Manufacturers' Monthly September 2021 by Prime Creative Media

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MANAGEMENT >> TECHNOLOGY >> SOLUTIONS

SEPTEMBER 2021

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MANAGEMENT >> TECHNOLOGY >> SOLUTIONS

SEPTEMBER 2021

GEARED UP FOR A SPACE JAM

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Endeavour Awards Finalists 2021

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Inside

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Manufacturers’ Monthly Contents Copyright

6 Editor’s Note

22 Bearings

39 Actuator Systems

8 Comment

24 Advanced Robotics

40 Endeavour Awards Sponsors

10 News@MM

28 IIoT

43 Endeavour Awards Finalists

16 Issues & Insights

30 Anodising

53 What’s New

20 Industry Focus

32 Compressors

55 The Last Word

Manufacturers’ Monthly is owned by Prime Creative Media and 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

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Welcome to the September edition featuring this year’s Endeavour Awards finalists. As Australian manufacturers continue to navigate COVID-19, while keeping their businesses afloat, there are some truly outstanding companies who have innovated in the past year. Find out who the 2021 finalists are starting on page 44. Space manufacturing is getting lot of attention as one of the federal

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MANAGEMENT >> TECHNOLOGY >> SOLUTIONS

YOUR COMPLETE SOLUTION AIR, POWER AND GAS PRODUCTION FOR MANUFACTURING

government’s National Manufacturing Priorities. Manufaturers’ Monthly speaks with the Australian Space Agency, industrial metal additive manufacturing company Titomic, as well as researchers from Monash University and RMIT University about the new, accessible opportunities for Australian manufacturers in this space (pun intended). Find these stories caps.com.au CALL 1800 800 878 OR VISIT 1800 800CAPS.COM.AU 878 on pages 18 and 22.

SEPTEMBER 2021

With over 40 years of experience under our belt, CAPS delivers innovative turnkey solutions.

GEARED UP FOR A SPACE JAM

CAPS Australia offer the widest range of industrial air compressors and power generation solutions in Australia, including centrifugal blowers, compressed air dryers, pressure vessels and industrial generators. With nine branches located nationwide, it’s easy to get in touch with our knowledgeable team and get expert advice to ensure you purchase the right product for your requirements.

AIR COMPRESSORS

AIR TREATMENT

We have an extensive range of industrial equipment by world-renowned brands, including Ingersoll Rand, Kohler, AIRMAN and Pedro Gil.

Our products are built tough for Australian conditions and backed by our 24/7 service guarantee. Our flexible range of smart air servicing packages are specifically designed to make your life as simple as possible. They include: • Rapid-response 24/7 support • Fast, easy access to local expertise • Spare parts from nine nationwide service centres • Quick parts deployment • Multi-brand trained technicians for oncall support

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

Manufacturers Monthly Cover September 2021.indd 2

POWER GENERATORS

BLOWERS

NITROGEN & OXYGEN GENERATION

Official Industry Partners

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24/7 SERVICE

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with the magazine format.

Robotics in motion

Compressor best practices

Endeavour Awards Finalists 2021

12/08/2021 12:57:08 PM

Ph: (03) 9794 8337

4 SEPTEMBER 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

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Comment

SYED SHAH – Managing Editor, Manufacturers’ Monthly

All spaced out

ACK in December 1903, the Wright brothers became the first men to achieve powered flight. To many around the world at that time, this was unprecedented and unbelievable. The 1906 Herald Tribune’s Paris edition had an article about them titled “Flyers or Liars?”. The fact was they were telling the truth about their invention, and we live in a different world as a result. Half-a-century later, mankind was already making plans to send humans into space. While humans reached the moon in the 60s, and have made regular trips into space for military and science purposes. A month or so back, the prospect of commercial space travel has become possible – for a cool few hundred grand with advanced booking required! More than 100 years on since the first airplane was invented, it is difficult to imagine the world without flight. For air travel, it has

6 SEPTEMBER 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

been an impressive century, with commercial aircraft constantly evolving – looking at ways to lighten loads, minimise fuel intake and maximise distance travelled. Travel by air is still considered the safest form of travel according to International Air Transport Association (IATA) statistics. Prior to the pandemic, every major trade event for air like the Paris Air Show would have showcased major innovations through demonstrations of safety and manufacturing end results. Then, out of nowhere, billionaire Richard Branson announced the VSS Unity flight by his Virgin Atlantic spaceflight company into outer space (by NASA definition, outer space begins 50 miles above earth). This was followed by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin’s New Shepard launch to a similar space (pun intended) one week later. In less than a year’s time, following more tests to ensure the aircrafts’

reliability for commercial consumption (safety, stability and planned routes), tickets will be on sale. Monash University’s School of Physics and Astronomy associate professor Michael Brown thinks that satellites and un-crewed commercial activities are factors that actually drive the space industry. Australian Space Agency deputy head Anthony Murfett talks about the ambitious $150 million Moon to Mars program that was designed to support Australian businesses to collaborate with international partners as part of its mission to go forward to the moon and then to Mars. In this edition’s main feature, we talk about how the Moon to Mars initiative gives manufacturers an opportunity to apply their technologies to space projects. In addition, the Australian government is helping manufacturers move into the space technology area, with recent funding announced under

the $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI). Four companies will share nearly $14 million in funds, and we speak to one of them, Titomic, in the same story. In this edition of Manufacturers’ Monthly, we also feature the finalists for the Endeavour Awards. Once again, it is packed with nominees. It is pleasing to note that manufacturers in Australia are still striving to work hard and aim high beyond the pandemic. We wish them all the best for the day of the Awards! Forty years after the moonwalk, there have been hundreds of launches into space and countless satellites orbiting earth and soon, with all the marvels of innovation and manufacturing. Despite all the odds the world is facing now, we can see ourselves having a look at our planet through a panel window of an aircraft – just for kicks. If Wilbur and Orville only knew.

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Comment

GEOFF CRITTENDEN – CEO, Weld Australia

Keeping Australian welders safe: Weld Australia’s free welder safety resources

Weld Australia warns electrical safety must be taken seriously.

ELDING is a safe occupation when proper precautions are taken. But, if safety measures are ignored, welders face a range of potentially dangerous hazards that can cause electric shock, or even a fatality. Within the last month alone, Weld Australia was enlisted to investigate two separate accidents that saw inexperienced welders sustain serious electric shocks. In both instances, the young men were hospitalised for assessment. While they both made a full recovery, this was more by luck than judgement. The first electric shock occurred during the arc start process, with the welder using high frequency TIG. Several conditions combined to create a highly dangerous situation. The welder was wearing inappropriate clothing and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE),

8 SEPTEMBER 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

including a defective glove, and the return lead was connected to an old, rusty workbench. So, when the welder leant on the workbench, he unintentionally became a part of the circuit, which had 6,000 volts coursing through it. The second safety incident that Weld Australia investigated could have easily resulted in a fatality. Another inexperienced welder was TIG welding and it appears that the filler rod made contact with the live tungsten electrode. At the time of the incident, the welder reported an electric shock in his left forearm, with the point of the current return path unknown. A week later, the welder reported cramp-like pains in both his left arm and left leg, suggesting that the return path was via his left leg. In Weld Australia’s opinion, this welder is fortunate to still to be alive.

Accidents and serious “near misses” on the rise The problem is, these are not isolated incidents. Accidents and serious ‘near misses’ are happening in workshops right across Australia every week. These accidents are less likely to occur in the largescale state-of-the-art workshops owned and run by Australia’s major fabricators – they have in-depth Workplace Health and Safety plans and procedures in place. Rather, these accidents are happening in small welding workshops, car body repair shops, home garages, and farm sheds. Perhaps most concerning of all, these sorts of safety incidents could well become even more common. According to one of Australia’s major tool retailers, their single largest seller since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has been

Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) machines. In all likelihood, these GMAW machines are being purchased by owners of small workshops, tradesmen without welding qualifications, and home DIY enthusiasts – most of whom do not know how to weld, or how to use a GMAW machine properly.

Electrical safety precautions in welding Electrical safety must be taken seriously when welding. Electricity is a vital part of welding work, but when mishandled it can result in serious injury and death. Between 2014 and 2016, seven people died due to electrocution while working. According to Safe Work Australia’s Welding Processes Code of Practice, electric shock or electrocution can occur through manmonthly.com.au

Australia | Malaysia | China

Weld Australia has a wide range of welding safety resources, many of which are available to the public – completely free of charge. Technical Note 7: Health and Safety in Welding This Technical Note gives guidance on health and safety practices in welding, cutting and allied processes such as brazing, soldering, pre- and post- weld material treatments and metal spraying, for the prevention of injury, ill health and discomfort, as well as damage to property, equipment and environment by fire, and explosion.

Weld Australia sponsors the Endeavour Awards Weld Australia is proud to support the Endeavour Awards once again in 2021

Various Chapters deal with: • Basic principles of safe working • The main hazards and safety measures in welding, cutting and allied processes • Precautions required in particular working situations Technical Note 22: Welding Electrical Safety Although electric arc welding manmonthly.com.au

by sponsoring the award for the Best Industrial Internet of Things Application. This award will recognise the most outstanding application used in a smart factory to improve the manufacturing process. It is advanced manufacturing processes that rely on innovative technologies and methodologies like IoT, robotics and automation are helping to make welding a safer profession. For instance, the use of robots and co-bots (particularly in confined spaces) helps to remove welders from immediate exposure to welding fumes, ultraviolet radiation, heat and sparks. In the wake of a year where uncertainty was the only certainty, it is time now more than ever to celebrate the resilience of Australia’s manufacturers. Their ability to be innovative, collaborative and responsive to manufacturing demand shows just how good Aussie manufacturers can be. Local manufacturers banded together, establishing working groups and prototyping complex products (like ventilators), bringing them to market in record time. Weld Australia is delighted to take this opportunity, alongside our fellow sponsors, to spotlight those manufacturers excelling in their field, and to celebrate the Australian manufacturing industry across the board.

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can be performed perfectly safely, there are circumstances when there is a substantial risk of electric shock. Precautions against this risk include use of properly maintained equipment, correct protective equipment and sound work practices. With reference to Industry best practice, Technical Note 22 addresses how to safeguard a person against electric shock, reviewing elements such as: equipment, the human body, the workplace Australian Standards. Education is the key to ensuring that anyone who welds is safe. Employers, professional welders and DIY enthusiasts alike must invest in thorough and up-to-date training to ensure an in-depth understanding of the risks associated with welding, the mitigation strategies that can be used, and the equipment available to prevent accident and injury. If you know someone who is welding without the proper training or experience, be sure to pass along Weld Australia’s free resources. All of these resources are available via the Resource Centre on our website: https://weldaustralia.com.au/

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direct contact with an electrode, live parts, a work piece, or through contact with a device such as an unearthed cable or tool. The risk of electric shock can be exacerbated by moisture and high humidity, both common in welding environments. Both welding professionals and inexperienced enthusiasts need to familiarise themselves with the processes required to minimise the risk of electric shock. Simple actions such as checking that equipment is dry and well maintained and installing shut down mechanisms such as fuses and low voltage safety switches can save lives. Ensuring that anyone who welds is equipped with the knowledge and safety equipment required is key to preventing serious incidents such as those recently investigated by Weld Australia.

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Safety incidents such as electric shocks are becoming more common with inexperienced welders.

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Manufacturers’ Monthly SEPTEMBER 2021 9

News @MM Fifteen manufacturers receive $7.1 million to commercialise products Fifteen Australian manufacturers have received $7.1 million among them in federal government funding under the Commercialisation Fund, to help commercialise products and export them globally. Under tranches two and three of the $30 million Commercialisation Fund, some of the projects funded include a brain injury assessment device, portable x-ray imaging technology and a handheld on-farm analysis tool that checks the nutritional values of produce. “These grants will enable companies to undertake further research and development activities, improve engineering and design elements and invest in new technologies so they can scale up operations and bring their products to market,” minister for Industry, Science and Technology Christian Porter said. “By providing the right economic conditions for manufacturers to secure further investment opportunities and realise their potential, the Government is also building Australia’s global competitiveness and creating new local jobs.” Some of the funded projects include: •N edstack Australia (NSW) – Clean Energy – Commercial prototype development of Australia’s

first utility-scale PEM fuel cell leveraging Australian supply chain in collaboration with LAVO. Total project commitment $3.56million ($825,000 grant funds) •S eeley International (SA) – Clean Energy – Accelerated design and development of an Australian-based manufacturing line for an ultrahigh efficiency roof top Heating Ventilation and Cooling Unit (HVAC).Total project commitment $2.64million ($1.0million grant funds) •E nergy Renaissance (NSW) – Clean Energy – Support for process, technology and workforce skills at pilot manufacturing facility for lithium-ion batteries to prepare for full facility deployment. Total project commitment $1.48million ($525,072 grant funds) • ActionLaser (NSW) – Recycling – Funding to establish an Australian manufacturing capability of filters used in recycling of polymers, replacing current imported products. Total project commitment $1.3million ($558,500 grant funds) •E mpower Energy (NSW) – Clean Energy – Deliver Australia’s first cost-effective solar-storage product designed for Australian climate, remoteness, bushfire risk, and coastal living conditions. Total project commitment $1.24million Seeley’s Climate Wizard, an ultra-high efficiency roof top Heating Ventilation and Cooling Unit.

10 SEPTEMBER 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

($487,500 grant funds) •M icro-X (SA) – Medical – Development of ultralight mobile x-ray trolley system for use in outdoor clinical or veterinary settings. Total project commitment $1.17million ($525,072 grant funds) • Additive Assurance (VIC) – Defence – Commercialisation of a new quality assurance system for powder bed fusion additive manufacturing. Total project commitment $1.1million ($546,000 grant funds) •H one (Rapid Phenotyping) (NSW) – Food and Beverage – Commercialisation of a hand-held device to measure the protein content of grains, to assist with determining quality of raw materials in grain supply chains, for example highprotein or low gluten grains for food production. Total project commitment $1.0million ($500,938 grant funds) •H eadsafeIP (NSW) – Medical – Manufacturing of Nurochek: a fast, portable medical device providing objective assessment of brain injuries. Total project commitment $895,000 ($447,500 grant funds) • c arbonTRACK (VIC) – Clean Energy – Development and commercialisation of mass market Smart Gateway (cellular & Wi-Fi device) to monitor and control renewable energy assets and electronic devices. Product maximises energy efficiency while minimising costs and CO2 emissions and supports virtual power plants, virtual energy networks and energy trading. Total project commitment $877,000 ($428,500 grant funds) •H ydrogen Technology Holdings (QLD) – Food and Beverage – Develop a commercial-ready hydrogenated water infusion machine to prolong lifespan, health, and commercial value of wild caught and commercially farmed Finfish. Total project commitment $787,198 ($371,599 grant funds) •Z ellaDC (WA) – Resource Technology & Critical Minerals Processing – Development of a next-generation micro Data Centre, using new

lightweight, fire retardant materials to deliver design, scalability and energy efficiency gains. The program will also replace materials currently imported into Australia. Total project commitment $813,100 ($406,550 grant funds) •S BN Technology (VIC) – Medical – Development and commercialisation of AxIT Rehab, a medical-grade strength assessment system specifically for rehabilitation. Total project commitment $528,000 ($239,000 grant funds) •B estie Kitchen (NSW) – Food and Beverage – Commercialisation and launch of nutraceutical gummy chews for cats and dogs, supported by holistic health and wellness app. Total project commitment $344,850 ($149,925 grant funds) •P ryde Fabrication (QLD) – Recycling – Establish a manufacturing facility to manufacture bus shelter ‘J poles’ from recycled plastic, currently made from steel, to reduce corrosion issues and maintenance costs, while addressing plastic waste. Total project commitment $200,000 ($100,000 grant funds). The funding supports projects in the government’s six National Manufacturing Priorities including medical products, food and beverage, resources technology and critical minerals processing, recycling and clean energy, defence, and space. Grants are between $100,000 and $1 million, with funding to make up no more than 50 per cent of total project costs. The fund is administered by the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC), in collaboration with the five other Industry Growth Centres – AustCyber, Food Innovation Australia Ltd (FIAL), MTPConnect, METS Ignited, National Energy Resources Australia (NERA) and the CSIRO. For more information on the Commercialisation Fund and other successful projects, go to the AMGC website. manmonthly.com.au

News @MM International Graphite granted $2 million to establish a graphite hub in Collie, WA International Graphite, an Australian graphite product manufacturer, will receive $2 million from the Western Australian government to construct its first downstream graphite processing facility in Collie, Western Australia. The grant from the Collie Futures Industry Development Fund will help create up to 40 fulltime local jobs and put stage one of the facility developments into action, which will include graphite micronising and foils product lines. International Graphite’s new facility will distribute expandable graphite powder to manufacture products for new technologies, such as mobile phones, computers, high-pressure sealants and fireretardant building materials. International Graphite is also researching and developing potential to process graphite to produce anode material for lithium-ion batteries. International Graphite are thrilled with the support and confidence the government has

shown in the company. “This very generous grant enables us to turn our vision into reality,” International Graphite chairman Phil Hearse said. “In the future, we plan to grow both the volume and the range of products we produce and to be the catalyst for a renewable technologies hub. “Our business is technology based and fits well with the WA government’s plans to establish a battery industry in WA,” he said. “We want to use that to put Collie on the world map and to ensure the Collie community benefits from the opportunities before us now – and in the future.” The Western Australian government has worked hard to attract another 21st century industry to Collie, Western Australian Regional Development minister Alannah MacTiernan said. “International Graphite selected Collie as a strategic location for the new processing and manufacturing plant, based

on existing regional industries and infrastructure, skilled local workforce and ability to access overseas markets,” MacTiernan said. “This is a big win for Collie’s Just Transition – a collaborative effort by the McGowan government, industry and the community to attract new industries to the region as the world moves away from coal-fired energy production.” International Graphite’s location at Collie will be a Western Australian industry first, Collie-Preston MLA Jodie Hanns said. “This is the reason for the Collie Futures Industry Development Fund – to position Collie to be a location of choice for new industries,” Hanns said. “I’m proud to say that we’ve delivered on this project, which shows the McGowan government’s support for Collie’s Just Transition by creating local jobs for our committed, skilled, local workforce.”

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International Graphite chairman Phil Hearse, WA Regional Development minister Alannah MacTiernan and Collie-Preston MLA Jodie Hanns.

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Manufacturers’ Monthly SEPTEMBER 2021 11

News @MM Eleven manufacturers benefit from $8 million SICP grants Eleven Australian manufacturers are strengthening their defence manufacturing capability through the latest round of Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority (SICP) grants, sharing $8 million between them. Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price announced the funding on Thursday 5 August. “These grant recipients are making crucial investments to improve their manufacturing capabilities, which is supporting Australia’s sovereign industrial base,” Price said. “Their dedication and foresight is enabling the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to maintain its leading edge. “We’re helping local businesses to build resilient critical supply chains in an increasingly uncertain strategic environment.” The grants are anticipated to improve domestic manufacturing capabilities, which helps build

Australia’s sovereign industrial capacity to support the Australian Defence Force. Price looks forward to seeing more Australian small businesses thrive. “The SICP grants not only enable businesses to improve their competitiveness, but develop new and valuable capabilities,” Price said. “This opens up new opportunities for local businesses to become involved in our commitment to develop a strong, sustainable and secure defence industry.” Since the grants program’s inception in November 2018, 99 grants have been awarded to Australian small and medium businesses, with a combined value of $55.6 million. The Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority Grants announced the following new recipients: • EPE, QLD – received $1,400,000 to

develop a specialised unmanned systems proving ground, training area and supporting Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and high yield explosives (CBRNe) Sensor Test and Assurance Laboratory, specifically for Australian requirements. • Diamond Defence Pty Ltd, VIC – received $290,990 to expand fibreoptic manufacturing capability at its Melbourne facility. Will enable locally manufactured, highperformance military-spec fibre optic assemblies and harnesses which are not currently available in Australia. • Moog Australia, VIC – received $209,772 to acquire and install new specialist equipment. • Novafast International Pty Ltd, SA – received $1,366,962 to support the acquisition and installation of new robotics equipment for new manufacturing technologies in composite products. • Varley Rafael Australia, VIC

The latest round of Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority grants aims to strengthen businesses’ defence manufacturing capability.

12 SEPTEMBER 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

– received $183,022 to expand its current Guided Weapons capabilities by setting up and commissioning a SPIKE Launcher assembly line, by upgrading facilities and associated security measures. • HTA Group Pty Ltd, VIC/NSW – received $1,069,479 to support the acquisition and installation of specialist equipment for defence and aerospace compliant vacuum hardening processes in Victoria and New South Wales. •A ustralian Precision Technologies Pty Ltd, VIC – received $1,054,137 to expand and update specialist equipment and current facilities for precision machining and milling. • Able Industries Engineering Pty Ltd, VIC – received $1,395,344 to purchase, construct, install and commission new capital equipment, implement workforce training, skills development and quality accreditation. • Able Industries Engineering Pty Ltd, VIC – received a further $331,450 to complete required building modifications to enhance the company’s ability to manufacture key components. • Abstec Calibrations Australia Pty Ltd, SA – received $185,117 to extend its existing laboratory area to meet increased demand from defence industry and to improve their National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) scope of accreditation. • GW Kewder Engineering Pty Ltd, VIC – received $294,000 to invest in specialist machining tools to continue to support the manufacture of precision components. • Campagno Engineering Pty Ltd, VIC – received $609,266 to acquire and install specialist equipment. Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority grant applications can be made at any time and submitted online through the Centre for Defence Industry Capability. manmonthly.com.au

News @MM Southern Launch to establish rocket testing facility in South Australia Commonwealth approval has been granted for a second rocket launch facility licence, awarded to space company Southern Launch in South Australia, further growing the country’s civil space sector. The licence will enable Southern Launch to establish a sub-orbital rocket testing facility at Whalers Way, located 680km west of Adelaide. If tests are successful, the site could be used for much larger orbital rocket launches in the future. This is an essential step forward in establishing Australia’s commercial launch capabilities. “The global space launch services market is expected to reach US$29.6 billion by 2027,” minister for Industry, Science and Technology Christian Porter said. “Australia has a unique opportunity to be part of this exciting and growing industry, given our geographical advantages which make us an attractive destination for launch activities. “Building our capability in this area will also help to unlock significant opportunities for local industries and drive job growth across the advanced manufacturing sector.” The Whalers Way site will initially support a test launch campaign for up to three suborbital rockets. Data will be collected during the launches to measure environmental impacts, to determine the site’s viability as a possible launch location for future launches. The approval of the Whalers Way launch facility licence is a strong sign of the nation’s maturing launch capability, Australian Space Agency head Enrico Palermo said. “Momentum in Australia’s civil space sector is growing every day, signalled by increasing private investment and associated job creation,” Palermo said. “This approval provides the emerging launch sector with manmonthly.com.au

Australian space company, Southern Launch, will build a sub-orbital rocket testing facility at Whalers Way in South Australia.

the confidence of the Australian Space Agency’s intention to grow Australia’s launch capability and infrastructure, in alignment with our civil space strategy.” The Southern Launch facility licence for Whalers Way follows the granting of Australia’s first launch facility licence for Southern Launch’s Koonibba Test Range in March 2021. It has also been announced that the federal government will defer the introduction of partial cost recovery for launch applications submitted under the Space (Launches and Returns) Act 2018, until 1 July 2022. This deferral of fees will encourage more launch activity, continued investment and growth in the broader space sector. Since 2018, the federal government has invested over $700 million in the civil space sector in its plan to grow the sector to $12

billion and add another 20,000 jobs by 2030. Access to Space is one of seven civil space priority areas set out in the Advancing Space: Australian Civil Space Strategy 2019-2028.

It will be supported by a forthcoming technical roadmap to explore the future of Australia’s launch market opportunity to continue growing a thriving and globally respected space sector.

Manufacturers’ Monthly SEPTEMBER 2021 13

News @MM How your brainwaves could remotely operate a robotic device

Professors CT Lin (second from left) and Francesca Iacopi (second from right) with two assistants at the Army Robotics Expo.

A University of Technology Sydney (UTS) project was showcased at the Army Robotics Expo in Brisbane, showing how users can remotely control a robotic vehicle using brainwaves, or electrical signals generated by coordinated neuronic activity in the brain. The project, conducted by UTS distinguished Professor CT Lin and Professor Francesca Iacopi, was funded by the Department of Defence via the Defence Innovation Hub open submission process. UTS was one of two universities invited to test their technology at the Army Robotics Expo, where Defence staff and industry and academia participants witnessed the technology at work. “We were excited to be able to demonstrate the concepts and technology to Army and RAAF personnel, including chief of the Australian Defence Force General Angus Campbell,” Iacopi said. The UTS team showed robotic 14 SEPTEMBER 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

devices moving in the event space without the users using their hands. The intended robot movement was communicated through physiological sensors, which detected and decoded electrical brain signals – or brainwaves – and sent them to the device. Iacopi is developing sensors for this project using graphene – a single, thin layer of graphite. The graphene is embedded in silicon wafers to create a material that is highly resilient, biocompatible and conductive for a better prolonged contact with the human skin. The project team has been researching the factors that make graphene ideal for technologies that will be worn on the skin in the wide range of climates and environments that are experienced in the Army. Iacopi is an internationally recognised expert in nanotechnology and electronic materials and a chief investigator

in the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Transformative Meta-Optical Systems. Lin is developing the wearable electronics and artificial intelligence algorithms for decoding the brain signals and controlling a robotic device. He is an international expert on brain computer interface and

computational intelligence and codirector of the Australian Artificial Intelligence Institute at UTS. The opportunity to trial the technology at the Army Robotics Expo gave attendees an insight into the future. At the event, a glass screen was used to display robot navigation information, but this can be transferred to wearable items such as glasses or a helmet visor, Lin said. “Currently people use touch to control phones and tablets,” Lin said. “In the future, you will have sensors embedded in gear that can detect brain signals and communicate with computers and smart appliances using thought.” As well as defence applications, this wearable technology being developed at UTS has significant potential for people with disability. It could facilitate many aspects of daily living, including controlling a wheelchair or operating prosthetics. “The project aims to build the capability of our defence forces and our high-tech industries and jobs, with the innovative technology having potential commercial applications across multiple sectors,” Iacopi said. This UTS project began in 2020 and is due for completion in 2022. It builds on UTS’ research in AI, robotics and innovative materials.

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Issues & Insights Is there something Australian manufacturers can put into space? Alexandra Cooper speaks with the Australian Space Agency deputy head, Anthony Murfett, Titomic executive director and CTO, Jeff Lang, and Monash University’s School of Physics and Astronomy associate professor, Michael Brown, to uncover where the opportunities lie for our investments in space technology.

N 11 JULY, the world watched on as British billionaire Richard Branson flew 86km into suborbital space on his Virgin Galactic rocket plane, 17 years in the making. “We’re here to make space more accessible to all,” Branson said, following the historic flight. “Welcome to the dawn of a new space age.” The space sector is one of Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s Modern Manufacturing Strategy key priority areas. With the space sector now becoming more accessible for

16 SEPTEMBER 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

Australian manufacturers, what does this mean for our future domestic capabilities?

Supporting the race to space From the race to be the first on the moon to the first joy-ride to suborbital space, space-related technology has evolved dramatically over time. The recent commercial “space race” taking place in the US reflects this. “I think there’s an uptick in commercial space activities generally, and the number of launches that are happening across

the globe reflects that – a huge increase in activity by SpaceX in the US over the past few years,” Monash University’s School of Physics and Astronomy associate professor Michael Brown said. “The SpaceX rockets can take un-crewed satellites anywhere in the solar system. The publicity stunt of launching a Tesla car into space, into orbit between Earth and Mars, was a demonstration from a couple of years ago. “Crewed space flights and commercial space flights are getting a lot of media attention. But I

think, as always, it’s the satellites and un-crewed commercial activities that are actually driving the space industry.” Since 2018, the Australian government has invested over $700 million in the space industry, reinforcing that it is an emerging and important area that will create jobs and growth for the economy. “One of the big programs we’re delivering includes our $150 million Moon to Mars program,” Australian Space Agency deputy head Anthony Murfett said. “It is designed to support manmonthly.com.au

Issues & Insights Australian manufacturers will support NASA’s activities on the Moon and Mars.

Australian businesses to collaborate with international partners as part of NASA’s ambitious mission to go forward to the Moon and onto Mars. It has three elements: firstly focusing on building supply chain capability, a second element supporting larger projects through a demonstrator program and the third element is a trailblazer program – where we invest in a significant project to support NASA’s broader Moon to Mars activities.” Overall, the Moon to Mars Initiative gives advanced manufacturers the opportunity manmonthly.com.au

to apply their technologies to space projects and determines the feasibility of how these technologies can function in space. The aim is for Australia to partner with NASA to support its activities on the Moon and Mars via these innovative technologies. Another program facilitated by the Australian Space Agency is the Space Infrastructure Fund. “Many of our space businesses, as well as those businesses that are thinking about space, require supporting infrastructure so they can show that their technologies work in space,” Murfett said. “So we’ve recently awarded a $2.25 million grant to ANU (Australian National University), and its partners, to further enhance their payload qualification facilities. These facilities allow companies to test their products and technology in an environment that simulates aspects of space.” At the same time, the Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI), run by the broader Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources is gaining more traction.  “Space is one of the six manufacturing priority areas for a couple of reasons. This includes that we’ve got great capabilities in our manufacturing sector that can support the growing space sector, it grows a high-tech workforce and, excitingly, working in space is inspiring,” Murfett said. “The first rounds for two elements of the program have recently closed – the Translation and Integration Streams – where four space businesses received funding to support capabilities such as using titanium in satellite components and space vehicles; new sensors that can be used in space to look down on Earth; and looking at fluid and motion control products that can be used in space.”

Putting the pieces together Implementing these programs in Australia also aims to have a positive impact on global priorities, such as reducing our carbon footprint when launching spacecrafts into orbit. This is

reflected in the $2.3 million in MMI funding provided to Titomic, which uses cold spray technology, or Kinetic Fusion, as an additive manufacturing process. This has been used in a variety of applications, however most recently in building space vehicles and components with green titanium. So how does cold spray technology work? “Ultimately, we were looking at advanced technologies that communalise titanium metal powder,” Titomic executive director and CTO Jeff Lang said. “What was interesting about this powder is it was a very cheap feedstock material and not quite the normal powder that’s used in normal melting 3D printing, which is a nice round spherical powder. Cold spray technology is slightly different – it doesn’t melt material, it actually accelerates metal particles at supersonic speed and as they collide, they fuse together.”

to build a sovereign capability around that sector. Unfortunately, there’s not exactly green processes on how titanium is traditionally produced. “So what we’ve been able to do with green titanium is there’s a company called Coogee Chemicals, and they have a feedstock material that cracks a poppy seed – basically where they extract the titanium out of those minerals,” he said. “The materials are mined in Australia, we process it to that first level, extract the metal out of the ore and then with that titanium poppy seed, we use hydrogen to embrittle the titanium. It breaks down into a fine powder and then we can use that feedstock. That feedstock is around 10 times less in cost than traditional metal powder used by 3D printing.” This process ensures that Titomic’s end product can be delivered faster, on an industrial scale, using renewable energy. Lang

Crewed space flights and commercial space flights are getting a lot of media attention. But I think, as always, it’s the satellites and un-crewed commercial activities that are actually driving the space industry. On completing a project with CSIRO in 2014, Titomic developed a robust process for using cold spray in additive manufacturing. Then, they looked at applications for its end use. “We worked with all the major defence aerospace primes in the world on demonstrator parts, but we also realised there was a loss of capability in the space industry around what we did in the Apollo missions – there was a lot of titanium used. That’s why the SpaceX rockets are built out of stainless steel and not titanium, which is half the weight,” Lang said. “Australia has the largest mineral resource for this material in the world and the government’s always felt there was an opportunity

highlights the importance of using green technology to create change in the manufacturing industry in Australia. “With the advent of climate crisis coming our way, we have to revisit how we look at manufacturing. We have to look at everything, from how we ship materials around the world to understanding the carbon footprint when we’re manufacturing product,” he said. “The metals industry is the second largest polluter in the world – no one’s doing anything about it. So, Titomic’s working with the Australian government and we’ve decided to really look fundamentally at the resources we have in Australia and look at issues like: How do we maintain Manufacturers’ Monthly SEPTEMBER 2021 17

Issues & Insights in space is essential. “It’s about jobs and growth and importantly, we use these space technologies every single day,” he said. “With the global space economy predicted to be worth $1 trillion by 2040, being able to invest in and create that workforce, and importantly being able to develop technology to help other people here on earth is vitally important. “Whether it’s new robotics for agriculture using space technologies, new ways of communicating across air or land, or even using lessons from space medicine to support remote medicine capabilities and applying them to our rural and regional communities, the positive impacts here on Earth are immense. This reinforces why we’re investing in space and how it helps people.” Australian Space Agency deputy head, Anthony Murfett.

sustainability around those resources? How do we control that in a better way and take responsibility in Australia? The answer is to grow the sustainability of our resource commodities, but also build some very advanced green technology industries around that capability as well. “At Titomic, we like to see ourselves at the forefront, creating the gold standard around what we can do there. And we believe it gives the Australian space industry a unique value proposition that we can be the world leader in titanium space vehicles and other areas.”

Other capabilities in space contribution Other areas encompassing Australia’s capabilities in the space industry include data integration and robotics, and research and development projects in rocket technologies, hybrid fuels, quantum technologies and optical communications. “There are areas such as earth observation where Australia is really good at data integration, or 18 SEPTEMBER 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

use of data,” Murfett said. “There’s a big opportunity to use these observations to support bushfire disaster management and defence capabilities as well. These capabilities can also be used to understand the surface of the Moon or Mars. “Robotics and automation is a significant area of opportunity. While we’re an emerging space nation, the world is turning to Australia and seeing our robotics and automation capabilities – drawing from our mining and resources sectors,” he said. “We’re currently developing technology road maps which outline where Australia could be in 10 years and the investments or opportunities for us to get there. We’ve released a technical road map on Australia’s opportunities in advanced communication, which highlight opportunities using optical communication (which could be up to 100 times as fast compared to current technologies). Australia is world leading in some of these capabilities, which positions us well for the future.

“We’re now doing the thinking to inform the industry, and manufacturers as well, where those opportunities could be.” For local manufacturers seeking to contribute their technologies to the space industry, the Moon to Mars Initiative could provide the opportunity to facilitate a global supply chain. “In the space sector, there are particular requirements and quality standards that need to be met in international supply chains,” Murfett said. “So, we’ve got in place a program to support the development of these capabilities, should a business be considering operating in the space sector. We also have a program in our supply chain program to support around facilitation – what we really want to do is open these supply chains for Australian businesses to work internationally. We aim to have this element open later this year.” Murfett also said it is vitally important to work with the Australian community to promote an understanding of why investing

Space has a profound impact on our daily lives “I think an interesting change that’s happening now – it’s sort of crept up on us – is how ubiquitous space is becoming in our daily lives,” Brown said. “We’ve all had GPS now on our phones for quite a while and got pretty well used to it. We could imagine that there will be similar things creeping in, perhaps with people using the Starlink satellite communications. “There’s definitely opportunities out there for Australian companies, certainly (perhaps unexpected) opportunities that could happen. With Rocket Lab’s Electron launches happening out of New Zealand, 20 years ago the idea of satellites being launched from New Zealand might have seemed a little bit far-fetched – and now that’s happening on a very regular basis.” Lang agrees, adding that the space industry has the potential to unify the globe. “As we look toward the stars for the future, I think the billionaires are getting a lot of flack as far as their ‘new little hobby playing space people.’ But I would suggest otherwise,” he said. manmonthly.com.au

Issues & Insights “I would suggest they’re pushing the boundaries that’s going to affect the human thinking at a collective level. The interconnectivity of everything, how it affects humanity, how we look at space for the next frontier, is really going to unify humanity on this planet.” Looking to the future, Australia has the potential to play a major role in contributing to the space industry at large, such as with launch capabilities. “Australia’s shown a record of being able to have a high level of pioneering spirit that evolved into innovation ingenuity to solve problems. And if you look at the space industry in Australia, we have probably one of the best geographic locations in the world to launch from,” Lang said. “We’re looking at launching on the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia, and up in the Northern Territory - these are great geographic locations to launch from. If you’re going to launch vehicles

from Australia, would it not make sense to build those vehicles in Australia as well? The closer you can get your builder base to where the launch pad is, the greater that is. “I grew up with books on the Moon, looking at structures on the Moon – all cartoons and animated. But it inspired me as a child to really look at this industry. And now I find myself years and years later and this opportunity has fallen in my lap. So I’m going to really be pushing for this, because I think it’s a great capability for humanity and Australia as well.” This kind of inspiration is the driving force behind space innovations within Australia. “As an astronomer, space still excites me, so I think there would be excitement about crewed space flights to the Moon,” Brown said. “Who knows exactly when crewed space flight to Mars will happen – it’s fiendishly expensive, but at the same

We’ve all had GPS now on our phones for quite a while and got pretty well used to it. We could imagine that there will be similar things creeping in, perhaps with people using the Starlink satellite communications. time, I’ll admit a certain childhood excitement about crewed missions to other parts of the solar system. “I’m also very excited about the un-crewed space flights and what they’re going to achieve over the coming decade or so. I think there’s a lot to be excited about in terms of exploration and science in space.”

Inspiration for the future The Australian Space Agency hopes that this excitement will inspire both manufacturers in the present and future generations to continue building an Australian

space heritage. “We really want to show parents, teachers and kids that space is a reality for Australia, and is a growth area for Australia,” Murfett said. “We want kids who are thinking about space to be able to look up to the sky and know there is now Australian technology there, supporting our way of life. “We’re asking manufacturers – both those already in the space sector, and those thinking about it – to pause and think: is this something that I can put into space?”

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Industry Focus

Distinguished Professor Arnan Mitchell at the Micro Nano Research Facility, located in RMIT University’s Melbourne campus.

Launching Australia into the global space race Caroline Tung interviewed researchers at RMIT to find out more about a prototype being developed in Australia that could help determine if humans can settle on the Moon.

TEAM of researchers at RMIT University in Melbourne have joined the great space race with a pioneering invention. And, they are on the way to putting Australia on the world map in space manufacturing. The protype device, called MAPrad, is one tenth the size of existing ground penetrating radar (GPR) systems, which allows those using it to see more than 100 metres below ground level, almost twice as deep compared to existing technology. The aim is to send the device into space to identify minerals, ice deposits, or voids such as lava tubes on the moon that can support potential human settlement. Start-up CD3D has now received a grant from the Australian Space

20 SEPTEMBER 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

Agency’s Moon to Mars initiative to further develop the prototype with RMIT, including testing it by mapping one of Earth’s largest accessible systems of lava tubes. CD3D CEO and RMIT Honorary Professor, James Macnae, said their unique geophysical sensor had several advantages that made it more suitable for space missions. “MAPrad is smaller, lighter and uses no more power than existing ground penetrating radar devices, and yet, can see up to hundreds of metres below the surface, which is around twice as deep as existing technology,” he said. “It is able to achieve this improved performance, even after being shrunken to a hand-held size, because it operates in a different frequency range by using the magnetic rather

than the electric component of electromagnetic waves.” The magnetic waves emitted and detected by the device measure conductivity and electromagnetic wave reflections to identify what lies underground. Voids and waterice provide strong reflections, while various metals have high conductivity at unique levels. “MAPrad’s initial development was specifically focused on facilitating drone surveys for mining applications, but it has obvious applications in space where size and weight are at a premium, so that’s where we’re now focusing our efforts,” Macnae said. The multi-stage project is currently a feasibility study. The researchers will then seek to validate whether the structure will survive

the launch. The next phase is to prepare the device for deployment. The researchers will also seek approval to scan one of the world’s largest accessible systems of lava tubes at the Undara caves in Far North Queensland. The tubes have diameters of up to 20 metres and some are several hundred metres in length. The specialised radar system was developed in partnership with Canadian company, International Groundradar Consulting, in a collaborative research project funded through the AMIRA Global network. Successful field tests have since been carried out in Australia and Canada using a backpacked prototype for mining and mineral prospecting. manmonthly.com.au

Industry Focus RMIT University engineer, Dr Graham Dorrington, said they would traverse the park above the caves to detect the voids below, some of which have not been completely mapped yet. “We know the dimensions of the main tubes, so comparison with surface scans to check accuracy should be possible,” he said. “Undara will be an excellent testing site for us, since it’s the closest thing on Earth to the lava tubes thought to exist on the Moon and Mars.” The immediate concern is mapping ice-water deposits on the Moon and getting a clearer picture of the resources available there to support life. Dorrington said their system could be mounted on a space rover, or attached to a spacecraft in low orbit to monitor for minerals on future missions, and for lava tubes on later missions. “After the lava tube testing later this year, the next step will be optimising the device so as not to interfere or interact with any of the space rover or spacecraft’s metal components, or cause incompatible electromagnetic interference with communications or other instruments,” Dorrington said. “Qualifying MAPrad for space usage, especially on the Moon, will be a significant technical challenge for us.”

A researcher views computergenerated space data at the Micro Nano Research Facility in Melbourne.

The team will use the unique capabilities of the Micro Nano Research Facility (MNRF) and the Advanced Manufacturing Precinct and are also looking to collaborate on later stages of development with specialists in spacecraft integration or organisations with payload availability. RMIT is setting up space validation facilities for testing the functionality and endurance of devices such as MAPrad. MNRF director, Distinguished Professor Arnan Mitchell, described the project as a multidisciplinary The MAPrad is much smaller that the size of existing ground penetrating radar systems.

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effort, and is keen to showcase the university’s capabilities to industry. “To make the MAPrad as rugged as possible and also as lightweight as possible, we’ll try integrate it, so make it as much a solid block material as we can,” he said. Some questions the team will answer through standards testing include how the device will survive the launch and the vacuum leaving Earth, as well as the temperature changes in space. Mitchell is confident that the standard tests for satellite validation will be accurate indicators the MAPrad will survive, based on previous testing. “My team has a lot of experience in ruggedising things for defence applications like being able to survive on helicopters, which are very vibration-prone environments, so they’re similar requirements to survive the launch,” he said. “Once they’re actually in space, there’s much less of that physical wear and tear. “It’s more how to survive the vacuum, will it survive the radiation, and there’s no atmosphere on the Moon to protect the structures from the Sun.” Mitchell hopes that delivering on this high-profile project will attract more industry organisations to connect with RMIT’s Advanced Manufacturing Precinct and MNRF.

The MNRF currently has more than 450 researchers accessing its fabrication facilities to do rapid prototyping at both the nano and macro scale. “From my perspective, we’ve got some of the most sophisticated advanced manufacturing, research and developments tools in the world at RMIT. I don’t think that it’s very well-known,” Mitchell said. “I think if you can demonstrate that you can miniaturise something using these tools, and it can survive launching into space and operate on the Moon, it’s a clear message that there are many things that you could also be doing here on Earth: from sensors in the Outback to automotive, electronics to agriculture, you can do all sorts of things.” RMIT has facilities available to print objects from the nanometre scale (almost to the scale of molecules), to integrated circuits, things the size of the radar sensor (to millimetre scale), and right up to things the size of turbine blades. “We have an extraordinary array of capability, and we’ve worked very hard to make it accessible to people outside of academia,” Mitchell said. “We really want to bridge the gap between academic research and industrial application. There’s a lot of mechanisms and support to make that happen.” Manufacturers’ Monthly SEPTEMBER 2021 21

Bearings Timken expands product line for food and beverage sector Ensuring high standards in the production line is critical, and Timken’s partnership with Motion Asia Pacific shows us why.

ITH populations growing rapidly around the globe and factories producing at higher levels than imaginable some decades ago, the risk of food contamination across those factories is higher than before. The machinery at the heart of those operations requires premium components that can ensure the highest level of hygiene in production. For the past few years, Timken has been working on a new range of bearing units for the food and beverage industry. Though Timken is relatively new to the food and beverage market segment, its solutions are already finding global acceptance in original equipment. With the next harvest season on the horizon in Australia, Motion Asia Pacific’s businesses – namely CBC, BSC and Webster BSC – across the country are stocking up with the new Timken bearing solutions for the Australian food and beverage industry. “It’s an exciting time for both Timken and Motion Asia Pacific,” says Alf Mangano, Timken’s regional sales manager for the Victoria, Northern Territory and South Australian regions. “We have partnered with Motion Asia Pacific on our food and beverage package. Australia is taking the lead on these products, and we want to help get the right products to the right markets.” Mangano has been a part of Timken Australia for more than 23 years, specialising in bearings for the food and beverage industry. He also looks after original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for his sector of the bearings market. “Timken’s food and beverage housed units are designed to be dimensionally interchangeable with industry standards. That means if a customer has a bearing product in their production line that is not food grade, they can switch them out. These units are fully assembled and only

22 SEPTEMBER 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

need to be mounted. This is a huge advantage for a plant that may be operating seven days a week, 24 hours a day,” explains Mangano. Stock has arrived, three brand new food-grade products by Timken: The Blue Polymer Hygienic Ball Bearing Housed Units “optically detectable”, the White Polymer Corrosion-Resistant Ball Bearing Housed Units, and the Corrosion-Resistant Deep Groove Ball Bearings. All units are NSF H1 and FDA compliant. These are readily available from your local BSC, CBC, and Webster BSC branch. Timken also offer solutions in the ball housed units with a stainlesssteel option and a Poly-Round option which is maintenance free. These units are particularly focused for aggressive washdown areas. The Poly-Round units are 100 per cent greaseless and corrosion resistant with excellent chemical resistance, washdown and able to operate in submerged application. They are capable of operating in temperatures up to 260 degrees.

The Timken goal is to reduce maintenance, elevate food safety, improve production time, and extend bearing life.

Fit for Purpose The different units have been designed to meet different requirements of the food and beverage industry. Tony Tormey, product manager for Industrial Bearings at Industrial Solutions Australia, part of Motion Asia Pacific offers some insight. Blue Polymer Hygienic Ball Bearing Housed Units “These hygienic housed units are constructed from corrosion-resistant materials, which are optically detectable, they are also NSF H1, and FDA complaint. Food-grade Solid Lube is available in NSF H1 says Tormey. Timken also offer a hygienic stainlesssteel model.” “The food-grade Solid Lube is a lifetime lubrication solution that can withstand aggressive washdowns and contaminants and are maintenance

This is a premium bearing unit designed for all stages of production to enhance reliability and extend bearing life. We also have a stainlesssteel model available in all mounting styles. The Poly-Round units are 100 per cent greaseless and corrosion resistant with excellent chemical resistance, washdown and able to operate in submerged application.

free. They are available in a hygienic blue thermoset and stainless-steel housing, they’re also available in all mounting styles. The hygienic thermoset housings are cast to eliminate voids and increase strength,” explains Tormey. The Blue Polymer Hygienic Ball Bearing Housed Units are ideal for food and beverage processes in all applications. White Polymer Corrosion-Resistant Ball Bearing Housed Units “The white polymer bearing units have been designed with corrosion-resistant materials and food-grade lubricant NSF H1 and are FDA compliant,” says Tormey. “This is a premium bearing unit designed for all stages of production to enhance reliability and extend bearing life. We also have a stainlesssteel model available in all mounting styles.” “The corrosion-resistance feature helps to extend the life of the bearing and reduce maintenance. The ball bearing insert construction is all stainless steel including the set screw locking, and cage with a double lip seal for greater ingress protection.” The white polymer units are a good solution for all applications. Corrosion-Resistant Deep Groove Ball Bearings Solutions “The Timken Corrosion-Resistant Deep Groove Ball bearings have been constructed with stainless-steel rings, balls and cages. These corrosionresistant materials working in tandem with food-grade lubricant NSF H1 and are FDA compliant, which increases the safety of production by improving your reliability,” Tormey explains. “These units are available in standard, thin-section, narrow and miniature configurations of the 6000, 6200, 6300, 600, 618 and 619 series. They are currently available in double contact seals, as well as the option for open and double shields should they manmonthly.com.au

Bearings be required.” The Corrosion-Resistant Deep Groove Ball Bearings are ideal for harsh environments and a wide range of operating temperatures, suitable for all applications in the food and beverage industry. Poly-Round Bearing Solutions Timken Poly-Round is a solution product perfect for applications such as fryers, ovens, freezer tunnels, potato peelers and many other applications. “These are solution-based products which we can source quickly on demand,” explains Tormey. “This product is ideal for extreme environment applications such as fryers and ovens, where a customer may not be getting performance out of their original bearing product. The idea will be to offer an upgrade to their current bearing. The main benefit of the Poly-Round solution is to extend bearing life, improve uptime and reduce maintenance cost. That means improved food safety and greater production,” says Tormey.

The Timken Poly-Round bearings stand out because they are 100 per cent corrosion-resistant and greaseless. They are constructed with lubricity in their polymer composition. This allows the bearings to operate without the need for grease and eliminates the need for seals or shields. The Poly Round bearings excel in the harshest conditions, extreme temperatures, abrasives, incomplete rotations – all while meeting stringent food safety requirements. “When manufacturing fryers, one of the biggest challenges is finding bearings that are suited to direct food contact and submergence in high temperature oils,” says Tormey. “Timken has engineered housed bearing fryer solutions to excel in these conditions with their FA and FE Poly-Round Housed units. Being corrosion-resistant, these are maintenance free, lubrication free, polymer housed bearing that have been designed for fryer applications,” Tormey explains. Mangano concludes on Timken’s

part, “This launch is a slow burn. Right now, we are launching some of our most popular food and beverage products of interest to the food and beverage industry. That will serve as an appetiser for what more is to come.”

Timken Food and Beverage Belts Motion Asia Pacific will also be stocking Flour Power Roller Mill and Feather Picker v-belts for specific food and beverage applications. “The Flour Power Roller Mill belts are built from strong, smooth, high-performance polymer and are jump resistant. While the Feather Picker v-belts are double cogged with extra grip power and high-heat resistance. Both belts are durable to the demanding conditions of an industrial food and beverage environment,” says Mangano.

Timken Diamond Chains A few of the other recommended food-grade products that Motion Asia

Pacific will be stocking as part of their Food and Beverage package are the Diamond Stainless Steel Series chains. 1. AP Series (Standard Chain) Provides the best balance between wear performance and corrosion resistance. Well suited for food processing applications. Uses 300 series (austenic) stainless components with precipitation hardened stainless steel pins. 2. 300 Series Designed specifically for applications requiring exceptional corrosion resistance, low magnetic permeability or that the chain be non-sparking. Utilises only 300 series stainless steel components and pins. Wear performance is the lowest of the stainless-steel material options. 3. 400 Series An application specific chain material – typically used only when there is exposure to a selected range of chemicals.

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Manufacturers’ Monthly SEPTEMBER 2021 23

Innovation Innovating Australian manufacturing together Manufacturers’ Monthly speaks with Cori Stewart, CEO of the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Hub, about the need for innovative models, infrastructure and networked approaches to grow the nation’s manufacturers.

HE gap between industry and research is a phenomenon that is widely known in Australian manufacturing. That is one reason why the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Hub came to exist. Manufacturers are calling out for support to navigate an innovation and automation path for their business, and they often end up at ARM Hub’s door. ARM Hub addresses the needs

of manufacturers by enabling and simplifying access to the deep technical expertise available in universities and research institutes, the same innovation skills that rank Australia in the top 15 innovating nations in the world. The company’s CEO, Dr Cori Stewart, is passionate about sharing this unique talent and the benefits to our economy from advancing manufacturing in Australia. Currently, Australia ranks 86 of 133 nations in terms of global

complexity driven by a lack of diversification of exports. And, whilst the nation’s innovation capabilities rank highly, the commercialisation of these innovations ranks much lower. “Covid has really brought to bear, the essential parts of having a sovereign manufacturing capability,” Stewart said. “The critical part is having talent to create this sovereign capability. It has really revealed to us exactly how smart and strategic other nations

are about aligning themselves to be successful.” For ARM Hub, it’s about Australia competing on the global stage by increasing “high value” manufacturing that cannot be achieved elsewhere, rather than competing on price. “Australia, as a smaller country, needs to be a really successful trading nation alongside having its own capability,” Stewart said. “We really need to look at investing more in high- value product

ARM Hub COO, Samuel Jesuadian, demonstrates a robot at the Learning Factory, located in the Queensland University of Technology.

24 SEPTEMBER 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

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Innovation development and manufacture.” The ARM Hub is an independent and not-for-profit organisation on a mission to accelerate the uptake of advanced manufacturing technologies, from AI and data science to robotics. With a team of robotics experts from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and other expertise throughout the country, the ARM Hub is the first organisation of its kind in Australia connecting researchers with manufacturers across broad ranging industry sectors. One aim of ARM Hub is to help businesses develop innovative technology solutions that will have positive impacts on adjacent industries. The first tenants and collaborators of ARM Hub, Verton Technologies Pty Ltd are an Australian success story of global commercialisation contributing to adjacent industries. In collaboration with ARM Hub, Innovative Manufacturing CRC (IMCRC) and QUT, Verton invented an IoT enabled, remote-controlled loadmanagement system that eliminates the need for human held tag lines on suspended loads. Today, Verton manufactures high value AI enabled remote control units that not only deliver safer, faster, and smarter crane operations, but create real market advantages. The company has secured international joint ventures and grown from a start-up to a high value exporting Australian SME supplying to mining, construction and now renewable energy. As Stewart describes, it’s about the transformation journey of industry towards greater digital capabilities rather than shortterm gain. The Hub has also been working on automation with a laundry company based in regional Queensland, who were hit hard by the pandemic, like many small businesses. “This laundry company is just one example of biting the bullet because of covid, and now, they have an innovation that they can manmonthly.com.au

on-sell to all sorts of laundries globally,” Stewart said. “With our organisation, multiple companies can benefit from the value of collaboration,” she said. “It’s a really important way for industry to access the best talent and have them aid their business without having to hire directly. “Often, large institutions don’t have the agility to bring diverse capabilities together in a way that really works for industry, in particular SMEs. Our mission is to accelerate the adoption of advanced manufacturing in Australian industry.”

ARM Hub CEO, Cori Stewart.

Overcoming the skills shortage The ARM Hub builds expert teams around the challenges of manufacturers, working closely with and within industry to find smarter, innovative solutions. The ARM Hub Learning Factory, located in Brisbane, enables manufacturers to collaborate, test, prototype and showcase their innovations alongside the expert teams of ARM Hub, CSIRO and universities. By running their own contract and project management, the ARM Hub spearheads innovation inhouse by identifying and pulling out the research institution’s relevant capabilities – a critical step that fast tracks research access. “A company can come to us with a particular problem, and we work with them to solve it in a way that makes sense to them, according to their timelines, and in a way that ensures they benefit from their IP,” Stewart said. While models such as this have proven to be successful in other countries, this model is relatively new and unique in Australia, meaning that ARM Hub is in an unparalleled position to collaborate across industry, research and government, unlocking worldrenowned expertise, and creating commercial benefits. “ARM Hub has been set up to catalyse the commercialisation value that sits in R&D, where researchers and industry experts are

linked together in projects across industry,” she said.

Delivering the ARM Hub promise According to Stewart, ARM Hub’s mandate is to help industry – which allows the organisation to have a clear focus on how to mobilise IP and mobilise expertise – to benefit the commercial value industry seeks. “It’s much more about the capability and the know-how, and getting the right talent to engage with the companies to realise the value of something,” she said. “Manufacturing is not always about IP commercialisation, where you create technology in a lab, it gets commercialised, and a new company gets set up to realise that value. “Often, it does not involve new IP at all. It’s about that expert capability.” The ARM Hub was brought into being by what Stewart described as a huge demand from industry. More recently, the movement was further propelled by federal government incentives. The message was: “Australian industry really wants

to apply digitisation, robotics and assistive technologies, and we want your skills and capabilities.” “At the time, QUT was Australia’s number one university for robotics. As an SME you could attend the university, but you couldn’t easily and readily access the expertise,” Stewart explained. “ARM Hub was set up because businesses needed to access robotics, particularly collaborative robotics for a range of manufacturing applications.” The Learning Factory is a site where the team test, trial and demonstrate technologies for industry. Present in a dedicated maker space, are key experts in AI, robotics, & industrial design for industry to engage with. “It has become this meeting place that makes it easy to collaborate, easy to do business, and easy to ask all the humbling questions about technology,” Stewart said. “We are an AI, robotics and Industry 4.0 company. We’ve managed to attract international talent such as (chair in manufacturing robotics) Professor Will Brown, by having this company Manufacturers’ Monthly SEPTEMBER 2021 25

Innovation

ARM Hub chair in Manufacturing Robotics, Will Brown, delivers a presentation on AI for industry professionals.

that’s a platform to do his work.” Local Brisbane SME, Voltin, worked with ARM Hub to design, develop and commercialise their innovations in building inspection technology. With ARM Hub, Voltin connected with QUT experts to define the design to manufacture requirements of their innovative system, implementing digital scanning and artificial intelligence to conduct precise scanning tasks, and have since employed data science and mechatronics engineering graduates. ARM Hub has about 20 projects operating at any one time, with another 70 in development at any given point. A focus on SMEs means a deep pipeline of engagement and transformative activities. As a not-for-profit, the company leverages state and federal funding and philanthropic donations, particularly for SMEs, working closely with partners

like AusIndustry, Queensland Manufacturing Institute, regional manufacturing hubs and the Innovative Manufacturing Collaborative Research Centre. Stewart described the ARM Hub Learning Factory as an open front door for SMEs. “What we’re hoping is to have Learning Factories around the country, engaging innovation ready manufacturers and delivering outcomes,” she said. “We have a fairly ambitious expansion plan, so after COVID, we’ll be reigniting those initiatives.” Understanding what’s technically feasible and where to start is one thing, but a trusted source of independent third-party advice can really make a difference. With sustained models, like ARM Hub, to provide infrastructure and innovative networks will directly contribute to carving out a dynamic future for Australian manufacturing.

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NOVEMBER 2021 – FINANCIAL SERVICES Whatever the climate, planning the correct commercial strategy entails strategic planning – financially and tactically. Even more so now during the current crisis, companies need to take the right foot forward, and what better than an expert to help. In November 2021, we are speaking to businesses who specialise in financial services for manufacturers in the form of financial aid, consultancy, and other strategic management. In every edition of Manufacturers’ Monthly, we’re proud to work with our commercial partners on content that helps connect you with your future customers.

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IIoT Increasing network visibility is key for maximising uptime Manufacturers’ Monthly speaks with Madison Technologies technical support engineer, Navin Pramkumar, about the importance of increasing network visibility and maintaining uptime for manufacturers.

ODAY, with the rise of smart manufacturing, intelligent and reliable industrial network communication has become the cornerstone for nearly every smart application. Leading provider of network infrastructure solutions, Moxa launched MXview to support OT engineers by extending network visibility from network infrastructure to edge connectivity, helping simplify operations and improve network uptime. Madison Technologies, a valueadded distributor of Moxa’s reliable networking infrastructure has helped many customers across Australia in the manufacturing, power, and intelligent transportation industries. Madison Technologies technical support engineer, Navin Pramkumar, said the key to maximising network uptime is to have full visibility of hardwired and wireless connections. “It’s about bringing operational devices together, to help drive greater efficiency across the whole control process,” he said. “It’s mission critical to have the full picture of how industrial networks are performing on a daily basis.” Moxa recently launched the MXview Wireless add-on module specifically designed for industrial network management. This new wireless add-on fulfills the requirements of both static and dynamic wireless applications in smart manufacturing. Pramkumar commented the MXview Wireless add-on module provides context for the engineer by taking a complex wireless network and showing the connections between different devices, as well

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The MXview brings greater efficiency by allowing full visibility of across multiple connections.

as how each device is operating. “Better visualisation makes manufacturing environments easier to understand,” he said. “That’s important when you’re looking at so many different devices, otherwise it can get a bit overwhelming.” The MXview Wireless add-on module ensures the troubleshooting process gets streamlined instantly. The MXview, distributed by Madison Technologies in Australia, is specifically designed for industrial network management.

It allows engineers to resolve issues straight away to get a network running again with very little downtime. “When an issue occurs, instead of having to look for the problem, the engineer receives an instant alert and knows exactly what’s going on,” Pramkumar said. Previously with MXview,

engineers could only have a visual overview of hardwired devices (only devices that have a network cable plugged into them). Now, with the new MXview Wireless Add-on module, shop floor managers can get full visibility. This is considered a new and powerful capability but it’s important to be aware the MXview Wireless add-on module is only compatible with Moxa AWK wireless access points. “In the past, it has been difficult to get a centralised view of wireless access points critical operating statistics, such as number of clients connected or signal strength of devices. The MXview Wireless addon module gives visibility, all on one platform,” Pramkumar said. The MXview Wireless addon module features a dynamic topology view to let users quickly see the status of wireless links and connection changes. Since automated vehicles constantly roam between different APs around the facility, users can overlay the network topology on top of a floor map of the facility to easily locate the vehicle, by checking the client’s wireless connection. This significantly saves time when trying to identify a malfunctioning client device. “The roaming playback function lets users review a client’s roaming history of the past 30 days to repeat an incident,” Moxa product manager Lyra Li said. “Users can leverage this function to find and address the root cause more efficiently, instead of having to consolidate and examine individual device logs.” The two functions, exclusively designed by Moxa, meet the growing requirements of automated manmonthly.com.au

IIoT factories, smart logistics, and other intelligent applications. At present, Moxa clients get the most customisation from MXview in their industrial network. Pramkumar summaried, “The new features being introduced into MXview is a game changer for Moxa’s Wireless Access Point management. This allows Moxa users more control and visibility over their networks than ever before.”

How MXview improves operations 1. Visibility Easy integration with SCADA by supporting OPC DA tags or RESTful APIs, MXview can assist operation visibility cover machines, network infra, and edge connectivity. Once SCADA shows alerts, OT engineers can quickly verify whether errors relate to the machine, network devices, or edge connectivity, and implement fast troubleshooting to shorten system downtime.

Overview of MXview Series Features and Benefits • Discovers and visualises network devices and physical connections automatically • Central management of configurations and firmware for Moxa devices • Multiple options for events and notifications with self-defined threshold and duration • Comprehensive reports, including inventory, traffic, and availability reports • Provides RESTful API and web widget to embed MXview into industrial applications • Supports third-party Ethernet switches through SNMP MIB files

industrial automation. Secure network devices with proper security settings save OT engineers much effort in cyber risk control. The security view function in MXview auto-scans all network devices and edge connectivity and provides a dashboard display of security settings and levels.

• Generates OPC 2.0 compliant tags automatically to integrate with SCADA/ HMI applications • Dynamic topology view shows the status of wireless links and connection changes • Visual interactive roaming playback function to review the roaming history of clients • Detailed device information and performance indicator charts for individual AP and client devices

2. Prevention Unexpected system disconnections can put pressure on OT engineers during daily operations. MXview offers a realtime dashboard display of the health status of key network components, including fiber checks and CPU usage

monitoring, to assist OT engineers in unexpected issues prevention related to system failure due to overconsumption. 3. Security Security is a vital factor in

4. Insights Network is a critical consideration when implementing IIoT. MXview supports OT operation managers with insights and analysis by offering dashboard displays and reports of network devices, edge connectivity security status, and key components consumption for better assets management and investment planning. To learn more about how to increase network visibility and maintain uptime, visit www.madison.tech/moxa or phone 1800 72 79 79 to speak with Madison Technologies’ Customer Connect team.

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Manufacturers’ Monthly SEPTEMBER 2021 29

Anodising Custom protective coatings: The future of metal manufacturing The benefits of protective coatings for machined components are well known – but manufacturers can take this a step further. Working closely with a specialist coating supplier gives manufacturers the ability to provide custom, project-specific finishes and offer a tailored, quality service to their customers.

ANUFACTURING metal components is more than simply machining parts based on a drawing. Fabricators and metal manufacturers need to be attuned to their customers’ needs, delivering high-quality and long-lasting parts. Choosing expert surface finishers to supply protective coatings such as anodising and powder coating can help manufacturers meet their customers’ requirements for durability, including corrosion, abrasion, heat and chemical resistance, as well as colour preferences. However, with specialised projects for industry priority areas such as defence coming more into focus in Australia, manufacturers may need to think outside the box to deliver the highest quality products possible. Seeking the advice and support

of specialist protective coating and surface finishing providers allows manufacturers to go beyond simply checking the boxes for corrosion or abrasion resistance. By determining which finish – or finishes – meet customers’ specific requirements and working to create customised finishing solutions, manufacturers can provide an unparalleled quality service, build grater customer trust and stronger customer relationships. Defence manufacturer Milspec Manufacturing has garnered a reputation as one of Australia’s most precise, reliable contract manufacturers, providing brushless alternators and portable power systems to supply chains across the globe. When Milspec received project specifications for a crucial land project for Kongsberg Defence Australia, they sought a way to fulfil the strict requirements needed to

DECO works with customers to customise protective coatings.

30 SEPTEMBER 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

ensure the metal components could withstand the harsh conditions they would be exposed to. “Defence projects require very specific finishes, because of the very harsh conditions they parts are exposed to and the stringent global standards they must comply with,” said Milspec general manager, Neil Morrison. “To ensure customer satisfaction we needed to find a finisher who could collaborate with us at every step to achieve exactly what the customer required.” Teaming up with DECO Australia – the South West Sydney surface finishing experts – assisted Milspec in achieving the highly custom finish required for the project. DECO Australia, who have collaborated with a wide range of engineering, aerospace, automotive, medical and defence manufacturers, are driven to provide specialist finishing solutions to meet unique customer needs. Their tailored services and willingness to work with customers mean they are able to set up specialised production lines and even create custom finishes. When project requirements call for a niche finish, working with a surface finisher can yield unprecedented positive results. The use of duplex finishes, which combine the benefits and properties of multiple surface treatments, can optimise production and performance for complex projects. Milspec’s project specifications called for a very specific grey finish to meet international standards, as well as the removal of surface contaminants, corrosion resistance and the application of multiple finishes to different areas of the

Processes like hard anodising helps manufacturers meet durability requirements.

component. While this may have initially appeared to be a challenge, DECO has a history of developing duplex coatings – one of their most notable examples being the one-of-a-kind finish on the façade of the Hong Kong Tai Kwun Arts Precinct. To achieve the required finish for Milspec’s project, DECO set about developing an efficient coating system, blasting the parts with plastic media, masking certain areas before anodising the components, to ensure different coatings could be applied to different areas of the same product, and applying a custom grey finish to other areas. “DECO’s innovative approach meant instead of sending the part to multiple suppliers or offering an alternative that wasn’t quite what was specified, we could utilise a coating system that met the exact specifications,” said Morrison. As well as providing creative solutions, working with surface finishers allows for more thorough quality testing. Manufacturers can closely observe initial trials, discussing adjustments and approving prototypes to get the best final result. Before working on Milspec’s manmonthly.com.au

Anodising order, DECO undertook a first article inspection, along with anodic coating weight and neutral salt spray testing, providing a report and prototype for Milspec to evaluate. This provided proof of performance of the coating system before starting the project and allowed the manufacturer and end customer the confidence in the process prior to DECO processing the project. Rather than outsourcing parts internationally – a costly, drawn-out process that increases lead times, pairing with a local finisher can also help manufacturers deliver orders in a timely fashion, using Australian companies rather than relying on overseas suppliers. The grey finish required for the Kongsberg project was not typically found in Australia – meant the project could have been sent offshore to achieve the correct finish. However, DECO’s innovative nature meant the surface finishing provider were willing to go above

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and beyond to meet the project’s finishing requirements. “DECO, as an Australian Family Business, is fully committed to providing sovereign industry capability,” said DECO’s Industrial Business Manager Richard Hamber. “That means researching and coming up with innovative new ways to meet customer needs. If there’s a finish you can’t get here in Australia, we will find a way to source it – providing that niche service and meeting those very specialised customer needs here in Australia.” The fact that DECO was able to source the required grey dye and apply it onshore represents a significant step forward – the ability for manufacturers to seek creative, innovative finishing solutions and build closer, more involved relationships with finishing providers and their customers to create more tailored results. Milspec and DECO’s combined

DECO offers services to help businesses set up specialised production lines, and can also create custom finishes.

success illustrates the significant benefits manufacturers can access when working with innovative coatings providers. By moving away from standard finishes and charting new finishing territory, manufacturers can aim for greater customisation and an improved ability to meet the increasingly specific requirements for significant Australian and

international projects, such as aerospace and defence. For more information on DECO Australia’s finishing services, visit deco.net.au/protective-coatings For more information on Milspec Manufacturing, visit milspecmanufacturing.com. For more information on Kongsberg, visit www.kongsberg.com

Manufacturers’ Monthly SEPTEMBER 2021 31

Tooling No bolting from safety with groundbreaking QX Series torque tool Manufacturers’ Monthly speaks with John Bishop, CAPS Australia’s product manager for power tools, about how the QX Series Torque Tools help reduce occupational injuries.

CCORDING to industry expert John Bishop, it’s only a matter of time before a person gets an injury if their job involves the repeated fastening of bolts with a standard power tool. The humble bolt is responsible for keeping most machinery together. This is why bolt fastening is such a key part of many a manufacturing process. The ongoing challenge for manufacturers, however, is that the task of bolt fastening poses a significant occupational health and safety (OH&S) risk to employees. “The two big things CAPS Australia promotes are the safety and compliance,” Bishop said. “The number one goal is to reduce potential injuries on the shop floor, and, secondly, make sure the product is manufactured to specifications.” Specific OH&S challenge has affected many of John’s clients in the manufacturing sector – particularly in applications such as automotive manufacturing, where a high repetition of bolting is required on assembly lines. Fortunately, he can now give these customers a solution in the form of Ingersoll Rand’s QX Series Torque Tools. “When you’re tightening a bolt up

QX High Torque Angle Wrench for truck and bus assembly.

32 SEPTEMBER 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

QX Low Torque Pistol for truck and bus assembly.

with a standard power tool, you’ll get a reaction every time. When it suddenly comes to a stop, it jerks your arm,” Bishop explained. “If you do that 200300 times a day, you will eventually get an injury from that excessive, repetitive movement. It might be months down the track, but it will happen.” There are different levels of products available for different manufacturing uses. The QX Series Torque Tools have inbuilt transducers, which are designed electronically, and have a very accurate way of getting tightening done properly. The tools also

record information on specifications. “Most of the time, people just need to know the bolt is tightened to spec. In the event that two years down the road, that something happens, they’ve actually got data to refer back to what was done on the day,” Bishop explained. Relatively new to the Australian market, the transducerised QX Series torque tools employ advanced technology, communication, and control features to ensure accurate, repeatable bolting for industrial applications. The tools are available through CAPS Australia in different combinations of torque, ranging from 7 in-lbs/0.8Nm to 1,475 foot-pounds (2000 Nm). “This revolutionary tool range has been specifically designed for high-repetition bolting and keeping reaction movements low,” Bishop said. “Every customer who has seen the QX tools or used them has honestly been flabbergasted by just how good they are and the benefits they bring, the main one being safety. We are talking about cordless products, which are designed to go anywhere.” Ingersoll Rand also launched their Ergonomic Tightening System (ETS) with the QX Series product range.

Every customer who has seen the QX tools or used them has honestly been flabbergasted by just how good they are and the benefits they bring, the main one being safety. We are talking about cordless products, which are designed to go anywhere. ETS reduces torque reaction with an ergonomically-enhanced motor control algorithm. And when tightening, it delivers short bursts of energy into the fastener, enabling the operator to stay safely in control of the tool. “This new ETS system is designed to reduce the reaction users get through arms,” Bishop explained. “Having smaller reaction movements enables the operators to stay in control and significantly reduces the risk of injury. These ETS products are very safe and at CAPS Australia we recommend them to all manufacturing operations where bolt fastening is involved.” Besides safety, Bishop said the other core challenge manufacturers face is compliance. The QX tools address this, too, by design. At the heart of each tool is the closed-loop transducer, which delivers torque precision, unmatched accuracy and traceable results. “In the manufacturing process there are certain standards and engineering designs that have to be manmonthly.com.au

Tooling met – consistently,” John explains. “If a bolt is tightened by hand, there is no consistency because each individual will do it up differently. The same with an impact wrench, how it is done will depend on how much battery power is used. Whereas the QX series tools are designed to be programmed and to stop at a predetermined torque.” Compared to manual and imprecise alternatives, this tool has multiple user-programmable configurations such as torque, angle, prevailing torque and gang count. And the electronic transducer is programmable to 0.001 of a Newton metre. “From a manufacturers’ point of view – and there are multiple features with these tools – they can get up to eight different strategies. Effectively, one tool can replace eight different tools,” Bishop said. “The multifunction display also provides visual feedback via red, yellow and green lights, signalling whether the bolt has exceeded, or not met, the torque limit or angle, or if the proper gang count was reached. A manufacturer will

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benefit immediately from this with improved efficiency and the ability for employees to hit nuts in faster sequence on the assembly line.” The QX series also has a recording function that can store up to 1,200 cycles of information and includes Bluetooth, meaning information can be downloaded to a router or server. “This is a really valuable feature. In the example of a car manufacturing or automobile environment, a record needs to be kept of every bolt that’s been done up on these vehicles and kept against the VIN number,” Bishop explained. “So, if there is a future event such as a fault with the vehicle, the manufacturer will pull up the data report on that vehicle to see every bolt that’s been manufactured or tightened on it.” Operators can move freely because the QX Tools are cordless and compact. These features allow maximum flexibility when working on multiple joints and accessing odd angles. When it comes down to it though,

QX High Torque Angle Wrench for truck and bus assembly. Bishop concluded that safety is more important than compliance, and that every business has to be accountable for their staff and ensure a safe working environment. “And this is the message we’re hearing loud and clear, that safety comes first. Fortunately, we have a tool that reduces injury and improves processes, so much so that these improvements will mitigate other risks too.” Among the satisfied clients that CAPS Australia has serviced with this

tool series includes IVECO Australia. To see how their Ingersoll Rand QX Series Cordless Torque Multipliers are improving efficiency, safety and productivity on the truck assembly line, you can watch the video at https:// www.manmonthly.com.au/whitepaper/ productivity-truck-assembly-line/. For more information about this product range, readers can enquire directly with CAPS Australia – Australia’s largest independent compressed air and power generation provider – by visiting www.caps.com.au

Manufacturers’ Monthly SEPTEMBER 2021 33

Compressors When and where to use an oil free screw or scroll compressor BOGE showcases key features of the oil free screw compressor and PRIME controller. cooled with variable speed drive as an option. From 110 to 355kW the machines are water cooled also with VSD as an option and producing up to 1815cfm.

Key features of the German engineered BOGE oil free screw compressors include:

T is important to note, that, in an oil-free screw compressor, the compression chamber is isolated from the lubricated compressor system as a whole, whereas the smaller range of scroll compressors have no lubricated parts and are completely oil free. The larger oil free screw compressors are indispensable for applications such as the pharmaceutical, food production, food packaging and semiconductor industries. As no oil is used at the compression stage, the compressed air produced is completely oil-free – without the need for costly filters and ensuring no contamination of the end product. The smaller range of oil free scroll compressors can be used for medical, dental and specialised instrument air. Both types offer maximum safety and maximum efficiency – ideal for critical oil free applications. Normally “Class 0” can be achieved with an oil free air compressor as long as it is accompanied by the correct

34 SEPTEMBER 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

filtration. The required class is determined by the needs of the application and required standards which can apply globally and specifically for Australia. The smaller range of BOGE oil free screw compressors range from 45 to 90kW, produce up to 460cfm and can be air cooled or water

• D oors, pillars, supports and panels are lined with thick, flushfitting sound insulation materials reducing noise levels. • Small, precise gap dimensions and easily removable panels make for fast and efficient access for service. • B ase frame with anti-vibration mounts means lower cost for installation. • Noise levels are also reduced by use of pulsation dampers and compensators reducing vibrations. The BOGE PRIME controller is specially developed for the oil free screw compressor and features: • Plain text display • G enerous, backlit LC display • A ll operation parameters visible on 3 main displays

• Real time clock • P rogramming memory • Possible expandability of the controller These features minimise energy consumption, reduce wear and tear and can communicate with higher level controls and visualisation. Sensitive work environments such as dental surgeries and hospitals have relied on 100 per cent oil-free compressed air from BOGE for many years. Our scroll compressors have been specially developed for such conditions where completely oil-free air is a must. The closer a compressor gets to the workplace, the more crucial the sound pressure level becomes. The scroll compressor really comes into its own here, with whisper-quiet operation and minimal

PRIME controller Scroll compressor

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Compressors FOCUS-2 controller

vibrations. Perfect for example in laboratories or hospitals. The larger machines are ‘modular’ giving the flexibility of greater efficiency and adding more scrolls if needed. (this feature is model specific) Some of the renowned features of the BOGE scroll compressors include: • Very quiet operation •M inimal vibration • Advanced FOCUS-2 controller allowing connection to multiple machines • Modular design The FOCUS controller used in

Desiccant dryer

Desiccant dryer for medical air

Refrigerated air dryer normally require expert advice and a thorough assessment of the customer needs to ensure correct sizing and to achieve the correct class of air to suit the customer’s needs.

particles or harmful microbes need to be removed. Depending on the application BOGE offer several types of dryers. The refrigerated air dryer that removes moisture and returns the air at temperature and the adsorption or desiccant dryer that can reduce the temperature up to minus 70°C. Oil free compressor applications

the BOGE scroll compressors is an intelligent control concept. It is a state of the art modular controller which is simple to use and read. It can also serve as a network for up to four compressors. In oil free applications clean dry air is also a necessity. Since the compressors still draw air to compress from the existing ambient atmosphere, moisture and sometimes

For expert advice contact your nearest authorised BOGE partner please see www.boge.net.au for contacts, or call (03) 5940 5913

YOUR CO PL ETE SOLUTI AIR, POWM ON ER AND GA FOR MANUF PRODUCTION ACTURINS G

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With over 40 our belt, CAP years of experience solutions. S delivers innovative under turnkey CAPS Australia range of indu offer the widest and power strial air compressors generation Australia, inclu solutions in compressed ding centrifugal blow and industria air dryers, pressure ers, vessels l generators. With nine bran ches loca it’s easy to get in touch ted nationwide, knowledgeab AIR COMPRE with our SSORS advice to ens le team and get expe AIR TREATM ENT product for ure you purchase the rt your requirem right ents. We have an equipment extensive range of indu by world-re including Inge nowned branstrial rsoll ds, Rand, Kohler, and Pedro Gil. LOGY AIRMAN >> TECHNO MANAGEMENT Our products hly.com.au conditions are built tough for ont nmAus tralian service guaand backed byma our 24/7 POWER GEN of smart air rantee. Our flexible rang ERATORS specifically servicing packages aree NITROGEN & designed to OXYGEN simple as pos make your GENERATION • Rapid-re sible. They include: life as sponse 24/7 • Fast, easy sup port • Spare part access to local expe rtise s from nine service cent nationwide res • Quick part • Multi-bra s deployment nd call support trained technicians for onTo round out have rental our complete offer, we also opti ons avai short term BLOWERS or long term lable to meet your needs. 24/7

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Manufacturers’ Monthly SEPTEMBER 2021 35

Compressors Meet the newest Atlas Copco Z Compressor… Oil-free air made easy! Atlas Copco introduces the Z compressor with variable speed drive, which is designed and manufactured in-house. Setting the standard in energy efficiency, quality and reliability The shortest route to superior productivity is to maximise your output while expending minimum effort. The new Atlas Copco Z5590(VSD) STD compressor series is focused on delivering the greatest volume of 100 per cent guaranteed oil-free compressed air while using the least amount of electrical energy and with minimal amounts of maintenance requirements. And not just today, but day after day, year after year, with built in reliability and durability to ensure very long, trouble free service life.

Highest reliability For over 50 years, Atlas Copco Z compressors have set the benchmark for durability. They are built using

long-standing internal engineering practices, and are designed and manufactured according to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 22000 & OHSAS 18001. The newest 55 to 90 kW range uses our 3rd generation state-of-the-art screw technology. The variable speed drive (VSD) version in 75 and 90 kW uses our NEOS in-house designed and manufactured inverters to provide you with the highest reliability and durability.

One hundred per cent oil-free compressed air The air cooled ZT and water cooled ZR55-90(VSD) STD offers you 100 per cent pure, clean air that complies with ISO 8573-1 CLASS 0 oil (2010) certification. This means zero risk of contamination of compressed air; zero risk of damage to your products; and zero risk of damaging your company’s hard-won professional reputation.

Maximum energy efficiency

The new Atlas Copco Z compressor delivers oil-free compressed air with minimal maintenance.

The Generation 3 superior oil-free screw elements provide high Free Air Delivery (FAD) and lowest possible energy consumption. 36 SEPTEMBER 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

The “Generation 3” superior oilfree screw elements provide the optimum combination of high Free Air Delivery (FAD) with the lowest energy consumption. Ample sized cooling, low pressure drops and an extremely efficient drive train including motor and inverter on VSD version result in the highest compressor package efficiency.

The most complete package With all Z series compressors, Atlas Copco provides a superior solution without hidden costs. The totally integrated, ready-to-use package includes internal piping, coolers, motor, lubrication and control system. The Full Feature version even integrates heat of compression adsorption dryer to deliver dry compressed air for even the most sensitive applications with virtually zero dryer energy consumption.

Installation is trouble-free, commissioning time is minimised and no external instrument air is required. You simply plug and run.

Added features to eliminate moisture issues The Full Feature version even integrates heat of compression adsorption dryer to deliver dry compressed air for even the most sensitive applications with virtually zero dryer energy consumption. A new innovation added to the Z55-90(VSD) STD range includes and additional dryer heat source, which boost heat of compression performance as needed to maintain very low moisture content.

Global presence - local service Our aftermarket product portfolio is designed to add maximum value for our customers by ensuring the optimum availability and reliability of their compressed air equipment with the lowest possible operating costs. We deliver this complete service guarantee through our extensive highly trained service organisation, maintaining our position as leader in compressed air.

Benefits 100 per cent Oil-free Air (Class 0) •N ext generation world class compression element. •U nique Z seal design guarantees 100 per cent certified oil-free air. • Atlas Copco superior rotor coating for high efficiency and durability. •M ore compact, improved rotor profiles and cooling jackets for maximum efficiency and durability. Advanced touch screen monitoring system •U ser-friendly Elektronikon Touch, with enhanced connectivity potential. • I ntegrated smart algorithms to optimise system pressure and

maximise energy efficiency. • I ncluded warning indications, maintenance scheduling and online visualisation of the machine’s condition. High efficiency motor • I P 55 TEFC motor protects against dust, chemicals and humidity. •C lass-leading efficiency (IE4 or IE3 for VSD version) and rock-solid reliability. •C ontinuous operation under severe ambient temperature conditions. Optimal control •F ixed speed version uses reliable load / unload regulation with mechanical interlock of inlet and blow off valve and very low unloaded power requirements. • VSD version adjusts the speed of motor to save energy at reduced air demand for savings of up to 35 per cent compared to fixed speed version. •R educed energy consumption, operating costs and environmental impact. Reliable air or water cooling •C ompact and efficient design with low air approach temperature and low pressure drop. • Water separator to efficiently separate the condensate from the compressed air. •L ow moisture carry-over protects downstream equipment. Compact design •S mallest possible machine footprint on the market. •S aves valuable and often expensive floor space in a facility. •H ighest ratio flow/footprint on the market. To find out more go to www.atlascopco. com/en-au or call 1800 023 469, or email compressorsau@au.atlascopco.com. manmonthly.com.au

Compressors Celebrating 120 years of passion for performance Chicago Pneumatic shares a legacy of passion for performance and long-lasting partnerships. In 2021, it proudly celebrates 120 years, and it is still committed to offerring innovative, reliable products and service based on technology and trust. What´s so special about CP’s people? At Chicago Pneumatic, they consider themselves to be more than a company. They are a global, connected family who share a genuine passion for performance. Their strong network of authorised and trained dealers are always close-by and ready to deliver the most suitable products and to support you in every way.

The passion that builds the brand Chicago Pneumatic is proud of their legacy and the trust they have earned from customers and partners over many decades in business together. Their brand comes with a promise to deliver products and solutions that help you stay on top of your productivity. They share your passion to keep your business up and running for many decades to come.

Caring for your performance Chicago Pneumatic believes in performance that stands the test of time. Their global R&D centres are developing intelligent products, based on technology that you can rely on. They put great effort in keeping delivery schedules and offering timely and qualified application support and service. Their hardworking, robust products are designed for productivity and safe operations yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Do you know why machine shops need air compressors? Cutting, shaping, drilling, and finishing, compressed air is critical for any machine shop. Shops rely heavily on the compressed air system to assist in a variety of operation processes. Commonly the parts produced are used in the machine industry, car industry or even the aircraft industry. A traditional workday in a machine shop requires the use of manmonthly.com.au

air compressors to generate an intermittent or continuous source of pressurised air. Metal lathes: Originally designed for metal, but now available for all types of materials used in machine shops. Powered by compressed air, this machine allows the material to be rotated and cut with precision. Milling machines: Usually used to machine flat surfaces but can also produce irregular surfaces. They can also be used to drill, bore, cut gears, and produce slots, all of which are powered by air. Grinding machines: Grinding of metal (and other materials) to eliminate imperfections after cutting is essential. Paint booth: Depending how big your shop is, a paint booth is required to paint the parts being manufactured. The spray gun is operated by compressed air. Air guns: During machining operations, material is usually removed from the work piece to accomplish the intended shape. This results in chips, dust, oil, dirt, and other contaminants becoming entrapped on the cutting tools and cutting surface. These unwanted materials can block the manufacturing process by reducing machining accuracy and can eventually cause damage to the tooling. Frequently, using a blast of dry compressed air will keep areas of concern free from contaminants. CNC machines: (Computer numerical control) This machine processes a piece of material to meet specifications by following a coded programmed instruction and without a manual operator, all ran by compressed air. Water recovery filtration: Recycling water is a huge cost saver for any shop. The filtration process requires air to operate valves and re-circulation process. Pain Points for machine shops Budget: The key to avoiding a

Chicago Pneumatic R&D centres produce intelligent products, based on technology that manufacturers can rely on.

regrettable purchase is to know what the different types can offer you. Starting with the end goal in mind is how you will find the best air compressor for the money. Condensation: During CNC machining, it is crucial that the compressed air used to clean exposed surfaces is sufficiently dry. Air that contains undesirable amounts of moisture can condense on colder surfaces, ultimately resulting in corrosion in the metal work piece and/ or the tooling. CFM requirements: It’s important to know if the compressor you purchase will drive the tool or equipment you’ll need for your project. Noise: Metal hitting or sliding against metal can be loud! Typically, the more moving parts an air compressor has, the louder it will be. This is true in the motor as well. Electrical complicity: Understanding your power supply at your business will guide you on the air compressor choices. What is the voltage available? First time buying an air compressor? Using an air compressor in your shop is far more economical and efficient than running electric tools. Air compressors can be located inside or outside of your shop. If outdoors, a separate shed should be built around it to protect it from the elements (rain, weather, dirt, etc). If located indoors, it should be placed

in a location as far from the work as possible and will provide adequate ventilation. An indoor shed may also be constructed if this is not possible.

Let them explain why you should partner up with Chicago Pneumatic Award winning customer service From technical support to customer support, Chicago Pneumatic prides ourselves on putting the customer first. High quality, lower cost Quiet, reliable, easy to maintain, and won’t break the bank! CP Compressors are the perfect balance of value and features. Warranty you can count on When purchasing an air compressor, the quality and details of the warranty are important for both your business and your satisfaction.

Convinced yet? Jump online or pick up the phone and chat with a compressed air specialist. With 120 years of experience up their sleeve, they will be able to assist you with all your compressed air requirements. They have a team nationwide to support you with both sales and aftermarket queries. One hundred and twenty years of people, passion and performance. To find out more contact Chicago Pneumatic on 1300 555 284 or www.cp.com. Manufacturers’ Monthly SEPTEMBER 2021 37

Compressors Sullair SRD Smart refrigerated dryer range A consistent, reliable supply of compressed air is essential across a vast range of applications. For many industries, the criticality of that air supply being clean and dry cannot be underestimated.

IR that enters a compressor from the atmosphere already contains a certain amount of moisture, the concentration of which increases considerably as the air is compressed. Compressed air becomes saturated and more likely to attract and bind contaminants. Issues such as corrosion, or a build-up of particulate matter (dirt, biological materials), oil, or condensation, can then result, impacting connecting pipelines and fittings. For food and beverage manufacturers there is enormous risk if this happens, with end product contamination potentially costing thousands of dollars in consumer reporting, product recalls, and lost productivity due to unplanned downtime and maintenance. There are several factors at play when it comes to considering dryer options, and specifics vary around the type of dryer required across industry and application. Refrigerated dryers cover more than 80 per cent of market requirements, with most purposes generally requiring a dewpoint of between 1° and 4°. In instances where ultra-dry air is required a desiccant dryer is a more suitable choice.

Introducing the Sullair SRD range Sullair’s product offerings are adapting in line with Sullair Hitachi’s Sustainable Development Goals and the outcome is equipment that is future-forward by design. The innovative new Sullair SRD Smart refrigerated dryer range is a great example of this. These products do everything existing dryer products do, but these units are next-generation models, offering the highest efficiency and the latest technology. They contain several new and exciting features that offer advanced capability and efficiency and are 38 SEPTEMBER 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

focused on providing better solutions that most importantly, protect the climate and the environment.

R513A refrigerant with Low GWP With regulations changing in the coming decade around the use of environmentally harmful refrigerant gases, the new smart dyers contain Low GWP refrigerant, in compliance with the F-Gas Regulation (EU 517/2014). The last amendment to The Montreal Protocol in 2014 on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer determined that refrigerant gases with high and medium Global Warming Potential (GWP) would be banned as of 2030. The WHO technical report Environmental management of refrigerant gases and refrigeration equipment states: “Refrigerant gases containing chlorine or bromine have a high Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) and damage the planet’s ozone layer. These and several other gases also have a high Global Warming Potential (GWP) and contribute disproportionately to the continuing increase in global warming.”

Status LED strip Analogue gauges are a thing of the past with the SRD range. On floor assessment of function is easily provided with a full-length status LED strip across the front of the unit. Colour changes from blue (compressor running), to green (energy-saving mode) to red (alarm, compressor off), to no light (dryer off), indicate different stages of operation, all clearly visible from a considerable distance.

Hot Gas Valve (HGV) Previous iterations of refrigerated dryers usually contain a mechanical version of the HGV, and operate simply between an upper and lower limit – at the lower limit it would

The new Sullair SRD Smart refrigerated dryer range. auto turn off, turning itself back on when the upper limit is reached. That process is controlled electronically in the new range, operating at finer tolerances. The precise and fast step control ensures airflow and temperature are easily controlled, and the optimum dewpoint is achieved. The result is smoother operation and better energy efficiency.

Flexible installation The possibility of exchanging the clamped manifold caps and flanges on these units means the air-inlet and outlet can be moved from one side to the other. A small design adjustment but great progress when considering the dryer can stay in one place and be connected on either side, with no piping obstructing the front or sides of the unit, as was previously the case.

Touch screen controllers The controllers have also advanced to electronic, with touch screen offerings providing simpler navigation and control. The touch screens have an easy and intuitive interface and offer features such as digital display of dewpoint, easy to change parameters to set the dewpoint, options for logging data, service reminders, alarm history, and remote access control that enables the operator to see what the dryer is doing without needing to stand right in front of the equipment. The SRD range is an innovative addition to Sullair’s offering, exceeding the capabilities of similar equipment currently in the market and setting them well and truly ahead of the competition. manmonthly.com.au

ActuatorSystems New Long Life actuator from LINAK delivers an ultra-marathon performance Reliability and longevity are key to effective and economic actuator performance. LINAK’s LA36 Long Life is designed with these parameters in mind.

OR industrial automation applications, avoiding downtime is the ultimate challenge. Solutions must be trusted to keep up the pace – beyond the finishing line: The new linear actuator LA36 Long Life, from LINAK does just that, delivering extreme performance that conventional actuators cannot compete with.

Stamina and intelligence are a winning combination The LA36 Long Life allows manufacturers to create reliable and long-lasting applications that can go the extra mile. Built for endurance,

it has the staying power to keep performing longer. By adding a plug-and-play CANopen interface that delivers data for planning maintenance, LINAK has created a new generation of linear actuators that keeps workflow disruptions to a minimum, making this latest addition to their portfolio a tailor-made match for industrial automation applications. “The new Long Life actuator has redefined the concept of longevity, having been tested to perform a minimum of 200,000 cycles at maximum load and maximum duty cycle. The worst thinkable conditions. This roughly extends

A new generation of linear actuators from LINAK ensures minimum disruptions to workflow.

its working life to around 20x that of conventional actuators on the market. The considerable increase is primarily due to the incorporation of a brushless motor which takes us to new heights in long-term reliability and performance,” said business development manager at LINAK, Soren Buck.

A fresh approach to integration and installation The LA36 delivers on endurance, flexibility and innovation.

The LA36 Long Life adds to the lifetime of an application.

manmonthly.com.au

It is not just endurance that the new Long Life actuator brings to the game – it is flexible too. With 24 V, an integrated controller and CANopen interface, LINAK puts more installation options on the table. And for tomorrow’s data-hungry applications, the actuator provides information for diagnostics and troubleshooting to dramatically cut service costs. “Cutting down the costly time it takes our customers to integrate a solution has also played a part in the innovative design of our Long Life actuator. This plug-and-play solution also means less downtime for application users. With our new Long Life actuator, we make it possible to

both drive down costs while adding significantly to an application’s lifetime,” said Buck. LINAK is a market leader in the production and application of electric linear actuators with some 40 years of experience and more than 30 subsidiaries worldwide.

About LINAK LINAK is a family-owned business, founded on a wish to improve the lives of people – by developing high-quality electric linear actuator technology that creates movement for a wealth of applications in healthcare, agriculture, industry, offices, and homes. Linear movement might be the simplest movement in the world. And yet, perfecting something simple is one of the hardest challenges. Since LINAK founder Bent Jensen came up with the idea for the first electric actuator, every engineer and specialist employed by LINAK has aimed to solve real life challenges. For further information, please visit www.linak.com/segments/techline/techtrends/demanding-applications-needsolutions-that-can-go-the-distance. Manufacturers’ Monthly SEPTEMBER 2021 39

Endeavour AWARDS SPONSOR 2021 Supporting growth in tough times With its clients’ relationships at heart, BDO sees the Endeavour Awards as a way to help the industry with its philosophy of “people helping people achieving their dreams”. BDO Australia is proud to sponsor the 2021 Excellence in Growth Award. As a firm, we are proud to help manufacturers balance how they will respond to today’s demands while preparing them for tomorrow. Today’s ever-changing global environment creates complexity which can impact efficiency, influence margins and expose businesses to new risks. Managing these concerns is imperative for enabling growth, and as the last 18 months has shown us, remains a top priority for every business. For most of us in business, 2020 was the most challenging year we have experienced in our careers. BDO’s focus for navigating the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic has been on the continuity of providing expert advice and services to our clients, to help them traverse through this unprecedented situation. We are committed to maintaining our high-quality levels of client service and continue to monitor the economic landscape to assist business to further refine their plans.

BDO’s market position We are experiencing strong demand for BDO’s offering in the local market, and have been focusing our efforts on combining resources on the east and west coast, to strengthen our ability to meet market needs and invest in specialist services and sectors. This will enhance our ability to invest, attract new talent, grow in scale and expertise and become even more agile. We have now merged five of our offices to form an integrated single entity – including Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane including Sunshine Coast, more recently Adelaide - with Perth next in joining the group of our broader national integration plan. Over the last financial year, BDO Australia has also welcomed the largest intake of new partners in history. Signalling a strong client demand and continued growth, with the most recent promotions evenly spread across tax, advisory, and audit areas. BDO enjoys a pipeline of future leaders, ten of the year’s 25 partner appointments were internal promotions and, during the same period, BDO appointed 55 Associate Directors. We will continue to invest heavily in our people-centric approach to build our positive brand values and behaviours. Our culture is a key factor that attracts new hires to BDO. We have created a unique culture that is an attractive proposition to quality talent who are looking to grow and become part of a successful and growing firm.

Endeavour Awards sponsorship

BDO has released the Manufacturing Resilience Review to help manufacturers assess key risks to their businesses.

40 SEPTEMBER 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

As our own growth story highlights, growth is important to us – it’s never been more important to innovate. BDO is proud to support the Manufacturer’s Monthly Endeavour Awards, and sponsor the Excellence in Growth award. Our client relationships are at the heart of what we do, and

BDO National Manufacturing Leader, Ryan Pollett. supporting these awards and the sector more broadly is important to us. As a firm, globally we’re driven by a philosophy of “people helping people achieving their dreams”. We recognise that manufacturing in Australia isn’t typified by big multinational companies you see overseas – they are mostly smallto-medium entities that require a village to cultivate them - including practical and strategic guidance from professional services firms, and access to support and resources though industry and government bodies. Australian manufacturers have shown resilience through a challenging period, we want to highlight those stories. We understand that every growth story is different. Each story brings a new perspective on the way they approach business. By sponsoring the Excellence in Growth award, we are helping to recognise those growth stories. The awards send a very positive message to the Australian manufacturing sector, Australian business and global markets that Australian manufacturing is innovative, cutting edge and ready to engage both locally and internationally.

Here to help BDO’s manufacturing group helps industry players adapt. We provide audit and assurance, tax, business services, advisory and consulting services to manufacturers, distributors, retailers and wholesalers. Our clients

range from entrepreneurial and privately owned businesses to publicly listed companies, both in Australia and internationally. At BDO, our specialists provide practical and strategic guidance by helping you identify and leverage key competencies in your existing manufacturing business. With deep sector experience, we help manufacturers improve their dayto-day business performance, manage their risks and enable their people to deliver on Industry 4.0 – by helping them through the process of digital transformation, and adapting their tools and cultural approaches so that new ways of doing things become part of their DNA. Our goal is to help our clients succeed and grow. We help address critical issues that affect the industry and your business by combining extensive industry experience and specialist knowledge; along with building long-standing relationships with clients and industry stakeholders, to truly identify and respond to the needs of our clients. BDO also supports key bodies in manufacturing, as well as providing thought leadership and speaking opportunities at manufacturing events. This year, BDO is proud to have released our Manufacturing Resilience Review during this time, to help assess key risks and the potential impact they have on your business. With a raft of initiatives, grants, and incentives on offer, manufacturers, on the whole, are well-placed to thrive. We know each business faces different risks so we are here to help you. We congratulate all award nominees for their innovation during a challenging year and look forward to the post-COVID Gala, learning more about the companies which make this industry great. Contact one of our Manufacturing specialists to find out how we can help. manmonthly.com.au

Endeavour AWARDS SPONSOR 2021 Meeting the ever-changing needs of Australian Industry: the key to success Industry Capability Network (ICN) has a strong belief in companies that have made a difference with their supply chain networks to meet the challenging and diverse needs of the Australian Industry in these difficult times. It’s for this reason that ICN is sponsoring this year’s Global Supply Chain Integration Award.

CN is a business network helping Australian and New Zealand companies connect with projects large and small. Since starting over 30 years ago, ICN has helped local SMEs win over $30 billion of work which may have otherwise gone to overseas suppliers. The ICN database holds company information for over 80,000 SMEs, with more than 25,000 currently active, operating in all industry sectors and supporting major projects in areas including defence, resources and infrastructure. As part of this year’s Endeavour Awards, ICN will be sponsoring the Global Supply Chain Integration award. “The Endeavour Awards provides a wonderful opportunity for manufacturers and industry to really showcase their capabilities and their innovative activities in the local marketplace to a wider audience,” said ICN chair, Derek Lark. The Global Supply Chain Integration award recognises one Australian-based company that demonstrates its ability to connect to global supply chains through strong and innovative business practices. “Clearly, for our sponsored award, it’s all about where the companies have been able to make a difference and enter into a supply chain by being able to tailor their offerings,” Lark said. It has certainly been a challenging year for all Australian and New Zealand businesses. COVID-19 has had enormous impacts on not only the health and safety of Australians but the businesses and supply chains that keep the country running. From the beginning of the COVID-19 threat, ICN monitored the situation closely and prepared manmonthly.com.au

response actions for all its members, recognising the importance of having a strong supply chain to ensure that the community continues to receive key services and products. We developed a portal on ICN Gateway to allow suppliers to register their interest to provide key goods and services, allowing ICN to identify potential gaps in supply chains and assist in filling them. As we emerge from these difficult times, ICN is working tirelessly to continue its support and efforts to the recovery of Australia’s economy while offering new, advanced products. ICN Gateway was relaunched this year as part of a comprehensive system overhaul to better serve ICN members and Australian and New Zealand businesses. “By investing in this system, ICN is investing in the future of Australian industry and looks forward to modernising how project owners promote their projects, enabling businesses to find out what projects are out there and submit their expressions of interest,” said ICN executive director, Warren Jansen. “We’re thrilled about the change this will make to industry and look forward to doing our part in growing the Australian economy through these projects.” In addition, this overhaul has paved the way for many new and exciting products and features for ICN users and Australian businesses. All of our efforts have taken us a step closer to achieving a one-stopshop platform for local businesses. The introduction of ICN Procurement as an extension of our core offering on ICN Gateway will create significant efficiency gains for a multisided marketplace that includes buyers, sellers and Government clients. ICN

ICN executive director, Warren Jansen. Perspective, an online capability mapping portal, will strengthen and help action the national agenda to invest in and increase local content in projects big and small. Derek Lark believes increasing market demands are making manufacturers trend towards meeting market needs in sectors outside their comfort zones. “I think manufacturers are getting smarter in their agility to meet market needs,” Lark said. “Market needs are changing rapidly.” “Many manufacturers can move from their traditional sectors into sectors where there’s more activity, such as in defence or health sector.” And despite the impact of the coronavirus on international trade,

local manufacturers are receiving a boost. “I think the pandemic is exposing a lot of Australian manufacturers to market opportunities they might have otherwise not been, seeing as people start to search for local supplies for goods that may be difficult to attain currently,” Lark said. Lark said entrants should study the criteria closely when applying. “It’s tough to judge an entrant when they haven’t given you sufficient information and data around the questions that are being asked. There’s just not enough information for you to decide on,” he said. “I think everyone is keen to see who the overall winner is on the night, but all the awards are very valuable, and it’s great to see who is entered, who is shortlisted and what the winners in each category are. It’s always exciting to find that out, and we’re excited to be back on board.” Each year, the Endeavour Awards celebrate the best that the manufacturing industry has to offer. Its winners have been some of the most innovative and forward-thinking manufacturers in the sector. Now in its 18th year, the 2021 Endeavour Awards will showcase a wide range of accolades up for grabs. The relaunched ICN Gateway is a portal that allows suppliers to register their interest to provide key goods and services, and helps ICN identify potential gaps in supply chains.

Manufacturers’ Monthly SEPTEMBER 2021 41

Endeavour AWARDS SPONSOR 2021 Manufacturing skills fit for the future Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are opportunities to boost Australia’s manufacturing sector, and IBSA believes companies should be optimistic about the future.

ITH the increasing development of a modern manufacturing industry, it is essential that skills keep pace to meet the future needs of workers, employers and industry. In its role as national skills developers for the manufacturing sector, IBSA Group’s priority is to help support a strong manufacturing sector by ensuring that skills and qualifications are fit for the future. To do this, we draw on research, analysis and consultation with employers and industry along with the expertise of our Industry Reference Committees. The Endeavour Awards are an important part of the ongoing process to showcase the progressive nature of manufacturing today. We need to improve the image of manufacturing so people looking at their next career options understand that manufacturing is not tired and old fashion, but a vibrant, progressive, leading-edge industry with a wealth of exciting and rewarding career paths. IBSA sees the Awards as a great representation of what engaging modern manufacturing looks like and give workers further reasons to jump on board and become part of an Australian manufacturing success story. We are constantly engaging with employers and workers to understand industry needs and what skills are required for manufacturing to be successful going forward. The Awards provide us with opportunities to learn from industry best practice. We use them to broaden our knowledge base and discuss the key, skills-related issues facing employers now and in the future. Having developed our Endeavour Award category, being involved in the Awards is a fantastic opportunity to shine a spotlight on Excellence in Manufacturing Skills Development. Late last year, IBSA undertook

42 SEPTEMBER 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

IBSA sees the Endeavour Awards as an important part of the ongoing process to showcase the progressive nature of manufacturing today.

an extensive six-month research and consultation process within the manufacturing sector that identified skills development priorities essential to building sovereign capability and economic growth. This Delivering Modern Manufacturing through a Skilled Workforce initiative was in response to increasing changes in workforce skills requirements, the ongoing disruption caused by COVID-19 and the Australian Government’s release of the Modern Manufacturing Strategy. Through these consultations, IBSA sought the views of employers, peak Australian industry representatives and other organisations working in manufacturing and related industries. It then collated data to identify the priority actions needed to ensure Australia has the skilled workers required to support modern manufacturing. The findings and recommendations are documented in its Scaling up Report which was released in May 2021. The key findings included the need to build sovereign capability, the importance of addressing skills shortages, increased investment in new technologies and efficiencies and the need for strong industry partnership and collaboration. Sharon Robertson, Chief Executive Officer, IBSA Group, said, “Now is the time for all of us invested in

skills training in Australia to be bold and determined, to propose and, most importantly, get stuck into implementing practical solutions that will deliver relevant, dynamic training programs that meet the skills needs of current and emerging employers and industries. “These solutions need to attract school leavers, the unemployed and current workers to the real skills-based career opportunities available.” Ms Robertson added the consultations illustrated there was strong and clear consensus from manufacturers, training organisations, peak bodies and unions, operating within the sector, of the need to provide more workbased learning and apprenticeship training opportunities that create pathways to higher skills development. “To build sovereign manufacturing capability, industry wants a workforce skilled in product development, new technologies, design and prototyping, along with gaining efficiencies through sustainability and collaborative skills.” Some of Australia’s senior business leaders took part with Innes Willox, Chief Executive, Australian Industry Group, stating, “Futurefocused training delivered with and in industry will be the critical factor that will turn the aspirations of the

Modern Manufacturing Strategy into real opportunities to increase manufacturing capability onshore.” Jennifer Westacott AO, Chief Executive Officer, Business Council of Australia commented, “We need to support upskilling and reskilling for people with a wide range of prior experience and capabilities, including through flexible, stackable micro‑credentials.” The Scaling Up Report has been well received by Federal and State Government across the country and, IBSA is now planning a bundle of follow-on activities to start turning the recommendations into impact and further inform the workforce skills agenda. Further report follow-on activities, planned by IBSA over the coming months, range from roundtables and skills mapping for specific sectors, to projects supporting the upskilling of regional communities and a pathway for the effective delivery of micro credentials to meet current skills demands. In addition to these practical steps, IBSA’s goal is to continue to do everything it can to support workplace skills development in the manufacturing sector. Manufacturing employers are encouraged to get involved in these activities by registering at www.ibsa. org.au/contact and also to enter the Endeavour Awards. manmonthly.com.au

EndeavourAWARDS FINALISTS 2021 Manufacturers continue their reach for the stars Manufacturers’ Monthly is proud to showcase the finalists of the 18th Endeavour Awards, supporting Australian manufacturers in the face of evolving challenges.

HE finalists for Australia’s most prestigious manufacturing awards have been announced. The Endeavour Awards 2021, now in its 18th year, sees a high calibre of

entrants representing Australia in an international capacity with innovative ideas, new technologies and the best in supply chain strategies. Australian manufacturing always

has something to offer in terms of excellence and innovation – both in good times and challenging times. Despite continuing to navigate the everchanging COVID-19 situation,

this year’s finalists showcase what Australia has to offer the world in manufacturing. Here are the categories and finalists: Sponsor:

TECHNOLOGY APPLICATION AWARD Companies are assessed on the extent and quality of a company’s use of smart factories implementing Industrial IoT applications to assist in the areas of operations and manufacturing.

OFS-Lite – Operations Feedback Pty Ltd

Our SMB software solution was introduced to service the needs of the growing small to mid-sized manufacturing sector to help them master their manufacturing process. OFS does this by providing valuable and accurate production line data, that when enriched with operator insight, empowers manufacturers to reduce waste, improve efficiencies, and increase profits. Manually capturing production loss, changeovers, slow running times, speed and downtimes can be tedious and near impossible. It comes down to automating data collection – and we make it simple for all types of manufacturers. We have a growing number of craft manmonthly.com.au

brewing customers including Stomping Ground Brewing Co., Australian Beer Company, East Coast Canning, Tribe Breweries, Brick Lane Brewing and Stone & Wood, who have all introduced OFS into their operations to improve efficiencies and reduce costs. Brewers need to know what’s happening on the production line for every single run, know their best performing batches and brews, product, and pack types, how efficient their operations and their brewery are, and how they compare to other more established brewers in the industry. We provide a clear picture of ‘what good looks like,’ and key performance benchmark data explains why knowing overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) can make a significant impact on the bottom line. We help manufacturers master their OEE so they can spot fluctuations, find the hidden opportunities, and plan capacity to increase the amount of production to ultimately get more product out the door. Our software presents this data, live in an easy, quick-view format so that operators can gain visibility on the information that matters, fast. Within the various screens, operators can instantly record notes and feedback against any downtimes, production events and add details on shifts and jobs in just a few clicks. It’s automation, mastered by empowered people.

TilliT SaaS and IoT solution – SAGE Group The TilliT SaaS and IoT solution is a powerful, yet simple to implement, digital factory suite that provides an integrated way to plan, execute and analyse manufacturing processes by orchestrating people, machines, material and tasks. It affords visibility of asset and manufacturing line performance, directs the execution of events and coordinates activities necessary to manufacture any type of finished good. It also handles quality checks, production scheduling and digital workflow with a focus on real time visibility. AI and IoT technologies such as TilliT, improve manufacturing efficiency and cost-reduction by enabling visibility of operations and therefore smart decision making in real time. This ultimately protects manufacturing profitability and

delivers the opportunity for all manufacturers – large or small – to thrive on a global stage.

AiMC-1000 – Automation Innovation Automation Innovation has developed the AiMC-1000. It’s an automated robotics cell which delivers superior glass mould cleaning. The AiMC-1000 incorporates an industrial handling robot and laser robot, to deliver a safer, chemical free, and repeatable cleaning process. This is currently unattainable using traditional techniques. The AiMC-1000 utilises a higher intensity laser light to clean the surface of the moulds, ensuring that only the surface contaminant is removed, with minimal damage to the parent mould material. It facilitates 24/7 operational environment, increased daily clean volume, lower replacement costs, removal

Automation Innovation’s AiMC-1000.

Manufacturers’ Monthly SEPTEMBER 2021 43

EndeavourAWARDS FINALISTS 2021 of additionally required materials, and the discontinuation of the use of chemicals which avoids harmful environmental impacts. The entire process is controlled by a single operator, who places and receives trolleys to the loading area. Robotic arms are required to handle

the movement of the moulds and manipulate the laser head in order to accomplish the most optimal cleaning finish. This is important because glass moulds have specific needs when it comes to cleaning. Base material should not be degraded as that leads to an increase in the volume of mould

and the amount of glass needed to fill it. Closing edges must be preserved to ensure no burrs are introduced to the logo imprint area. The pinhole-sized cooling vents that release air need to be strategically cleaned without leaving residue behind. It’s an art and a science, and

thanks to the AiMC-1000, glass and glass product manufacturers can experience precision cleaning, product quality improvements, consistent reliability and the certain prevention of mould growth. Aesthetically pleasing, their logos can also now remain crisp and clear. Sponsor:

OUTSTANDING START-UP AWARD This category evaluates companies on what they bring to the manufacturing sector.

Co-Lab, Space Tank Studio Covid-19 highlighted Australia’s health PPE vulnerability and our need for domestic manufacturing security. The onslaught of GP and hospital attendances and news of frontline workers resorting to ponchos and welding shields for protection against viral infection led Space Tank CoLab to design an Australian Made and sustainable face shield solution. CoLab is a startup under the Space Tank Studio Makerspace banner. It is a collaborative enterprise that develops assistive technology solutions in the NDIS/Disability and Aged care space. CoLab projects improve quality of life for healthcare clients and delivers long term cost savings to care provision. Both Space Tank and the CoLab startup focus on Australian manufacturing sovereignty, building supply chain integrity and improving support for emerging SME’s. Less than one month in to developing the new CoLab startup, Covid-19 hit - followed by lockdown laws that devastated the Nation’s ability to function. CoLab worked with health and medical staff from Monash Medical, Northern Health, Connect Health and has closely communicated with State and Federal Government Covid-19 PPE response teams to ensure the design meets all of the fundamental face shield requirements. Early prototypes used a 2 part strap and shield design but this approach could not achieve manufacturing efficiency or the ease of assembly that we were looking for. One of the key criteria was sterilisation and more parts are harder to sanitise. We continued studying existing 44 SEPTEMBER 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

methods and designs including 3D printing and chose to improve an open source DIY folded concept which has also been championed by Queensland and Cambridge Universities. Even the folding concept presented ergonomic issues, multiple parts and manufacturing challenges. So we continued to push all of our aggregated criteria through a reduction/ improvement and parts elimination process to identify the simplest, most effective and low cost manufacturing solution that would address the essence of intended use. Our methodology followed documented prototype iterations, pivots and production efficiency modelling to find the best cost/benefit ratio. With every design iteration we incorporated a feed-back loop of field evidence and results from product trials. While economically rationalising our design to the bare minimum, we were mindful to maintain a high degree of style. We want people to feel proud and cool when wearing health PPE. We considered the need for and ease of making ongoing modifications that would allow for broader adoption and access to new market opportunities and the simplicity of design creates little opportunity for unintended use or incorrect fitting.

Q-CTRL Q-CTRL, a University of Sydney spinoff quantum technology company, will develop quantum technology solutions to be used for near earth observation and remote sensing. Q-CTRL was awarded $4.5 million by the federal government to expand the manufacture of novel remote sensing payloads for space deployment.

The company provides solutions for the quantum technology industry to improve the stability of quantum hardware. It characterises and controls quantum errors in quantum computers, which has led to the development of unique sensing technology at the quantum scale. This technology has up to 500x improvements in performance in real environments. This technology will allow the company to play an important role in Australia’s growing space industry, by producing remote sensing payloads in space deployments.

EVOS A start-up specialising in fleet energy management and AC charging for EVs, EVOS has completed a seed funding round, securing $1.7 million. The funding will ensure the hire of nine new engineers, to build and finetune the company’s purpose built home and fleet chargers and its software platform. The EVOS Fleet Home 22 AC Charger and dual charge equivalent, the EVOS Twin, are manufactured in Australia and built to make home charging simple, affordable, flexible and manageable. Easy to install, the AC Charger allows businesses and fleets to use idle time at night for up to 10 hours, or during work hours, to charge cars economically. The EVOS ecosystem manages the best time, speed and rate to charge vehicles, reducing the cost of upgrades. EVOS’ energy management software platform, the Smart Start system, manages the EV charging process without RFID tags, smartphone apps or

fuel cards. Smart Start collects data from the driver, car, charger and grid to provide a 360 view of the energy used in electric fleets.

Luyten Founded in 2020, Luyten’s mission is to bridge the technological gap in largescale construction and manufacturing industries through the introduction of robust automation technologies, such as cutting-edge 3D printing. Alongside Mahil, the entrepreneurs behind Luyten are chief scientific officer Dr Godfrey Keung, chief technology officer Michael Stanley and chief information officer Shaun Heap. They formed a friendship at Monash University in the mid-2010s. The Melbourne-based company’s Platypus mobile 3D concrete printer can print a complete, fully functional set of units in 18 hours at a fraction of the cost of traditional construction. Using this technology, the cost of a quarantine project could be lowered by 80 per cent in comparison to traditional construction and 55 per cent compared to prefabricated solutions. Luyten transforms construction projects that traditionally take months or years to complete and finishes them within a number of days. The 3DCP technology reduces 60 per cent of construction waste, 70 per cent of production time and 80 per cent of labour costs when comparing hands-on construction projects.We are the first start-up of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Luyten has a number of unique selling points, such as its capacity to incorporate acoustic and optical based artificial intelligence for data-driven concrete printing. manmonthly.com.au

EndeavourAWARDS FINALISTS 2021 Sponsor:

MOST INNOVATIVE MANUFACTURING COMPANY AWARD This category evaluates nominees on their unique experience or products that allow them to successfully access the global supply chain.

Automation Innovation Located in Victoria, Automation Innovation has developed a new turnkey robotic cell laser cleaner that incorporates artificial intelligence and robotic automation as an answer to manufacturers’ needs for a safer, environmentally friendly, and more economical solution to cleaning glass moulds. In 2020, the glass and glass product manufacturing market size in Australia reached $4.2 billion. It’s grown 2.1 per cent in the last five years. Glass and glass product manufacturing in Australia as an industry continues to increase faster than the Australian manufacturing sector overall. The growth is attributed to increasing investments in building construction, and a heightened awareness of glass as a more sustainable material in comparison to plastic. Glass is also fully recyclable, and lasts several years longer than plastic, which gives the material its conspicuous environmental appeal.

DECO Australia DECO opens up the use of DecoUltra ZD to a broader industry than hard anodising has ever seen before. Previously a favourite among engineers, defence and aerospace procurers and food processors, DecoUltra ZD now makes hard anodising a viable option for architects, building designers and builders. With the durability to withstand almost anything and the ability to be customised to suit a variety of visual aesthetics, DecoUltra ZD becomes the ultimate finish solution for projects ranging from homes and small business fitouts to large commercial buildings, apartment complexes and even monumental buildings such as stadiums. DECO not only offers a hardwearing finish for typical manufacturing uses, but changes the way manufacturers choose finishes for different industry products. DECO’s new use of hard anodising in building product manufacturing dares manufacturers worldwide to manmonthly.com.au

think outside the box and envision new, effective uses for tried and true surface finishes, bringing the benefits of industrial anodising to a whole new market, and a whole new industry. DecoUltra ZD will transform the construction industry, offering a lowmaintenance yet highly durable finish which will drastically reduce labour and material costs associated with replacement or ongoing maintenance and refinishing. The extreme corrosion and weathering resistance offered by DecoUltra ZD, combined with its attractive metallic appearance, allow it to be offered as a versatile solution for just about any architectural or building project. This opens it up to a wide variety of applications, from architecturally designed homes or creative architectural commercial projects where the preference is for a unique, interesting appearance, to projects where the ultimate protection is required, including homes in bushfire areas where non-combustible aluminium is beneficial, coastal properties where extreme salt spray can degrade building products, or large scale buildings where cleaning and ongoing maintenance are difficult. The customistable nature of DecoUltra ZD, which can be applied to all manner of aluminium shapes and extrusions, opens it up as an architectural offering to meet just about any market need, offering an unrivalled design flexibility which make almost any architectural project vision possible, expanding the ability of architects, designers and more to achieve their dream design.

operating from our purpose-built manufacturing facility in the port of Newcastle NSW. We currently distribute our products through a variety of channels, from large national distributors to companies operating via direct contract. We have contracts with some of the largest, most prominent companies in Australia. We have witnessed the decline of Australian manufacturing over the years. We have watched our competitors outsource an increasing amount of their manufacturing to Asia. Whilst this may disadvantage us in terms of our profit margin, we see it as our greatest advantage – and Covid19 has certainly proven it. By retaining 100 per cent of our manufacturing on-site, it enables us to be responsive, adaptable, and dependable for our customers. While competitors were brought to a grinding halt during Covid19 due to Asian operations being affected, enormous freight delays, and supply chains being depleted, we were one of the few in the opposite position. We were employing extra staff, and scaling our operation by over 600 per cent in a matter of days. Having control of our manufacturing ability is not the only asset. It also allows us to retain our IP. One of our company Directors is our Head Chemist - Mr Brian McLean. It is our Head Chemist, along with his team of highly experienced laboratory staff that develop our unique technologies. By keeping our manufacturing on-site, we are also retaining our technology in Australia.

Hammersley Australia

Coolon

Hammersley Australia has been manufacturing chemicals and servicing Australia and many foreign markets since 1979. We are a highly experienced chemical manufacturer

Lighting is naturally positioned to provide the best radio coverage, by being mounted in elevated positions, constantly powered, located throughout the site, routinely inspected and essential to any facility. For the last 19 years Coolon has been developing and locally manufacturing robust light fittings specifically for the harsh conditions of mining sites. With a proven track

record of flawless, uninterrupted operation of over 10 years, the sophisticated electronics and virtually indestructible Coolon fittings provide the perfect host for innovative IoT nodes. Coolon smart lights contain nodes inside the fittings, which enables almost “plug-and-play” capability, offering immediate and effortless digitization for mining and industrial sites, regardless of the size or complexity of the infrastructure. Once installed, the lights can automatically create a wireless mesh network that covers the whole site, solving connectivity challenges: one node only needs to service a limited area around itself and pass the data onto its neighbour for re-transmission. Coolon Brilliant Connected Lights do not only represent disruptive innovation but provide a backbone for thousands of emerging IoTdependent services and technologies to be implemented on a mine site. Customers have access to an ecosystem of technologies that can seamlessly piggyback on Coolon’s mesh network, without the need for complex installations. Coolon Brilliant Connected Lights don’t just offer an innovative lighting product to disrupt the industry - they open their data backbone for thousands of emerging ground-breaking IoT services and technologies, enabling customers to pick and choose whatever provider suits their particular needs the most. Coolon took an approach to create an AppStore like environment for various IoT service providers to roll out their services without the need to worry about physical challenges of connectivity. All that is needed to implement digitisation on any massive, complex mining and industrial sites is to choose Coolon’s Brilliant Connected range of lights throughout the plant. This can be done progressively, as part of routine lighting maintenance, without the need for networking experts on site. Manufacturers’ Monthly SEPTEMBER 2021 45

EndeavourAWARDS FINALISTS 2021 ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTION OF THE YEAR This category evaluates finalists on how their development, technology or initiative has made a positive impact to environmental sustainability in manufacturing.

Polyrok – Replas

Polyrok concrete is the latest innovation from Replas, a sustainable recycled plastic aggregate alternative to mineral aggregate in concrete for pathways, kerbs & channels that find a home for the most problematic waste stream, soft plastic. Polyrok consists of about 95 per cent of Red Group post-consumer soft plastic waste, with about 5 per cent engineered recycled content to ensure maximum performance in concrete. State of the art technology allows Replas to use soft plastics that are recovered from the REDcycle program in Coles and Woolworths with leading packaging brands. Fit for purpose, strong, and durable recyclable concrete from Replas is the new way for councils to be part of the Circular Economy. This latest innovation from Replas results in a superior product that has benefits over conventional concrete. Specific plastic-to-cement binding technology has been tested to meet Australian Standards, efficiently and effectively replacing conventional mineral aggregate while diverting plastic from landfill. We are challenging every Council in the country to get on board to be part of the solution for their plastic waste. AWMA’s fish exclusion screens.

46 SEPTEMBER 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

AWMA Fish Exclusion Screens – AWMA Water Control Solutions Studies show Australia is losing nearly 100 million fish every year to water extraction systems. Modern fish screens solve this and have been successfully implemented on irrigation diversions and water offtakes, worldwide, for decades. AWMA have been assisting NSW DPI Fisheries to refine internationally proven screens so that they operate in a way that is suitable for Australian conditions. It has since been recognised that installing fish exclusion screens on Australian irrigation diversions and water intakes, will make a significant contribution to the protection of native fish stocks in our rivers. AWMA’s development of Australian Fish Exclusion Screens was aimed at reducing the number of native fish lost to pump intakes and irrigation gravity diversions, nation-wide. By preventing fish movement out of the natural waterway, fish species are left in their primary habitat to grow and reproduce. Sustainable agriculture was also a critical consideration with the provision for uninterrupted irrigation flows through the fish screen structure a key design criteria. It was imperative to all stakeholders that screens developed to protect native fish species could not negatively impact water delivery. It was imperative to AWMA and associated project partners that the goal wasn’t just manufacturing sustainable infrastructure but

promoting sustainable practises. Practises that would be viable, safe, practical and advantageous to the environment, owners and operators. AWMA have since refined Fish Exclusion Screens to three proven screen types, suitable to deliver required flow rates, with customisable configurations, whilst protecting native fish species at all stages of their life cycles. For increased environmental sustainability AWMA also designed a ‘self-powered’ or ‘self-propelled’ screen which uses a pumps flow velocity to clean the screen, rather than powered options. A clean screen and low flow velocities produces high quality water without impingement or entrapment of fish onto the screen. The propeller drive system on selfpropelled screen designs uses the flow velocity through the inlet pipe to slowly rotate the external cylinder screen, which in turn self-cleans both sides of the wedge wire screen medium.

DecoUltra ZD – DECO Australia

DecoUltra ZD is the world-first architectural hard anodised finish by DECO Australia. Created using Zero Degree hard anodising technology, this exceptionally durable finish aims to stretch the boundaries of architectural façade design and finishing. DECO has brought a popular finish in the manufacturing setting and repurposed it, offering it to a completely new market. Its extreme

corrosion, abrasion and weather resistance, often touted as effective protection for use in defence, engineering and food processing applications, finds a new niche protecting coastal facades, windows and doors in highly-trafficked, highpollution areas, buildings in areas with extreme weather conditions and even monumental architectural projects, where only the most hardwearing finishes can be applied. Created by applying acid, zero degree temperatures and high voltage to aluminium, DecoUltra ZD is formed by the growth of a dense “honeycomb” aluminium oxide coating growing into and out of the aluminium itself, which is then sealed to add extra corrosion protection. This means the ZD finish is an integral part of the aluminium itself and will not peel or wear off, making it one of the toughest, hardest substances in existence (second only to diamonds). This high-strength coating, which is so hardwearing it is often used in aerospace applications where it must brace extreme weather, temperatures and atmospheric changes, becomes effective for protecting buildings against a variety of different atmospheres and climates found on land. DecoUltra ZD can increase the sustainability of building and construction projects due to its extremely low maintenance nature. With no refinishing required, DecoUltra protects facades, windows, doors and more for up to 30 years. This means it can last throughout the lifespan of a project without constantly having to be restored or replaced, reducing the need for the manufacture of replacement products, reducing wastage and therefore saving on energy. As DecoUltra ZD is an aluminium oxide coating, grown into aluminium (one of the world’s most recyclable products), extrusions, flat sheets or other products coated in DecoUltra ZD constitute an 100 per cent recyclable product, which can be recycled at the end of its manmonthly.com.au

EndeavourAWARDS FINALISTS 2021 life. Additionally, the DecoUltra ZD anodised finish releases no Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere, unlike other finishes used to achieve a metallic appearance, such as wet paint finishes.

per cent plant based penetrating lubricant in the world. Other market offerings, such as WD-40, are made from petroleum-based ingredients and contain toxic hydrocarbon solvents. The Good Oil is made from a revolutionary, renewable, plant-based formulation, with NO petroleum based ingredients. It is non-flammable, nonhazardous, and has NO environmental impact. Generally, the formulations for industrial penetrating lubricants have changed very little over the last 60 years. With very few exceptions they are based on flammable petroleum solvents. All other penetrating lubricants on the market contain petroleum-based ingredients. The vast majority of our competitors’ products

also contain chlorinated hydrocarbons to increase their solvency and penetration properties. All these attributes do not provide a safe product. They are not safe for human health, they are not safe for use in all workplaces, and they are not safe for the environment. The Good Oil provides a perfectly safe option. The Good Oil contains NO toxic or petroleum ingredients that would jeopardise human health, and NO hydrocarbons that would jeopardise the health of the environment. The Good Oil is readily biodegradable – it oxidises rapidly by photo-chemical reactions in air. Competitor’s products in the market are NOT biodegradable due to the inclusion of petroleum solvents in their formulations.

The Good Oil is available in two applications – a precision squeeze bottle, and an aerosol. Our aerosol format utilizes a unique technology in using a carbon dioxide propellant. This not only helps to maintain its non-flammable status, but it also creates a more efficient product. All other aerosol products of this type use hydrocarbon propellants. Aside from the environmental impact, these types of propellants also decrease the level of actives in aerosol containers, therefore require far greater usage. Our carbon dioxide propellant is used at 5-8 per cent, in comparison to hydrocarbon propellants at a whopping 16-20 per cent. This is not only more costly, but also environmentally wasteful. Sponsor:

EXCELLENCE IN MANUFACTURING SKILLS DEVELOPMENT The award is all about the companies’ manufacturing skills development programs.

Deeping Operational Skills – Essity Australasia Essity Australasia is a leading Australasian personal care and hygiene company steeped in many years of manufacture. We are an industry leader which proudly manufactures, markets and distributes essential, everyday and trusted consumer products. We manufacture toilet and facial tissues, tampons, pads and liners, paper towels, serviettes and nappies. Our iconic products are recognised, market-leading household brands like Libra, Tena, Tork, Sorbent, Purex, Handee Ultra and Treasures. In recent years, the strategic direction of the business has been to grow, promote and build skills of its manufacturing and Supply team which we recognise will underpin our competitive advantage and will be critical to our continued success in the FMCG sector. In a country with declining manufacture and increased utility and commodity costs, it is crucial that our commercial viability is achieved by creating a point of difference from cheaper imports, countries with lower labour costs and profit erosion from generic brands. We are extremely proud that of Springvale’s 100 operational staff, the average length of service is 24 manmonthly.com.au

years, with many tenures well beyond 30 years. Last year, we launched the Victorian schools program and partnered with Share the Dignity to help our most vulnerable consumers have access to free person hygiene products. In 2019 we launched the Blood Normal campaign to destigmatize the social taboos of periods and the cause of anxiety for many of our youngest consumers. With all this came growth and we had to quickly expand and cross skill the existing work force to meet growing demand. The Production staff had become very skilled at running individual machines however a structured training program needed to be applied to capture, assess and share amassed knowledge – and hence as part of the site 2020 strategy, the Skills Development Program was born. The goals of the new program were to: 1. Develop a platform to teach and develop new staff as we grow and retain knowledge as members of the aging workforce leave. 2. To cross skill operators so they can run different machinery and to give Operations agility to adapt to sudden market changes, particularly during Covid. 3. To create standardisation on how we solve problems, so we can solve

them in a more equal and efficient way, such as FMEA’s. 4. To capture the knowledge we have, share it and standardise within our QMS. 5. To build skills that are transferable to new and more modern equipment and products.

Gold Coast Manufacturing Hub The new Gold Coast Manufacturing Hub will provide local businesses with access to development programs and specialised training. The Gold Coast hub, located in Nerang, is open and ready to service manufacturers in the areas from Beenleigh to the New South Wales border, and west to the Gold Coast Hinterland. As well as the targeted support and training, the hub will also deliver a grants program for local manufacturers focusing on the manufacture of marine vehicles and transport equipment, food processing and technology and metal fabrication. The new hub is part of a $38.5 million investment into a state-wide network of hubs, aiming to provide expert advice and support.

STEM Returners – BAE Systems BAE Systems, multinational arms,

security and aerospace company, will join with STEM Returners to provide new opportunities for skilled professionals in its national defence and security business. STEM Returners is a program aimed at people with STEM (Science Technology Engineering Maths) skills, who have had extended career breaks or who are looking to move from another sector into the Defence industry. The program then matches them to new potential career opportunities. The available opportunities within BAE Systems will be in Melbourne and Adelaide. The successful applicants will work on some of the most critically important programs that BAE Systems is delivering for the Australian Defence Force. A similar scheme undertaken by BAE Systems’ UK business resulted in: • 96 per cent of STEM Returner interns being offered a full-time position with BAE Systems • 45 per cent of female recruits, compared with an engineering average of 8-10 per cent • 28 per cent of STEM Returner interns from minority ethnic backgrounds, compared with an average of 6 per cent. Manufacturers’ Monthly SEPTEMBER 2021 47

EndeavourAWARDS FINALISTS 2021 Sponsor:

AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRIAL PRODUCT OF THE YEAR This category evaluates companies on what they bring to the manufacturing sector.

The Good Oil – Hammersley Australia The Good Oil is a premium penetrating lubricant & protectant that sets a new standard in efficiency, safety, and environmental care. The Good Oil is currently the only 100 per cent plant based penetrating lubricant in the world. Other market offerings, such as WD-40, are made from petroleum based ingredients and contain toxic hydrocarbon solvents. The Good Oil is made from a revolutionary, renewable, plant based formulation, with NO petroleum based ingredients. It is nonflammable, non-hazardous, and has NO environmental impact. Generally, the formulations for industrial penetrating lubricants have changed very little over the last 60 years. With very few exceptions they are based on flammable petroleum solvents. All other penetrating lubricants on the market contain petroleum based ingredients. The vast majority of our competitors products also contain chlorinated hydrocarbons to increase their solvency and penetration properties. All of these attributes do not provide a safe

product. They are not safe for human health, they are not safe for use in all workplaces, and they are not safe for the environment. The Good Oil provides a perfectly safe option. The Good Oil contains NO toxic or petroleum ingredients that would jeopardise human health, and NO hydrocarbons that would jeopardise the health of the environment. The Good Oil is readily biodegradable – it oxidises rapidly by photo-chemical reactions in air. Competitor’s products in the market are NOT biodegradable due to the inclusion of petroleum solvents in their formulations. The Good Oil is available in two applications – a precision squeeze bottle, and an aerosol. Our aerosol format utilizes a unique technology in using a carbon dioxide propellant. This not only helps to maintain its non-flammable status, but it also creates a more efficient product. All other aerosol products of this type use hydrocarbon propellants. Aside from the environmental impact, these types of propellants also decrease the level of actives in aerosol containers, therefore require far greater usage. Our carbon

dioxide propellant is used at 5-8 per cent, in comparison to hydrocarbon propellants at a whopping 16-20 per cent. This is not only more costly, but also environmentally wasteful.

Invar 361 mandrel tool artefact – AML3D Limited AML3D Limited, a wire additive manufacturing company, has received a purchase contract to produce a 3D printed tooling component from Boeing, called an Invar‑361 “mandrel tool artefact.” Weighing approximately 150 kilograms, the 3D printed tool incorporates AML3D’s proprietary Wire Additive Manufacturing (WAM) process. The initial purchase contract is for one artefact, which will be assessed and tested for its mechanical properties, internal soundness, vacuum integrity and to assess AML3D’s ability to produce to Boeing specifications. Although the part value being manufactured is below $50,000, the significance of this initial purchase contract from Boeing is high given the size and credibility of the counter-party

and the potential commercial benefits of future collaborations with the group.

BEST INDUSTRIAL IIOT APPLICATION This award evaluates companies who have used an application used in smart factories, to improve the manufacturing process.

FastConnect Technology – Treotham Treotham now offers a new igus chainflex Profinet cable for fast cable harnessing in the field. For this purpose, igus relies on FastConnect technology, which ensures that the cable can be stripped easily in just a few steps. This allows assembly time to be reduced by 46 per cent. At the same time, the new Profinet cable has a long service life, especially in dynamic use in the energy chain, and a guarantee of up to 36 months. Profinet is the most widespread industrial Ethernet communication system in the world. Thanks to Profinet 48 SEPTEMBER 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

technology, even large amounts of data can be transmitted at up to 100 Mbit/s on the basis of the Ethernet protocol. Profinet cables are often used in combination with an RJ45 connector in machine tools, packaging technology or in the field of handling. While many machine and plant operators already rely on ready-toconnect readychain energy chain systems, users in the field need cables from the drum which they adapt to the length and harness themselves. This may be the case, for example, if the cable has to be guided through a screw connection into the switch cabinet. Here, the only thing that fits through

is the cable but not the connector. To quickly join the connector to the cable, igus has now developed FastConnect technology for its highly flexible chainflex Profinet cables. It ensures that the new CF898.061.FC can be stripped and fitted with a connector in just a few steps.

ICP DAS UA-2241M IIoT communication server – ICP Australia ICP Australia has introduced the ICP DAS UA-2241M IIoT communication server with 2 Ethernet ports. UA-2241M is a new member of IIoT (Industrial IoT) communication servers

developed by ICP DAS. The built-in OPC UA Server, MQTT Broker and Client functions meet the requirements of connecting with MES, ERP, and SCADA. UA series could access I/O modules and controllers in the field via communication interface such as Ethernet, RS-232, and RS-485 or through protocols like Modbus TCP/ RTU/ASCII, MQTT and EtherNet/IP. UA series connect IT to OT and integrate all devices information into the Cloud. This allows managers to improve production performance and enhance their factory competitiveness for Industrial IoT. manmonthly.com.au

EndeavourAWARDS FINALISTS 2021 Compared with UA-52xx series, UA-2241M has one more Ethernet port and one more USB 2.0 (Host) communication interface. In addition, both RS-485 ports on UA-2241M are with isolation protection to assure users at ease.

Coolon Brilliant Connected Lights – Coolon

We put smart networking nodes inside the industry’s best, most robust lights, enabling us to offer digitization to any

facility in any industry. Mining, Industrial, Manufacturing, Chemical, Defence, Food & Beverage, Medicine, Commercial or any other industry that utilises lights in its facilities can achieve immediate digitisation and reap the IoT benefits from Coolon Brilliant Connected Lights. The best way to understand the Coolon Brilliant Connected Lights technology is to think of it like an industrial-tier AppStore. The AppStore has hundreds of thousands of applications, ranging from gaming to social media to photo editing software to niche professional applications and more. The AppStore doesn’t enforce one particular app or application upon its users, but it enables other companies to share their work and allows the customers to install whichever app suits their particular needs. In relation to

operating in wider industries, Coolon Brilliant Connected Lights enable any business sector to achieve complete digitisation effortlessly and quickly, providing access to an eco-system of IoT service providers without restricting the customer to a limited range of particular applications.

that can be linked with mould management systems and supports remote monitoring and reporting. The entire process is controlled by a single operator, who places and receives trolleys to the loading area. Robotic arms are required to handle the movement of the moulds and manipulate the laser head in order to accomplish the most optimal cleaning finish. This is important because glass moulds have specific needs when it comes to cleaning. Base material should not be degraded as that leads to an increase in the volume of mould and the amount of glass needed to fill it. Closing edges must be preserved to ensure no burrs are introduced to the logo imprint area. The pinhole-sized cooling vents that release air need to be strategically cleaned without leaving residue behind. Sponsor:

GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN INTEGRATION OF THE YEAR This category evaluates nominees on their unique experience or products that allow them to successfully access the global supply chain.

LYNX KF41 IFV Running Gear – Supashock The current state of military fighting vehicles globally is one of old vehicles that need to be maintained or upgraded to suit modern warfare, this is not ideal due to the ever-changing technological landscape of military systems. Now militaries globally are looking for new vehicles to fill the technology gap, the LYNX KF41 IFV is one of the latest vehicles that has a strong focus to fill the technology gap. Our running gear is a vital component of the LYNX KF41 IFV, it has increased the mobility aspect of the vehicle, resulting in improved all-terrain handling, optimum ride quality, and the ability to be tuned to all variants of the IFV including APC, ambulance, recovery, and command and control. Our running gear fills a gap where advanced mobility systems are required for modernized fighting vehicles and enhances the driving capabilities for its operators in threatening situations. Currently the Australian manmonthly.com.au

Army, U.S Army, and Czech Army are prime examples of vehicle replacement programs, the LYNX KF41 IFV has currently been down selected in the US and Australia, if the LYNX is selected, exports for Supashock running gear will increase substantially.

NMN – Star Combo Australia Pty Ltd NMN Capsules act as an anti-aging supplement which aims to increase energy and supports cognitive function. NMN may easily boosts NAD+ levels and promote healthy aging by repairing damaged DNA. NMN may increase cell vitality, relieve fatigue, and increase daily energy levels. NMN may also assist to enhance brain function, promote metabolism, and get better sleep. The continuous flow of scientific findings on NMN have been published over the years, validating the ingredient’s function

and efficacy. Consumers are constantly looking for scientific-based products to compliment healthy aging. The main target market is men and women in their 40s and 50s. In this category there are not a lot of distinctively targeted nutraceuticals available. Nicotinamide Mononucleotide is a promising molecule for positive therapy of a broad and diverse range of diseases by Targeting NAD+ Metabolism. (NAD) is a vital metabolic redox co-enzyme found in eukaryotic cells and is necessary for over 500 enzymatic reactions. It plays a crucial role in various biological processes, including metabolism, aging, cell death, DNA repair, and gene expression (Rajman et al., 2018; Okabe et al., 2019). Thus, NAD+ is critical for human health and longevity. The number of our contract manufacturing inquiries about the NMN related products has increased by 10 times. Increasing number of both overseas and Australian local clients are realizing this ingredient. And on the first launching day, we sold 1300 units through retail. The market shows a very strong requirement of anti-

ageing products.

nvar 361 mandrel tool artefact – AML3D Limited AML3D Limited, a wire additive manufacturing company, has received a purchase contract to produce a 3D printed tooling component from Boeing, called an Invar‑361 “mandrel tool artefact.” Weighing approximately 150 kilograms, the 3D printed tool incorporates AML3D’s proprietary Wire Additive Manufacturing (WAM) process. The initial purchase contract is for one artefact, which will be assessed and tested for its mechanical properties, internal soundness, vacuum integrity and to assess AML3D’s ability to produce to Boeing specifications. Although the part value being manufactured is below $50,000, the significance of this initial purchase contract from Boeing is high given the size and credibility of the counterparty and the potential commercial benefits of future collaborations with the group. Manufacturers’ Monthly SEPTEMBER 2021 49

EndeavourAWARDS FINALISTS 2021 SAFETY SOLUTION OF THE YEAR This category evaluates companies on what they bring to the manufacturing sector.

TORK Hand Hygiene Training – Asaleo Care As the COVID 19 began to arrive in Australia, we immediately locked down our site to only allow essential staff on-site, we implemented mask usage, temperature testing and segregated shifts between shifts and the warehouse well before required by governments. Of most importance, we needed to ensure our staff had the knowledge both at work and at home to ensure they kept themselves and their families safe. To do this we partnered with our TORK brand to create and roll out an interactive training package to upskill our team with the knowledge to improve their hand hygiene. Working internally with our TORK hygiene experts, we created a training package for both our own manufacturing staff and our customers which include nursing homes, hospitals and restaurants. The package focused, particularly on hand and surface hygiene. To roll this out in our manufacturing site, our training manager stopped production on all shifts by meeting with all shifts (social distanced in an open environment) to show the training package and demonstrate the correct methods of hand hygiene. Included in the meeting were demonstrations where members of the audience were required to apply a UV solution (used to demonstrate the spread of golden staph to trainee nurses) demonstrate both their normal hand washing technique and the correct technique and why hand hygiene is important. The feedback of this training was positive on-site that it was rolled out to our customers which included high-risk nursing homes, and hospitals. The result of the training on-site, as well as additional COVID controls, 50 SEPTEMBER 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

resulted in no positive COVID cases and continued production so the site could produce the much-needed products for the Australian and New Zealand market and keep our teams and families safe.

Non Flam Contact Cleaner – Hammersley Australia Our NonFlam Contact Cleaner differs from all other market offerings in that it offers safety in a product category where currently legislation does not specifically demand it. At present, it is ‘the norm’ to be using Electrical & Contact Cleaners that are loaded with highly toxic and hazardous ingredients. Without chemical knowledge, users of such products are oblivious to the dangers involved with using these products until the signs of ill-health are far too advanced. As a chemical manufacturer, Hammersley Australia is unique in that we don’t just supply our customer with the product and then leave them. We develop relationships with our customers that ensure that we provide them with ongoing chemical support whenever they need. As chemical specialists, we provide our customers with comprehensive information and advice to ensure they are getting the best results from their products in the safest manner for all stakeholders – workers, employers, community, and the environment. If they have issues that arise within their operations that can be solved with a new chemical development, then we have the expertise to develop the technology for them. Most Non-Flammable Electrical & Contact Cleaners on the market currently are highly toxic. They contain many ingredients that are GHS classified as category 2 Carcinogens, ingredients that are highly Neurotoxic, some with Narcotic effects, and others that are Toxic to Reproduction/Fertility. One of the largest Contact Cleaner brands in Australia also currently contains an ingredient that is a Category 1 Hazard to the Ozone Layer. Hammersley Australia’s Non Flam Contact Cleaner is a true safety

solvent. It has revolutionised safety in multiple aspects – the safety of workers in the workplace, and also the safety of the environment. This Non-Flammable product is completely workplace safe (containing NO carcinogens or neurotoxic solvents), and is Environmentally Friendly (nonVOC, low global warming potential, short atmospheric life). It also contains NO hazardous environmental emissions (no hydrochlorofluorocarbons HCFCs, hydrofluorocarbons HFCs, or hazardous air pollutants HAPs). Despite the gentle nature of our ingredients in comparison to our highly toxic competitors, Hammersley Australia’s Non Flam Contact Cleaner does not compromise on performance. In fact, the sophisticated formula developed by our highly experienced Head Chemist & Lab Technicians has delivered a far safer formula that achieves superior performance every time.

switch to a pre-defined flashing colour pattern, alerting the personnel of a specific emergency status and making sure no one is caught unaware. 1.3. Every light can also act as an emergency light: Every single light is equipped with a battery, providing the power backup for both lighting and networking functions, ensuring a safe and smooth evacuation process in case of a power outage. Superior illumination uniformity and a reduction in shadowing also enhance hazard perception and visibility, maximising the safety and smoothness of the evacuation process.

Rapid Shield – CoLab, Space Tank Studio

Coolon Brilliant Connected Lights – Coolon Coolon Brilliant Connected Lights enable access to countless disruptive IoT technologies that range in value offering and benefits. Coolon Brilliant Connected Lights offer a range of ways to dramatically improve the safety of any industrial site, for instance: 1.1 Personnel Locating: Coolon lights make it possible to instantly account for everyone on site, locating missing workers and sending help directly to those in need in case of an accident. The mesh network enables real-time visibility into areas without the need for GPS, mobile or CB radio coverage, ensuring the safety of all site personnel, even in the most secluded areas of the facility. 1.2 Visual Emergency Status Propagation: Emergency status alerts such as lightning proximity or evacuation can be propagated through the lighting network in real-time across the site with built-in colour changing visual warning indicators. In case of an emergency, the warning indicator will

Rapid Shield is an effective health PPE solution against viral contamination; forming the first layer of defence in facial protection and reducing inter-person transmission of airborne viral droplets by up to 80 per cent compared to transmission rates when a face shield is not worn. Refer: https:// www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/ PMC4734356/ The one-piece design means Rapid Shield can be easily sterilised using standard sterilisation methods. It has adjustable strap lengths for size variation. The product is distributed manmonthly.com.au

EndeavourAWARDS FINALISTS 2021 flat packed to better support procurement logistics. Minimal human contact is required in the manufacturing process which helps guarantee a viral and bacterial

free product. The innovative simple design ensures this product can be produced at scale, allowing local manufacturers to compete cost effectively with

imports. This provides Australia with a sustainable long-term health PPE solution. The product is made locally and is sustainable:

•1 00 per cent manufactured and assembled in Melbourne’s North. •Z ero waste manufacturing with all offcut material re-used. •S hield is 100 per cent recyclable. Sponsor:

EXCELLENCE IN GROWTH This award recognises the growth within a manufacturing company, through either consistent financial, people or market growth – important for achieving sustainable consistent growth over the long term. (Due to the sensitive commercial nature of the products and services done by these companies, we have not gone into detail about them. However, readers are free to reach out to these companies about their services at any time.)

AGITO Group

The growth of our customers has been the catalyst to our own growth - our customers seek more ways to expand their capacity and rely on us to develop unique automation solutions. AGITO have formed many critical and influential partnerships, making us a preferred supplier in engineering design solutions. Our aim is to have all of our customer relationships extend beyond the projects we install and commission. For AGITO, the last few years has seen us grow rapidly, and we have invested in our own infrastructure, processes and procedures to ensure this growth is sustainable and effective into the future. The market and our customers have signalled that connectivity and data management is the key to their success, and due to growth, and AGITO have the capability to be able to deliver this to them. Our growth has allowed us to be proactive in our approach of developing new technologies and solutions for changing market conditions. For example, we have recently invested in a new shuttle robot. Where previously we might have had to wait for client briefs before we would start the R&D processes, we are now able identify needs of our clients and develop solutions, like in the case the robotic shuttle. It is our aim to continue to develop our R&D program so that we can retain this proactive approach to engineering. We have also recognised a need manmonthly.com.au

to invest more of our resources into developing our brand and making it more well known amongst other industry leaders. Internally and externally we have been more active in generating brand awareness making the AGITO group a household name in the Manufacturing, Transport, Postal and Warehousing sectors. We have introduced Yammer an internal marketing tool which helps our staff stay connected with one another and makes them more aware of the day to day going on that they might to normally see within their own spear of responsibilities.

Health Focus Manufacturers Health Focus Manufacturers is a world-class Australian cosmetic and cosmeceutical manufacturer, delivering quality skin care and cosmetics products to the Australian and global markets. The products we manufacture include certified organic as well as synthetic products including high-end skincare, tanning products, hair care, deodorant, masks, moisturisers, serums and cleansers

- even dog shampoo. Almost any cosmetic or cosmeceutical product available in a skincare clinic, chemist or supermarket (except for aerosols and sunscreens) can be produced by us. Health Focus Manufacturers launched at the end of 2011, when our Managing Director, Derelle Mitchell, purchased the assets of a cosmetic manufacturing company on Brisbane’s south side which was closing down. We moved seven semitrailers of equipment to a commercial property that we purchased at Clontarf. We started small with six staff, a basic warehouse and no offices. The first five years were tough as we turned the business around, built new customer relationships and refined the business model. It took a huge amount of persistence and determination to not only survive, but grow. Much of Health Focus Manufacturers’ growth can be attributed to growth among existing clients, especially our top three clients. This is a credit to our ability

to act as a strategic partner to clients. Health Focus Manufacturers won’t just formulate products on demand, we will also recommend products to fill gaps in a client’s product line, identify opportunities and anticipate client needs. By contributing to our client’s substantial growth it has in turn contributed to the company’s growth. To build the foundations for ongoing growth, we have recently reinvested significantly back into the business into new equipment, filling rooms and staff including a new operations manager.

Bosch Australia Bosch Australia’s Manufacturing Solutions (BAMS) is fast becoming the preferred supplier of advanced manufacturing solutions and integrations to Australian businesses. BAMS supply complex turnkey solutions to the Medtech, Pharma, Food and Beverage, as well as Advanced Manufacturing industries. Rapid progress over the past few years with significant projects and

The team at Health Focus Manufacturers.

Manufacturers’ Monthly SEPTEMBER 2021 51

EndeavourAWARDS FINALISTS 2021

Bosch Australia has a new Manufacturing Automation Centre. clients, shows excellence in growth and expansion. In early 2020 soil was turned for the construction of a new facility for BAMS. Gavin Smith, President of Bosch Oceania, was at the commemorative soil-turning event and said at the time, “Manufacturing is very much alive and well in Australia, and we are excited to be at the forefront of it.” The $17 million facility was an investment to support the expansion of Bosch’s factory automation business in Australia, and ultimately to give local manufacturers access to world’s best technology and support. Now, mid-way through 2021, the new facility is complete and brimming with employees. The new Manufacturing Automation Centre is already packed with advanced manufacturing componentry, hightech machinery and robotics for customer projects. In the past three years the BAMS business has grown to support Australian manufacturers and to also assist in the fight against COVID-19. In 2020, BAMS was part of the industry consortium to build ventilators in Victoria. Grey Innovation led an initiative supported by the Victorian Government and the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre, to supply life-saving ventilators during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the Bosch headquarters in Clayton, the BAMS team manufactured test equipment required to check the ventilators. With a critical schedule, the first units were delivered within weeks of receiving the go-ahead. Many of the Bosch associates put up their hands to work on the project, working extra 52 SEPTEMBER 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

shifts and weekends to meet the tight deadlines. Bosch Oceania President, Gavin Smith, was proud the local team could play an important role in the fight against COVID-19. “This consortium shows the strength and skill of the Australian manufacturing sector to be versatile and to work together. We are proud to contribute to the highly advanced manufacturing capability in Victoria, and particularly with this project, to help in the fight against COVID-19”, Gavin said. After the Grey Innovation project, the BAMS business continued to move forward with new projects. In May 2020 they secured a global contract with 3RT for the production automation of manufactured hardwood. A few months later, they were awarded a plasma process automation contract by CSL Behring. And then, in October 2020, they were enlisted to automate manufacturing for high-performance COVID-19 tests. Digital diagnostics company, Ellume, would introduce BAMS technology to automate the high volume production of its COVID-19 diagnostic tests. Ellume has developed a suite of COVID-19 tests that give results in less than 15 minutes and have an agreement with the US Department of Defense to accelerate domestic US production of its tests. BAMS will build and install stateof-the-art automated assembly lines to increase production capacity. The lines are built onsite in Clayton, then shipped to and installed at Ellume’s Richlands facility. BAMS will also build and install 16 lines for Ellume’s United States domestic production of COVID-19 home tests.

Gavin Smith, President of Bosch Oceania, commented at the time, “We are delighted to bring the BAMS automation expertise to support Australian med-tech manufacturing for a global market – a real positive for local manufacturing, and a positive for the testing and medical diagnosis of COVID-19.” Ellume CEO and founder Dr Sean Parsons said, “We’ve spent the last decade perfecting our technology, and now, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the role of rapid, accurate diagnostics has never been more important. Ellume is pleased to be working with Bosch to bring their world-leading automation know-how to our manufacturing process. This will allow Ellume to manufacture best-in-class diagnostics that can be relied on in a health crisis.” The BAMS business continues to grow rapidly with considerable employment opportunities.

Supashock

Supashock’s growth over the past 12 months has been due to our exciting and innovative projects that has seen exports and new customers increase from the scaling up of our staff and facilities. Some of these projects include Running Gear developed for the LYNX KF41 Infantry Fighting Vehicle, advanced mobility system developed for Autonomous vehicle supplier in the United States, control dampers developed for the whole field of Repco V8 Supercars, and the ATGM (Anti-tank Guided Missile)

Launcher developed for the Boxer 8x8 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles for the Australian Army. Our team has also been a part of numerous training programs that have fast tracked the development of their skills and processes, this has been a huge part of the growth of the company. The growth of our team is extremely important, when our people grow the company grows. Due to the rapid growth at Supashock, we have equipped both facilities with new advanced machinery, allowing us to manufacture on an industrial scale and accommodate more projects. We have improved our Project Management System so we can better measure the timeline and budget for each project. Due to this change we are much more efficient; it has also enabled us to have a better view of future projects and the number of material resources and manpower that will be required. Our improved company procedures for Cyber Security, Lean Manufacturing, Quality control, Occupational Health and Safety, and Environmental awareness has seen Supashock awarded with ISO certifications such as AS9100D, ISO 3834-2:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and the 2020 TQSCI Client of the YEAR. Through defence projects, Supashock has provided a career pathway for various disciplines of engineering including but not limited to mechanical, structural, electrical and software graduates in South Australia. Supashock presents the opportunity to work on global projects and gain exposure to Industrie 4.0 technologies and practices, an invaluable way for graduates to gain practical skills in a professional organisation within the defence industry. Due to Supashock’s exponential growth, there is ample opportunity for passionate and determined apprentices and young people to receive specialised training and develop sought after machinist skills. Internally, there is further opportunity to develop in leadership roles for team members willing to enhance their personal capability through the Diploma in Leadership and Management, which is held on site. manmonthly.com.au

What’sNew Quality Australian-made static overbelt magnet Pulling large tramps off an Overbelt Magnet or Tramp Iron Magnets, as they are sometimes called is a task in itself. There is a high risk of hand injury as the metal is often sharp, and a lot of force is required to remove it from the magnet. MSA has offered easy-to-discharge Tramp Iron Magnets for many years now with growing demand since the 2016 Report “In Safe Hands” The State of Hand Protection in Australia, compiled by the National Safety Council of Australia Foundation and Ansell. Our Stainless-steel drawers make cleaning operations simple and safe. The drawer can be easily pulled out from under the magnet, and the collected tramps will fall from the magnetic field for an easy and safe collection. Quality bearings are used to prevent the collected tramps from pinning the drawer to the magnet, and a stopper is in place to prevent the drawer from opening too far and falling. Imported magnets trying to copy our concept usually have more rudimentary designs without bearings and stoppers. These basic copies often result in the captured tramp pinning their drawer to the bottom of the magnet. MSA has seen drawers that open over the belt which discharge back into the burden, instead of being discharged off to the side of the conveyor belt, as our Overbelts do.

•L arge stockholding, rapid delivery of spares and components. Manufactured in Australia, the Static Over-belt Suspension Magnets are highquality and durable machines. They are designed to provide low maintenance and effective metal separation. Protect yourself and others from injury with our quality, easy, and safe-to-discharge magnet from MSA Magnets. Company: MSA Magnetics Phone: 1800 466 246 Web: www.msamagnetics.com.au

A truly dependable means of tramp metal extraction: •T hese Australian-made units are installed over conveyors to remove unwanted iron and steel items, such as machinery damaging roof bolts, bucket teeth, or product contaminating items like fencing wire, screws, staples, and other steel items. •E yelets are rated for shear loads allowing flexibility in your install. •A ll MSA units conform to current engineering standards and best practices.

Flexible EMC/VSD cables and accessories Treotham Automation have a complete range of VSD/EMC cables and cable glands to meet all your requirements. All of the EMC/VSD products are produced in Europe to the highest standards. The Treoflex TA6 range is a VSD cable with UV stabilised special transparent orange outer sheath and cross-linked XLPE core insulation to guarantee the maximum carrying capacity is achieved, while at the same time maintaining a low cable capacitance in comparison with cables with a PVC insulation. The specially constructed Treoflex TA6 cables have a double screen made up of tinned copper braid and 100 per cent aluminium tape and are used to supply power to motors from frequency converters while maintaining full electromagnetic compatibility. They are suitable for both fixed installations and moveable connections in industrial equipment, process lines and machines operating in dry and damp rooms. The standard cable stock ranges from 1.5sqm up to 240sqm. From 6mm² to 240mm² the cables utilise the three split earth design which features a symmetrical 3 core design improving EMC compliance compared to the 4 core version. The three split earth design also reduces the outer diameter of the cable allowing for easier termination into cable glands. The range of Ultra VSD cables from LAPP has a black outer sheath with a

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double screen made up of tinned copper braid and 100 per cent copper tape wrap. Our standard stock ranges from 1.5mm2 to 120mm2. Treotham also has a full range of EMC control cables with number coded cores and a clear outer sheath starting at 2x0.5mm2 and going up to 25G2.5mm2. Treotham offers a full range of Lapp EMC cable glands that perfectly compliment the EMC cables. The SKINTOP MS-M BRUSH brass cable gland with double lamella gasket is faster, has a low resistance 360° screen contact, and is simple to assemble. The SKINTOP MS-SC-M brass cable gland with low-resistance screen contact is a highly conductive, flexible EMC contact that is also easy to assemble. Treotham also supplies an extensive range of other cables including control cables, power cables, data cables, crane cables, single cores, high temperature cables, bus/Devicenet cables, solar cables, instrumentation cables and chainflex cables for moving applications. With a full range of Lapp cables and accessories, Treotham offers a total solution for any application. Company: Treotham Automation Pty Ltd Phone: 1300 65 75 64 Web: www.treotham.com.au

Manufacturers’ Monthly SEPTEMBER 2021 53

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Concertina security doors for protection of commercial premises ATDC’s S05 deluxe model concertina security doors were recently installed at the new Cellarbrations liquor store in Whallan in regional Victoria. Powdercoated in a black satin finish and with a triple contact locking mechanism and full metal surround frame,these concertina doors retract sideways and glide smoothly out of the way to allow this customer maximum display of its merchandise during trading hours however providing a formidable barrier when locked and closed overnight. Available for installation in Melbourne,Brisbane, Perth and Sydney, as well as all other capital cities and regional centres across Australia. Company: The Australian Trellis Door Company Phone: 1800 657 435 Website: www.trellisdoors.com.au/products/commercial-security

BST presents iBase’s AGS102T ultra-compact IoT gateway edge computing system Backplane Systems Technology is proud to present iBase’s AGS102T is an ultracompact IoT gateway edge computer powered by Intel’s Apollo Lake Atom x7/x5 series, Pentium N4200, and Celeron N3350 SoCs. It enables seamless and secure data flow to the cloud in IoT-focused edge computing applications with enterprise-grade security, and easy manageability. The fanless AGS102T offers maximum reliability and longevity support, featuring a wide-range operating temperature of -40°C to +70°C and dimensions of 160 x 110 x 44mm. It is suitable for space-constrained applications in harsh environments that require devices equipped with Trusted Platform Module (TPM) technology. The system comes with an extra advanced security TPM 2.0 chip to provide a high level of hardware-based security. By using TPM together with Windows 10, it carries out cryptographic operations for access control and authentication. TPM enables integrity measurements during system boot and makes TPM-based keys unavailable outside the TPM to prevent attacks and authorization value guesses. The rugged AGS102T features 4GB DDR3L-1866 DO-DIMM, a 64GB MLC industrial-grade mSATA SSD, dual display ports (DVI-I and DisplayPort), 4x USB 3.0, 2x GbE, 4x COM, a DC-in terminal block for 9V~36V input, GPIO 4-in & 4-out multi-purpose interface and over/under/reverse voltage protection. Expansion is available with a full-size Mini PCI-E, a 2230 M.2 E-Key socket for WLAN & BT, a 3042 M.2 B-Key socket for WWAN & SSD, an mSATA socket (Mini PCI-E), and a 2242 M.2 B-Key socket for mSATA SSD.

• supports TPM 2.0; • 4x RS232/422/485 serial ports; and • rugged, compact, and fanless design. Company: Backplane Systems Technology Phone: (02) 9457 6400 Website: www.backplane.com.au

Key features: • I ntel Atom x7-E3950/x5-E3940/x5-E3930 & Pentium N4200 / Celeron N3350 series processors; •G PIO 4-in & 4-out with isolation function; • over/under/reverse voltage protection; • wide-range operating temperature from -40°C to +70°C; • 9V~36V DC wide-range power input; • supports DIN-Rail and wall mount;

54 SEPTEMBER 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

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The Last Word

MARK PETERS – State Director, Queensland and National Projects Director

Commercialisation for a sustainable manufacturing future

INCE the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) was established in 2015, we have helped more than 215 manufacturers and 24 research institutions undertake collaborative projects. These projects have commercialised innovative products and services that embrace the entire manufacturing value chain. As one of the key leaders responsible for evaluating and managing AMGCs co-funded projects, I have the honour of seeing first-hand the talent and smarts that reside on our shores. I have the privilege to work with individuals and companies to help them advance, scale up, and commercialise, hence the reason our latest funding program is labelled AMGC’s Commercialisation Fund. Prior to the Commercialisation Fund, AMGC facilitated over 80 projects nationwide. These co-funded projects are expected generate more than $1.2 billion in revenue and create 2,361 direct jobs and 8,474 indirect jobs. All of these projects illustrate that Australia is home to a highly skilled, adaptable, and enthusiastic manufacturing industry. This enthusiasm is backed up by solid commercial acumen and a global market hungry for our innovative goods. One of AMGC’s co-funded projects is – quite literally – generating power from thin air. Cool Mine is developing Air2Volts, an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) that will deliver an inexpensive, reliable supply of electricity to power monitoring, communications, and control systems in underground mines. Air2Volts relies upon thermoelectric generator (TEG) technology which converts compressed air into usable electricity. Cool Mine is a perfect example of the manufacturing multiplier effect, with jobs generated across the entire manufacturing value chain. In developing its innovative products, Cool Mine has capitalised on the

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The AMGC’s Commercialisation Fund has supported more than 80 projects, which are projected to generate $1.2 million in revenue. highly skilled design and engineering capabilities available here in Australia, and as the businesses moves into the production, sales and service phases, even more jobs will be created. It is this multiplier effect that is enabling Australian manufacturers to realise the opportunities presented by international markets and global supply chains. Take, for instance, iOrthotics, Australia’s premier manufacturer of custom-made orthotic devices. Established in 2009, iOrthotics recently invested in new technology: fusion jet printing. With targeted research and development, and co-funding from AMGC, iOrthotics can now manufacture over 20,000 additional pairs of orthotics annually, while slashing their annual plastic landfill waste. The result? iOrthotics has expanded into the US market, creating a new market for Australian made products. Magnetica is set to do the same. As an industry-leader in the field of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology, Magnetica is

commercialising a coil system that will see the company become an OEM of an extremity and musculoskeletal (MSK) scanner, ready to export to overseas markets. Traditional MRI scanners are enormous, weighing around 5 tonnes – or two Toyota Landcruisers. The sheer weight greatly restricts the installation and movement of MRI machines. The smaller size and significantly reduced weight of Magnetica’s MSK scanner will mean that the system can be deployed in substantially more clinical settings, from neonatal units, through to sports sites and defence applications. There is no other machine on the market that can compete with this Australian innovation. Australian manufacturers are creating products and services that are export-worthy, and in return, they are strengthening our sovereign manufacturing capabilities to solidify local supply chains. With the help of AMGC co-funding, Black Sky Aerospace recently became the only Australian manufacturer of solid-state rocket propellant and

motors. Australia has never had the ability to manufacture its own rocket fuel, making this a major milestone in securing Australia’s national sovereignty within the burgeoning space sector. Black Sky Aerospace is adding value to the nascent space sector value chain, as well as into fully developed industries like defence. Their locally manufactured rocket fuel will have wide-ranging impact on Australia’s growing space industry. Unlike liquid fuels, solid fuels are easier and safer to transport, store and use. With this new capability, Black Sky Aerospace will give Australian manufacturers the opportunity to test and trial their products in comparatively more affordable launches, before sending their products into space. Also in aerospace, AMSL Aero’s Vertiia—an electric VTOL (Vertical Take-off and Landing) aircraft—will soon take to the skies. Vertia combines the vertical take-off and landing capabilities of a helicopter with the efficient high speed flight of a fixedwing aeroplane. This next generation technology is starting to attract interest from the likes of Uber and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Much like the finalists of this year’s Endeavour Awards, all of these projects demonstrate the talent and innovation that is alive and well in Australia’s manufacturing industry. As an incubator for STEM skills, advanced technology and innovation, Australian manufacturing is leading the way in techniques as diverse as 3D printing, robotics, and composites, and in sectors that range from medical and mining, through to aerospace and defence. Clearly, by embracing the entire manufacturing value chain, Australian manufacturers are capably expanding their reach into international markets, strengthening our sovereign manufacturing capabilities, solidifying local supply chains, and building opportunities for the next generation of talented minds. Manufacturers’ Monthly FEBRUARY 2020 55

Never judge a box by its cover… The box may look the same but it’s what inside that counts! Atlas Copco are proud to introduce our NEWEST version of energy efficient Z55-90(VSD) STD range of oil-free compressors: *Ranges from 55kW to 90kW *Certified Class Zero oil-free air with no contaminants *Air or water cooling *Standard Pack or Full Feature with integrated HOC dryer *Elektronikon® for optimal energy efficiency *Smartlink for remote monitoring

Manufacturers' Monthly September 2021

Articles inside

The Last Word

Anodising

Advanced Robotics

What’s New

Industry Focus

Issues & Insights

Comment

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Editor’s Note