RESEARCH Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ) and Australia’s scientific agency, the CSIRO, sees the construction industry being transformed by prefabrication and modular housing over the next two decades.

The combined report, named The Farsight Project, reveals that new technologies will cause a major shift in the way houses and buildings are constructed. 

According to the Manufacturing Excellence Taskforce of Australia, modular buildings today make up $4.6 billion (or 3 percent) of Australia’s annual $150 billion construction industry. 

CSQ director for evidence and data, Robert Sobyra, said this figure would increase significantly as building companies embrace the cost and time-saving benefits of operating in a controlled building environment.

“Working in a factory takes a lot of the risk out of building,” Mr Sobyra said. “There are no delays due to bad weather, more efficient processes can be used, and construction can occur at any time of day.

“Automated construction technology is well suited to modular building styles and may bring costs down further. Modular buildings are constructed in a very structured, pre-defined way. This sort of predictable and repeatable process is well-suited to being performed by robots.

“Modules and materials can also be sourced from anywhere in the world allowing construction companies to access the best performing and most cost effective options,” he said.

The research highlighted several trends in the housing market which are facilitating the growth of prefabricated technology.

Advances in manufacturing technologies such as three-dimension (3D) printing could create a new playing field for personalised building design and mass production. Increasingly designs are entered into the computer aided drafting (CAD) system then the ‘print’ button rapidly creates the object to specification.

Constantly improving virtual reality software and headsets are allowing new home buyers to personalise and visualise their house at no extra cost.

Mr Sobyra said those working in this new construction environment would require a mix of old and new skills.

“The transition to prefabricated construction will not eliminate the need for human labour and traditional tradespeople,” Mr Sobyra said. “Those building modular structures will still need to know the fundamentals of building and construction.

“In many instances, workers will be required to perform the same tasks that have generally been completed on-site, they will just be operating in a factory.”

However, Mr Sobyra said modular building would take some time to be fully adopted by the industry and property buyers.

“A large number of customers will have to be won over to the modular marketplace. It will take some time for perceptions about the quality of modular housing to be erased,” he said.

“In addition, improved tools, information systems and training will help to reduce on-site costs and prolong the commercial viability of conventional construction methods.”

www.csq.org.au

www.csiro.au

*ABS, Building Activity, Australia. Catalogue Number 8752.02015, Canberra: Australian Bureau of Statistics.

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PANASONIC has unveiled a new generation of robots, many aimed at manufacturers, including one which can be directly taught skills by master mechanics.

Panasonic took part in one of the world’s largest robot exhibitions, the International Robot Exhibition 2015, staged on December 2-5 at Tokyo Big Sight.

Panasonic exhibited robotics solutions covering a wide range of industries, including diverse manufacturing capabilities, as well as farming and tourism. 

Panasonic’s tomato-picking robot was on display as well as the communication robot, HOSPI-Rimo, and the parallel link robot which can be ‘directly taught’ skills by mechanics and technicians.

Of prime interest for manufacturers was Panasonic’s autonomous delivery robot, HOSPI. The robot delivers items to destinations without the need for electromagnetic tapes and other signalling devices. HOSPI autonomously plans its route based on the map of the facilities and location of the corridors, and it can even use elevators to change floors.

When passing by other people, the robot will slow down and, if there is enough space, it can automatically manoeuvre around for both safety and efficiency. HOSPI is likely to be adopted by hospitals in particular to deliver pharmaceuticals and specimens, allowing hospital staff to focus on their tasks, improve service provided to patients, and reduce risks that arise when they leave patients’ bedsides.

A version of HOSPI is also currently under development as a ‘communications’ robot.Panasonic has foundHOSPI-Rimo is drawing already attention as a potential guide robot at train stations, airports and showrooms. Like HOSPI, it can autonomously get to the destination, and it can also distinguish individuals, by utilising facial recognition, and communicate interactively using its high definition display.

Manufacturers expressed interest in Panasonic’s ‘parallel link robot’ which can be directly taught movements and skills of a master mechanic. It quantifies the know-how gathered and reproduces it faithfully. It can also respond quickly and delicately, a Panasonic spokesman said.

The as yet unnamed parallel link robot “can automatically perform a wide range of manufacturing processes such as inserting parts to electronic substrates, applying adhesives, and assembling parts, supporting a high quality, yet affordable, innovative manufacturing,” according to the spokesman.

The agribusiness sector is watching Panasonic’s development of a tomato-picking robot.

With newly developed sensors and image processing technology, Panasonic is developing harvest robots that can accurately assess colour, shape, and location.

“This robot can even pick fruits such as tomatoes that were thought difficult to harvest with machinery without leaving a single scratch,” the Panasonic spokesman said. “And by connecting to the network, it can automatically move around the ridges and transport the tomatoes to baskets or even change baskets, so it can autonomously undertake every step of the harvesting process.”

As a back-up to its robots, Panasonic is also developing GaN/SiC power devices. High voltage, miniaturization and rapid switching power devices, made with GaN and SiC, are in the pipeline to help realise the robots’ practical potential.
The GaN and SiC devices are drawing attention as key devices that will help save energy at high currents and high voltage and also contribute to the miniaturization of equipment.
“To realise a society where people and robots work together, where people can enjoy an enriched lifestyle, Panasonic will continue to develop game-changing robotics technologies drawing on the group’s collective strengths,” the Panasonic spokesman said.

Panasonic has trademarked HOSPI, HOSPI-Remo and Direct Teaching.

www.panasonic.com

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EXTRA >> GOLD COAST manufacturer Bustech could soon be developing and jointly producing a more advanced and efficient public transport system for Malaysia.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Bustech’s parent company Transit Australia Group (TAG) and Malaysia-owned Go Automobile. 

Go Automobile and Bustech plan to form a joint venture to manufacture electric, diesel and special purpose vehicles that will reinvent the current Malaysian public transport system.

TAG CEO Michael McGee said the ground-breaking deal represents a major opportunity for Bustech and significantly increases its access to overseas markets.

“Partnering with Go Automobile, who specialise in passenger and commercial vehicles, provides access to significant skill and expertise, and opens up new and exciting opportunities in Malaysia and other international markets,” Mr McGee said.

“The market and supply chain analysis will underpin a decision to invest in a manufacturing facility in Malaysia, which will take the company to new heights following our recent success in Saudi Arabia and Dubai.”

Go Automobile director Farok Maasom said after the feasibility study is finalised, the companies would move quickly into production as soon as possible.

“We intend to develop highly fuel efficient diesel buses, electric buses powered by lithium ion batteries and special purpose vehicles designed specifically for the local Malaysian market,” Mr Maasom said.

“We are very excited to be working with TAG who has already established their reputation as the leading bus design, engineering and manufacturing business in Australia. This reputation led TAG to formalise a $170 million agreement to design and manufacture electric buses for the Malaysian government.”

The MoU between Go Automobile and Bustech has been facilitated under the Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement (MAFTA), and is being supported by the Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI).

Bustech has partnered with MAI, Swinburne University of Technology, the Automotive Cooperative Research Centre (AutoCRC) and private Malaysian company Go Automobile to develop and test the E-Bus project in Malaysia.

“Transit Australia Group has long recognised the unique opportunities available under free trade agreements in the region and sees the strategic importance of Asia as an emerging market,” Mr McGee said.

At the Gold Coast Bustech facility earlier this year, Malaysian Automotive Institute CEO M Madani Sahari said, if successful, the electric bus could be exported to other countries.

“This partnership is a win-win for both Australia and Malaysia because it develops opportunities that have benefits for both countries,” Mr Sahari said.

Mr Sahari said Malaysian industry was spending 500 million ringgit (A$170 million) on establishing an electric bus public transport system, including infrastructure such as charging stations.

“This project will position Malaysia and Australia as regional leaders,” he said. “We don’t believe in having everything centric to one country. We can’t. In this era of globalisation we need to work with a partner and this is a smart partnership.

“Without the Malaysia Australia Free Trade Agreement this wouldn’t have happened,” Mr Sahari said. “It’s a win-win for both countries and we have the world as our market place.”

www.bustech.net.au

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FROSTY BOY has received world-leading food safety and quality certification, demonstrating how the Australian food manufacturer delivers retailers and suppliers across the globe the highest possible production standards.

Frosty Boy’s relatively new facility at Yatala, mid-way between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, has received an Excellent rating in its Safe Quality Food (SQF) audit. 

Frosty Boy CEO Dirk Pretorius said the manufacturer had  achieved a ‘Level 3 Comprehensive Food Safety and Quality Management System’ classification – the top rating, which covers Frosty Boy’s products including dairy powders, creams, beverage bases, gelato, jellies and soft serve icecream.

An independent assessment, SQF is an internationally recognised food safety and quality management system providing certification the manufacturer complies with food safety regulations in both domestic and international markets.

Mr Pretorius said Frosty Boy had held an SQF certification since 2013 and the most recent audit provided evidence the new factory, opened in 2014, was maintaining and complying with food safety standards.

Mr Pretorius said the Excellent SQF rating was validation of the company’s recent investment in the purpose-built manufacturing facility and the maintenance of proven systems and processes.

“This certification provides our customers with added confidence that the Frosty Boy products are manufactured using best practice systems,” he said. “An SQF rating is an internationally recognised program and helps us reach new markets both here in Australia and overseas.”

Significantly, this is the first year that SQF has introduced an unannounced audit program designed to ensure sites are ‘audit-ready’ at all times, Mr Pretorius pointed out.

Once every three years a site audit will be conducted without an appointment.

Despite the unannounced audit, Frosty Boy improved its SQF percentage result, further testament to the business’ commitment to quality systems and processes.

As part of the audit, the Frosty Boy business was reviewed in its entirety to make certain every aspect of food safety was considered throughout its operations. Random tests of soft serve and beverage products were also undertaken as further evidence of compliance.

Assessment considered management’s commitment to continually review and improve systems, communicate, train and ensure team members adopt policies as well as having a full-time manager in place responsible for overseeing and reviewing food safety.

Andrea Thomson, Frosty Boy’s quality assurance (QA) manager, said food safety was the number one priority for the business.

“Each and every team member is inducted in, understands the importance of food safety and takes responsibility to ensure the highest level of care is taken in production,” Ms Thomson said.

“Our reputation with export markets is based on Australia’s highest standards and this ‘Excellent’ rating provides us with yet another competitive edge.”

www.frostyboy.com.au

www.blendbeverages.com.au

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