December 2008  

COVER STORY NZ manufacturers have been treated more like the “cousin on the way out” One of the problems the manufacturing sector in NZ has had since the 80's is being treated worse than a ‘poor cousin’ and more like the ‘cousin on the way out’ read article

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY Top-flight robot lifts Antarctic research Scientists are at the forefront of research that will yield important climate information about one of the most inhospitable and least-populated places on the planet – Antarctica. read article

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY Cutting costs of instrumentation and electronics for remote environments A passively cooled enclosure exploits a novel phase-change material to maintain the temperature of electronics equipment at 10 degrees lower than peak ambient temperatures. read article

ENGINEERING WORKSHOP Prospering in the current market For the most part of 2008, we have been hearing justifiable doom and gloom forecasts regarding the current state of the economy. Whether your business grows or continuously struggles for survival read article

ENGINEERING WORKSHOP- Hearing loss – don’t turn a deaf ear to the risks A recent survey revealed that workplace noise isn’t regarded as a major concern by many people who work in high-noise jobs. read article

PLASTICS, MATERIALS & MACHINERY- Research boost for $2.6 billion plastics industry A national Plastics Centre of Excellence at The University of Auckland’s Tamaki Campus brings together plastics research in New Zealand in a fully co-ordinated manner for the first time. read article

PLASTICS, MATERIALS & MACHINERY Enhance and protect products with transparent packaging Orkot Marine TXMM and TLMM rudder bearings have been fitted to the world’s largest LNG carrier, the Mozah. read article

PROCESS ENGINEERING Exceptionally rigid gear The KRP+ specialised reduction gear range is exceptionally rigid, necessary for highly-demanding rack and pinion drive applications. KRP+ is available in the 6 standard universal sizes. read article

INNOVATION- Leak meter puts clamp on water waste All over the world in big cities and towns, millions of litres of water are wasted every day through leaking pipes. Engineers have come up with a new device to reduce that loss by up to 25 percent. read article

POLLUTION CONTROL AND EFFLUENT TREATMENT- A greener way to dispose of wastewater Thames-based foundry A & G Price Ltd is one New Zealand heavy engineering company that is defying the doom and gloom of the current economic downturn read article

EDITORIAL Doug Green
The year that was   It’s been a busy year in industry. All over the country manufacturers, in these somewhat testing times, continue to define, create and market their innovative products on the national and international stage. read more

TRAINING, RECRUITMENT & APPRENTICESHIPSEngineering consultancy Beca has announced the recipients of its annual Engineering in Society prizes for University of Canterbury students, recognising young engineers who are likely to make a major contribution to the profession. read article

TRAINING, RECRUITMENT & APPRENTICESHIPS Girls need to consider the trades  There are some jobs that girls could happily and productively do but they do not get the chance, says Ministry of Women’s Affairs Chief Executive Shenagh Gleisner. read article

THE LAST WORD Sam Bugler - Longest established engineer faces repeat of mining boom  "Our best-known product is the Magnum Rotary Milking Platform, sometimes know also as Rotary Milking Parlours in certain parts of the world. " read article