Like many other renewable energy technologies, grid connected wave and tidal energy seems poised ready for the kind of global build-out we saw in wind, which will bring a range of market opportunities. There are also emerging niche marine energy opportunities which are disconnected from the wholesale price of a kilowatt of electricity which governs…
A SFC fabricator has demonstrated that all their welding and related activities are managed under a quality management system that fully complies with the requirements of AS/NZS ISO 3834; specifically for NZS 3404.1 Steel Structures Standard, and AS/NZS 1554 Structural Steel Welding. A quality management system relies on competent people: the fabricators welding co-ordination team. A key…
The NZMEA are compiling a list of occupations for consideration to the first round of the 2016 Review of Essential Skills in Demand lists (ESID). They are seeking input from companies who are experiencing labour shortages that could be classed as either an Immediate Skill Shortage or a Long Term Skill Shortage. If you are experiencing specific areas of…
Over the past few years, there has been a growing body of anecdotal reports by business about the availability and use of Non-Conforming Products (NCP) in the New Zealand market across many product groups, including steel. Background to building conformance issues The March 2016 MBIE and Commerce Commission announcement that some concrete reinforcing steel mesh supplied into the New…
Thank you to all members who completed the February HERA survey on the questions: Should HERA Support a New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering Level 5 Program? The 83 responses demonstrated great membership interest in the issue. And in summary there was an overwhelming positive response to the two main questions that our industry wants a…
HERA is pleased to support the International Welding Engineer (IWE) and International Welding Technology run by the University of Wollongong, in cooperation with the WTIA in a newly restructured form. Successful completion of this course will see graduates obtain the globally recognised qualification, International Institute of Welding (IIW) – International Welding Engineer (IWE) or International…
The 69th IIW Annual Assembly and International Conference will be held at Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre, 10 – 15 July 2016. The IIW Annual Assembly & International Conference is a unique global forum that provides the opportunity for professionals from around the world to share and develop scientific and technical knowledge of welding and related…
Rules for evaluating the design resistance of headed stud connectors through-deck welded within steel decking are provided in NZS 3404.1, 13.3.2.2. Due to the pitch of the ribs in the deck, it is normally not possible to provide enough shear connectors to provide a resistance equivalent to the lesser of: the tensile resistance of the…
The purpose of NZQA Level 5 Qualification New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering is to provide our industry with advanced tradespeople. Ones who are able to contribute to the success and competitiveness of a business by demonstrating leadership in a technical and/or operational field. Last year, the NZQA level 5 qualifications have been reviewed by COMPETENZ with…
No doubt many HERA News readers are aware that New Zealand structural steel designers have had access to the free Fabsec FBEAM® design software. With a total of 159 individual licenses issued in New Zealand, this is a widely-used software package that produces efficient steel designs. Last year, at least 6,000 tonnes of welded beams…
In today’s competitive structural steel market, the ability to meet the client’s expectations while making an adequate return requires the capability to meet specifications and to minimise profit-eating re-work. This is achieved by implementing a quality management system using the well-established “standard” methodology based on the following principles: Welders who follow suitably qualified, efficient procedures…
B.C.Update 176: Further Guidance Relating to Building Product Substitution Work by MBIE to assist BCAs concerned about inferior building products has highlighted ongoing issues relating to product substitution. In some cases, products substituted after building consent has been granted have been unauthorised, have no evidence of compliance with the relevant Building Code requirements, and invalidate…