Industry News
Sensing breakdowns in mechanical parts
Sensors which are able to predict when mechanical parts in machinery and transport will breakdown before they actually do could be introduced by 2010, slashing maintenance costs across the manufacturing, automotive and plant machinery industries.
[ + ]Engineering conference
Engineers Australia's Engineering Australia 2006 conference, to be held in Sydney on 30-31 March, will tackle the issues of training, skilling and attracting good engineering recruits.
[ + ]Steel giant
China's second and fifth largest steel mills are planning an ambitious merger that would form a global giant. Anshan Iron & Steel Group and Benxi Iron & Steel Group will merge to form Anshan-Benxi Steel Group. Both mills are owned by the government.
[ + ]Car maker reaches 15 million
Toyota has reached the 15 million mark in North American production. This milestone marks 20 years of manufacturing in North America, supported by a $16 billion investment in North American operations.
[ + ]Bright future for manufacturing technique
By controlling materials at the nanoscale, Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers in the US believe they can improve manufacturing processes of products ranging from solar cells to computers to flat-panel displays.
[ + ]Water remediation technology
The global patent to a world-first water remediation technology developed in Australia has been acquired by ASX-listed IMT Holdings Limited.
[ + ]Automation system upgrade for university
The University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) has chosen Emerson Process Management to automate the CEMIST (Chemical Engineering Measurement by In-Situ Techniques) process plant within its Chemical Engineering Department.
[ + ]Automation training seminars
A series of training sessions is being offered by Endress+Hauser during 2006 that will be of interest to engineers, managers and maintenance teams.
[ + ]Australian aluminium too expensive
The Australian aluminium industry is becoming less cost competitive as new countries enter the market with cheaper smelters, according to recent research.
[ + ]Serck Control alliance
Control Microsystems, a SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) equipment manufacturer headquartered in Canada, and Serck Controls, a SCADA systems engineering company headquartered in Australia, formed a global strategic alliance in 2004 to leverage technology, manufacturing and market opportunities.
[ + ]Faster Wi Fi gets go ahead
At the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) taskgroup meeting in Hawaii recently, there was an agreement over the next high speed Wi-Fi standard, 802.11n.
[ + ]New president for Manufacturing Society
Sydney-based Dr John Blakemore has been appointed the new national president of the Manufacturing Society of Australia.
[ + ]Engineer in control at PAC
One of New Zealand's leading entrepreneurs and exporters has been appointed chairman of the country's largest aircraft manufacturer, Pacific Aerospace Corporation (PAC). Neville Jordan, who also chairs Endeavour Capital, is assisting in day-to-day operations of the Hamilton-based aircraft maker and also managing European sales.
[ + ]Engineering Challenge worth another million
The University of Newcastle's Science and Engineering Challenge will receive an additional $1 million in funding from the Department of Education, Science and Training.
[ + ]