Industry 4.0 could be the way that the Australian manufacturing industry transforms to remain globally competitive for the rest of the 21st century. Encompassing a wide range of processes and technologies, selecting five key aspects of this wave of change can enable manufacturing businesses to select the Industry 4.0 pathway that is most applicable to … Continue reading The top five technologies of Industry 4.0 →

Maintaining a productive and cost-effective workplace requires a software system that knows manufacturing. Manufacturers’ Monthly finds out what such a system entails. For Jonathon Worner, finding an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system that could fit into his specific needs as a manufacturer was as essential as finding a software partner who will stick. “We were … Continue reading Finding the right fit: An ERP designed for manufacturing →

NSW is home to some of the world’s most technologically- advanced and globally- competitive defence industries. The NSW government is helping these industries grow, for the highly-skilled jobs they bring to our state and the capabilities they deliver to the Australian Defence Force, writes Stuart Ayres, NSW Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney.  … Continue reading NSW makes a splash at PACIFIC 2019 →

Ahrens demonstrated why they are leaders in the delivery of heavy engineering facilities with the completion of this fit-for-purpose facility. Ahrens continued their excellent relationship with leading South Australian business, Cavpower, with the design and construct of their new $20-million-dollar Service Operations Centre. With extensive experience in designing and building fit-for-purpose facilities for the heavy … Continue reading New Cavpower Service Operations Centre built with enhanced customer experience in mind →

ABB introduces its expanded range of Ultra Low Harmonic Drives, and how they are a solution to distortion in electrical networks. Manufacturers’ Monthly explains. Harmonics in the electrical network are increasingly common, yet largely unseen. Fundamentally defined as waveforms at frequencies that deviate from the pure sinusoidal AC 50 Hz waveform, harmonics can be understood … Continue reading Riding the wave: Harmonics in industry →

When industrial equipment breaks, the resulting problem often is not the cost of replacing that equipment but rather the resulting forced downtime. A production line standing still may mean thousands of dollars lost every minute. Performing regular maintenance can help avoid unplanned downtime but does not guarantee equipment will not fail. Sam Oliver, senior application … Continue reading Predictive maintenance using a digital twin →

The University of Wollongong uses several kinds of 3D printers to innovate its research. The Wollongong-based Intelligent Polymer Research Institute (IPRI) is headquarters for the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science and the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF) materials node. IPRI focuses on improving the functionality of nano-scale materials and facilitating … Continue reading Research Intelligence →

Understanding the value of gender balance has led BAE Systems to implement flexible working arrangements. Manufacturers’ Monthly explains. Promoting and encouraging diversity is not only justified from a moral perspective, but is empirically proven to increase profitability. In a study of 506 for-profit organisations in the US, those with greater gender diversity had higher sales … Continue reading Putting diversity into practice →

The trade war between the US and China presents both challenges and opportunities for Australian businesses, writes Innes Willox. While it is often said there are no winners in a trade war, the current impasse between the US and China is having mixed and some unexpected impacts on Australian businesses. Ai Group members are telling … Continue reading Australian winners and losers in US China trade war →

Addressing issues of mental health in the workplace require an understanding of the causes and symptoms of illness. Ai Group explains why employers must account for the mental wellbeing of their workforce. There is little doubt that mental health has been an emerging issue for Australian workplaces for some time. In 2009, it was claimed … Continue reading Mental health at work – Is your business in the right head space? →

For Melissa Tinetti, preparing students for the jobs of the future requires collaboration and cooperation. Manufacturers’ Monthly reports. With the shifting demand for skills as the manufacturing industry transforms, education providers have been under pressure to produce graduates with digital skills. While the university and vocational sectors have been seen as distinct, for Melissa Tinetti, … Continue reading Crossing the divide: working across industry and education for skills training →

A customer-centric approach has led to SMC growing locally and overseas. Manufacturers’ Monthly explains. Reaching 60 years of age, in Japan, is an occasion for festivities. At this age, it is customary to conduct a celebration known as a kanreki. The tradition symbolises rebirth, and marks having passed through the full 60-year cycle of the … Continue reading Celebrating rebirth and ensuring consistency →

RoboHelix’s flight from garage to global has been driven by a symbiotic partnership. Manufacturers’ Monthly explains. The journey of a start-up, from basement to IPO, has become the corporate myth of the 21st century. The break-neck trajectory is one that many seek to emulate, but few fully understand the trials and tribulations involved. Indeed, the … Continue reading Collaboration key to a successful start-up →

Want to streamline your manufacturing process? It’s always a good idea to simplify your business, cut costs, and improve efficiency. It means you’ll make the most of your resources while improving your field – leading to better profits and more sustainable operations. But what does that actually look like in practice? We’ve worked with hundreds … Continue reading Three tips to streamline your manufacturing process →

MathWorks has introduced Release 2019b with a range of new capabilities in MATLAB and Simulink, including those in support of artificial intelligence (AI), deep learning, and the automotive industry. In addition, R2019b introduces new products in support of robotics, new training resources for event-based modeling, and updates and bug fixes across the MATLAB and Simulink product … Continue reading MathWorks releases 2019b of MATLAB and Simulink →

As summer returns, so too does the heat and uncomfortable conditions that impact on the productivity of employees working in warehouses and factories. Fantech highlights the importance of having a well ventilated facility. The human body is designed to maintain an average temperature of about 37°C. In hot weather, the body sweats and the resulting … Continue reading A cool advance in HVLS technology →

With only 10 per cent of the 56 million tyres discarded in Australia annually domestically recycled, this stream of product presents an opportunity for businesses, the environment, and the economy. Tyre Stewardship Australia explains the value of this material. The Australian manufacturing sector could play a pivotal role in developing new markets and products using … Continue reading Recycled tyres are providing a new material stream for innovative manufacturers →

BOGE outlines their latest product range for precise applications. The BOGE compact TOP AIR piston compressor line allows for oil-lubricated air production up to 15 bar. The best of German engineering excellence has brought together the advantages of a reciprocating piston compressor design alongside an innovative control and monitoring system. This provides medical and other … Continue reading BOGE Compressors: solutions for all applications →

In line with their commitment to providing quality and cutting-edge product technology, Welding Industries of Australia (WIA) have launched a new plasma cutter – the Cutmatic 45. According to Willem Corbett, development engineer – equipment for WIA, the Cutmatic 45 is a welcome addition to the WIA range of products, especially in light of local … Continue reading Cutting new technology from WIA: Cutmatic 45 plasma cutter →

The new Fifth-Generation (5G) wireless infrastructure provides a platform for improved and innovative applications, writes Tim Jones for Mouser Electronics. Not only will the new Fifth- Generation (5G) wireless infrastructure open the door to new applications, but it will greatly improve the applications that exist today for 4G and earlier wireless generations. With the 5G … Continue reading 5G infrastructure enables new and radical applications →