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X5 FastMig for arc-welding productivity

Kemppi, has released its new X5 FastMig multi-process welding system for MIG, DC TIG and stick welding (MMA) as well as gouging. Designed in conjunction with professional welders specifically for steel welding, the X5 FastMig delivers a range of features to help significantly enhance arc welding productivity. Built using energy-efficient inverter technology, the X5 FastMig offers faster welding and quality welds thanks to Touch Sense Ignition, effortless operation, excellent welding ergonomics and flexible equipment setup. Faster welding, better quality welds Built to perform, the X5 FastMig features the latest in ignition technology – Touch Sense Ignition – as standard in all available models. When combined with WiseSteel software, which also comes as standard with every model, the X5 delivers precise ignition capability and stable arc control. It tackles the challenges of globular arc by alternating between short arc and spray transfer. In short-circuit transfer, it improves the arc stability adaptively, provding 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 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 applications, the arc control can be further optimised with optional welding programs and Wise special processes. Effortless operation Designed to be hassle-free, the X5 FastMig is very easy to operate. It features a large, graphical and impact-resistant TFT display panel that illustrates all the required information clearly and without the use of abbreviations. Welding parameters are set automatically when the user adjusts the wire feed speed. And memory channels are also available to customise and save personal settings. Easy to use, the operating basics of the X5 […]

Circular product stewardship: Starting with design

By Barbara Nebelwww.thinkstep-anz.com/ In the transition to a circular economy, New Zealand first needs to address its continued reliance on a linear take-make-waste model. For organisations looking to take meaningful action, taking responsibility for the end-of-life of their products with product stewardship can be a key part of the solution. With proponents ranging from successful businesses to new industry and governmental initiatives, it is safe to predict that product stewardship is here to stay and ready to play a pivotal role in the circular transition. Starting with the waste problem during this process is a common tactic but the best approach starts at the beginning with product design. In fact, UK based Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) found that 80% of the environmental impacts of modern products are determined during product design and development. Incorporating product stewardship into product design will provide more circular solutions for end-of-life decisions, minimise waste in the process and ultimately, speed up the transition to a circular economy. This is exactly what Utility Electric Vehicle (UEV) company UBCO has set out to do. Starting with product stewardship Focused on a largely electronic product with a high capacity lithium-ion battery, UBCO identified end of life processes and product stewardship as their defining sustainability issues. For UBCO, tackling these issues head on starts with design. UBCO’s product design approach utilises life cycle thinking to consider the entire value chain – from the raw materials and the energy used to create the product, through to the packaging, distribution, use, maintenance, and eventually recycling, reuse, recovery, and final disposal. “It would have been easiest to have battery and electronics in a big block of resin to make it waterproof – but that would prevent any product stewardship approach in future”, says Timothy Allan, CEO and Managing Director of […]

How RAM3D became the largest independent metal AM service in Australasia

New Zealand company operates seven metal AM systems Though it may best be known for the Kiwi bird, Lord of the Rings and its inspirational Prime Minister, New Zealand has another claim to fame in the additive world: it is home to the largest independent metal 3D printing service in the Southern Hemisphere: RAM3D. Founded in 2008, the Tauranga-based company has had an interesting journey over the past decade, partaking in metal AM’s transition from a one-off custom prototyping solution to an industrial production process. This journey in itself is interesting, as RAM3D played a vital role in the evangelisation of metal 3D printing in its part of the world—a role that many service providers have played. In short, 3D printing metal parts for customers was only part of its job in its earlier years, it also had to focus on raising awareness of AM, educating on DfAM and facilitating the shift from prototyping to production. “In our very early days the perception of 3D metal printing really was that it was just for one-off, custom part prototyping,” explained Gilly Hawker, RAM3D Marketing Manager. “Its real benefits, in terms of improved part functionality, part integration, weight reduction, cost effectiveness and so on, just weren’t widely recognized. We did have to play our part in improving general market awareness and helping to rectify any misconceptions.” One of the big milestones in the company’s evolution has been its partnership with Renishaw, which began in 2014, when the UK-based metal AM company supplied its newest system to RAM3D. At the time, the machine provided the flexibility and openness that RAM3D was looking for, as it had the skills to optimize the AM process for its customers’ applications. “We had lots of ideas of our own on optimising our manufacturing process, and this machine gave us the freedom […]

Anagenix purchase Vitaco manufacturing facility

Cutting edge nutraceutical ingredients company Anagenix has purchased Vitaco’s Avondale-based nutritional product manufacturing facility. The seven-figure deal includes all assets at the site and acquiring the premises’ 10-year lease. New Zealand-owned Anagenix manufactures and markets high-quality scientifically-formulated ingredients used by health supplement and nutraceutical manufacturers. Its products are locally grown kiwifruit and boysenberry-apple powders, gently processed from non-GMO whole fruits, to retain a high level of bioactivityThe company’s products are also BioGrow NZ organic certified, halal and kosher. Announcing the deal, Anagenix Managing Director Chris Johnson says Anagenix has experienced significant growth in recent years, with that trend set to continue despite Covid-19. Most of the company’s products are exported to the United States, Europe and Asia, where New Zealand-grown and manufactured natural health product ingredients command a premium. Mr Johnson commented that company’s stand was inundated at a recent European (virtual) trade show: “Whole fruit products that have great science portfolios around them, including clinical trials, are really taking off. “Our growth is such that Anagenix is now backwards integrating so that we can better manage all stages in our manufacturing supply chain, thus enhancing our products’ consistency and quality.” Mr Johnson says acquiring the manufacturing facility will enable Anagenix to triple its fruit drying and ingredient processing capacity over the next two to three years.

Carpentry graduate aims to inspire more wahine into trades

WelTec carpentry graduate, Sarah Clark, wants to start a company that champions female tradies. Sarah is currently employed by Tonks Residential, a local construction company, as an apprentice builder. Sarah was introduced to the company while she was completing her Level 3 carpentry programme at WelTec in Lower Hutt, as part of her Māori and Pasifika Trades Training (MPTTS) scholarship. The scholarship supports students from entry into study, right through to employment, and an important part of this journey is to get work experience – which in Sarah’s case led directly to her first apprenticeship. Loving her new job at Tonks, and succeeding at it as a young female – has inspired Sarah to want to create an environment that supports and encourages women into the trades. Carpentry is often considered a man’s job, but Sarah believes that seeing other women succeed in the trades could make it a more accessible career path for young women. “My aunt is an electrician so the idea of being a woman in the trades was not unusual for me when I was growing up. I definitely believe that the more young girls see females in the trades, the more common it will become,” explains Sarah. “Just getting the word out there that I am working in construction as a young female, and that the team I work for embraces and encourages me, might help someone to see it as a viable option for themselves.” Sarah grew up in Lower Hutt, living with her grandparents and attending Sacred Heart College. She completed year 13 but knew that she didn’t want to spend more time ‘sitting in a classroom’. “I knew that I wanted to be doing something in the outdoors, and so when a WelTec advert popped up on my social media, I thought […]

Ganley Engineering process control specialists

Khamal Ganley, Gill Ganley and Simon Ganley. Assisting New Zealand companies go forward with great technology. Ganley Engineering Ltd a family company, based north of Auckland, covers all of New Zealand. They are the country’s premier suppliers of manufacturing process controls systems and have been so for the past 25 years. The company consists of Simon, Khamal and Gill Ganley, all of whom bring levels of expertise to represent NDC Technologies, exclusively, for advice, sales and service. Ganley Engineering specialises in on-line and at-line process control. Process control places NDC Technologies sensors in a manufacturing line to measure and control moisture, oil, fats, protein, brix, caffeine, nicotine and colour in real-time. The sensors talk directly to the manufacturing machinery so that levels of moisture (and other components) are automatically and instantly adjusted to the top of the specification or yield. The sensors also display exactly what is being made on trending SCADA screens so operators and management can monitor the production yields. This means manufacturing companies save a lot on power consumption, staff time, scrap, downgrade and raw materials. They also save on not having to do repetitive lab tests and having staff to run them. Companies are now able to make products they could never have economically made before. The sensors can be placed above a line, into a fluid bed drier and in a variety of other locations. They have no recalibration or maintenance schedules so are basically fit and forget. NDC have tens of thousands of these sensors controlling a wide variety of applications world-wide, including NZ. NDC Technologies is the world’s largest manufacturer of process control sensors. They work in closely with multi-nationals to develop solutions to meet specific manufacturing needs. Ganley Engineering has in the past 30 years worked with many NZ companies and developed […]

The Intent-ion is to reach the top

For more than three decades, Ian Walsh, Managing Director of Intent Group, has been driving improvements in organisations around the globe. Ian understands deeply what is required to deliver and sustain improvement. Here he shares his thoughts on what New Zealanders can do to recover from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. As I write this, we are in the run up to the election for 2020, with politicians offering promises and plans for how they will implement policy that will enable New Zealand to go in the right direction. This includes investment in housing, infrastructure, tax cuts and so on. I have heard almost no dialogue on how we are going to afford all of this and repay the huge cost Covid-19 has wrought on the country. The answer seems to be that we will stimulate the economy with these offerings and the implication is that this will fix it. I believe that some of these will help but ultimately, we have to address our poor productivity. I am concerned that we are still applying band aids to a sick patient and we are not getting to the root cause of the problem. As Einstein said, ‘We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used to create them.’ So, as New Zealanders, we must take collective responsibility for where we are – the bottom end of the OECD in terms of economic performance, and therefore our future and potential quality of life. However, the board of New Zealand is the Government, and over the last 30-40 years they are ultimately accountable for NZ sliding down the OECD. I have heard nothing that would suggest that there is an integrated plan to address our productivity gaps. Meanwhile we add more compliance costs and wage hikes onto businesses to […]

Labour’s mandate requires more from them

-Doug Green, Publisher, NZ Manufacturer The election result is in and Labour needs to move smartly on the economy. In the past three years, Labour made a play to improve (in the business sector) : housing, the Auckland transport system, regional investment and ‘shovel ready jobs.’ None of these have been achieved and we still address productivity, improved wages and the business sector having its voice heard in the decision making process. And we have Covid-19. Labour has handled this well but we now need to place an even greater emphasis on the economy Labour has to concentrate on the real areas of growth….and work closely with the private sector. Land-based industries will continue to develop quality products for the changing habits of consumers. Think plant based foods. The construction industry can provide huge impetus as the country looks to reduce areas of stress and strain. This, aided by technology enhancements, will assist to grow our economy and improve supply chain and efficiencies. You only have to look at the innovators in the Technology Innovation Network (TIN) to see where some of these great ideas come from. Initiatives across the broader manufacturing base are essential and to be encouraged. SME’s are to be supported as they play an integral role in New Zealand’s future. To provide surety for the apprentices of today who will be the company leaders of tomorrow. In this term, we need Labour to work with business leaders and associations to develop a well planned growth path forward. And Labour, remember the businesses forced to close because of the virus, through no fault of their own? They need to rise again.

2020 KiwiNet Awards winners showcase NZ’s leading research innovations

Winners of the eighth annual KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards, designed to celebrate impact from science through successful research commercialisation within New Zealand’s universities, Crown Research Institutes and other research organisations, were announced at a reception in Auckland on Thursday 16 October. The 2020 KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards winners are: Norman Barry Foundation Breakthrough Innovator Award Dr Eldon Tate, Inhibit Coatings Limited: Antimicrobial coatings keeping people safe in food and healthcare industries Baldwins Researcher Entrepreneur Award Professor Jim Johnston, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington: A world-renowned inorganic and materials chemist focussed on commercial outcomes MinterEllisonRuddWatts Commercialisation Professional Award Brooke Marshall, AgResearch: Creating impact from AgResearch’s world-class science PwC Commercial Impact Award Massey University – ‘FERRI PRO’ IP Sale: A partnership to help address the global problem of iron deficiency BNZ Supreme Award Professor Jim Johnston, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington: A world-renowned inorganic and materials chemist focussed on commercial outcomes KiwiNet Awards lead judge Rob Heebink, R&D Executive at Gallagher Group, says: “The quality of entrants this year was incredibly high – it was difficult to select the finalists let alone the category winners. Over the years we have seen a number of shifts occurring in research organisations, such an increase in commercialisation capability and more engagement with industry. This has resulted in global impact with significant benefits for New Zealand. The future is bright – we have much more technology coming out of our research organisations that we can fund.” Mr Heebink was joined on the judging panel by Bridget Coates the Chair of White Cloud Dairy Innovation, Kendall Flutey the Co-Founder and CEO of Banqer, and Debra Hall an investor, director and Chair of KiwiNet Investment Committee. KiwiNet CEO Dr James Hutchinson, says: “New Zealand needs technology innovation now more than ever, to help rebuild a more […]

Coffee shop workers standing at the counter

For a unique shopping world: igus low-cost robot in the design of your choice

Custom design robolink robot arm ensures fast automation and a new shopping experience. From industrial use, robots are increasingly finding their way into the retail trade. There they ensure rapid automation of processes and are also a real eye-catcher. Users place high demands on design and reliability at a cost-effective price. For this reason, igus is now offering its low-cost robot – robolink DP – consisting of high-performance polymers, in custom design. Shopping and ordering online has already become part of everyday life, be it for new trousers, an SLR camera for the holidays or the sushi for dinner. Within a few minutes or the next day, the delivery service or the parcel carrier is at the door with the order – convenient and simple. But the new buying behaviour is increasingly building up competitive pressure on the stationary retail trade. Intelligent automation systems for fast shopping are in demand, in the supermarket as well as in the furniture store. Solutions can be: automatic juice dispensers, bread slicers or self-service cash registers with weighing technology, in which igus motion plastics – such as lubrication-free iglidur plain bearings and maintenance-free drylin linear guides – ensure wear-resistant movements. At the same time, retailers such as fashion houses and restaurants can develop store and design concepts that offer customers a new experience. Robots are a popular tool of choice because they are not only a real eye-catcher, but also a practical automation solution. They can give out prizes from raffles, mix cocktails or even cover a pizza with toppings. So far, expensive fun that is rarely found in New Zealand. With its igus robolink DP, Treotham now offers a new cost-effective solution, which the customer can design individually. Low-cost robots in the desired outfit Last year, igus presented for the first time its […]

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