'The cowboys were in control': Foley attacks former colleagues

'The cowboys were in control': Foley attacks former colleagues

Inquiry to probe how regulators impact small business

07/12/2012 - The Productivity Commission will investigate how

federal and state regulators impact small business costs. Paul Osborne

Its report, due to be completed by September 2013, will examine how friendly regulatory authorities are towards small business.

Assistant Treasurer David Bradbury said on Thursday the way federal and state regulators went about their operations could have a big impact on the time and costs for small businesses.

A new regulatory and competition reform agenda was agreed at the last Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting in April following the inaugural COAG business advisory forum.

The second forum, to be chaired by Prime Minister Julia Gillard in Canberra on Thursday, has been briefed on the new Productivity Commission inquiry.

The commission's work will also complement that of the Small Business Commissioner, Mark Brennan, who starts work in January.

During the inquiry, small business operators will be able to raise concerns about their interactions with regulators, Small Business Minister Brendan O'Connor said.

Small business groups argue regulators take different approaches to their roles, with some being heavy-handed on enforcement while others work in more consultative and educational ways.

They also say many regulators don't take into account the size and nature of businesses and the cost burden of compliance.

One of the outcomes of the Productivity Commission's work is likely to be a new standard definition of a small business.

Gillards Unions Screw the rest of us with cost blow outs

A review by Chevron of the project estimates the project in north Western Australia has increased from $43 billion to $52 billion.

 

The widely expected announcement of the extra cost comes as the oil and gas giant plans its plant start-up for late 2014, leading to the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo in the first quarter 2015, around a three month delay.

 

"The factors contributing to the increased costs and schedule impacts include labour costs and productivity associated with Barrow Island site infrastructure, logistics challenges and weather delays," Chevron said in a statement on Thursday.

 

In addition, a stronger Australian dollar and changes in the mix of currencies since project began accounted for approximately one third of the projected increase in US dollar outlays, the company said.

 

Chevron vice chairman George Kirkland said despite the cost blowout the economics of the project were still attractive.

 

"While investment requirements have grown, oil prices, which directly impact the overall revenue stream, have increased by approximately 80 per cent over the same time period," he said.

 

He added that the LNG capacity for Gorgon had increased by four per cent, to 15.6 million tons a year.

 

Chevron continued to discover additional gas resources which could support future expansions of our Australian LNG developments, he said.

 

The news about the Gorgon cost blowout comes as Chevron announced an overall international exploration budget of $37 billion for 2013, including major investments in Australia, Nigeria, the US deepwater Gulf of Mexico, Kazakhstan, Angola and the Republic of Congo.

 

Gorgon encompasses 11 gas fields and a 15 million tonne per annum LNG plant on Barrow Island expected to last at least 40 years.

 

Chevron operates Gorgon and has a 47.3 per cent stake, with fellow petroleum majors Exxon Mobil and Shell holding 25 per cent.

 

Sales agreements for up to 25 years have been reached for Gorgon with customers in China, India, Japan and South Korea.

 

Chevron added that its Wheatstone LNG project in WA is currently seven per cent complete and is on budget and schedule.

Gillard Looking after Cosumers

Gillard on power deal: Consumers may save $250 a year

As the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting wrapped up in Canberra on Friday, Gillard also secured signed agreements with Victoria, South Australia, NSW, Tasmania and the ACT on launch sites for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Western Australia and Queensland signed a broader agreement to "learn" from the launch sites' development and implementation, but made no further commitments.

Gillard said COAG had agreed to a package of electricity market measures which would help families and businesses.

"The agreement that we have reached will make a difference of $250 for Australian families on power pricing," she said, adding that some savings would start to flow through from 2014.

West Australian Liberal Premier Colin Barnett said he did not think the $250 would be delivered, but "hopefully future price increases will be less than they would have been".

NSW Liberal Premier Barry O'Farrell was hopeful the figure could be achieved, but said further steps were needed, including capping wages for power sector workers in NSW and axing expensive green power schemes.

Victorian Liberal Premier Ted Baillieu, who had sought more "teeth" for the Australian Energy Regulator, said the authority's "still a bit gummy" and needed to be separate from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

Under the reforms to be rolled out by the states are rule changes to stop over-investment in networks, a new advocacy body to give consumers a voice on price determinations and an extra $23 million in federal funds over four years to beef up the energy regulator.

Energy retailers would offer a wide range of innovative products, such as smart metering and air-conditioner technology, so consumers had more choice on how they used power.

Big corporate energy users will be rewarded for moderating the power loads they put on the system during peak times.

South Australian Labor Premier Jay Weatherill said the reforms would ease the pain of power bills while ensuring reliable supply.

"We must have an electricity market that works not just for the big end of town, but for consumers," he said.

Energy Retailers Association chief Cameron O'Reilly said the package would ease regulation and "ultimately the consumer will win".

After signing a $6 billion funding deal with NSW on Thursday for the full rollout of the NDIS in the state from 2018, Gillard said she did not expect other states to do the same immediately.

"We can now work through with other states and territories and reach long-term agreements about the NDIS," she said.

The leaders also had a "brief discussion" about schools funding and Gillard said the Gonski reforms would be the centrepiece of the next COAG meeting in early 2013.

But talks on harmonising environmental approval processes for major projects collapsed.

Gillard said the states had such divergent views on the matter that the issue was heading toward the "regulatory equivalent of a dalmatian dog".

But there was agreement on ensuring businesses only need to provide one set of documentation to state and federal environmental agencies and work on streamlining the system would continue into 2013.

Queensland Premier Campbell Newman said progress on the issue was "disappointing", while Barnett said the approvals talks had gone "backwards".

Lowest Cost - Injection Moulding

ALNO Product Services is a premier builder of tooling for both the Thermoset and Thermoplastic markets. Our team specialize in high speed, high quality molds.

The moulds produced at ALNO Product Services go through a smart design process that ensuring the absolute lowest total cost solution in the industry.

By providing on time deliveries of the highest quality moulds, the total cost of a project is guaranteed to be the lowest available in today's highly competitive markets.

Educated buyers appreciate the savings garnered by an on time delivery of a mould that is built to print and makes a good part the first time. Moulds designed and built at ALNO Product Services are manufactured to allow the highest production count without requiring extensive tool maintenance.

Therefore longer production runs result in lower production cost and on time deliveries of your product. The Engineers at ALNO Product services will work with you to reduce delays in your production by analysing your design for potential problems before work is started on your tool.

At ALNO Product services we will assist you in modifying your design to improve process ability and reduce any potential costs of secondary operations.

For more information on Toolmaking or Injection Moulding contact ALNO Product Services Today

www.alnoproductservices.com.au

Cost Effective Manufacturing

A key attribute to the team at we at ALNO Product Services is its resourceful thinking, a skill in itself. We pride ourselves on the ability of being able to react to any situation that is presented.

We can only do this because the personnel in our employ are highly trained, highly skilled and are highly motivated towards our particular fields of excellence. Over 75% of our employees have been in house trained where our philosophy is we love taking on challenges that other people will not look at.

This basis for ideas offers higher levels of commitment from the team when we are considering new ideas in terms of prototype development combined with product testing.

The milling section offers 4 Axis vertical milling up to diameters of 900mm in terms of turning we offer machining of diameters up 300mm over 750mm length. Our Grinding facilities range from cylindrical surface and centre-less Grinders. Our EDM machining pocket 450 x400 x200 offering high grade machining and finish for both Hardened soft and ceramic materials.

The design office has recently upgraded to SolidWorks 2013 and the Autodesk compatible - Draft-sight 2013. A full Design & build service is available. With the design & build facility in mind we also support our projects and support by request with an on-site capability.

Tool up with ALNO Product Services for cost effective manufacturing

www.alnoproductservices.com.au 

Toolmaking

The team at Alnop Product Services  are highly skilled toolmakers the operate in a fully equipped toolroom that includes spark erosion, CNC turning and 3 axis milling ensures that we can cope with requirements ranging from simple machining to the manufacture of multistage presstools and multi cavity injection moulds.

Obviously, there are a multitude of operations and processes within these parameters so we are always willing to discuss and advise on any requirements.

 

We keep in stock a good selection of general plastics and standard colours that enable us to respond quickly to our customers needs. Finished components are checked, desprued and bulk bagged, although special requests for assembly and packaging can be accommodated.

95% of our customers’ moulds have been designed and manufactured in our toolroom are maintained and kept ready for use, again enabling a quick response to your requirements.

The production side of the business not only utilises our machining and press facilities, but can include the sawing of customers materials. For example aluminium extrusions and sections can be cut either on our automatic cut-off saws, producing high quantities of precision cut components or our double head mitre saws that are able to cope with longer sections. 

Components can be deburred and packed ready for dispatch or go onto other processes that include CNC milling or routing (for the machining of intricate profiles and cut-outs), custom-made punching and preparation of sections, drilling, tapping, tumbling and final packing.   

www.alnoproductservices.com.au  

 

Tool Up with ALNO

Tool up with ALNO

www.alnoproductservices.com.au

Manufacturing Engineers

ALNO Product Services - Manufacturing Engineers specialising in both manual and CNC machining of all metals, alloys and plastics based on the NSW Central Coast.

 

Our team offer a high class service in the production of both short and long runs of precision components with a state of the art machine shop. From CNC services of turning, milling and general machining as well as additive manufacturing, rapid prototyping, fabrication capabilities, mould repair and an array of design services.

The diversity of our CNC lathes and mills along with skilled workers differentiates ALNO Product Services which results in high quality workmanship on all machining jobs.

ALNO Product Services offer:

• Functional Prototypes
• Short run end use parts
• Jigs and Fixtures
• Tooling - Die and Mould

For a 1st Class machining service contact www.alnoproductservices.com.au today

Manufacturing Engineers | Jigs | Fixtures | Rapid Prototyping

Toolmaking - Press Tooling

www.alnoproductservices.com.au

Toolmaking - Sydney - Central Coast - Hunter Valley

25 Years of Tool Making: Toolmaking - Press Tooling - NSW

25 Years of Tool Making: Toolmaking - Press Tooling - NSW: ALNO Product Services offer press tool capabilities include large scale production tools or one-offs at any stage of development....

Toolmaking - Press Tooling - NSW

ALNO Product Services offer press tool capabilities include large scale production tools or one-offs at any stage of development. One could suggest, due to our extensive experience in 3D design of manufacturing tools in conjunction with our vast practical build experience, ALNO Product Services provide one of the best Press tooling manufacturing services on the market in Australia today. This also may explain why many our regular clients are prepared to build their delivery expectations around ALNO Product services availability.

Production of Press Tooling is a Core Component of the ALNO Product Services Business Model

ALNO Product Services design and manufacture all types of Press Tooling from single stage operation through to multi-stage progression tools.

www.alnoproductservices.com.au

Press Tools | Custom Built Tooling | Press Tool Design | Stamping Tools

25 Years of Tool Making: Custom Built Press Tools

25 Years of Tool Making: Custom Built Press Tools: ALNO Product Services are specialists in the design and construction of Press Tools. In general terms press tools are commonly used in ...

Custom Built Press Tools

ALNO Product Services are specialists in the design and construction of Press Tools. In general terms press tools are commonly used in hydraulic and mechanical presses to produce pressed or stamped components. Press tools come in various shapes and sizes in recent times ALNO Product Services have produced the following types of tools.

• ·         Blanking tool
• ·         Piercing Tool
• ·         Cut off tool
• ·         Parting off tool
• ·         Trimming tool
• ·         Shaving tool
• ·         Bending tool
• ·         Forming tool
• ·         Drawing tool
• ·         Progressive tool
• ·         Compound tool
• ·         Combination tool
• ·         Extrusion Tool

The team at ALNO Product Services have many years of experience in design, comstruction, assembly along with trouble shooting of press tooling, across a range of companies and manufacturers.

In addition to automotive sector our team have worked on projects for a number of manufacturing sectors including white goods, aerospace, electrical, garden tools, foot-ware and home furnishings.

Whatever the size or type of press our tools can be custom built to fit your machine tiny parts that fit in manual fly presses, right up to large car skin panel tools requiring huge cast die-sets, forming cams and robotic transfer arms.

The ALNO Product Services design team utilize the latest in 3D Design and modelling tools that derive the flat pattern development and 3D complex surfaces when they are required.

For More information on how ALNO Product Services can increase the range of products produced on your presses please feel free to contact us today.

www.alnoproductservices.com.au

Press Tool Design  |  Press Tool Construction  |  Custom Built Press Tools  |  Press Tools

25 Years of Tool Making: Production Machinery Built in Australia

25 Years of Tool Making: Production Machinery Built in Australia: As time goes by the number of Australian toolmakers reduce which has resulted in Chinese Toolmakers increasing there prices.  If you or...

Production Machinery Built in Australia

As time goes by the number of Australian toolmakers reduce which has resulted in Chinese Toolmakers increasing there prices. 

If you or your company have been quoted over $30K for tooling built in China then there is a good chance that the Chinese are taking advantage of your situation.

ALNO Product Services on the New South Wales Central Coast have been building Plastic Injection Mold Dies and Press Tooling through good times and bad for the past 25 years.

Over recent months with a on and off client of ours, the client was quoted $30K plus for tooling built in China. The team at ALNO Product Services built tooling along with a purpose built production machinery for less than $25K and now the client produces there own products as they need them.

The client now has complete control of the manufacturing process, quality along with the delivery process they can turn on production producing the quantity required.

If you would like more information on taking control of your product and supply chain contact ALNO Product Services - Today.
 

www.alnoproductservices.com.au

Production Machinery Built in Australia

 

25 Years of Tool Making: Injection Mold Manufactures and Designers

25 Years of Tool Making: Injection Mold Manufactures and Designers: ALNO Product Services offer tool design and toolmaking services building tools for scratch using German tool Steels and well developed Aust...

Injection Mold Manufactures and Designers

ALNO Product Services offer tool design and toolmaking services building tools for scratch using German tool Steels and well developed Australian Manufacturing knowledge.

For more information on injection mold design and mold-making contact


ALNO Product Services

Mold Making | Central Coast | Sydney | Newcastle | Toolmaking

Solidworks Modeling - Multibodies

Multi bodies is an area of SolidWorks that has had a lot of consistent development over the last decade. It was added in 2001. Then have not been my preferred method of modeling except to say that they are very helpfully in creating injection moulded tooling. 

The development of in-context modeling has sure left SoildWorks competitors playing catchup in terms of development and ease of use. Multi body parts come into there own in large scale assemblies where per defined configurations can speed up the 3D modelling process. 

Where many people get caught is they treat multi body parts as and Assembly trying to mate them and create bills of materials with them. Virtual parts inside large assemblies offer the fast way to construct large assemblies in a team enviornment.

For More information on 3D Modelling with multi body parts inside solidworks contact ALNO Product Services

www.alnoproductservices.com.au 

 

Solidwork | Design | 3D | Multibodies | Large Assemblies

Toolmaking

ALNO Product Services offer Prototype and tooling making services if you want to get a product to market then contact ALNO Product Services

• Plastic Injection
• Press Tooling
• Pour Moulds

www.alnoproductservices.com.au

25 Years of Tool Making: Astra Convertible

25 Years of Tool Making: Astra Convertible: New set of Problems were discovered to on an Astra Convertible issues thaqt Holden Dealers were unable to solve But The Team at ALN...

Astra Convertible

New set of Problems were discovered to on an Astra Convertible issues thaqt Holden Dealers were unable to solve

But The Team at ALNO Product Services had the roof working in 4 hours

www.alnoproductservices.com.au

Holden Astra  |  Convertible  |  Roof   |  Problems  | Fix

Toolmaking - Jig Maker

A jig maker is another term for a tool and die maker or fixture maker, usually in woodworking or in the metal industries. The standard differentiation of jigs from fixtures is that a jig is what mounts onto a workpiece, whereas a fixture has the workpiece placed on it, into it, or next to it. (The terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but most toolmakers consider this improper usage.) A jig maker needs to know how to use an assortment of machines to build devices used in automation, robotics, welding, tapping, and mass production operations.

ALNO Product Services offers both Jig and Toolmaking services

Tooling | Jigs | Work Holding | Sydney | Gosford | Tool Maker | Central Coast

25 Years of Tool Making: ALNO - Services and Industry

25 Years of Tool Making: ALNO - Services and Industry: 

 ALNO Product Services are a leading designer and manufacturer of press tools, injection molds, specialist machined parts 

Contact ALNO

 

CNC Machining | CNC Turning | General Machining | Component Machining

 

EDM Machining | Precision Machining | ALNO CNC Machining

   

ALNO - Services and Industry

 

ALNO Product Services are a leading designer and manufacturer of press tools, injection molds, specialist machined parts & precision engineered components. Based on the New South Wales Central Coast we supply parts and tooling to many of the world OEM's and first-tier suppliers within the mining, Steel making, automotive, aerospace, electronics, domestic, gas, oil, nuclear, medical and defence industries.

Our customers choose us because we are able to provide a "total system solution" to their specific requirements. From the customers initial enquiry through to design, prototype, manufacture and production, stringent quality control procedures are employed and we strive to provide a fast efficient service ensuring all our customers enjoy a smooth hassle free experience. 

 

At ALNO Product Services we have the expertise, capacity and experience to help you realise your project. From small component batch runs to 3D complex surfaces profile machined parts or integrated special purpose machines to large multi stage blanking and forming progression tools. 

www.alnoproductservices.com.au