Tap Into ManufactureLink's Knowledge Bank

14 Oct 09

Since ManufactureLink first began back in 2005, we have received countless enquiries from all over the world seeking assistance to find a manufacturer, suggest a way to manufacture a product, locate information, or source a solution to a technical problem. To date there have been very few if any enquiries we have not been able to provide a solution for.

We often see requests for the same information that we have dealt with previously come through again and again. In these cases we can quickly recall the previously supplied information from our knowledge bank.
Now as another service to industry, ManufactureLink provides easier access to this knowledge bank through this news channel and personal service. As we get time, we will publish in this news channel, summaries about enquiries and technical problems we have dealt with along with details of how to access the solution.

Below is a brief summary of many of the technical enquiries we have successfully assisted clients with. If you want to know more about any of these or the information provided to the client, you can contact ManufactureLink for assistance.

You can also request ManufactureLink assist your business to overcome your technical barriers with advice and information. We call this out technology Finder Service. As a general rule of thumb, if your enquiry can provide manufacturing opportunities for the ManufactureLink network, then you can access this service free-of-charge. If not, we charge a small fee to cover our time.

To learn more about Technology Finder, click here.

The following are a brief listing of some of the technical enquiries we have dealt with:

A client who farms yellowtail kingfish, also known as Hiramasa had grown too large to hand fillet their fish. They needed to locate a yellow tail kingfish filleting machine to automate the process. ManufactureLink tracked down a NZ company who had the required equipment.

A client wanted to produce a new can design but needed prototypes made and preferred to make them in-house. ManufactureLink located a can prototyping machine for them.

A client who recycles tyres needed to find a market for the polyester fibers extracted from the tyres. ManufactureLink found several applications to recycle the polyester fibres and supplied contacts from companies interested in conducting trials.

A client who manufactures skinless sausages first manufactures them with the skins on then removes them. They needed to find a machine maker who could design a sausage skinning machine. ManufactureLink put them in touch with several automation engineers with the right experience.

A client's candle manufacturing business had grown too large to mould the candles by hand and they needed to find automatic wax melting and molding equipment. ManufactureLink put them in touch with a couple of suppliers of chocolate molding equipment which has almost the same processing requirements.

A major sugar refining company needed to install new bulk silos into the Port of Melbourne. They needed to locate a fabricator who had deep water access to their fabrication facility to enable the completed silos to be transported by barge. ManufactureLink located 4 suitable fabrication facilities for them and facilitated the introductions and collaborations.

The UNSW bionic eye team were making a submission to obtain a large grant from the Federal Government to develop the bionic eye into a commercial product. The team realised they didn't know who in industry could manufacture the components and assemblies and sought ManufactureLink's assistance. ManufactureLink put them in touch with specialists in micro-electronics, industrial design, micro-laser machining and an ISO:13485 accredited medical manufacturer. ManufactureLink also brokered collaborations between these companies to enable a complete solution to be offered to the UNSW team.

Learn More

The provision of consultancy services for projects such as the above examples are now handled by GR Pofandt Pty Ltd and may also be accessed through government programs such as Enterprise Connect. For more information, please visit the GR Pofandt website: www.grpofandt.com