Queensland mechanical firm looks to break into Chinese market

An innovative Clontarf mechanical firm is changing the way transport industries test wheel brakes with its wireless system that’s already being used throughout Australia and may soon make its way to China.

With support through the Palaszczuk Government’s $6 million Advancing Regional Innovation Program, Queensland firm Electronic & Mechanical Calibrations has created an efficient new way to test brakes on trains, aeroplanes and to improve the safety of operators and reduce costs.

Member for Redcliffe Yvette D’Ath said regional entrepreneurs are delivering products and services that make the world a better place while also growing Queensland’s economy.

“This wireless brake-testing system is a great example of the clever innovations coming out our community that improve industry across the entire state,” she said.

“Transport industries now have a better way to check the brakes on their vehicles to ensure the highest level of safety for passengers and employees.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to increasing the ability of regional innovators like Electronic & Mechanical Calibrations to commercialise their ideas and make the connections they need to grow their businesses.

“We’re proud to support innovative companies like this to achieve great things and create sustainable jobs in our community.

“Advance Queensland’s $6 million Advancing Regional Innovation Program (ARIP) supports regional partnerships with a focus on innovation initiatives that connect local efforts, leverage key local strengths and lift the capability of innovative local firms.”

Electronic & Mechanical Calibrations was supported through ARIP to showcase at the 2018 Myriad innovation festival.

Company founder Carlos Ortega said his company was the only one  in Australia with a wireless brake-testing system.

“Our kit is being used by Queensland Rail, Aurizon, Pacific National, and Progress Rail, as well as by the airline industry throughout Australia and in the Pacific,” Mr Ortega said.

“We are also in discussions with companies in China to export our testing kit for their use there.”

Before the company devised the kit, brake testers had to rely on devices from Canada and the US that created safety issues when users had to hold the device to the running wheel by hand.

With the new wireless testing kit, operators can take simultaneous brake readings on their laptop from up to 100 metres away.

Mr Ortega said attending Myriad through ARIP exposed his business to new markets locally, across Australia and around the world.

“At the Myriad Festival we made connections we can develop into future ventures with other regional innovators,” Mr Ortega said.

“We connected with a software supplier that can design dedicated systems for kits that we assemble, and with other firms whose tools we can calibrate.

ARIP is part of the $650 million flagship Advance Queensland whole-of-government initiative to transform Queensland’s economy, create knowledge jobs of the future and build the state’s reputation as a global innovation and investment destination.

For additional details about ARIP visit the Advance Queensland website at: https://advance.qld.gov.au/entrepreneurs-startups/advancing-regional-innovation.aspx.

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