QUALIFICATIONS
- ME Mech – 2012
- BE Mech (Hons)
SOFTWARE
Mechanical CAD Software
- Inventor (Autodesk)
- OnShape (PTC)
- SolidWorks (Dassault)
PDM/PLM Software
- Inventor Vault (Autodesk)
- SolidWorks PDM (Dassault)
Analysis Tools
- Excel (for numerical method analysis)
- SolidWorks Simulation
Tim Phillips
TEAM LEAD
Skills Overview
Tim Phillips is a highly regarded Mechanical Engineer with a significant track record in concept design, detailed mechanical work, and finite element analysis. Tim has solid project management skills and clear communication, bringing added value to a range of engineering projects. He skilfully integrates technical expertise with practical application; he is a hardworking, dependable, and intuitive engineer.
- MECHANICAL DESIGN & ANALYSIS – Tim’s capability in mechanical design and analysis is evident from his work on key projects at Milmeq and Cavotec. At Milmeq, he was involved in the detailed design and drafting of automated SRT chilling tunnels and plate freezers for the dairy industry. His tenure at Cavotec was marked by his contribution to the design of Cavotec’s flagship MoorMaster NxG automated mooring machine which has been highly successful on the global market, including integration in the supply chain of Norway’s largest grocery chain.
- PROJECT MANAGEMENT & COLLABORATION – In his role at Dynamic Controls, Tim demonstrated his collaborative skills by working effectively with design and production teams. He played a crucial role in introducing new products and implementing design changes, especially in manufacturing facilities in China, showcasing his ability to manage projects and work cohesively with diverse teams.
- DESIGN FOR FABRICATION & SAFETY – Tim’s experience in design for fabrication and safety is exemplified by his work on structural fabrications and service access walkway systems for Milmeq. His focus on adhering to safety standards and meeting end-user needs underlines his capability in delivering functional and compliant designs.
- ANALYTICAL ENGINEERING & PROBLEM SOLVING – Tim’s proficiency in analytical software such as SolidWorks Simulation has been central to his work in design validation. At Cavotec he applied these skills in the mechanical analysis of the main structural elements of MoorMaster NxG, blending theoretical and computational tools to derisk the design prior to prototyping and manufacture.
- ENGINEERING DESIGN FOR DIVERSE APPLICATIONS – Tim’s skills in engineering design cover a broad range, including sheet metal design, machined part design, cryogenics, and design for hygienic fabrication. His involvement in a wide range of projects demonstrates his ability to handle various design aspects and manufacturing processes.
- PRODUCT DESIGN & MANUFACTURING TRANSITION – Tim’s experience in moving projects from prototype to mass manufacture, with a focus on Design for Manufacture (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA), is evident in his project work. He ensures that designs are practical and efficient for large-scale production.
- MACHINE DESIGN & STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING – Tim’s expertise in machine design and structural engineering was applied in projects at Cavotec, Milmeq, and Fabrum. His knowledge of structural engineering codes like AS3990, AS4100, and AS1657 was crucial in ensuring compliance and functionality in these projects.
PERSONAL STATEMENT
Mechanical engineering has allowed me to develop a fascination with how things work into a broad skillset for understanding and solving real world problems. It’s extremely satisfying to watch designs develop to the point of successful operation in the field, thanks to the rigour in design, analysis, and testing along the way.
My experience across a range of industries – marine, power electronics, production machinery, and cryogenics, has allowed me to see that complex problems can always be broken into feasible tasks with the right information and tools to hand.
I bring creativity, a technical mindset, and a collaborative approach to the table. I rely on strong communication, and synthesis of Caliber and client tools and knowledge to deliver projects.
Project Experience
FABRUM
RLH100
Supported the development of the RLH100, a novel liquid hydrogen boil-off gas re-liquefaction system, requiring the packaging of multi-stage cryogenic cooling and storage within tight space constraints. Designed a series of tube-in-tube heat exchangers inside a cryostat with valving and instrumentation, connected to a multi-stage compressor and cryocooler. Provided project engineering to integrate the equipment into a 20-ft high-cube container.
Hydrogen Liquefaction, Storage & Dispensing
Fabrum designed, built, and commissioned the largest liquid hydrogen plant on a mining site in Australia to help its client Fortescue decarbonise its operations. Tim’s responsibilities included design and analysis of structural and fuel dispensing sub-systems, and overall system compliance management.
Hydrogen Boil-off Gas Re-liquefaction
Tim helped Fabrum develop a novel liquid hydrogen boil-off gas re-liquefaction system, which required packaging multi-stage cryogenic cooling and storage within tight space constraints.
ELMG DIGITAL POWER
Medium Voltage Distribution Transformer Review
Mechanical analysis of a medium voltage distribution power transformer with a combination of theoretical and computational tools. Fluid and heat flow analysis used to provide client with design recommendations to maximise product reliability.
MILMEQ
Single Station Opening Plate Freezers
Milmeq’s existing single station opening plate freezer design was tailored to site and customer requirements for two Australian installations. Infeed and outfeed systems, product conveyance systems, and service walkways had to be detailed for the 14m tall plate freezers, which were delivered within the tight timeframe required by the customer.
Chilling Tunnel Walkway
Milmeq required a design revision of the materials handling and service access walkway system on their chilling tunnels. It needed to meet end user and manufacturing requirements, support a variety of loads, and comply with relevant AS/NZS standards. A concept design was delivered, which included CAD models, stress and deflection calculations for compliance, and a preliminary BOM and costing.
Post-Harvest Processing
Wyma’s clients require a wide range of equipment and bespoke engineering design for processing fruit and vegetables. Tim designed support structures, a grading machine, and various parts for integration of Wyma’s machines. He was also the lead engineer supporting a large team of Caliber engineers at Wyma.
MOORMASTER
Automated ship mooring with 400kN MoorMaster
Caliber engineers integrated with the Cavotec team to deliver a design project upgrading their market leading container vessel mooring MM400E15 machine. Design tasks included calculations and FEA for structural and civil interface analysis, detailed design of ancillary services components, and upgrade of machine guards and covers.
MoorMaster NXG
Greenfields design of Cavotec’s next generation automated ship mooring machine. The Moormaster design required a refresh to integrate new customer insights, remove market barriers to entry, and incorporate modern sectional valve hydraulics. Moormaster NxG brings a drastically reduced berth footprint, a large reduction in installation cost, ample range of motion, and a modular flexible architecture.

GOOD BUGGER AWARD
April 2024
Tim facilitated our inaugral Learning & Development program Core Module on Personal Effectiveness. He developed the training module, with support from our training and communications mentor Amanda Fleming, and presented it to the Christchurch, Auckland, and Waikato teams. He did a brilliant job.
April 2023
Tim has recently moved to a new project after spending 6000 hours working at Cavotec on their automated ship mooring systems. Epic effort Tim! You definitely deserve a Mitre 10 voucher and kudos from your mates at Caliber!
March 2021
Tim was awarded the Good Bugger Award for being That Guy who always puts up his hand to do the extra things … judging at the Kiwibots Nationals, coordinating our Christchurch team tree planting, supporting the development of internal processes to support the flow of feedback between clients and engineers.
May 2020
Tim received the Good Bugger Award after doing some very clever calcs he did for a client … these calcs are now driving a very clever machine.












