Bringing remote desktop to the palm of your hand
PIC CAP: Accessing data from the plant floor has never been easier than with Omron’s new remote desktop programs. By Harry Mulder Use of mobile devices, such as smart phones, to access data from the plant floor is becoming more and more commonplace. The fact that authorised users can now access […]
3D printed HoverCraft
Hovercraft’s which are also known as air-cushion vehicles or AVC can travel over land, water, mud or ice and other surfaces. Unlike all the other vehicles we know, a Hovercraft does not touch the ground to get the lift, it uses blowers to produce a large volume of air below […]
Why companies need to automate their workforce management
In the picture: James Kissell, marketing director at WFS For many manufacturing companies, labour is the highest business cost and sometimes also the most variable cost. Manufacturing companies can gain better insight into these costs and how to manage them more effectively with workforce management technology. This can result in […]
Wearply offers outstanding fatigue life in machinery and plant
PIC CAP: Wearply is used for applications ranging from vibratory conveyor leaf springs through to electrical motor, generator and transformer components; insulated rail joints, and minerals processing components. A hugely durable reinforced plastic composite that weighs less than aluminium but has up to 10 times the specific strength of 1020 steel […]
Peterson’s Perspective: Will the science and R&D plan work?
by Gilbert Peterson on www.mscnewswire.co.nz For the past six years New Zealand’s innovation landscape has been littered with dithering and waste as the country’s investment in science and R&D failed to rise to an average OECD performance. With that in the background this week’s announcement of the new ‘National Science […]
ExportNZ Welcomes TPP deal
Catherine Beard, Executive Director of ExportNZ says it is a huge relief for New Zealand exporters that the Trans Pacific Partnership deal has reached a positive conclusion, despite not getting all we wanted from dairy access. “It is important to remember the significance of the TPP opportunity.” “TPP represents around […]
TPP Outstanding Achievement says EMA
The EMA says confirmation that agreement has been reached on the Trans Pacific Partnership is an outstanding achievement. While New Zealand has had to compromise in some areas, the overall result will deliver significant benefits for our economy, says Kim Campbell, CEO, EMA. “This has been a long time coming […]
New Zealand 16th most competitive country in the world
According to the Global Competitiveness Index, which ranks countries according to their performance on factors such as innovation, market size, market efficiency, infrastructure, business sophistication and others, New Zealand has steadily climbed the competitiveness rankings, from 17th place last year and 18th the year before, and from placings between 20th and […]
Exports down, forecast remains stable
The latest New Zealand Manufacturers and Exporters Association (NZMEA) Survey of Business Conditions completed during September 2015, shows total sales in August 2015 decreased 7.57% (year on year export sales decreased 3.18% with domestic sales decreasing 13%) on August 2014. The NZMEA survey sample this month covered NZ$460m in annualised […]
Meet Model X from Tesla
Model X is said to be the safest, fastest and most capable sport utility vehicle in history. Standard with all-wheel drive and a 90 kWh battery providing 250 miles of range, Model X has ample seating for seven adults and all of their gear. And it’s ludicrously fast, accelerating from […]
Free electrical design software with DesignSpark Electrical
RS Components (RS), the trading brand of Electrocomponents plc, the global distributor for engineers, has launched DesignSpark Electrical, which brings the benefits of design software to all those not already using electrical CAD tools. The new software targets electrical design engineers and other electrical professionals, enabling them to save time […]
Hello Industry 4.0
In the picture: The newest member of the KUKA robot family – the LBR iiwa lightweight robot At the KUKA booth, the visitors of this year’s Hanover Fair can deal with the increasing digitalisation of production and cooperative network of employees and machines. As Europe’s leading supplier of industrial robots […]
World-class technology and outstanding culture at Architectural Glass Products
Architectural Glass Products (AGP) is a cutting-edge glass manufacturing business based in Hautapu, near Cambridge. Established five years ago, AGP was created to help provide the APL window manufacturer network with a total window solution. It was born from the belief that the local window and glass industry was being underserved, particularly in terms of service and quality. In response, David Bunting, Mitch Plaw, Craig Vincent and Brent Martin joined forces to create a world-class, fully digitalised, and highly automated double-glazing operation. The result is a custom-built, state-of-the-art facility stretching 417 metres long and 108 metres wide, home to some of the most advanced glass processing equipment in the Southern Hemisphere. The Employers and Manufacturers Association’s Nicholas Russell sat down with David to discuss the challenges and successes of launching a greenfield manufacturing operation in New Zealand, the pivotal role of digital transformation, and the importance of investing in people and culture from day one. Why was AGP started?? We felt the glass and window industry in New Zealand was underserved – quality was lacking, and service wasn’t up to par. Our customers, being APL Window Manufacturers, were feeling the pain and we realised the only way to truly improve the supply chain experience was to control it ourselves. That meant starting from scratch and building a manufacturing business that could deliver exceptional products with equally exceptional service. AGP is known for its massive and innovative facility. Can you tell us about the design thinking behind it? We designed the building around the manufacturing process, not the other way around. That gave us complete freedom to optimise product flow and efficiency. The building is 417 metres long (you could park five Boeing 777s inside with room to spare) and 108 metres wide, which helped us futureproof our operations. Aesthetically, it looks […]