Aurora Process Solutions has the technology that could help Australian bulk manufacturers up their productivity and reliability.
Productivity, put simply, is getting more out of less. And when it comes to Australia’s economy, it is sorely needed.
Alex Robson, deputy chair of the Australian Productivity Commission, wrote in a media release that to increase our living standards in a durable way, we need sustainable, long-term wage growth that can only come through increased productivity.
“But another important driver of our productivity slump last year was that employers didn’t invest quickly enough in the equipment, tools and resources (or ‘capital’) that were needed to make the most of workers’ skills and talents,” he said in a media release.
“As a rule, if workers have access to more capital, each hour worked produces more. We can express that in terms of the ‘capital-labour ratio’. A higher capital-labour ratio is typically associated with higher productivity.”
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According to Robson, labour productivity saw one of the sharpest falls in 2022-23. In short, Australians need to be working smarter, not harder,
One way to improve productivity is through automation. Many tasks in the bulk handling industry are ill-suited for people to perform. Stacking boxes, filling packages, and shifting heavy loads can be dull, dirty, and, worst of all, dangerous.
Braden Goddin, marketing and sales manager at Aurora Process Solutions, told ABHR that automation can free up staff performing manual labour, allowing them to focus on jobs that add value to the business.
“We often work with small and medium enterprises, and a lot of the time, ownership are on the floor helping with manual labour during busy periods,” he said.
“That’s not an effective use of manual labour units. There are so many more important things they could be doing to grow the business. Worse, it can create a lull in business during busy times, creating a cyclical pattern which can create cash flow issues.
“Automation makes running your business more accessible and versatile, removing variability.”
Aurora specialises in providing automated and semi-automated bag-filling, closing, conveying, palletising, and wrapping/hooding equipment for the grain, sand, fertiliser, and cement industries.
Aurora often works with businesses new to automation. This means they work with the customer to demystify their concerns and educate them on the benefits of automation.
Goddin said that uncertainty is one of the biggest barriers that stops businesses from incorporating automation.
“If you’re not working with robots on a daily basis, it can be daunting. That’s why we give customers a large degree of time and work with them to show them the benefits,” he said.
“When they can visualise what the automation looks like on their factory floor, it can help allay concerns. We do this through augmented reality, case studies and site visits, letting them speak with other clients that have had great success with the technology.”
Aurora also pays attention to the latest technologies developing around the world to ensure its equipment remains on the cutting edge.
Earlier this year, the company entered an agreement with Italian packaging technology specialist Robopac.
Robopac’s headquarters, in the heart of Italy’s packaging valley, manufactures advanced automated systems to be used in bulk packaging operations globally.
Goddin said one particular technology that stood out to Aurora was Robopac’s line of stretch wrappers.
“There are a lot of stretch wrappers out there, but we decided to partner with Robopac for their advanced technology.”
“Because so many manufacturers use stretch wrapping technology, from food, to pharmaceuticals, to trampolines, we saw it as an opportunity. Getting it right can make quite the difference, especially in high volume applications that are producing several pallets an hour.”
One of these advanced technologies is a pre-stretch mechanism for pallet wrapping machines. The mechanism allows users to get up to 400 per cent more yield out of a roll of wrapping without sacrificing integrity, reducing the amount of plastic used in the process.
It also manufactures options for wrapping pallets for specialised requirements, including in below-freezing temperatures, hygienic environments, and when dealing with corrosive materials.
Goddin said Robopac’s experience working with a range of industries and countries allows it to spot global trends.
“In Australia, the industry typically uses turntable wrappers. Other countries use ring wrappers, or rotary arm wrappers. That’s something we want to introduce to the local market,” he said.
“It allows a client to wrap a pallet without rotating it, meaning it’s safer for unstable loads as there’s no centrifugal force causing it to shift. It also means you can wrap a pallet a lot faster.”
Automated technology is continuing to become more sophisticated. Aurora’s team saw this in action at trade shows around the world.
Goddin said automation is moving forward in leaps and bounds, with vision technology rapidly increasing what can be automated.
The company plans to attend the upcoming 2024 Australian Bulk Handling Expo (BULK2024) in Melbourne. The show, which will take place from September 18 to 19, will highlight advancements in automation and the Internet of Things.
Goddin said BULK2024 will give Aurora an opportunity to see the emerging technologies and how they are being applied to specific markets.
“We meet with clients face to face on a regular basis, but the show offers us an opportunity to network and see the latest developments in the industry,” he said.
“There’s a lot of clever people and a lot of clever companies out there, and attending the show is a great way to save on a heck of a lot of googling and zooming.”