Developments

Revered nation’s Statoil explorations hushed up here

Norway’s Statoil is one of the major international investors in oil exploration in the New Zealand jurisdiction. Statoil (State oil) operations include among others the 28,000 square kilometre permit in the East Coast and Pegasus basins, southeast off New Zealand’s North Island. Norway was among the most fervent backers of the Paris Climate accords. Norway with a population similar to New Zealand’s has accumulated from its oil developments a sovereign wealth fund superior to Saudi Arabia’s. At a time when New Zealand is in the throes of shutting down its oil exploration sector, Norway, held up as an example of nationwide Green values, seeks to develop its already immense resources. The fact that this Green-revered nation is also one of the major current oil explorers in the New Zealand jurisdiction has been deliberately ignored. The Statoil revelations come at the same time as indications that under pressure to appease its doctrinal wing the Labour coalition government introduced the exploration ban even when it was receiving indications of the presence in New Zealand of Mycoplasma bovis. So far officials have sat on the real problem which is that the existence of the pathogen in New Zealand will give international buyers, already looking at a global over-supply, the opportunity to break contracts. The plausibility notion behind the original anti- oil campaign was to allow New Zealand, in its own popular parlance, to “punch above its weight” in international forums of the well-intentioned kind. Now, in contrast, New Zealand is looking silly having wilfully signalled the end of a major locomotive, pulling, force in its economy at a time when its main force, dairy, was entering a period, to put it mildly, of uncertainty. This in turn is compounded because the main region of oil exploration and production in New Zealand is Taranaki […]

New innovations improving primary industry

Day two of the 50th New Zealand Agricultural Fieldays kicked off with the Innovations Awards breakfast where a selection of New Zealand’s top innovations were on display, all with creative ideas on improving New Zealand’s agricultural industry. New Zealand National Fieldays Society CEO Peter Nation spoke of the importance of innovations at the National Agricultural Fieldays. “One of the main reasons the New Zealand agricultural industry is so recognised and respected around the world is because of the innovations coming from awards like these. The people here today are shaping the future of farming and will be making major changes in in the industry in another 12months.” Says Nation. The entrants were supported by a group of knowledgeable and insightful sponsors who have provided advice around law, research, networking, engineering, technology and science. Judges spoke of how the winners were successful at picking good problems to solve and being very creative in the way they solve them. Innovations that were easy to use, cost-effective, efficient and enhanced value came away with top honours. The 2018 Innovation Award winners are: Fieldays Grassroots Prototype Award – Acuris Systems This prototype robot, autonomously navigates kiwifruit orchards while capturing highly accurate fruit data. This data is then analysed to provide growers with quality information and insights to their orchards performance. Fieldays Grassroots Established Award – Pamu Farming New Zealand Landcorp has just completed its second season of deer milking in partnership with the Peter and Sharon McIntyre. Significant, world first research and intellectual property has been developed from behind the farm gate through to a finished RMP approved product which Pāmu Foods can now use to assess market demand and price tolerance. Fieldays Prototype Highly Commended – Maraeroa C Incorporation. Ginseng Berry Gin is a New Zealand first made from ginseng berries grown in […]

NZ company helping to uberise science

A New Zealand company that is at the forefront of the global fight against air pollution is collaborating with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help advance the research and development of next generation air sensor technology. A five-year Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) was signed between the EPA and Aeroqual. The New Zealand-based company has decade long pioneering work in the development of small, low-cost portable equipment that even school children can use. Announcing the agreement, the EPA said next generation air monitoring tools are new technological advances that are increasingly being used by researchers and citizen scientists alike to monitor and measure air quality. EPA’s co-investigators Rachelle Duvall and Russell Long – who will work alongside Aeroqual leads Geoff Henshaw and Kyle Alberti – said the next generation tools are so much more accessible compared to the large, stationary monitors. Duvall says the EPA will benefit from the collaboration by combining their expertise in air measurements with Aeroqual’s expertise in sensor development to advance air quality characterisation using next generation air monitoring tools. “Because these tools are so much more accessible compared to traditional air monitoring equipment and are being used by not only the scientific community but also the general public, it is important for all users to have confidence in the data they are collecting.” The CRADA between Aeroqual and the EPA will investigate new applications, methodologies and technologies for the low-cost measurement of outside air pollutants. While current low-cost air sensors measure common air pollutants, like ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), particulate matter (PM) (among others), the EPA is also interested in measuring other compounds including air toxics such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which cause adverse health effects. Duvall said she hopes the two organisations will improve some […]

Cluster theory fails to take hold in NZ manufacturing

Twenty-seven years after the Porter Project recommended New Zealand should pursue a “clusters” strategy to develop its manufacturing base, a government study of the manufacturing sector has found there are “few economically significant manufacturing clusters in New Zealand”. Without mentioning the government’s commercialisation accelerator agency, Callaghan Innovation, by name, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s New Zealand Manufacturing Sector Report suggests that “new institutions may need to be established, or existing institutions modified”. Callaghan is expected to see funding cuts for direct grants to companies seeking research and development assistance in the May Budget, as the government moves to introduce a new R&D tax credits system. Economic Development Minister David Parker launched the report, the first such overview of the sector by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment since it began publishing sector reports in 2013 under the previous government, in Auckland this afternoon. The report notes poor productivity persists in the sector and the long lead times required for new, higher value industries to emerge and appears to suggest changes are required to existing policy settings and government agencies to help deliver better results. “The development of a new industry typically follows an ‘S’ curve, similar to the stages a new technology goes through as it diffuses through society,” the report says. “There is usually a long gestation period – perhaps 10-20 years – while the skills and capability needed to succeed are learned and acquired by: firms; investors and service providers; and the education and government sectors. “New institutions may need to be established or existing institutions modified.” The government is also conducting reviews and reforms of the education system, including initiatives to improve the financial stability and quality of skills training through the country’s polytechnics. The manufacturing sector is a disproportionately large employer of tradespeople, […]

Australian state looks to New Zealand for export lessons

An Australian state is looking to follow the blueprint of neighbouring export powerhouse New Zealand in a bid to turn its economy around. Steven Marshall’s Liberal Government won the March 17 state election, ending 16 years of Labor Party rule in South Australia. Still in his first 100 days of office, Marshall has vowed to lower taxes, streamline approval processes and grow exports. Several aspects of his plan seek to follow the success of New Zealand when John Key was Prime Minister from 2008-2016. During this time Key lifted the country out of recession forged strong export ties with China and helped develop several strong export industries. Led by the dairy industry, six of New Zealand’s top seven export categories are food or drink related and include meat, fruit, seafood and wine. New Zealand’s exports hit a record high of A$50.2 billion (NZ$53.7 billion) in 2017, up 11 per cent on 2016 and beating the previous record of 2014. Despite having about 7 per cent of Australia’s population, South Australia only accounts for 4 per cent of Australia’s total exports. Marshall said this compared to 7.4 per cent of Australia’s merchandise exports in 2002. Like New Zealand, South Australia’s major export categories are dominated by primary industries such as wheat, meat and wine. China is the biggest trading partner of both jurisdictions with Asia accounting for more than half of all exports in both economies. However, Marshall said South Australia’s exports to China had lost ground against other Australian states in recent years. He said New Zealand’s success was in pinpointing sectors, such as the dairy industry, and aligning them with targeted export markets. He said he had already met with three of South Australia’s largest red meat exporters with a view to increasing their opportunities. “New Zealand had a […]

Are you a future-ready manufacturer?

Greg O’Loan, regional vice president, ANZ for Epicor Software Corporation For manufacturers to compete successfully in the face of cheaper overseas competitors, it’s essential to look to technologies that can offer improved processes, increased efficiencies, and substantial cost savings. Before businesses can determine whether they’re a future-ready manufacturer, they need to understand exactly where their business sits today, where it could be in three to five years, and how the business can embrace innovation and automation. This requires a time investment to create a roadmap. However, this investment will pay off as the business becomes truly future-ready and can leverage new and emerging technologies to compete more effectively. At the very least, tackling these tough questions will put organisations ahead of competitors who are consumed with putting out today’s fires rather than focusing on growth opportunities. Manufacturers that don’t invest in breakthrough technologies will be rendered irrelevant and, more often than not, it will happen at a much faster rate than they ever could have dreamed possible. It’s important to address this significant business risk sooner rather than later by embracing ways to work smarter and more efficiently. The next generation of manufacturers can’t afford to sit on the sidelines. Future manufacturers will need to be aware of how the world is changing, pay attention to economic and geopolitical forecasts, and invest in technology. While innovation is important, the key for the average manufacturing plant looking for a toehold is knowing your customers and their needs just a little bit better than the competition does. The opportunities for growth have increased recently and the Australian manufacturing industry is set for a resurgence. It has added 40,000 new jobs in since June 2016, and increased the value of Australian-made goods sold to international markets by more than $20 billion since 2009. […]

Welders’ powered air now more affordable

After hearing the news regarding the reclassification of welding fume by the IARC and putting together a Welding Fume White Paper on what this means for Australian welders, AWS, the sole agent for the 3M Speedglas Brand in Australia and New Zealand, has decided to reposition the 3M Speedglas 9100XXi Air Powered Air Purifying Respirator with a sharper price point to help make powered air respiratory protection more affordable for Aussie and Kiwi welders. The Speedglas 9100 Air The Speedglas 9100 Air coupled with the award winning Adflo PAPR combines the largest viewing area on the market with Speedglas TrueView which allows the welder to view their weld with better clarity and more colour. When combined with the peripheral Side Windows the 9100 Air gives welders vision like no other welding helmet currently on the market. With an External Button that allows the welder to bounce between two saved welding settings and grind mode, the welder never needs to touch the welding lens interface again. Simply switch between welding and grinding tasks with a touch of an external button while maintaining your positive pressure seal and desired level of welding respiratory protection. When selecting a non-flip-up welding helmet with a PAPR consider the following: • Welding Lens Viewing Area: Speedglas 9100 Air, with peripheral SideWindows, has the largest viewing area currently available on the market. • Arc Detection: The 9100 Air has the most powerful arc detection available down to 1amp • Light State and True View Optics: With a light state of 3 and Speedglas TrueView, set-up and inspect with colour and clarity and weld in High Definition. • Controls: With external grind and memory modes, the 9100 Air makes switching applications easy. • Side Windows: If you have never experienced Speedglas Side Window peripheral vision it’s time to […]

Konecranes explores advanced networks with Nokia’s Digital Automation Cloud

Konecranes Executive Vice President, Technologies, Juha Pankakoski (centre) talks about the future of Konecranes digital solutions and the company’s collaboration with Nokia on cloud technology. Konecranes is exploring advanced networks and global digital automation cloud that enable Konecranes to utilise future network technology and develop 5G capabilities already today. Konecranes has been one of the first companies to employ technology giant Nokia’s Digital Automation Cloud. Konecranes Executive Vice President, Technologies, Juha Pankakoski believes that this advanced technology – which was showcased at Hannover Messe this year – has potential to enhance Konecranes’ current offering by increasing network capacity and reducing latency. Mr Pankakoski first discussed the customer benefits of utilising cloud technologies at a Nokia studio broadcast at the end of last month (April), where he was joined by experts from Nokia and Business Finland. Konecranes digital solutions are already implemented in global scale, with over 570,000 digitised service assets in 55,000 locations, including more than 1,500 in Australasia. More connections are being added every day. Real-time equipment monitoring technologies, such as Konecranes’ TRUCONNECT can be employed on any of Konecranes’ broad range of overhead cranes, jib cranes, gantry cranes, and lifting devices, that can typically lift anywhere between 500kgs and more than 2,000 tonnes. Konecranes TRUCONNECT technology monitors equipment in real-time “Konecranes is actively exploring advanced mobile networks that help our customers establish fast and reliable connections to cranes, even in harsh conditions where there is no general network available,” said Mr Pankakoski. “Konecranes equipment is used in a huge variety of industries, from basic manufacturing and assembly through to large logistics hubs and shipyards. There’s no ‘one- size fits all’ approach when it comes to digital solutions for these industries, but the basic outcome remains consistent: to enhance the efficiency, reliability and safety of material handling operations,” he […]

Checkmaster 2 for mobile testing of pluggable surge protection devices

Leading global electrical engineering manufacturer and innovator, Phoenix Contact, has released Checkmaster 2 – a mobile test case that lets technicians quickly and accurately test all Phoenix Contact pluggable surge protection devices. With Checkmaster 2, technicians can check the electrical status of their Phoenix Contact surge protection devices to prevent unexpected failures, and avoid unnecessary service calls. Checkmaster 2 features a convenient, integrated hand scanner that reads and identifies the surge protection device by its barcode. The test object is then simply inserted into the associated test adaptor and the test process started via the touch panel screen. The surge protection device is electrically tested in an automatic test process that compares the current electrical parameters of the components with the specified reference values. To ensure a highly accurate result, all of the installed protective elements of the surge protection device are electrically tested in a single cycle. These include triggered spark gaps, gas-filled surge protectors, varistors and suppressor diodes. The results are easy to see and read on a colour display, and three status levels accurately inform the technician of the current quality of the device. The three status levels are ‘OK: Test passed’, ‘Warning: Tolerance limit reached’, and ‘Defect: Replacement required’. These help the technician make informed decisions about the device to ensure the ongoing availability of systems. The tests undertaken by Checkmaster 2 conform with requirements in IEC 62305-3 and are performed using a high voltage generator. For user convenience, Checkmaster 2 documents and saves all test results to its internal memory. A USB port lets technicians transfer data for further processing as well as update software. Fully portable so that technicians can take it anywhere, the Checkmaster 2 comes in a sturdy protective case that also provides space for documents. Built with the user in mind, […]

Hamilton and Waikato first to enjoy ‘Warm White’ LED street lighting

Hamilton and Waikato drivers and residents are the first in New Zealand to experience unique warmer streetlights that reduce spillover glare into houses, are less harsh on the eyes and more energy efficient. Over 15,000 new street luminaires have been custom-made by Philips for Hamilton and the Waikato’s conditions, with half already in place and the rest being installed by the end of the year. While numerous districts throughout New Zealand have replaced older HID lights with LEDs, Hamilton and Waikato are the first to specify a 3000 Kelvin luminaire which provides an atmospheric form of ‘warm white’ lighting. This is a less harsh and more welcoming light compared to the more common 4000 Kelvin LEDs which produce a cooler blue-white light similar to daylight. As a fast-growing city, many of Hamilton’s major arterial roads lie in residential areas with high housing density. The lighting must both provide safety for drivers while not spilling over into people’s homes. In addition, New Zealand street light poles are often more spaced out than those in other countries so light has to reach between poles but not outwards or upwards towards homes. The $7.2 million project, funded by the NZ Transport Agency with contributions from Waikato District and Hamilton City Councils, covers all roads throughout the council areas and is scheduled for completion in December. It is being managed by the Infrastructure and Waikato Alliances, a strategic partnership between the councils and Downer, with Cory’s supplying 16,000 Philips ‘Road Grace’ luminaires. Over 9,300 existing lights will be upgraded on the two council’s P category residential roads and 5700 along higher volume V category roads. The new LEDs fit into existing street light poles and infrastructure, are more energy efficient and require less maintenance, with Hamilton expecting to save over $250,000 in reduced power […]

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Developments