IN AUSTRALIA'S STEEL INDUSTRY The advent of more sophisticated technology and automation is enabling the Australian steel industry to augment and improve its production processes, delivering efficiency, safety and quality enhancements throughout the supply chain. For instance, a series of major investments, technological advancements, and research and development projects at the Whyalla Steelworks by Liberty Primary Steel has resulted in the consistent manufacture of high-quality steel products over the last 30 years. (For further details, see page 38.) Molycop's facility in Perth is fitted out with a SAG ball forging robot, a bolt grinding robot, and a bolt forging robot. These robots have enabled Molycop to reduce team members risk exposure, improve safety, and build a better working environment. (For further details, see page 32.) Similarly, DSI Underground started their automation journey about seven or eight years ago, focused on productivity and competitiveness, as well as safety and efficiency improvements. Their holisitic program of process improvement, incorporating automation, Industry 4.0
and lean manufacturing processes has proved very effective. (For further details, see page 34.) Brisbane-based fabrication company, idec recently received a Made in Queensland Grant. This Queensland Government initiative supports local manufacturers to increase their international competitiveness, productivity and innovation through the adoption of new technologies. As a result, idec invested in the latest Voortman technology, including automated drilling and sawing machines, a robotic coping system, an intelligent infeed-outfeed system and industry leading modelling and control software. All of this has increased the overall quality of the steel coming off their processing line. (For further details, see page 36.) 21st century construction technologies, such as pre-fabrication are also helping the industry transform the way it builds. This was illustrated by the COVID-19 Surge Centre, recently delivered by construction company Manteena and pre-fabrication specialists Austruss in Canberra (see page 42). The project team achieved practical completion of the 17,000m2 51-bed medical facility
FEATURE: TECHNOLOGY, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT | STEEL AUSTRALIA | WINTER 2021
FEATURE: TECHNOLOGY, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT after an initial design phase of seven days and a construction period of just 36 days—not only achieving the goal of a very tight program but delivering a facility built to Australian Standards. In the realm of Research and Development, the Steel Research Hub at the University of Wollongong is leading the charge in Australia. Having just received an additional $28 million in funding, the Hub is set to embark on its second phase of operations, which will investigate projects in areas such as process integration and sustainability, product innovation and technology, advanced corrosion performance and operational efficiency and steel supply chain transformation. (For further details, see page 46.) Research and development has also led to the release of a new and improved edition of the Galvanizers Design Manual by the Galvanizers Association of Australia. First produced in 1965 and available on CD since 2008, the Design Manual has undergone a major revision process to bring its contents in line with technical and technological innovations, as well as changes in Australian Standards. (For further details, see page 48.)
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