The roll-out of 5G across Australia is an opportunity for companies to adopt the technology ahead of their competition. However, to fully take advantage of 5G, particularly for Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) applications, electronic components will need to be be part of the solution. Mouser Electronics, a global distributor of semiconductor and electronic components, … Continue reading 5G: What is the current potential for Australian businesses? →

In Australia, one in five people aged 16-85 years experience a mental health illness in any given year, according to the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing. The three most common illnesses that have been identified are depressive and bipolar disorders, anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders. These don’t always occur in isolation, and … Continue reading Working with mental health: How businesses can help →

Known for its biological manufacturing, the Australian Red Cross Blood Service has expanded beyond blood, and has adopted a well-known strategy to constantly improve their processes. Manufacturers’ Monthly finds out. Every week across Australia around 29,000 blood, plasma, and platelet donations are required to meet the needs of patients. Organs and tissues need to be … Continue reading How continuous improvement saves lives →

With greater requirements for precision and accuracy, Paul Cibotto of Test Machines Australia explains the value of having a local equipment supplier. One of those phrases that really needs no repeating is “you get what you pay for”. And it’s a series of words that has all too often come out of the mouth of … Continue reading Local testing supports a precise manufacturing industry →

With Atlas Copco’s data logging service, significant energy savings can be identified and achieved in compressed air systems. Manufacturers’ Monthly reports. Compressed air is one of the primary utilities required by the manufacturing sector. Whether used for air tools or pneumatic controls, compressed air is a staple for industrial facilities. Within the compressed air system … Continue reading Data logging from Atlas Copco can optimise compressed air system performance →

During a day of robust discussion, delegates, speakers, and panellists came to grips with the skills crisis confronting the Australian manufacturing industry, and what can be done to overcome this. Manufacturers’ Monthly reports. Setting out the question that would go on to frame the skills discussion at the National Manufacturing Summit, Gayle Tierney, Victorian Minister … Continue reading Preparing the workforce for the skills of the future →

Coming to the stage for the last session of any summit is a hard task, and after a packed day of speeches and panels at the National Manufacturing Summit, the job of Jim Stanford, director of the Centre for Future Work at the Australia Institute, was no easier. His task? Wake Australia up to the … Continue reading More than luck: making the most of our lithium endowment →

Manufacturers have the potential to play a key part in tackling the waste crisis. Connor Pearce reports. A term that is gaining broader recognition to describe a new production paradigm is the circular economy, whereby products are produced from materials already in the market, rather than extracted from the environment, and when they reach the … Continue reading Manufacturing and the circular economy →

With the federal government announcing measures to reduce the price of electricity and gas for industrial consumers, the manufacturing industry confronts a number of alternate pathways to a green energy future. Connor Pearce reports. When the federal government announced on August 6 that is was going to act to reduce gas prices across Australia, a … Continue reading Flicking the switch to a powered manufacturing sector →

The transformative impact of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is often talked about in think pieces, and conference key notes, but it is not as common to hear from a company that has adopted its strategies and seen an effective, fundamental shift in their business practices. This is why hearing from global commercial explosives … Continue reading IIoT and digital transformation: From manufacturing an input to designing for outputs →

Just as people have a preference for certain car brands, welders get nostalgic about the welding machines they use. In Australia, the Miller Syncrowave 250 AC/DC TIG machine was introduced over 20 years ago and has been a popular welding machine ever since – reliable, consistent, and the perfect amperage for aluminium manufacturing and repair … Continue reading A new Dynasty AC/DC TIG welding machine for the Australian market →

Geoff Crittenden, CEO of Weld Australia, explains what it will take for Australia to successfully deliver its major shipbuilding project. I recently visited two BAE Systems shipyards in Glasgow, Scotland: Govan Shipyard, and Scotstoun Shipyard. It is here that BAE Systems is building the eight Type 26 Frigates ordered by the Royal Navy. The “First … Continue reading Building an internationally competitive shipbuilding sovereign capability →

The company which first developed the V-belt is continuing to innovate. Manufacturers’ Monthly explains. There are many companies that would like to claim that they are the market leaders in their field, but when your forebears created the field, it’s hard not to put credence to the claim. It was 1917 when John Gates manufactured … Continue reading Delivering efficiencies through product innovation →

As easy as child’s play: VEGA explains how its current release is the latest in standardised measurement.  With the introduction of the plics family around 10 years ago, VEGA turned the vision of simple, standardised measurement of level and pressure into reality. The VEGABAR 80 series represents a systematic further development of the concept and the … Continue reading VEGABAR Series 80 →

It’s a commonly known industrial fact – between 10-15 per cent of industrial electricity is used to generate compressed air. And yet, compressed air is an inefficient form of energy – 90 per cent of the input energy used is discharged as waste heat. This is not only costly from a sustainability standpoint; wasting energy means … Continue reading Why a compressed air audit is worth the energy →

Recognising that safety is more than ticking boxes or checking things off a list, this year’s Safety Advocacy Award went to an individual who is shifting sector-wide approaches to safety. Growing up, Kristen Sandford was inculcated with an understanding of safety. Observing her father, who worked in safety management, a lifelong passion for safety began … Continue reading Creating a culture of safety →

Workplace bullying is unfortunately too common. Ai Group explains how to identify the signs and take action. “I would end most days in tears – I felt utterly alone and like I was losing my mind. In the end I was too ill to work. I’m amazed I lasted as long as I did.” These … Continue reading Meet Australia’s seven worst workplace bullies →

New belts made from polyurethane avoid issues inherent in roller chain technology. Manufacturers’ Monthly reports. The utilisation of roller chains has been a standard feature of industrial production lines and manufacturing plants since its invention in 1880. However, recent advances in materials manufacturing have enabled the development of alternatives to the ubiquitous roller chain and … Continue reading Polyurethane belt removes need for lubrication →

Applying Lean principles to the complex workplaces of today requires an updating of its mantra and refocussing the methodology to account for the people in the workplace. Aristoltle is often attributed as being the first to declare that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. In the 2000 years since the Greek … Continue reading Embracing complexity: Lean manufacturing today →

Making safety part of the Women in Industry awards is partly the result of the award’s sponsor, gas supplier BOC. Recognising that a culture of safety is of benefit to the industry as a whole, BOC has sponsored the award for the past three years. In addition, BOC has acknowledged the importance of identifying the … Continue reading Supporting those who get us home safe →