far from its Logan site, higher altitude but below space launches near Goondiwindi.

20 JUNE 2022 Manufacturers’ Monthly

High altitude space launches and guided weapon testing are in Bulloo, which is the largest private launch range in the world, boasting more than three million acres of land.

All of BSA’s launches provide critical data that is collated and evaluated for continual development.

In November, it successfully launched the first Australian designed and built rocket in over 40 years. The event was the third in a series of test and evaluation launches.

“The November launch’s primary mission was for a customer on board that had hardware and software being developed for secure satellite communications. This launch provided a platform for rapid test and evaluation, all whilst increasing the TRL with a successful operation,” Nikolic noted.

“BSA was also able to demonstrate

A lot of this comes down to Aussie ingenuity.

It’s a mentality. You’re often told you can’t do something or it won’t work. It’s about finding the limits and being able to push them safely...

People say to think outside the box, but once you understand there isn’t a box, you can understand different ways of doing things.” another successful flight with a customer onboard providing confidence to stakeholders including the Australian Space Agency, which is required to authorise space launches for Australian launch providers.”

Nikolic has worked closely with Equatorial Launch Australia for over five years, assisting with the NASA

Sounding Rocket Program that has progressed with site infrastructure at the Arnhem Space Centre (ASC) development since last year.

“Working closely with the traditional owners, the Gumatj Corporation, BSA demonstrated launch capabilities in Queensland in 2018 and has been developing rockets manmonthly.com.au

ManufacturerFocus to fly from many sites including the Arnhem Space Centre,” he said.

“Whilst ASC will see many providers in the future, it is a defining moment for Australia that BSA is recognised alongside NASA as the only other provider with priority access to the site.”

Never satisfied, BSA is reaching new heights this year, both literally and figuratively. The company is on track to launch the first Australian designed and manufactured rocket into space from Australian soil. The history-making project doesn’t have an exact date yet, but has been a long-term goal for Nikolic.

“It’s been a goal since our inception. It has matured very rapidly in the scheme of rocket technology.

We have been challenged by COVID-9 slowing things down and the newly formed regulations for the space agencies have presented different challenges to overcome,” he began.

“However, we have been working on this for quite a while and the challenges have only slightly extended the date. What’s actually happened as a result of the project is more technology for onshoring and more in house manufacturing leading to development entirely of our own

“Missile manufacturers have mostly worked on traditional systems that have existed for many decades. Qualification of new platforms can be challenging and costly, whereas BSA can deliver new systems with modern technology and techniques.” systems across the board. That means not just making a rocket motor or an airframe, but inhouse and onshoring of avionics manufacturing, onshoring of all the different elements or components of the system that we can do.”

When Nikolic started BSA, around 30 per cent of its components were manufactured inhouse, but now the company makes 90 per cent of the materials. While space is and always will be an integral part of BSA’s DNA, the company has recently pivoted to more defence work because of limitations on what it can provide to a nascent Australian space market.

“We’re doing everything we can to remain Australian,” Nikolic said.

“It would be quite easy to jump ship

BSA engineer Bryan Greenham carefully inspects rocket motor hardware post firing to ensure quality and compliance.

manmonthly.com.au

and go overseas, and then we lose all of that sovereign capability. But it would be at the at the benefit of making money and at the expense of losing Sovereign capability.”

Defence Anytime BSA develops a propulsion system or other technology, it can be used in both defence, space or civilian space applications. A Collaborative Research Agreement (CRA) with the Defence, Science and Technology Group helps ensure the quality of energetics that BSA manufactures is refined to meet the sensitive requirements of Defence and Space, with the manufacturer embarking on technology developments to support the next

generation of guided weapons.

“Missile manufacturers have mostly worked on traditional systems that have existed for many decades,” Nikolic added. “Qualification of new platforms can be challenging and costly, whereas BSA can deliver new systems with modern technology and techniques.”

The missile system BSA is designing and building is for Australia, but can also be provided for export. Nikolic said the team has the advantage of seeing what is working and using that as a startpoint, with innovations to bring new elements to the fight.

“There is no hiding that the technical challenges are complex and the science needs to be perfected to create guided weapons that perform with precision,” he explained. “Australians have been the innovators for many technical advancements and has the skillsets and capabilities to deliver turnkey solutions required for Guided Weapons. BSA has partnered with some of the most advanced manufacturers in Australia, including Laser Central and Hemco Industries for specialised components, and more recently, Crystalaid, which produces complex electronics for global Primes and the circuitry in BSA’s guided weapons.”

Last year, leaders from Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States announced an enhanced trilateral security partnership called AUKUS – the idea to join forces to deepen diplomatic, security, and defence cooperation in the IndoPacific region.

Industry accelerating Australia’s missile capability can not only help the implementation of the AUKUS agreement, it can lead the way.

“It’s all about sovereign capability for us,” Nikolic reiterated. “We are an Aussie veteran-owned business, and we care about our national security.

We keep being told that our security situation has deteriorated; well we are stepping up to help the best way we know how. We can keep importing what we need, with all the sovereignty and supply chain risks that entails, or we can get off our backsides and help build the local solution.”

Manufacturers’ Monthly JUNE 2022 21

Events Fostering collaboration at the German-Australian Growth Summit 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly attended the German-Australian Growth Summit 2021 to garner insight on important economic topics relevant to manufacturers, from key business leaders.

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ELD on 24 March at the International Convention Centre Sydney, the GermanAustralian Chamber of Industry and Commerce hosted representatives from both nations collaborating on projects centred on manufacturing and Industry 4.0, resources and critical minerals, medical technology and healthcare, and renewable energy and hydrogen.

Dr Jens Goennemann, managing director of the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) and chairman of the Board for the German-Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce, opened the German-Australian Growth Summit 2021 to a buzzing crowd.

Then, CSIRO chief scientist Professor Bronwyn Fox live streamed a keynote presentation that highlighted opportunities for collaboration around digitising and Industry 4.0 technologies across multiple sectors. Specifically, creating and curating collaborative networks.

To do this, Fox said that the CSIRO has refocused and changed their strategy, which aligns with the German-Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce’s goals.

“Our strategy has seen our organisation transform and deliver significant economic benefit to Australia,” Fox said. “We’re focused on facilitating access to international pathways for Australian innovation.

How can we get Australian technology out onto the world stage?

How can we make sure that we’re supplying our technology into global value chains and global markets?”

One such pathway the CSIRO is taking is implementing several different structures to help transition 22 JUNE 2022 Manufacturers’ Monthly

Australia through the “valley of death” (the funding gap that often occurs in the translational and early development stages). These include de-risking structures, like vaccine manufacturing; the ON accelerator program, which aims to make a difference to the research culture within an organisation; and Main Sequence Ventures, a model centred on company creation that works with researchers in the early stages. The latter promotes a knowledge of TRLs and then brings researchers together with a focused end user to create a new technology. Cases of Main Sequence Ventures’ success include a hydrogen electrolysing technology called Endure and v2food’s plantbased protein used in Hungry Jacks burgers.

Around digitalisation within the manufacturing Industry 4.0, Fox went into depth about various processes and innovations that are being created in university test labs across Australia in partnership with the CSIRO. One of these was the Swinburne-CSIRO National Industry 4.0 Testlab for Composite Additive Manufacturing, which discovered the world’s first industrial scale 3D printing multilayer approach to near net composite manufacture.

Now developed by Fill, an Austrian engineering company, this was also a prime example of international collaboration.

“It was co-designed and co-created as part of a global network and process,” Fox said. “I’m so grateful to my colleagues at ARENA2036 (a German research association) because when we identified that Fill multilayer process, which was a world-first piece of equipment, we

The German-Australian Growth Summit 2021 hosted representatives from both nations.

really struggled to engage with Fill.

Our colleagues in Stuttgart really helped show that we were credible.”

Fox concluded her presentation by encouraging the audience to cultivate similar collaborative partnerships in the future – both between industry and academia and between nations.

“I’m passionate about how we can create and curate collaborative networks and how we can bring together industries, universities and the CSIRO to create something special,” she said. “It’s important that we remain focused on the wonderful collaborations that we have, to make sure that we’re nurturing and growing those important international partnerships. I’m really keen to see how we can do that all together.”

Precious Earth Following Fox’s presentation, a video message from Fortescue Metals Group chairman, Dr Andrew Forrest, sought to instil a sense of urgency in the industry attendees to facilitate the use of green hydrogen to decarbonise. The sustainable, environmentally friendly theme was carried over later in the morning during the “Precious Earth” panel.

The “Precious Earth” panel

focused on critical minerals and the challenges and opportunities for the manufacturing and mining industries that are paving the way to a more sustainable future. With speakers from EcoGraf, Lynas Rare Earths and BASF, the panel discussed why the mineral supply chain is at risk and how Australia can manufacture a domestic supply of resources, such as graphite.

Manufacturers’ Monthly caught up with one of the panellists – EcoGraf managing director, Andrew Spinks – to find out more about how graphite is part of the evolving supply chain and what government and industry can do to protect the resource.

“We’ve got to see more leadership from electric vehicle manufacturers like Mercedes, BMW, Volkswagen in supporting alternate supply chains.

Pleasingly, I think we will see it and it’s a great opportunity for Australia to manufacture our own minerals,” Spinks said.

“We’re also seeing greater effort from the federal government in connecting with South Korea, Japan, India, Germany and the US. China produces all the natural purified spherical graphite and uses hydrochloric acid – and this is inconsistent with all the manmonthly.com.au

Events ESG messaging from the car manufacturers. But with federal government support and industry support, we’ll see much greater opportunity to develop it in these industries.”

Earlier this year, the Commonwealth of Australia also conditionally approved a loan of up to $54 million under the Australian government’s $2 billion Critical Minerals Facility fund, to support the planned expansion of EcoGraf’s Australian Battery Anode Material Facility to 20,000 tonnes per annum.

Spinks said that this will be the first graphite production facility located outside of China. The aim is to secure the vital supplies of resources needed to drive the new energy economy and support future resources jobs within Australia.

“We’re very pleased to be leading the charge on the $2 billion Critical Minerals Facility fund,” Spinks said. “We’re developing our first facility in WA, which will start off with a demonstration size plant, and then we’ll expand that to 20,000 tonnes. We’re working on the approvals process with the WA state government now.”

Spinks said the highlight of the German-Australian Growth Summit 2021 for him this year was the opportunity to network and express what challenges EcoGraf has experienced on the Precious Earth panel.

“The German-Australian Chamber is a great forum for connecting with German industry. They can show a lot of leadership in supporting alternative supply lines and manufacturing,” he said. “We’ve got a unique, once in a lifetime opportunity to really get back our manufacturing centred around our critical battery minerals.

“It’s been a great networking event – sitting next to Amanda Lacaze from Lynas Rare Earths and talking through her challenges around the market not wanting to pay one dollar more for an alternate clean, green material is consistent to the messaging we get from the anode cell manufacturers; that nobody wants to pay anything more for an alternate supply. We have developed manmonthly.com.au

and adopted our own business plan around the principle that we have to compete with China. So, being on the Precious Earth panel and expressing the challenges we’ve experienced is a great opportunity.”

Beautiful Intelligence In the afternoon, Weidmueller Australia managing director Rafael König, Siemens senior account director Leonie Wong, Graphite Energy COO Byron Ross and ALDI Australia director of Finance and Administration Tim Regitz took the stage.

This panel, named “Beautiful Intelligence,” focused primarily on the importance of collaboration between manufacturers and investigated the impacts of automation on workforce and skillset needs, as well as how automation can aid in sustainability targets.

In a brief presentation from Weidmueller Australia, the sponsor of the panel, Rafael König highlighted that although many companies are collecting data, only one per cent of them are aware of how to use the data to enhance their operations.

In speaking with Manufacturers’ Monthly, König admired ALDI Australia’s insight on the panel, as Tim Regitz detailed what actions the supermarket has taken to both understand and use its unique data to pinpoint their primary needs and targets.

“I was very pleased to hear from ALDI, as they know what they want to get out of their data and how they want their operators rostered to better understand the condition of the product,” König said.

“This is where companies have to learn that it’s not only about understanding the technology, but they need to understand what they want to do with it. That will be a long journey, but it’s very exciting because I think this is an example where the technology is growing faster than the use case.”

In making data fit-for-purpose, analytics is a discipline that is growing in popularity. Weidmueller Australia is currently undergoing a project to optimise the manufacture of compressors, where they are

helping a client to harness a large volume of data within approximately six months. Another Weidmueller client is using the acoustics of their machinery to produce analytics.

“You can imagine that in a traditional manufacturing site, there are some operators who know when a machine is going to break down simply from listening to it,” König said. “So the question is, how can we actually turn that into tangible data?

How can we interpret the data in the same way the experienced operator does?”

A video from Siemens during the panel session highlighted a case study where a small brewery based in Victoria has been able to optimise and upscale their processes using data.

“I think the example of the Wolf of the Willows is a very good one,” König said. “It is a family business that has used data, AI, IoT and Industry 4.0 methods to build a business and upscale. This is exactly what we wanted to show too – the use of data is not exclusive to big companies. There are a lot of IPs in there where I see Weidmueller as a facilitator of the technology, and able to help them use the data.”

Leonie Wong from Siemens summarised the session well, saying that “the one takeaway that everyone should be thinking about when it comes to digital transformation is to think big, start small, scale fast.”

“The panel highlighted that digital transformation is happening

now whether we like it or not, and that also the technology is becoming much more accessible to companies of all sizes,” Wong said. “It also means that sometimes when there is a smaller business unit within a larger company which is feeling a bit lost or doesn’t know where to start, you don’t want them to feel cut off from the technology – it is very accessible and very scalable.

“Then when we look at the data, we need to understand it’s not just about collecting data for the sake of it but being able to ensure that the data we’ve collected is of high quality – meaning that it is complete, accurate and timely.”

Collaborating for a brighter future In the final panel session, the light was shone on energy and renewable hydrogen under the headline “Powerful Planet.”

Here, Dr Fiona Simon, CEO of the Australian Hydrogen Council, notably stated the primary need for industry and academia to work with government to develop a cohesive plan to establish Australia’s greatest priorities and end goals, with regard to implementing renewable hydrogen nationwide.

This emphasised the underlying theme of what the whole GermanAustralian Growth Summit 2021 represented – that collaboration is the key to fostering growth and creating a brighter future for both nations and the world.

The Beautiful Intelligence panel investigated how to make data fit-for-purpose.

Manufacturers’ Monthly JUNE 2022 23

Engineering Focus

The Wolfpack Space hub exists to help Australian space manufacturers go from concept to on-orbit flight.

Seeing over the rainbow Australian space companies are collating innovative skills and resources to develop a world-first at a new space centre in New South Wales. Manufacturers’ Monthly sat down with Australian SME Spiral Blue to find out what it hopes to achieve from the exciting new project.

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AOFIQ Huq, Spiral Blue founder and CEO, recounted having an environmental upbringing. Born in Bangledesh to two agriculturalists, Huq has been starkly aware of the impact the environment has on the livelihoods of people since he was a child. He spoke about his parents’ work, who advised money-poor farmers about which crops, fertilisers, seeds and processes to implement.

The 29 year old has seen first-hand how a deteriorating environment hurts the people which live in it.

It’s his background which led him 24 JUNE 2022 Manufacturers’ Monthly

to form a start-up company after graduating university, to protect the Earth today. Space technology and Earth observation has the power to benefits billions – with an end goal of creating a future where climate change, illegal fishing, natural disasters, and other challenges are managed in an informed manner with data from space.

Earth observation is about capturing images of our world from space, and using the information from such images in agriculture, defence, city planning, investment mining and many different

applications. Spiral Blue’s work centres around this, but hopes to take Australian capabilities to a new level with its Space Edge computing technology.

Instead of processing the entire data set from a satellite image on the ground, Space Edge computing allows the satellite to capture some of the data itself. If implemented on a large scale, this would completely evolve Australia’s satellite observation space – which currently spends $5.3 billion every year.

“In Earth observation, when an image is taken these are huge

images, spanning tens of kilometres down, each pixel being maybe a metre in size,” he said. “Having to process these very detailed images on the ground is actually quite difficult, but at the moment is necessary. Most of the time, people don’t want to look at the images, they want an answer to help them with their crops, or to identify if there’s an illegal fishing boat in a particular reef.”

By measuring data as its captured on the satellite itself, the ‘answer’ from the images can be sent out instead of large amounts of raw data, allowing for greater efficiency with manmonthly.com.au

EngineeringFocus limited data budgets or downlink the satellites have.

“If you imagine being on a farm and being asked how many sheep are in a busy paddock, you could pull out your smart phone and take a picture.

But then you have to count all the sheep, which is going to be difficult,” he explained. “You would rather an image telling you right away the number of sheep in the paddock.”

Knowing he wanted to work in the space industry, Huq said he was faced with two options after he was finished with his studies: complete his PhD or begin a space start-up.

“There wasn’t much of an industry at the time, so I figured I could do an academic degree or have a crack at building the industry myself,” he said. “It made sense to me that if we wanted to continue to grow civilisation, we needed to ultimately move to other planets. The billionaires are looking into that, so I thought why don’t we find a way to keep earth in a good condition until these other plans really start to happen. So our earth observation journey began with looking at pirate ships in the middle of the ocean.

When we designed the satellite, we realised that it isn’t capable of capturing such huge areas without some help, which is where our Space Edge computing comes into play.”

Since the company’s inception at the start of 2018, Huq has grown his team to where he humbly says he might be the least skilled engineer at this point. Even the company’s business development manager is currently completing a space degree in Canberra. Spiral Blue now has five software engineers, two or three electrical engineers, mechanical and hardware engineers which totals to a team of about ten people.

customer acquisition advice.

In August last year, the Space Hub received $500,000 in funding as part of the Entrepreneurs Australia incubators grant. As Huq explained, in the last five years Australia’s space industry has started to take shape, with around 100 new companies founded. The global space industry is expected to be worth $1 trillion by 2040, but one of the current barriers Australian companies face is actually going to space, so many pivot to data and sensors.

Wolfpack hopes to bring that on-site expertise so start-ups don’t become discouraged, allowing them to set the price and quality on products to compete with the global market.

Dr Jason Held, Saber Astronautics’

CEO said Wolfpack is a different program from anything Australia has seen before.

“Many excellent incubators know how to build downstream services startups,” he said. “And that is good business for Australia. But flight is where you get the best advantage because you get to own the supply.

Those who build the road set the toll.”

The recently opened Space Hub facility in Waterloo, New South Wales connects start-ups with national infrastructure, helping them create onshore manufacturing opportunities and create local jobs.

“Startups that would normally compete are instead supporting each other directly – They join each other’s proposals, share information,

Many excellent incubators know how to build downstream services startups. And that is good business for Australia. But flight is where you get the best advantage because you get to own the supply. Those who build the road set the toll.

and help each other out in ways we haven’t seen elsewhere,” Held added.

One of the start-ups, Spiral Blue, have their eyes on a new project at the hub, which is being funded by the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC). The space mission – in collaboration with the University of New South Wales and fellow startups Esper and Dandelions – will develop the world’s first integrated hyperspectral instrument and onboard computer. Taofiq Huq has an inspiring vision for what that will look like, and will use the new Wolfpack facility in Waterloo to turn it into a reality.

Project Rainbow Python When explaining what a hyperspectral instrument is, Huq begins to explain that most humans only see in three colours. With the three colours at our disposal, we can see detailed, rich information about the world around us.

“Imagine if we could see hundreds of colours,” he said. “With that sort of information, you can tell things like the chemical composition of what you’re looking at. For example, in agriculture, you can actually see to a very high degree of accuracy how

Wolfpack space hub Founded by Saber Astronautics and TCG, the Wolfpack Space hub exists to help Australian space manufacturers go from concept to on-orbit flight. The incubator provides advisory services, indusxtry relationships and training to startups, including deep-tech technical support to fly in space with hardware, satellite operations support and manmonthly.com.au

Dr Jens Goennemann, AMGC MD, James Buttonshaw, Spiral Blue co-founder and CTO, Paul Hilton, Spiral Blue business development manager, Michael Sharpe, AMGC director of Industry and Kelly Godeau, AMGC executive director.

Manufacturers’ Monthly JUNE 2022 25

Engineering Focus much fertiliser is actually in a plot of land and how much water is there? Do I need to apply more pesticides?”

“In a water body, you can see if there are pollutants, levels of certain chemicals that may indicate a biological processes is happening.

The fish kills that happened in the Murray Darling is the sort of event this could see. In mining, you can view what minerals are in a landscape to determine where to explore.”

Spiral Blue is working with Esper, a recently created tech company which is developing industryleading satellite technology with hyperspectral-capable payloads.

Esper’s technology can capture light across a wider spectral range and at a higher spatial resolution than more outdated predecessors.

As Huq alluded to, when analysed, hyperspectral data reveals detailed information about what is invisible to the naked eye.

This has applications across a range of industries, but the challenge is within the data: being able to process the extra information.

Rainbow Python tackles the satellite imaging problems by utilising Spiral Blue’s Space Edge 1 Hyperspectral (SE-1H) to analyse stored hyperspectral data cubes while Esper’s Over The Rainbow high resolution hyperspectral imager (OTR) will attempt to capture these datacubes.

“We are working with Esper to put together their camera and our computer so that they don’t have to deal with the pain of having to figure out how to send down such huge volumes of data,” he said. “We can do things like pull out certain bits of information from the image that they actually need, or we can do compression, which helps to overcome that challenge.”

“If you have a piece of infrastructure that costs a million dollars, creating ten units of output per year with loan repayments of $100,000 per year, you better hope that each of those units of output are making you at least $10,000. However, if the piece of infrastructure can now make 100 or 1000 units, then that price can really start to come down.

26 JUNE 2022 Manufacturers’ Monthly

Brian Lim, Dandelions CEO at the Wolfpack Space Hub with Spiral Blue’s Paul Hilton.

We are working with Esper to put together their camera and our computer so that they don’t have to deal with the pain of having to figure out how to send down such huge volumes of data. We can do things like pull out certain bits of information from the image that they actually need, or we can do compression, which helps to overcome that challenge.

That’s what we’re trying to achieve with earth observation satellites, including in this project.”

Essentially, the ultimate goal of space companies is to be in space.

The rainbow Python and the other payloads are to fly together aboard Australia’s first hosted payload and satellite deployment spacecraft, Space Machines’ Optimus. Launch and hosted payload costs are being discounted to accelerate the space qualification of the payloads from Spiral, Esper, and Wise.

“The $578,000 from the AMGC will help us buy the raw materials and components to build the

combined products and payloads,” Huq said. “We’ll be putting them on the satellites hopefully next year or the year after.”

Spiral Blue and other project partners together forecast $36 million in revenue over 5 years and 49 jobs created during and one year after project completion.

The collaborative hosted payload model being used is repeatable, meaning it could be used to help accelerate timelines for other new space hardware companies. Huq explained his vision for the outcomes of the project.

“It has to be as simple as

someone wanting to know the latest information about bushfires being on their phone, visiting a website and seeing information right away,” he said. “This is a technical product which won’t necessarily be available to everyone, but it still has to have that level of simplicity and accessibility in order to really maximise the impact.”

In the long term, Spiral Blue has the ability to help the developing world as well as Australia, a cause close to Huq’s heart.

“Traditionally, American companies and government agencies will develop technology for America and then apply it internationally,” he said. “It doesn’t necessarily work out because the conditions in the developing world are very different to the conditions in Europe, America or Australia. So I think our technology has the potential to really bridge that gap and bring this really valuable information to help make better decisions and improve livelihoods.”

“We have an opportunity to not only bring this to governments and companies, but to the poorest of people. If we haven’t achieved that, we haven’t succeeded as a company.” manmonthly.com.au

Events

AMTIL has widened the scope of its exhibitions portfolio.

The time to move is now The Australian Manufacturing Week is set to showcase the full spectrum of industry.

AMT’s Paul Hellard explains how the event is the centrepiece of a week-long celebration of Australian manufacturing.

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F ever there was a time to be right up close to the Manufacturing industry here in Australia, it is now. As the country slowly emerges from the worst effects of the global COVID19 pandemic, businesses, bodies and governments have been re-evaluating their processes, introducing new ideas and in many cases, manufacturers have been bringing home their supply lines.

Coming up June 7 - 10 in Sydney, the Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW) will showcase the industry in a huge exhibition encompassing all aspects of manufacturing in Australia. Taking up two halls at the International Convention Centre in Darling Harbour, over 9,000 sqm of exhibition space at the ICC Sydney, the AMW will showcase the latest manufacturing technologies and processes across six Product Zones. There will be Machine Tools, Additive Manufacturing, Robotics and Automation, Weld Solutions, Manufacturing Solutions as well as a separate Australian Manufacturing Pavilion. The AMW is truly a weeklong celebration of manufacturing in Australia.

There is genuine excitement for the AMW trade show after the postponement of so many events during the worst of the COVID19 manmonthly.com.au

global pandemic. The Australian manufacturing industries are getting back together, in fact a lot of them haven’t stopped. So, this is the time to invest, collaborate and start moving on those plans.

Owned and operated by Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), the Australian Manufacturing Week is Australia’s premier manufacturing solutions event. AMTIL is the peak national body that represents the interests of manufacturing technology suppliers and users within the precision engineering and advanced manufacturing sector.

Floor space was almost entirely booked out before the end of last year. Registrations have been open since February 2022. Thousands of industrial decision makers are expected to attend, to see the latest technology up close.

While AMW is a brand-new event, AMTIL is bringing a whole lot of experience in staging these industry events. Since 2000, AMTIL has operated Austech, Australia’s premier advanced manufacturing and machine tool exhibition. The last Austech, held in in 2019, was held in Melbourne with industry professionals coming in from here and around the world. Austech has now been melded into AMW, the

exhibition encompassing all aspects of the manufacturing industry in Australia. This event will cover every aspect of manufacturing technology, from the largest machine tools, down to the smallest precision cutting tools, as well as state-ofthe-art support systems, software and accessories, and the many other services that are essential to manufacturing enterprise.

As mentioned, COVID-19 has had a debilitating effect on workforces of the world over the last two or so years. This has affected workforces, logistics and shipping of stock, well, everywhere. While we are now lifting restrictions in parts of the nation, the threat of an Omicron 2022 winter variant is still quite real. It ain’t over yet. The Russian invasion of Ukraine

has also shaken Europe and the surrounding economies, has its very real human repercussions as well as logistical effects regarding energy supplies. And then there’s the effect yet to come, with Australia’s largest trading partner moving swiftly and snugly into a South Pacific sleepover in the Solomon Islands.

At the time of writing, Australia is still in election campaign mode.

Whoever is in the Lodge by the time AMW begins, will have a swiftly changing world to navigate. But the Australian manufacturing industry has its orders already. They should bring home their supply lines where possible, gear up and learn fast with their industry partners.

See you all at the Australian Manufacturing Week.

The Australian Manufacturing Week will be once again held at Sydney’s International Convention Centre.

Manufacturers’ Monthly JUNE 2022 27

Compressors Connect, scan and optimise your compressed air installation Atlas Copco discusses how manufacturers can harness energy efficiency to reduce costs – and their CO2 footprint – by investing in their range of products that connect, scan and optimise compressed air systems.

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S Charles Darwin once said, “It’s not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.”

A manufacturers’ compressed air system is one of their biggest energy consumers. Gaining energy efficiency can have a big impact on costs, while helping to reduce the CO2 footprint.

Connect In today’s modern society where a smartphone is now a necessity, it is easy to forget how quickly being connected has become a normal part of life. There are already more connected things than people in the world, so it is obvious that from an industrial machinery perspective, being connected has also become a normal part of modern industry.

The benefit of being connected is the instant visibility it creates. The Atlas Copco SMARTLink product connects a manufacturer to an easier life. SMARTLINK captures live data from compressed air equipment and translates them into clear insights.

At a glance, the operator can check uptime, energy efficiency and CO2 emissions. SMARTLINK offers easy follow-up of the compressed air installation’s energy consumption, enabling a quick overview on the dashboard or a deeper dive into customised reports. Uniquely based on the actual working conditions of the machines, recommendations present real opportunities to improve the efficiency of the air system.

The other and perhaps more important benefit of connecting via an Atlas Copco SMARTLink Energy Plan is that the compressor’s data will be fed into the Atlas Copco Big Data Framework. This allows

28 JUNE 2022 Manufacturers’ Monthly

The Atlas Copco SMARTLink product connects a manufacturer to an easier life.

Atlas Copco to activate Diagnostic Supervision, an option that enables the specialist to spot and fix any deviations at an early stage. Based on smart algorithms and expert analysis, proactive troubleshooting keeps the manufacturers’ energy efficiency at a top level.

Scan For those wanting to delve deeper into their compressed air system, Atlas Copco offers a compressed air auditing and leakage detection service called AIRScan.

An AIRScan energy audit includes a full survey of the compressed air net parameters: Atlas Copco usually measures energy consumption of the equipment, flow rates and pressures to get an accurate picture of the compressor room.

Measurements are performed

during operation, so the manufacturer doesn’t need to stop the production.

The logged information is used to simulate several energy saving scenarios: Atlas Copco’s unique and proprietary analysis software can simulate different configurations of the compressed air system.

Together with their competence and experience, this gives the customer realistic savings figures.

The AIRscan report provides a clear summary for decision makers, as well as an in-depth analysis of problems and solutions for technical staff, to improve the system’s performance.

It is estimated that after five years, 20 to 30 per cent of the energy used by a compressed air system is wasted on leaks. A leak as small as 3mm can be very expensive, with an energy loss equivalent to 16 tonnes of CO2

emissions. During an AIRScan leak detection survey, Atlas Copco’s stateof-the-art acoustic camera detects 40 per cent more leaks than traditional tools, at twice the speed. The air leaks report includes the savings potential and a priority list for repairs.

Knowing the condition of compressed air equipment and being able to respond proactively is the surest way to achieve maximum availability and protect the investment. The AIRScan vibration analysis is a health check for the compressor element, gearbox, coupling, drive train and other rotating components; it is the ultimate tool to prevent expensive breakdowns.

If the compressed air contains unwanted substances like water, oil or solid particles, these may impact the quality of the final product.

manmonthly.com.au

Compressors

Atlas Copco offers a compressed air auditing and leakage detection service called AIRScan.

Furthermore, the manufacturer may need to comply with compressed air quality standards.

The AIRScan air quality analysis uses state-of-the-art tools to check the purity of the compressed air. It comes with a clear report including recommendations on how to achieve the air quality that is needed.

Optimise If the manufacturer’s compressed air system has multiple compressors or blowers, they have to be started, stopped and regulated to meet fluctuations in air demand. In a traditional system, the output pressure often exceeds the required pressure, resulting in a cost increase. Atlas Copco master controllers Optimiser 4.0 and Equaliser 4.0 offer a much smarter solution. By automating compressor operation, they increase system stability, minimise wear and achieve optimal energy efficiency.

If the air piping system has excessive leaks, is undersized or inadequately designed, an AIRnet piping system may be recommended.

An optimal piping network is sized, planned and installed to support sustainable operational excellence in the production process. Material and product design, installation and maintenance costs; flexibility and safety. They all influence the total cost of ownership and the level of efficiency in the manufacturing manmonthly.com.au

production process.

When looking for a high performing and effortless system that can be customised to fit any production site, AIRnet will turn out to be the best investment choice a manufacturer can make. It is a highend aluminium system specially designed to save the money that other piping systems spend.

During air compression, heat is generated. This is diverted to the cooling system and released into the atmosphere. However, this thermal energy can be put to good use. That’s where Energy Recovery comes in. It recovers the heat so it can be used for workspace heating, hot water or industrial processes. The compressor is “creating” energy. Don’t let it go to waste!

Compressors of any age or type can benefit from the superior processing capability of the Elektronikon Mk5 Touch controller, offering the most advanced control algorithms and connectivity via SMARTLINK, resulting in improved machine control and energy savings.

To unlock the potential savings in a manufacturing site’s compressor room, try Atlas Copco’s online calculator.

Scan the QR code to find out more information about Atlas Copco’s AIRScan.

Manufacturers’ Monthly JUNE 2022 29

Hoists & chains The next revolution of hoisting KITO PWB’s new RY Series Wire Rope Hoists – geared to manufacturing applications – are designed for safety, reliability and performance. Manufacturers’ Monthly speaks with national hoist specialist, Glenn Morgan, about why the KITO RY is the ideal piece of equipment for the heaviest jobs.

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ITO PWB’s electric and manual hoists have been distributed around Australia for almost 40 years. In that time, the company has seen a barrage of market trends and challenges, but has remained focused on building its engineering prowess to maintain top-end quality.

Glenn Morgan, KITO PWB national hoist specialist, said the new KITO RY will be popular in the hoist replacement market, largely in part to its ability to extend the life cycle of the equipment. The wholesaler leverages off its global network to solve challenges in the Australian market for its customers.

“Instead of having to buy a hoist locally which will almost always be from direct competitors, we are truly independent in the sense that we aren’t competing for the work directly. KITO deals through its network of distributors, getting local support from global manufacturing.”

Safety comes first Morgan explained ‘the KITO way’ – how a priority on quality creates the

highest level of safety. The new hoist is exemplary of this, with several new features to guarantee safety for all sorts of operations.

“Lifting is one of the most dangerous things you can do and most people don’t actually give it the attention it deserves,” he said.

“The old adage of a chain is strong as its weakest link applies and KITO is always very conservative with its engineering, always overengineering something to ensure complete safety. It’s probably this approach which translates to the company being the pinnacle of quality whilst still having a high market share.”

The electronic thermal motor also protects itself from damage by automatically turning off when it identifying overheating, which can be applied from standard lifting and lowering to the traversing movement provided by the inverter.

Other safety features include externally adjustable limit switches, emergency paddle limit and highperformance motor brakes which are maintenance free for up to one million starts.

Adjustable speed

KITO RY helps to keep bigger loads under control, avoiding the possibility of load swing on the heavier jobs.

30 JUNE 2022 Manufacturers’ Monthly

The inverter control is a dual speed variable frequency (VFD), which controls both hoist and trolley for optimum speed adjustability as well as lifting and lowering accuracy.

Morgan noted that KITO’s track record with research and development helps to finetune such technology.

“KITO has been using VFDs with the chain hoist for a lot of years,” he said. “It’s not a completely new technology to them, the product is backed by a hundred years of experience and technology that have been cultivated through the history of manufacturing the proven high-

KITO PWB’s new RY Series Wire Rope Hoists – geared to manufacturing applications. performance KITO electric hoists.”

A low-load high-speed function allows for hoist operation at 1.5 times the standard high speed with a load less than 25 per cent of rated capacity to increase productivity.

A smooth start/stop and transition from slow to fast protects the load and supporting structure, reducing load swing and bounce, with the ability to adjust the lifting/travelling speeds to suit the users’ application.

Furthermore, the VFD incorporates an easily accessible condition monitoring system via an hour meter and operation counter.

This means users can plan their preventive maintenance based around the exact hours of operation and the exact operations the hoist has done.

Performance for bigger loads Bigger loads can bring bigger challenges – the strain placed on

the equipment increases, making it more difficult for project managers and teams to achieve high standards of safety and compliance during lowering and lifting.

The soft starting and stopping mechanism in the KITO RY helps to keep bigger loads under control, avoiding the possibility of load swing on the heavier jobs. This is complemented by anti-jogging mechanisms which prevent load instability, allowing teams to operate at the highest level of safety as the load masses increase.

“Safety is and will continue to be the biggest priority,” he said.

“Everyone wants to keep their workers happy and safe, so KITO puts in years of product development to make this happen.”

Visit www.kitopwb.com.au for more information or contact KITO PWB sales team on 1300 792 262 to discuss your lifting requirement. manmonthly.com.au

Materials Handling Heavy lifting made safe with Combilift Combilift forklifts continue to improve processes and drive safety for Australian steel manufacturers. Manufacturers’ Monthly speaks to Western Australian steel galvanizer Mgalv about the introduction of two new Combilift solutions.

Combilift customises units to suit the gritty, dirty needs of the galvanising industry.

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INCE 1971, The Meneghello family have been galvanizing to the Western Australian market. The family-owned business established Meneghello Galvanizing Industries (Mgalv) just over ten years later, with the addition of founder Angelo’s son Danny to the business.

Throughout the 90s, in a newly built plant in Lansdale, the Mgalv team began to implement innovative design techniques unique to this era, which continue to form the basis of processes today. The Lansdale plant continues to produce high quality work for steel fabricators, extending the legacy of the Meneghello name and making the company the longest established hot dip galvanizers in Western Australia.

Andre Meneghello, Mgalv 32 JUNE 2022 Manufacturers’ Monthly

general manager, explained how his grandfather and father built such a strong business model.

“Angelino and his brother started the business in 1971,” he said.

“Their strengths being operations on the factory floor. Danny joined to concentrate more on the business and management side, while his father and uncle worked on the factory floor. Angelino always had the vision of the business it could become.”

Safety above all else Handling long loads like extended lengths of steel, timber or aluminium is an inherently dangerous process for operators. The right materials handling safety procedures help avoid injury first and foremost, but also product and warehouse damage.

A standard counterbalance forklift has been commonly used in these applications for years, but more companies are utilising a more manoeuvrable solution to safely move longer loads.

Combilift’s range of multidirectional forklifts fill this need in the market. When asked about Combilift forklifts, one of Mgalv’s operators said “it’s like part of my hands.” The manoeuvrability of the solution is a clear difference-maker for those who work closely with the machines.

“What the Combilift forklifts have added is a safety component,” Meneghello said. “They’re making the warehouse environment much safer by the multi-directional capacity to transport long lengths of

steel through the workshop.”

For up to two years, the eight tonne, three tonne and four tonne CB3000, C4000 and C8000 forklifts have helped improve safety and efficiencies with the longer lengths of steel in the workshop Danny and Angelino Menghello established in 1991. With equipment laid on the shop floor in any warehouse in Australia, traditional forklift’s inability to move around easily means lifting loads up high and transporting them over workstations, posing a risk to workers nearby on the production lines.

“We can carry a 12-metre length of steel down a passageway that’s only three metres wide. This avoids having to have a 12-metre passageway which we’d have to get manmonthly.com.au

MaterialsHandling staff to clear out of the way for,” Meneghello added.

Mgalv uses the C8000 unit to lift materials right out of the galvanising bath. The unit lifts an attachment specially designed to lift a large quantity of galvanised material out of the bath. The C8000 moves the material laterally either inside or in external storage areas.

Combilift’s CB series are effectively three units in one, with an ability to operate as a side-loader, counterbalance or narrow aisle forklift. For Mgalv, the ability for one unit to move long loads improves safety because it removes the need for unnecessary forklift movements and load handovers between units.

Fewer employees have to be spotters for loads, removing them from the dangerous operating zone.

“It was a no brainer,” he said.

“Any investment that reduces hazards and increases the safety of the environment is paramount.”

Chris Littlewood, Combilift country manager Australia,

explained the rationale behind using multidirectional forklifts instead of traditional ones.

“The CB was introduced in 2006, where the company identified a market for customers that needed to use a regular forklift for handling palletised loads, but also the ability to drive sideways when handling long loads,” he said. “Regular forklifts are designed for handling palletised loads, so the design gives an ability to travel sideward.”

The Combilift multi directional C Series combines the advantages of a counterbalanced forklift, side loader and very narrow aisle (VNA) truck in one vehicle. Once again, this delivers huge space savings for customers, with narrow aisles and doorways not a problem because of the advanced steering system.

For Andre Meneghello, future expansion plans are in sight. In Mgalv’s journey to expand market capabilities, no doubt safety will remain front of mind for the forwardthinking business.

Mgalv’s operators love the manoeuvrability of Combilift forklifts.

You Want It, We Make It

Whatever needs fabrication, our team of Skilled Tradespeople can take you from concept, to design, to build and install • Road and Bridge Works • Building/Construction & Structural Steel • General Engineering • Specialist Welding • Project Management • Maintenance service for any manufacturing environment • We offer a fully integrated engineering service, no matter the application Call us now to discuss your project maintenance requirement or fabrication requirements Syd Tusen | General Manager 0419 338 494 | Syd.tusen@gandgengineering.com.au Office: 03 9743 6907

manmonthly.com.au

Manufacturers’ Monthly JUNE 2022 33

Naval Manufacturing Packaged solutions for Australia’s maritime space Altra Motion provides bespoke packages and innovative solutions for the Australian marine/defence market. Manufacturers’ Monthly speaks to the OEM about how engineered products can solve pain points for customers.

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LTRA Motion’s range of products is for the gamut of industrial manufacturing processes. Roger Axelsson, global marine sales manager, said as well as providing world-class power transmission components, the OEM uses industry knowledge to find a customer’s missing piece for greater efficiencies.

“With all the knowledge we have and the applications we’ve been involved in, we can guide the customer,” he said. “We can provide customised solutions for product and service based on the customer’s exact specifications, which builds trust.”

According to Axelsson, sourcing, multiple components from a single company offers more convenience with better drivetrain performance.

“Offering a complete set of solutions is an advantage,” he explained. “A customer can come to Altra and explain what they are

trying to achieve, and we can offer a customised solution that fits their application. That’s where our vast product portfolio comes into play; whether it’s industrial clutches and brakes or couplings, Altra can provide more comprehensive packaged drivetrain solutions.

In addition, understanding what the OEM wants helps us offer an engineered solution.”

Coupling technologies Turbines in naval vessels are by no means a new consideration – Altra Motion has been supplying couplings for these applications for 60 years.

However, the turbines are changing, with more being used with newer, high-efficiency diesel engines in direct propulsion or power generation for electrical motor drivers.

Daemon Flack, NSW sales manager and marine product specialist, said modern, aero-derivative gas turbines

Advanced disc and diaphram coupling technology rises to the challenges of naval propulsion applications.

34 JUNE 2022 Manufacturers’ Monthly

The Turning, Locking and Braking (TLB) system from Twiflex. are light, flexible, and easy to maintain – meaning Altra couplings are not only suitable for the power transmission demands, but also the shock conditions and ease of removal

and refitment.

“Highly-engineered, Altra coupling products represent the latest in coupling technology, featuring superior design and exceptional quality to ensure extremely reliable, long-lasting performance in harsh environments and applications,” he said.

Modern navies have a variety of sophisticated vessels, including aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates, patrol boats and submarines. Altra Motion brands Bibby Turboflex and Ameridrives are leading global suppliers of couplings for the marine market, with the products on most of the next-generation naval ships under construction at shipyards worldwide.

“Both couplings are classleading in technical capability and experience with bespoke designs to suit the application,” Flack said. “Turboflex disc couplings are cost-effective all metallic flexible multiple membranes, designed suitable for up to 50 mw and speeds of up to 25,000 rpm.

The Ameriflex multi convoluted diaphragm couplings are the most torque-dense coupling on the market, meaning they can transmit torque manmonthly.com.au

NavalManufacturing

The Stromag 2-in-1 Couplings Clutch Combination. whilst offering greater levels of misalignment for a given diameter than any other, perfect for naval applications with high shock load conditions. Altra Motion continues to invest in our technology, engineering know-how, and manufacturing capability to design, develop and deliver couplings for the worlds leading global navies.”

The engineering teams at Bibby Turboflex and Ameridrives are routinely developing couplings to meet the challenging requirements of the different types of marine propulsion gas turbines, including the popular GE LM series. Altra’s high-performance couplings are designed and manufactured to meet all the major marine classification requirements, including ABS, DNV and Lloyds.

Stromag coupling/clutch assemblies Machinery and equipment OEMs are continually challenged to design drivetrains to fit in shrinking spaces.

As a result, reducing overall system weight is essential for marine propulsion designers.

But sourcing individual drivetrain couplings and clutches can be timeconsuming. Stromag’s combination 2in1 coupling and clutch assemblies look to solve this problem – reducing cost, weight and improving manmonthly.com.au

When a boat or submarine is moored, with a lot of tide activity against the propeller, the TLB system will lock the propeller shaft in place so it cannot drive back up through the drive train and cause damage to motors, generators etc. Dynamic breaking is often used if you have a fixed pitch propeller.” efficiencies. Altra Motion brands Stromag is uniquely positioned to respond to the growing demand for innovative drivetrain solutions as the only major power transmission component manufacturer to offer couplings and clutches.

“First of all, the combination avoids the time-consuming interface clarification meetings between elastic coupling and clutch suppliers,” Flack explained. “They remove the need to design a solution from scratch by providing a 2in1 couplings and clutch combination with easy installations into all different drivetrains.”

Fewer parts mean less weight, which is always an advantage in marine applications. In addition, the solution removes the need for individual housings, bushings or keyways.

“It provides deactivation of the output with almost no residual torque,” he added. “As well as torsional vibration damping, radial, axial and angular displacement.”

TLB System from Twiflex The Turning, Locking and Braking (TLB) system from Twiflex has a turning gear, locking device, shaft brake, a power unit (e.g. Hydraulic Powerpack) and a control panel for local operation of the system close to the equipment.

The compact Twiflex TLB consolidates three usually separate interfaces and functions into one package – including brakes and mounting brackets, turning device, gearwheel and locking mechanism – thereby allowing customers to select and install one of the turning, locking and braking functions individually or

to select paired or complete turning, locking and braking functionality.

“There are various advantages to using a TLB system,” Flack said.

“When a boat or submarine is moored, with a lot of tide activity against the propeller, the TLB system will lock the propeller shaft in place so it cannot drive back up through the drive train and cause damage to motors, generators etc. Also, dynamic braking is often used if you have a fixed-pitch propeller.”

“While it’s moored, if someone has to come on and do some work on that propeller or the bearings surrounding the propeller, the TLB system will give you an advantage to inch the propeller around into different positions, so you can do maintenance on it or check for bearings. Then, because it has a dynamic breaking activity, you can shut down the propellor to give the boat more manoeuvrability.”

The TLB has a split disc with a gear-tooth profile mounted onto a customer-supplied flange, making the need to disassemble the propulsion shaft unnecessary during installation – an essential advantage in retrofit applications.

“The entire system is designed to be controlled from the ship’s bridge,” Flack added. “However, when maintenance is planned, a signal from the bridge to “permit local control” is generated and – providing all the safety interlocks have been satisfied – the calliper brakes and turning gear can be operated from a local control panel.”

“Typically, propulsion OEMs specify separate braking, locking and turning devices, often supplied by different manufacturers, to perform all three functions while fitting in a minimal footprint. The TLB helps solve the time-consuming sourcing challenge that also requires the OEM to ensure that all three components interface properly once installed.”

Flexibility in designs allows Twiflex TLB to be used across many shaft drive applications outside the marine propulsion sector. For example, it can be used on industrial and ventilation fans, automotive shredding machines, and agitator drives for mixing and aeration.

Manufacturers’ Monthly JUNE 2022 35

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Local Manufacturing Staying true to Australian made G&G Engineering has acquired a new business to add to its portfolio of services. A year after its acquisition, Manufacturers’ Monthly finds out how Bollards Direct is making its mark.

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ROM humble beginnings, G&G Engineering has made its name through a pursuit of quality. Two cousins from Melton in Victoria started an engineering workshop out of their backyard garage in 1973, beginning with general engineering and fabrication work for the local community.

Today G&G offers a diverse range of services, including road and bridge works, (a VicRoads/D.O.T. prequalified provider) building/ construction, structural steel, mining, agribusiness, general engineering, project management, and equipment installation.

The business can essentially be broken down into roads and bridges, specialised maintenance in the manufacturing environment, and specialised custom-made projects.

Having confronted the volatility of the industry over the COVID-19 pandemic, G&G’s management team embarked on acquiring a business to add to its repertoire. Ron Parker, operations coordinator said the

Bollards Direct’s trade stand at MotorEx 2022. acquisition of a national company, Bollards Direct continues to provide G&G with another revenue stream.

“When G&G took over the business there was three core products,” he said. “So we’ve been concentrating

Bollards Direct’s Daniel Gilliland, Syd Tusen, Ron Parker with Paul Betteridge of Spot On Bollards.

manmonthly.com.au

on expanding the product range. They had a 90, 140 and 165 millimetre in-ground bollards, whereas now we have got surface mounted bollards to compliment the in-ground bollards.

We are looking to add stainless steel bollards to our range and entering into the lucrative tender market.”

The previous owner of Bollards Direct grew the business through attending car shows in different states around the country. Now, the company has, and continues to grow its national distributorship. The bollards are wholly manufactured in Melton and then channeled through distributors in every state.

The company offers supply only or supply and install options to suit its customer’s requirements.

“We assemble it all,” Parker added.

“We buy steel and send the steel to pipe laser cutters who profile cut it to our specifications. We then deal with different laser cutters as far as the different components are concerned.”

A problem for local SME manufacturers is the competition from cheap imports. Especially considering a surge in steel prices over the last few months, Australian made products

are competing with challenging price points. However, the compromise on quality is the obvious trade-off, in which Bollards Direct, with the backing of G&G Engineering’s years of expertise, “We believe we have a quality product and that’s why we are at the top end,” Parker explained.

“The emphasis is on helping Australian business as we continue to expand our range, looking at downpipe protectors, and wheel stops which will complement the bollards.”

Recently showcased at MotorEx – the largest car show of its kind in Australia – Bollards Direct has a new product, looking to fill a void in the market.

“There’s a gap in the market between the 90 mm and the 140 mm,” he said. “The 114 (Midi) is actually lighter than some of the 90 mmm bollards we sell. We see an opportunity in the market where customers can buy something of a higher quality than the imported bollards out there. Highlighted at MotorEx, we are extremely pleased with the public’s interest in the Midi and look forward to the markets reaction in the coming weeks.”

Manufacturers’ Monthly JUNE 2022 37

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Metal Coatings & Repairs Titomic ascends to global heights Titomic business development manager, Elias Baini, speaks to Manufacturers’ Monthly about how it is taking Cold Spray technology to new levels, with a new product offering faster and stronger metal coatings and repairs for a range of applications.

& E H X H I B I T I O N C E N T R E

Titomic is taking Cold Spray technology to new levels with the new D523 turnkey system.

T

ITOMIC was established in 2014 to commercialise patents it licenced from the CSIRO developed during the “Ore for More” project. These patents allowed the development of the technology which became known as Titomic Kinetic Fusion or ‘TKF’. With this technology, Titomic now offers industrial-scale additive manufacturing solutions that use titanium and other highperformance metals. Titomic Kinetic Fusion has boosted capabilities in the aerospace, automotive, defence, mining, oil and gas, and shipbuilding industries.

Last December, as part of its globalisation and growth strategy, Titomic acquired Dutch manufacturer of Low Pressure Cold Spray Systems, Dycomet.

manmonthly.com.au

Titomic’s acquisition of Dycomet brings high-speed metal coatings and repairs to Australia In acquiring Dycomet, Titomic made a strategic step in their path to become a global company.

“While Titomic focuses on highpressure cold spray applications, Dycomet services the low and medium-pressure market,” Titomic CEO Herbert Koeck said in a media release in November 2021. “With our complementary machinery and product portfolio, the combined expertise now available to the company will further accelerate the company’s growth into new markets and provide current customers with a broader product offering.”

Baini said that not only was this

The ability to quickly restore end-of-life engine components can potentially save asset owners many tens of thousands of dollars, and weeks of downtime over the life of an asset. move intended to expand Titomic’s technology and provide a foothold in the European region, but to extend Titomic’s portfolio of services and capabilities.

“By purchasing Dycomet, it has allowed Titomic to offer the full suite of cold spray solutions from low, medium and high pressure, something which Titomic is the only provider in the world to offer” he said.

“In additive manufacturing, we use

robot mounted high pressure systems to build large parts out of metal powder. Dycomet on the other hand uses the low and medium pressure systems to coat and repair parts in the field with a hand-held system.”

Dycomet’s portfolio currently includes Cold Spray solutions, research and development services through an in-house laboratory, software development and servicing provisions, and spare parts and Manufacturers’ Monthly JUNE 2022 39

Metal Coatings & Repairs Repairing and restoring not only makes commercial sense by reducing costs, but also has a positive impact on sustainability. consumables for its systems. Its clients include household brands such as Rolls-Royce, Mercedes, Airbus, Siemens, VW and several leading universities.

Putting the pieces together This acquisition has given Titomic access to new products to launch in Australia, and the larger APAC region – particularly, the D523 handheld system amongst others. It facilitates faster and stronger metal coatings and repairs for a range of applications, as it works with a variety of materials such as metal,

glass, ceramic or plastic.

“The system can repair metal surface defects like cracks or holes as well as damaged surfaces on engines, bearings and gearboxes,” Baini said. “The ability to quickly restore end-of-life engine components can potentially save asset owners many tens of thousands of dollars, and weeks of downtime over the life of an asset.

“Repairing and restoring not only makes commercial sense by reducing costs, but also has a positive impact on sustainability.”

Highlights of the D523 handheld

system are: • Start up and deposition of metal within seconds • Rapid material build-up • No thermal effects or melted material • Deposited metal is directly machinable • Portable and easily relocatable between work sites • Full colour touch screen control Dycomet have sold numerous machines in the past five years. With existing Dycomet customers in the APAC region, the aim is to facilitate a strong reseller network to better support and promote the growth of this customer base.

Currently we have high demand in the market for Titomic’s D523 handheld system, with demand outstripping supply, Baini said.

“It’s a great feeling for us, as we just can’t make these machines fast enough,” he said. “With the highpressure machines, they are typically used by aerospace and defence manufacturing companies, the low to medium pressure machines are much more accessible in price – we’re talking about a very affordable system with options to own or to lease. From the repairs and coatings point of view, it allows you to deposit strong coatings that are far thicker than that achievable with other forms of thermal spray technologies,” Baini said.

“Since the acquisition of Dycomet, Titomic is now pushing more heavily into the coatings and repairs space using its new hand portable systems.”

To learn more about Titomic’s new D523 handheld system, visit www. dycomet.com Titomic not only offers the D523 handheld system and other solutions for the Coatings and Repairs sector but also continues to offer its industrial-scale additive manufacturing solutions that utilise titanium and other high-performance metals. Titomic has added numerous capabilities in the aerospace, automotive, defence, mining, oil and gas, and shipbuilding industries.

Cold Spray The D523 handheld system facilitates faster and stronger metal coatings and repairs.

40 JUNE 2022 Manufacturers’ Monthly

These additive manufacturing applications developed by Titomic include:

• Invar tooling – the high-speed manufacture of near net shape faceplates for the rapidly growing carbon fibre industry • Weapon barrel components – the manufacture of weapon barrel components, solving problems with regards to weight and performance • Ballistic protection – novel large geometry solutions for protecting armoured vehicles, reducing weight and offering improved protection for personnel • Glass mould coatings – offering improved productivity and worker safety in the glass bottle manufacturing industry; • Coatings and repairs (aerospace) – the process allows for the repair and maintenance of surfaces on civil and military aircraft, keeping aircraft in service longer and saving money; and • Coatings and repairs (other) – for the metal industry, dependent on nce under y welding toarsrepair of experiecomponents. ye turnke With over 40PS delivers innovative CA The allows in-field low our belt,process s. ion solut temperature restoration and widest lia offer the rs CAPS Austraustrial air compressoin protection existing ions metal lut so range of indgeneof n tio ra rs, rifugal blowessels and power luding cent ve infrastructure, with enormous Australia, incd air dryers, pressure .

ESSORS compresse alin rators gene AIR COMPR potential the transportation, oil and industri nwide, tio na ed at loc and gas and mining industries. anches With nine brget in touch with our pert ex it’s easy to able am and getsebusiness teTitomic According to the right ge led know u purcha to ensure yoquirements. e vic ad development manager, Elias Baini, ur re yo r fo t uc prod ustrial e of indfor Cold Spray had used nsive rang tebeen ds,the ex an br an ed ve wn ha no We t by world-rend, Kohler, AIRMAN uipmenof Ra bettereqpart 30 as a coatings ersollyears including Ing l.

Gi o RATORS and Pedr technology. n POWER GENE for Australia built tough r 24/7 e ar ts uc ou 5 years Our prod over “However, the ed bylast and back nge conditions antee. Our flexible raare ar really ages ck this process has stepped into pa service gu ng ici rv se ur life as of smart air designed to make yo y ificall include: the realm additive manufacturing, ey specof Th e. ibl ss simple as posponse 24/7 support rtise pe doing al ex“By or 3D printing,” said.

• Rapid-resy Baini access to loc ide • Fast, ea rts from nine nationw so, it has• started change the way Spare pa to s re nt ce service ent s for onrts deploymteadditive pa ian ick nic that industry perceives ch Qu • d trained • Multi-branort BLOWERS manufacturing – from a technology call supp also te offer, we t your ple m co r ou ee out used to make and small le to m To roundprototypes tions availab ve rental oplong term needs. gadgets toha ort term or complementing shactually existing manufacturing processes 8 .a80u0 87parts, mmetal that make which sLL.c18o00 plarge caCA PS.COM.AU T0CA 78 SI 8 VI R 0 O typically were made with castings or 8 0 180 forgings.”

When utilising the technology as an additive manufacturing process, Cold Spray enables parts to be produced larger and faster.

Now, Titomic is aiming to use their technology to springboard into the coatings and repairs sector as well.

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To learn more about Titomic, visit www.titomic.com manmonthly.com.au

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Welding Entegra is transitioning their manufacturing sites to a digital workspace to pave the way for Industry 4.0.

Entegra dives into new era of Industry 4.0 To support continued growth, Entegra is modernising its welding operations across its facilities. Manufacturers’ Monthly finds out how working with BOC Limited to replace its welding machines has boosted efficiencies and built a path for the future.

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NTEGRA Signature Structures is a national manufacturer of steel sheds and signature structures with globally patented designs that deliver exceptional quality and reliability.

Founded 35 years ago in Swan Hill Victoria, the Entegra team prides itself on its long history but remains firmly focused on the future, investing heavily in research and development to strengthen its position as a leading manufacturer and increase capability to deliver complex engineering tasks.

Laurie McCalman, general manager at Entegra said the business has experienced strong growth over the past 3 years and invested heavily to expand and modernise manufacturing capability at its Swan Hill and Gympie facilities.

“The business has grown

42 JUNE 2022 Manufacturers’ Monthly

exponentially over the COVID-19 period which has resulted in a substantial increase in staffing levels nationally, predominately at our manufacturing sites,” McCalman said.

“We are transitioning these manufacturing sites to a modern, digital workspace that paves the way for future growth and prepares our business for Industry 4.0.”

Challenge David Green, head of operations at Entegra is managing the transition to Industry 4.0 across all facilities and oversees the modernisation of the team’s welding capability.

“We are big on standardising processes and associated machinery to ensure the outcome from our facilities is predictable,” Green said.

“Our manufacturing facilities had

traditional transformer-based welding technology and we maintained common consumables amongst these machines for up to 20 years in some cases.”

Investing in new welding technology was important to Entegra as they understood the value of advanced manufacturing in operations.

“We always talked about ways to track welding time, which for us is the ultimate measure. It is about process control and having visibility across the business,” Green said. “However, if we were going to replace one welder, we’d have to replace the lot – this was a big call for us.”

Achieving ISO9001 certification was a big achievement for Entegra, however the team recognises other relatively new standards such as AS/ NZS 5131 for Structure Steelwork

Fabrication would be increasingly important in the future and rely on new technologies.

“As we continue to grow, we know there will be opportunities in the short-term for larger projects that require compliance with this standard – and eventually over the next decade, we believe it will become the norm across all industry,” Green said.

Being located in regional Victoria, Entegra also identified the challenge of being able to find welders to support increased production and explored welding automation as a way to upskill current staff and improve productivity.

“It isn’t that easy to find experienced people, especially when you’re a long way from metropolitan areas. Setting up the foundations for a welding robotic system that we could manmonthly.com.au

Welding learn from made sense to support our future plans,” Green said.

Solution With BOC already supplying its welding consumables, Entegra engaged BOC’s application specialists to start investigating new technology solutions and trialling various welders to replace existing equipment.

“It made sense to go down the path with BOC,” Green said. “We needed a supplier we were comfortable with.

They had always been reliable with a good delivery model for getting product in.”

As the exclusive supplier of EWM digital welding machines in Australia, BOC worked with Entegra to replace all welding machines with EWM MIG inverter welders, set up to also use EWM’s industry-leading forceArc Process.

“We trialled the EWM machines a few times, and what interested us the most was the xNet software that could connect them all digitally, produce data and develop welding procedures,” Green said.

“The buttons that can be installed at each work station to identify who is welding what, when and what their qualification is was also an attractive feature.”

While replacing its welding machines, Entegra also commissioned its first welding automation robot with BOC and Automation & Robotic Services providing a turnkey solution.

The automation system included an ABB robot paired with an EWM MIG inverter welder. This was set up to weld Entegra’s Taperflow high volume box gutter systems.

Representatives from Entegra’s team learned the basics of robotics, and management worked with EWM experts in Germany and their local IT team to design and implement the right IT infrastructure to support the welding machines.

“There were a lot of different options,” Green said. “We had already invested in really good server hardware so were able to set up the welding system as a virtual machine on our server. We upgraded to fibre optics to ensure a clear line, power over ether for further expansion and gigabit switches.” manmonthly.com.au

Business benefits Building skills and future workforce Since implementing the new welding technology, Entegra’s staff have embraced the opportunity to learn about the new technology and management has invested to upskill its workforce.

“From a management point of view, the welding machines and robot are easy to use. Many different people have been using the robot and are generally not afraid of it, which has been really good,” Green said.

“We see it as an investment in our people. The robot isn’t about making it faster, but rather learning as a team. To manage robots and these new welding tools, we need to ensure we are developing our Industry 4.0 experience in-house.”

Entegra is currently upskilling a senior welder to get a welding supervisors qualification to help certify welding procedures, and has also employed a mechanical engineer to spearhead further design of the welding robot and set up offline programming.

BOC Limited is helping Entegra to modern its welding operations with new machines.

Meaningful data The xNet software has provided meaningful data for the Entegra management team that is being reported regularly at a board level.

“With this software, we are now on the pathway to Industry 4.0,” Green said. “To me this means being able to look at data from a machine-bymachine level, and then at an overall operational level. Then using this data to make meaningful business decisions. We haven’t even scratched the surface of what we can do.

“I am able to sit at home and see what is happening in real-time. We have been reporting weld hours at a board level and identifying trends occurring in the workshop.

Quality confidence Maintaining the standardisation that its customers have come to expect, Entegra has continued to deliver an even higher quality product.

The EWM welding machines have delivered significant benefits, especially the forceArc process that has resulted in significant

BOC set up the EWM MIG inverter welders to use EWM’s forceArc Process. time savings.

“There wouldn’t be any welder in our team that would say there hasn’t been a huge improvement,” Green said. “Weld quality in terms of clean up and splatter is very noticeable.”

The better process control and qualification of the welding has also set up Entegra on a path to achieve AS/NZS 5131 safety standard certification in the future.

“This has given the sales team a lot more confidence knowing that we’re using cutting edge technology, heading towards automation and investing in our people,” Green said. “This all translates to a better quality and more competitive product that gives us more confidence knowing we are on a path to industry leading compliance.”

Blueprint for the future Entegra has developed welding systems and IT infrastructure to support Industry 4.0 welding manufacturing facilities, which they believe will be a blueprint for the future.

“We now have a robot that we can learn from and train. As we continue to use it and analyse data, we will have a blueprint for rolling-out automation systems at any of our sites nationally,” Green said.

“If we wanted to install any IoT application down the track, we now have the IT infrastructure in place to be able to do that. We’re proactive, we want to be leading the industry and maintain our edge as a business is known and respected for the highest quality.”

Manufacturers’ Monthly JUNE 2022 43

Electronic Components element14 makes manufacturers ready for tomorrow element14, an Avnet company and one of the world’s largest distributors of electronic components and embedded solutions, speaks about the products that can help manufacturers be “ready for tomorrow”.

e

lement14 is part of the Farnell group of businesses – a global technology company with over 80 years in the high service distribution of technology products and solutions for electronic system design, production, maintenance and repair.

This supports element14’s broad customer base in working with

leading brands and start-ups to develop new products for market and supporting the industry as it seeks to develop the current and next generation of engineers. element14 continues to invest in services and products to make sure manufacturers are “ready for tomorrow” in an ever-changing market.

By adding value at every stage of the product life cycle, element14 ensures manufacturers are “ready for tomorrow.”

44 JUNE 2022 Manufacturers’ Monthly

“At element14, we strive to deliver resolutions to our customers’ everyday pain-points but also go beyond that so we can add value at every stage of the product life cycle,” element14 regional sales director, Australia and New Zealand Luke Grigg said.

“Our line card includes products, services and solutions that support the design journey, from prototype and test right through to production and maintenance. Our product team actively identify and source innovative, niche products for today’s most in-demand application areas.

Our technical team is always there to support you with component selection and a wealth of essential learning resources.”

By providing customers with local support, element14 is a reliable partner that distributes products and services from brands such as Fluke, Maxim Integrated, Microchip, Molex, TE Connectivity and Tektronix. Its range of products include single board computing applications; passives; connector, cable and wire products; semiconductors; electromechanical components; and a test and tools range that supports electronic design and preventative maintenance.

The company’s services include: • Local support in person, via phone or online; • Dedicated account management – account holders are assigned an individual account manager to assist with queries, product resourcing and orders; • Quoting on volume requirements – a dedicated team will provide quotes to give customers the best possible price; • Not in catalogue sourcing – when a product is not available, the

element14 regional sales director, Australia and New Zealand, Luke Grigg.

element14 team can help source it directly from the manufacturer; • Contract pricing – special pricing is available for eligible customers; • Flexible scheduled ordering – place an order on the spot and opt to schedule the delivery at a later date; and • Exclusive buffer stock arrangements – qualified customers can reserve stock for a future order. element14 aims to add value for manufacturing clients throughout the stages of the product lifecycle by understanding what those clients want through attaining feedback as part of the buying process.

“Technical support is at the heart of business communications,” Grigg said. “Customers rely on element14 to provide solutions from concept through to prototype and we meet this need in several ways.”

This includes: • Robust product and technical content on the website; • Sales resources accessed by phone and in the field; • 24-hour tech support from inhouse experts, five days a week; • Proactive information, advice and forewarnings, where appropriate; • Product demos and tests; and • Access to the element14 Community for research or peerto-peer questions.

The company has also adopted several customer outreach initiatives like Design Challenge, Design Centre, element14 presents, RoadTest, Online Learning, Tech Connection, Project14, manmonthly.com.au

ElectronicComponents and Prototype to Production. The community produces original video content concerning valuable solutions to common and occasional engineering complications.

Poised for success According to Grigg, not being able to find the right part to meet demand is something many segments faced for the majority of 2021, causing delays in product rollouts, disrupting planned expansion, or halting the production of vehicles in the case of the automotive industry.

“Our team has endured the challenges of a complex market, but I truly believe it has resulted in a stronger, more resilient organisation that is poised for longterm success,” Grigg said. “Even as we’ve continued to navigate a difficult operating environment, our priority has remained investing in our people, our relationships and digital enhancements that make our business more effective and efficient.”

During the COVID-19 period, element14 realised the benefits of their pre-pandemic strategic investment decisions in bolstering inventory. This ensured they were able to meet market demands – and the business continues to do this as they plan to further expand the breadth and depth of product range in the next financial year.

Additionally, element14 has significantly strengthened their business in the past year, despite ongoing supply disruptions and restrictions. They are currently experiencing a supply driven marketplace as extended lead times persist throughout the year, driving high book-to-bill ratios in every region.

“Suppliers and customers are coming in droves to find products they cannot get elsewhere or find an alternative that could work around current designs,” Grigg said. “element14’s high service distributor model enables us to fulfil the majority of orders from stock.”

With inventory available in a number of distribution centres around the world, element14 provides sourcing assistance in shortage manmonthly.com.au

element14 distributes solutions from brands such as Multicomp Pro. situations and allows for order scheduling.

The company has also used the time to position itself to operate more efficiently within challenging macro environments, Grigg said.

“Digitisation is a game-changer for us,” he said. “We have invested in expanding our e-commerce capabilities and self-service design tools, enhancing search and site speed, building our customer and supplier digital channels, and automating our supply chain. We are also continuing to leverage data, pricing analytics and driving progress with robotic process automation.”

Ready for tomorrow – first to market Part of supporting customers as they develop tomorrow’s products is responding to the latest trends in the market and providing access to new and innovative product introductions. element14 is continually investing in expanding the breadth and depth of its product range, making new brands and technologies available to its customers on a regular basis.

To support this growth, element14 invested in a new state-of-the-art distribution centre with 40 per cent increased stock capacity.

Strong relationships Access to the latest technologies and most innovative components is only possible through strong relationships with leading manufacturers.

Following a 25 per cent increase in stock in the last year alone, customers can now enjoy element14’s best range ever.

The in-stock range features an impressive array of Single Board Computing products from leading suppliers such as Raspberry Pi and BBC micro:bit. element14 added 64 per cent more products to its portfolio and has widest range of Single Board Computers from over 100 manufacturers. element14 is the world’s largest provider of semiconductor development tools and evaluation kits from STMicroelectronics, NXP, Microchip, Maxim Integrated, Cypress, Xilinx, Renesas, MPS, Infineon and other leading brands. More stock has been added in silicon carbide technology inventory with over 700 products from brands such as Infineon, On Semiconductor and Littlefuse.

The company has increased stock across its whole passives range, including investments in magnetics, sensors and antennas giving customers access a greater product range from Panasonic, Vishay and Kemet.

Successful customers The trend to move online is present, real and irreversible yet distributors also need to be flexible to service customers in the manner they demand, be that online, in person or over the phone. element14’s omni-channel approach

focuses on helping customers be successful as they bring their products to market. Local and professional customer service is available online, via phone and in-person. Customers can benefit from no minimum order quantity, contract pricing and flexible pricing options as well as scheduled and consolidated orders.

In addition, element14 provides technical support 24/5, free access to online resources, data sheets, application notes, videos and webinars as well as technical hubs on the website. The IoT hub and the Embedded Hub provide access to a wealth of articles developed or curated by element14 to support design engineers on topics such as the IoT and Artificial Intelligence.

Also available are exclusive tools such as the IoT battery calculator and AI configurator to help tackle early stage design challenges.

Not just about stock Having close to one million products in stock enables “Just in Time” delivery, which can support working capital and reduce customers’ stockholding, but it also enables the kind of logistics capabilities, service and support that makes customers’ lives easier. element14 has continued to invest in unique ways to improve its customer experience offering.

This investment is reflected through the provision of fast quotes for customised or not-in-stock products, e-procurement and e-invoicing to reduce cost of acquisition and administration. element14 Community is a key resource for design engineers providing a forum for over 800,000 engineers, makers and educators to connect, collaborate and support each other. Customers also benefit from the content-rich element14 website, which includes a suite of industryfirst online tools including Connector e-Guide and Soldering Tip Selector.

With all factors combined, element14 ensures a strong vision for the future so customers will always be ready for tomorrow.

Find out more at au.element14.com/ready4tomorrow Manufacturers’ Monthly JUNE 2022 45

Actuators The LINAK I/O actuator is the smart solution providing customers with greater control.

Expect more from linear movement with I/O actuators Manufacturers’ Monthly speaks with LINAK Australia TECHLINE business unit manager, Andrew Cooper, about a smart and customisable actuator that is setting new industry standards.

T

RADITIONALLY, an electric linear actuator is perceived as a simple device with its direction and speed usually controlled by external power electronics. To develop a smarter actuator, the controller must be integrated to fulfil the actuator’s basic needs. LINAK has decades of experience in maturing this solution – and their new I/O interface brings all this together to form a smart and universal actuator.

Launched at the beginning of May, the LINAK I/O interface was born from customers looking for a customised solution. ”With this new interface, our ambition is to push the boundaries of what is possible when it comes to customising an actuator,” Product Manager, SBU TECHLINE, Markus Hofmann said.

“We want to give our customers more control over the actuator, so they can build even better products.

46 JUNE 2022 Manufacturers’ Monthly

This new interaction with an actuator will inspire our customers and help them to think outside the box when designing future applications.”

With the LINAK I/O actuator, customers get an actuator: • Packed with software functionality for full control of linear movement; • With Bluetooth Low Energy for easy connection; and • With LED status indicator for fast diagnostics, using a simple visual inspection.

A flexible interface for agile minds The key in developing a smarter actuator was incorporating extra customisable functionality into the I/O interface. This gives customers more flexibility to configure the operation of the actuator through an expanded range of variable features.

According to TECHLINE business unit manager, Andrew Cooper, it

also means that LINAK’s customers can streamline their product development process.

“Very often in the development process, a customer might say, ‘Actually, now we’ve done some tests on our machine we need the actuator to run at 70 per cent speed until it reaches this position and then accelerate to 100 per cent speed,’ or, ‘We want a five seconds acceleration time and three seconds deceleration time.’ Traditionally those changes would require new software to be created and loaded into the samples being used for the customer’s prototype tests, or in some cases new samples to be supplied,” Cooper said.

“With this I/O interface, we’ve now given our customers the flexibility to do all that fine tuning themselves. Basically there’s a new software tool called Actuator ConnectTM, and during their own product development they can

customise the operation of the actuator to improve the performance of their equipment.”

The LINAK I/O actuator is the definition of flexibility. With its range of movement and choice of input control and output data, the I/O actuator offers endless modifications to provide full control of the exact functionalities required.

Input options allow adjustment and control of the electric actuator, while output data gives invaluable insights into application performance.

Tailored movement solution Find the exact features needed and take control of the linear movement. With I/O actuators, customers can make data-driven decisions and utilise data for monitoring, diagnostics or continuous improvements. The Actuator Connect software allows customisation, so that the actuators provide the manmonthly.com.au

Actuators exact functionalities required while providing full control of the linear movement.

“The game-changing flexibility of a universal LINAK I/O interface, bringing innovative actuator ideas to life is simpler and more agile,” Product Manager, SBU TECHLINE Melanie Grohnheit said. “The comprehensive features of I/O give you the flexibility to configure and test your software settings again and again – without having to request a new prototype each time.”

In creating a more agile actuator, LINAK integrated Bluetooth into the I/O interface. This removes the need to connect the actuator to a laptop via a USB cable: meaning more accessibility for actuators that are located within machinery, and more ease for fault finding.

Another feature of the I/O interface is a simple, integrated status indicator light.

“Usually the only time a customer knows the actuator is not working is because it stops moving,” Cooper

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With this I/O interface, we’ve now given our customers the flexibility to do all that fine tuning themselves. Basically there’s a new software tool called Actuator ConnectTM, and during their own product development they can customise the operation of the actuator to improve the performance of their equipment. value to our customers, and their customers as well.”

said. “We’ve now integrated a light showing the status of the actuator.

So, if the customer has five or six actuators on a machine, they would be able to see if any of them are not operational. Different colours of the light also means a service technician is able to see whether the problem is internal to the actuator or external, due to the application or their control system for example.

“It’s quite a simple thing, but also unique to almost all actuators. It’s something that can deliver so much

Same quality, different levels LINAK is aware that not every project demands the full range of I/O options. Therefore, there is a choice between three levels of functionality: Basic, Full and Customised.

With I/O Basic, customers receive all the benefits from an integrated controller actuator with the integrated H-bridge. When choosing I/O Full, customers can test

and learn while exploring all the features of I/O. With I/O Customised, the customer makes their decisions based on their individual data and learnings. Here, the functionality and design are preconfigured to meet individual needs.

To gain access to all the features, it is possible to upgrade to the full version directly from the LINAK Actuator Connect configurator.

“What we’ve done in developing this I/O interface is to give our customers the flexibility to fine tune the operation of the actuators on their equipment themselves,” Cooper explained. “Using the new Actuator Connect software tool simply connected wirelessly to an actuator using Bluetooth they can adjust the operation of the actuator during their own product development to get the optimum performance from their equipment.”

For more information about LINAK’s I/O actuator and its variables, visit www.linak.com

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info@treotham.com.au Manufacturers’ Monthly JUNE 2022 47

Women In Industry

A night of celebration at the Women in Industry Awards Melbourne played host to the Women in Industry Awards in April, recognising exceptional women across the industrials sector different sectors – including spotlighting outstanding work in engineering and manufacturing.

M

INING, road transport, manufacturing, engineering, logistics, bulk handling, waste management and rail and infrastructure are all traditionally male-dominated industries. The awards provide an opportunity to recognise the achievements and dedication of the women who work in these industries.

The Women in Industry Awards were presented in partnership with Manufacturers’ Monthly and other Prime Creative titles to celebrate not only the winners and nominees, but all women in these industries for their commitment, diligence and dedication.

One of this year’s judges, Kylie Fahey, Institute of Quarrying Australia CEO, said it was a big honour to be involved in the awards.

“Anything that we can do to be showcasing the incredible roles that women play in the industry, support diversity and inclusion and certainly looking to promote for more females to join such an incredible industry is

48 JUNE 2022 Manufacturers’ Monthly

wonderful,” she said.

Judging for the third time, Fahey noted the breadth of nominations stood out to her this year.

“Even within the categories themselves, there’s just such a range of innovation and a range of different projects and businesses that are put forward,” Fahey added.

“It’s wonderful to also see the levels of people that are nominating. We’ve seen everyone from leading CEOs of very large, listed companies, right through to people that are working at the coalface of health and safety work like health and safety officers.”

“I think something that’s very refreshing about the awards is that they are open to everybody. We are encouraging that profile of females that are working in the industry, and they’re working in such a variety of roles and I think that’s a real strength of the process and the strength of recognising what women are doing for the industry and equally encouraging more females to join.”

Engineers Australia CEO Dr. Bronwyn Evans was a notable double winner, taking home the Woman of the Year and Excellence in Engineering awards.

BAE Systems, Excellence in Engineering category sponsor, said they were especially proud to sponsor the award.

“We have female engineers to thank for many of the world’s greatest innovations, yet they make up only 12 per cent of engineers employed in Australia. Awards such as these are important to not only celebrate achievement but to also provide inspiration to others to break down barriers and excel in the engineering industry”, BAE Systems said.

Evans said there was still more that needs to be done to increase the number of women in the industry.

“Nights like tonight are important so we can celebrate our successes. However, we still need to have difficult conversations about education, bias, assumptions and

missed opportunities for women in industry,” she said.

“We know we will have succeeded when women are represented 50 per cent top to bottom. I urge all of us here tonight to use our profiles and our influence to be role models and to be champions for the amazing women who are joining our industries and professions.”

All nominees and winners should be incredibly proud of the work they have achieved and the dedication and commitment they have shown throughout the industry.

Other winners from the evening included Jo Withford – Social Leader of the Year, Larissa Rose – Mentor of the Year, Stephanie O’Dwyer – Safety Advocacy, Christine Morris – Excellence in Mining, Megan McCracken – Industry Advocacy Award, Shay Chalmers – Excellence in Manufacturing, Catherine Baxter – Excellence in Transport, Lacey Webb – Business Development Success, and Monique Yap – Rising Star of the Year. manmonthly.com.au

Women In Industry Chalmers wins Manufacturing Excellence award Shay Chalmers is one of Australia’s most renowned manufacturing industry experts, engineering consultants and keynote speakers. With cross-sector and global experience, she was recognised for being a leader, mentor and change-maker at the forefront of innovative manufacturing solutions for Australian organisations.

A

S a manufacturing professional with over 10 years experience around theworld, Shay Chalmer’s work spans a wide range of manufacturing sectors from steel to medical devices, and a wide range of roles, from the shop floor to executive management.

At 23, she had published three Australian Standards for the manufacture of rotationally molded tanks. This work helped drive the plastic molding industry forward in Australia by establishing a benchmark for manufacturing quality requirements. By the age of 25, during the global financial crisis, Shay was living in Pittsburgh, working in a consolidated steel mill in Ohio, managing 150 staff whilst responsible for running both the maintenance and engineering departments.

After returning to Australia, Shay transformed her career again to begin working in the medical manufacturing area. During that time, she was responsible for running the Process Engineering department for the Asia Pacific Headquarters for a medical manufacturing company. During this time, Shay was also responsible for running multi-million-dollar projects, including the establishment of a medical manufacturing facility in China, and managing the Global Personalized medicine program.

Chalmers shared her inspiration for manufacturing and innovation, which began at a young age.

“My sister is profoundly deaf.

When I was very young, my parents were searching for a solution for her because hearing aids weren’t applicable when you have no hearing at all,” she said. “My parents came

manmonthly.com.au

across an inventor in Victoria, Professor Graham Clark, who was designing the cochlear implant. My sister was one of the first people in Australia and the world to get a cochlear. This really ignited an interest in science and problem solving.”

Chalmers explained the industry is changing for the better in terms of gender diversity, but changing the perception of manufacturing is a key element to encouraging more women into the industry.

“It comes down to you can’t be what you can’t see,” she said.

“Historically, there hasn’t been a huge number of female role models. In manufacturing, there’s a perception that it’s dirty, dull, dangerous and not very well-paid.

And that’s one of the challenges – because it’s not just about attracting females into our industry, it’s about attracting a pipeline of talent in general. If we can demonstrate to our upcoming generations, in particular women, that there are really exciting roles that make a difference in society it will be a big step.”

At 33, Chalmers founded Strategic Engineering Australia Pty Ltd and is currently working as Company Director. In her role, she works with organisations to help design, develop and implement their strategic policies and optimise their business and operational processes. Shay works with clients in both the United States and Australia.

Chalmers owns and directs Strategic Engineering Australia, offering consulting expertise across a wide range of manufacturing applications, and holds various

Excellence in Manufacturing – Shay Chalmers

Shay Chalmers is a dedicated coach to other women in engineering. board and committee positions including Chair of the Queensland Reference Group for Manufacturing and Non-Executive Director for the Queensland Manufacturing Institute.

Seeing core challenges ahead of Australian manufacturing, Chalmers is determined to be a part of the solution.

“We are exceptional innovators, but we don’t have enough faith in ourselves to be able to bring those products to market here and manufacture them locally. More often than not, our brilliant ideas and innovations get pulled off shore.” she said. “There’s a plethora of reasons as

to why this happens, but I would like to be part of the change that helps bring novel innovation to life here in Australia.”

“96 per cent of our manufacturers are small to medium businesses, which employ a lot of local people and make a huge impact on our regional economies. There’s a real challenge with our SMEs to be implementing novel technology and being best in class – to find a mechanism to support SMEs in getting global knowledge embedded within our business ecosystem. We have so many fabulous businesses, we need to continue to support them.”

Manufacturers’ Monthly JUNE 2022 49

Women In Industry Advocating for more women in industry Megan McCracken has been honoured with the Industry Advocacy Award for championing diversity and representation of women in the industrials sector.

M

CCRACKEN has long been a standout player in the sector and wears many different hats. Indeed, her current roles include (but are not limited to): Chair of the Freight and Logistics Council of WA; NonExecutive Director (Chair People &

Performance Committee) at Pacific Energy Limited; and Leadership Coach at Pleiades Consulting.

Unable to attend the event in person, she was overjoyed with news of the win from her colleagues on the night.

“Winning was a genuine

Industry Advocacy – Megan McCracken

surprise,” she said. “I was actually at another gathering that a friend and I organised called Extraordinary Women here in Perth. I saw text messages of the Congratulations screen, and my friend got the champagne out to have our own little celebration.”

McCracken credited the award to

bringing about change.”

From a rural background, McCracken said she landed herself rather accidentally into the industrials sectors. The first in her family to attend university, she picked a subject called industrial relations without any knowledge of what it was, but found herself

They nominated me and it just feels like recognition for the work that we’ve done until now. NAWO is a very important part of my life.

Advocating for gender diversity in operations is more than a worthwhile pursuit.

One of McCracken’s colleagues accepts the award on her behalf.

50 JUNE 2022 Manufacturers’ Monthly

the National Association off Women in Operations (NAWO), in which she was chair for four years, and on the board for eight.

“They nominated me and it just feels like recognition for the work that we’ve done until now. NAWO is a very important part of my life.

Advocating for gender diversity in operations is more than a worthwhile pursuit.”

McCracken’s final term with NAWO finished last year, having been involved in the development from mainly just a board to a fully-fledged organisation with over 60 members around the country.

In her words, the Women in Industry awards are important because there remains few women in these sectors.

“Many doing this work are doing so outside their normal work hours,” she said. “It’s amazing how many young women still aren’t able to enter rooms and see other women in their sector. So it’s so important to recognise the women who are

working in the iron ore industry under a terrific leader in Western Australia.

“Because of the strong leadership, my introduction to the sector was superbly positive,” she said. “Through all my different roles I’ve been doing it ever since. I love working with business who make and do things.”

The industry leader encourages younger woman thinking about work in this sector to be comfortable with knowing and being themselves.

“If you know yourself, you know what you can say yes to and no to,” she said. “It’s about finding the crossover of what you love and what you’re good at or want to be good at. If you enter a job really thinking, I need to fit in here, don’t let a job sacrifice who you are, it won’t go well.”

“It’s also important to build long term relationships with people who genuinely support you. Welcome mentors and don’t stop learning and improving. Knowing yourself as a minority going into a job is really important.” manmonthly.com.au

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Women In Industry Dr Bronwyn Evans wins Woman of the Year Engineers Australia CEO Dr Bronwyn Evans AM has been honoured with the Woman of the Year and Excellence in Engineering awards at this year’s Women in Industry awards.

E

VANS was acknowledged as an outstanding engineer and trailblazer in her field, and said the wins were a thrill for her personally.

“These awards have been able to shine a light on how many amazing women are in such a broad range of industries and then to be singled out as the Woman of the Year was quite amazing,” she said. “There’s still a way to go but to be highlighted in this capacity amongst so many amazing women was completely unexpected.”

The first woman to be CEO at Engineers Australia, Evans was previously the first female CEO of Standards Australia, where she was instrumental in improving the standards development process and was elected to a global role on the ISO’s governing President’s Committee.

Commenting on her career, Evans said that she has always thought of engineering as a worthwhile career to grow into, but that there was still work to do to open the door for others.

“We’ve been looking at how we coordinate across groups to really amplify everyone’s efforts; there’s so many great initiatives out there looking at enticing kids, particularly girls, into science, technology, engineering and maths,” she added about Engineering Australia’s work.

Evans herself runs workshops for year 11 and 12 students along with teaching university-level engineering students and helps teachers structure curriculums to start at the fundamentals and grow a passion for science and technology.

Commenting on the current state of gender diversity in Australian engineering and manufacturing, Dr Evans expressed her sadness that

52 JUNE 2022 Manufacturers’ Monthly

the industry was missing out on some great female minds.

“The travesty is we’re missing out on so many brilliant minds,” she said. “We’ve got to change some of the representation of what our industry is, what we do, how we contribute and then we have to look at retraining people and giving them insight on the sorts of careers that

Excellence in Engineering – Bronwyn Evans

Woman of the year – Bronwyn Evans

are available.”

Dr Evans has held a plethora of non-executive positions, many on a volunteer basis, in Industry 4.0, STEM, industry-academia connections, construction and innovation.

She is a Chartered engineer and Honorary Fellow of Engineers Australia. In 2021, she was awarded an honorary doctorate by Swinburne

University and appointed as a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia for significant service to engineering, to standards and to medical technology.

“There’s no silver bullet, but we’ll fight the long game,” she added.

“Having a concerted and coordinated effort is something that’s going to make a difference.”

Dr Bronwyn Evans says she is honoured to be recognised amongst brilliant women in industry.

manmonthly.com.au

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Women In Industry BlueScope’s Stephanie O’Dwyer takes home the Safety Advocacy Award With safety a primary concern in all sectors, Stephanie O’Dwyer was recognised for actively improving the safety of her industry.

O

’DWYER is the health and wellbeing manager at BlueScope, an innovative provider of steel materials, products, systems and technologies. She led the implementation of the company’s first health and wellbeing strategy.

Headquartered in Australia, BlueScope employs over 14,000 people and serve thousands of customers every day.

BlueScope seeks to build a sustainable business which contributes to protecting the future. Employees

Stephanie O’Dwyer was recognised for improving the physical and mental wellbeing of workers.

54 JUNE 2022 Manufacturers’ Monthly

at BlueScope share a passion and experience for steel, and it is this passion that drives the company to create a strong and thriving workplace.

Commenting on the win, O’Dwyer expressed her excitement to win for both herself and the company, citing the great work BlueScope has done to embrace healthy workplaces and wellbeing.

BlueScope has approximately 6,500 employees across Australia and O’Dwyer said she was proud of the fact

Safety Advocacy – Stephanie O’Dwyer

We got representation from each of the business units and just started to connect those people and empower them to go forward and have more conversations about what wellbeing in the workplace is. that all employees were empowered to have conversations about wellbeing in the workplace. Their employee assistance program, Life Works, has also helped to foster a strong network within the company.

“We’ve done lots of work with the mental health movement, we’ve connected with local psychological services in Illawarra,” O’Dwyer said.

Rather than take a top-down approach to the health and wellbeing strategy, O’Dwyer was able to tailor the strategy to meet the needs of the employees by going straight to them.

“We got representation from each of the business units and just started to connect those people and empower them to go forward and have more conversations about what wellbeing in the workplace is,” she added.

Sharing initiatives across the different teams allowed the health and wellbeing strategy to connect the teams with different services.

“I’m proud that we’ve built a really strong network of people and professionals to tap into externally,” O’Dwyer noted.

When it comes to the safety of its employees, BlueScope has a strong history. A high-risk business, BlueScope is committed to reducing the risk of injuries and fatalities and this commitment has evolved into approaching safety holistically as well.

Broadening out the topic of

safety to include both physical and psychological safety has been a game changer for the company.

“It’s about continuing to learn and improve and pushing ourselves to keep learning from the best people in the industry around what we can do to continuously improve,” she said.

Recognising that there’s no space for complacency in workplace safety, O’Dwyer added that BlueScope isn’t content to sit back and wait for the next incident to occur.

The question of how BlueScope will continue to improve in the safety sector is a big one, but O’Dwyer is confident that the company will continue on the journey to bring a focus on wellbeing into the realm of what safety means.

“We really blend newer thinking with existing approaches to take the best from the past and continue to learn and educate ourselves on what can take us forward,” said O’Dwyer.

The company is keen to learn from industry leaders about the future of safety, with O’Dwyer adding, “they’re doing a lot of work to think critically about incorporating some of the newer thinking in with our existing approaches.”

“I’m quite proud that in my role I get to work across HR and safety, so really connecting safety and the safety of our people. I’m hugely grateful to Women in Industry and it’s a fantastic award to receive.” manmonthly.com.au

BOC South Pacific, supporting women in industry

Safety at BOC is one of the founding principles of our business and inspires us to make the right decisions, take the appropriate measures and behave in a responsible manner, with a goal of zero incidents globally.

BOC supplies compressed and bulk gases, chemicals and equipment throughout the South Pacific and with our wide distribution network, we are here to support your business.

boc.com.au | 131 262 BOC is a trading name of BOC Limited, a Linde company. © BOC Limited 2022 ABN 95 000 029 729 Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. Details given in this document are believed to be correct at the time of printing.

Whilst proper care has been taken in the preparation, no liability for injury or damage resulting from its improper use can be accepted.

BOC sponsored the safety advocacy award for excellence, which highlights individuals working actively to improve safety in their industry.

MP22-0490 | VS 0522

BOC South Pacific is a proud to sponsor of the Women in Industry Awards.

Women In Industry Weir Mineral’s rising star Exceeding expectations in her graduate program, Monique Yap was rewarded for her achievements across all her projects. She speaks about the importance of female role models in manufacturing.

I

N high school, Monique Yap always gravitated towards the sciences, especially chemistry. She chose to study chemical engineering at university, and knew she wanted to work in an industry where she could see projects actually develop in front of her, after spending years building a theoretical knowledge.

“I took a year off after university because I wanted to take the time to find the right program and role,” she said. “There’s always going to be a use for minerals and I saw an opportunity to do something to do better. Weir’s commitment to renewable energy was attractive to me.”

After Yap’s first rotation through Weir’s graduate program in the manufacturing department, she had exceeded expectations so much

Rising Star of the Year – Monique Yap

Yap led this project in her first rotation through her graduate program in the Artarmon Manufacturing plant, which is the largest white metal foundry in the southern hemisphere. Through analysis of materials used in the melting process; together with analysis of the furnace type, and the mean kWh/t, and duration of melt, she was able to determine the optimum mix of alloys with scrap metal across all 3 furnaces resulting in annual savings of $424,000 (raw material & energy) together with a savings of 298,219 kWh energy and CO2 savings of 214t. On top of bringing her process engineering knowledge and skill, throughout the project Monique demonstrated drive and tenacity, in getting the manufacturing

It helps so much to have and see those female role models. Melissa Davison was super inspirational. She is a career woman and has a balanced family life. It feels like there aren’t a lot of visible examples of that sometimes.

Monique Yap has excelled in the early stages of her career in engineering. that the Director of Manufacturing offered her a full-time position within six months.

Not wanting the projects she had been working on to fail or stall, the young achiever took on a hybrid role, continuing the graduate program in a new sales role but maintaining the manufacturing projects she had started. Yap delivered in excess of $400k in bottom line savings on completion of her first foundry project, which is called the Foundry Furnace Optimisation Project.

56 JUNE 2022 Manufacturers’ Monthly

staff to collaborate and run trials and a maturity beyond her years. The success of this project lead to project number two which is still on-going.

In leading the project, Yap needed to bring together people from across the manufacturing floor, some with in excess of 30 years experience in a highly male dominated setting. It took emotional intelligence and maturity beyond her years to successfully navigate the different personalities and complexities of the situation, with several other projects being

undertaken including a substantial technological upgrade on the foundry floor.

Speaking after winning the Rising Star prize, Yap was flattered by the recognition.

“It was definitely a great feeling,” she said. “It was really daunting, especially everyone there having so many years of experience. It was nice to feel like all the hard work was worth it.”

She echoed that seeing is believing for young women entering science

and technology jobs for the first time, crediting a senior member of Weir’s leadership team as a source of inspiration for her.

“It helps so much to have and see those female role models,” she added. “Melissa Davison was super inspirational. She is a career-woman and has a balanced family life. It feels like there aren’t a lot of visible examples of that sometimes.”

“Sometimes you have to be more hard-headed, but it comes down to tenacity and curiosity.” manmonthly.com.au

0622 Atla

CONGRATULATIONS! For the past 6 years, Atlas Copco Australia have been a proud sponsor of the Women in Industry awards, namely, the Rising Star of the Year award.

These awards are a special way in which we can show our commitment to advancing gender balance in industry. As a global company, we recognise the link between diversity and as we say, “there is always a better way.” Contributing to these awards is just another way that we can show that we recognise the talents and achievements of females across our industry. Congratulations to all of the finalists and winner, Monique Yap! www.atlascopco.com 1800 023 469

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4/05/2022 10:26:46 AM

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Low cost automation in XXL: Large cost-effective DIY igus palletiser Too expensive to purchase, too complex to program, too complicated to maintain: many small and medium-sized companies shy away from getting started with automation. That way, they jeopardise their competitiveness in the long term.

But it’s easy to get started. This is proven by the igus drylin XXL linear robot from Treotham. The DIY kit offers companies the opportunity to quickly and easily put a pick-and-place linear robot into operation for tasks related to palletising, sorting, labelling and quality inspection. Palletising robots created in collaboration with external service providers are very costly and beyond the budget of many small companies. Igus has therefore developed a solution that is up to 60 per cent more cost-effective due to the use of high-performance plastics and lightweight materials, such as aluminium.

DIY kit can be quickly assembled without prior knowledge The buyer receives the room linear robot as a DIY kit. It consists of two toothed belt axes and a toothed rack cantilever axis with stepper motors and an action range of

2,000 x 2,000 x 1,500mm. In the maximum length, up to 6,000 x 6,000 x 1,500mm are also possible. In addition, the package includes a switch cabinet, cables and energy chains as well as the free igus Robot Control (iRC) control software. Users can assemble the components into a ready-to-use linear robot in just a few hours – without external help, prior knowledge or a long training period. And if additional components such as camera systems or grippers are still needed, users will quickly find them on the robotics marketplace RBTX. Automation relieves employees The Cartesian robot is used, for example, on conveyor belts that transport products away from injection-moulding machines. Here, the robot takes parts with a maximum weight of 10kg from the conveyor belt, transports them at a speed of up to 500mm/s and positions them on a pallet with a repeatability of 0.8mm. “Thanks to this automation, plants can relieve their employees of physically demanding and time-consuming palletising work and free up resources for more important tasks.” The system itself does not require any maintenance. The linear axes consist of corrosion-free aluminium, and the carriages move via plain bearings made of high-performance plastic, which, thanks to integrated solid lubricants, enable a low-friction dry operation without external lubricants for many years – even in dusty and dirty environments.

Digital robot 3D twin enables foolproof programming The DIY kit also comes with the iRC, a free simple to use software that allows intuitive programming of movements.

Company: Treotham Automation Phone: 1300 657 564 Website: www.treotham.com.au

58 JUNE 2022 Manufacturers’ Monthly

manmonthly.com.au

What’sNew Rugged Industrial HMI Panel PCs with Intel 8th Generation Processor Interworld Electronics is excited to introduce the ARCHMI-9B series of rugged industrial all-in-one HMI Panel PCs from Aplex Technology. The ARCHMI-9B series is housed in a fanless silver aluminium case that provides IP-66 front panel protection. This design offers 24/7 reliability, makes it easy to clean, reduces maintenance cost, and provides a long-lasting rugged enclosure.

The ARCHMI-9B series features a powerful 8th generation energy efficient Intel Core i3/i5 processor with up to 32Gb of DDR4 RAM. The optional projected capacitive touch screen with multi-touch support, and anti-scratch surface helps to improve usability, while also providing the screen with tough protection.

The ARCHMI-9B series comes in a range of screen sizes from 12”-32”, with some sizes offering 16:9 wide screen full HD. Optional auto dimming, 1,000 nits high brightness, and optical bonding & AR coating, makes the ARCHMI-9B series perfect for a range of applications, no matter the environment or weather. With such a wide range of display options, choosing the best screen size, resolution, and brightness for your application is easy.

The ARCHMI-9B series offers a wide range of optional expansions to suit your needs including, Power over Ethernet (PoE), 4G, Wi-Fi, CAN bus, as well as additional Serial, LAN or USB ports that can be added.

The ARCHMI-9B series also offers the optional smart battery backup feature.

This provides up to 30 minutes (depending on usage) of emergency backup power for any unexpected power interruptions. The ARCHMI-9B series can be panel or VESA mounted, allowing the system to be ergonomically positioned for operator convenience.

ARCHMI-9B series features at a glance: • 12”–32” screen sizes available; • Intel 8th Gen Core i3/i5 processor support; • Up to 32 Gb 2400MHz DDR4 RAM; • Front IP66 Certified; • Flat bezel design; • High Brightness and Wide Temperature optional; • Resistive and Capacitive touch optional;

• Fanless Aluminium Die-Casting Chassis; • DC 9~36V wide range power input; • Smart Battery Backup optional; • Easily accessible Hard Drive enclosure; and • Wide range of optional expansions (PoE, 4G, Wi-Fi, CAN bus, Serial, USB, LAN).

For more information contact Interworld Electronics.

Company: Interworld Electronics Phone: (03) 9593 7555 Website: www.ieci.com.au

Nevo-9000 Series is coming soon to Neousys Neousys Nuvo-9000 series features Intel 12th-Gen Alder Lake processors with up to 16-core/ 24-thread configuration.

Key features The Neousys Nuvo-9000 series: • supports up to 64GB of DDR5-4800 memory; • operates in wide temperature conditions; • offers flexible expansion to add on a capture card; and • comes with rich I/O ports such as PoE+ and USB3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps Type-A/ 20Gbps Type-C) for all your machine vision, factory automation, and robotics application needs.

Company: Neousys Technology Email: sales@neousys-tech.com Website: www.neousys-tech.com

manmonthly.com.au

Manufacturers’ Monthly JUNE 2022 59

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