Editorial

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3D printing the next generation of machinery

By Ben Murton and Associate Professor Don Clucas, Dept of Mechanical Engineering, University of Canterbury While metal 3D printing is regularly used for components such as brackets, rocket parts and turbine fuel nozzles, it is rarely used as the major manufacturing process for an entire mechanical system. In a world first, students from the University of Canterbury developed an operational 3d printed titanium ethanol fuel injected internal combustion engine, showcasing the possibilities and limitations for the process. The team took their engine to Singapore and won the innovation award at the Shell Eco-Marathon event, a global competition on for students to compete with highly efficient vehicles. This was all done in one academic year, so a highly accelerated design process was required. To test and visualise ideas quickly, concepts were modelled and refined using cheaper and easier to post-process polymer 3D printing. The titanium parts that were optimised for efficiency, not machining constraints, were then printed and post-processed. Post processing proved to be the biggest headache. It is often said that 3d printing can create anything, but in reality it has its limitations and drawbacks. An example is the almost organic shape of the cylinder head that required little post processing, while the rather basic cylinder required complex support material. Using a laser sintering process that melts and fuses layers of very fine titanium powder has its complications. Thermal contraction of thin features would distort the part, much like MIG welding distorts steel, so support material is required. Removing the support required many hours EDM wire cutting, machining, and finally sand blasting. Before and after cutting the part off the build plate, thermal stress relief was required. Good Design for Additive Manufacture, DfAM, was essential to avoid or reduce the support material, ease support material removal, and reduce distortion. […]

Transforming the manufacturing industry with Internet-of-Things

By Mike Russell COO Central Innovation In a highly competitive global marketplace, businesses are searching for and adopting revolutionary technology and processes to stay relevant. According to the latest IDC Worldwide semiannual Internet of Things Spending Guide[1], New Zealand shares the second highest position with Australia in APAC region when it comes to the IoT spenders per capita. The report further highlights that the top three industries spending most on IoT solutions in 2018 were discrete manufacturing ($43.9 billion), process manufacturing ($33.2 billion) and utilities ($20.1 billion). With the advent of automation and analytics, manufacturing is moving from mass production to mass customisation. The immense growth of IoT in the industry has resulted in factories being able to extract critical data on operations. By using big data and machine learning they are achieving more efficiency in their workplace as well as enhancing customer experience. Without a doubt, IoT is a clear investment area for the manufacturing industry particularly in the Asia Pacific Region which is among the world’s top regions for IoT adoption and usage[2]. To effectively work with new technologies, businesses must be prepared to think differently, adapt and invest to remain competitive. According to the MBIE report[3], Industry 4.0 is seen both as a threat and an opportunity for New Zealand manufacturers. The ministry believes that Industry 4.0 technologies have the potential to make a type of short run, customised production that will enable more specialisation to become efficient and profitable. This would be especially important for the manufacturing industry where it currently accounts for 12 per cent of New Zealand’s GDP value. This means there is untapped potential for New Zealand businesses to stand out from their competitors in the race to transform their businesses. Business productivity The bottom-line when adopting new technology is that it will […]

Gumboot technology

You are starting a manufacturing company. You are considering making rockets, yachts, gumboots or rubbish bins. So, you visit SouthMACH, the leading South Island trade show for manufacturers in the know and for aspiring manufacturers who are looking for the best in technology and equipment to help get their business going. The show this year is being held during Techweek 2019. In our highly competitive business world, it is imperative that trade shows such as SouthMACH exist. They are a celebration of the best that can be and highlight the go ahead attributes and attitudes of exhibitors and visitors alike. To have a magical event that brings decisionmakers together can only be for the good; to benefit the fortunes going forward of people committed to enhancing their products and improving their levels of productivity. New Zealand is an innovative country, renowned for ground-breaking developments which succeed on world markets. An example of this is the robot apple picker currently at use on orchards in Hawkes Bay. Or the innovation from Dr Matthew Jones of Christchurch which recently won an Australian award – automated technology that reduces food waste. These two examples support ‘land-based industries’ very well, as this is where seventy three percent of what we manufacturer comes from. And to manufacture and develop these products there is a need for the latest and best in technology and equipment to be available. The world waits for no one and there is no catch up – only a competitor who steals the march on the market you had all lined up to succeed in. Another important role of the trade fair is to provide a meeting place for apprentices and those entering the work force who are seeking inspiration and a direction for their future. There is debate underway these days […]

$5 billion additional costs from a capital gains tax

BusinessNZ has released an analysis of additional costs to the economy that would accompany the direct costs of New Zealand’s proposed capital gains tax. It shows compliance costs of $1.6 billion, administrative costs of $210 million and deadweight costs of $1.5 – $4.2 billion, over five years.- BusinessNZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope said the Tax Working Group’s report did not include compliance, administrative or deadweight costs, and these needed to be made explicit to enable public debate about costs before the Government made its decision on a capital gains tax. Compliance costs include Valuation Day requirements for all business assets to gain a valuation to enable the imposition of the capital gains tax. Administrative costs are IRD’s costs of collecting the tax. Deadweight costs are the costs of reduced economic output resulting from changes in supply and demand caused by the imposition of a tax. Mr Hope said the additional costs, possibly around $5 billion over five years, would add substantially to the economic impact of the proposed tax, and indicated the severe impact on business if it was introduced.

Industry Training Federation NZM Website

One week to stop apprenticeship reforms

This week is the last opportunity to make a submission on the Government’s poorly thought through apprenticeship reforms, Industry Training Federation Chief Executive Josh Williams says. Mr Williams says workplaces will end up with less control over training. The reforms propose to transfer responsibility for industry training and apprenticeships away from employers and Industry Training Organisations (ITOs) to vocational providers, including a new national polytechnic. “These reforms will cause a huge upheaval in apprenticeships and on-the-job training. Industry will lose ownership of a growing and increasingly efficient industry-run system. “That would remove choice for local employers and limit their voice. Businesses will lose access to both their local polytechnic and their industry-run ITO at the same time.” Mr Williams says. The industry training sector was surprised to see the proposals. None of the governing parties campaigned on this change at the last election. “Nobody is arguing that the system cannot be strengthened. But we should strengthen what is working, rather than double down on what is not. “In recent days the Minister of Education has been saying that with 15 percent of employers offering formal training the system is not doing well. Those 25,000 employers currently deliver more vocational education than the rest of the system combined, and twice as many vocational qualifications to twice as many learners as the Polytechnic sector. “I invite the Minister to outline which part of the reform proposal he expects will increase the number of participating employers. We can certainly see the part that risks losing the willing employers we have.” Mr Williams says that anyone with an interest in New Zealand’s apprenticeship system needs to make a submission this week. “Collectively, ITOs have spoken to thousands of our employers over the last six weeks, and there is widespread concern about this proposal. Our […]

NZ economy: cross-currents of risk

Cross-currents of international and domestic risk raise the need for sound economic risk management, according to the latest BusinessNZ Planning Forecast. The BusinessNZ Planning Forecast for the March 2019 quarter highlights international trading risks, particularly around Brexit and US-China trade. Domestic risk factors include concerns over a capital gains tax, employment relations changes, skill shortages, and Reserve Bank capital requirement proposals that would increase the cost of capital. But BusinessNZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope says the Government’s fiscal position is sound and the outlook for growth – at just under 3 percent through to 2021 – is reasonably strong. The BusinessNZ Economic Conditions Index sits at 8 for the March 2019 quarter, up 6 on the previous quarter and up 2 on a year ago. The Index tracks 33 economic indicators including GDP, export volumes, commodity prices, inflation, debt, and business and consumer confidence. The BusinessNZ Planning Forecast for the March 2019 quarter is on www.businessnz.org.nz

Point Pod latest start-up success story

A new innovative product that solves your household power problems has teamed up with Australia and New Zealand’s large distributor just six months after making its market debut. Point Pod finally solves the problem of not having enough power outlets in your kitchen by hiding a pop-up unit beneath your stone or timber bench top. Brisbane builder-turned-entrepreneur, Cameron Singer, developed Point Pod after being frustrated with the limited options on the market. “I developed Point Pod two years ago out of my own frustration of the limited power options available,” says Mr Singer. “After renovating my own house, I was disappointed with what was available to improve access to power for my island bench. There were products online, but they looked so cheap and flimsy in a kitchen we’d spent a lot of money renovating.” With a simple touch, Point Pod’s power points and USB sockets emerge for use. But unlike other power options, it blends seamlessly into your bench top, so it doesn’t comprise your aesthetics. The units are designed for any space where you would use power on a bench top, including the kitchen, bathroom, office and boardroom. After launching in August 2018, Point Pod has today announced its new partnership with Häfele, Australia and New Zealand’s biggest distributor. “I’m excited for Point Pod’s next phase, working alongside Häfele,” Mr Singer says. “Häfele’s commitment to innovation made them the number choice for our distribution partner.” “Häfele brings new innovative products to the market so their customers are always on the cutting edge of what’s available, and we’re excited to be part of it.” “Our distribution agreement gives us access to a larger chunk of the market, but it also means we can focus on manufacturing and developing further products.” Mr Singer says he’s been overwhelmed by the industry’s […]

We need evolution not revolution

Competenz responds to proposed workplace training reforms Competenz, one of the country’s largest industry training organisations (ITOs), says the government’s proposal to reform the vocational education sector and merge ITOs and polytechnics could undermine critical workplace and apprenticeship training that is vital in addressing New Zealand’s skills shortages. “The changes the government has proposed in its Vocational Education and Training review are more complex and far-reaching than we expected. It’s unprecedented. There is no doubt the VET system needs modification and funding needs to be realigned to deliver what our industries need – but these changes are too radical,” says chief executive of Competenz, Fi Kingsford. “In a time of critical skills shortages, the last thing we want is a reform that risks undermining workplace training and apprenticeship programmes.” New Zealand’s skills shortage is acute. The engineering industry alone will need another 12,000 engineers by 2022. “If we start this reform in 2020, there’s no way we’re going to hit that target. Yes, the system needs reform and yes we need to address the funding inequalities, but in our opinion, the VET changes are not the way to do it,” says Mrs Kingsford. Research has shown that for every $1million of government investment into tertiary education, the industry training system produces 306 qualified people – people who are able to immediately contribute to New Zealand’s economy – while polytechnics produce 50. “Taxpayers are getting a much better return on investment through industry training compared to other tertiary options and it is disappointing that the ITPs (Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics) have dominated the government’s proposed changes.” She says Competenz currently looks after 20,000 apprentices and trainees across 3,500 New Zealand businesses. The direct relationship between ITOs and employers is a key factor in the success of apprenticeship and workplace […]

Big Changes

What the Tax Working Group has come back with, however, is unacceptable in its current form. – Dieter Adam, CE The Manufacturers’ Network These are times of big change for us at The Manufacturers’ Network, and for our relationship with our members. We are in the process of transferring all of our activities to the EMA, and further to the Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and the other regional business organisations, Business Central and OSEA. This will significantly enhance our ability to reach out to and represent the community of New Zealand manufacturers across the country. It will also challenge our ability to deliver our current services – and new ones we are developing, like our new Productivity Benchmarking service, which we are about to launch – to a much wider membership. These are exciting times for us! These are also challenging times for New Zealand manufacturers. Take, for example, the rapidly escalating ‘battle of the systems’ between the USA and China, which really is a battle for primacy in the world’s economy. It leaves countries like New Zealand ‘stuck in the middle’, feeling that whatever choice they make may be the wrong one, and preferring not to have to choose, of course. It’s Huawei today, which may not have much impact on our members, but what comes next in terms of companies on either side, which some of our manufacturers may be suppliers to, being hit by punitive measures? Barriers to free trade come in many guises and compared to other sectors of our economy manufacturers may have had a relatively easy ride until now. Is that about to change? At home, we see the ‘new’ government bringing in changes in many areas, or at least trying to do so. Three are of particular importance to manufacturers – […]

New Plymouth facing unique challenges

A CouncilMARK report issued for New Plymouth District Council says that while the region has experienced relative prosperity and growth, changes to the economy of New Zealand’s ‘energy capital’ may present challenges. The report, released by the Independent Assessment Board, delivered a BBB grade to the council, praising their extensive communication and engagement with the community and strategy in addressing risks to the region’s key industries, particularly in relation to a zero-carbon economy. CouncilMARK incorporates an independent assessment system that assesses how councils are performing and is designed to support individual councils to improve the service and value they provide. Councils receive an overall performance rating, from C to AAA from the Independent Assessment Board as well as commentary on their performance. The report found that economic risks should serve as a catalyst for further analysis on the affordability of the current service levels in response to economic changes, as well as developing better budget resilience. “The council are rightly looking at how the region’s economy can transition and grow beyond the traditional industries of energy and dairy, which have been cornerstones of the region for over 40 years,” says CouncilMARK Independent Assessment Board Chair Toby Stevenson. “It’s clear that New Plymouth residents have great lifestyle opportunities on their doorsteps, which the council and staff are seeking to grow. They’ve done a great job of consulting with the community, who have called out zero waste, three waters, the CBD and the Walkway as priority areas.” “Having a tighter focus on a smaller number of goals could assist the council with making the most of opportunities. The council have good operational strength across their roading and three waters networks, and their day-to-day services could be enhanced by similar planning and performance measures.” LGNZ President Dave Cull praised the council for undergoing […]

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