tosca-structure-fea

Call for comment – Tosca structure optimisation

Currently HERA is considering to extend its Abaqus finite element analsysis license to include topology optimisation. We’flike to hear from interested companies if they would like to explore optimisation at this level and expand their design field in co-operation with HERA’s Structural Systems. The description and illustration of the technology is given below.   Tosca…

silica

Call for interest – AGGAT IP opportunity

An AGGAT program associate has developed some interesting intellectual property in relation to a process to mitigate silica fouling in geothermal plants. They have run the technology at lab scale and now want to proceed to field trials and ultimately a pilot plant. They feel they could benefit by partnering with a fabricator with a…

science-technology

What’s in a name?

After a major refurbishment, HERA House was officially re-opened on 20 March by the Minster of Science and Innovation Hon Steven Joyce. He is also Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Regulatory Reform, Minister of Science and Innovation, Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment, Minister Responsible for Novopay and Associate Minister of Finance; not…

competition

Update – Structural steel fabricator benchmark study participation

As mentioned in our February and March news, the HERA Executive supported an ongoing research activity run by HERA to gather more specific data characterising our heavy engineering industry. This research activity included a proposal for the performance of a benchmarking study of the structural steel fabrication industry as a pilot for other sub-sectors subject…

hera-house

HERA House has officially re-opened!

HERA House, home of the New Zealand Heavy Engineering Research Association (HERA), celebrated the re-opening of its refurbished premises, officiated by the Minister for Research and Innovation Hon Steven Joyce. The building’s refurbishment coincided with 30 years of service, and the Minister congratulated the Association on the impressive $2m face-lift of the metals engineering industry-owned…

hera-house

A rejuvenated HERA House – celebrating innovation

After 30 years of service, the building has undergone an extensive $2m refurbishment which allowed the building owners, HERA’s Heavy Engineering Research and Educational Foundation (HEERF), to catch up with long-deferred maintenance, provide for a more efficient use of space, and give the metals industry a meeting place with a more contemporary look in line…

beca-3d-revit-model-uoa

Resource – Latest in steelwork research and thinking utilised in new University Auckland building

Our General Manager Structural Systems Dr Stephen Hicks contributed to the current Engineering Insights article on New Zealand steel research activities and its implementation within the new University of Auckland building. This article was first published in Engineering Insight January/February 2015, Volume 16/1 and is reproduced with the permission of the Institution of Professional Engineers…

aggat-global-conference-2015

Update – AGGAT Global Conference speakers now confirmed

Speakers are confirmed Ennio Macchi, Professor at Italy’s top engineering institution Politecnico di Milano Zhiqiang Guan, Senior research fellow with Queensland Geothermal Energy Centre of Excellence (QGECE) Nick Inskip, HERA General Manager Industry Development Boaz Habib, HERA Senior Research Engineer Mohammed Farid, Professor at University of Auckland Lei Chen, HERA Research Engineer Sadiq Zarrouk, Senior Lecturer at University of Auckland Holger…

bbc-technologies-curo16

Fastest fresh produce filling solution launched – BBC Technologies

Our member BBC Technologies unveiled its “CURO-16 Filling System” at the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference in the United States. The system claims to be the fastest fresh produce filling solution on the market. The machinery has proven to consistently pack up to 240 clamshells per minute, which is significantly more than competitor products.…

weld-access-holes

Resource – Weld access holes in seismic applications

Weld access holes are frequently required in the fabrication of structural components. The geometry of these structural details can affect the components’ performance. The size and shape of beam copes and weld access holes can have a significant effect on the ease of depositing sound weld metal, the ability to conduct non-destructive examinations, and the…