More than ever, manufacturers need to identify ways to deliver quality, cost and lead time benefits to customers, profitably cope with market fluctuations and keep ahead of competitors.
As industry tightens its belt, expenditure on new technologies and R&D has declined, however, the adoption and implementation of new technologies and processes can create a competitive advantage, ensuring the long-term sustainability of a manufacturer. For example, Blue Water Engineering was able to improve the efficiency of its manufacturing process, optimise the use of its resources and weather several economic cycles by implementing new manufacturing technology introduced by QMI Solutions.
Manufacturing technology includes both 'hard' technologies such as tools and equipment, as well as 'soft' technologies such as knowledge, systems and processes of a company (e.g. Lean Manufacturing processes). Effectively implementing new technology is usually a complex and iterative matter, with no 'one size fits all' rule. It also needs to be a cyclical activity, since producing large gains consistently over time becomes more difficult for manufacturers as technology matures. When considering the adoption of new technology, manufacturers need to consider a wide range of factors including the suitability of the technology, financial viability, systems and processes required to support it, and the potential risks associated with implementation. The idea of buying the latest tech-savvy machine and placing it on the shop floor will fail if it is not suitable or supported adequately by the systems and processes within the company. The seamless integration between hard and soft technologies within a company dictates both the success of technology implementation and the long term sustainability of the business.
QMI Solutions is recognised as Australia's premier technology diffusion agency and has been involved in the uptake of the latest practices and technologies by industry for over 19 years. Through strong relationships with the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI), the Department of Education and Training (DET) and the research sector through QUT and UQ, QMI has successfully led the diffusion of various technologies throughout Queensland including; Stereolithography (SLA rapid prototyping), Water Jet Cutting, Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) Incremental Sheet Forming (ISF) Sustainable Manufacturing and Lean Product Development, to mention a few. QMI's close links with UQ and QUT helps it to identify capabilities and technologies of benefit to Queensland manufacturers. Additionally, opportunities for closer interaction between universities and industry are provided through QMI's involvement in conducting and supporting R&D forums that link research capabilities with identified industry problems.
Recognising that some 98% of the world's innovation occurs outside Australia, an important aspect of QMI's technology diffusion activities is the identification of technologies that are particularly relevant to Australia's diverse manufacturing sector. Over the past 12 months QMI has investigated a number of new technologies with relevant applications in a range of areas across Queensland Industry. These include Sponge Blasting, Automated Tape Laying for fibre composites, hand-held Water Jet Cutting, Hybrid Parallel Kinematic Robots and Multi-point Forming. Building on the knowledge and expertise gained since its inception, QMI is also working with Federal Government colleagues, Enterprise Connect, to document and refine a technology diffusion process. This process will outline the precise scan and search processes, assessment and diffusion methodologies that can be utilised for successful technology diffusion, so that the uptake of new technologies by small-to-medium sized enterprises throughout Australia will be enhanced.
Technology adoption is driving the evolution of the manufacturing industry. For QMI Solutions, this means assisting Queensland manufacturers identify areas to innovate and improve performance, implement productivity improvement practices and adopt technologies and practices which will remove the barriers to their success.
For more information or advice, please contact:
Consultant: Jim Walker
Phone: 07 3364 0700
Email: info@qmisolutions.com.au