Lean times call for thinner sheets, thicker bends

With the price of sheetmetal arguably at an all time high due to massive demand by Asia and the Middle East, itÕs not just clever software-driven machines that positively impact profit margins. The simple act of reducing raw material costs has become the latest challenge for fabricators in Australia and New ... read more

PowerMILL offers safest-ever machining

Delcam has released the 2011 version of its PowerMILL CAM system for five-axis and high-speed machining. This release makes the programming of safe toolpaths easier than ever thanks to new stock-model-engagement options that protect both the cutting tool and the machine from excessive loading.  Other enhancements include new editing capabilities to ... read more

We can catch Australia – by manufacturing our way to success

There is only one way we will catch Australia in wage rates and standard of living, and that is by growing our manufacturing sector. Various reports have concluded productivity in New Zealand is low compared to other developed countries and while that is true as an average across the whole economy, ... read more

Exporters upbeat for 2011

Kiwi exporters are upbeat and determined to increase their exports in the year ahead, according to Export New Zealand's National Export Outlook Survey. The findings from the inaugural Export Outlook survey undertaken mid November are being released today. (Link here for the report) "Kiwi exporters are looking forward to 2011 with confidence ... read more

Top scoring tech therapy taps healing power of play

A computer game-based arm rehabilitation device developed by IRL has won first prize in the prototype category of the 2010 Engineers Australia, College of Biomedical Engineering Better Technology Awards. Led by Research Engineer Marcus King the device, called Able-X, was developed by IRL's Assistive Devices Team in Christchurch and is being ... read more

Environment drives quest for 21st Century storage technologies

The current debate about the best construction materials and technologies for big industrial and municipal liquid storage tanks is not new. Ever since lead in wine and water was blamed for contributing to madness and the decline of the Roman Empire, planners have been very careful about where they store and ... read more

Competitive Manufacturing Programs help manufacturers go Lean

According to www.stats.govt.nz approximately half of NZ manufacturers have less than 50 FTE employees and one in five manufacturers employ less than 10 people. These companies underpin the NZ economy but are they benefiting from Lean thinking? Owners and / or managers of SMEs who believe that their company has ... read more

Future Focus on Export Products

Comment by Heavy Engineering Research Association Director Dr Wolfgang Scholz The Heavy Engineering Research Association has just put a funding proposal to Government's research funding agency the Foundation for Research Science and Technology (FRST) aimed at supporting the New Zealand Metals Industry in becoming more productive and ... read more

EMEX: NZ’s Biggest and Best is Back and Better

New Zealand’s biggest, oldest and most comprehensive engineering, machinery, electronics and manufacturing industry showcase returns next year and is already proving popular, with almost half the show space pre-booked. EMEX 2010 is the prime business tool for everyone working in industrial engineering and maintenance, control and instrumentation, ... read more