DESIGN BLOg

Factory Automation: Better Jobs, Not Less Jobs
A quick search of ‘lob losses from automation’ will result in a tangled mess of predictions, estimations and statistics about the number of the jobs

Powder Coating is Efficient, Enduring and Eco-friendly
Powder coating is a manufacturing process we use with nearly all products we produce at Black Lab. This more advanced painting approach improves durability, provides a higher quality finish and is environmentally friendly.

Manufacturing Terms You Need to Know
It’s pretty easy to get overwhelmed by some of the industry-specific jargon thrown around the manufacturing sphere. With the constant evolution of technology comes the

Black Lab Design | Bimonthly Blog Brief
Over the last couple of months at Black Lab we’ve discussed everything from the applications of digital printing to macroeconomics in China. Education around Australian

Do You Need to Prototype your Product?
“If a picture is worth a thousand words, a prototype is worth a thousand meetings.” You’d be hard-pressed to find a manufacturer, engineer or experienced

Ready the Room for a Retail Resurgence
Following another year marred by zoom calls, travel restrictions and excessive online shopping, the gradual reopening of our economy has many overjoyed at the prospect

Replicate Premium Materials and Finishes Economically with Digital Printing
The advantages of digital printing will continue to grow, especially when business’ need to budget while still marketing their products and services.

STEM Skills are Key to Securing the Future of Local Manufacturing
The future of local manufacturing looks bright for Australia. Driven by a willingness to adopt modern technology and invest more heavily in research and development,

China’s Struggles Spell Optimism for Australian Manufacturing
It’s always a priority for manufacturers in Australia to keep a keen eye on events in China, the ‘World’s Factory’ exerts far reaching influence on

Black Lab Design and Woolworths – Working Together to be Covid Safe
‘Working together to be CovidSafe’. That’s the phrase you’ll see marked on the vests donned by the many hard-working essential staff in Woolworths stores across

Modern Manufacturing and the Smile Curve
When we discuss manufacturing in Australia, many make the mistake of talking only about production and fail to recognise all the steps that comprise the

Why Retailers Are Embracing Digital Signage
With digital interactions becoming more popular in our society, means one thing for retailers — they need to pivot fast. Failure to do so can only lead to losing customers.

Onshoring Australian Manufacturing Beyond 2021
Australian manufacturers have always strived to promote the competitive advantages of onshore production, since well before the pandemic entered our lives.

Survival Tips for Australian Manufacturers
Australian manufacturers are still reeling from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its disruptions to supply chains, production and national demand.

Black Lab Design Announced As Finalists In The 2021 Local Business Awards
Black Lab Design has been announced as a finalist in the 2021 Northern Beaches Local Business Awards in the category Specialised Business.

Woolworths Group’s Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)
This Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) demonstrates the real impact Australian organisations can have on the countries overall energy consumption.

Bunnings Taps Further Into Tooling and Trades Market
Bunnings are setting their sights on further bolt-on acquisitions in the hope to win over more of tooling and trades market share.

Australian’s Support ‘Australian Made Week’
When you buy Australian Made and Australian Grown products you are helping to support local businesses and communities across Australia.

Local Manufacturing Comeback – Northern Beaches Advocate
Black Lab Design is leading a manufacturing comeback on the Northern Beaches and offering local employment.

Economic Importance of Manufacturing in Australia
The economic importance of manufacturing in Australia is now fully recognised by government and they are collaborating to create and grow a strong, resilient, thriving and internationally competitive manufacturing industry.

Benefits of Using CAD for Manufacturing
The benefits of CAD in manufacturing are endless. At Black Lab Design we have chosen Onshape for its cloud-based, collaborative, and innovative features.

Corporate Social Responsibility in Retail
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) gives retail organisations an opportunity to be transparent with customers on how they will engage in more sustainable practices and the consumers can hold them accountable to avoid greenwashing.

SunSquirt Innovation – Keeping Aussies Sun Safe
This Australian designed and owned SunSquirt innovation will promote safer sun practices and keep Aussies protected with convenience.

ALDI Australia Commits to Zero Waste by 2025
ALDI Australia commits to zero waste by 2025 with a focus on food waste, through recycling initiatives and circular economic practices.

‘Let’s Talk Trash’ with MP Jason Falinski
MP for the Northern Beaches, Jason Falinski went live on social media today alongside Hon Trevor Evans MP and Professor Veena Sahajwalla to discuss waste management and plans in the Mackellar region for a segment called ‘Let’s Talk Trash.’

Matterport is Leading Digital Transformations of the Built World
When COVID-19 hit the world, large enterprises were quick to reinvent their customer experiences. For many, this meant digitising their built environments with 3D capture technology.

Will Australian Manufacturers be left High and Dry for China?
Don’t leave Australian manufacturers high and dry just for the sake of a few dollars, support onshore manufacturing and mitigate the risks of your businesses supply chains.

Digging Ourselves a Hole: Australia Not Utilising our own Resources
We are a country with an abundance of resources and renewable energy sources, yet Australia is not utilising our own resources.

Buy Local Products, not just Australian Ones
By choosing to buy local products, consumers are helping their communities, the economy and ensuring Australia relies on ourself first.

Click and Collect Shopping is Here to Stay
The research from Monash University shows we are spending less time in stores, more time online and have signed up in droves to have someone else pack our groceries, proving that Click and Collect Shopping is here to stay.

Highs and Lows the Manufacturing Sector are Facing Through COVID-19
Despite changing perceptions and community support, the manufacturing sector is still facing highs and lows coming through COVID-19.

TRUMPF TruBend 5130
For bending and forming sheet metal materials we use the TruBend 5130 machine. The TruBend is one of the most popular press brakes as it delivers outstanding productivity at every stage, from programming, to tool setup to bending.

AMT April Issue / Black Lab Design: Growth through flexibility
Black Lab Design is a fully integrated design and manufacturing facility with capabilities that encompass product design, engineering skills, advanced sheet metal fabrication and the latest multi-material printing processes.

Australia Takes Advantage of Lithium Mining Boom
The Australian Government has been working internationally through partnerships to take advantage of the lithium mining boom as demand for lithium batteries increases worldwide.

FormFlow – Winner of Australia by Design Innovations
FormFlow has revolutionised corrugated iron by creating a process that bends the metal at certain angles, without damaging the materials structure or coating.

Amada ENSIS AJ Laser Cutter
The Amada ENSIS AJ machine is an innovative laser cutter that has coined the name ‘allrounder’ for its ability to cut the broadest spectrum of materials types and thicknesses.

Sustainable Shoppers: Do They Exist?
Despite decades of international agreements and domestic policies, scientific monitoring indicates that the world is no closer to environmental sustainability. Hence, the question stands around sustainable shoppers; do they exist?

National Plastics Plan Holds Australian Government Accountable
The National Plastic Plan outlines the Australian Government’s approach to increasing plastic recycling, by finding alternatives to unnecessary plastics and reducing the impact of plastic on the environment.

Automation Anxiety in the Face of a Technological Revolution
Automation anxiety is caused by the growing risk that robotics and AI advances are becoming too smart for their – and own – own good.

BlueScope Steel’s Sustainability Initiatives Boost Revenue
BlueScope steel’s sustainability initiatives have boosted revenue for the company as the future of steel production centres on breakthrough, green technologies.

Australia Should Lead the Energy Revolution
Australia needs to continue to ramp up the deployment of renewable and green energy initiatives to stay at the forefront of the energy revolution.

Using Design Thinking Creates Successful Products
We live and work in a world of interlocking systems, where many of the problems we face are dynamic and multifaceted. Design thinking reframes the problem with a human focus to help solve the problem.

Why all Businesses Need Office Dogs
Pets are incredibly effective at boosting the moods of all of those around them. Studies have shown they reduce anxiety, lower stress levels and increase overall morale.

Supply Chain Shortage with Vaccination Syringes
This unforeseen supply chain disruption is frustrating for NSW health care advisors and workers, as the additional dose from each vial could significantly accelerate the number of people being vaccinated each day.

Woolies X Transforms Customers Shopping Experience
Woolies X implements new initiatives across Woolworths stores with a focus on better serving their customers and improving their shopping experiences to be safer, more efficient and more informed.

Rethinking Manufacturing in Australia
Companies and businesses need to rethink their automatic assumption that manufacturing offshore in Asia is the most suitable solution and rethink manufacturing in Australia. More often than not it pays off to keep your company based in Australia.

SafeWork NSW Urges Manufacturers to Put Safety as Their Top Priority
SafeWork NSW director of WHS Metro, Sarina Wise, said with more than seven per cent of the state’s workforce employed in manufacturing, the rise in safety incidents needs to be addressed. The Manufacturing Work Health and Safety Sector Plan provides strong leadership and direction for best practice in work health and safety.

Regional Australians Benefit from ARENA’s Future Fuels Project
Regional electric vehicle consumers need the reassurance that they can drive long distances with confidence that they can recharge their batteries when required.

Differences Between Hot Rolled Steel and Cold Rolled Steel
Prefabricated raw steel material commonly comes as either hot rolled steel or cold rolled steel. Understanding the differences in materials is important as the variables come with their own benefits and drawbacks.

Onshape: CAD Anywhere with the Cloud
Onshape’s cloud-native solution is a perfect fit for companies requiring the flexibility of remote design teams, enabling engineers to work together from anywhere, any time, and on any device.

No Women in Manufacturing? Think again
A long-term shift to a more female-oriented workforce in Australia has accelerated in recent years. Male-dominated industries are seeing women make impactful contributions.

Skilled Australians In High Demand
Industries such as farming and infrastructure rely heavily on international skilled workers and seasonal pickers. With the effects of COVID-19, Australians are either unskilled or unwilling to take on the work.