With SouthMACH just weeks away, industry suppliers are now in full plan implementation mode as they work to ensure a world-class experience for visitors. New event organiser XPO is also in full flight, with Sales Manager Aad van der Poel noting that the range of exhibitors, products, services, business deals, networking opportunities and seminars is more than enough to make this the year’s obvious must-attend.
“More than 100 international and local exhibitors will inform, delight, entertain and do great business deals for the strong attendance of manufacturing industry professionals. If you’re not one of those visitors then you’re missing out.”
One of the key features of the reinvigorated SouthMACH is the comprehensive free seminar programme. “On both days of the show there are informative and thought-provoking sessions covering topics ranging from OH&S to 3D printing, all presented by some of the most respected experts in their field.”
Presentations include:
- Everyone who goes to work comes home healthy and safe
- Manufacturing matters – why and how?
- The new breed of collaborative robotics
- Business excellence – AS/NZ/ISO 3834 certification for welded fabrication.
- Additive manufacturing, not how it works… what’s being made?
- Innovation is the engine that drives all progress.
- Protecting your invention – the new NZ Patents Act.
- How to tackle skill shortages in the Manufacturing Industry.
- Printing the future – metal 3D printing and high tech manufacturing.
- Maximising revenue through product compliance and safety.
- Health and safety law reform – duties on designers, manufacturers and importers.
The full seminar programme is on the SouthMACH website.
“There are a vast number of supplier displays, deals and demonstrations, plus break-out areas for networking, conversation and relaxation, and many other attractions including the chance to win some great prizes and to see global innovations,” says Aad.
“There’s also a fantastic opportunity to win yourself a brand new Ford Transit (T&Cs are at www.southmach.co.nz). All you have to do to be in to win is register as a genuine trade visitor at SouthMACH, visit the Ford Motor Company on stand 81, and have your badge scanned. We’ll be drawing the winner shortly after the show!”
Another big attraction is the featured presence of a local company that is also a global leader. Christchurch-based Global Aerial Platforms Ltd (GAP) has already successfully launched one of the largest privately-operated unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to be built in New Zealand. Graham Tully says visitors to SouthMACH will get up-close with some of their innovative UAVs. “We have two operational products that’ll be at SouthMACH, and a third in development. The first is the Global Ranger UAV that featured in the news earlier this year as part of a Coastguard search and rescue operation. It is of dual fuselage configuration and is primarily designed as a fast response speciality vehicle for search and rescue. GAP is being championed internationally by the newly formed Canterbury Coastguard Air Patrol. The airframe contains a petrol pusher motor and advanced electronics. The Global Ranger typically requires a 100 metres takeoff/landing surface.
“The other vehicle is our Kuaka UAV. It is of delta wing configuration and is designed as a fast response multi-purpose vehicle. The airframe contains the power system, motor and electronics. The Kuaka can be launched from a catapult, has a flight time of 40–50 minutes at cruise speed of 50 knots, and can land on either land or water,” says Graham.
Innovative robotic technology will also feature, including kanDO Innovation Ltd and its interactive production robot that has been designed to work safely with people.
“Baxter is particularly suitable for New Zealand conditions,” says Business Development Manager Ash Taylor. “It is flexible, safe, and easy to run and maintain. It offers extraordinary compatibility, capability, and flexibility for a robot in its class and compared to traditional robotic and automation solutions is surprisingly affordable for many SMEs in New Zealand.
“Baxter will stop on human contact – it pauses its activity and will wait for its operating zone to become clear before resuming, compared to other automation options that will simply move right through humans. Through its sensors it knows when the human moves away and can resume its activities – the basis of collaborative robotics. And with Baxter’s face displaying its feelings – fortunately never anger – its human colleagues get used to it as part of the team quickly.
“He’s amazingly flexible, too. Baxter could be packing boxes in the morning and then in the afternoon sort out parts from each other or do light assembly work across the factory floor.”
Clearly, as Aad van der Poel says, “SouthMACH is the South Island’s premier technology trade show celebrating the heartland of NZ Manufacturing. If you are an engineer – mechanical, design, consultant, electrical; machinist; communications technician/manager; supervisor; technical operator; operations manager or similar, then SouthMACH offers the tools, technology and services to work smarter.”
Robots, drones, and the leading equipment, machines and services to build new innovations – it’s all at SouthMACH, at the Horncastle Arena Christchurch, 22 and 23 July 2015. It is a trade-only event, with free entry to those who preregister online at www.southmach.co.nz.
