Minister’s visit spotlights digital manufacturing on a shoestring

Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing Hon Chris Penk visited the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Engineering and Design on 18 July to learn about 'Digital Manufacturing on a Shoestring', a global project helping small manufacturers use simple, low-cost digital tools made from widely available parts.

The meeting was organised by Dr Jan Polzer, senior lecturer in Smart Automation, Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, and included the Dean, Associate Professor Richard Clarke, Professor Simon Bickerton (Head of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering), Professor Xun Xu (Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering), representatives from UniServices, Auckland Council, the Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA), Advanced Manufacturing Aotearoa (AMA), and Professor Duncan McFarlane from Cambridge University. McFarlane has led the Digital Manufacturing on a Shoestring research project in the UK.

There is a significant opportunity to grow investment and adoption of digital technologies and innovation to boost the New Zealand manufacturing sector’s productivity. However, small and medium-sized businesses often find it hard to adopt digital technology because of high costs and complexity. This project aims to change that by providing easy-to-use, affordable tools that work alongside existing systems.

Starter solutions include job tracking, scrap monitoring, air quality measurement, power and temperature monitoring, and inventory management.

The University’s Laboratory for Industry 4.0, in conjunction with Auckland Council, is launching a pilot programme to test these Shoestring solutions with 12 New Zealand companies. This work is part of the Digital Manufacturing Light programme and involves partners including AMA and the EMA.

Minister Penk, who is also Minister for Building and Construction and a University of Auckland alumnus, praised the collaboration involved.

“I’m just delighted at the collaboration that’s evident within this room, as well as what we’ve seen between Auckland and Cambridge Universities and Western Australia,” he said.

“From my point of view, just viewing this from a central government lens, we’re really excited about what you’ve achieved and are achieving but also the possibilities for further collaboration... you’ve given us a lot to think about.”

He also highlighted the importance of the initiative in tackling challenges around talent, funding, and the public perception of manufacturing.

“In terms of some of the discussions we’ve had with our friends from MBIE (the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment) and EMA... we talked about access to talent, access to capital, perceptions of manufacturing, the attractiveness of it... it seems to me that the work you’re doing and have been doing is a good way to promote that, including through the Shoestring approach.”

Polzer says the programme offers an accessible entry point for smaller businesses.

“The Digital Manufacturing Light programme is an excellent way for SMEs to dip a toe into the water and start their digital manufacturing journey.”