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Manufacturers’ Monthly Contents 4 Editor’s Note

26 3D Printing

34 Events

6 Comment

28 Compressors

35 Local Manufacturing

12 News@MM

30 Power tools

36 Awards

20 Issues & Insights

32 Research & Development

38 What’s New

25 Compressors

33 Metal Fabrication

40 The Last Word

3 News

10 Comment

12 Industry 4.0

8 Wastewater management

11 Actuator systems

13 Bearings

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Behind the cover

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MANAGEMENT >> TECHNOLOGY >> SOLUTIONS

FEBRUARY 2021

The Australian economy has just gone through its toughest year in many decades – a pandemic followed by a recession like none other. No one could have predicted these events, let alone a plan to survive it, yet the country did. The will of the Australian people and its economy – all aspects of it – to adapt and take it a day at a time is a story that will be told for generations to come. Not fully out of it yet but the nation has steadied itself through the months. How did we do it? Resilience.

We have long depended on international trade and imports (and we still do) but through the crisis, the government and local businesses have learnt to play to their strengths

and focus on the necessities and turn adversities into money-making and job opportunities for an otherwise hopeless situation. The first thing most businesses identified when international trade was hit, was the re-examination of their procurement and supply chain strategies, and how to restructure them to accommodate the crisis when foreign supply had been cut off.

In the ensuing pages of this first edition of 2021, the team at Manufacturers’ Monthly are bringing you stories with snippets on how companies have kept their head in the game and the momentum to keep their businesses going. Enjoy.

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20 How Australia is bouncing back by strengthening supply chains

26 Australian 3D printing technology going global

33 Asia’s cutting edge metal makes a mark in Australia

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Comment

SYED SHAH – Managing Editor, Manufacturers’ Monthly

Transitioning away from survival mode

T

HE story of how the Australian economy survived through one of the toughest years in recent decades is one for the ages. The pandemic, followed by recession, were both events that could not have been predicted. Yet, the will to rise in the face of deep challenges has been strong – the will of the Australian people and that of businesses to adapt. Although we are not yet out of the woods, we have certainly begun to find our feet. These past couple of months have been turbulent, but what got us through all of this? The power of being resilient.

There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has deeply challenged all aspects of businesses – large and small. With the threat of disruption greater than ever, companies were forced to take a step back to analyse how they do

4 FEBRUARY 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

business and adopt a long-term approach to implement change strategies. Rather than planning for the short term, five-year roadmaps are being adopted by an increasing number of manufacturers, according to the Association of Manufacturing Excellence (AME). The first thing most businesses identified when international trade was hit, was the re-examination of their procurement and supply chain strategies, and how to restructure them to accommodate the crisis when foreign supply had been cut off.

Our country has long depended on international trade and imports. As the crisis unfolded, the government and local businesses learned to play to their strengths and focus on the necessities. Adversity posed by the pandemic was transformed into money-making and job opportunities.

Manufacturing is critical to

safeguard Australia’s economic future and the success of other industries that tie into it.

The Australian workforce is a highly skilled one, and, as this year has proved, adaptable to change.

In no other era have we seen such a strong surge of support for the Australian Made campaign. Late last year, our ability to be recognised for our exports has been strengthened, with the golden kangaroo now a trademark in the European Union, United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates.

In the past few months, more companies we have spoken to have highlighted the importance of Australian Made and distributed goods with their own innovative products and ideas. It is our greatest pleasure to work with these manufacturers to continue our support of the industry.

In this first edition of Manufacturers’ Monthly for 2021, we delve into one of the ways the Australian Government is investing in manufacturing jobs for the present and for the future – by collaborating with industry and obtaining expertise from overseas to bring back to Australia. In order to grow Australia’s own maritime manufacturing capability, Australian workers and their families have lived overseas for a number of years, supported by the Naval Group to gain the necessary knowledge to pass on to local industry. Could this sort of collaboration pave the way forward for similar partnerships to follow?

In this increasingly globalised world we live in, one thing is clear; a hybrid of global and local supply chains is the new way to operate in the Australian manufacturing landscape. manmonthly.com.au

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Comment

GEOFF CRITTENDEN – CEO, Weld Australia

A coordinated national approach will lead to a more sustainable railcar fabrication industry.

Hope for the future – with a strong national plan

T

The power generation industry requires a national approach.

6 FEBRUARY 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

HIS is the end of a hard, stressful year for many of us. The COVID-19 pandemic created uncertainty for everyone, with staff stood down and projects delayed or cancelled. And, while all of us are worried about what the future holds, there are many reasons to look to 2021– and beyond – with hope.

One positive outcome from the COVID-19 pandemic is a shift in Australia’s political landscape, which has focused all levels of government on job creation.

In particular, the state governments have allocated significant funding in their 20202021 Budgets to projects and programs designed to create jobs in Australia’s manufacturing and welding industries.

For instance, the Western Australia Government has invested $5.7 billion invested in METRONET projects across Perth, creating thousands of local jobs and providing opportunities for local

businesses. The 2020-2021 Budget included funding that will see the state government procure 246 new locally made railcars and establish a local assembly and mnufacturing facility at Bellevue.

Similarly, for the first time in nearly a decade, Queenslanders will again build Queensland trains. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has promised a $1bn railcar construction pipeline for the regional city of Maryborough.

This state government investment extends not only to projects that create jobs, but to the programs needed to train the next generation of welders.

Victoria’s Minister for Training and Skills and Higher Education Gayle Tierney has announced a $274 million guarantee to lock in funding at pre-pandemic levels so that Victoria’s VET system can continue to deliver quality training.

Weld Australia’s Advanced Manufacturing School Outreach manmonthly.com.au

However, this fragmented, stateby-state approach does pose risks – it makes the complete lack of a national plan a real concern.

Let’s take the rail manufacturing industry as an example. There are significant rail manufacturing facilities in Queensland, Western Australia and Victoria. The problem is that, without a coordinated national approach, there will undoubtedly be a duplication of efforts. We will end up with multiple, unsustainable railcar fabrication facilities in various states, competing with one another for resources and contracts. There simply won’t be the volume of work available to sustain all facilities in all states long-term.

Instead, what we really need, for example, is bogie manufacturing in one state, rail line manufacturing in another, and a single railcar fabrication facility. We need a national plan that ensures the best possible use of resources.

It is not just rail manufacturing

that needs a national approach.

It is the same in the power generation industry. Various state governments are pumping money into renewables. Victoria’s Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio announced the construction of one of the world’s largest lithium-ion batteries. The Western Australia government launched a $66.3m renewable technology project as part of its COVID-19 stimulus package, and South Australia announced a $240m project to develop green hydrogen.

While this type of investment is essential and extremely positive, all these projects appear to be ad-hoc rather than part of a national plan.

Defence is the only industry for which the federal government has established a successful national model that capitalises on our existing manufacturing resources.

We have shipyards in South Australia and Western Australia, while land vehicle manufacturing is

carried out in Queensland.

The federal government did announce its Modern Manufacturing Strategy at the beginning of October. According to the government, this Strategy will “help Australian manufacturing scaleup, become more competitive and resilient – creating jobs for now and future generations”. The problem is, this strategy isn’t expected to realise its full potential for 10 years. Australian manufacturers and welders simply cannot wait this long.

To create jobs, we must have a strong, advanced industry that the federal government is prepared to plan for and invest in. Industry must have a strong pipeline of work to take on new employees. A strong pipeline of work can only be securedif the federal governmentincreases local content in all procurement decisions, and has a coordinated national plan across all manufacturing sectors.

Program recently received support from the New South Wales Government, with funding provided through the Department of Education’s Vocational Education and Training Program for Secondary Students. Phase one of the program has funded teacher training for 16 schools across the state.

Funding for these types of training programs – that are designed to excite and inform high school and VET students about the wide range of opportunities available in industry – is essential for a bright, hopeful future. The future of welding in Australia relies upon reaching school children and their parents, and demonstrating the possibilities available in our modern, advanced industry.

The risks of a fragmented approach It is brilliant that our state governments have recognised the importance of manufacturing jobs, and are willing to invest in projects and programs to secure these jobs and train our future generation of workers. manmonthly.com.au

Weld Australia’s Advanced Manufacturing School Outreach Program recently received support from the New South Wales state government.

Manufacturers’ Monthly FEBRUARY 2021 7

Comment

VONDA FENWICK – CEO, South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance

Business opportunities through collaboration

S

OUTH East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA) has embarked upon a new project to assist its members to secure significant packages of work.

SEMMA’s membership is representative of Australian manufacturing as a whole, with a number of large iconic manufacturers, a greater number of mediumsized companies and a host of smaller companies right through to several classic “Mum and Dad” micro-companies.

One of the challenges for manufacturing SMEs has been to secure work with large primes on significant contracts. Increasingly, government agencies and major primes – particularly in rolling stock, defence and construction – are advising that they want to be able to access the great technical capabilities of our Australian SME manufacturers, however, they do not want to deal with a host of individual, small suppliers. They want to simplify the administrative burden, reduce costs and streamline the supplier interfaces, as well as avoiding perceived risk associated with smaller entities.

There is mounting pressure for SMEs to collaborate in order to meet the scope and scale required to satisfy the requirements of major projects.

In 2020, we approached our members and queried their willingness to look at collaboration.

More than 80 per cent came back with a resounding “yes”, recognising that unless they combine resources and maximise their collective capabilities that they will not be considered for major projects and significant work packages.

The SEMMA Collaboration Project will prepare members to tender for work not available to them as individual SMEs by combining their capabilities to produce enhanced scope (the range of what they can produce collectively. For example, an assembly instead of just components) and scale (volume of what can be provided collectively).

Collaboration is not a simple process – it requires the development 8 FEBRUARY 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

The SEMMA Collaboration Project will prepare members to tender for work not available to them as individual SMEs by combining their capabilities to produce enhanced scope. of trust between traditional competitors as well as a shared understanding of requirements by each of the participants in a collaborative model. Not everyone is suited to working collaboratively and research in this field indicates that, where collaboration fails, it is generally as a consequence of the soft skills/interpersonal factors/ adaptive issues and differing levels of business maturity rather than the structural and mechanistic aspects of the relationships.

The SEMMA Collaboration program consists of workshops and facilitated meetings to develop participants’ ability to collaborate effectively.

It will be a case of enlisting and

adapting tried and tested information and models, including relevant international standards, and then tailoring them to suit the needs of our SEMMA members and specific business opportunities. There will also be development of agreed models and necessary legal documentation to support the SEMMA members’ preferred collaborative structures.

SEMMA has identified a recognised expert in the field who has demonstrable success getting SME collaborations “to the negotiating table. He will be tasked with conducting the workshops, facilitating understanding of collaboration models and assisting a core group of companies to engage in opportunities

not previously available to them as individual SMEs. Recent UK research shows that collaboration efforts with other firms (and in particular with those companies using a systematic management framework such as the international standard for collaboration) were positively correlated with operational performance, business performance and innovation in products, services, processes and technology. So, it seems there is something beneficial in the process of collaboration, or learning to manage collaborative relationships effectively, which can benefit a business.

While SEMMA’s project initially focuses upon SME’s collectively winning business with major contractors through being able to leverage improved scope and/ or scale, there are opportunities to implement collaborative thinking and practice within normal suppliercustomer relationships, for mutual benefit. This may be as simple as working together on a perennial issue within the business interfaces to eliminate waste and cost for mutual benefit. It may involve a research and development opportunity working collaboratively with a university.

Our initial on-line collaboration workshop in November 2020 has received enthusiastic responses ranging from a modest “Pleasantly surprised … some very good models and the standard of information across the board was excellent” through to, “The best 3.5 hours spent this year”.

We are keen to progress this activity in 2021 and very enthusiastic about the potential for our SME’s working collaboratively to not just ‘get a foot in the door’ but to be at the negotiating table for major contracts and securing major work packages.

Our SEMMA members will be able to demonstrate the synergy of enhanced capability and the joint capacity to provide the required scope and scale to win work previously unavailable to any one individual member of the collaborative team. manmonthly.com.au

Management Strategies The winds of change start with creativity Manufacturers’ Monthly speaks with the Association for Manufacturing Excellence on how businesses can be their own changemakers with more creative and meaningful work.

AME is seeing more companies develop five-year roadmaps to facilitate continuous organisational change.

T

HE Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME) is teaching businesses how to become masters of organisational change in 2021.

AME president resident Barry McCarthy said the journey of growth for organisations begins with educating individual staff members on how to work on their efficiency and effectiveness – wherever they may be working from.

“We tend to live our work rather than really analyse it,” he said.

“If you get rid of the meaningless work, sometimes you can automate some of your work, you can move it around, you can align it a bit better.

Fundamentally, what we’re after is to help people reduce stress and not work harder, but smarter.”

At the centre of organisational change is helping individual workers

10 FEBRUARY 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

achieve good workflow.

“When doing this previously, we’ve achieved some good results and awareness for people, because you get used to doing patterns of work, and you don’t realise there’s more efficient and more effective ways do it,” McCarthy said.

“That may be communicating with people who supply you with materials, so you’re not delayed when things are moved around.

It’s very foundational.”

The Mastering Change series beginning in March 2021 will consist of short, targeted web-based sessions to better understand and plan a different work approach, followed by a week to apply and practice the approach.

The participants then compare differences and take action to embed a new practice. The applied

learning structure will measure the effectiveness of the development with measures and indicators at the end of the program. The activity-based program will also allocate time for networking and sharing experiences.

At the end of the seven weeks, participants report back on the effectiveness and the efficiency they have gained in their work.

“What people don’t tend to do a lot is compress their work as much as possible, and therefore, they don’t free up time to engage in more creative work from the organisation,” McCarthy said.

A long-term journey The COVID-19 pandemic has incentivised companies to develop five-year roadmaps to make continuous change possible,

according to McCarthy.

“What people now realise is that those processes that they thought were good, were only as good as the environment they were in. They had weaknesses in these processes,” he said.

“Companies are starting to look at their fundamental processes and start from scratch to rebuild.

“People are starting to realise that these changes you make in businesses, and when we’re talking about continuous change, cannot be done in just six months.”

This year’s AME Conference seeks case studies inside particular businesses and getting people inside the businesses that have implemented change in their workplace.

“In the past, at most conferences, manmonthly.com.au

Management Strategies Research conducted by AME shows when people go to conferences, they talk about problems roughly 10 per cent of the time, and 90 per cent of the time, they talk about how well they did in implementing a solution.

“What we would like is rather than people spending 10 per cent to their time on the problem, maybe we can spend up to 50 to 60 per cent of the time so people in the audience can really understand the problem, and then the presenters can talk to their solution in the back half,” McCarthy said.

“It’ll be a bit of a change for our presenters. That’s the difference we want to make with our half-yearly conference.”

For more information contact The Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME) Australia

The Mastering Change series aims to help participants improve their workflow. people focus on the success stories and what works well. And they don’t really identify the problems, the struggles and issues they’ve faced along the way,” AME business

manager Laura Robertson said.

“Our events for next year are trying to encourage the presenters to share the negatives, so people can really understand how they

dealt with that and what steps they took to get to the other side, and see that other people actually do come across these problems and issues.”

www.ame.org.au 1300 263 287 ame@ame.org.au

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News @MM Patented fresh milk processing technology among many to receive Accelerating Commercialisation grants

Naturo is among nine Australian businesses sharing in $4.4 million in matched grant funding to expand their operations.

The federal government is backing a reported world-first innovation that can extend the expiry date of fresh milk to more than 60 days.

Queensland company Naturo will use its $1 million Accelerating Commercialisation grant to build a pilot manufacturing plant in Coolum for its world-first patented technology for processing milk that is nutritionally superior and has a longer shelf life.

It’s among nine Australian businesses sharing in $4.4 million in matched grant funding to expand their operations.

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the Government is helping companies such as Naturo that are pushing the boundaries of the possible.

“I’m so impressed by the ingenuity and determination of Aussie businesses like Naturo who are using science and technology to turn bold ideas into job-creating 12 FEBRUARY 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

realities,” Andrews said.

“This grant will help the company build a pilot plant in Queensland to create their product and then export it to the world, while also paving the way for a full-scale facility to be built in regional Tasmania.

“Through the commercialisation of innovative products and services like this we’re also creating new jobs and giving a much-needed boost to our economy as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This project also demonstrates the incredible opportunities in the food and beverage sector, which is why it’s one of the six priority areas under our Modern Manufacturing Strategy.”

The latest Accelerating Commercialisation grants will also assist: • CU Health Pty Ltd (NSW) with a grant of $444,275 to undertake a large scale, pre-commercial trial of its online medical practice, which

•

•

•

•

could eventually deliver medical services to employees within large organisations.

Canaria Technologies (QLD) with a grant of $749,040 to commercialise its real-time biometric system to improve safety in the resources sector by ensuring employees are not suffering heat exhaustion and cognitive fatigue.

Fingerprint4Success Pty Ltd (NSW) with a grant of $480,000 to progress its professional development program, Coach Marlee, which uses artificial intelligence to upskill employees.

Green Atlas Pty Ltd (NSW) with a grant of $390,040 to finalise the manufacture of its yield forecast program to help farmers plan harvest labour, equipment and supply-chain needs.

Green Frog Systems Pty Ltd (SA) with a grant of $163,080 to commercialise its SMART solar lighting alternative to mains

powered lighting in Australia, USA and Middle East export markets.

• GO Resources Pty Ltd (VIC) with a grant of $712,241 to commercialise its bio-based engine oil for export and create new jobs in oil manufacturing in rural areas.

• Hearables 3D Pty Ltd (VIC) with a grant of $167,900 to complete the development of its Smartphone Scanning and cloud-hosted software system that creates custom-fit hearing aids and noise protection devices.

• WINR Corporation Pty Ltd (NSW) with a grant of $300,000 to commercialise its Adgate platform that enables users to view paywall content by first interacting with a sponsors advert.

Accelerating Commercialisation is part of the Australian Government’s Entrepreneurs’ Programme, which has provided 512 grants worth $247 million to Australian businesses since it was established in 2014. manmonthly.com.au

News @MM Thales Australia to deliver enhanced sonars for Collins Class submarines Thales Australia has signed a $23.7 million deal with the Australian Government to upgrade the sonar systems of the Navy’s Collins Class submarines.

The two contracts are for the design and implementation of the Mine and Obstacle Avoidance System and the High Frequency Intercept Array for the submarine fleet.

Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said both the Mine and Obstacle Avoidance System and High Frequency Intercept Array are important parts of the upgrades to the Collins sonar system.

“Our six Collins Class submarines are a highly capable and regionally superior capability that are only halfway through their operational life,” Reynolds said.

“To ensure this capability

maintains its edge, we are upgrading and improving its systems including through sonar upgrades.

“The purpose of a Mine and Obstacle Avoidance System is to acoustically detect obstacles, including mines, which pose a threat to the submarine. The High Frequency Intercept Array detects high frequency noises including sonar transmissions.

“With more than 20 years of investment in Australia by Thales and Defence, these upgrades will complement broader improvements to the sonar capability of the Collins Class, ensuring the regional superiority of the fleet into the future.

“Because of this Government’s action, we have a Collins Class submarine that is now exceeding the

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Royal Australian Navy’s availability requirement.”

Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said Thales had extensive experience working on the Collins fleet and other Australian-based companies would be engaged throughout the contracts.

“These contracts will include about 80 per cent of work being completed by Australian industry,” Minister Price said.

“We can expect these contracts to support 30 new jobs with Thales Australia in Rydalmere, NSW and additional jobs along the supply chain – jobs that will continue throughout the contracts.

“Once again, we are backing Aussie businesses and creating jobs in our defence industry, which is in turn helping the national economy on its road to recovery after COVID-19.”

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Manufacturers’ Monthly FEBRUARY 2021 13

News@MM Sydney University and General Electric to accelerate Australia’s advanced manufacturing agenda

General Electrical have entered an agreement with the University of Sydney to develop additive manufacturing technology.

GE Additive, a subsidiary of General Electric, and the University of Sydney have entered into a strategic five-year agreement to advance Australia’s manufacturing capability.

Additive manufacturing uses data computer-aided-design (CAD) software or 3D object scanners to direct hardware to deposit material, layer upon layer, in precise geometric shapes, to create an object.

The technology can be used to build advanced metallic structures such as alloys and aircraft engines.

By contrast, when you create an object by traditional means, it is often necessary to remove material through milling, machining, carving, shaping or other means.

The agreement will establish capabilities in metal additive manufacturing technology at the Sydney Manufacturing Hub, a space for training specialists and academics working in additive manufacturing, and the incubation of small to medium manufacturing enterprises.

14 FEBRUARY 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

Located at the University of Sydney’s Darlington campus, the Sydney Manufacturing Hub will enable advanced alloy design and applications to support a range of sectors including aerospace, defence, medicine and agriculture.

The parties will work together on developing the broader advanced manufacturing agenda within New South Wales and Australia, following an agreement with the New South Wales state government to develop additive manufacturing capabilities in Western Sydney.

Advanced manufacturing accounts for half of Australia’s manufacturing output and is one of the fastest growing export sectors. The output of Australian manufacturing is estimated to reach $131 billion by 2026, with advanced manufacturing potentially growing the domestic sector by approximately $30bn over the next 5 years.

GE Australia country leader, Sam Maresh, said the project is a

breakthrough for Australia’s advanced manufacturing industry.

“Via the Sydney Manufacturing Hub, Australian manufacturers and small to medium enterprises (SMEs) will now have ready access to GE’s own production-grade additive technology,” he said.

GE Additive general manager of engineering and technology, Chris Schuppe, said the company was committed to delivering specialist consultation, global-standard training, and industry workshops to enable key additive manufacturing research projects at the University of Sydney.

“We’d encourage Australia’s advanced manufacturing industry to leverage this opportunity to experience additive manufacturing in a fully supported environment.”

“We are very excited to embark on a pioneering research program with GE Additive over the next five years.

There is a huge amount of interest and excitement from both industry and the academic community, with

whom we look forward to sharing our facilities and cutting-edge additive manufacturing technology,” said University of Sydney Deputy ViceChancellor (Research) Professor Duncan Ivison.

“The agreement is a significant catalyst in enhancing the advanced manufacturing capability of both the University and the region, which could bolster Australia’s competitive edge,” he said.

University of Sydney Director of Core Research Facilities and Faculty of Engineering academic, Professor Simon Ringer, said that the recent COVID-19 crisis had exposed the country to vulnerabilities due to dependence on complex, “justin-time” supply chains – something that can be improved with additive manufacturing.

“Pre-COVID-19, a national focus on manufacturing resilience was generally regarded as a nice thought.

We have long believed this needs to be a critical national priority, and COVID-19 has raised the stakes.

GE Additive and the University of Sydney, working alongside government and Australian SMEs, will be at the forefront of delivering this capability,” said Ringer.

“A manufacturing renaissance is coming and for Australia to lead in this space, there must be an investment in skills. Through the use of a smart facility, the University of Sydney is best placed to develop them and bring forward a new era of innovation.

“Our commitment to this area is backed by a recent report released by the NSW Office of Chief Scientist and Engineer, outlining the significant economic return our world-leading research infrastructure provides to the state and nation.”

Sectors set to benefit from the reinvigoration of manufacturing using additive technologies include aerospace and space, the defence industry, robotics platforms, medical devices, construction, agriculturaltech, oil and gas, and mining. manmonthly.com.au

News@MM AMGC forecasts $1 billion return on manufacturing projects The Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) has analysed the completion of its first 10 industry projects together with the release of its 2020 Project Impact Report. The report provides an overview of 78 cofunded manufacturing projects and showcases the economic impact of the first 10 of these commercial opportunities.

The analysis reveals significant jobs and revenue growth to be generated from these initiatives, with a forecast of $1.2 billion additional revenue and the creation of 2,361 new jobs. The return is anticipated from a combined industry and government co-funding pool of $66.8 million.

Of the 10 analysed initiatives, 136 new or upskilled roles have

been created, while an additional $56.5m in revenue was injected into the Australian economy. The revenue creation represents an averaged return on investment of 6:1, based on a co-funding investment of $8.05m ($2.3m derived from federal funding and the remainder industry).

AMGC chairman Paul Cooper commended the work of AMGC and its industry partners.

“Australia is blessed with a highly-skilled, adaptable, and enthusiastic manufacturing industry and the COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the vital importance of local manufacturing, not just during a crisis, but for the ability to trade internationally,” he said.

“Australia has considerable untapped manufacturing potential

and AMGC’s projects demonstrate the significant jobs and wealth that can be generated from the industry.

Manufacturing is an enabler. The industry can deliver vaccines, food or consumer goods and our continued prosperity as a nation relies on the further growth of this capability,” Cooper said.

AMGC was recently awarded a further $30m co-funding pool to continue its industry building work under the federal government’s Modern Manufacturing Initiative.

AMGC’s portfolio of projects encompasses replica human cadavers produced via additive manufacturing (3D printing) to eyewear from recycled plastic, to a new way to manufacture concrete bridges and the manufacturing of algae for use in the food, pharmaceuticals

and agriculture sectors.

Managing director of AMGC, Jens Goennemann views this milestone as a sampler of the opportunity that exists for Australian manufacturing at large.

“Australian manufacturing is a job multiplier, providing 3.6 additional roles in complementary industries for every direct manufacturing role,” he said.

“Since 2015, AMGC has worked tirelessly alongside the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Energy and Resources (DISER) to collaborate with manufacturers, identify best practices and support those wishing to advance. AMGC has cultivated a billion-dollar catalogue of what manufacturing best practice looks like and provides a taste of what could come in the future.”

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Manufacturers’ Monthly FEBRUARY 2021 15

News@MM Queensland manufacturers to strengthen local PPE capability The Queensland state government will fund three local PPE manufacturers through the $50 million Essential Goods and Supply Chain Program.

Acting Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles visited Tingalpa manufacturer, Crystalaid Manufacture.

Miles said that with COVID-19 completely changing the way of life for Queenslanders, the state is continuing to recognise the need to strengthen local PPE manufacturing capability.

“As part of the Queensland Government’s strategy to Unite and Recover for Queensland jobs, we’re continuing to support Queensland businesses and manufacturers to expand their production capacity, especially in the area of health PPE and medical devices,” Miles said.

“By continuing to back our mighty manufacturing sector, we’re further boosting Queensland’s ability to respond quickly at a State level and to also join the global pandemic response.

“These businesses can now reprioritise or pivot production to produce ventilators, medical scrubs, and PPE testing equipment, to protect our communities and front-line health care heroes.”

“The program also has the potential to create hundreds more jobs for the manufacturing sector.

Tingalpa based Crystalaid, will gain the relevant certification needed to produce medical devices including ventilators. Acacia Ridge based Belgotex Fabrics, Queensland’s only major textile manufacturer, will diversify into tight weave fabrics needed to make frontline health workers’ medical scrubs uniforms and more. Northgate based Olitek will manufacture large volumes of highquality, functional, TGA-accredited OzVader ventilators.

Crystalaid is a 70-year-old Queensland micro-electronics company and part of the Grabbas Group, which currently employs 16 FEBRUARY 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

Three Queensland manufacturers will share $50 million in funding from the state government to adapt their production lines for PPE. 42 staff, with 20 involved in hands on manufacturing.

“Crystalaid originally focused on medical device manufacture and is best known for manufacturing the Cochlear device up until the mid2000s,” Miles said.

“The company will use this funding to return to their roots and gain the relevant certification needed to produce medical devices including ventilators.

“They will also develop a plan that will enable them to stand up and produce ventilators should we find ourselves or our allies in a position to need them.”

Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said the announcement was welcome news for Queensland.

“We have seen over the past year how critical it is to be able to

manufacture PPE and other essential goods in Queensland,” she said.

“This funding means businesses like Crystalaid can keep their employees working through tough times, as they pivot to produce necessary items like ventilators.

“It’s a testament to the resilience and innovation of our small businesses, that they are able to reprioritise their production, and skill up when required.”

Ross McKinnon from Crystalaid said that investment in a manufacturing capability plan will provide the opportunity to keep staff engaged and employed during a time when economic recovery is critical for Queensland.

“Crystalaid has most recently been primarily a manufacturer for the defence industry with their AS9100D (aerospace and defence) certification, but this is an opportunity for us to

get prepared to assist the community whenever needed as one of the local manufacturers of the highest quality of specialised devices,” he said.

“Our company’s development of a medical manufacturing capability plan to produce medical devices onshore including ventilators will also bring supply chain benefits via key partnerships with local suppliers of materials and expertise.

“We appreciate the support of the Queensland Government and are excited to move forward with our plans of boosting local medical manufacturing capability.”

The Queensland Government’s Essential Goods and Supply Chain Program was established to ensure Queensland manufacturers can reprioritise or pivot production and make essential goods such as personal protective equipment, health consumables and devices. manmonthly.com.au

News@MM Australian Made logo protected in the EU, UK and UAE The Australian Made Campaign has announced the green-andgold kangaroo Australian Made, Australian Grown (AMAG) logo is now a registered trademark in the European Union, UK and the UAE. The registration of the symbol means the iconic logo is now legally protected under local EU, UK and UAE law, with only certified Australian makers and growers are allowed to use it.

The iconic green-and-gold kangaroo logo has been clearly identifying Australian goods in export markets for more than 34 years. Almost half of all Australian Made licensees use the logo on exported products.

Australian Made Campaign CEO Ben Lazzaro said the logo is a valuable marketing tool and

is central to export strategies of Australian businesses taking their goods abroad.

“The EU, UK and UAE present a huge opportunity for Aussie makers and growers. The formal registration of the logo in these regions provides an essential legal framework which exporters can rely upon if the logo is copied or used without proper authority,” he said.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia exported $20,535 million worth of merchandise to the EU during the 2018-19 financial year, $7,897 million to the UK and $4,176m to the UAE. Austrade’s Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner UK, Ireland and the Nordics, Jennifer Mackinlay, said the registration was timely as Australia negotiates Free

Trade Agreements with the UK and the European Union.

“The Australian Made logo is a powerful and stand out sales and marketing asset for authentic Australian brands and supports Australian businesses to differentiate their products and grow their exports,” she said.

Recognition of the Australian Made logo is already high in these regions, with recent Horizon Consumer Science research finding 85 per cent of consumers in the UK and UAE believe products carrying the logo are genuinely Australian and 83 per cent in France. The biggest motivations to buy Australian products were found to be quality, reputation and ethical standards.

The logo registration work was

carried out by Australian Made Campaign Partner and Australia’s largest independent intellectual property specialist firm, Wrays. It covers 10 classes (Classes 3, 5, 20, 25, 29-33 and 35) that extend to a wide range of products including: 3 – cleaning products, soaps, toiletries, cosmetics 5 – pharmaceuticals, veterinary pharmaceuticals, infant formula 20 – furniture 25 – clothing and footwear 29-33 – food and beverages 35 – retail services The formal registration of the AMAG logo in the EU, UK and UAE follows its registration in other key export markets including the USA, China, South Korea, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

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Manufacturers’ Monthly FEBRUARY 2021 17

News@MM Defence Materials Technology Centre launches National Health Security Readiness Assessment The Defence Materials Technology Centre (DMTC) is reaching out to manufacturers as it commences the National Health Security Readiness Assessment of medical

Defence’s Next Generation Technologies Fund, the Medical Countermeasures initiative, is guided by a senior stakeholder group with representatives from Australian government agencies.

countermeasures and related technologies in Australia.

The assessment will focus on the capacity of Australian manufacturing and supply chains and will include a detailed examination of Australia’s capability and capacity for research, development, manufacture and distribution of priority products and solutions to contribute to sovereign resilience and national health security. It is expected to be completed in mid-2021.

The scope will go beyond Medical Countermeasures to include Australia’s in-country capacity with regard to personnel protective equipment (PPE), medical devices, hazard management, modelling and simulation and sensing systems.

“In responding to – but also learning from – the COVID pandemic,

this is a critical moment in which to examine progress, assess the current health of the sector in Australia, and inform the development of policy and program priorities for investment in the near and longer term,” DMTC’s Head of Health Security Dr Leigh Farrell said.

“In addition, this national assessment will, for the first time, use an integrated and secure digital platform which will enable real-time updates and provide an accurate and validated view of sovereign expertise and industrial capability to respond to emerging threats.”

The NHSRA will be led by Dr Farrell and Dr Felicia Pradera, the program leader for the Medical Countermeasures initiative at DMTC. Pradera was a co-author of the 2012 and 2017 assessments.

The Medical Countermeasures initiative led by DMTC (formerly the Defence Materials Technology Centre) addresses priorities for military health and broader public, regional and national health security threats. Established with seed funding from CSIRO and Defence’s Next Generation Technologies Fund, the Medical Countermeasures initiative is guided by a senior stakeholder group with representatives from relevant Australian government agencies.

“DMTC’s relationship with Defence and other agencies provides an agile, scalable mechanism for building sovereign industrial capability in priority areas, and for addressing and remediating specific industrial, manufacturing or technologyrelated capability gaps,” DMTC CEO Dr Mark Hodge said.

$12 million to grow female-led start-ups The federal government is backing female-led start-ups across Australia with nearly $12 million in support to help them scale up and grow their businesses.

The Boosting Female Founders Initiative is supporting 51 femalefounded start-ups that are majority owned and led by women, with grants of between $25,000 and $480,000.

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said Australia’s dynamic start-up sector played a crucial role in creating new jobs, developing innovative products and boosting the Australian economy.

“The road from business idea to global product is already a tough one. But we know femalefounded start-ups face even greater challenges in getting the finance needed to reach their full potential,” she said.

“The range of start-ups being supported is incredible, from an Indigenous-designed digital skills 18 FEBRUARY 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

training program for schools, to a project creating 3D printed, customised and comfortable breast prostheses made specifically to fit women’s bodies and mastectomy bras.

“If we don’t capitalise on great business ideas from half of the population, Australia’s start-up and innovation ecosystems will only be half as good as they could be.

This investment will strengthen our economy and empower more female entrepreneurs to create more jobs for all Australians.”

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, Senator Marise Payne said the Boosting Female Founders Initiative formed an important part of the government’s 2018 and 2020 Women’s Economic Security Statements, which provide targeted, specific and additional support for women.

“Our 2020 Women’s Economic Security Statement includes a further $35.9 million so that the

Boosting Female Founders initiative can support up to 282 additional start-ups and 4,300 women entrepreneurs,” she said.

“These targeted grants will help some of the best and brightest women in Australia launch bold new and innovative ideas, and I am very pleased to support this initiative.”

The recipients were selected by an independent selection committee of experienced women entrepreneurs led by Professor Jana Matthews, ANZ Chair in Business Growth and Director of the Australian Centre for Business Growth at the University of South Australia.

“We were all delighted by the strength of response to this Initiative – both in the sheer number of responses received, and the extraordinarily high calibre of our successful applicants,” Matthews said.

“These successful applicants all presented viable concepts, with strong business plans showing

Boosting Female Founders Initiative will support 51 start-ups led by women. great potential for growth and job creation. The selection committee and I look forward to tracking their progress and applauding their success.”

The expansion includes a new mentorship element, supporting more than 4,000 mentoring opportunities for women entrepreneurs to help them continue to succeed and grow. manmonthly.com.au

News@MM ING Australia to finance Queensland’s biggest battery energy storage system ING Australia announced the financing of a major new battery energy storage system (BESS) for Vena Energy Australia in Queensland.

The battery will be capable of storing 150 megawatt hours of energy, equivalent to powering up to 57,000 Australian homes. ING acted as the Technical Bank on the transaction.

Once operational, the $120 million Wandoan South BESS will be Queensland’s biggest battery project, and the second largest in Australia.

The BESS will deliver services to AGL and will be built in the Western Downs region, an area with significant activity in green field renewable energy development.

ING Australia head of wholesale banking Charles Ho congratulated Vena Energy on adding project to their Australian

The Wandoan South battery storage system will be Queensland’s biggest battery project. renewable energy portfolio.

“ING has committed more than $1.2bn to green financing and renewable projects in Australia,” he said.

“ING has a strong commitment to financing the Australian energy sector and to helping clients in transitioning to a lower carbon future.”

In Australia, Vena Energy successfully commissioned a 95 MW

solar project in Tailem Bend, South Australia in 2019, and is progressing over 2.5 gigawatts of renewable energy projects across the country. The Wandoan South BESS will be the first construction milestone of Vena Energy Australia’s overarching Wandoan South Project, which will feature up to 650MW of solar generation and 450MW of battery storage capacity.

ING global head of energy Michiel

de Haan said it was a “milestone transaction” for the bank.

“ING has supported Vena Energy on numerous transactions in Asia and our first deal with Vena Energy in Australia further enhances our longstanding relationship,” he said.

“The financing of the Wandoan South BESS marks ING’s first standalone battery project financing in the Asia Pacific region and is a testament of our efforts to work with our clients to commercially deploy new technologies such as BESS, which we believe are essential to enable the energy transition.”

“ING has deep energy sector expertise, helping fund energy clients in multiple countries. As a global leader in this field, we are keen to bring our international expertise and experience to support our clients.”

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Manufacturers’ Monthly FEBRUARY 2021 19

Issues & Insights Local manufacturing for the present and the future As preparations begin on the building of 12 Attack Class submarines in South Australia, the forecast for supply chain growth is looking promising. Caroline Tung speaks with Naval Group Australia CEO, John Davis.

Each submarine will contain more than a million components, which will be supplied over 50 years.

M

ARINE equipment manufacturing is set to become a bigger player in the Australian economy, as part of the federal government’s $75 billion investment in maritime capabilities over the next decade.

Australia’s Marine Industry Capability Report, a 2017 KPMG report commissioned by the federal government, valued the industry’s contribution to the economy at $1.7 billion.

In 2016, the Australian government selected Naval Group Australia as the builder for the 12 Attack Class Submarines for the Australian Navy.

Four years on, and in line with the Defence pillar of the federal government’s National Manufacturing Priorities, specialised equipment will be

20 FEBRUARY 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

manufactured locally, including the steering gear system, weapons handling system and the main shaft line.

Naval Group Australia CEO John Davis said local industry will benefit significantly from the 50year program.

“Building the 12 Attack Class submarines in Australia will deliver an estimated 1,700 direct jobs at Naval Group Australia, and support hundreds more through the new supply chain being built to develop sovereign capability and self-reliance,” he said.

“When we partner with a business in the enhanced Australian submarine supply chain, we also provide them all the technical assistance and guidance that they need to deliver what is required.

“The transfer of technology

into Australian industry creates economic opportunities through the potential for improved productivity, capacity and innovation.”

The company has a dedicated team for delivering technical data, training an Australian workforce, providing technical assistance in Australia, and transferring intellectual property rights.

The Future Submarine Program aims to deliver a regionally superior submarine capability that provides the Commonwealth with enduring sovereign control over the operation and sustainment of the fleet.

Davis said the pipeline of work generated by the project has the potential to underwrite the viability of related Australian manufacturing industries for decades.

“The Attack Class submarine program will also establish

a sovereign manufacturing capability for complex submarine equipment and systems, some of which Australia has not previously had,” he said.

Each submarine will contain more than a million components to form the most advanced, conventionally-powered submarine in the world.

“The scale of this project means that we need an incredibly large range of skills and manufactured parts,” Davis said.

Industry working together Naval Group Australia has worked closely with a range of industry associations such as the Industry Capability Network, the Centre for Defence Industry Capability and Defence Teaming Centre to meet the needs of the program. manmonthly.com.au

Issues & Insights

Naval Group Australia CEO, John Davis.

Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor for delivering the combat system for the future submarine, shipbuilding companies and educational institutions. The company is partnering with the Australian Department of Defence and Naval Group to design the system, maximising the involvement of Australian industry and local workforce.

“Currently, we have a very significant focus on skills and recruitment,” Davis said. “Naval Group Australia is seeking to double its direct workforce during 2021.

“We are looking for long-term relationships and partners who understand the defence industry environment. We need a longterm industry, and suppliers with diversity.”

Davis said the Attack Class program requires high standards in process and project control and supply chain management, as well as engineering capabilities and staff qualifications.

“Essential requirements for supply chain businesses wanting to partner on the Attack Class program include demonstrable capability and systems in the critical areas of manmonthly.com.au

quality, cyber and security,” he said.

The first local manufacturing package released by the Naval Group in October last year called for partners to design 23 specialised parts for the submarines, totalling

Increasing the value of Australian made Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, Karen Andrews, as part of the Ministerial Statement on Australian industry and

manufacturing, reiterated the importance of building scale and capturing high-value areas through the Modern Manufacturing Strategy.

Recognising the need for increased sovereign capability during the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government announced the $1.5bn strategy to create work for recovery, but also for future generations across Australia.

“It’s about harnessing strengths in key priority areas to help Australian manufacturers become more competitive, more resilient, and to scale-up,” Andrews told the in October last year.

“It’s about expanding valueadded exports. And in the process, creating jobs and strengthening our supply chains in the interest of longterm national security.”

Underpinning the strategy is the belief that the strategy must be enterprise-driven, according to Andrews.

“Australian businesses have demonstrated more than ever during COVID-19 an incredible resolve and adaptiveness,” she said.

Ensuring that Australian businesses are given a leadership role, and investing in policies

Specialised equipment to be manufactured locally, include the steering gear system, weapons handling system and the main shaft line.

Manufacturers’ Monthly FEBRUARY 2021 21

Issues & Insights Building the 12 Attack Class submarines in Australia will deliver an estimated 1,700 direct jobs at Naval Group Australia, and support hundreds more through the new supply chain being built to develop sovereign capability and self-reliance. to help them thrive, is at the centre of the strategy.

Local manufacturing at the forefront In October last year, Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds unveiled the plague to mark the opening of Naval Group Australia’s new base in Port Adelaide in front of 200 VIP guests and Naval Group Australia staff.

It is a significant milestone for both Australia and Naval

Group Australia’s French parent company, where company chairman and CEO Pierre Eric Pommellet highlighted Australia’s commitment to delivering sovereign capabilities along with their French colleagues.

The opening coincided with the first round of a number of local manufacturing packages, and the base will become home to the largest and most ambitious defence acquisition undertaken in Australia’s history.

“In September, we welcomed

our 250th employee, and this new base is an important part of accommodating our growing workforce,” Davis said. “Port Adelaide has a strong heritage of waterfront industry and proximity to both Osborne and our Keswick office, and is an excellent location for our new base.”

The new offices will host up to 350 employees. By 2028, the company aims to increase the workforce to more than 1,700 direct jobs through its ongoing recruitment campaign.

Senator for South Australia, Simon Birmingham, said the event was not only about opening an office, but was a demonstration of sovereign capability for Australia by contracting work, which had not previously been done in Australia, to local businesses.

“What we’re celebrating is the fact that real jobs are begin created here. Australian industry is getting an even greater opportunity to buy

into this project,” he said.

Hundreds of Australian companies have expressed interest in the project to develop capability to manufacture 23 pieces of equipment for the submarines.

Reynolds, said she had every confidence Australian companies will be able to do the majority of the work required.

“We have 60 Australians currently in Cherbourg in France – they’ve been there for a couple of years, and their families – and they are learning the know-how and the know-why to bring that IP back to Australia so that we can design and build – not only assemble the submarine here but build as many of the components here as possible because we are incredibly capable in the job,” she said.

“This is all about our nation’s security, but it’s also about, multi-generations – fifty years of work for Australians in this project.”

Hundreds of Australian companies have expressed interest in the Attack Class submarine project.

22 FEBRUARY 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

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Compressors Minimising risk with the right compressor Sullair provides a fully customised solution that improves air quality, reliability and efficiency to major packaging manufacturer, Visy.

V

ISY Board is an Australasian packaging manufacturer, with operations in more than 120 sites across the region. In this case, the site in Yatala, south east of Brisbane, specialises in the manufacturing of corrugated cardboard products from original materials (e.g., recycled fibre and kraft paper). The company provides customised solutions across industry including retail, wholesale, export, and specialist areas such as cold chain, heavy-duty and dangerous goods.

The key part of their manufacturing process involves corrugators – equipment that creates the board corrugations. Cardboard backing is then joined onto the corrugated product. There is a critical need for significant, quality air to run the equipment, to ensure pneumatic components are not at risk of contamination.

The site itself is subject to high temperatures and the existing compressors were experiencing persistent overheating that affected production. Unreliable water was entering the plant and air quality was challenged as a result of both of these factors. There was no standby or back up system in place and emergency hire equipment would be needed in the event of services or unplanned breakdowns.

The overall outcome of these issues was decreased efficiency and reliability, and increased risk, due to the constant overheating of the compressors, the risk of failure of onboard dryers and the absence of redundancy measures in the event of equipment failure.

The solution Brent Marshall is regional sales manager, Queensland, for Sullair, and he worked closely with Visy on customising their solution.

“In industry, heat is the enemy.

In many cases heat can build up within the compressor room, recirculating hot air that contributes manmonthly.com.au

to machines running hot. Inherent with overheating is instant reliability and air quality issues for the customer, and that’s where we get involved,” said Marshall.

The brief was for an upgrade of existing compressors and dryers, including the provision of capital equipment, install design and full mechanical installation of the new machinery, with piping and by-passes.

The installation involved three VOC 90s; one variable speed drive (VSD) and two fixed-speed compressors, along with a total redesign of the compressor layout and the space itself.

The project required consultation with both the customer and the installation team and included the addition of a mezzanine floor to accommodate additional air dryers and filtration, as well as maximise the serviceability and health and safety aspects of the installation.

Sullair provided the ducting and consulted with Visy’s engineering and project managers on the overall design layout to ensure the final result was a fully integrated turnkey solution. It also needed to be a “hot install” – the plant could not be shut down because of Visy’s 24/7 operational needs.

The turnkey element of the solution was essential in that it delivered the long-term solution, without interruption to Visy’s production schedule in the short term.

Typically, Sullair’s engineered solutions build in, or onto a base and deliver a solution in a “plug and play” style format. The solution can also develop in a slightly different way however – the client identifies the need, and Sullair puts together the whole package: the products, the build around it, where everything should go, and so on. This turnkey approach is the defining characteristic of Sullair’s engineered solutions. “What we’re finding more and more often now, is that the customers don’t want to split the installation components around

Three VOC 90s were installed as part of the upgrade at Visy Board’s Yatala manufacturing site. multiple subcontractors,” explained Marshall. “They want us to be that contractor and basically come to them with the total solution package.”

The result The outcome for Visy is a fully integrated professional installation, with all the necessary equipment included and optimised for the site’s production requirements. Marshall worked closely with Visy Board Yatala’s maintenance manager, Grant Marwood on the solution.

“The previous situation meant all compressors had to be running to maintain production, so we couldn’t do maintenance during the week.

We previously had integral dryers in the compressor units, and the compressors would run hot, which was always problematic”, explained Marwood. “Brent (Marshall) was very knowledgeable and helpful, and we are really happy with the outcomes.

Overall, it worked out really nicely

and everyone’s quite pleased with the layout and the solution we now have in place.”

Serviceability, safety and energy efficiency have been dramatically improved and a comprehensive backup capability put in place, ensuring the plant can still run at full capacity in the event of failure of one of the machines. Air quality is now at a premium due to the drying equipment, filtration and bypasses included in the installation. The site can now run 24/7 without the previously experienced complications, and energy efficiency, air quality and environmental expectations are being met.

On reflection, Marshall sees the collaboration on this project as a great story for Sullair and Visy Board.

“When you’re working with companies that have that level of professionalism within their project team and their engineering team, it complements the whole outcome.”

Manufacturers’ Monthly FEBRUARY 2021 25

3Dprinting 3D printing experts have the local edge While imported resins for 3D printing are increasingly common, Sydney-based resin developer and manufacturer Monocure3D is winning with customers in Australia and abroad. Director Charlie Anderson speaks with Manufacturers Monthly.

Q

UALITY, consistent and reliable products and services are what keeps the customers coming back to Monocure3D. While the market for imported resins for 3D printers are growing, director Charlie Anderson said being a locally based developer & manufacturer gives the business an edge over its overseas competitors.

All resins are manufactured at the factory in Regents Park, with the products developed in-house by experienced chemists.

“The main benefit from us is that we don’t run out of stock. That’s because we’re making it locally,” Charlie said.

“Keeping it locally made means we can control every step of the process and ensure all our products undergo very strict quality-control before being sent to the customers. We can quickly react to the market requirements, rather than having to wait for products to be made overseas.”

The quality control procedure ensures each new batch of resin is matched and tested against the previous batch to make sure it is close to identical as possible.

“This is very important with 3D printing, as it can take some time to set up a new resin so it performs at it’s best with that printer. Essentially, you’re dialling the printer into the resin.

Once you have that setting, it is can be frustrating and time consuming to change it,” said Anderson. “One of the features our customers love about our resin is that every bottle is the same as the last.”

“It’s a huge benefit and time saver not having to change your printer settings with every bottle. There has been a lot of problems with the quality consistency of resin coming in from overseas,” he added.

In the chemical manufacturing industry, they say you’re only as good as your last batch – it’s a saying that Monocure3D takes very seriously.

26 FEBRUARY 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

Monocure3D has more than 50 resellers selling resin around the world.

Charlie said that Monocure3D understands the importance of product consistency because inaccuracies can be expensive when you look at the traditional, larger scale manufacturing where the company has had more than 35 years experience.

“When you’re producing 1000kg tanks of surface coating for a multinational packaging company, and something goes wrong with the product, and their production needs to be halted, it can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. You can’t ever afford for that to happen, so we know the importance of quality control and have to ensure that this is remains a top priority. “ he said.

The other aspect of Monocure3D Charlie is proud of is the technical support it offers, which as an Australian manufacturer and supplier, he believes, can reach local customers quicker.

“We give advice to people who are interested in buying a printer. We’ll listen to what their needs and wants are, and then we will fit them with the right printer. It makes more sense to our business that the customers are using the right printer for their needs, rather than us pushing printers on them that we are selling.” he said.

“Ninety per cent of the time, it’s the printer they need help setting up.”

Their YouTube channel, Monocure3D ProTips, features tips for setting up printers and has proven to be a successful avenue

for customer support.

“It’s us presenting all different aspects of 3D printing and all the tips and tricks for setting up the printers.

We’re showing people how to set up their 3D printers with our resin,” Charlie said. “One of the challenges for us is when someone buys a 3D printer – most of them come with a bottle resin, so we need to show people they’re better off using our products rather than the poor quality material that comes with the printer.”

“Monocure3D currently has more than 50 resellers selling the resin around the world, and recently began larger sea freight orders into South Africa, France, Sweden,” Charlie said.

The company is seeing an increase in business-to-business customers, a lot of whom started out with 3D printing as a hobby and have managed to turn it into a profitable business.

With the 3D printing services growing, customers vary from designers, prop makers, small run manufacturers, dental technicians & everything in-between. In house use for the handy man is becoming more common as the new wave of printers are lower in cost, but producing high quality and more durable prints.

“The advantage of 3D printing with resin is the ability to create high detailed parts, these low cost desktop printers can go down to 10 micron layer heights which make the layer lines far from visible with the naked eye.

This essentially means that 3D printed parts look like they have come off a production line. ” Charlie remarked.

One of Monocure3D’s most popular products is ResinAway, a non-flammable UV resin cleaning solution that removes uncured UV photopolymer resin from printer parts without leaving surface cracks, cloudiness or white residue. IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol) is traditionally used and is not ideal as it emulsifies with the uncured resin.

The locally developed technology used in Platebond is ground-breaking.

This is an “adhesion promoter” that helps the 3D part adhere to the build plate while it is printing. The CMYK colour kit allows the customers to use the clear or white resin based and make whatever colours they need using the four-colour process.

Charlie said they have recently set up a dedicated manufacturing facility in Regents Park, Sydney, which was purpose built just for making 3D printing products. It also features a new product development and a quality control lab under one roof.

“We already have a showroom/ warehouse where customers can pick-up orders or come in and discuss their individual requirements. This is also where the 3D Printlab runs from, providing a fast turn around 3D printing service, using the Monocure3D products of course. All our bottle filling and labelling is done in-house, and now we will also have our manufacturing & lab facilities up and running, “ Charlie said.

“We are really excited this year because we have a lot of new products to be launched. The chemists are busy sourcing the latest materials and working on new products. We listen to our customers and resellers demands when it comes to new products, they need it, so we make it! “ Says Charlie. The future looks bright at Monocure3D. manmonthly.com.au

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Power Tools No bolting from safety with groundbreaking QX Series torque tool Fastening bolts can be an ongoing challenge and pose significant risks for workers. CAPS Australia offers Ingersoll Rand’s QX Series Torque Tools to remove that risk for the customer.

T

HE humble bolt is responsible for keeping most machinery together.

Which 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.

According to Product Manager at CAPS Australia 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.

“When you’re tightening a bolt up with a standard power tool, you’ll get a reaction every time.

When it suddenly comes to a stop, it jerks your arm,” explains Bishop. “If

you do that 200-300 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.”

This 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.

Relatively new to the Australian market, the transducerised QX Series torque tools employ advanced technology, communication and control features

The transducerised QX Series torque tools employ advanced technology, communication and control features to ensure accurate, repeatable bolting for industrial applications.

28 FEBRUARY 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

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 footpounds (2000 Nm).

“This revolutionary tool range has been specifically designed for high-repetition bolting and keeping reaction movements low,” said John.

“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.”

Importantly, Ingersoll Rand also launched their Ergonomic Tightening System (ETS) with the QX Series product range. ETS reduces torque reaction with an

Operators on the factory floor can move freely because the QX Tools are cordless and compact. 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,” explains John. “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, John says 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 met – consistently,” John explained. “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 manmonthly.com.au

Power Tools 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 meter.

“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,” said John.

“The multi-function 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 benefit immediately from this with improved efficiency and the ability for employees to hit nuts in faster sequence on the assembly line.”

Additionally, the QX series 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

manmonthly.com.au

be kept of every bolt that’s been done up on these vehicles and kept against the VIN number,” explained John. “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.”

Moreover, 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, John concludes 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.

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.

Safety is more important than compliance, and that every business has to be accountable for their staff and ensure a safe working environment – the QX series focuses on this aspect.

Manufacturers’ Monthly FEBRUARY 2021 29

Compressors The PHP52 model is one of the biggest two stage compressors in the market, delivering 990 litres at 150 psi.

Almond orchard sees Peerless benefits More farmers are using air compressors for a broad range of production processes in across operations. BSC Swan Hill branch manager Bryden Coote, and national sales and marketing manager Troy Jamieson at Peerless Air Compressors, recommend the PHP52 model.

A

IR compressors have been used on farms for decades, but as the air compressor manufacturing technologies and their energy efficiencies improve, more agricultural businesses are realising the full scope of benefits that can be derived from adopting air compressors across their operations, for crop production, transport or general farm maintenance.

One such business is a major almond grower in north-west Victoria. With the business operating multiple almond farms extending over thousands of hectares of land, the farm managers have adopted Peerless air compressors in their workshops and farms to maximise their operational efficiencies.

30 FEBRUARY 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

Bryden Coote, BSC’s Swan Hill branch manager, is the BSC specialist who first suggested the Peerless compressors to this BSC client.

“Our branch has been supporting this large almond business for over ten years. Our sales representatives regularly check on the customer and supply them with a wide range of bearings and consumables, as well as other industrial products or services they require,” said Bryden.

“When the farm’s managers were looking to buy compressors to run the pneumatic tools in their workshops and compressors to install on the back of their pick-up trucks, we recommended the Peerless PHP52 three-phase compressor for their workshop and the Peerless P17 portable compressors for the trucks.”

The farms have since implemented the Peerless products successfully, with BSC providing additional after sale support as an authorised distributor for the Australian-made Peerless compressors.

Troy Jamieson, national sales and marketing manager at Peerless, says the Peerless P17 single phase compressors are the largest selling model in the Peerless family of products.

“The P17 Portable is one of the biggest machines on a 15 AMP plug producing 320 litres per minute of air at 100 psi. You can use them in your workshop to run all of your air tools or you can mount them on the back of your pick-up trucks and with the right attachments, you can use them as a spraying device to spray your orchard.

“Having one of the largest warranties on the market, five-year pump and one-year motor warranty, the P17 model is also one of the most reliable compressors within its range.

We are also the only manufacturer that offers an air flow chart with all our air compressors.”

The PHP52 is another popular model in the Peerless range, Jamieson adds.

“The PHP52 model is one of the biggest two stage compressors in the market, delivering 990L at 150 psi. You can use this compressor to run your harvesting equipment or pneumatic machinery on large workshops, with great reliability.

“As with all of our products, we have used the highest quality componentry on this model as well.

All of our PHP52 petrol compressor manmonthly.com.au

Compressors One of the ways by which we support our customers is by holding a large inventory of spare parts and consumables for our compressors.

Even if you bought a Peerless compressor 15 or 20 years ago, we would still have most of the spare parts and consumables available on our website or through BSC branches. machines are fitted with 13 HP (horsepower) Honda engines, which come with standard key start ignition. We also run a Conrader valve on all of our petrol units, which increases reliability when the engine is idling up or idling back down.”

While both the PHP52 three phase and the P17 single phase compressors are tried and tested models with proven results in the market, Jamieson says Peerless is also regularly introducing design upgrades to match customer requirements.

“Over time, we have changed the pneumatic wheels into solid rubber wheels, making them puncture proof and more durable, especially when moving the compressors around the workshops. We have also replaced wire belt guards with solid belt guards to protect the pulleys from any physical damage. Where we previously used copper pipes in the

compressors, we now use braided air hose for extra flexibility and durability. We also only use stainless steel pressure gauges on our petrol air compressors, rather than using plastic gauges,” said Jamieson.

“There are also optional upgrades that the customers can opt for. For example, we have the option to add either an electronic or a pneumatic auto drain to help release moisture from the pressure vessel, which eliminates the need to manually drain the pressure tank,” he added.

Jamieson says Peerless also has new models in the pipeline that would benefit the customers in the agricultural sector.

“We are planning to launch some exciting new products soon, including a new diesel rotary screw compressor that can be either skid-mounted or trailer-mounted. Most farmers in the rural sector get a diesel rebate, so we are moving further

The P17 Portable is one of the biggest machines on a 15 AMP plug producing 320 litres per minute of air at 100 psi. into the diesel section of our rotary screw compressors.”

The biggest strength of Peerless brand, according to Jamieson, is its after-sale and customer service.

“Aftermarket support is very important for us. As the end user, you can either contact Peerless directly for technical advice or you can go to your local BSC branch for any support. The important thing is that if you buy Peerless,

Best new technologies to meet tomorrow’s challenges

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

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

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

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

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

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

manmonthly.com.au

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

you are going to get looked after,” Jamieson concluded.

“One of the ways by which we support our customers is by holding a large inventory of spare parts and consumables for our compressors. Even if you bought a Peerless compressor 15 or 20 years ago, we would still have most of the spare parts and consumables available on our website or through BSC branches.”

Time to check for something new. wilson@pmaa.net.au yumi.lin@pmitech.com.cn

pressmetal.com.cn Australia | Malaysia | China

Manufacturers’ Monthly FEBRUARY 2021 31

Research & Development Old craftsmanship, new innovation Australian Radio Towers has extended its innovative solutions by expanding into the renewable energy market.

F

OR many companies, research and development has been far from a top priority over the past year, but some have been able to make the most of this tumultuous time, supercharging their product and service development.

One such company is Australian Radio Towers, an engineering, fabrication and construction company servicing industry and infrastructure development projects in Australia.

With much of their success stemming from their client centric model, where their approach will always be centered around taking the time to understand the requirements of each of our clients to bring unique solutions, tailored to your specific needs. This keen focus is always on building the highest quality experience for their clients. With a dedicated research and development team, Australian Radio Towers holds a reputation for ensuring the highest quality Australian craftsmanship is paired with innovative and progressive solutions that push the boundaries of manufacturing capabilities.

Seeing them continue to exceed client expectations.

As the name suggests, Australian Radio Towers has been predominantly servicing the communication and renewable energy industries, but as the company has continued to Australian Radio Towers has been servicing the communication and renewable service industries.

32 FEBRUARY 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

expand its research and development team, consistently and successfully implemented innovative practices across a number of their projects, a need for their solutions across a variety of industries, outside of the communication and renewable energy space, has emerged. Seeing the team now service not just the communications and renewable energy sectors but expand into other arenas as well, such as the natural resources and emergency services industries.

“We’re continuing to see that the solutions we’re building for the communications sector and the power sources that support them have the ability to serve a purpose across a multitude of industries and our research and development team are continuing to explore the diversification of our work and the contribution we can make within the Australian innovation ecosystem,” says company CEO, Andrew Price.

The history of Australian Radio Towers dates back to South Australia in 1973. Starting out as a small family business with the ambition, passion and commitment to be pioneers of the industry. Forty-seven years later, the company is still 100 per cent familyowned and operated. maintaining the ethos of a small, people centred approach with the resources of a

The company’s operational base moved to the Northern Territory in 1987 where they have operated for over 15 years. large, established enterprise. As the organisation has continued to carry the same unwavering commitment to being at the forefront of innovative and progressive practice within the industry, Australian Radio Towers has forged a culture of determination to face the challenges of the future with Australian industry.

In 1987 Australian Radio Towers operational base moved to the Northern Territory, where they continued to operate for 15 years.

During this time, the company learned the true meaning of innovation, seeing their team deliver products and services in some of the most challenging environments imaginable.

Those experiences tested creative thinking, innovative practices, quality of craftsmanship and workmanship, as well as the team’s ability to deliver customised and personalised solutions.

All of which has evidently continued to have a profound impact on the company’s desire to build cutting edge solutions.

The addition of Australian Radio Towers manufacturing facilities in 2003 added a new depth to their service delivery, allowing them to deliver every stage of our clients projects in-house. The depth of experience gained over almost four decades of practice has meant that by the time of the integration of the dedicated manufacturing arm of the business, Australian Radio Towers had developed a comprehensive knowledge that enabled them to produce user-friendly designs and cost-

effective solutions for our clients.

As a sustainable future becomes a more important endeavour for us, Australian Radio Towers has recently focused on the development of products and services supporting the renewable energy sector, particularly MET masts as well as wind and solar monitoring solutions.

“So much of our work is in the green energy sector, and as a reasonably new area of practice there is a lot that needs to be developed and explored.

We feel a responsibility to play a role in the development of the sector,” said Philip Van Coller, Australian Radio Towers business manager. “Developing technology that supports all of our work is a huge part of what will enable us to move into the future.”

These days it’s not uncommon for Australian Radio Towers on-site experience to include helicopter and crane installations, as well as manual gin pole and winch installations in some of the most remote and challenging environments Australia can throw at them.

With a proud and proven history spanning 47 years the Australian Radio Towers team is well-positioned to continue to work at the forefront of the industry. We’ll all continue to look to companies such as Australian Radio Towers as a beacon of what’s possible, giving us all hope for the development and implementation of dynamic solutions that can solve the most crucial challenges for our industry.

For more informaton please visit www.australianradiotowers.com manmonthly.com.au

Metal fabrication Cutting the edge of aluminium Manufacturers’ Monthly speaks with Press Metal International about contributing to the global application of aluminium.

P

RESS Metal Aluminium Australia (PMAA) was a joint venture established in 1998, between Australian interests (30 per cent) and Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Berhad (PMAHB), a large and long-established international aluminium extruder listed on the Malaysian stock exchange.

PMAHB has two main production centres, one in Malaysia – Press Metal Klang – and another in China, Press Metal International (PMI), established in 2006 in Foshan, Guangdong Province, China.

The company’s Australian offices and warehouses are located in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.

After group restructure, PMAA, solely held by PMI since mid-2019, operates upon a firm platform of international experience while maintaining a strong local presence in the Australian market.

It is part of a multinational corporation which operates in Australia, Hong Kong, Dubai, USA and the UK with global headquarters situated in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

PMAHB is a wholly integrated company, holding and operating their own bauxite mines, processing and refining bauxite into alumina and smelters to process the alumina into aluminium billet, ingot and slab.

PMAHB operates a total of 70 extrusion presses in China and Malaysia, which all have finishing and fabrication facilities incorporated or attached. PMI supplies international companies, which both hold large scale contractual supply agreements in the US and the UK. PMAA services the commercial, residential, aviation and transport sectors, mainly in Australia.

With production capability for 5000, 6000 and 7000 series aluminium, Press Metal International offers a complete production chain with billet casting, manmonthly.com.au

extrusion, surface finishing and advanced fabrication facilities.

Main verticals the company services in the Australian market include transport, building, renewable energy, computer, communications, and consumer-electronics.

PMIT overseas sales director, Wilson Yau, said every year is viewed as a challenge for Press Metal to stand with its customers through rough times for business.

“We show our devotion to the industry by improving the technology and qualities of our customer’s product,” he said. “It is a long venture to establish the relationship and maintain a steady supply to the customer under unexpected fluctuations.

“We strive to continuously grow and contribute to industries around the world by promoting the benefits and strengths of aluminium. We believe that this unique material will be the ‘material of choice’ for the next 100 years and we want to be at the forefront of this revolutionary innovation. Our vision is to grow together with the world to bring forth the next step in human evolution.

“We connect the upstream as Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd,(being the holding company of PMAHB) the largest aluminium smelter in Southeast Asia, is a 50 per cent stake holder in Japan Alumina Associates (Australia),” Yau said.

“JAA holds a 10 per cent stake in Worsley Alumina unincorporated joint venture which owns and operates the Worsley alumina project, one of the world’s largest, longest life and lowest cost alumina producers.

“It is an effective approach towards ensuring Press Metal’s long-term access to raw material and reduces its exposure and reliance on third party suppliers.”

PMIT strives contribute to industries around the world through continued growth.

PMAHB also constructed a third smelter in Samalaju Industrial Park in Sarawak, East Malaysia.

The new plant increases the group’s total smelting capacity up to 1.08 million tonnes a year upon full power drawdown, from the current 760,000 tonnes per annum. PMIT is the largest aluminium producer in southeast Asia.

“We currently provide over 50 units of heliport to offshore and connecting bases. We provide special marine type alloys in prefabricated modules, such as decking panels and T- bars,” Yau said.

“We provide standard and tailor-made units and living cabins for offshore platforms. All kinds of fabrication enquiries will be considered from general CNC machining to Friction Stir Welding (FSW).

The company has more than two hundred sets of precision machines, such as lathes, milling machines, presses, drilling machines, cutting machines, CNC machining centres, bending machines, presses, tapping machines and other equipment, which are used to process aluminium products with different specifications, and precision requirements for the annual capacity of up to 60,000 metric tons.

Combining the advantages of the upstream industry chain and collectivised operation management, PMIT is fully able to meet customer demand for product diversification, stable and reliable product quality, and fast and efficient delivery.

Relying on implementing ISO/TS 16949 automotive quality management system, ISO14001 environmental management system, ISO45001 occupational health and safety management system, and fully using OA paperless office platform and SAP ERP information management system, Press Metal can provide customers with efficient, high-quality, reliable service and products.

Press Metal International capabilities in a snapshot • Focused on production of aluminium profiles and parts (marine products such as ladders, portholes, mast, plank, deck, truss, container structure parts, helideck) • Equipped with 7000T UBE extrusion press to produce complex structure profiles – general annual extrusion capacity reaches 120,000 tonnes • Certified by the Classification Society Certifications of CCS (China), ABS (America), DNV (Norway), BV (France and NK (Japan) • Certified as National Hi-tech Enterprise, China Accreditation Laboratory • Highly developed extrusion processes for light-weight watercraft designs, widely applicable to medium to high-end ships and marine platforms

Manufacturers’ Monthly FEBRUARY 2021 33

Events ASCI 2021 Conference to kick off The Australian Supply Chain Institute invites the manufacturing industry to attend its annual conference and dinner to celebrate best practice in advanced manufacturing during a difficult year.

Schneider Electric was the recipient of the Excellence in Manufacturing Supply Chains” award in 2019.

I

T has been almost a year since the speech delivered by Hon Karen Andrews MP to the Press Club, which heralded local manufacturing and sovereign capability during COVID-19. How we define excellence in manufacturing was, at that point, was about to be redefined.

Fast forward a year, and the professional accreditation body for supply chain management in Australasia, Australasian Supply Chain Institute (ASCI), invites you to attend its annual conference and awards dinner on 23 February to celebrate those outstanding local manufacturers, who heeded Hon Karen Andrews’ speech at the height of COVID-19 and delivered best practice success.

According to ASCI secretary and awards judge, Inderjeet Virdi, the submissions for the category “Excellence in Manufacturing Supply Chains” have been outstanding.

They represent both manufacturers, large and small, who, during COVID-19, pushed the boundaries of traditional methodologies utilising latest innovations and advanced manufacturing techniques to deliver faster, leaner, and with increased 34 FEBRUARY 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

quality and customer satisfaction.

“There are some brilliant examples of re-engineering and design of logistics flows, supply chain integration, forecasting and scheduling, and plant layout,” he said.

Virdi reflects on the 2019 Award Winner Schneider Electric for its Smart Factory in Adelaide.

“What we found really innovative, was the way they demonstrated the benefits of streamlining the manufacturing process, with regard to cost management and efficiency of operations and the impact on the integrated supply chain,” said Virdi.

According to Ellen Hudreaux, customer satisfaction and quality director, global supply chain and customer experience, for Schneider Electric, the award is great recognition for the Smart Factory.

“The team has experienced some publicity such as trade media articles, podcast interviews, and invitations to present at industry events,” said Hudreaux. “Also, the trophy is a talking point with customers who visit the factory and during site tours for ASCI Members.

“Overall, the award raises community awareness of best

practice and gives back to the supply chain community.”

ASCI is inviting manufacturers large and small to be recipients of this best practice community awareness and register to the conference to immerse themselves in the end to end supply chain topics and trends.

According to Monique Fenech, program director, ASCI2021: Supply Chain Vision In The Decade For Action will deliver clarity around the priorities to act and lead a future proof supply chain.

“Hon Karen Andrews MP will kick off the conference with an address to the supply chain community, followed by a keynote from Johnson & Johnson on resilient supply chains,” she said.

“The conference breaks into streams focussing on operations, logistics, procurement, technology, supply chain management and integrated logistics support where manufacturers case studies will be delivered by supply chain directors in global and regional roles.

“Masterclasses, panel discussions and roundtables allow for high value learning and networking and reflecting on keynotes.”

ASCI2021 case study presentations • • • • • • • • •

Johnson & Johnson Cochlear Nufarm Motion Asia Kimberly Clark Smith & Nephew Lion Dairy & Drinks Schneider Electric PPG Industries

Australian Government’s Business Events Grant ASCI is a registered event for the Australian Government’s Business Events Grant.

Delegates, exhibitors and sponsors to its conference receive 50 per cent cost reduction for their participation (flights, accommodation and tickets) thanks to the Australian Government’s Business Events Grants Program.

“On behalf of the ASCI2021 Advisory Board, we’re grateful to the Government for recognising our conference as an important event and encourage SME manufacturers to use this grant to gear up their organisations with resilient chains.”

ASCI2021: Supply Chain Vision in The Decade For Action When: 23-25 February 2021 Where: William Inglis Hotel, Warwick Farm, Western Sydney Tickets: Start from $2,000 including the Awards Dinner (Early bird ticket sales ends 31 December) https://www.asci-2021. com.au/asci-program-2021/ Awards: Entries close 31 December, submissions via the website: www.asci-2021.com.au/

Delegates, exhibitors and sponsors to ACSI’s conference receive 50 per cent cost reduction for their participation through the Australian Government’s business grants program.

awards-2021 Grants: Search for ASCI2021 from the list of registered events to apply: www.austrade.gov.au/BEG

manmonthly.com.au

Local Manufacturing Wheels to last the distance Melbourne-based manufacturer Richmond Wheel & Castor Co speaks about how the company continues to deliver quality products to meet increased local demand.

F

OUNDED in 1958 Richmond Wheel & Castor Co commenced a family-owned steel trading business in Melbourne.

Shortly afterwards they successfully expanded into manufacturing material handling and custom solution products.

Richmond’s willingness to be innovative and adaptable has provided opportunities during economic downturns, thus cementing their position as a proven market leader in polyurethane engineering, design, and manufacturing of custom rollers for industrial businesses.

As the world is recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic many Australian manufacturing businesses are navigating their way through the next normal using this opportunity to develop innovative solutions, products, and process.

Manufacturing is critical to Australia’s economic future, to the prosperity of our regions, and to the capabilities that underpin the success of so many other industries.

The Australian workforce is

highly skilled and adaptable, and during the COVID-19 crisis, the importance of Australian-made was highlighted with the ability to trade internationally.

Richmond Wheel & Castor Co CEO, Breon Winslow-Moore, said the state-of-the-art machinery utilised by our manufacturing experts allows a fast turnaround, without jeopardising quality. “Richmond are genuine polyurethane engineering experts and market leaders in the design and manufacturing of wheels and rollers,” he said.

The increased popularity has led to an increasing demand for local manufacturing, which has seen Richmond Wheel & Castor Co introduce a second polyurethane machine that can process up to 1,000kg of polyurethane material a day and a conveyor roller press that can produce over 1,000 rollers a day. “We’re seeing an upsurge in the production of specialised engineered heavy-duty industrial wheels, castors, heavy-duty industrial trolley products, custom manual

Richmond Wheel & Castor Co offer tailored engineering services, specialising in the design and manufacturing of turnkey solutions.

manmonthly.com.au

Richmond Wheel & Castor Co are specialists in polyurethane engineering, design, and manufacturing of custom rollers for industrial businesses in standard or FRAS (Fire Retardant & Anti-Static) material grades. handling materials and goods for large infrastructure products like road and infrastructure construction,” production manager Tom Murphy said.

Engineering plastics requires an experienced team who specialise in the design and manufacturing of practical turnkey solutions.

Richmond Wheel & Castor Co understand the importance of developing a tailored in-house designed solution that meets all ISO9001 Australian standards and quality, at no extra cost. With a strong emphasis on building good customer relationships from concept to completion, this service sets Richmond apart from their competitors.

From the initial in-house design concept, Richmond takes the time to understand all customer requirements, allowing for a smooth, fast, and seamless production of tailored materials handling requirements. With the specialised team and machinery onsite locally, Richmond takes their customers on

a journey to develop the most costeffective and optimum solution to meet any customer requirements.

Whether your business is big, small, or global, Richmond have products to meet and exceed your requirements. On a domestic scale, Richmond has a complete range of materials handling products suited to your factory, warehouse, home or office, as well as heavy duty industry.

What Richmond prides itself on is quality. Only the highest quality products leave their manufacturing plant, and they only stock the best.

When you make a purchase from Richmond it’s a purchase that will last the distance. Robust, functional, and heavy duty are words you will find commonly associated with its products.

Richmond Wheel & Castor Co is a prime example of how the federal government’s investment in growing Australian businesses is helping manufacturers showcase their superior quality and customer service in the highly competitive global markets.

Manufacturers’ Monthly FEBRUARY 2021 35

Awards Industry 4.0: Critical to the success of a globally competitive welding industry Intelligent automated processes are the next steps for welding – to promote better productivity, safety and better opportunities.

T

HE trade of welding conjures up images of dirty, dark workshops full to the brim with traditional tools and machinery prone to throwing off sparks and fumes.

But, with the advent of automation, robots, co-bots and a range of other advanced welding technologies, this perception is becoming more and more outdated. Welding is a far less dangerous, arduous job than ever before. Increasingly, Australia’s worldclass welding workshops are light and bright, and fitted-out with some of the most advanced technology available.

This change is being driven, in part, by the adoption of Industry 4.0 production processes – the intelligent and productivity-boosting networking of man and machine for an automatic flow of data within the production chain.

Welding 4.0 is rapidly gaining traction in Australia, for good reason.

The benefits of Industry 4.0 for welding and fabrication Industry 4.0, as well as concepts such as the smart factory and digital transformation, present myriad opportunities for welders and fabricators.Industry 4.0 encompasses the rapid technological change that is disrupting businesses across all industries. Advances in communication technologies, devices connected to the internet and data analytics are occurring at a much faster pace than at any other time in history. With the proliferation of smart sensors and the resultant data, welders and fabricators are now able to access insights that have helped to optimise operations and improve efficiencies.

Improvements in efficiency and productivity Industry 4.0 and advanced welding technology is already helping welders and fabricators improve their 36 FEBRUARY 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

Weld Australia is proud to be sponsoring the best Industrial Internet of Things Application category for the 2021 Endeavour Awards.

efficiency and productivity. More and more, to ensure their global competitiveness, businesses are investigating ways to save money and reduce their overheads. The best way to do so is by undertaking operational efficiency improvements that help reduce or eliminate redundancies, errors, bottlenecks and waste.

Welding 4.0 and advanced welding technology play an essential role in creating lean manufacturing processes. The right type of technology can help eliminate workflow delays and duplications and accelerate entire processes through the automation of individual tasks.

Superior quality and repeatability Industry 4.0 production processes are proven to deliver superior quality outcomes and higher repeatability. Any process that improves weld quality and repeatability is worthwhile. Welding is not just a commodity, or a simple, straightforward process. When welds fail, the results can be disastrous.

A poor quality weld can be hugely expensive, and can cause massive damage, injuries, and even fatalities.

Bolstered competitiveness Industry 4.0 has the potential to enhance the economic competitiveness of Australia’s welding fabrication sector. The adoption of Industry 4.0 methods in welding helps to offset costs associated with labour, inspection and rework, placing fabricators in a better position to bid, and deliver on, projects. With access to detailed data on factors such as production, planning, quality management, welders can deliver more accurate costing information and have greater confidence in their ability to comply with strict International and Australian Standards.

Better conditions for welders Technological innovations allow businesses to make better use of human skill and innovation, with machines taking over mundane tasks so that employees can focus on critical

thinking, quality and creativity.

This opens up new opportunities for businesses to improve and optimise their operations.

It can also result in other, more indirect, payoffs. For instance, using a plasma welding machine or a Microsoft HoloLens, or programming a robot, can be more interesting than traditional MIG or TIG welding. Several Weld Australia members that have invested in advanced technology have reported marked improvements in recruiting, training and retaining staff long-term as a direct result.

In addition, advanced technology is helping to make welding a far 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, ultraviolent radiation, heat and sparks.

With advancements in robotics technology, and the likelihood of increased industry uptake, the issue of welder employment rates is inevitably raised. Media frequently reports that manmonthly.com.au

Awards the more robots we use, the less jobs there are available. This is rubbish.

Robots automate processes, making these processes more efficient, thereby generating even more work.

Real-world examples SSS Manufacturing Weld Australia member, SSS Manufacturing was established with the objective of fabricating structural steel in the most cost-competitive way using ‘artificially intelligent’ robotic technology. Their Brisbane plant is staffed entirely by robots and directed

by IR4, an artificially intelligent software platform that analyses 3D plans to plot the most cost-effective way to fabricate custom-made structural steel sections.

According to SSS Manufacturing’s CEO, Brugeaud, their technology has reduced error rates, slashed their costs and more than halved the number of hours required to produce a ton of fabricated structural steel. Their task-based automation system is able to review a 3D drawing, decipher the tasks required, and calculate how to complete a task in the most efficient way possible, in real time.

SMW Group Another Weld Australia member, SMW Group in Queensland, has automated their welding repair processes in recent years. The automation of welding repairs for mining industry dragline buckets had been dubbed impossible due to the size and geometry of the equipment, as well as the damage, distortion and uneven wear of components. However, utilising advanced laser seam tracking, adaptive welding software, a new generation welding system and a modular robot configuration, BOC and RTA built and installed a highly successful robot welding package for SMW. Since installing the welding robot, SMW has reduced its welding time by between 70% and 90%. It has also reduced overall production costs, improved safety, quality and reporting, and broadened its scope of work capabilities. SMW can access live detailed reports on temperature, gas flow, voltage and amps at any point in the welding process – all by logging in from a mobile device. The robot has also eliminated the risks of fatigue, heat stress and working height

restrictions, minimising risk of human injury and the need for ergonomic access planning.

ASC Shipbuilding The recently completed $500 million upgrade of the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia included major investments in digital technology. This technology will provide ASC Shipbuilding with real-time insights into shipyard and supply chain performance, leading to enhanced productivity, safety and quality outcomes for the Hunter Class Frigates.

One of the sheds within the Shipyard houses a fully automated panel line, complete with the latest in automatic welding, cutting and plasma machines. Steel enters the highly automated fabrication hall at one end, is cut and welded into the 75-odd units that make up each of the frigates, and semi-blocks come out at the other end of the hall.

This digitalisation will enable project partners to see plans in real time, identify and resolve issues faster, improve risk management and optimise production. It will also

result in the production of a highly accurate digital twin, which can be utilised for purposes such as routine maintenance plans.

The future of welding Increasingly, Industry 4.0 methodologies, automation, robotics, co-bots and a raft of other advanced welding technology is becoming a critical factor in the success of globally competitive welders and fabricators.

A failure to invest in advanced welding technology could quickly become a failure to invest in the future of your business. After all, as the saying goes, “You can’t do today’s job with yesterday’s methods and expect to be in business tomorrow”.

It is for this reason that Weld Australia is proud to sponsor the 2021 Endeavour Awards for the category of Best Industrial Internet of Things Application. This award will recognise the most outstanding application used in a smart factory to improve the manufacturing process.

For further information about the Endeavour Awards, visit: https://endeavourawards.com.au

Advanced technology is helping to make welding a far safer profession.

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Manufacturers’ Monthly FEBRUARY 2021 37

What’sNew DONCHAMP SurfaceGuard – ideal for the framing industry Allplastics Engineering has responded to numerous requests from a wide range of industries such as picture framers; exhibition designers; retailers; glazing projects and many others for an acrylic that has an abrasion resistant surface.

As most users are aware while acrylic has a wonderful range of applications and advantages, it can be susceptible to scratching in heavy traffic situations or due to constant cleaning/rubbing. With stocks available in 3mm and 4.5mm thick – DONCHAMP SurfaceGuard S1 hard coated sheets have coating on only one side which allows screen or digital printing on the other side. This also allows fabricated displays to be glued to surfaces making it exceptionally convenient for advertisement and other display purposes.

The combination of functionality and visual attraction makes DONCHAMP SurfaceGuard panels an excellent choice for high traffic glazing and signage applications. The transparency of the panels, coupled with the high surface hardness, increased chemical resistance, plus reducing paint adhesion, enables DONCHAMP SurfaceGuard to be used in numerous applications.

DONCHAMP SurfaceGuard has approx. 11x the break resistance of glass and weighs considerably less than glass, making transportation easier and safer. The panels are easy to clean with a high resistance to commercial cleaning solutions.

Advantages • 5-year manufacturer’s limited UV warranty; • Excellent abrasion/mar resistance (pencil hardness 6H); • Increased chemical and paint resistance on coated surfaces; • Strength/mechanical properties; • easy to clean and maintain; • superior optical properties;

• high rigidity; • good UV stability; • light weight; and • gluing possible on an uncoated surface.

Applications • picture framing; • electronic components (displays); • poker machine/gaming displays; • furniture industry – back painted/protection layer enabling gloss appearance; • white goods – refrigeration parts; • signage – way-finding interior signage/directory displays; • map protection; • ATM surrounds; • machine guards; • double glazing • permanent sneeze screens/anti jump counter screens; • balustrades; and • museums and galleries display.

Available sizes • 2440mm x 1220mm; and • Other sizes available on request.

Thickness • 3mm and 4.5mm; and • Other thicknesses available upon request.

Company: Allplastics Phone: (02) 8038 2000 Web: www.allplastics.com.au/

Modular C6027 complements ultra-compact Industrial PC series The C6027 ultra-compact Industrial PC from Beckhoff is a fanless device that offers high computing power in a compact form factor trough IntelCoreTM i U series processors. Compared to the C6025 IPC already on the market, it has a second circuit board level with optional interfaces or an integrated 1-second UPS. Further variants are in preparation.

The C6027 ultra-compact Industrial PC opens up numerous new application areas for a modular device with an additional circuit board level – optionally selectable as an interface or function extension. Available to start are: • 6 x Ethernet ports (RJ45); and • an integrated 1-second UPS to secure persistent data.

In the initial variant, which is with a total of nine Ethernet ports, the C6027 is ideally suited as an IoT or security gateway for connecting different machine and system modules. In addition to this edge computing functionality, the C6027 also provides machine builders with a powerful and, at 82 x 127 x 69 mm, extremely compact machine controller. Supported by diverse, flexible mounting options, the device fits in almost every control cabinet and machine concept.

The IPC’s energy-efficient Intel CoreTM i U processor – with significantly lower energy consumption than the other processors in the series – and the advanced passive cooling design enable full heat dissipation via a heat sink on one side. Housed in an aluminium and zinc die-cast enclosure, the C6027 offers a feature set that includes the following: • up to four CPU cores; • 4 GByte DDR4 RAM (expandable to 8 GByte);

38 FEBRUARY 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

• • • • •

40 GByte M.2 SSD with 3D flash memory; 1 x DisplayPort video connector; 4 x USB 3.0 ports; on-board Ethernet controller with 3 x 100/1000Base-T ports; and operating temperature range of 0 to 50 °C. Company: Beckhoff Automation Pty Ltd Phone: 1300 765 469 Web: www.beckhoff.com.au

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Brought to you by

Winmate’s W15IB3S-PTA3 15.6” PT Series HMI Panel PC Backplane Systems Technology presents Winmate’s W15IB3S-PTA3 15.6” PT Series HMI Panel PC. The W15IB3S-PTA3 is a 15.6” 1920 x 1080 resolution and PCAP Touchscreen HMI Panel PC with a low power consuming Intel Celeron N2930 processor. The true flat front panel is IP65 rated for protection against water and dust and a plastic enclosure. The HMI Panel PC has a fanless cooling system which can operate in temperatures from 0°C to 50°C. Multiple I/O interfaces include USB 2.0, one LAN port, serial interface RS-232/422/485 for machine-to-machine communications, USB 2.0, and USB 3.0 for data transfer. The W15IB3S-PTA3 HMI is an ultimate solution for Point-of-Sale (POS) applications.

Key features: • 15.6” 1920 x 1080 with P-CAP touchscreen; • Intel Celeron N2930 1.83 GHz; • fanless cooling system and ultra-low power consumption; • front IP65 for protection against water and dust; and • a true flat, easy-to-clean front surface with edge-to-edge design.

Company: Backplane Systems Technology Phone: (02) 9457 6400 Web: www.backplane.com.au

igus roller e-chain for targeted irrigation with savings potential New precision irrigation carriage reduces water and fertiliser consumption by 75 per cent – e-chain in a trough guides hoses with additional energy saving.

The aim of the precision irrigation carriage from Rathmakers Gartenbautechnik is to use water resources sensibly whilst protecting the groundwater at the same time. With the new automatic irrigation system, the water reaches exactly where it should: directly to the plants. For the safe and compact guidance of hoses and cables, the developers rely on an igus energy chain system consisting of roller chain and guide trough.

Water shortage is a major problem worldwide, which is why solutions are needed, especially in agriculture, which bring water in a targeted manner to the plant. For this purpose, Rathmakers Gartenbautechnik has developed a precision irrigation carriage together with Landwirtschaftskammer NRW. Whereas conventional irrigation carriages with a continuous jet stream waste a lot of water, the precision watering carriage irrigates and fertilises in a stipulated way.

The unique system is especially suitable for outdoor potted plant cultivation and ensures that water is delivered precisely into the middle of the plant’s growing pot. By using this new technology, savings of 50 to 75 per cent are possible in irrigation water, plant protection and fertiliser, depending on the pot size. This also reduces the nitrogen input into the groundwater. The precision irrigation carriage has a span of 40m and a travel of 208m. The cables and hoses for the water supply were pulled behind the carriages until now. A loop was created, which required about 2m of space between the carriage guide and the plants. A safe and spacesaving hose with cable guidance was required. Therefore, Ralf Hormes, CEO at Rathmakers Gartenbautechnik, contacted igus.

components in the system. A 3500R series roller chain with a width of only 35cm is used in a guidelite guide trough. The technical basis of the energy chain is the integration of rollers into the chain links to reduce the coefficient of friction on long travels. Thereby, up to 57 per cent of the required drive energy can be saved while moving the energy chain system. The guidelite guide trough is a costeffective and quickly installable solution made of corrosion-resistant and durable high-performance polymer.

The igus energy chain systems are available for custom solutions from Treotham Automation.

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

343 sqm of more usable space The main advantage of the system: by guiding the hoses and cables, the usable area is increased by 343 sqm. It also increases the service life of the supply

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Manufacturers’ Monthly FEBRUARY 2021 39

The Last Word

INNES WILLOX – Chief Executive, Ai Group

COVID-19: A shock for business and it’s far from over

I

N the first half of 2020, Australia suffered our first recession in over 30 years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Recovery commenced in Q3, but the economic fallout from this event for Australian business will continue well into 2021 and beyond.

According to an Ai Group report released at the end of last year – Business experiences in 2020 and outlook for 2021 – despite the partial recovery underway and the considerable adjustments made over the course of 2020, most Australian businesses continue to report negative impacts as a result of COVID-19.

Throughout 2020, Ai Group provided assistance, information and advice to thousands of businesses experiencing activity restrictions, adjustments to workplaces and work practices, reduced demand and reduced incomes due to COVID-19.

In the course of our work, we collected almost 1,900 detailed reports from Australian businesses about their experiences, through sources including emails, surveys, web queries, phone calls and (remote) meetings.

The latest report continued a series of monthly insights Ai Group has been compiling into the business

Source: Business experiences in 2020 and outlook for 2021 report.

40 FEBRUARY 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly

experience of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, and found that in November 84 per cent of businesses reported continuing negative impacts from COVID-19 – the total proportion of businesses reporting a negative impact peaked close to 90 per cent in April, fell to around 78 per cent in June but then rose to 87 per cent in September due to the “second wave”.

By November, the top five negative impacts reported by businesses were: • Reduced consumer demand (reported by 43 per cent of businesses); • Activity restrictions (22 per cent); • Disruptions to supply (9 per cent); • Reduced productivity (7 per cent); and • Increased costs (5 per cent).

The types of assistance sought by businesses changed over the course of 2020, with clear information and directions needed in the early stages, followed by financial assistance as the pandemic worsened. Jobkeeper became an essential support for many businesses from May onwards, proving decisive in stemming job losses and business closures.

By September, businesses mainly wanted to see evidence of a safe

Looking to 2021, most businesses are set to retain at least some of the operational and workplace changes adopted in response to the pandemic. path to easing out of local activity restrictions and border restrictions.

Meanwhile, businesses have continued to adapt to the COVID-19 shock with the top five responses adopted in November being: • Increased use of technology (54 per cent of businesses); • Reduced employee costs (27 per cent); • Having staff work from home (21 per cent); • Changed business strategy (8 per cent); and • Changes to accommodate social distancing (6 per cent).

Our report maps the changing impacts on and responses of business over the COVID-19 period since February 2020 and highlights the dominant place that weak demand for goods and services has among business concerns with the ongoing impacts of COVID-19.

Looking to 2021, most businesses are set to retain at least some of the operational and workplace changes adopted in response to the pandemic.

They are, however, acutely aware of weak demand for their goods and services.

Further, despite the introduction of tax incentives for capital expenditure, most businesses have no plans to invest in the near term and non-mining business investment in 2020-21 is currently anticipated to be between five and ten percent lower than in 2019-20.

The economic recovery to date has been led by decisive policy measures on the part of the federal, state and territory governments and the Reserve Bank. While businesses are picking themselves up and bringing people back to work, many still worry that

what we are seeing may be merely a bounce rather than the onset of selfsustaining momentum.

The notion that COVID and its impacts would magically disappear when the calendar clicked over to 2021 was clearly a fallacy. We are going to have to work harder than ever on rebuilding and regenerating our economy at a time of continued intense domestic pressure and increased global uncertainty and volatility.

The next couple of months will be critical in signalling whether higher household confidence translates into enough additional spending to convince businesses to continue to lift employment and to commit to additional investment.

At the top of the risks to our economy are the Federal Government reducing or removing fiscal support from business and employment too early, and the spreading geopolitical trade problems with China. State and territory governments will need to get their infrastructure pipelines flowing and the Federal Government in particular will need to be ready with fiscal reinforcements if private sector demand does not accelerate.

‘Unprecedented’ was probably the most used word in 2020, but it described the crisis well and the response to it. I know the crisis is not over yet, and conditions are still tough and uncertain for many, but with the development of the vaccine the risks are beginning to diminish, and I believe we can look ahead to the New Year with greater confidence.

The full report Business experiences in 2020 and outlook for 2021 is at https:// cdn.aigroup.com.au/Reports/2020/Business_ outlook_2021_report.pdf

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