Manual handling automation improves safety

A $35 million upgrade has been carried out on a Western Sydney manufacturing site.

BOC Australia has unveiled a new $20 million specialty gases production facility and $15 million robot cylinder automation system at its Sydney Operations Centre in Wetherill Park.

Embracing the new era of advanced manufacturing and digital technology, the robot cylinder automation system is set to transform the way cylinders are sorted, picked and moved around the busy production site. The system uses a six-axis robot combined with four turntables that can see, pick up and handle cylinders.

“The launch of this cylinder automation system is a landmark moment for BOC, driving a competitive advantage and representing a significant safety investment for the Sydney Operations Centre, which produces more than 1.3 million cylinders each year,” said John Evans, BOC South Pacific managing director.

“Designed with global experts and local engineers, the system integrates advanced laser vision technologies, automated guide vehicles, robots and 3D cameras — which has successfully automated manual handling processes and introduced new skills of the future into BOC’s workforce.”

Evans said the new specialty gases facility will increase BOC’s capacity to locally produce and supply over 8000 high-purity and specialty gases to many high-value industries in Australia — from science and medical research to manufacturing and energy exports.

BOC has invested more than $130 million in the Sydney Operations Centre since it was opened. The site has a cylinder maintenance centre, medical gas filling facility, dissolved acetylene plant, nitrous oxide plant, specialty gases production facility and dry ice production facility.

Image courtesy of BOC Australia.