
Browsing: Materials
The emergence of high tensile, lightweight composites to compete with tried and tested stalwarts like concrete, timber and steel is a growth area for the engineering sector. In some cases engineering materials are combined for maximum flexibility. NZ Engineering News keeps readers up to date on the emerging use of different materials for engineering and the continued success and development of traditional materials. Steel and steel fabrication, plastics, metals and composites are examined and compared.

Flexible coatings help protect marine structures
Both abrasive and corrosive, the marine environment is unforgiving of maritime structures such as offshore platforms and rigs, and ocean-going vessels—all of which are major investments for the companies operating them. Continue →

FAG Self Aligning Cylindrical Roller (SACR) bearings achieve greater service life
FAG Self Aligning Cylindrical Roller (SACR) bearings achieve greater service life
FAG self-aligning cylindrical roller (SACR) bearing installations by Schaeffler Australia have increased production time and reduced downtime by solving a lubrication and premature failure issue for one of the world’s leading packaging, paper and recycling companies, Visy Pulp and Paper. Continue →

Kiwi fibre sets the world spinning
West Auckland business Revolution Fibres is what the company describes first nanofibre producer in the world to meet aerospace industry standards. Continue →

Steel company scoops supreme award
Westpac Northland Business Excellence Supreme Award 2015, Donovan Group NZ Ltd: From left, Rod Parkinson (sponsor), Kyle Donovan, Kerry McCollum, Takeo Fukuoka, Graham Donovan, Hamish Reid and Brett Donovan
A ground-breaking steel product has seen a Northland steel business take out top honours at an awards ceremony held last month. Continue →

Acient art of origami opens opportunity for Structural Engineers
From shipping and construction to outer space, origami could put a folded twist on structural engineering. Continue →

Titanium and titanium alloys powder compaction forging/extrusion
New Zealand’s Titanium industry is growing, with world-class Titanium alloy powders and finished products now being made right here in New Zealand – and it’s more accessible than you may think. Continue →

Scientists combine elements in search for new materials
Using a method they invented for joining disparate elemental layers into a stable material with uniform, predictable properties, Drexel University researchers in the US are testing an array of new combinations that may vastly expand the options available to create faster, smaller, more efficient energy storage, advanced electronics and wear-resistant materials. Continue →

Digital measuring equipment for highly accurate modelling
New Zealand manufacturing icon, Dotmar Engineering Plastics continues to provide increased support to manufacturers and designers throughout New Zealand. Continue →

The marital bliss when innovation and materials get hitched
Engineers and designers love nothing more than new materials, so we at NZ Engineering News have gone on a search to see what’s on the horizon, what’s in place and what’s getting a new look. Continue →

Innovative Kiwis lead the world in superconductor technology
Learn more about superconductors and the men who are pioneers in the development and construction of some of the most powerful high field magnets and electrical coils in the world. Continue →

Robots lift productivity
The new Delta-3 Robot from Omron can increase productivity and significantly reduce operating costs. Continue →

Molecularly imprinted future: targeting the solution
Hamilton-based Ligar, a developer of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), in mid-February secured a sizable investment from Wallace Corporation. Continue →

Why the V8 supertourer gearbox gears failed
In the 2012 racing season, V8 supertourer gearboxes were failing prematurely by gears being cracked or the gear teeth being stripped. Continue →

Determining the best process for metal cutting: plasma, oxy-fuel, laser or abrasive waterjet
Jim Colt
Hypertherm designs and produces three of the four major metal sheet and plate cutting processes used in a wide range of metal cutting applications, and is regularly asked which is the best system to use for a given application or range of products. Continue →

Light weight Hardox bodies on trucks can save a fortune
Chassis and deck manufactured in Hardox by SEC.
It is a very hackneyed expression to write that someone or something is on the “cutting edge” – and it usually is not altogether true. Continue →

Electron: Rocket Lab shrinks the space launch vehicle
Rocket Labs infographic: click the image to see the full size version. Continue →

New composites cutting device developed
The University of Loughborough is looking to commercialise an innovative composites cutting device it has developed and which it claims makes machining composites as easy as ‘cutting through butter’. Continue →

KiwiNet recognises TiTeNZ for research commercialisation
Titanium Technologies New Zealand (TiTeNZ) received the AJ Park Commercialisation Collaboration Award at the recent KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards 2014 held in Auckland. Continue →

Laser-induced tempering: targeted heating of surfaces and coatings
Today, lasers are considered extremely versatile systems – systems believed to be capable of virtually anything by those outside the field. Continue →

Macplas expands into South Island
With our steady growth in the North Island over the past few years, Macplas has recently launched into the South Island market to extend our engineered plastics solutions at a national level. Continue →