Robots endangering workers has been the driving force behind a German startup writes Oliver Sachgau for Bloomberg and publiashed recently by Industry Week.  Increased safety would mean robots could work more efficiently and at a faster pace when near humans

Two years ago, a robot crushed a 22-year-old man to death at a Volkswagen AG factory in Germany after the maintenance worker became trapped in an area usually off-bound to humans. While this type of tragedy is still relatively rare, efforts to improve safety are intensifying as factories around the world become increasingly automated.Now, in a development that’s drawn interest from car makers including Volkswagen, entrepreneurs Roman Weitschat and Hannes Hoeppner, working at the German Aerospace Center outside of Munich, say they have designed a way to better safeguard interactions between humans and robots with the aim of allowing them to work more closely.

Their newly-created company, Cobotect GmbH, is using the decades-old concept of airbags to cushion potentially dangerous automated parts and prevent workers from getting hurt. Increased safety would mean robots could work more efficiently and at a faster pace when near humans, according to the researchers.

Continue to read the full article on Industry Week here . . .

| An Industry Week release  || September 18,  2017   |||

The roll-out of a soft plastics recycling scheme in Nelson today means New World, Countdown and Pak’nSave supermarkets in the South Island will offer the service, Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith says.

“The Love NZ Soft Plastics Recycling Programme is the next logical step for households in reducing waste. It means people can take the likes of bread bags, shopping bags and frozen vege bags to these supermarkets for collection, re-manufacture and re-use,” Dr Smith says.

“Most households now recycle paper, cardboard, glass, metal cans and hard plastic containers, and the extra challenge with soft plastics was finding a practical way of collecting them and keeping them clean enough for re-use. The programme is already running in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Canterbury and will now roll out to stores from Nelson to Invercargill.

“These additional South Island locations mean the programme reaches its goal of 70 per cent of New Zealanders having access to a drop-off facility within 20km of their home.

“A Government Waste Minimisation Fund grant of $700,930 supports this joint initiative between the retail sector, the packaging industry and the Government to enable the recycling of soft plastics.

“The soft plastic collected is turned into useful products such as benches and bollards, extending the life of this valuable resource. The programme will now be available at more than 350 stores nationwide, and includes South Island New World, Countdown and Pak’nSave supermarkets.

“This initiative builds on the work we have done with hard plastics, like the opening last month of the Flight Plastics processing facility in Lower Hutt, which received a $4 million Government grant. This facility has the capacity to turn more than 200 million plastic drink bottles a year into high grade food-safe packaging.

“The soft plastics programme is a great example of how businesses can make positive changes that enable every-day New Zealanders to divert plastic waste from ending up as litter or landfill. Its North Island roll-out will continue next year, with Rotorua, Tauranga and Palmerston North.

“The success of the programme to date clearly shows New Zealanders’ enthusiasm for reducing waste to landfill. This year more than 200 tonnes of soft plastics have already been collected for recycling.

“It is needed regardless of the debate on single use shopping bags. I welcome the announcement yesterday by Foodstuffs that they are exploring a charge on single use supermarket bags but the soft plastics problem is far larger than just the single use supermarket bags.

“This innovative and collaborative approach has proved successful in other locations and I’m looking forward to seeing Nelsonians embrace it,” Dr Smith concluded.

| A Beehive release  ||  September 18,  2017   |||

Freight is rolling again this morning on the South Island’s Main North Line, ten months after November’s Kaikoura earthquake, Transport Minister Simon Bridges announced today.

The first train carrying goods into Christchurch from Picton is due to arrive in Christchurch by 2pm today, marking the start of a five nights per week service.

“Keeping freight flowing easily and efficiently around New Zealand is critical to our economic growth and keeping our communities connected,” Mr Bridges says.

“Having this key freight service running again is an immense achievement, which will take pressure off the inland routes while helping with the rebuild of State Highway 1 during the day.

“Today’s first rail services, even in a limited capacity, will take around 2000 trucks off the road each month, building to 4000 trucks when the line is fully operating again by the end of the year.”

Following November’s earthquake, there were close to 60 major damage sites, including tunnels, bridges and embankments, and the line had been buried under more than 100 slips and landslides. Approximately 60 bridges were damaged and repairs required at more than 750 sites.

“Over 1500 workers from KiwiRail, the NZ Transport Agency and their partners in the North Canterbury Transport Infrastructure Recovery alliance (NCTIR) have done a fantastic job in what have been challenging conditions,” Mr Bridges says.

“The Government is committed to restoring the road and rail services along this important coastal corridor, and it’s great to see the significant progress being made.

“We have also provided a range of business support packages and support for the tourism industry and primary sector to help get the most affected communities back on their feet and rebuilding the local economy.”

| A Beehive release  ||  September 15,  2017   |||

The guys at CADPRO Systems reckon if you haven't seen them yet. Take a look at the awesome machines our friends at Vertigo Technologies are engineering and manufacturing it off Westport. Impressive stuff.

2. www.cadpro.co.nz

BOC has launched eight new welding models that offer the latest in welding technology to Australian and New Zealand fabricators and businesses as part of a revamp of its welding range.

Richard Fowles, Senior Product Manager of Welding Products, said the new welding range is affordable and easy to use, with advanced electronics and digital control that focus on delivering improved safety and quality.

“Safety is a top priority for BOC and our customers. With new legislative changes in electrical safety, our machines now carry the Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) required by all welding manufacturers in Australia and New Zealand. Whether it’s small fabrication jobs or automated robotic applications, BOC understands the need to have machines that provide the right power capacity and processes to deliver a quality job. Many of the new models will upgrade or replace products in our current range, designed to deliver the best welding experience,” Fowles explained.

Portability and convenience

Four new lightweight and portable models offer excellent reliability and performance. The new BOC Smootharc MMA131vrd and MMA171vrd models are perfect for fabricators on the go, with new TIG capabilities and voltage reduction devices that reduce open circuit voltage to safer levels. The new BOC Smootharc Multi-Process 180 and BOC Smootharc MIG181 models come with optional spool guns (purchased separately) for added convenience.

Remote models with extra power

Two remote power workhorses, Smootharc Advance II MIG250R single-phase and Smootharc Advance II MIG400R three-phase offer MMA capability. Internal toolboxes contain a Binzel MIG torch, regulator, wire feeder, inter-connecting cable, wire feed rollers, gas hose with quick release, electrode holder and work return lead.

Advanced German technology from EWM

As the exclusive distributor of German welding brand EWM, BOC now offers two digital, high-end machines -the Tetrix 230 ACDC Comfort 2.0 TIG inverter (with MMA capabilities) and the multi-functional Phoenix 405 Progress Pulse (MIG/MAG with MMA, TIG and arc air gouging functionalities).

Technical Manager for Specialised Manufacturing at BOC, Peter Kuebler, said the introduction of EWM patented processes allow users to gain the best possible results when welding.

He added, “Our new EWM welding machines offer solutions for the simple task right through to complex automated robotic applications. We offer users gas, equipment and the technical expertise required to get those tricky jobs done.”

The new welding models include: BOC Smootharc MMA 131vrd, BOC Smootharc MMA 171vrd, BOC Smootharc Multi-process 180, BOC Smootharc MIG 181, Smootharc Advance II MIG250R, Smootharc Advance II MIG400R, Tetrix 230 ACDC vrd (EWM), Phoenix 405 Progress Pulse (EWM).

| A BOC release  ||  September 13, 2017   |||

FreshPlaza - Sep 13, 2017  |  What is expected to be the first of many shipments of tamarillo pulp has left Whangarei en route to a US-based food producer and distributor.

NZ Tamarillo Co-operative recently finalised a major deal with its produce destined to join Serious Foodie's product line as New Zealand Tamarillo Grill Sauce & Marinade and New Zealand Tamarillo Vinegar.

Serious Foodie sells online, through farmers' markets and is distributed into gourmet supermarkets and stores across the US and Canada.

More shipments will follow with the pulp from tamarillos grown in the North by the five orchards in the NZ Tamarillo Co-operative processed into pulp and vinegar concentrate here and then sent to the US in bulk.

Maungatapere based co-operative director/manager Robin Nitschke said he and other members of the Tamarillo Co-operative had been working on the deal for two and a half years and are delighted to have reached another milestone.

The co-operative was established three years ago to have more influence at the beginning of the supply chain by channelling all fruit through one merchant and to provide more choices to add value to the fruit at the end of the supply chain.

"So it is rewarding to finally achieve this milestone," Mr Nitschke said. "The importer tells me that feedback on our tamarillo products from customers in the States is very encouraging, with the potential for rapid growth into the specialty food sector".

Mr Nitschke said that after gaining recognition last year as finalists in the Artisan Food Awards, supermarkets, specialty food outlets and food service companies have been stocking the co-operative's products.

| A FreshPlaza release  || September 13,  2017   |||

 With technology being predicted to become New Zealand's number one exporting sector, the time has come to set out the vision. CEO of the Centre for Advanced Engineering and author of the recently released book Innovate! Richard Bentley shares his thoughts on how we can speed up the process with Idealog.

Professor Shaun Hendy (9 August) commented on the slow progress New Zealand has made toward the development of a technology-based exporting sector. As he reflected, the occasional successful start-up is not nearly enough.

In my recent book Innovate! , I present a detailed analysis of the state of our fifteen export-focused sectors, their prospects for growth, current thinking on being innovative and how our government supports exporters.

I find that amongst our advanced manufacturing sector we have a number of sophisticated exporters like Buckley Systems and Fisher and Paykel Healthcare, and that there is an emerging group of exciting businesses. However, the new paradigm amongst wealthy nations is to be preeminent in advanced manufacturing - as manufacturing especially has extensive spillovers to the wider economy. As a consequence, new manufacturing technologies and processes are appearing, markets are becoming more competitive, and large multinational companies are adapting their businesses to tackle the very niche markets that our companies supply.

We also have exciting but unrealised opportunities in medical technologies, ICT, textiles, and in minerals developments, but our manufactured food, agritechnology and biotechnology sectors are fragmented and underperform. Thus our emerging technology-based economy has the feel of still being in start – up mode, and this seems to be reflected in recent data that shows exports as a percentage of GDP slowly falling, why the government’s often stated goal of doubling exports has been quietly dropped, and why our productivity remains so low.

So how do we address this challenge? The wealthy countries of the OECD are proactive in developing innovative, competitive and growing technology-based economies. They create environments where businesses grow through easy access to science and technology, where businesses work together and collaborate as opportunities emerge, and where resources are focused on science and technology development and transfer that’s good for business development.

In contrast, and since the 1980’s deregulation of our economy, our governments have adopted a passive approach to developing an innovative economy and to the development of business. This is why we have very poor interactions between business and researchers, and very few business facing centres of technology. This dysfunctionality, which I call the technology vacuum, was first revealed in the authoritative report Powering Innovation way back in 2011, as Shaun noted, and there has been no attempts to remedy the situation. Compounding the situation has been the collapse of the manufacturing - focused CRI Industrial Research Limited from low sales.

Paradoxically, we have a superb science system, led by the universities and the Centres of Research Excellence (the CoREs), and we have numerous world class scientists. However, nearly all the science research vote continues to be allocated to university scientists on the basis of best science and not to research needs informed by business.

Government, having stripped itself of all its technology capability, needs to form a new Innovation Council comprising the universities, business and NZTE, to look into the situation in each of our fifteen important export sectors and to work out how government could assist them better. Each has its own issues and opportunities. These initiatives will give businesses better access to the science and technology capability in our universities, they will create environments that encourage more coordination, collaboration and innovation between export businesses, and they will deliver OECD type energised innovative environments.

My preference, set out in detail in Innovate!, is to create a network of university-based technology hubs, effectively a technology – focused business facing version of the CoRE network. They would be wholly funded by government and established for example in robotics and sensing, IT for manufacturing, cyber technologies, technical textiles, agritechnology, and advanced food, to name only a few areas to illustrate. These are the technologies that underpin the development of a competitive exporting sector. I would scrap the R&D grant system as it does not create innovative firms or innovative collaborative sectors, and I would put these funds into the network. The hubs would also become the place where businesses within sectors meet, collaborate, agree sector strategies and inform research needs as occurs at the Auckland University - hosted Product Accelerator. And I would collapse the economically focussed CRIs and Callaghan Innovation into this network.

Governments create innovative economies not markets. A step change in effort by our government is required to bring Sir Paul Callaghan’s dream of a sophisticated significant technology-based export sector to a reality and to reduce our dependence on commodity agriculture exports and tourism.

Richard Bentley (CNZM) has worked in New Zealand industry and in the science and innovation system for nearly four decades – see his website. Innovate! Transforming New Zealand’s technology-based economy was published in August 2017 by Steele Roberts, Wellington.

| An IDEALOG article   |  September 13,  2017   |||

The exciting Kia Stinger will provide the power and rear-wheel-drive attributes that have become increasingly scarce following the local demise of two other large sedans. It will reinvent the segment with a thoroughly modern and desirable package.

With 365hp (272kW) of peak power and 510Nm of torque available from the twin-turbocharged V6 engine in the flagship GT Sport model, the new Kia has power to burn – it can rocket to 100km/h in less than 5 seconds.The sporty 5-door liftback styling also has the power to turn heads, benefitting from the award winning design prowess of Kia Motors’ Chief Designer, Peter Schreyer and his team.

“The new Stinger will lift Kia into a different league – this is a car with the X-factor,” says Todd McDonald, General Manager of Kia Motors New Zealand.“You haven’t seen a Kia like this before. Stinger has the power to surprise in any number of ways, not least through its rear-wheel-drive architecture, which will stamp it as a true driver’s car.”

The new Stinger will launch in New Zealand with three models, including the very highly-specified twin-turbo V6 as a sporting GT, priced from a recommended $69,990 plus on road costs. The two other models will be powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine developing 259hp (193kW) peak power and 353Nm of torque that also drives through the rear wheels and can propel the car to 100km/h in 6 seconds. These models will have recommended retail prices of $54,990 plus on road costs for the EX Turbo and $59,990 plus on-road costs for the GT Line.

All models have a brand new 8-speed automatic transmission with sports settings. Quad exhausts add a further note of sportiness.

Mr McDonald says each version of the Stinger will be exceptionally well equipped, including leather interior, paddle shift gear changes, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Smart Cruise Control, LED headlights and much more. Launch plans are currently in hand and Mr McDonald says Kia expects to announce further details soon.

|A  Kia Motors release  ||  September 14,  2017   |||

For more information contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. from  The Car Company Kia distributors in New Zealand

BISON, a specialist developer of container technology, will showcase a new, world-first portable system for lifting containers at the IANA Intermodal EXPO in California on 18 and 19 September.

The BISON C-Lift was launched in August with, claims the company, widespread interest from the USA.

Recognising that conventional container handling equipment is typically big, heavy and expensive, New Zealand-based BISON says its “compact, portable and more economic alternative equips importers, exporters and project logistics operators to lift heavy containers on and off chassis in any location”. It says that first units are now being shipped to the Middle East, South America and Europe.

“Intermodal USA is the perfect event for showcasing the C-Lift,” says BISON CEO Greg Fahey. “We’re looking forward to meeting people in North America’s intermodal industry and discussing how our unique lifting equipment can open new possibilities for container freight and logistics there.”

Alongside the C-Lift, BISON will have its popular range of portable container weighing scales on display at Booth 911.

Intermodal USA is the world-leading exhibition and conference for companies associated with the container and intermodal industries, covering all areas of container transport and logistics across road, rail and sea. More than 125 companies across 70+ product categories will exhibit at this year’s event, bringing together high-quality speakers, exhibitors and decision makers from all over the world.

| A  LogisticsBusiness release  ||  September 13,  2017   |||

 Leinster Leader - The latest in sensor technology systems, seed drills, rotary milking systems and even a dual electric drive utility bike will be on show as New Zealand agritech returns to Ireland following a successful presence at the National Ploughing Championships in 2016.

The strong agricultural partnership between New Zealand and Ireland will continue to prosper as 13 leading New Zealand agricultural companies descend on Screggan for the 2017 National Ploughing Championships.

Companies such as world-leading in-shed farm automation technology provider LIC Automation (Saber) and specialist seed drill manufacturers, Duncan Ag and Aitchison will return for the second year running. As well as displaying their market leading technologies, they will introduce exciting new products to the Irish market for the first time.

The New Zealand pavilion will also feature some highly anticipated new additions, such as UBCO Bikes, manufacturers of dual electric drive, all terrain bikes and Waikato Milking Systems, leaders in advanced dairy technology.

Under the theme of smarter farming, the New Zealand pavilion aims to grow the longstanding and successful partnership of two leading agricultural nations. Farmers visiting the New Zealand pavilion will get an exclusive insight into the efficiencies and innovations of industry-leading products and how New Zealand and Ireland are working together to continuously improve and develop on-farm systems – working smarter, not harder.

Keeping in theme with smart technology, Irish farmers will be able to ‘virtually’ explore a New Zealand farm through a unique virtual reality (VR) experience.

Daniel Taylor, New Zealand Trade Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Ireland says:, ‘All of the companies representing some of the best of New Zealand agriculture are delighted to be back in Screggan this year following an excellent Ploughing Championships last year. We’re looking forward to continuing to build on our relationships developed last year and further growing our partnership with Irish farmers.”

“I am convinced that the shared experiences and similarities between farming in New Zealand and Ireland, coupled with the innovation our companies display, we will continue to forge a strong and mutually beneficial relationship for Irish and New Zealand agriculture,” says Mr Taylor.

Companies exhibiting at the New Zealand pavilion include:

   * LIC Automation, a world leader in integrated and innovative ‘Saber’ in-shed farm automation and sensor technology systems with a proud history dating back to 1909;   * UBCO Bikes, a newcomer to Screggan for 2017 UBCO manufacture dual electric drive, all terrain bikes for use around the yard and further afield. UBCO bikes come complete with power outlets and USB ports, as well as accessory lugs for equipment;   * Duncan Ag, market leaders in the manufacturing of robust and user-friendly machinery for seed drilling and forage feeding;   *Waikato Milking Systems, the third largest manufacturer globally of rotary milking systems provide advanced dairy technology options to simplify milking routines to ensure more efficient milking, better mastitis control and higher productivity; and,   * Aitchison, a company with a proud 40-year history of machinery manufacturing and specialising in seed drills and spreaders whose size, flexibility and rugged construction are well suited to the Irish market.

The New Zealand Pavilion will be located at stand 268, Row 11, Block 3 at the National Ploughing Championships from 19-21 September 2017, in Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.

| A LeinsterLeader release  |||  September 12,  2017   |||