CNC Design has been working with New Zealand machine builders since 1989, with one major goal: setting up their customers with the same knowledge and capability that they would get overseas.

“Europe, particularly Germany, is at the forefront of machine building, and obviously, we are quite a long way away”, says Jon Marwick, Managing Director. “New Zealand machine builders suffer from a lack of access to that technology, and we’re here to provide them with the technology, expertise and support that will allow them to compete at an international level.”

To do that, CNC Design has developed a close partnership with German firm Siemens and Swiss company Stäubli, world leaders in the field of automation and robotics.

CNC specialises in service for the manufacturing, logistics and forestry industries, and has also recently developed into the food industry, where robotics are becoming increasingly important.

One of CNC’s customers is a leader in the development of automation solutions for lamb processing floors, traditionally an area that relies on manual labour. “In the meat processing industry, the wash-down requirements are very high, and they use very strong caustic chemicals, so it was not an ideal environment for robots – they had to be covered during operation”, explains Jon.

“But Stäubli has developed machines that have the capability to operate without covers, which means they are more hygienic, faster, and have more freedom to move.”

According to Jon, robots can help decrease health and safety risks on the plant floor. “Automated machines can provide a safer working environment – simply because operators are not involved in machinery as much, so we decrease the risk of industrial accidents”. Introducing robots into a chain work environment also means more reliability, as they are able to repeat the exact same task with no variations.

“Robots don’t get tired; they don’t lose concentration; and you don’t run the risk that they’ll develop a repetitive strain injury”, says Jon.

Finally, using automation improves productivity and eliminates the trouble of finding a reliable workforce – a particularly challenging task in the meat processing industry. “People generally don’t want to work in slaughter floors: it’s cold, wet, unpleasant… It’s very difficult to keep good staff, so improving automation in that industry is a major advantage.”

Since the early establishment of CNC Design, the company has witnessed major shifts in technology trends, from the development of computer technology to the rise of Asia in the machine building market. “Retrofitting or upgrading used to be very competitive, relative to the cost of replacing the machine with a new one”, explains Jon.

“But Asian manufacturing countries have had a big impact on the price of machines being imported to New Zealand, and now, new machines are significantly cheaper, whereas labour costs are still high. So it’s a much more difficult market for us.”

The increased globalisation of communications also mean additional challenges for local suppliers like CNC: “In the early days of automation in New Zealand, we were involved in a lot of plant improvements in the manufacturing industry”, recalls Jon.

“These days, because technology can be supported remotely via the web, manufacturers turn more to the original European machine suppliers for support.”

To remain competitive, local industries like CNC need to keep up to date with all the changes in their industry. This is a challenge that requires investment in research and training, which is why CNC have chosen some specific market segments to develop their competencies and be able to supply high-quality expertise.

Jon believes that, even in the age of global support, local experts are not to be underestimated: “There’s a big drive to buy products over the Internet and import them at a lower price, but for international trading houses, these products are just a part number; for us, it’s a product we understand and can service and support.”

CNC has spent time monitoring the trends in future technology and their possible applications in New Zealand manufacturing processes. The next big move in technology revolves around the Internet of Things, and is known as “Industry 4.0” (or “the fourth industrial revolution”) – following the previous industrial revolutions brought on by steam power, electric power and computing power.

Jon says manufacturing trends are shifting towards more flexibility: “It’s all about integrating web technology into the manufacturing process; so an individual consumer could go online and order, for instance, a new car, and customise it completely to suit their needs. Then the plan could be automatically downloaded into the automation process of the factory.”

 It has been acknowledged that consumers nowadays want more choice, but the manufacturing process needs to adapt to reflect this trend. “That means short runs and fast product changeovers, and this is where automation and the Internet of Things become useful.”

CNC Design is now investing into new technologies, such as renewable energy generation – they are currently working on developing small hydro generation systems for isolated communities in areas where access to the national grid is not available.

The company is also getting more involved in energy savings and improvements in plants by helping clients reduce costs through smarter energy consumption, particularly by using adjustable-speed drive technology.

“Our plan is to keep providing the best support and expertise we can to our clients, concludes Jon. “And learning all the new technology improvements and developments from our European partners, so we can bring that knowledge back to our customers in New Zealand.”