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Konecranes real time monitoring for lifecycle care

One of the biggest advances in crane safety and cost-efficient management over the past decade has been the advent of lifecycle care in real time. New remote digital monitoring and analytical technologies – such as Konecranes’ Truconnect – can look inside the performance of a crane or whole fleets of cranes to accurately predict the most suitable and timely maintenance for optimum service, as well as spot impending production risks and accident hazards. The company’s Truconnect technology harnesses in a user-friendly way the power of the industrial internet, the heart of which is based on a series of machinery sensors working together to gather and analyse data for specific purposes. By operating in this way, they can enable efficiencies that were unimaginable just a short time ago. With powerful but highly accessible technologies such as Truconnect, crane maintenance is an entire generation ahead of the days of external inspections, laborious dismantling to find and fix problems – or simply fixing something when it fails. With the accident liability that outdated practices entail – and the potential for expensive downtime that companies just can’t afford these days – old approaches are just no longer accepted as safe and productive risk management. Such industries include automotive and general manufacturing, bulk materials handling, mining, power generation, petrochemical, ports and container handling, pulp and paper, shipyards, steel and waste-to-energy. In developing Truconnect to complement its MAINMAN planned maintenance services to such industries, Konecranes has incorporated into the technology its experience as a major global crane and lifting equipment manufacturer, as well as the world’s largest crane service organisation, with more than 450,000 pieces of lifting equipment under maintenance agreements worldwide. To make the process of real-time monitoring for lifecycle care as intuitive and easy to use as possible, Konecranes has integrated Truconnect remote monitoring […]

Stay on the downward trend

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand should move to continue to lower the OCR in response to continued low inflation and a high exchange rate, as well as continuing to implement financial stability measures in mortgage lending, say the New Zealand Manufacturers and Exporters Association (NZMEA). NZMEA Chief Executive Dieter Adam says, “Our exchange rate remains stubbornly high, and still has a way to move down to reach a more fair value. The exchange rate is currently sitting significantly above what the RBNZ assumed in their last forecasts.” “The RBNZ should continue its downward interest rate moves to better align New Zealand’s interest rates with those in the rest of the developed world, helping to take some pressure off our exchange rate. “At the same time, it is apparent that risks remain in the housing market, particularly in Auckland, but with increasing evidence of spread. This poses financial stability risks that can damage our whole economy, as well as significant social problems that we are already seeing – people need to be able to afford homes to live in, both as owners or renters. We are also seeing rising household debt, which appears to be moving back to record levels, adding these risks. “This is a complicated issue that needs to be looked at from both sides – demand as well as supply. While supply is the core longer term issue, we are already seeing the limitations of this approach in terms of the speed of response, but more needs to be done in this space by government where possible. LVRs were a positive move for financial stability, but had only the expected limited effects on prices. We encourage the RBNZ to continue to look and at and implement other macro-prudential tools that can protect financial stability. “But the RBNZ […]

Bringing cutting-edge automation to NZ manufacturers

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 […]

The song remains the same: Buy NZ Made

New Zealand manufacturers are a sturdy, determined lot mostly pushing uphill against the surge of imported products that flood the country. Many of my conversations with them come down to this: We can’t make enough large volume products to be truly competitive with the same imported products. And imported products are difficult to compete against in price – not always quality. Small run manufacturers from around the regions have been describing their competitive advantage, or more accurately, how to find it. This matters because everyone wants to be successful. No company in New Zealand supplies an order for 100,000 widgets because the market just isn’t here. It comes down to: the right staff making the right product for the right market on a quality basis, at the right price. It also comes down to the (potential) New Zealand client buying New Zealand made. And when it comes to export markets locating the client, ‘sealing the deal’ is a real challenge. The world is full of options but sometimes through our quality we can make the products that make the difference. The world found that out recently with the All Blacks winning the world team of the year award. They performed…they were quality…they were the difference. -Doug Green, Publisher, NZ Manufacturer

Regional Manufacturing: Screw Productions, Rotorua

Paul Adlam tells NZ Manufacturer of the unique process used in the business and where the company wants to be in five year’s time. Describe your company’s main areas of activity Screw Productions of Rotorua manufactures screws and has done so for 36 years. The process used is unique in New Zealand as it is a Cold Forging process which produces a strong, good quality fastener. The standard Self Tapping, Woodscrew and Machine screw are the main products made but Solid Rivets can also be produced. A wide range of product is held in stock. What area(s) of the business are currently being developed? Manufacturing of special (custom made) screws is made easier by the company, as to obtain special screws off shore can be difficult, mainly because of the quantities of 1 to 200,000 minimum quantities required, whereas we require much smaller quantities. So a special Custom Made Screw can include any of the following: – It may be Dimensional Head Diameter made smaller to fit in a specific space Head Diameter increased for greater under head contact Head Height reduced to give a low profile Length made to suit applications where length is critical Thread Diameters may need to be adjusted slightly, particularly in Self Tapping applications It may be the Recess Product being exported may require a Phillips recess, not Pozidriv (NZ Standard) To prevent people easily dismantling a Product, like electrical, Security Recess required Really positive Driving recess needed such as Squaredriv Many other types of Recess’s are available It may be to Enhance a Product Head shape altered to suit; say a raised countersunk head Head marked with customers’ name or initials More decorative, or unusual, Recess’s such as; 6-Lobe (Torx), Triwing, Phillips Other Combinations Unusual combinations of head, thread, recess Apply a “Shank Slot” […]

FWF after lucrative Japanese market

In the picture: David Musgrave managing director Functional Wholesale Products. From Regional Manufacturing a section of NZ Manufacturer www.nzmanufacturer.co.nz Eve Johnson sits on the board of Functional Wholesale Products and has come back into the company as Development Manager. Eve has worked with FWF for 11 years now and was formally CEO. She shares with NZ Manufacturer plans for the future. Functional Whole Foods Limited, based in Geraldine, South Canterbury, New Zealand specialises in the production of high quality, cold pressed flax seed oil and seed meal. The Company formulates these products with other natural extracts to produce and market a range of products with particular health benefits. The products are sold widely throughout New Zealand and a number of countries overseas. All products are made from New Zealand raw materials that are certified organic and are from sustainable production. The Company has established and built the flax seed oil market over the past 20 years and remains the market leader in New Zealand. Functional Wholesale Products is in partnership with The Herb Farm developing and producing a range of healing cosmetics that are building momentum. What area(s) of the business are currently being developed? Our partnership with Japan – we are exploring new avenues and revenue streams in this lucrative market for Flax Seed Oil. New routes to market in New Zealand with opportunities to expand the concept overseas. Does the company place much emphasis on R & D? Yes we do and have worked extensively in the past with Massey University and Crop and Food, Canterbury. More recently with Lincoln University through Charles Brennon. We have found the use of students an excellent R&D find! Where do you export to and where are future opportunities? Japan, Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Czech Republic. Future opportunities in the […]

The Future of Manufacturing

-Tony Glockler CEO of SolidProfessor talks to NZ Manufacturer People love to predict the future: whether they will score a 100 on a test, receive a promotion, or win the lottery. Humans make predictions because it gives them a sense of hope and feeling of control over their future. Predictions also free people from fear and prepare them for the unknown. With the rapid speed of technological advancements, many ponder how this will affect the future of manufacturing. Robots, the Internet of Things, and technological obsolescence are a few technological factors that will shape the future of manufacturing. Understanding how these will affect the manufacturing industry will allow one to properly prepare for the future. Robots The number of robots being used today for industrial work is close to one million. Robots are highly sought after by manufacturers due to their productivity, efficiency, and quality. Manufacturing robots are typically utilized for assembly line work at automotive plants, energy plants, and hospitals. They are useful for their ability to do a variety of repetitive tasks effectively and tasks that are dangerous to humans including heavy lifting, handling chemicals, and cutting and polishing objects. Because of their usefulness, robots will only become more and more common, shaping the future of manufacturing. Many may wonder if robots will replace human factory workers. While this is inevitable, it will also create new professions that work alongside these robots. Robots are still imperfect and their abilities will never be sufficient to replace humans. Though it may change with the increased use of robotics, human labor will continue to be important, regardless of how mechanized industry becomes. Internet of Things The Internet of Things, or IoT, is a network of physical objects including devices, buildings, vehicles, and other items becoming embedded with electronics, software, sensors, and […]

Autodesk Inventor 2017 unveiled

Autodesk has unveiled Inventor 2017, one of the most advanced 3D modelling solutions for manufacturing industry professionals. The latest version in innovative software for designers and engineers, Inventor 2017 delivers new professional-grade design, interoperability and communication tools aimed at supporting customers ever-expanding needs. “The manufacturing industry is witnessing an evolution of the role of the mechanical engineer. They are no longer solely responsible for the design of complex mechanical systems, but are often also tasked with complete product definition, design and delivery,” said Derrek Cooper, director of the Inventor product line. “With this latest version of Inventor, Autodesk is delivering new capabilities aimed at supporting all aspects of this expanding role.” Based on the requests of Inventor’s more than 11,000 alpha and beta testers and IdeaStation community, the company built Inventor 2017 to serve the expanding role of the modern professional engineer and provide customers with features aimed at simplifying the new aspects of their jobs: Professional-grade Design Tools help users design faster and optimise performance from the outset and include:  Enhanced sketching, part modelling, assembly management, surfacing and sheet metal capabilities so users can capture and develop design ideas quickly and easily.  Additional Shape Generator capabilities such as symmetry and member size controls that help users explore lightweight designs and improve product performance. New Interoperability Tools help to pull disparate aspects of a project together, regardless of the discipline or software that was originally used and include: Expanded AnyCAD tools allow users to easily integrate non-native mechanical design data into Inventor models without translation, now including associative connections with the industry standard STEP format. Inventor’s latest update includes hundreds of enhancements including several customer-requested modelling tools. Shape Generator, an integrated design optimization tool powered by Autodesk’s Nastran technology, guides users in the design of structurally efficient parts. […]

A more useful model of tertiary education

By Dieter Adam, CEO of the NZMEA Education is key to ensuring our people will be the best they can be and creating the most productive, capable and innovative economy we can. Human capital is just as important as any other input in a manufacturing business; if not the most important one. However, current research suggests that our return on investment in the tertiary sector is low compared to other OECD countries. Anecdotally, many businesses feel the reality of this when they have trouble filling skilled positions, and at times have to look overseas to find skills that just are not being delivered by the current system. The Productivity Commission is now looking into this problem and how new models of tertiary education could provide better outcomes. Generally, discussions about tertiary education can be dominated by established views and self-serving PR – it is great to see the Productivity Commission undertake a wide and data-driven examination. A root cause of the problems in our tertiary sector lies in its overarching focus on quantity over quality, ‘bums on seats’, in large part due to the funding policies that reward maximising the number of students enrolled, independent of what and how these students are doing. There is also a drive towards enrolling international students, which brings income to the institution and export revenue to the country, but can be driven by offering courses that attract large numbers of students and not necessarily what we need to grow our economy. Forecasts for domestic student numbers show a drop due to demographic factors. It is no coincidence that we currently hear a lot about the financial benefits of a university education, without real consideration for other options that may have better career pathways and opportunities, such as Polytech, trades or apprenticeship education. Many people will be […]

Trade barriers in services must go

Services businesses are suffering from trade barriers that are reducing economic growth, says ExportNZ. ExportNZ is part of a global services coalition that is urging negotiators at the Trade in Services Negotiations (TiSA) taking place this week in Geneva to achieve an effective agreement that will reduce barriers to services trade. ExportNZ Executive Director Catherine Beard says services are a major part of most countries’ economies and the export of services is growing faster than goods exports both in New Zealand and globally. Catherine Beard said as well as commercial services exporters (accountants, lawyers, engineering consultants, architects, education services, financial services, ICT services and others) many manufactured and goods exports are now bundled with a services offering. “The main barriers to services trade are inconsistent regulations between countries, lack of international recognition of skills and qualifications, restrictive standards and specifications, lack of regulatory transparency, regulatory instability, inadequate dispute resolution, lack of access to human capital, lack of access to skilled talent and bureaucracy generally. Many of these barriers could be reduced by international agreement. “Together with Services Industry Associations in the UK, Canada, Australia, Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, Europe, Columbia and Mexico we urge the negotiators to progress with a high quality deal that enables the freer flow of services trade.”

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doug

About doug

Posts by Doug Green: