Episode 64 -- Malcolm Rigby from Open Welding

@AuManufacturing Conversations

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Welcome to this special episode of @AuManufacturing Conversations with Brent Balinski, one which we're running as part of our quest to identify Australia’s 50 Most Innovative Manufacturers.
Australia’s 50 Most Innovative Manufacturers is a new campaign by @AuManufacturing. It has been made possible by the generous support of MYOB, SMC Corporation Australia, and Bosch Australia Manufacturing Solutions. Be sure to check our website and social media channels for regular updates, including profiles of nominees and other information.
In this episode we hear from Richard Simpson, Managing Director at Furnace Engineering, a maker of custom furnaces and ovens.
Simpson tells us about the history of the Notting Hill, Melbourne-based business, which his father began in 1968, the role of confidentiality in projects, and how it approaches innovation.
Episode guide
1:15 – What Open Welding does – capturing and analysing welding sounds to understand weld quality.

2:14 – About Rigby’s career, starting as a plumber, and how it led to a key insight.

4:05 – “Surely there must be a way we can automate this.”

5:02 – Years and years of observation.

5:50 – A literature review. “I had no idea people had been investigating this for almost 80 years.”

7:37 – The ARC committee and the encouraging feedback from the panel.

10:20 – A critique of the university and working with them.

11:40 – How it’s done.

13:10 – Covid puts a black cloud over everything, with product development not finished.

14:20 – developing a new product associated with compliance and ISO 3834.

16:10 – the need and the challenge to focus and not dilute their message.

17:50 – “We can make anyone a welder in three days if they pass the aptitude test.” The problem is bodies, though.

19:10 – Lessons from the skills shortage in WWII and how it was met.

21:30 – Rigby’s opinion on what’s wrong with innovation initiatives.

23:10 – “Everyone wants to look at stuff that’s sexy. But the problem is, if you don’t get the basics and the foundation right, it doesn’t matter about the sexy stuff. Because you’ve still got to build a launchpad. You’ve still got to build a ship. You’ve still got to build a bridge.”

26:32 – Innovation hubs at universities and the gap between them and private businesses.

28:30 – The importance of having a broader mission behind what you’re doing.
Relevant links
Open Welding's website
Lessons from Australia’s most innovative manufacturers
Nominations flood in for Australia’s 50 most innovative manufacturers campaign