See us at EMEX 2014
Composite Helicopters is appearing on Stand 3056 at EMEX 2014 from 27-29 May at ASB Showgrounds, Auckland.
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Omni Stop provides pedestrian protection
PICTURE: Vehicle travelling at 60 Km per hour safely stopped with minimal deflection of the Omni Stop Bollard. There are regular reports across Australia of incidents where vehicles have crashed into construction zones, bus stops, pavement cafes and retail shop windows. Protecting lives from potential injury or death is paramount for all authorities so after each of these incidents, there is an investigation to assess whether or not it could have been prevented. One way to prevent out of control vehicles crashing into work zones or pedestrian areas is to erect a barrier which affords protection but does not restrict everyday activities on, or adjacent to, a road. Some common types of barrier, such as precast concrete sections or water-filled plastic units, provide inadequate protection and in some cases increase damage and injury to drivers and pedestrians. The Omni Stop Bollard is an energy absorbing bollard that is the only one of its type in Australia. It has been extensively crash-tested with impacts up to 60 kilometres per hour and complies with the requirements of AS/NZS3845:1999 Table 5.3.3(3). The Omni Stop Bollard permits access for workers to a construction zone or pedestrians to a shopping precinct while at the same time preventing vehicle penetration. Designed, assembled and tested in Australia, the Omni Stop Bollard is available from Saferoads. Based in West Gippsland, Victoria, Saferoads has been servicing State government departments, local councils and road construction companies with a broad range of products designed to direct, protect, inform and illuminate all road users since 1992. The carbon steel bollard of the Omni Stop is supported by a unique energy absorbing cartridge that is encased in a concrete footing. When the bollard is impacted, the cartridge deforms and absorbs the kinetic energy of the vehicle. When a 1600 kilogram car at 60 […]
Confidence and domestic sales down, exports up
The latest New Zealand Manufacturers and Exporters Association (NZMEA) Survey of Business Conditions completed during April 2014, shows total sales in March 2014 increased 12.57% (year on year export sales increased by 29.33% with domestic sales decreasing 3.05%) on March 2013. The NZMEA survey samplecovered NZ$403m in annualised sales, with an export content of 55%. Net confidence was at 0, down on February’s result of 35. The current performance index (a combination of profitability and cash flow) is at 101.7, up from February’s result of 98.7, the change index (capacity utilisation, staff levels, orders and inventories) was at 101, down from 105 in the last survey, and the forecast index (investment, sales, profitability and staff) is at 104, down on February’s result of 107.67. Anything less than 100 indicates a contraction. Constraints reported were 53% markets, 20% capital, 13% production capacity and 13% skilled staff. Net productivity was unchanged on last month. Staff numbers for March increased year on year by 0.33%. All staff segments, tradespersons, operators/labourers, supervisors, managers and professional/scientists, reported a moderate shortage for March. “This month showed generally more of what we have been seeing over the last few months, domestic sales falling (it is worth noting that few of our members are directly related to construction), while export sales increases, however export sales are returning little margin with an elevated currency. Net confidence fell, indexes were mixed and staff numbers increased slightly.” “Comments were also mixed, but it is clear the exchange rate is having an effect on those supplying the domestic economy by increasing import competition, while remaining an issue for exporters.” “The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) raised interest rates for the second time last week which puts further pressure on the exchange rate. The RBNZ keeps on saying that the current level […]
Australian Productivity Commission Chairman Peter Harris says in a report that Australia hasn’t been productive in recent years . “Australia’s productivity performance has fallen well behind that of most other developed economies for more than a decade. Reasons for this, include differences in the rate of investment growth. But the picture painted in the statistics calls for strong policy attention, particularly in the current era where the recent record terms of trade will no longer support continued income growth,” Harris said in a statement. The report focused on three important areas: the effect of price distortions on productivity; Australia’s 2012-13 productivity performance and productivity in manufacturing. Agriculture, mining, manufacturing, utilities and information technology showed the most unproductive trends, particularly businesses of petroleum, chemicals, small wine-makers, artisan bakers and regulated pricing of electricity and water. The agriculture industry productivity fell at 5.8 percent, minging at -4.9 percent, manufacturing at -0.5 percent, electricity, gas water and waste at -1.8 percent and and information, media and telecommunications at 7.2 percent. However, he said a good sounding policy could effect change. Harris pointed out the current policies of water companies, for example, were forced to invest in more costly sources like desalination and recycling instead of deciding to charge more when there is lack of supply. The chairman said this reduced productivity for the water industry. While economic experts debated that Australia has no productivity problem because of labour productivity, the growth in the industries overall were feeble. “It’s a global bother, but we are the ones with persistent negatives and that’s a bother to me. Whatever the case, it means we are not doing well enough to justify continuing high growth in incomes.” With the report, the commission sought to call the government to act on the problem through strengthening the labour market […]
Policy Game Changer?
Today’s announcement by David Parker and the Labour Party if done well, might be a game changer, aligning monetary and fiscal policy to deal with the pressures that face our economy here and now, say the New Zealand Manufacturers and Exporters Association (NZMEA). NZMEA Chief Executive John Walley says, “This is a big step, but it is something that has developed around the world. The days of one target (inflation), one lever (OCR) monetary policy are numbered; we now live in a complex world of multiple targets, and multiple levers – crucially this change fits the framework of other policies announced by Labour last week.” “Targeting our external balance as well as inflation will lead to lower exchange rates over time, and consequently better outcomes for our entire economy, allowing New Zealand to earn its way in the world.” “The introduction of a savings lever to dampen inflationary pressures in addition to interest rates is a good move; it will remove the Reserve Bank option to deflate the tradeable sector in order to keep headline inflation inside the target band via an overvalued exchange rate.” “This is an important strategic change, combined with signalled fiscal policy changes to re-balance investment incentives (remove the capital gains tax exemption), encouraging greater value add from more research and development (R&D tax credits) and increasing productive equipment investment (accelerated depreciation); all speak to a coherent re-emphasis of the importance of the tradeable sector. We should never forget that a balanced current account matters to each of us as individuals and to us all collectively as a nation.” “I have seen comment that a lower exchange rate will result in higher costs, but an overvalued exchange rate is a sugar rush to consumption that has little substance. In any event, research by the Reserve Bank […]
Mitsubishi advanced laser technology represented At EMEX 2014
The release of the latest Mitsubishi Electric 45CF-R and 60XF laser resonators and their range of CO2 laser cutting machines has provided the sheet and plate cutting industry with a highly efficient, cost effective, and reliable laser cutting machine. The advances in Mitsubishi laser technology are aimed at improving cut surface finish and lowering operating and maintenance costs. Smooth edge cut finish allows the laser cut part to be plated or painted without the need for a secondary milling operation to clean up the rough laser cutting lines on the part edges. Removal of secondary milling cleanup operations can save considerable time and cost in component manufacturing plus reduce the overall overheads required when more processes are involved. A range of Mitsubishi 45CF-R CO2 laser cut samples from Steel and stainless will be on display at Revolution Precision Machinery EMEX stand 3073. Laser operating costs are a prime consideration for the Mitsubishi Japan based R&D team and they have been at the forefront of cost saving laser technology over the past 35 years. Mitsubishi Electric has built over 10,000 laser machines since starting production at their Japan factory in 1979. The new CF-R and XF resonators are at the leading edge of modern laser technology and offer considerable savings over many older technology laser resonators in current use. The latest Mitsubishi CO2 resonator has the lowest laser gas usage of any CO2 laser of equal power output and also one of the lowest maintenance and service costs. The overall advances in Mitsubishi laser technology with smooth edge, low laser gas use, and fast piercing have created a competitive advantage over competing brands and their technology. New Zealand Mitsubishi Electric authorised sales and service agent Revolution Precision Machinery has the full range of 4.5KW and 6KW Mitsubishi […]
An EMEX show stopper!
Total CNC Products and Kitamura Machinery of Japan will showcase the new Mycenter 3XG at EMEX 2014. “This will be the first time NZ industry will see the new model 3XG from Kitamura” say Rodney Oxford, Managing Director of Total CNC. We formed our relationship with Kitamura back in 1997 and sold many of the old Mycenter 3X machines especially into the toolmaking industry due to its exceptional accuracy. Over the years the 3X was replaced with the 3Xi and then the 3XiF models as technology moved and speeds got faster. The new 3XG takes things to a new level. The new 3XG is designed and manufactured by Kitamura to offer exceptional value but without compromising what the world has come to expect from the Kitamura name. All Kitamura machines are still meticulously hand scraped on all mounted surfaces to achieve Kitamura ‘TGA’ or ‘True Geometric Accuracy’. This TGA process forms the no compromise approach from Dr Akihiro Kitamura President of Kitamura Machinery says Oxford, all machines must be mechanically perfect and no geometric electronic compensation can be used on any Kitamura machine to adjust for squareness, parallelism or mechanical accuracy. One of the features of the new 3XG is the new control system designed by Kitamura and Mitsubishi. The ARUMATIC controller is as powerful as it is friendly to use. It features a huge 19″ LCD screen and all high speed machining features are included as standard. The control unit swings out at 90 degrees ensuring comfort and great viewing for the machine operator. The 3XG is designed for small to medium workpieces. It has travels of 760mm(X) x 455mm(Y) and 460mm(Z) the same as all the previous 3X models. A double contact BBT40 spindle of 15,000rpm is standard as is the 30 tool ATC. The rapid feedrates […]
Industrial Air Systems at EMEX 2014
Global compressed air group- Pneutech NZ, is pleased to announce the move of their key NZ distributor ; Industrial Air Systems, into the Auckland market. Industrial Air Systems is exhibiting at EMEX 2014 on Stand 4031. Pneutech’s USA-based international president- Mr Bradley Taylor, says “Industrial Air Systems entry into the Auckland market, brings a whole new field of international expertise, a century of combined product knowledge and decades of local hands-on service experience to a very complacent industry.” Mr Taylor also says that Pneutech subsidiary members such as Industrial Air Systems, “bring to the market the unique combination of huge global resources and buying power, yet the personal service of a locally owned company and staff with a vested interest in their clients.” Industrial Air Systems’ newly appointed Auckland regional manager, Chris Redshaw, says that “the company’s primary focus is to provide a superior service solution to their clients, offering superior flexibility, superior options and superior turnaround to what is on offer currently”. With considerable experience in the compressed air and related energy industry, Chris is also “very aware of the obscure cost of inefficient compressed air systems, and how effective optimisation can save a factory thousands per annum.Says Mr Redshaw; ” Our first goal is to point out to the Auckland industry, that they now have a choice of world-class compressed air system providers, and then secondly to highlight how our extensive product knowledge and experience, could lead to substantial operational savings, both in energy and maintenance gains.” While specialising in a full range of oil-lubricated and oil-free rotary screw, stationary and portable compressors up to 400kW, Industrial Air Systems also supplies and services both specialised high pressure and gas compressors, refrigerated and desiccant dryers, gas generators, and air reticulation, to name a few areas. With a locally […]
Auckland Bearing Distributors at EMEX 2014
Friction equals money wasted. With ever increasing energy costs it pay to keep an eye on the parts of your business that help it operate most efficiently. Paper mills use an average of 20% of total energy just to overcome friction . One third of all fuel energy used in passenger cars is used for the same purpose . Overall countries could save close to 1.5% of GDP by greater attention to the reduction of friction . For New Zealand that is over 3 billion dollars that could be invested in other activities, simply by working to reduce energy costs through low friction design and correct maintenance of existing plant. Since 1977 Auckland Bearing Distributors have been sticking to what we do best – supporting New Zealand industry by representing some of the best names in bearings and power transmission. We are proud suppliers of Nachi and NSK bearings, NAK oil seals, Tsubaki chain and many other famous brands. With over 15,000 stock lines and access to a world of specialty parts through our dedicated procurement service, Auckland Bearing Distributors are committed to being THE bearing and power transmission specialists in New Zealand for all sectors of industry. Auckland Bearing Distributors are proud to be presenting at 2014’s EMEX show. EMEX is New Zealand’s foremost industrial trade show and it is a great opportunity to put ourselves and the brands we represent in front of the people who are creating New Zealand’s manufacturing and engineering future. Come and see us at stand 2076 at this year’s show and let us show you how we can put our experience to work for you. 1 Holmberg et al. 2013. Tribology International 2 Holmberg et al. 2012. Tribology International 3 Jost. 2005. Proceedings of World Tribology Congress
Time to look at tending your CNC Machining Centre with a Robot?
PICTURE: The UR5 from Universal Robots with the Control Box and Teach Pendant. Design Energy, appearing on Stand 2075, says to remain competitive engineering companies are constantly looking for ways to reduce the cost of producing parts. Some are spending significant amounts money on larger capacity machines, specialised tooling and CAM software which will optimise cycle times. In many cases shaving seconds off a cycle time is celebrated as a win. But three times a day, the machine stops for 15 to 30 minutes while the operator is at smoko or lunch. Most engineering companies running CNC Machining Centres would ask themselves at some point; what is the cost/benefit in automating the loading of the machine? A bar feed on a CNC Lathe is a cheap way to automate the machine loading process, and this has proved to be a ‘no-brainer’ for those application able to apply it. But what about all those other applications a bar cannot be applied to? A 6-axis robot is a great solution for these applications. So why isn’t everyone doing it? The short answer is that the technology is still catching up. Currently most robots are difficult to program and this programming time (up to 60 minutes for a simple loading operation) means the robot can only be economically applied to large runs of 1000 or more parts. In many New Zealand machine shops the batch sizes are more like 5 – 50 parts. Spending an hour programming a robot to load 5 parts does not make sense. Universal Robots, from Denmark focused on this issue when designing their latest robots, the UR5 and UR10. With this in mind they developed affordable, flexible robots which can be programmed to load a CNC Machine in 5 – 10 minutes. The programming time has been slashed […]