Author: Ray Keefe

  • Practical Innovation

    Innovation Innovation is always a topic of interest to me. This post covers an approach to Innovation that I found helpful and was inspired by Frank Connolly of Think Quick. He is working with SEMMA as part of their Future of Manufacturing project which we are supporting.   The first thing that always comes up…

  • Automation: Rubik’s Cube

    Automated Solving of Rubik’s Cube The whole point of Automation is to take something that was manually done, and do it via a machine or mechanism in a controlled manner. With more and more software and intelligence being available to use for any purpose, it isn’t surprising that we are looking at more and more…

  • Visualisation: Part 4

    Viewpoints matter How does the world look to you?   This is often one of the areas where Engineers and Customers can get out of step. And in particular, is a big issue for Software Development and IT systems. Check out the image below.   Technical professionals such as Engineers and Software Developers tend to…

  • Software Estimation

    Software Estimation

    Estimating Software Development This is actually a huge topic so I am just going to touch on some high level points. What prompted me to start writing on this topic is a recent conversation with a client and a cartoon I came across at Gizmodo about what happens when your Boss Estimates Software.   The…

  • National Manufacturing Week 2014

    National Manufacturing Week Each year during National Manufacturing Week we have the opportunity to celebrate and explore Australian Manufacturing. It alternates between Sydney and Melbourne and in 2014 it is being held in Sydney from May 13-16 at the Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park.   From the messages in the press recently, you would think…

  • Manufacturing a City

    How to build a city I went to the Industry Capability Network (ICN) event looking at the project to Rebuild Christchurch after the devastating earthquakes 3 years ago. This was also supported by the Dandenong Council and the South East Melbourne Manufacturing Alliance (SEMMA). I hadn’t realised what an event it was. 70% of the…

  • Endeavour Awards 2014

    Manufacturing Monthly Awards The Manufacturing Monthly Endeavour Awards are held each year to celebrate excellence in Australian Manufacturing. The winners are announced at a gala dinner the first evening of National Manufacturing Week.   Endeavour Award Categories The categories are:   Technology Application of the Year Environmental Solution of the Year Safety Scheme of the…

  • Automotive Manufacturing

    Automotive Manufacturing in Australia Automotive Manufacturing in Australia has had a proud and vibrant history. Initially it was our distance from the rest of the world that meant we made most of the goods used in Australia right here. It wasn’t until 1965 that the creation of raw value through agriculture or manufacturing fell to…

  • Product Development Process

    Product Development As a technical professional, I tend to think of the Product Development Process, also known as New Product Development, as the creation of the product technology through to a working unit that can then be manufactured. And of course managing risk to Improve Product Development Outcomes. The only thing wrong with this picture…

  • Australian Technical Events 2014

    Australian Technical Events and Conferences My thanks go to Paul Daniels of Circuit Challenges and LC Circuits for preparing this list.   International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 2-6 Feb 2014 Adelaide   Web Directions Respond 2014 4-5 Feb 2014 Sydney   Electricity Network Regulation, Operation & Maintenance Conference 3-4 Mar 2014 Sydney   International…