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 →

Finding an automation system that allows for growth and change can enable long-term savings and production increases. Manufacturers’ Monthly reports. For companies seeking to reap the benefits of an automated production lines one stumbling block has been the inflexibility of a system once installed. Whether that is in the path that the process follows or … Continue reading AGVs: Flexible solutions to fit into any site →

Unleashed Software explains how reporting KPIs can help with making smart, informed decisions for manufacturers. Understanding the trends and data points that occur in the manufacturing process can lead to gains in efficiencies, supplier products, customer satisfaction, and business profitability. Breaking these aims down into measurable, numerical values is part of defining the key performance … Continue reading The KPIs you should track for company success →

Members of the instrumentation, control, and automation profession discussed how their field will be impacted by Industry 4.0 at the IICA’s Christmas in July event. As the sun set behind the Harbour Bridge and the towers of the Sydney CBD began to light up, members of the Institute for Instrumentation, Control and Automation (IICA) gathered … Continue reading Promoting collaboration and communication in instrumentation →

While Industry 4.0 may seem to encourage the replacement of people with machines, when it comes to safety, having an understanding of the importance of people is paramount. In an exclusive interview, Susanne Kunschert of Pilz speaks with Manufacturers’ Monthly. The managing partner of automation technology firm Pilz, Susanne Kunschert, confesses, “I’m not so digital”. … Continue reading Understanding where people fit in Industry 4.0 →

At their Open Day, the lubrication specialist, CRC, demonstrated the importance of giving back to their community. Manufacturers’ Monthly reports. On a warm and sunny day that put any sense of winter in Sydney to shame, CRC Industries employees, customers, and partners gathered at CRC’s Australian headquarters in Castle Hill for its Open Day. Also … Continue reading Ensuring industry, racing, and the community run smoothly →

While engaging with university research can seem intimidating for SMEs, manufacturers can now more easily draw on the depth of knowledge academics provide. Connor Pearce reports. While researchers and manufacturers may seem to be worlds apart, the collaboration between the minds and focussed expertise of university academics, with the knowledge and hands-on understanding of manufactures, … Continue reading Utilising universities for industrial innovation →