Grant for software designer and machine manufacturer

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Innovative software designer and machine manufacturer takes flight with R&D grant

An Auckland-based manufacturing company's research and development program continues to fly, courtesy of another significant grant from Callaghan Innovation.

The funds are being employed by Helix Flight Manufacturing Machines Limited (HFMML) to ramp up R&D and technology commercialization activities. This follows on from their successful development of software and machines for producing perfect helices, often called flighting, for, anchoring, augers, agitators, and conveyors. The company is 100% export focused, gaining placement of its machines in some of the largest and most sophisticated manufacturers in the world.

Daniel Coats, Managing Director,says “He is developing a prototype for a second generation higher speed machine for large volume dependent factories. Also a larger high capacity machine for custom equipment built for the largest of machines in the world”. Both were identified as new customer requirements from earlier research. However, the largest component of R&D spend continues to be in software to drive these automated machines.
Present machines are capable of producing helices up to 3000mm (3 meters) in diameter.

Mr Coats said,“Our new machines take the black art out of the manufacture process which typifies current technology. They form flights in a fraction of the time of currently employed machines”. “We are revolutionizing manufacture of sectional helices”, says Mr Coates. “Evidence to date shows our new machines are durable, safer and enable improved quality and performance of end products. Our clients see the savings in improved performance of end products and this makes our machines very affordable. This funding will enable us to continue on R&D while getting of with our current commercialization and export growth”

The grant was received from Crown entity Callaghan Innovation which was established in 2013 to enable innovative products to reach the market faster.

To qualify, businesses must have a technically challenging R&D project and be able to demonstrate a path to significant expanded export revenues.

Callaghan manages more than $140 million a year in funding and grants to support business growth through R&D.

In the past year Helix Flight was pleased to successfully place a machine into one of North Americas largest manufacturers’ brand new factory.
Mr Coats said the funding was a significant milestone for the company, as it would enable it to pursue new markets around the world.
"This development project and the recognition by Callaghan Innovation is a solid endorsement that Helix Flight has innovative technology," he said.

In March 2014 a machine was shipped to Japan largest and sophisticated robotic manufacturers, other orders are mounting up from Asia, Europe and North America.

Note to Editors:
Helix Flight Manufacturing Machines Ltd (HFMML)
• HFMML is headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand and services companies worldwide.
• HFMML is dedicated to improving the Design and Manufacture of “Highly accurate true form Helix Flights” with very close tolerances.
• Many years of experience have shown that “accuracy and close tolerances” are very important for equipment fabricators as well as end users of the finished product for all Industrial Uses:
• Screw Piles
• Marine Anchors
• Conveyers
• Augers
• Agitators
• Screw Presses
• Hydro Power Industry
• HFMML provides Helix Flight “Design Software” and the Helix Flight “Manufacturing Machines” required to turn Helix Flight Blanks into highly accurate Helix Flights.
• HFMML operates in the Eurozone, North America, South America, Asia Pacific, the Middle East & Africa

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