Developments

Doing business at the fieldays

What this growth has done for New Zealand manufacturing achievement – some including joint-international agreements -is nothing short of amazing. A ‘world class’manufacturing showcase of advanced technology and innovative solutions By Roger Magee Senior Writer It has grown, without worthy competition, to become recognised as Australasia’s leading ‘Agri-Business’ Exhibition.- and it is easy to see why. From humble beginnings at Mystery Creek in 1968, NZ National Agricultural Fieldays “has bloomed as a free-range concept for the benefit of bringing members of New Zealand’s primary industries together to introduce and expose new products, achievements and services….and its increasingly vibrant international market connections. During the 1980’s the important open-door trans-Tasman trade policy of CER, brought Australian companies into the exhibitor fold and since then even more companies from other countries, keen to cash in on its now highly ranked business profile among the top five exhibitions of its kind in the world. What this growth has done for New Zealand manufacturing achievement – some including jointÊinternational agreements -Êis nothing short of amazing. Progress, particularly through research and development in science and technical innovation has rapidly advanced New Zealand’s highly valued primary industry profile. Last monthÊ (June) Wayne Mapp, NZ Minister of Research, Science and Technology, re-affirmed major government reforms aimed at the science and innovation spectrum, with millions of dollars being directed into fundamental research, development and technical innovation… and with that…the special focus this year on linking science and business practice in an innovative growth partnership. The future of this combined asset for New Zealand enterprise appears to be firmly in place. Innovative technology To look at the early beginnings at Mystery Creek,in the 1960’s this once humble stage for agriculture, business and industry promotion (near the banks of the wondrous Waikato River) is no longer recognisable. By the time the four-day […]

Future Focus on Export Products

Comment by Heavy Engineering Research Association Director Dr Wolfgang Scholz The Heavy Engineering Research Association has just put a funding proposal to Government’s research funding agency the Foundation for Research Science and Technology (FRST) aimed at supporting the New Zealand Metals Industry in becoming more productive and developing export opportunities. This new proposal comes at a time when Government and industry advisor’s stress the need for companies to join Government in increasing investment in research and technology (R&D) if we want the New Zealand economy to transform and create wealth funded on knowledge-based, high value-added and profitable industries. Government Science Advisor, Sir Peter Gluckman, outlined recently at a medical technology conference that our industry spending on R&D is at best 0.4 % of GDP, while in more advanced nations, industry spends as much as 2% of GDP on research and technology. However, he noted that New Zealand’s Government fares much better and is the only nation where Government RS&T spending is actually higher than industry’s with 0.5-0.7%, which is close to the average of the advanced nations’ 1% for government-funded RS&T. He also noted that the medical technology sector – to which our metals industry makes a significant contribution through tool making, casting or general metals-based manufacturing – has shown resilience despite the global financial meltdown and is predicted to be a billion $ industry within the next 5 years. In 2008, metals-based products – excluding steel- and aluminium-based products of our two steel companies and NZAS – provided export earnings alone of over $560M. I am convinced that with the right leadership and incentives in place, our strategically important industry will be able to crack the billion dollar export mark as easily as medical equipment exports are projected to. We have an amazing depth of capabilities due to our […]

Global aluminium industry co-operating on climate change actions

The International Aluminium Institute.Chairman and Deputy CEO of UC RUSAL, Mr. Artem Volynets says “The biggest task for Governments is engaging and informing the community across all levels, from producer to consumer about the role they can play in improving the transformation of resources, including energy, from raw material to consumer goods and then to reuse.” Mr. Volynets noted “our industry is committed to maintaining the position of aluminium as one of the most sustainable and preferred materials in building, transport and packaging.” “Through its annual global surveys, the aluminium industry reports key sustainability indicators in greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, environment, health & safety performance, recycling and use phase benefits of aluminium applications. Some of our industry’s key achievements in reducing the environmental footprint, promoted by voluntary industry objectives and technology, process and product developments, include: Cumulative GHG savings from recycling, 1990 – 2008 1 billion tonnes CO2e Total PFC emissions (t CO2e) reduced by 70% – and no increase in total direct emissions – between 1990 & 2008, while doubling production GHG intensity per tonne of semi fabricated product, including savings from recycling, reduced by 22% between 1990 and 2008 300 million tonnes CO2e GHG emissions potentially saved through aluminium vehicle light weighting applications in 2008 9 million tonnes of aluminium recycled from post-consumer scrap annually, saving 80 million tonnes CO2e, with additional savings from the 9 million tonnes of pre-consumer (process/manufacturing) scrap recycled every year Mr. Volynets said “these are excellent achievements by any measure and demonstrate the value of governments engaging with industry. Industry has demonstrated that it is an integral part of the response to GHG mitigation. Government can improve the effectiveness of its policy response to GHG by engaging with industry early in the development process.” Mr. Volynets emphasised the “the IAI is ready […]

The factory of the future with Direct Digital Manufacturing

Today’s tumbling economy requires that business and industry use money wisely. For a manufacturer, this means making sound product decisions and avoiding costly design revisions. With (DDM), a company can go directly from an electronic representation of a part to the final product, thus eliminating tooling. This can save significant cost and time, saving valuable resources for other activities. In a tight economy, quality becomes even more important. Often product enhancements are key to keeping a company competitive. With DDM, product enhancements can be introduced in every production run without any re-tooling. DDM also can help a company increase its sales revenue by helping to get a product on the market sooner, and thus earning money faster. Time-to-market is a key competitive strategy, and with DDM, companies can accelerate their entire design, testing and manufacturing process. DDM has the power to change fundamental business processes, reducing hundreds of thousands of dollars from upfront product launch costs, expediting manufacturing and adding efficiencies along the way. It truly has become the factory of the future. More and more manufacturers are using additive fabrication for low-volume production, says Stratasys CEO Scott Crump. Its called direct digital manufacturing and its taking off faster than we thought it would. Industry observers believe this market will far surpass our current primary market of rapid prototyping and 3D printing applications. We have many competitors, but we believe we’re the best-positioned, because our FDM process produces accurate, durable thermoplastic parts. For low-volume production, direct digital manufacturing can be a viable alternative to traditional manufacturing methods with several benefits: ROI can often be realized in a small number of projects Products get to market quicker No machining or tooling or associated costs No waiting for machining or tooling Inventory reduction: components can be made on demand Design can be […]

EMEX: NZ’s Biggest and Best is Back and Better

New Zealand’s biggest, oldest and most comprehensive engineering, machinery, electronics and manufacturing industry showcase returns next year and is already proving popular, with almost half the show space pre-booked. EMEX 2010 is the prime business tool for everyone working in industrial engineering and maintenance, control and instrumentation, machine technology, plant automation and monitoring, welding, forming and cutting, and software and computerisation. In many cases you can get hands-on experience with the technology and compare and contrast alternative solutions on site. If you’re grappling with problems, or looking to make improvements and expansions you need to visit EMEX 2010. Similarly, if you’re in the business of providing those solutions, you need to be exhibiting at EMEX. EMEX 2010, which takes place from the 4-6 May 2010, will have an even bigger focus on new technologies and innovations, and will see a return of the highly successful and innovative Heavy Metal machine technology exhibition within EMEX. Many exhibitors are planning to feature hot new technology, systems, software, equipment and instrumentation. As the prime event of its type, and a vital industry business tool, companies exhibiting will be going all out to give visitors an unbeatable hands-on experience. They’ll also have their top people on site to ensure that immediate technical advice can be provided. Show organiser dmg world media has also worked to enhance the learning and development aspect of EMEX 2010. There will be a seminar series as well as specially created ‘social’ areas to support visitors who want to network and talk over common issues and share experiences. With almost half the space booked, EMEX 2010 is expected to attract 160 exhibitors or more. There are already some from overseas confirmed, and EMEX 2010 is hoping to have at least 20 first-time exhibitors aswell. As in previous events there is […]