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RBNZ holds OCR, challenges remain

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) chose to hold the OCR at 2.75% today, though signalling further reductions may be required to reach their inflation target. Economic risks remain, and continued work from Government and business is needed to rebalance our economy towards high value-added, diverse exports, say the New Zealand Manufacturers and Exporters Association (NZMEA). NZMEA Chief Executive Dieter Adam says, “Another cut in the OCR could have helped better align our interest rates with the rest of the world and help move our exchange rate back down its correcting path. Unfortunately we have seen our exchange rate move in the wrong direction recently, as described by the RBNZ “the exchange rate has been moving higher since September, which could, if sustained, dampen tradables sector activity and medium term inflation. This would require a lower interest rate path than would otherwise be the case”. “It remains important that our currency continues on its rebalancing trend, helping exporters to regain ground in markets after the extended period of an unsustainable exchange rate. “This week’s merchandise trade deficit came in larger than expected, due to increased imports and lower export values, largely fuelled by the fall in dairy prices and volumes. However, it was encouraging to see mechanical machinery and equipment continue recent positive trends in export values; improving 3.6% on last quarter, and increasing 6.6% on the same quarter last year. “As a country we need to continue to rebalance our economy away from investment in unproductive assets and towards a more diverse, value-added export economy that allows us to pay our way in the world and improve all New Zealanders quality of life. This requires both helping commodity producers move up the value chain, as well as encouraging and supporting higher-value, highly-skilled manufacturing and exporting businesses that build […]

AccuPRO UV and white light meter combine sensors

The AccuPRO Series of digital radiometer/photometers measures and displays UV and white light readings simultaneously. The AccuPRO series includes two new models: the standard AccuPro (XP-2000) with a dual-wavelength sensor that measures both ultraviolet and visible light. The AccuPRO Plus (XP-4000) 3-in-1 multi-purpose sensor capable of measuring ultraviolet, visible and blue light. Both units comply with ASTM specifications for MPI and FPI, making them the ideal companion for NDT. The instrument has internal batteries that are charged by USB input. The portable, palm-sized units feature a large colour LCD screen, protective rubber housing and a three-way button interface which makes it fast and convenient to toggle between measurement modes. Overall accuracy is better than ± 5% per NIST standards. The AccuPro series is user-friendly and intuitive.

Supply Chain Excellence: Series 1 – Understanding the Supply Chain

https://www.nzpics.org.nz-Vishnu Rayapeddi Whenever we ask what supply chain is, we get different answers depending who we ask. Some say it is planning & purchasing or procurement and some say inventory management and some others may say it is logistics management. Yes all these correct answers. But there is much more! According to APICS (Association for Operations & Supply Chain Professionals, USA) dictionary, “Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR®) model” is “A process reference model developed and endorsed by the Supply Chain Council as the cross-industry, standard diagnostic tool for supply chain management. “The SCOR model describes the business activities associated with satisfying a customer’s demand, which include plan, source, make, deliver, and return. Use of the model includes analysing the current state of a company’s processes and goals, quantifying operational performance, and comparing company performance to benchmark data. SCOR has developed a set of metrics for supply chain performance, and Supply Chain Council members have formed industry groups to collect best practices information that companies can use to evaluate their supply chain performance”. In essence, the SCOR Framework is the world’s leading supply chain framework, linking business processes, performance metrics, practices and people skills into a unified structure. By deploying the SCOR framework at your organization you can: 1) Increase the speed of system, 2) Implement Support organizational learning goals, and 3) Improve inventory turns. Level 1 Processes included in SCOR are: Plan, Source, Make, Deliver, Return and Enable Level 1 Metrics included in SCOR are: a) Perfect order fulfilment, b) Order fulfilment cycle time, c) Upside supply chain flexibility, d) Upside supply chain adaptability, e) Downside supply chain adaptability, f) Overall value at risk, g) Total cost to serve, h) Cash-to-cash cycle time, i) Return on supply chain fixed assets, j) Return on working capital. So, how do we define […]

Peterson’s Perspective: Will the science and R&D plan work?

by Gilbert Peterson For the past six years New Zealand’s innovation landscape has been littered with dithering and waste as the country’s investment in science and R&D failed to rise to an average OECD performance. With that in the background this week’s announcement of the new ‘National Science Strategy’ and Building Innovation plan, must surely be Minister Steven Joyce’s last shot at gaining traction in this the economy’s weakest performing, and most critically exposed area. The launch of the new way forward for science and innovation is at least as important, if not more so than the announcement of the TPP agreement though totally eclipsed by it. But the question remains: Will the new approach prove the most efficient and effective way to move science investment and its commercialisation significantly forward? Science and Innovation Minister Joyce deserves congratulations for hearing what business and the science community had to say, and coming up with a plan to address their concerns. For the first time I can recall the minister articulated clearly the economic value contribution made by science and R&D to the nation. In launching Building Innovation he said: “Successful innovation improves competiveness, increases our output, drives productivity growth, and creates successful exports by introducing new or improved products, processes, or methods into the economy.” Bravo for that. Our future prosperity depends on innovation and the science and R&D that underpin it. The chief economist of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Roger Proctor, spelled this out in a blog earlier this year. In answering the question, ‘Where does income growth come from?’ he said it comes from increases in productivity that occur when new things are produced that people are willing to pay more for than they cost to produce, and by producing new things we already produce with […]

National Maintenance Engineering Conference announces major package for students and apprentices

The 2015 SKF National Maintenance Engineering Conference is set to become the Mecca for Generation Y engineers with the announcement of a major conference participation package for apprentices and engineering students. Participation pricing for the 2 day national event are already the lowest in the Southern Hemisphere at $795+GST pp, however the announcement of a special apprentice and student package at $320+GSTpp represents unbelievable value for people new to industry and wanting to grasp the opportunity to learn and network. Organised by the Maintenance Engineering Society of NZ, the annual event reflects the ethos of the society in embracing and developing engineers. Society members need no convincing of the importance of nurturing each new generation and the organisers are backing the radical move to open up access to apprentices and students. According to Expo Manager Chris Thomas, “This event already has a significant focus on engineering careers with the Bill Buckley Engineering Scholarship and the Competenz Stuart Tolhurst Apprentice Trophy being presented during proceedings. Add to this over 60 major industry suppliers in the Exhibition Hall, 2 days of inspiring and informative papers from our multi-national panel of speakers and the chance to meet with potential future employers and I know where I would be if I was starting on a career in engineering.” For apprentices on a time budget, a one-day pass is also offered a $190+GSTpp. Details and registration can be found online at www.mesnz.org.nz/conference/registration/ The 2015 SKF National Maintenance Engineering Conference will be held at the Claudelands Event Centre in Hamilton on November 18 and 19. As well as preconference training opportunities, the Exhibition Hall will be open for invited guests and pre-registered members of the public from 2-5:30pm on Tuesday 17 November.

Low maintenance solar tracker actuators

Low maintenance Airstroke actuators from Firestone provide a compact and easily installed way to continuously orient solar trackers’ payload towards the sun to optimise the amount of energy produced from installed power generating capacity. The rubber and fabric actuators can be used to solve the problem of stationary solar collection panels becoming inefficient as the sun shifts from a 90-degree angle to the panels. Usually inflated or deflated by standard fixed or mobile compressed air (typically 7 bar (100 psi), they move photovoltaic systems to minimise and angle of incidence between the incoming sunlight and a photovoltaic array. Alternatively, an ingenious actuation alternative uses the expansion and contraction of Freon gas as it is heated and cooled within the actuators to extend and retract them and change the angle of the collection panels (as per illustration above). Airstrokes are particularly beneficial for commercial installations, where continuous focusing of the arrays through single or dual-axis arrangements enhances energy returns. Such installations – sometimes in remote locations and subject to climatic extremes over 24 hours – need extremely reliable actuators to continuously reposition payloads such as solar panels, reflectors, mirrors or lenses. Airstroke bellows offered by for use by solar engineers and installers have been proven in widespread heavy duty industrial actuation throughout Australia, including providing millions of cycles of service on conveyors and mineral processing screens and vibrators, where they have to withstand dust, heat, moisture and extremes of Outback climate. They are identical in construction to the airbags proven in truck and train suspension so they are extraordinarily tough. In addition to having no internal rods of seals to wear – unlike conventional metal cylinders – they have the ability to rotate through an angle without a clevis. In addition to making air springs easy to install in compact spaces, […]

Partnership a win-win

The partnership between rugby league’s national sports team, the NZ Kiwis, and international fluid transfer products and services provider, Pirtek has been a positive and successful one for both. Since joining forces with the Kiwis prior to their first Rugby League World Cup win in 2008, Pirtek has expanded its business, opening new franchises in New Zealand and overseas. At the same time, the Kiwis have turned their wins in key finals (2005 Tri Nations, 2008 RLWC, 2010 Four Nations) into an unbeaten run through the 2014 Four Nations tournament, backing it up with a win, their third in a row against Australia, in an historic rain-delayed test match in Brisbane in May. NZRL CEO Phil Holden says of the sponsorship, “The Pirtek name has become synonymous with rugby league and the Kiwis. We have a very close relationship that benefits both parties. We are fortunate to have such a supportive sponsor family and Pirtek is an integral member of the group. “With the tour to the UK later this year, the Pirtek name on the Kiwis jersey is a store window for Pirtek, as they look to cement their place further in the international market.” The Pirtek business which was founded by a New Zealander has been successfully implemented in Australia, New Zealand, China, Singapore, South Africa, USA, France, Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, Mongolia and Canada. One of the key features of the partnership is the fantastic grassroots support provided by Pirtek and their franchisee network around the country. They have contributed to a number of grassroots development initiatives, provided scholarships to allow players to attend elite development programmes and funded the Volunteer Recognition programme. The programme acknowledges volunteers each month culminating in two major presentations at the NZRL Annual Awards. Fans of the game also receive a […]

The Interview: Sam Fulton, Sales and Marketing Director, Fero talks automation.

What are the benefits of automation? There are a number of immediate benefits to automation. The one that is often sited is cost reduction through the lowering of labour costs. This can be a big driver, however is sometimes not a significant as most people assume. The main benefits that we find are that we are able to produce a highly repeatable, high quality, product quickly to the market. It is very important in a lot of the products that we are producing that they are repeatable. This means that our customers know that they are getting a product that will work for them every time and allow them to work within very tight constraints. This repeatability also ensures that the quality is consistent, even with the best trained labour force there are quality issues that arise from human error and hand producing product. Automation also allows us to produce at much higher speeds than human labour can achieve. Being able to turn orders around and get them back to the customer in short time frames is a huge advantage to any business that has any degree of lean or efficient manufacturing processes. Through automation we are also continuously upskilling our workforce. This is through both retraining to run more complex machinery, and also in understanding some complex lean manufacturing techniques that come with automation and continuous improvement. And does automation mean that workers can be more productive? Yes, there are a number of reasons why automation enables staff to be more productive. The most basic is that anyone using machinery can complete a job much faster. Machines are more accurate, tire less and can complete simple actions much faster than humans. Where we tend to find we get real productivity gains is when an operator is able to manage […]

Faro releases new handheld 3D laser scanner

Faro Technologies, Inc has released the new Faro Scanner Freestyle3D X Handheld Laser Scanner, a 3D Laser Scanner designed to transform the way the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC), Law Enforcement, and other industries document 3D data through easy to use, intuitive data acquisition. With this release the company’s portfolio now contains two handheld scanners designed to help customers increase productivity, save time and make effective, data-driven decisions. The Freestyle3D X incorporates state-of-the-art scanning technology that delivers enhanced scanning accuracy of 1 millimeter at 1-meter range. It is available with a U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) traceable calibration accessory to provide users with verifiable data accuracy – which is critical for forensic scanning and other highly regulated industries. On-site calibration data is exportable to PDF format allowing information to be easily shared with other team members. The Freestyle3D X also incorporates an automatic flash mode enabling users to scan objects in a variety of lighting conditions. New software tools deliver an intensely detailed visualization of the created 3D point cloud, and an integrated best-point filter enhances the quality of the scan data by reducing noise up to 35%. Finally, post-processing functions have also been improved, offering up to 5x faster data saving speed to further improve productivity on the job site. The Freestyle3D X can be employed as a standalone device or used in concert with FARO Laser Scanner Focus3D X Series Laser Scanners. Point cloud data from all devices can be integrated seamlessly – even in grey scale. “The Freestyle3D X sets the industry standard for ease-of-use and verifiable accuracy among professional, portable scanning devices. The new features such as automatic flash mode, best point filter and new algorithms decisively enhance the overall scanning experience and enable users to carry out more projects with better quality […]

Delcam upgrades integrated CAM for SolidWorks

PIC CAP: Delcam for SolidWorks offers Delcam’s proven machining algorithms fully integrated into the SolidWorks environment. Delcam has launched the 2016 release of its Delcam for SolidWorks integrated CAM software for SolidWorks. This includes a range of enhancements, in particular more options for the Vortex high-efficiency area-clearance strategy, faster creation of multiple set-ups, more efficient turning and user-interface improvements to make programming even easier and faster. Full details on the new release, including video demonstrations of the main enhancements, are on the Delcam for SolidWorks Learning Zone – www.delcam.tv/dfs2016/lz Delcam for SolidWorks offers Delcam’s proven machining algorithms, which are already used by more than 50,000 customers, fully integrated into the SolidWorks environment. The program looks and behaves like SolidWorks, and offers full associativity so that any changes in the CAD model are reflected automatically in the toolpaths. However, this associativity is more intelligent than that offered in many other integrated CAM systems. Delcam for SolidWorks doesn’t simply modify the existing toolpaths but also reviews the choice of cutting tools and machining strategies, and changes them if necessary. The 2016 release includes a number of enhancements to the Vortex area-clearance strategy. Vortex gives the fastest safe metal removal from solid carbide tooling, in particular designs that give deeper cuts by using the full flute length as the cutting surface. It produces toolpaths with a controlled engagement angle and so maintains the optimum cutting conditions for the complete roughing cycle, giving faster machining and longer tool life. The ability has now been added to adjust and fine tune the non-cutting moves of 2.5D and 3D Vortex toolpaths, with options to retract the tool and/or to increase the feedrate. These options can be set individually, or can be combined to achieve an optimum toolpath, with a reduced cycle time. Other roughing improvements […]

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doug

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