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Hi-Optics Rotating Beacons are described as the new benchmark in emergency/warning lighting. Combining exceptional engineering with the latest in L.E.D technology the warning lamps are as powerful as they are reliable and they are now available in New Zealand. The lamps deliver all the performance attributes of traditional rotating beacons with lighting brilliance and the long life of L.E.Ds, making them ideal for hard working contracting equipment, as well as emergency vehicles and those operated by utilities and local authorities. Eight powerful 3-Watt L.E.Ds work in combination with a precision reflector to produce a brilliant light output that meets Class 1 approval. Multi-voltage solid state circuitry is used with a brushless magnetic drive system for ultra-quiet and smooth operating performance without the wear and tear of belts, gears or brushes. The beacons utilise the latest in durable materials, making them ideally suited to the harshest of operating conditions. Virtually unbreakable polycarbonate lenses are impact and shock resistant, while the aluminium base dissipates heat and resists vibration during the expected long operational life. Within the range of options available is a magnetic base lamp complete with a high strength rubber suction pad for extra safety and vehicle protection. This lamp includes a pre-wired spiral lead with a cigarette lighter/merit plug. Red, Amber and Blue lens options are available in these multi-voltage 12/24-Volt, low current draw lamps, which each carry a 5-year L.E.D Warranty.          

A new type of fuel funnel that filters out harmful dirt, particles and water, which could potentially damage any engine, is now available in New Zealand. Just introduced as part of the popular Mr Funnel range, the new Fuel Filter Funnel features space-age filtering technology that traps a wide range of contaminants from entering the fuel system. The US manufacturer describes it as the ‘world’s first portable fuel cleaning system’ and says it can save thousands of dollars in costly engine or fuel system repair bills. Modern engines fitted to vehicles, garden equipment and boats are highly susceptible to even small traces of particles or water contamination, making them hard to start, as well as causing damage. The Fuel Filter Funnel prevents these contaminants from entering the system without unduly hindering the flow. Filtered fuel flows out almost as quickly as if it was passing through a funnel with no filter. The ‘sump’ area in the funnel collects the deflected water and other contaminants once the fuel has passed through the filter, for easy disposal. It is estimated that 90% of problems affecting small engines are usually related to fuel issues, often from water or other contaminants, so if you can screen your fuel out in te field it will definitely be better for your engine and pocket, as well as saving time and frustration. Fuel left in containers is especially prone to condensation, which can be extremely damaging if used in diesel engines such as those used in boats, farm and contracting equipment that can be left sitting over long periods, although moisture is bad for engines running on any fuel. Other risks include dirt, saw-dust, and even vegetative matter, such as grass clippings/leaves, entering tanks when refuelling motor mowers, chainsaws or other outdoor equipment. The Fuel Filter Funnel […]

The Productivity Commission’s inquiry into regulation is good news, says BusinessNZ.  The Commission will review the state and extent of regulation in New Zealand and make recommendations by June 2014 on improving regulatory regimes. BusinessNZ Chief Executive Phil O’Reilly said the business and wider community had been seeking improvement to regulation in New Zealand for some time.  “Business productivity and economic growth is being held back by too many poorly designed regulations bringing unexpected and negative consequences.  “There are too many regulators in different sectors imposing differing regulatory regimes. A more consistent approach to sector regulation would bring more efficiency and certainty. “Regulatory impact statements are meant to provide assurance that proposals for new legislation are cost-effective and justified, but in practice these are often lacking in rigour. “New Zealand could benefit greatly from a regulatory responsibility act requiring adherence to a set of principles to achieve discipline in regulation making. “These and other issues deserve scrutiny by the Productivity Commission and the inquiry into regulation will have the full support of business,” Mr O’Reilly said.      

CBN010 is a new, uncoated grade designed to provide excellent performance in continuous to moderately interrupted cuts. Offering an extremely homogenous structure, the new grade provides stable performance and consistent tool life to minimise downtime and machining costs. Similar in composition to the existing CBN10 and CBN100 grades, CBN010 incorporates a newly developed manufacturing process to achieve a highly uniform microstructure. The grade features low cBN content with an average grain size of 1.5 µm and TiC ceramic binder. This improves both wear resistance and toughness, allowing excellent performance in a range of materials. Optimised for case hardened steels and bearing steels, CBN010 can also be successfully applied to tool steels, high-speed steels, high-tensile steels, martensitic stainless steels, ferrous powder materials and hard facing alloys. CBN010 inserts are available in solid, full face, tipped and multi-tipped formats. The full face and tipped option features a cBN thickness of 1.6 mm, with the stress free solid tip being attached by a modern brazing technique to give it the strongest possible connection to the carbide blank.    

Miyachi now offers remote services for high end resistance welding modules, reducing total cost of ownership thanks to maximised uptime and reduced travel cost. Available for the Peco ISQ20 series with programming pendant AWS, AWS3 systems, MG3 standard, as well as most customised resistance welding systems, this new business service is ideal for customers with high system uptime demand. Remote services minimise support efforts and avoid planning and cost for on-site technical support. Specific AWS3 and MG3 products can be upgraded to remote access capabilities. Remote access is achieved with the use of a PC and the installation of a VPN connection that serves as an interface between the Peco product and the remote service expert. The new business service increases uptime as it allows for fast and efficient diagnostics remotely. It eliminates traveling time to the site and reduces development time by providing remote application support. Customers can also take advantage of core and peripheral system device monitoring, convenient and efficient process adjustments, and availability of continuous process data for long term on-site process statistics.  

The Auckland Housing Accord announced today could be just the circuit breaker needed for Auckland to move forward, the Employers and Manufacturers Association says. “The agreement between Minister Nick Smith and Mayor Len Brown makes infinite commonsense,” said EMA chief executive Kim Campbell (left) “It deals with concerns we had about the constraints on Auckland’s growth, and its so refreshing to see Auckland and central government finding common ground.  “Specifically the Accord unblocks log jams we were concerned about with the government’s three year phase in of the Unitary Plan.  “Importantly it paves the way to address other thorny issues facing Auckland, such as transport. “The Accord also allows the city breathing space to consider the ramifications of the Unitary Plan as it relates to densification within the existing metropolitan urban limit. These are proving more far reaching and complex than expected and the Auckland Council should take more time to answer them.” The Auckland Housing Accord announced today could be just the circuit breaker needed for Auckland to move forward, the Employers and Manufacturers Association says. “The agreement between Minister Nick Smith and Mayor Len Brown makes infinite commonsense,” said EMA chief executive Kim Campbell  “It deals with concerns we had about the constraints on Auckland’s growth, and its so refreshing to see Auckland and central government finding common ground.  “Specifically the Accord unblocks log jams we were concerned about with the government’s three year phase in of the Unitary Plan. “Importantly it paves the way to address other thorny issues facing Auckland, such as transport. “The Accord also allows the city breathing space to consider the ramifications of the Unitary Plan as it relates to densification within the existing metropolitan urban limit. These are proving more far reaching and complex than expected and the Auckland Council should take […]

Global CEOs rate China as the world’s top destination for foreign investment, which is consistent with its significantly expanding economy, according to a global survey by PwC and the China Development Research Foundation. The survey ‘Choosing China: Improving the investment environment for multinationals’ found more than half (56%) of CEOs surveyed chose China above other major and emerging economies including Brazil, Russia, India and the US. Worldwide CEOs say they were attracted to China’s expanding consumer markets, skilled talent pool and government incentives. “China attracted NZ$133.8 billion (US$111.7 billion) of foreign direct investment in 2012 from multinationals seeking to tap into ChinaÕs success,” says PwC New Zealand Partner and China Sector Leader Colum Rice. “China’s economic transformation is absolutely dependent on its ability to continue to attract foreign investment. Yet, it faces new challenges as emerging markets become more competitive. Over recent years, we have seen increasing levels of Chinese investments into New Zealand but what the survey highlights is the emphasis that China is placing on attracting inbound investment. This brings into sharp focus the increasing level of competition which New Zealand faces for foreign direct investment,” adds Mr Rice. The survey found less than 10% of CEOs from smaller companies (operating in less than five countries) have operations in China. “China now needs to promote itself as a place of opportunity for smaller and more specialised businesses to keep the investment renminbis flowing in. All the low hanging fruit is gone and this places Kiwi businesses in a strong position. “New Zealand needs to work hard at selling the benefits we can offer growth hungry China, in terms of the innovation we can bring and financial capital we can help attract. “For Kiwi companies with the IP, brands, relationships and knowledge Chinese businesses crave, a partnership could offer […]

Quality Machine Tools will have two machines on display on their Stand 592 over the four days of Austech 2013, but they tell only part of the story for a machine tool supplier that has been serving the Australian manufacturing industry for nearly 20 years. Quality Machine Tools offers solutions to any machining needs from practically any sector and is looking forward to discuss customers’ requirements during the show.  Expert engineers will be demonstrating the VTEC double-column machining centre model SF-2112, as well as a 4-axis CNC turn-mill centre from ACE Micromatic. VTEC’s SF series is a double column machining centre which is efficient and productive, reaching high metal removal rates. The machine is equipped with a high-speed spindle and high-repeatability linear guideways and provides excellent machining performance and surface smoothness through its 6000-rpm built-in spindle and 24m/min rapid traverse. A 24,000-rpm spindle is also available. The machine features X- and Y-travels of up to 12,000mm and 5000mm respectively, a 32-tool magazine (40 tools as an option), and a stable light-weight table with a size of 2000mm x 1100mm and 4kg maximum load. For 5-axis machining applications, all VTEC machines can be equipped with a range of automatic heads for various 5-sided machining applications. Moreover, the VTEC FA series is a 5-axis machining centre suitable for all 5-axis simultaneous machining applications. All VTEC machines can be supplied with either Fanuc, Heidenhain or Siemens controllers. Quality Machine Tools will also exhibit the Vantage McY 800 4-axis turn-mill centre with large Y-axis travel (130mm) from ACE Micromatic. The C and Y-axis are equipped with a 12-station Sauter/ Duplomatic tool turret, and the Fanuc 0i TD CNC ensures easy operation. Moreover, the machine features a turning diameter of 400mm with a turning length of 800mm. A parts catcher and tool measuring eye are […]

This week the New Zealand dollar reached post float highs on the TWI due to strong appreciations against both the Yen and US Dollar. These trends are very threatening for exporters say the New Zealand Manufacturers and Exporters Association (NZMEA). NZMEA Chief Executive John Walley says, “Well, the dollar is at yet another high, post float high on the TWI and close on the US$. Does it matter? Is it good? Is it bad? Inevitable questions; the knee jerk answer depends on where you stand. “Where the currency is at a particular point in time has a headline impact but the deep psychology is based on trend and impact over time. If you are an exporter selling largely in US$, a 1% change in the currency has an impact of maybe 10% on profit. “If the impacts are adverse, imagine what that does to business viability, employment and the readiness of business owners to invest. At a first cut approximation on $60b worth of annual exports a 7% change in currency (80 to 86 US$) is $4.2b or 84,000 jobs at $50k.”  “If you work in the internal economy and consume why worry, imported stuff and holidays offshore are cheap. The problem is sustainability; an economy overly biased to consumption will hit the wall at some point. The wall for New Zealand is balance of payments; we consume more than we can pay for and the difference is covered by ever increasing offshore debt.” “It is pretty well agreed that our economy has a small set of high level problems, a structural current account deficit, poor productivity, low productive investment, and poor savings. We know the problems but there is no coherent narrative, let alone the policy to deal with them. “These problems stem from the deep bias towards consumption […]