Company Profile: Exxovantage
The business has expanded to Australia, the USA, Africa and Singapore, with bold plans to become the global leader in wearable robotics technology.
Business News
Skills shortage survey confirms worst fears
Upskilling and training staff may be the easiest solution for the 71 per cent of businesses unable to fill technical roles, with 54 per cent already engaged in apprenticeships, and another 24 per cent planning to take on an apprentice in the next twelve months.
Timoti Harris, Managing Director at Empowering Change:Te Tiriti in the workplace
While the broad strokes of Te Tiriti o Waitangi are now widely acknowledged, many people do not know its contents and intent. Much of HERA’s forward programme of research involves achieving industry focused solutions – but a much-needed change is that it now needs to be reviewed through the lens of te ao Māori. This is part of HERA’s commitment to acknowledge Te Tiriti o Waitangi and interfaces between Mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) and industry to expand knowledge and practice more generally. An example of this is HERA’s Endeavour Fund four-year research project focused on transforming the construction sector in Aotearoa New Zealand using Construction 4.0 approaches. The Mātauranga Māori research theme within it, aims to address the gap of knowledge that exists and build a uniquely Māori framework to address the challenges of Construction 4.0. This will create new knowledge domestically and will sit internationally as an example of indigenous knowledge being incorporated into sectoral transformation. HERA acknowledges that for industry, this will be confronting for some. Challenging the status quo of ‘doing’ business requires courage, even more so when the way to do it means looking through a cultural lens that may be unfamiliar. However, there are significant changes occurring in New Zealand that indicate HERA needs to focus on this, as does business. This includes from a government perspective, the development of the Vision Mātauranga strategy of MBIE; development of the Te Ara Paerangi Future Pathways White Paper on the future of the research, science and innovation system imbedding Te Tiriti as one of four key focus areas; the revisions to the Education Act that now require honouring of Te Tiriti; and changes to government procurement rules that call for business to consider how to create opportunities for Māori. As industry faces skills gaps and labour […]
Doppelmayr sustainable transport solutions across New Zealand
Garreth Hayman, CEO Doppelmayr New Zealand To meet our 2030 and 2050 climate targets, Aotearoa must think differently about how to move its growing population. Doppelmayr’s urban ropeway technology offers innovative, affordable and sustainable solutions that can keep our cities moving. With the ability to transport 12,000 people per hour, ropeways enhance a city’s liveability, connect harder to reach communities, integrate with existing transport infrastructure, relieve congestion and attract more people to use public transport. Do you have examples as to where your company has done this before? Doppelmayr has designed and delivered several public transport systems using ropeway technology, including in London, Mexico City, Luxemburg and Portland. We are currently underway with the first-ever public transit gondola for Paris which will be completed in 2025. Our largest urban ropeway ‘Mi Teleférico’ in La Paz, Bolivia, consists of ten lines with an overall length of more than 30 kilometres. Mi Teleférico transports about 300,000 people every day as a means for getting to work and school, whilst providing access to community hubs and leisure-time activities. With more than 300 million passengers transported to date, commuters continue to benefit from significant time savings and escape from daily road congestion. What do you mean by an integrated transport solution? Doppelmayr’s urban ropeway solutions can be integrated into existing and future transport networks, to complement train, bus and ferry services. This includes integrated stations for easy transfers between modes and the integration with existing payment methods, such as Auckland Transport’s HOP system or the new National ticketing system. Do you see this integration across large cities or rurally? Most of our existing urban ropeway solutions have focused on connecting cities where high density and geographical barriers have prevented other transport expansion to take place. However, this doesn’t mean that integration isn’t possible in […]
RS PRO & Engineers Without Borders announce winners of student design competition
RS PRO & Engineers Without Borders Australia (EWB) have drawn the winners of their recent student competition, awarding three winners in Australia and New Zealand. The three winners were commended for their socio-technical skills, sustainable design and social impact of their designs. The first winner, Luke Nelson studying at ANU, is building a seed sorting robot which is a shaker-table based device which aims to address the significant time and labour challenges associated with sorting native grains. The real world application has been tested through an Indigenous owned organisation working to develop a native grains industry for the benefit of First Nations people. Maja Ranzinger who studies at Auckland University is currently developing a prototype design for an autonomous apple picker. The body is a thin, electrically motorised four-wheel system that fits within the orchard lanes. Maja’s project aims to lower the production cost whilst solving the problems of labour shortages in this industry. Lastly, Patricia Wang-Zhao at ANU is developing a local design summit which is a collaborative platform whereby student and professional engineers engage with local First Nations people. The summit aims to explore opportunities in engaging with Indigenous knowledge for economic and environmental benefit. RS Pro and EWB are supporting these winning submissions with product packs worth $3,000 which includes RS PRO components, tools, and accessories tailored to the projects. The competition criteria included: Socio-technical skills. Sustainable design skills, including the environmental, economic and social impacts. The demonstration of effective communication skills through the design pitch application whilst articulating teamwork skills of the project. A demonstration of how the fund will help the entrant achieve positive social, economic, and environmental impacts. Scott Philbrook, Managing Director ANZ for RS, the parent company of RS PRO, says he is looking to support future generations of engineers through programs like […]
Kemppi adds Pulse model to X5 FastMig welding range
Leading international welding equipment manufacturer, Kemppi, has released its latest addition to its range of X5 FastMig welders – the new X5 FastMig Pulse. The X5 FastMig Pulse multi-process welding system has been specifically designed for steel, aluminium and stainless steel welding in industrial environments. The machine delivers a range of features that help significantly enhance arc welding productivity. Built using energy-efficient inverter technology, the X5 FastMig Pulse offers faster welding and quality welds thanks to Touch Sense Ignition, effortless operation, excellent welding ergonomics, flexible equipment setup and is industry 4.0 ready. Faster welding, better quality weldsA high-performing machine, the X5 FastMig Pulse features the latest in ignition technology – Touch Sense Ignition – as standard. When combined with WiseSteel software, which is also included in the X5 FastMig Pulse, it delivers precise ignition capability and stable arc control. The X5 Pulse tackles the challenges of globular arc by alternating between short arc and spray transfer. In short-circuit transfer, it improves the arc stability adaptively, providing better out-of-position steel welding capabilities. In spray transfer mode, micropulsing of the current and voltage increases travel speed significantly. In doing so, the X5 Pulse helps to minimise the spatter produced by a traditional globular arc, as well as the need for post weld cleaning, saving the welder both valuable time and cost, while helping to deliver better quality welds. For more challenging steel, stainless steel and aluminium applications, the arc control can be further optimised with optional MAX welding programs and Wise special processes. Effortless operationDesigned to be hassle-free, the new model can be quickly set up thanks to Weld Assist.This feature guides the welder to set the right parameters for each application so they can start welding faster. The X5 Pulse is also very easy to operate. It features a large, graphical and […]
Eagle Protect ensures high-performance disposable gloves
Christchurch-founded company, Eagle Protect, is challenging the disposable glove industry by bringing transparency to its supply chains through the launch of “Delta Zero”, the multi-layered proprietary glove quality testing program. As the world’s only B Corp certified company in the sector, Eagle Protect is on a mission to provide Kiwis and those across the globe with access to high-quality disposable gloves which are safe, durable and free of contamination. The global industry’s supply chains are plagued with malpractice such as reject quality, counterfeit and already-used disposable gloves being repackaged and sold to end-users as brand new, all of which can often lead to breakdowns in infection and hygiene control. Eagle Protect’s five-year microbial analysis study revealed the widespread risk of contamination within the disposable glove industry, with independent lab testing uncovering 50% of new and unused gloves analysed had human faecal indicators. To combat these issues Eagle Protect is establishing the global industry standard for compliance, providing a method for ensuring that vulnerable industries, including food handling and healthcare sectors, have access to clean gloves, free of harmful toxins and contaminants. “In the effort to mitigate glove contamination risks to multiple industries and glove users we’ve spent the last few years refining our Delta Zero verification process,” said Steve Ardagh, CEO and co-founder of Eagle Protect. “It’s a proprietary, multi-layered, five-point testing process that ensures Eagle gloves strictly adhere to the industry’s highest level of safety and performance.” Though most of the general public remains unaware, New Zealand relies on the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations for the quality assurance of food handling gloves. However, there are significant limitations within the FDA’s current food glove compliance requirements. The FDA’s own code for imported gloves (FDA Title 21, Part 177) does not specifically require them to be intact, […]
Cost effective automation
Low Cost Automation reduces the barriers to getting started with automation and gives special assistance to small and medium-sized companies in increasing their competitiveness. To this end, motion plastics specialist igus has built up a broad network of 55 robotics providers and 40 integrators over the past three years – and new partners are constantly being added. As a result of continuous developments and product innovations, affordable robotics has become especially interesting for small and medium-sized companies. And the number of offers on the market is increasing. For instance, igus Low Cost Automation represents a broad portfolio of articulated arm, linear, delta and SCARA robots. Product modularity means that single components or individual complete solutions can be assembled according to the build-or-buy principle. The focus is always on a low entry-level price and quick payback. This is where igus high-performance plastics play to their strengths. They are tribologically optimised and especially durable, lightweight, lubrication-free and maintenance-free, and cost-effective to produce. The most cost-effective solution that works Over the past three years, igus has built up a broad, constantly growing partner network. As part of the LCA partner programme, the motion plastics specialist works with integrators who provide customers with additional expertise, experience with end customer projects, and joint project experience. Igus started with seven partners around two years ago, and now have almost 100. In order to refer interested parties to competent integration partners in their area, they are constantly expanding their network. Together, they can offer customers a wide range of automation solutions – focussing on applications with a total investment volume of less than €45,000. Typical services include integrating a control system into existing machines, setting up and commissioning robots, evaluating safety measures or, if there is simply no capacity, providing the capability of assembling machines on site. Experience Low Cost Automation […]
Circular economy: so much more than recycling!
Article: Part one The circle has been an important symbol since early times. To many ancient Eastern and Western civilisations, it represented unity, balance and stability. Fast forward to 2023 and the circle is the most talked about shape in sustainability. Why? Because it’s time to get serious about the circular economy and the business, environmental and social benefits it offers. What is ‘circular economy’? Circular economy (CE) is an economic system that can help your manufacturing business reduce risks and costs, become more resilient and build your brand. It can also help you identify new income streams. CE decouples using resources from economic growth. It recognises that the ‘linear’ economic system we use to produce and consume goods and services – ‘take-make-dispose’ – cannot go on forever. As manufacturers, you know that the resources you use are finite (‘take’). You may be facing shortages or skyrocketing prices, particularly with critical materials like lithium. Many of you will be looking for a more sustainable way to manufacture your product (‘make’). You may be concerned about what happens when consumers dispose of your product (‘dispose’). Are you contributing to landfilled waste? Could you be liable? Enter circular economy and solutions to these problems. Circular economy is based on three principles Principle 1: keep products and materials in use Circulating products and materials means keeping them in use at their highest value. It avoids the costs of extracting and creating materials, and of disposing of waste. A circular product is one that consumers can use for as long as possible (e.g. it is easy to repair). When the product wears out, its parts can be reused, or the product remanufactured (remade). At the end of the product’s life, its raw materials can be fully recycled. Principle 2: design out waste and pollution […]
Regulated stewardship coming soon for synthetic refrigerant industry
By Jason Richards – National Programme Manager – Chemicals, 3R Group In the race to combat climate change a lot of emphasis is put on CO2, and with good reason, but there is another widely used group of gases which are thousands of times more potent at warming the planet. Synthetic greenhouse gases, such as synthetic refrigerants (sometimes called F-gases), are used in everything from vehicle air conditioning to heat pumps, supermarket and corner store fridges, and industrial-scale cooling and freezing. While they only account for 2% of New Zealand’s emissions their potency means, globally, properly managing them is one of the most effective ways to tackle climate change. In July 2020 Government declared synthetic refrigerant gases, and the equipment that contains them, from consumer equipment like heat pumps and car air conditioning units to retail and industrial refrigeration systems, as a priority product. This means a regulated product stewardship scheme will have to be established, encompassing all of industry to manage the gases. Product stewardship manages the collection of products at the end of life so they can be reused, recycled or properly disposed of. In the case of synthetic refrigerants, proper disposal through high-heat incineration is currently the best pathway. SF6 is included Also included in the stewardship will be SF6 (sulphur hexafluoride) gas, which is found in equipment used to distribute electricity. It is the most potent greenhouse gas known to man, being over 20,000 time more effective than carbon dioxide at trapping heat. What is the current situation? New Zealand has had a voluntary stewardship scheme for synthetic refrigerants since 1993 operated by The Trust for the Destruction of Synthetic Refrigerants (RECOVERY). Between then and October 2022 it has prevented 1,236,000 tonnes of CO2eq greenhouse gas emissions, in addition to 36,000 tonnes of avoided ozone depletion […]