A Ferret news item around the release of a lightweight and durable rope guide providing greater flexibility, reliability and safety on small or mid-sized wire rope hoists, to Australia and New Zealand.
Wire rope hoists are used in a wide variety of industries including construction and infrastructure, mining, manufacturing and materials handling, automotive, cement, primary production, process engineering, ports, shipping and logistics.
The guide has a rigid construction, allowing it to withstand extreme and demanding environments.
Kevin Williams, national parts and sales support manager, Konecranes Australia and New Zealand, said it was simple to install and does not require any speciality tools other than spanner or ratchet.
“Rope guides optimise the performance of wire rope hoists, by guiding the rope as it extends or retracts, making sure it’s straight and not causing additional wear. They are an essential part of maintaining a long rope life,” Williams added.
The universal and patented design allows for a range of drum diameters with fast installation and its roller wheels provide smooth transition movement, which can reduce drum wear.
A variety of accessories, sensors or other equipment can be directly fitted on the frame. This modular design allows for the fitting of additional features such as drum cleaning, side-pull prevention and rope measuring.
| A Ferret release | February 6, 2017 ||
Connected machines deliver double the bending length and press force – single-machine operation boosts capacity – ToolShuttle with space for 60 meters of tools – shorter set-up and search times, higher productivity bold
The sheet-metal plates that demonstrate the power and precision of the TruBend Series 8000 are famously big and fat – and now the TRUMPF machines for bending large-format components can actually deliver twice the performance. How? In a tandem version. Bending expert Babette Kopp from TRUMPF Machine Tools in Teningen explains: “If you utilize two machines as just one, it gives you the option of doubling the bending length, that is, up to 8100 millimeters, and also of doubling the press force – and that adds up to 10,000 kilonewtons. In other words, the parts portfolio can be expanded significantly, because compared to any stand-alone machine in the 8000 series, the user can bend longer material.”
The tandem version comes as standard with a C-frame with a throat depth of 820 millimeters and a maximum distance between table and press beam of 820 millimeters. This, combined with the fact that the table width is a mere 140 millimeters despite the enormous bending forces, further increases bending flexibility and part variety. Of course, each machine can also be operated individually, for double the capacity with less setup work.
Rapid speed is also no problem in tandem operationFor safe operation in stand-alone mode, the two machines are separated from each other at the push of a button by a protective door. In tandem operation, the door moves back automatically, so that bending can take place along the entire length. To ensure maximum process reliability, the BendGuard safety systems of the two individual machines are connected to one another – so the entire bending length is directly under control on the tandem machine, enabling rapid speed even in connected operation.
Surface-mounted version for easy installationInstallation of the tandem is uncomplicated because, unlike other large-format bending machines, it arrives as standard in the production hall as a surface-mounted version. Costs for elaborate machine foundations are no longer necessary. Instead, the two stand-alone machines are individually loaded from the truck and simply connected to each other. Here, the tandem partners are fixed together precisely using tensioning screws with fine threads. In addition, the machine tables are bolted using solid connecting elements – ensuring stability and accuracy during tandem operation for the best possible bending results.
Fewer tool changes for more productivity and part varietyWith the TruBend Series 8000, high-quality bending is guaranteed by means of mechanical crowning with a precisely adjustable crowning curve. Thanks to the selective adjustment option of the crowning and precise synchronization of both machines, the tandem version offers bending results that are just as good as those of the stand-alone machine. The CNC-controlled crowning ensures constant angle accuracy along the entire bending length.
In contrast to the eight-meter-long stand-alone machine, the TruBend Series 8000 tandem version enables lower tool offset (I-axis) along the entire bending length. This allows a great variety of different bends, and also folds, using the same combination of upper and lower tools. The number of tool changes decreases, while productivity and part variety are both increased.
ToolShuttle – storage space for a full 60 meters of toolsFor even more productivity on large-format TRUMPF machines, the ToolShuttle now offers a special storage system for upper and lower tools. Babette Kopp explains: “With the ToolShuttle, users are being given a tooling concept for heavy tools for the first time. It enables simple and ergonomic setup while minimizing setup and search times.” For TRUMPF bending machines in the 8000 Series weighing up to 600 tonnes, the ToolShuttle has room for up to 28 upper and 32 lower tool compartments – that adds up to total storage space for more than 60 meters of tools! In order to avoid tilting of offset tools, special storage compartments ensure correct support. Further storage space is provided by practical drawers in the lower part of the ToolShuttle.
Easy transportation of heavy tools – with the intelligent transfer unitVia a moveable transfer unit with three tool holders at the top and bottom respectively, the tools are brought to the bending machine. This not only protects the operator’s back: if he equips the upper and lower transfer unit with new tools and moves them to the bending machine, he can also push the tools to be changed into one of the free tool holders at the same time. This means that he can equip and remove tools in just one operation. A useful additional option: The turning unit makes it possible to turn heavy and/or offset tools through 180 degrees without any effort at all.
| A Trumpf release | February 2, 2017 ||
Trade Minister Todd McClay today welcomed the inaugural daily flight of Qatar Airways direct Auckland – Doha service at Auckland International Airport saying the world's longest flight was set to boost New Zealand trade and tourism.
“Qatar is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the air link will continue to gain importance when New Zealand concludes a Free Trade Agreement with the GCC,” Mr McClay says.
The new service is the world’s longest commercial flight, taking 17 hours and 30 minutes and covering a distance of 14,535 kilometres.
“The new Auckland – Doha service will not only provide more options and connections for business and leisure travellers, but will also provide an additional 116 tonnes of freight capacity every week. This increased freight capacity will support New Zealand exporters getting their fresh product to the Middle East and beyond,” Mr McClay says.
Qatar is a significant trading partner of New Zealand, with annual two-way trade exceeding $330 million.
“As a trading nation, New Zealand relies on effective air services to create much needed connections with the rest of the world. The estimated economic impact of this new service will be well in excess of $50 million,” Mr McClay says.
Qatar Airways has an extensive global network of more than 150 destinations. The new service from Auckland improves access to cities in Europe, Central Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
| A Beehive release | Januasy 6, 2017 ||
Trade Minister Todd McClay will visit Japan and Singapore this week to discuss regional trade issues with his ministerial counterparts.
During his visit to Japan, which is the first stop, Mr McClay will meet with the Minister in charge of Economic Revitalization Nobuteru Ishihara.
“Japan is New Zealand’s fifth largest two-way trading partner, a significant source of foreign investment, and a key international partner in our efforts to liberalise trade in the Asia-Pacific region,” Minister McClay says.
“We need to sit down and discuss the future of trade between our two countries and how we can best support regional economic integration and trade liberalisation.”
In Singapore, Mr McClay will meet with Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang.
“Given both Japan and Singapore are Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) signatories, I will take the opportunity to exchange views on the United States’ recent withdrawal from its TPP ratification process.
Minister McClay will also visit Mexico for trade discussions next week.
| A Beehive release | January 6, 2017 ||
Ξ New Zealand Made label is a powerful tool says Andy Millard
Callaghan Innovation Stakeholder Advisory Group reappointments
New tool provides easy access to economic data
Doha service increases trade and travel options
Trade Minister to visit Japan and Singapore
Trade ministers on TPP rescue mission
Workers to lose jobs after ABB factory close
New scheme will get overseas skilled workers to fill gaps in Wellington's tech industry
The stability of a catamaran design has found its way into a new very practical application in the form of a yacht tender with an innovative lightweight design from New Zealand now being represented by Multihull Central.
The Takacat dinghies range from 2.4m to 3.8m with either an open bow or closed tapered bow and are designed to save weight, offer superior stability and are an affordable alternative to the regular cumbersome RIBs currently available for cruisers.
Thanks to the large pontoons on each side, the Takacat doesn’t lean over and become unstable like traditional dinghies and drives well through all conditions due to the floats also providing the hull shape. New technology in inflatable design also means you can have a lightweight floor (bridgedeck) that is both firm when in use, but compact when deflated.
The entire boat can fit into just a couple of small bags, making it ideal to transport or stow onboard for passages and weighing in at half the weight of a aluminum RIB, your performance won’t be compromised either.
Multihull Central will have the range of Takacats available to purchase soon online and are currently on display at our Sydney marina and will be soon on display at the upcoming boat shows including the Gold Coast Marine Expo and Sanctuary Cove Boat Shows.
Load handling equipment provider, Kalmar, will soon deliver two new container straddle carrier models to New Zealand shipping company, Port Otago.
According to Port Otago, the two Kalmar straddle carriers will include its ESC350 and ESC450 models. “Improved economy, performance, reliability, and safety are key facets of this purchasing decision, and the Port welcomes any developments in Straddle Carrier design that reflect genuine safety improvements,” said Bob Smillie, Maintenance Manager, Port Otago.
“The Port is currently conducting a detailed analysis of Kalmar’s HSC350 Hybrid, a design that is expected to be a leading contender for future Straddle Carrier replacement decisions.
“Port Otago Ltd operates in a pristine area of New Zealand, taking pride in environmental conservation while undertaking their operations. Kalmar therefore focuses on providing solutions to support their operations while maintaining environmental sustainability.”
Reserve Bank Governor Graeme Wheeler today announced that he will not be seeking a second term as Governor when his current term ends on 26 September this year.
Mr Wheeler said: “It has been a great privilege to serve in this role, and in the remaining eight months I will remain fully focused on the economic challenges and opportunities facing the New Zealand economy. It was my intention, when I was appointed, to serve one term, and then to take on governance roles.”
Mr Wheeler was previously employed at the World Bank from 1997 until 2010, where he was Managing Director Operations (2006-2010), and Vice-President and Treasurer (2001-2006). From 2010 to 2012, he ran his own advisory business in the United States.
Under section 40 of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act, the Governor is appointed for a five-year term by the Minister of Finance, on the recommendation of the Reserve Bank Board.
The Chair of the Reserve Bank Board, Professor Neil Quigley, said the Government has advised the Board that, because of the proximity of the General Election this year, the Board’s recruitment process to identify a successor to Mr Wheeler needs to commence later in the year, and an acting Governor would be appointed to cover the post-election caretaker period.
The Minister of Finance, Steven Joyce, has, on the Board’s recommendation, announced the appointment of Grant Spencer under section 48 of the Reserve Bank Act to act as Governor for a period of six months on the conclusion of Mr Wheeler’s term. Mr Spencer had indicated his intention to retire this year but has agreed to defer in order to fill the acting role.
Mr Spencer is Deputy Governor and Head of Financial Stability, a position he has held since 2007. He serves as chair of the OECD's Committee on Financial Markets, and has held senior management positions at the Bank in economics and financial markets.
In 1995-2004, Mr Spencer was with the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group, holding senior management roles in treasury and strategy in New Zealand and Australia. He has also served terms with the International Monetary Fund as a Special Advisor, European Department, and as New Zealand’s Alternate Executive Director.
The next-generation 2018 Holden Commodore Sportwagon has been revealed today, thanks to an online reveal of the new model in its European form.
At the same time, Holden has confirmed it will continue the Sportwagon name, rather than introduce the Sports Tourer badge worn by the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia version shown in today’s reveal.
Before today’s virtual unveiling, the new Commodore wagon was unceremoniously revealed in December when an undisguised car was spotted during promotional filming.
Identical to its liftback sedan companion up front, the wagon is set apart not only by the obvious body differences, but also courtesy of a chrome roof trim that runs along the top of the windows and down the D-pillar, terminating inside the deep red LED tail lamps.
The new wagon measures 4986mm long and rides on a 2829mm wheelbase, the latter matching the liftback while the former represents an 87mm stretch.
By comparison, the current Commodore Sportwagon rides on a much longer 2915mm wheelbase, although its overall length is shorter at 4919 to 4939mm (depending on variant).
In the rear cargo area, the Sportwagon claims 520 litres of storage space with the rear seats upright, growing to 1640 litres when laid flat. The new liftback model offers 490 to 1450 litres.
On the convenience front, access to the loading area will be improved through the addition of a powered tailgate operated by foot gesture. A second swipe of the foot beneath the rear bumper will close the tailgate, and an obstruction detection sensor will stop the process if needed.
As with the liftback, the Sport Tourer will be offered with 2.0-litre turbo petrol and turbo diesel engines. Front- and all-wheel drive configurations will also be on offer, depending on the specification.
Australian variants of the new Commodore will also get four-cylinder engines, although a naturally aspirated 230kW/370Nm V6 will also feature at the top end of both the liftback and Sportwagon lines.
GM’s new nine-speed automatic transmission – developed together with Ford – will make its local debut in the new Commodore range, while the all-wheel drive system will be the same ‘Twinster’ design that features in the Ford Focus RS, supplied by UK company GKN.
Standout technology in the new Commodore will include IntelliLux LED matrix headlights, autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist with steering correction and lane departure warning, rear-cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, adaptive suspension, and a head-up display.
Other features will include massaging seats, rear one-touch folding seats, heated front and rear seats, ventilated front seats, auto up/down for all windows, and active noise cancellation.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will also feature, operated through an 8.0-inch main display.
A jacked-up Country Tourer model, rivalling the likes of Subaru’s Outback, will also be offered in Europe and, while not confirmed for Australia, the massive popularity of anything vaguely SUV-styled could make this one a shoo-in for our market.
Watch for more on the local version to be revealed in the weeks or months ahead. Expect to see the new Insignia Sports Tourer at next month’s Geneva motor show.
| A CarAdvice release - more images and links | February 7, 2017 ||
Lesson on Danger of Issuing Unenforceable Edicts
New Zealand’s sponsorship of the United Nations resolution condemning Israeli house construction on its occupied territories has had a result opposite to the one intended.
Israel has now launched the construction of sufficient housing in these territories to accommodate the equivalent of a New Zealand city i.e. more than 20,000 people.
In the event New Zealand as a temporary member of the security council was the instrument of a long incubated policy, now turned punitive, of former US president Barack Obama.
President Obama had long been determined to persuade Israel to cease new buildings on the occupied territories—for however brief a period of time.
In 2010 then president Obama promised a bounty of incentives including a flight of the latest fighter aircraft if Israel would cease these new buildings. Also vouched was an undertaking to scotch any moves in the UN to issue any resolution of the type to which New Zealand was co-sponsor at the end of last year.
In the event Israel’s long-running premier Benjamin Netanyahu (pictured), fearful of his coalition crumbling held fast to his construction scheme even though a three month freeze would have been enough to mollify president Obama, under pressure from his liberal wing.
The former president was now on the war path and determined to punish Israel with a condemnatory resolution at United Nations.
To make it remotely effective he had to have among the sponsors a christian anglo saxon nation.
Enter now New Zealand with its modest Jewish lobby and, even if there was any outcry, a pc media reluctant to give any pick up to it.
The New Zealand New York-Washington diplomatic presence meanwhile was listening to the politico-media-entertainment class.
The legations had become convinced that Hillary Clinton was the next president.
By sponsoring the resolution they were assured, they would build points with the incoming president.
They understood that as a ruling family the Clintons remained acutely aware of those who render favours, and those who do not.
Even so, if the New Zealand diplomatic stations had maintained contacts with the FBI, they would have had access to quite a different opinion.
The FBI with its field offices in the United States hinterland was receiving consistent reports of the dissatisfaction with the status quo in general and with the Clinton ascendancy in particular.
In any administrative staff college treatment of any kind of governance whatsoever there is usually one outstanding caution.
It is the danger of issuing an edict that cannot be enforced and that therefore will be flouted.
Worse still, if it is seen to be obviously being ignored, as with the no-building resolution.
| From the MSCNewsWire reporters' desk | Monday 6 February 2017 ||
Palace of the Alhambra, Spain
By: Charles Nathaniel Worsley (1862-1923)
From the collection of Sir Heaton Rhodes
Oil on canvas - 118cm x 162cm
Valued $12,000 - $18,000
Offers invited over $9,000
Contact: Henry Newrick – (+64 ) 27 471 2242
Mount Egmont with Lake
By: John Philemon Backhouse (1845-1908)
Oil on Sea Shell - 13cm x 14cm
Valued $2,000-$3,000
Offers invited over $1,500
Contact: Henry Newrick – (+64 ) 27 471 2242