The Singapore Engineer December 2023 by The Singapore Engineer

THE MAGAZINE OF THE INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS, SINGAPORE

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER

www.ies.org.sg

December 2023 | MCI (P) 033/03/2023

Boosting Singapore’s competitiveness in sustainable data centres

PLUS

SUSTAINABILITY: Achieving decarbonisation goals CYBERSECURITY: Addressing cyber threats in the industrial sector MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY: Enabling Singapore’s manufacturing industry to remain resilient and competitive

CHARTERED ENGINEER (SINGAPORE)

❑ AEROSPACE

❑ RAILWAY & ❑ PORT & MARINE TRANSPORTATION

❑ ENERGY

❑ ENVIRONMENTAL ❑ SYSTEMS ❑ DIGITAL (New!) & WATER

❑ CHEMICAL & PROCESS

❑ INFRASTRUCTURE ❑ ENGINEERING PROJECT MANAGEMENT

*** Get your skills and competency Certified! *** *** Apply Now! Visit us at www.charteredengineers.sg *** (Terms and Conditions Apply: Washington Accord Degree, 4 years working experience and be an IES member)

CONTENTS FEATURES

COVER STORY

19 Boosting Singapore’s competitiveness in sustainable data centres The world’s first tropical climate data centre testbed is a flexible, full-scale ‘live’ data facility

SUSTAINABILITY

22 Achieving decarbonisation goals A leading manufacturer discusses the efforts being made in the journey towards net-zero.

PROJECT APPLICATION

25 Creating and managing smart and sustainable built environments Software solutions power the successful implementation of projects.

CYBERSECURITY

26 Addressing cyber threats in the industrial sector The seriousness of the challenges and some of the approaches to overcome them are presented.

ROBOTICS

28 A smart and lean pick-and-place solution with hyperparameter and data processing optimisation A new technique is proposed for object detection in an embedded system.

President Mr Dalson Chung Chief Editor T Bhaskaran t_b_n8@yahoo.com

Publications Manager Desmond Teo desmond@iesnet.org.sg Publications Executive Nuraini Ahmad nuraini@iesnet.org.sg

Editorial Panel Dr Chandra Segaran Dr Ang Keng Been Mr Jaime Vega Bautista Jr Dr Victor Sim Mr Soon Ren Jun Dr Alexander Wiegand Media Representative Multimedia Communications (2000) Pte Ltd sales@multimediacomms.sg

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

Design & layout by 2EZ Asia Pte Ltd Cover designed by Irin Kuah Cover image by NUS Published by The Institution of Engineers, Singapore 70 Bukit Tinggi Road, Singapore 289758 Tel: 6469 5000 I Fax: 6467 1108 Printed in Singapore

www.ies.org.sg

ROBOTICS

30 Four predictions for 2024 What 2024 has in store for the world of robotics and automation.

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

32 Enabling Singapore’s manufacturing industry to remain resilient and competitive The benefits of automation and the emerging trends are highlighted.

34 Making the most of your machine tool set-up This is achieved through improved equipment utilisation, quick change tooling and modular solutions. 36 Achieving sustainability in surface finishing through dry electropolishing With this resource-saving method, consistent, high quality finishes can be produced.

INDUSTRIAL SAFETY

38 Overcoming common misconceptions around Safety Integrity Level ratings The measurements are important in determining industrial functional safety.

REGULAR SECTIONS 04 IES UPDATE 16 NEWS & EVENTS 39 PRODUCTS & SOLUTIONS

The Singapore Engineer is published monthly by The Institution of Engineers, Singapore (IES). The publication is distributed free-of-charge to IES members and affiliates. Views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor or IES. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine shall be reproduced, mechanically or electronically, without the prior consent of IES. Whilst every care is taken to ensure accuracy of the content at press time, IES will not be liable for any discrepancies. Unsolicited contributions are welcome but their inclusion in the magazine is at the discretion of the Editor.

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

IES UPDATE

INTER-PROFESSIONAL GAMES 2023

IES basketball representatives posing for a picture before a game.

SMA players turning up the heat.

The Inter-Professional Games (IPG) 2023 were held in September and October. Participants from six professional bodies – Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA), Singapore Medical Association (SMA), Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers (SISV), Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA), Law Society of Singapore (LSS), and IES – competed in Badminton, Chess, Basketball, Bowling, Table Tennis and Golf.

Basketball Out of the five teams that took part in the basketball competition this year, the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) secured the first place, with a strong performance. IES clinched third place, just behind the Law Society of Singapore (LSS) but ahead of the Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers (SISV) and Singapore Medical Association (SMA).

Smiles all around for IES and SMA basketball players, after a spirited match.

Bowling In the bowling competititon held at Kallang Bowl, the IES team regained the title of Bowling Champion. The team members put together a strong finish, with each of the top six scoring more than 200 points, including multiple strikes and spares to their names – to bring home the golden trophy. Competitors from SMA and LSS trailed closely behind, in terms of points scored by their top players. 04

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

IES wins the bowling championship at IPG 2023.

IES UPDATE

Players from SMA who clinched second place.

Teams taking turns to see who strikes.

The teams from, top to bottom, LSS, ISCA and SISV.

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

IES UPDATE

WORLD ENGINEERS SUMMIT 2023 ADDRESSES SUSTAINABILITY Not just a conference, but a convergence of minds, a platform for collaboration and a crucible for innovative ideas. IES held the World Engineers Summit (WES) 2023, on 8 to 10 November 2023, at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, with Mr Teo Chee Hean, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, Singapore, gracing the event as the Guest-of-Honour. Themed ‘Engineering for a Sustainable Future’, the biennial conference, which was in its sixth edition, saw more than 700 delegates and international partners in the industry, participating in a timely exchange of knowledge, ideas and solutions, in support of the world’s net-zero transition.

Launching the World Engineers Summit (WES) 2023! From left, WES 2023 Conference Chair, Er. A/Prof Lim Kok Hwa; Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, Singapore, Mr Teo Chee Hean; IES President Mr Dalson Chung; and IES Deputy President Er. Chan Ewe Jin.

In a speech made at the opening ceremony, held on 8 November, Mr Teo Chee Hean highlighted the three core characteristics of engineering – Inspiration, Innovation and Implementation – which, when combined together, brings about solutions to overcome the challenges of sustainability and climate change. Ms Luo Hui, Director General of China Association of Science and Technology (CAST) and Joint Secretary-General of the Chinese Society of Engineers (CSE), as the Strategic Partner of WES 2023, gave the welcome remarks to local and international delegates. The event also marked the introduction by WES of, in its line-up of curated track presentations, a first-of-its-kind seventh track – the China Engineers Forum (CEF) – with speakers from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou); Tsinghua University; HKSAR Government; Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion; and Institute of Nuclear and New Energy Technology, Tsinghua University. The new track brought together 400 participants. 06

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

More than 700 engineers and delegates from around the world convened at WES 2023 to learn from one another, strengthening learning points in sustainable development.

Mr Zhu Jing, Charge d’affaires of Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Singapore, graced the forum, as the Guestof-Honour. Guests and attendees heard from IES President Mr Dalson Chung. The forum was officially declared open after the opening address by Prof Lionel Ni, President of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Guangzhou, and the special address by Mdm Yu Haiying, Counsellor (Science & Technology) of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Singapore.

Plenary speakers at WES 2023 included Dr Steve Howard, Vice Chairman, Sustainability, Temasek; Prof Low Teck Seng, Senior Vice President (Sustainability and Resilience), National University of Singapore; Mr Lam Wee Shann, Deputy Chief Executive (Technology) and Chief Technology Officer, Land Transport Authority; and Prof Wang Tianyi, Professor, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Guangzhou and Former Chairman & CEO, China Everbright Environment Group.

IES UPDATE

“For WES 2023, our focus remains unwaveringly on sustainability, an imperative that resonates with global engineering communities, given the challenges facing our world today,” said Er. A/Prof Lim Kok Hwa, WES 2023 Conference Chair. As a key event of the IES Green Plan 2030, this summit notably introduced incredible insights into the work and challenges faced by industry counterparts in China and Hong Kong, particularly in the sustainability sector, in the areas of HTR Development, carbon neutrality, land transport and a Net Zero Future. These insights assisted in unravelling the complexities of climate change and driving positive change to strengthen the world’s climate resilience, and enabled delegates to acquire key learnings from the implementation of notable sustainable development projects in China. Every two years, WES is convened, bringing together engineering professionals, researchers, business leaders, government officials and the academia, to exchange insights and forge collaborations. Over the years, the event has become a valuable platform for championing engineering-centric discussions on sustainable development. The WES 2023 Conference Dinner was held the next evening, in conjunction with the IES 57th Annual Dinner, at the Sands Ballroom, Marina Bay Sands, with more than 1,000 people in attendance. On Day 3 of WES 2023, Technical Site Visits were organised to take delegates and interested participants to the Sustainability Technology Center (STC) at Danfoss Singapore, Emerson Digital Plant Experience, Sembcorp Floating Solar Farm at Tengeh Reservoir, and Gardens by the Bay. The visits enabled the participants to extend their learning experience gained throughout the three-day conference. IES conveys a resounding thank you and heartfelt best wishes to the Chinese Society of Engineers (WES 2023 Strategic Partner), Event Sponsors and Supporting Organisations – for making WES 2023 a memorable success!

IES presented Tokens of Appreciation to the CEF speakers at WES 2023: From left, Prof Tang Xiaofeng, National Graduate College for Engineers, Tsinghua University; Prof Su Quanke, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Guangzhou; Er. A/Prof Lim Kok Hwa, WES 2023 Conference Chair; Ms Luo Hui, Director General of China Association of Science and Technology (CAST) and Joint Secretary-General of the Chinese Society of Engineers (CSE); Ir. Jacky KY Wu, Civil Engineering and Development Department, HKSAR Government; Prof Dr Li Fu, Institute of Nuclear and New Energy Technology, Tsinghua University; and Dr Wang Zhenpeng, Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion.

ENLIGHTENING DISPLAYS Student showcases and cutting-edge exhibits inspired enriching exchanges among delegates and networking among participants.

Among the exhibits was ‘Sustinere Energy’, an innovation by students from Yuvabharathi International School, which won them the title of Champion in the Secondary Schools Category, at the National Engineers Day 2023 Engineering Innovation Challenge.

A team from NUS College of Design and Engineering wowed the attendees with their Integrated Robotic BIM Inspection System (IRBIS).

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

IES UPDATE

IES CELEBRATES EXEMPLARY ENGINEERING ACHIEVEMENTS AT 57TH ANNUAL DINNER The Institution of Engineers, Singapore (IES) held the IES 57th Annual Dinner at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, on 9 November 2023, to accord recognition to outstanding engineers for their notable contributions to Singapore’s development. Mr Chee Hong Tat, Acting Minister for Transport, was the Guest-ofHonour at the event which was attended by more than 1,000 guests from the industry, government and academia. The IES 57th Annual Dinner was held in conjunction with the World Engineers Summit 2023 Conference Dinner.

Mr Chee Hong Tat, Acting Minister for Transport, was the Guest-of-Honour at the event.

IES SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS 2023 The dinner, themed ‘Engineering for a Sustainable Future’, underscored the institution’s commitment to advancing Singapore’s sustainable development, and provided the platform for presenting the first IES Sustainability Awards to 10 engineering teams that emerged as Winners, from 54 submissions across three categories. The Award Winners are: COMPLETED ENGINEERING PROJECTS • PSA Tuas Maintenance Base by PSA Corporation Ltd • Phase 2 Intensification Project at BCA Braddell Campus by Building and Construction Authority (BCA) • Indoor Vertical Hydroponics Farming using Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) by ITE College West • Sustainable Road Paving Solutions for a Greener Future by Land Transport Authority INNOVATION PROJECTS/SOLUTIONS FOR SUSTAINABILITY • Accelerated Catalyst Development Platform (ACDP) by A*STAR’s Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (ISCE2) 08

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

The IES 57th Annual Dinner was held at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, on 9 November 2023, in conjunction with the World Engineers Summit 2023 Conference Dinner. More than 1,000 guests from the industry, government and academia attended.

• Solarisation of Singapore’s Industrial Estates by JTC Corporation • Sustainable Green Station – Intelligent HVAC with AI-enabled energy optimisation system for Greener MRT Stations by SMRT Corporation • Smart Energy Town by Housing & Development Board

Sustainability Awards seeks to recognise outstanding engineering projects and initiatives that promote sustainability and innovation in Singapore. The IES Green Plan 2030 was launched by IES in January 2023 to provide national-level institutional support to the Singapore Green Plan 2030.

• Flint Paper Battery by Flint

The following three winning projects have also been nominated for the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations (AFEO) ASEAN Outstanding Engineering Achievement Awards 2023:

Introduced as a key initiative of the IES Green Plan 2030, the IES

• PSA Tuas Maintenance Base by PSA Corporation Ltd

PROMISING START-UPS FOR SUSTAINABILITY • Castomize – 4D-Printed Orthopaedic Casts by Temasek Polytechnic

IES UPDATE

Thumbs up and all smiles for a great year! Guest-of-Honour Mr Chee Hong Tat, Acting Minister for Transport and IES Council Members at the IES 57th Annual Dinner.

• Accelerated Catalyst Development Platform (ACDP) by A*STAR’s Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (ISCE2)

APPLIED RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT • Advanced Aerospace Power Conversion System Development by Rolls Royce Pte Ltd

• Castomize – 4D-Printed Orthopaedic Casts by Temasek Polytechnic

• IDentif.AI: Actionable Drug Optimisation for Pandemic Preparedness by National University of Singapore

“IES is deeply encouraged by both the quality and quantity of projects submitted for the inaugural awards. It is a strong testament to a vibrant engineering ecosystem in Singapore where engineers are conducting excellent work across diverse disciplines to support Singapore’s transition to a net-zero future. By recognising these sustainable engineering accomplishments, IES hopes to not only increase public appreciation of engineers but also inspire the younger generation to step forward to make positive differences to a sustainable future for Singapore, through engineering,” said Mr Dalson Chung, President of IES.

IES PRESTIGIOUS ENGINEERING ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS 2023 Minister Chee also presented the IES Prestigious Engineering Achievement Awards 2023 to 10 engineering teams, in recognition of their accomplishments which demonstrate outstanding engineering skills that have made significant contributions to engineering progress and improving the quality of life in Singapore. This year, IES received a record number of 73 submissions across four award categories. The Award Winners are:

ENGINEERING PROJECT • Rifle Range Nature Park by National Parks Board • A Catalyst Coated Membrane Technology for PEM Fuel Cell by Temasek Polytechnic • Maritime Security Unmanned Surface Vessels (MARSEC USV) by Defence Science and Technology Agency • Phase 2 Project at BCA Braddell Campus by ECAS Consultants Pte Ltd TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION • Smart Automated Aircraft Visual Inspection System (SAAVIS) by A*STAR’s Institute for Infocomm Research (I2R) • Crimson S8: Singapore’s 1st Personal Aerial Vehicle (PAV) by NEO Aeronautics STUDENT AWARDS – IES YOUNG CREATORS AWARDS • eNutri by Temasek Polytechnic • Smart IoT Firewatch by ITE College Central The following three winning projects have also been nominated for the ASEAN Outstanding Engineering Achievement Awards 2023:

• Advanced Aerospace Power Conversion System Development by Rolls Royce Pte Ltd • IDentif.AI: Actionable Drug Optimisation for Pandemic Preparedness by National University of Singapore • Rifle Range Nature Park by National Parks Board “From supporting Singapore’s development as an aerospace hub, strengthening Singapore’s pandemic preparedness to advancing our City in Nature vision, this year’s winners deserve utmost recognition for tirelessly working behind the scenes to advance our national imperatives. Each winning project tells an inspiring story marked by passion and determination to harness engineering expertise to unleash new possibilities for our society and economy,” said Prof Yeoh Lean Weng, Emeritus President of IES and Awards Committee Chairman.

TRIBUTES TO DISTINGUISHED ENGINEERS Prof Yeoh Lean Weng, Chief Sustainability Officer, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) was conferred the title of IES Honorary Fellow in recognition of his contributions in shaping the engineering profession and advancing the interests of IES. IES also conferred the IES Lifetime Engineering Achievement Award on Prof Su Guaning, President THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

IES UPDATE

Emeritus of Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, for being an extraordinary leader and role model in engineering, whose outstanding and sustained engineering contributions have immensely benefitted the engineering industry and the community. Prof Su is also the Emeritus President of IES.

IES OUTSTANDING PARTNER AWARD 2023 IES awarded the IES Outstanding Partner Award 2023 to SMRT Corporation Ltd (SMRT) for their long-standing collaboration with IES, spanning over 35 years, to develop Singapore’s engineering fraternity. This symbiotic partnership has been marked by technological breakthroughs including AI and digitalisation, the launch of new lines and the maturing of Singapore’s rail engineering capabilities.

STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS 2023 The IES-Yayasan Mendaki Scholarship award was presented to two tertiary Malay/Muslim engineering students with outstanding academic performance, to support them in the pursuit of their engineering studies: • Arshof Ahamed S/O Ansar Ahamed, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University • Natasha Arisqa Putri Shaiful Bahri, Business Process and Systems Engineering, Temasek Polytechnic

IES SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS 2023

(Summaries of Winning Projects) COMPLETED ENGINEERING PROJECTS PSA Tuas Maintenance Base by PSA Corporation Ltd The project was also nominated for both the ASEAN Outstanding Engineering Achievement Awards and the World Federation of Engineering Organizations H.J. Sabbagh Prize for Excellence in Engineering Construction 2023. The new Tuas Hub Centre is a key part of Tuas Port Phase 1 Oper10

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

Prof Yeoh Lean Weng, Chief Sustainability Officer, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) was conferred the title of IES Honorary Fellow. From left to right, Prof Yeoh Lean Weng; Mr Chee Hong Tat, Acting Minister for Transport; and Mr Dalson Chung, President of IES.

IES conferred the IES Lifetime Engineering Achievement Award on Prof Su Guaning, President Emeritus of Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. From left, Prof Yeoh Lean Weng; Prof Su Guaning; Mr Chee Hong Tat, Acting Minister for Transport; and Mr Dalson Chung, President of IES.

ations. It consists of a six-storey Admin/Ops/Data Centre Building spanning 13,594 m2. Additionally, there are workshops, warehousing, intake substations and a resource hub, covering a total area of 36,260.60 m2. This development acts as the centralised hub for services and operational control for Tuas Port Phase 1. PSA Tuas Maintenance Base has been awarded the Building and Construction Authority (BCA)’s Green Mark Platinum Award (Super Low Energy). The project has also received the highest funding of SGD 3 million from the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), under the Green Building Innovation Cluster (GBIC) Programme. This project has achieved energy savings of 57.2%, based on the final Measurement and Verification report submitted to BCA, meeting

the GBIC target of 58%, compared to the minimum criteria of 44%. Green Building technologies have been adopted, under four categories – relating to the Air Conditioning System, Smart Control System, Passive Design System and Building Applied Photovoltaics (BAPV) System. Phase 2 Intensification Project at BCA Braddell Campus by Building and Construction Authority (BCA) The Phase 2 project at BCA Braddell Campus consists of two buildings – a seven-storey Zero Energy Building (ZEB) and a 16-storey Super Low Energy Building (SLEB) – with a total gross floor area of 27,551 m2. This project showcases high-productivity construction technologies and sustainable solutions, with best-in-class sustainability solutions delivered through a collaborative contracting approach, anchored on highly digitalised work processes, which provides the setting for transformation of Singapore’s built environment.

IES UPDATE

Sustainability solutions include high solar reflectance and high thermal emittance paints; naturally ventilated spaces and building envelope; real-time occupant-centric sensing and control strategy to optimise total building performance for mixedmode ventilation in the tropics; and adoption of thermal insulation materials, Air-Conditioning and Mechanical Ventilation (ACMV), Passive Displacement Cooling (PDC), Demand Control Ventilation (DCV), photovoltaic panels for renewable energy, and energy-efficient lighting. Indoor Vertical Hydroponics Farming using Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) by ITE College West This project focuses on the practical implementation of an Indoor Vertical Hydroponics Farming system, in alignment with the Singapore Green Plan 2030. Through the utilisation of the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) and LED lighting, this system aims to maximise plant growth within a limited space.

On behalf of SMRT Corporation Ltd (SMRT), Chairman Mr Seah Moon Ming (left) receiving the IES Outstanding Partner Award 2023 from Mr Dalson Chung, President of IES.

Deepest appreciation to SMRT, Winner of the IES Outstanding Partner Award, for the longstanding working relationship with IES.

By maintaining the hydroponics system, cultivating specific vegetable varieties and evaluating the impact, this project contributes to the realisation of sustainable farming practices within homes, supporting the goals of the Singapore Green Plan 2030 and fostering community-level food production. Sustainable Road Paving Solutions for a Greener Future by Land Transport Authority The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has been actively exploring the utilisation of recycled materials to promote sustainability in road construction. These materials include recycled concrete aggregates which are processed aggregates derived from demolition wastes, steel slag aggregates obtained from steel mills as a by-product, and reclaimed asphalt pavements which are processed mill waste from road resurfacing projects. Since the 1990s, LTA has incorporated these eco-friendly materials into road construction and resurfacing projects. This submission focuses on two successfully completed projects that exemplify their sustainability efforts. The first project

Natasha Arisqa Putri Shaiful Bahri, from Temasek Polytechnic, receives the IES-Yayasan Mendaki Scholarship Award, from Mr Dalson Chung, President of IES.

is the environmentally sustainable mix – the steel slag porous asphalt. The second project highlights the use of warm mix asphalt, a lower-temperature asphalt mix for resurfacing works in road tunnels. These initiatives contribute significantly to LTA’s goal of creating a more environmentally-friendly and sustainable road infrastructure. INNOVATION PROJECTS/SOLUTIONS FOR SUSTAINABILITY Accelerated Catalyst Development Platform (ACDP) by A*STAR’s Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (ISCE2)

The project was also nominated for the ASEAN Outstanding Engineering Achievement Awards. Catalysts are critical to processes in the chemical industry. More than 80% of all manufactured products in the world use catalysts in the process used to produce them. However, existing methods of developing effective catalysts are time-consuming and there is an urgent need to find new catalysts to meet the objectives of carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) to support Singapore’s decarbonisation efforts and the transition to a green economy. THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

IES UPDATE

Researchers from A*STAR’s Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (ISCE2), Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE) and Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC) have teamed up to use machine learning and speed up the development of new catalysts via the Accelerated Catalyst Development Platform (ACDP).

the continual training of the AI model. Singapore’s first underground stations are using Predictive Artificial Intelligence (AI) to generate real-time data analytics and automatically optimise air-conditioning control parameters. This technology aims to reduce energy consumption while ensuring a comfortable commuting experience for over 2 million passengers daily.

Areas of research and development include characterisation, screening and synthesis of catalysts. The ACDP accelerates the development of improved catalytic processes by up to fivefold, by today’s standards, for the petrochemicals, specialty chemicals and power industries.

To address challenges posed by the high number of commuters and the limitations of existing HVAC control systems, an optimisation strategy utilising predictive AI was developed and implemented in two trial stations. This approach uses past and real-time data to achieve energy efficiency.

This is important as oil refineries and power generation plants contribute 80% of Singapore’s greenhouse gas emissions. Solarisation of Singapore’s Industrial Estates by JTC Corporation JTC has been actively promoting and supporting sustainability initiatives in Singapore’s industrial landscape, in alignment with the Singapore Green Plan 2030, by leveraging renewable energy. It has developed the SolarRoof and SolarLand programmes, coupled with solar policy frameworks, to simplify and increase accessibility of solar adoption for JTC and industrialists. Sustainable Green Station – Intelligent HVAC with AI-enabled energy optimisation system for Greener MRT Stations by SMRT Corporation The SMRT Sustainable Green Station innovation for 70 underground stations is expected to reduce over 7,000 Megawatt Hours (MWh) of energy consumption, resulting in 5% energy savings and a carbon footprint reduction by up to 3 million kg CO2 annually. The energy saved is equivalent to the annual average energy consumption by about 1,500 four-room HDB flats. The Green Station implemented at CCL Paya Lebar Station has produced about 8% of average energy savings – which is higher than the 5% project target. This is expected to improve with 12

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

Smart Energy Town by Housing & Development Board (HDB) In a typical HDB block, residential energy usage accounts for approximately 90% of the block’s energy usage, in which cooling takes up a substantial portion. For the first time ever in public housing collaboration, HDB partnered with Singapore Power (SP) Group to bring a Centralised Cooling System (CCS) to public housing. Compared with traditional district cooling, HDB locates the chiller plants on the rooftops of selected HDB blocks (removing the need for dedicated land space to house these chiller plants) and interconnects them for greater system resilience, which allows residents to enjoy a more energy-efficient alternative to conventional split unit air-conditioning. PROMISING START-UPS FOR SUSTAINABILITY Castomize – 4D-Printed Orthopaedic Casts by Temasek Polytechnic The project was also nominated for the ASEAN Outstanding Engineering Achievement Awards. The highlight of this invention is the ease of application and removal of casts by healthcare professionals, providing enhanced comfort and convenience to patients, all the while increasing sustainability by eliminating medical waste associated with traditional casting methods. This invention is made of

a unique material blend that can be activated by an external stimulus. The invention can be stored in a flat state, making it highly portable. It is activated with heat. As the stiffness of the cast can be altered with heat, this invention has high potential to support all recovery stages. Cast size can easily be adjusted and only one cast is required throughout the whole healing journey. Castomize’s 4D-Printed Orthopaedic Casts benefit all stakeholders, from patients to doctors, hospitals and insurers. With sustainability embedded in their business model and the practice of remanufacturing casts for first-aid purposes, Castomize contributes to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals of good health and well-being, as well as responsible consumption and production. Flint Paper Battery by Flint The project focuses on producing eco-friendly paper batteries from natural and non-toxic materials, offering enhanced sustainability, safety and cost efficiency, compared to traditional lithium batteries. The technology utilised is based on the fabrication process of Hydrogel-reinforced Cellulose Paper (HCP), using materials sourced from abundant natural biomass, creating a composite that serves as both the electrolyte and separator, enhancing the mechanical strength of cellulose fibres while preserving the ion conductivity of the battery. This fabrication process, amalgamated with materials like Zinc and Manganese, key to Flint’s technology, ensures portability, renewability, flexibility and durability. With research and development completed, significant progress is made towards commercialisation and large-scale manufacturing, backed by institutions including Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Management University, National Youth Council, and the United Nations. With the products, Flint aims to accelerate the world’s transition to green energy by empowering the future with greener batteries.

IES UPDATE

IES PRESTIGIOUS ENGINEERING ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS 2023 (Summaries of Winning Projects)

APPLIED RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT Advanced Aerospace Power Conversion System Development by Rolls Royce Singapore Pte Ltd The project was also nominated for the ASEAN Outstanding Engineering Achievement Awards. Rolls-Royce is committed to leading the transition to net zero emissions by 2050, through full/hybrid electric solutions that are light-weight, robust, fault-tolerant, low cost etc, and reduce emissions by close to 20%. The company has a separate business unit called Rolls-Royce Electrical (RRE), dedicated to developing electrification solutions. RRE aims to become the top supplier of Aerospace Power and Propulsion Systems (APPS) for all-electric and hybrid-electric systems in the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) market. Their cutting-edge technologies and products will power aircraft in the near future. This project focuses on the research and development of critical subsystems for the world-class power and propulsion system to advance the air-mobility market (e.g. flying taxies). The Singapore team played a key role in the development of the Advanced Aerospace Power Conversion System (APCS) and Equipment Health Management Solutions. The project is near Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL6) and advancing towards industrialisation. IDentif.AI: Actionable Drug Optimisation for Pandemic Preparedness by National University of Singapore The project was also nominated for the ASEAN Outstanding Engineering Achievement Awards. The prevalence of infectious diseases, aggravated by antimicrobial resistance, and COVID-19, are a growing threat to global public health. Factors like climate change, pollution and urbanisation have also increased the risk of diseases

emerging. The COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020, led to global disruptions, prompting extensive research for effective treatments. Another global challenge is the rise of antimicrobial resistance, which could cause 10 million deaths annually, by 2050, according to the United Nations. To overcome the above-mentioned challenges, NUS developed IDentif. AI, an AI-derived platform that rapidly pinpoints clinically actionable, combination therapies to combat the pandemic and for future readiness against pandemics. What sets IDentif.AI apart is that it does not rely on pre-existing or big data. Instead, it utilises experimentally determined data, allowing for a quick turnaround time of around two to three weeks. This fast response makes it suitable for pandemics and adaptable to combat global challenges like antimicrobial resistance. IDentif.AI has received recognition by being featured in top peer-reviewed journals and in the World Health Organization-International Telecommunication Union Working Group Report. Its clinically actionable results align with trial outcomes and have been highlighted in prominent media outlets like The Straits Times. ENGINEERING PROJECT Rifle Range Nature Park by National Parks Board The project was also nominated for the ASEAN Outstanding Engineering Achievement Awards. The Rifle Range Nature Park in Singapore plays a crucial role in the ‘City in Nature’ pillar, under the Singapore Green Plan 2030, which aims to connect green spaces and promote sustainability. Being the first net-positive energy nature park in Singapore, it contributes to the country’s goal of reducing carbon emissions. The park is located on the site of the former Sin Seng Quarry and features the Quarry Wetland, a restored freshwater habitat and the Colugo Deck – an elevated viewpoint over the quarry cliffs.

Through engineering interventions, the park’s natural environment has been rehabilitated, allowing visitors to learn about and get closer to Singapore’s native biodiversity. The park is now home to over 400 species of plants and 300 species of animals, including endangered species. In addition, the park incorporates aerial rope bridges and culverts to enhance wildlife connectivity between Rifle Range Nature Park and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. A Catalyst Coated Membrane Technology for PEM Fuel Cell by Temasek Polytechnic The Temasek Polytechnic research team has developed a unique manufacturing process for catalyst-coated membranes (CCMs) used in Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells. This ground-breaking technology optimises fuel cell performance by incorporating a three-dimensional structure into the catalyst layer of the CCM. The team adopted a multi-pronged strategy comprising (a) applying an innovative catalyst ink formulation and manufacturing process, (b) devising three-dimensional catalyst structure design and (c) using direct ultrasonic spray coating of the Pt nanocatalyst supported on carbon onto the membrane surface. Adopting these strategies enables innovative SMEs and start-ups to achieve low-cost, high-performance and high-production-rate manufacturing of CCM products, hence significantly accelerating the adoption of PEM Fuel Cell technology, in alignment with Singapore’s sustainability agenda. Maritime Security Unmanned Surface Vessels (MARSEC USV) by Defence Science and Technology Agency Enforcing maritime security in Singapore’s territorial waters is vital to preserving Singapore’s survival. The MARSEC USV is equipped with indigenously developed capabilities, enabling it to perform maritime security patrols to achieve operational efficiency, with significantly reduced manpower than the current patrol vessels. THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

IES UPDATE

Advanced technological and autonomous solutions, as well as resilient cyber and network developments have been implemented to enable the autonomous and unmanned operation of the MARSEC USV and ensure operational effectiveness. Phase 2 Project at BCA Braddell Campus by ECAS Consultants Pte Ltd The Phase 2 Intensification Project at the campus involved the construction of two new buildings to support the built environment learning, research and innovation (R&I) – a 16-storey Super Low Energy Building (SLEB) and a seven-storey Zero Energy Building (ZEB). The two buildings share the same first-storey floor plate and a basement carpark. This is the first project to adopt the three latest game-changing construction technologies in a single project – Mass Engineered Timber (MET), Advanced Precast Construction (APCS) and Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction (PPVC) – resulting in high levels of offsite prefabrication with shorter onsite construction assembly, better workmanship, less disruption to surroundings and a lot less rework. In addition, to achieve the novel environmental sustainability performance, both buildings explored opportunities to develop and demonstrate innovative solutions, such as naturally ventilated offices, passive cooling systems and the use of low carbon materials. These solutions are highly impactful and replicable for future-proofing our built environment. TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION Smart Automated Aircraft Visual Inspection System (SAAVIS) by A*STAR’s Institute for Infocomm Research (I2R) Aircraft are regularly inspected for defects, before and after flights, to ensure airworthiness and passenger safety. Currently, trained licensed aircraft engineers (LAEs) have to visually examine the aircraft for potential defects such as the effects of lightning strikes, dents, cracks and 14

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

loose screws. Inspecting the top of large airframes requires the use of boom lifts to reach the high areas, which is time-consuming and poses safety risks. SAAVIS, a smart automated aircraft visual inspection system provides an all-round solution to digitalise aircraft inspections. In order to cover all areas of the airframe, high-resolution 360° cameras are installed on hangar ceilings, while autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) equipped with telescopic arms inspect the underbelly surface of the airframe. This project boasts several key novel capabilities, including those provided by a hybrid-AI computer vision system that recognises a wide range of defects using less data, and an airframe-centric navigation robotic system with telescopic arms for capturing images at various heights around the airframe and localising them with respect to the aircraft. This ground-breaking system is on trial, for deployment with industry partners and is set to enhance productivity and competitiveness of the aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul industry in Singapore. Crimson S8: Singapore’s First Personal Aerial Vehicle (PAV) by NEO Aeronautics The Crimson S8 PAV is the first ‘flying car’ fully designed and developed in Singapore. It is FAA Part 103 compliant and does not place constraints on the age, experience or knowledge of the flyers in the United States. This is a fully eVTOL quad-copter that delivers the values of safety, reliability and affordability, thus enabling ‘EveryONE can FLY’. STUDENT AWARDS – IES YOUNG CREATORS AWARDS eNutri by Temasek Polytechnic eNutri is an ecosystem made to manage chronic kidney disease through automating the regular intake of healthy food, water and medication, required by the user, under the supervision of health care professionals. The eNutri dispenser controls the

output of water and medication by following the doctor’s instructions and the prescribed amounts. The eNutri App tracks nutritional intake, provides healthy food intake advice to patients and guides patients towards keeping their health in check. Doctors can track and monitor patients’ progress by accessing the eNutri portal. The portal contains a dashboard of patient data and gives them the ability to edit their patients’ healthcare plans in real time. eNutri aims to streamline the process of taking care of people with chronic kidney disease, by targeting their nutritional needs. At the same time, it allows doctors to treat their patients remotely and provide them with better healthcare, over time, by making better decisions. Smart IoT Firewatch by ITE College Central Even when a fire has been put out, the heat and embers from the aftermath could cause a reignition of the fire, leading to further damage to the surroundings or even the loss of lives. The objective of this project is to collect and analyse information about the fire incident site remotely and ensure safety with efficient manpower deployment, while ensuring environmental sustainability in fire reduction. The Smart IoT Firewatch solution was developed using industrial-grade sensors, managed by a microcontroller, while tapping on LTE technology where data can be received in real time. Firefighters can use a customised dashboard to monitor real-time data, using their mobile devices to provide recommendations for future improvement. With the capabilities of the product to monitor and analyse sites, remotely, under harsh environments, which normal market products are incapable of, Smart IoT Firewatch possesses high potential to branch out into new local and overseas markets, to combat air pollution caused by wildfires and haze.

IES UPDATE

ER. TAN SENG CHUAN NAMED PRESIDENT-ELECT OF THE WORLD FEDERATION OF ENGINEERING ORGANIZATIONS Er. Tan Seng Chuan, IES Emeritus President was named President-elect of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) during its General Assembly held in Prague, Czech Republic, on 14 October 2023. Er. Tan was nominated by IES to represent Singapore at the WFEO General Assembly, where he received the majority of votes cast, becoming the first Singaporean President-elect since WFEO’s establishment. He is set to take office as the President of WFEO in 2025, in Shanghai, China, for a period of two years. WFEO is the peak international organisation for the engineering profession, comprising some 100 nations and representing more than 30 million engineers globally. It was founded in 1968 under the auspices of UNESCO, and is a co-leader of the Scientific and Technological Community Major Group at the United Nations. “I am honoured to be appointed the President-Elect of WFEO and humbled by the support and trust of WFEO members and the IES Council. In the face of global challenges, I am committed to advancing key fundamentals in engineering to ensure our profession remains in the forefront, and is relevant and vibrant. My top goals are to continue to raise engineering education standards in developing countries, enhance capacity building by creating career progression pathways to support the mobility of engineers, contribute to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals to build climate resilience, improve the financial health of WFEO and promote WFEO in the global network,” said Er. Tan. “IES extends our heartiest congratulations to Er. Tan Seng Chuan for this laudable appointment. His ex-

traordinary dedication towards advancing the engineering profession, coupled with his wealth of experience Er. Tan Seng Chuan in the field, places him in a distinctive position to lead WFEO to drive positive change towards a sustainable future. IES looks forward to continue working with Er. Tan to realise our green aspirations set in the international pillar of the IES Green Plan 2030,” said Mr Dalson Chung, IES President. Er. Tan is an accomplished engineer by profession and a passionate and dynamic leader in multiple capacities and portfolios. On the international front, he has served in various capacities in WFEO, the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations (AFEO), the Federation of Engineering Institutions of Asia and the Pacific (FEIAP) and the International Engineering Alliance (IEA). Through these roles, he has made many remarkable contributions especially in the areas of engineering education, capacity-building, environment, climate change and sustainability. On the local front, apart from being the President of IES from 2006 to 2008, Er. Tan is currently the Chairman of the Chartered Engineering Board of Singapore; Chairman of the PUB Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters Professional Monitoring Committee; Member of the Industry Advisory Committee for Sustainability Education Committee at the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT); and Member of the NTU Advisory Committee for Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental Engineering) programme.

Engineering Education Symposium The Chinese Society of Engineers (CSE) hosted the International Engineering Education Symposium 2023-China Week between 13 and 19 November 2023, in Ningbo, China. The 2023 China Week was initiated by the China Engineering Education Accreditation Association (CEEAA) with the theme ‘Unleashing Potential, Empowering Future: Embracing Graduate Attributes and Professional Competencies’. The symposium was jointly organised by CEEAA; the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE); the Institution of Engineers, Singapore (IES); Ningbo Institute of Engineering; Zhejiang University of Technology; and Zhejiang Fashion Institute of Technology. The main sponsors of the symposium were the International Engineering Alliance (IEA) and the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO), with support from the European Network for Accreditation of Engineering Education (ENAEE) and the Federation of Engineering Institutions of Asia and the Pacific (FEIAP). There were also three sub-forums, themed ‘Engineering and Humanity’, ‘Engineering Education and Sustainable Development’ and ‘Implementation of GAPC21 in Engineering Education and Accreditation’. (Ref: https:// www.wfeo.org/news/)

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

NEWS & EVENTS

Infineon doubles Co-Innovation Space in Singapore At Infineon Technologies’ OktoberTech Asia Pacific, held in Singapore, recently, the company opened its expanded Co-Innovation Space to house more startups from Singapore and across the Asia Pacific region. Infineon has also announced a collaboration with Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME) to drive Asia’s innovation ecosystem with solutions for decarbonisation and digitalisation. KOSME will introduce Korean startups with innovative solutions to Infineon for evaluation and assessment of their engineering needs. Selected startups will have the opportunity to be part of the Infineon global startup co-innovation programme in Korea or become a resident partner at the Co-Innovation Space in Singapore, should they be keen to develop and test their solutions in Singapore and Southeast Asia. “We are facing a future dependent on game-changing solutions for green and energy-efficient, smart and secure IoT, and clean and safe mobility. Today’s announcement of a larger Co-Innovation Space and our partnership with KOSME reaffirms our commitment to shaping a sustainable future with our ecosystem,” said Mr Chua Chee Seong, President and Managing Director, Infineon Technologies Asia Pacific Pte Ltd. Launched in 2018, Infineon Co-Innovation Space is part of Infineon’s global startup co-innovation programme to help startups with product development, by providing semiconductor technology support, guidance and mentorship. The Co-Innovation Space in Singapore is the only site with a dedicated workspace for startups to undergo a 12-month programme with Infineon. Startups under the programme can tap on Infineon’s ecosystem which includes cus16

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

Ms Low Yen Ling, Minister of State for the Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (standing, eighth from left) and Mr Chua Chee Seong, President and Managing Director, Infineon Technologies Asia Pacific Pte Ltd (standing, seventh from left), with representatives from startups in the Infineon Co-innovation Space.

After signing of the MoU are, from left, Mr Cho Han Gyo, Executive Director and Vice President for Job Creation and Employment, Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME) and Mr Chua Chee Seong, President and Managing Director, Infineon Technologies Asia Pacific Pte Ltd.

tomers and business partners in countries where Infineon has a presence. Infineon has made Singapore its Asia Pacific base for more than 50 years, investing SGD 700 million over the past decade. Singapore is the lead site for smart factory solutions development and the global test hub for automotive microcontroller units. It is also a key node for Infineon's global distribution and one of the major microelectronics R&D centres in Asia.

OktoberTech OktoberTech is Infineon’s global event format, aimed at demonstrating how future technology can drive decarbonisation and digitalisation. OktoberTech brings together customers, startups, business leaders and experts.

Infineon Infineon Technologies AG is a global semiconductor leader in power systems and IoT. Infineon drives decarbonisation and digitalisation with its products and solutions.

COVER STORY

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

NEWS & EVENTS

Bitdeer to launch Asia-based cloud service built on NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD Bitdeer Technologies Group, a world-leading technology company for blockchain and high-performance computing, recently announced that it has become a Preferred Cloud Service Provider (CSP) in the NVIDIA Partner Network and plans to launch Bitdeer AI Cloud, among the first cloud services powered by NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD with DGX H100 systems in Asia. The service will provide Bitdeer’s customers with access to NVIDIA AI supercomputing to help them accelerate their development of generative AI, large language models (LLMs), and other AI workloads. Rapid developments in machine learning, AI and LLMs are creating a surging demand for powerful, reliable, and readily available cloudbased computing solutions. IDC noted that the public cloud platform-as-a-service (PaaS) market delivered more than 32% annual growth in 2022, which points to the success that customers are achieving with cloud providers as strategic partners. In addition, the burgeoning online gaming, livestreaming, and social media industries in Asia are exacerbating the supply-demand imbalance for computing power. Bitdeer’s GPU cloud service builds on the company’s extensive customer reach in Asia. Paired with Bitdeer’s domain expertise in hash rate-sharing and cloud services, the service can equip businesses and entrepreneurs with state-of-the-art computing using the NVIDIA DGX platform. Matt Linghui Kong, Chief Executive Officer of Bitdeer, commented, “We are excited to lay the groundwork with NVIDIA for the next era of AI and large language model advancements in Asia. Becoming a Preferred Member of the NVIDIA Partner Network validates our technological competence and market reach. We look forward to collab18

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

orating with NVIDIA to empower businesses in Asia to innovate, grow, and prosper.” “Generative AI empowers businesses to unlock unprecedented scalability, reliability, and innovation. With its NVIDIA DGX infrastructure, Bitdeer can provide the AI supercomputing and software needed to build and deploy generative AI models and services,” said Tony Paikeday, Senior Director of the DGX platform at NVIDIA. Bitdeer, renowned for its global data centre deployment capabilities, proficiency in high-performance machine operations, and extensive cloud service expertise, is in the process of methodically building its GPU cloud business. The company’s designation as an NVIDIA Preferred Partner will serve as a catalyst for the company to develop its GPU cloud capabilities. Bitdeer’s strategic roadmap encompasses four phases – Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), PaaS, Software as a Service (SaaS), and Application as a Service (AaaS). Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) Bitdeer is gearing up to provide high-performance GPU cloud infrastructure to serve as the bedrock for AI-driven initiatives. This infrastructure will empower organisations to efficiently harness the full potential of GPUs, facilitating seamless execution of complex AI workloads. Platform as a Service (PaaS) Expanding on its infrastructure capabilities, Bitdeer is actively developing a comprehensive GPU-asa-Service platform, simplifying the deployment and management of AI applications. This platform will offer the flexibility and scalability that businesses need to smoothly implement and build out AI solutions and capitalise on the fast-growing PaaS market which is projected to reach USD 352.2 billion globally by 2030. Software as a Service (SaaS) Bitdeer is fully committed to offering

turnkey AI solutions tailored to a wide array of industries. By providing AI software services, Bitdeer seeks to democratise AI, making it accessible to organisations of all sizes. Users may also deploy their own models and offer external services. Application as a Service (AaaS) Between 2023 and 2032, the Asia Pacific API market is expected to have the highest CAGR globally. In an effort to foster AI innovation, Bitdeer is set to craft Application and services that will enable businesses to easily introduce AI into their existing workflows. Bitdeer will offer an intuitive and efficient development platform, and allow users to not only deploy custom APIs with ease, but also achieve seamless integration and interfacing with existing applications. Building on the foundations of existing blockchain technology and high-performance computing capabilities, Bitdeer is broadening its technical and business horizons. The company’s ultimate goal is to provide a high-performance foundation from which it can execute complex AI workloads, leveraging GPU cloud infrastructure to create an adaptable and dynamic platform. The flexibility and scalability of this platform will make AI solutions accessible to a vast range of companies and industries. The final phase of the company’s roadmap will see it offer an intuitive platform that can seamlessly incorporate custom APIs into existing applications. By evolving along a trajectory that encompasses IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, and AaaS, the upcoming NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD-based high-performance cloud service platform has the potential to advance the way organisations access and use AI. Bitdeer expects its upcoming DGX SuperPOD-based high-performance cloud service platform to be launched in the first quarter of 2024.

COVER STORY

Boosting Singapore’s competitiveness in sustainable data centres The world’s first tropical climate data centre testbed is a flexible, full-scale ‘live’ data facility. It will bring together researchers and leading industry partners to develop and demonstrate best-in-class, energy-efficient cooling technologies, customised for tropical environments. Hosted by the National University of Singapore’s College of Design and Engineering (NUS CDE), the Sustainable Tropical Data Centre Testbed (STDCT), the first of its kind for the tropical environment, is up and running, marking a significant milestone in data centre (DC) innovation in Singapore. The groundbreaking initiative, led by NUS and the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), is funded by the National Research Foundation in line with the Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2025 Plan (RIE2025) to position Singapore as a leading centre for green services and solutions for industries. The RIE2025 is a strategic roadmap shaping Singapore’s research and innovation activities over a fiveyear period. The RIE2025 aims to enhance Singapore’s scientific foundation, broaden its innovation and enterprise ecosystem, as well as scale up technology translation and strengthen enterprise innovation capabilities. Bridging the gap between research and practical applications, this pioneer initiative brings together academia and industry partners to fast-track the adoption of innovative and sustainable DC cooling solutions tailored for the tropical climate. These collaborative efforts will set new sustainability standards for DC operations in the tropics. The STDCT, which is the key infrastructure that supports a cutting-edge national-level research programme on DC innovations, was officially launched recently by Minister of State for Trade and Industry Mr Alvin Tan, in the pres-

At the launch of the Sustainable Tropical Data Centre Testbed (STDCT) in NUS are, from left to right, Associate Professor Lee Poh Seng, STDCT Programme Director; Professor Teo Kie Leong, NUS College of Design and Engineering Acting Dean; Professor Liu Bin, NUS Deputy President (Research and Technology); Mr Alvin Tan, Minister of State for Trade and Industry; Professor Lam Khin Yong, NTU Vice President (Industry); and Professor Wen Yonggang, STDCT Programme Co-Director.

ence of distinguished guests from the academic research community and industry.

erage, about 40% of a DC’s energy consumption goes into powering its cooling and ventilation systems.

In his keynote address, Mr Tan expressed the importance of the STDCT facility in supporting “Singapore’s efforts in cutting-edge research on data centre innovation and in growing data centres in a manner that is sustainable and aligned with our climate change commitments.”

Efficient cooling technologies, which the STDCT will be pioneering, are therefore essential for reducing operation costs and lowering the environmental impact of DCs.

He added that “in the long-term, the facility will also be a platform for other universities and companies to validate new DC solutions. This will enable the industry to have wider adoption of best practices for sustainable tropical DCs.” Whilst DCs are the backbone of the digital economy, they are power-hungry facilities with a large appetite for electricity – especially those located in hot and humid climates such as Singapore. On av-

Mr Ni De En, Director, Urban Solutions & Sustainability, National Research Foundation, said, “The Sustainable Tropical Data Centre Testbed brings together researchers and companies to drive innovations in cooling technologies and improve the sustainability of data centres in our region. Such industry R&D platforms accelerate the translation and commercialisation of research, in support of our climate goals.” Professor Liu Bin, NUS Deputy President (Research and Technology), said, “NUS is excited to host the Sustainable Tropical Data Centre Testbed on our Kent Ridge THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

COVER STORY

campus. This is an unprecedented initiative that aligns seamlessly with Singapore’s Green Plan 2030 and reinforces the nation and NUS’ commitment to sustainability. The STDCT programme, jointly led by NUS and NTU, in close partnership with the industry, has been fostering a thriving ecosystem for innovative cooling ideas to flourish. The opening of the testbed facility today will accelerate the creation and translation of game-changing DC cooling technologies that are well-suited for tropical urban settings like Singapore, further advancing the sustainability efforts of the DC sector locally and beyond.” Professor Lam Khin Yong, NTU Vice President (Industry), said, “The commissioning of the Sustainable Tropical Data Centre Testbed marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of data centre operations in tropical climates. Led by NTU and NUS, in close collaboration with industry, it presents a sustainable solution for the operation and maintenance of data centres. It also reflects NTU’s strong commitment to mitigating our impact on the environment, which is one of humanity’s grand challenges that we seek to address through our NTU 2025 strategic plan. As the world’s first tropical climate data centre testbed, the STDCT sets a new standard, not just for Singapore but as a global benchmark for the intersection of cutting-edge technology, environmental responsibility and operational efficiency in data centre infrastructure."

Key infrastructure for DC innovations in the tropics The STDCT is an infrastructure that supports a comprehensive research programme to develop cooling solutions for sustainable operation of DCs in the tropics, which was initiated in June 2021. Since the programme’s inception, 20 industry collaborators have contributed state-of-the-art technologies and are actively engaged in technology co-development. To date, the STDCT has attracted more than SGD 30 million in invest20

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

• Ascenix • CBRE • CoolestDC • Danfoss • Dell Technologies • Digital Realty • Eaton

• Georg Fischer • GSM • Intel • Keppel Data Centres • M&C Engineering • META • Nalco Water

• nVent • Red Dot Analytics • Shell • Sygna • Schneider Electric • Vertiv

STDCT’s industry partners

Minister of State for Trade and Industry Mr Alvin Tan (left) toured the new Sustainable Tropical Data Centre Testbed (STDCT) facility at the National University of Singapore (NUS). During the tour, he was shown the manifold wall within the STDCT, which is used for smart monitoring and control of operating parameters for better energy efficiency.

ments for five research projects led by scientists from NUS and NTU, in collaboration with industry partners. STDCT has also received support from the Infocomm Media Development Authority. The testbed facility provides a platform for co-innovation, capitalising on the synergy between academia and industry to make important discoveries and transformative advancements that would benefit the tropical DC sector.

Setting new standards for tropical data centre operations The STDCT stands as a flexible, fullscale live facility that combines cutting-edge research and real-world application. Occupying a floor area of 770 m2, this is a living lab for scientists to experiment and validate innovative cooling ideas. It also serves as a de-risking platform for companies to test and optimise new technologies in a realistic, tropical setting.

The STDCT programme aims to demonstrate the following outcomes in a tropical setting, by mid-2024: • Reduce energy consumption by up to 40%. • Reduce water usage by 30% to 40%. • Reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 40% to less than 0.54 million tons per year. • Achieve Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of less than 1.2 for a combination of air and liquid cooling. This is below the current requirement of 1.3 set by the Singapore Government and the global average of 1.5 in 2022. A PUE value of 1.0 signifies optimal power usage efficiency. A whitepaper will also be developed to provide recommendations on optimum DC design and operations, and this is expected to be released in the fourth quarter of 2024.

COVER STORY

Sustainability standard for data centres in tropical climates

Liquid-cooled heat sink with air-cooled fin array to mitigate the risk of single-point of failure associated with liquid cooling.

Innovative cooling solutions designed for the tropics Three of the five research projects will focus on the development of cutting-edge cooling technologies. A research team led by NUS is designing a unique heat sink coupled with immersion cooling for enhanced cooling performance. Another NUS team is pioneering the world’s first direct chip hybrid cooling system which consists of a high-performance hybrid sink design with two modes of cooling – air cooling and liquid cooling. The third NUS team is validating the potential of a novel cooling solution that uses a high-performance hygroscopic material to significantly improve cooling efficiency. In tandem, scientists from NTU are leading two research projects. One project aims to establish the optimum temperature and humidity setpoints for air-cooling for data centres in the tropics, and the second project will develop a digital replica, i.e. a digital twin, for multiple innovative cooling technologies being tested, to enable real-time performance modelling and prediction, and empower AI-based optimisation to achieve energy efficiency and sustainability. “The new testbed facility supports five research projects under the STDCT programme. These projects involve conducting holistic assessments to identify opportunities to raise the recommended temperature of conventional DCs, identify-

ing the ‘sweet spots’ for sustainable cooling solutions, and integrating these technologies for optimal performance,” explained STDCT Programme Director, Associate Professor Lee Poh Seng, who is from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at NUS CDE. “Since its inception in 2021, the STDCT research projects have made significant progress and we are well on-track to realise the goals of the programme and make an impact,” commented STDCT Programme Co-Director, Professor Wen Yonggang, who is also Associate Vice President (Capability Building) at NTU.

Talent development The STDCT programme not only addresses the immediate demand for sustainable DC operation practices in the tropics, but also nurtures talents to prepare the industry for future growth. STDCT will establish strategic partnerships with industry standards organisations and leading corporations to provide learning opportunities for students and industry practitioners. These programmes are expected to be offered through the NUS School of Continuing and Lifelong Education in 2024. For a start, STDCT has offered two scholarships, which are supported by industry partners, to groom local talent in related fields such as AIbased digital twins and advanced liquid cooling systems.

Singapore has launched one of the world’s first standards for optimising energy efficiency for data centres (DCs) in tropical climates. The standard is the result of the efforts by a working group, comprising domain and technical experts from both industry and academia as well as government agencies, to establish a set of guidelines that will enable the operation of DCs at higher temperature settings, while optimising energy efficiency. The cooling of DCs in a warmer tropical climate environment presents additional challenges as more energy is used to operate the cooling systems. The new standard announced by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) aims to help DCs develop a roadmap to support the gradual increase in the DC operating temperatures to 26 °C and above. This could lead to DCs potentially benefitting from a 2% to 5% savings in cooling energy, with every 1 °C increase in the DC operating temperature. IMDA’s new standard forms part of the Digital Connectivity Blueprint which was launched in early June 2023. In the longer term, the Government will also chart a roadmap towards net-zero DCs that are powered by renewable energy, considering the necessary resource requirements such as land, power generating sources and green pathways. IMDA is working with the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) to update the Green Mark scheme for DCs, with this new standard for tropical DCs.

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

SUSTAINABILITY

Achieving decarbonisation goals Mr Kunihiko Seki, Managing Director Mitsubishi Electric Asia, explains the various efforts made by the company to achieve its sustainability targets, address social challenges, as well as assist other organisations in their journey towards net-zero. The Singapore Engineer (TSE): Please provide a brief overview of Mitsubishi Electric Asia and the company’s activities in Asia and, in particular, Singapore. Mr Kunihiko Seki (KS): Mitsubishi Electric Asia (In Singapore) is a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, a world-leading manufacturer of products, ranging from home electronics, industrial and factory automation, semiconductors and devices, public utility systems, and defence and space systems. Since incorporation as Melco Sales Singapore in 1977, we have been providing reliable, high-quality products and solutions to homes, businesses and industries across the Asia Pacific region. Mitsubishi Electric Group’s purpose is to contribute to the realisation of a vibrant and sustainable society through continuous technological innovation and ceaseless creativity.

Mitsubishi Electric Group’s Sustainability Vision. 22

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

The Group has defined its management policy as follows: In addition to achieving well-balanced corporate management from the three perspectives of ‘Growth,’ ‘Profitability & Efficiency,’ and ‘Soundness,’ our fundamental principle is to address social challenges through our businesses and positions the realisation of sustainability as the cornerstone of our management. From this approach, we will pursue a sustained enhancement of our corporate value and fulfill our responsibility to society, to our customers, shareholders and employees, and to all other stakeholders. With the above, the Corporate Strategy was developed, which seeks to transform the Group into a ‘Circular Digital-Engineering’ company that provides evolved, integrated solutions, thereby contributing to solving various social issues.

Mr Kunihiko Seki

TSE: Could you elaborate on the Corporate Strategies, in terms of Sustainability Management and Circular Digital-Engineering? KS: In terms of sustainability, the Mitsubishi Electric Group believes it is essential to strengthen innovation and our business foundation to achieve sustainable growth. Formulated in 2022, our Sustainability Vision is ‘Creating Harmony with People and the Planet’. By 2050, we aim to become ‘a Sustainable Society Full of Prosperity’. Mitsubishi Electric Group believes that such a society makes our stakeholders, business partners, customers and employees, feel happy. Backcasting from our goals for 2050, we aim to address five social challenge areas, with the aim of achieving the following goals: • Carbon neutrality: A decarbonised society with fewer CO₂

SUSTAINABILITY

emissions from our company and society itself, and with mitigations against climate change. • Circular economy: A society that effectively uses and sustainably circulates resources. • Safety and Security: A resilient society that can respond to various environmental changes and risks. • Inclusion: A society in which all kinds of people are respected and anyone can live freely, fairly and in a lively manner. • Well-being: Comfortable lives and physical and mental well-being for each and every individual. Carbon neutrality is one area where we can demonstrate our strengths, by accelerating initiatives in terms of both ‘responsibility’ and ‘contribution’. For ‘responsibility’, the Group has pledged to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions in our entire value chain by March 2051, and zero greenhouse gas emissions from our factories and offices by March 2031. For ‘contribution’, we aim to create and expand businesses that contribute to all of society realising carbon neutrality.

This will enable us to further enhance our core components, field knowledge and advanced digital technologies, through open innovation and utilisation of accumulated data insights, to provide high added-value solutions to address the increasing complex social and business challenges, in a timely manner. TSE: What are some of the energy-saving and carbon-neutral technologies that Mitsubishi Electric Asia has to offer, for the building and industrial sectors? KS: Mitsubishi Electric considers contributing to carbon neutrality

our major mission and will utilise the technological capabilities across our business units and value chain to solve environmental issues. We provide carbon neutral solutions, by not only offering our equipment and product lineup that efficiently use energy but also by supporting continuous improvement activities through utilisation of IoT platforms and applications for data management (data collection, visualisation, analysis and diagnosis). Data management is indispensable for continuous reduction of CO2 emissions.

Solving social challenges through Circular Digital-Engineering.

As for the other four areas, we aim to realise a scenario in which we not only ‘contribute’ to realising a sustainable society through our businesses, but also work to solve issues as part of our ‘responsibility’ for realising a sustainable society, and apply the knowledge and good practices obtained in this process to our businesses. In order to become a ‘Circular Digital-Engineering’ company that continuously creates value, we shall integrate our strong components with the power of digital technology. For many years, Mitsubishi Electric has taken pride in offering highly competitive components and devices. To accelerate our efforts to solve social challenges, we will now promote open innovation, by building a company-wide digital space to consolidate and analyse various data and knowledge, and to share and utilise the results throughout our Group.

Driving carbon neutrality through high-efficiency equipment and data-driven continuous improvement. THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

SUSTAINABILITY

For the built environment and production shop floors, our data management platform collects all information related to energy and production (for shop floors) and then through the visualisation, analysis and diagnosis of the collected data, we can support further operational improvements in the overall activity. GENESIS64 SCADA is a solution within our portfolio of technologies, that we wish to highlight. The solution can help to reduce energy consumption and achieve carbon-neutrality goals. It is a highly scalable software used to visualise real-time energy at all levels, from individual workplaces and social infrastructures to the entire factory. In addition to presenting the amount of power and gas consumed, by using optional add-on products, it is also possible to calculate the CO2 emissions produced per unit, which can then be used as an index for continuous improvement activities. GENESIS64 has user-friendly features, including a drag-and-drop design as well as low-code development and no-code development capabilities. These features empower users to rapidly create, customise and deploy SCADA applications without extensive coding, thereby fostering flexibility, user empowerment, cost savings and agility in adapting to evolving operational needs. In homes, our R32 Starmex Series residential air conditioning systems are known to cool spaces and provide maximum comfort, by enhancing the air quality through PM 2.5 filters and a nano filtration system. On the environmental front, this series uses a more climate-friendly R32 refrigerant, that achieves the highest 5-tick energy efficiency label under the National Environment Agency (NEA) standards, with low Global Warming Potential (GWP) as well as zero Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP). The R32 is easier to recycle and uses around 20% less refrigerant than its predecessor, thus helping to lower energy bills and reduce carbon emissions. Aligned with Singapore’s Green Plan 2030 and Mitsubishi Electric 24

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

Group’s Environment Sustainability Vision 2050, we will continue to advance our core components and co-create, together with all stakeholders, integrated smart solutions that promote excellent energy efficiency and sustainability, in their application in homes, businesses and industrial environments. TSE: Please highlight the benefits that industries can expect, from the recently announced partnership between Mitsubishi Electric Asia and Evercomm. KS: On 7 September 2023, our parent company, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation and Evercomm Singapore Pte Ltd jointly announced that they have entered into a cooperative agreement to develop and market solutions that support carbon neutrality in the manufacturing sector. As part of the agreement, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation will take an equity stake in Evercomm, to solidify the ties between the two companies. Evercomm is a company that helps businesses and communities pursue emissions reduction. Through the collaboration, the two companies will contribute to the realisation of carbon neutrality for their customers, by providing solutions that incorporate Evercomm’s software and Mitsubishi Electric’s products and software. On 15 September 2023, Mitsubishi Electric Asia took this cooperative agreement a step further and held a ceremony to announce an ESG-driven partnership with Evercomm Sin-

gapore Pte Ltd, specifically with the aim of helping the Asia-Pacific manufacturing sector overcome barriers when it comes to the adoption of intelligent manufacturing initiatives that help lower carbon emissions. The plan is to harness the full potential of Mitsubishi Electric’s SCADA data by consolidating manufacturing site CO2 emissions and reduction data into Evercomm’s proprietary data simulation software, to systematically and precisely track and illuminate carbon emissions, in alignment with the GHG Protocol which establishes comprehensive global standardised frameworks to measure and manage greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Evercomm provides an ISO validated carbon accounting platform to measure, track, and report carbon emissions at the corporate level (ISO 14064-1), and for projects (ISO 14064-2), through a system that allows data verification by third-party certification organisations. Evercomm is also launching its ISO 14067 validated tool to allow calculation and management of the carbon footprint of products (CFP) at an individual product level. Evercomm will enhance decarbonisation planning support through its decarbonisation simulation software, and Mitsubishi Electric will provide optimal energy-saving equipment and energy-saving support software, to help achieve CO2 reductions and provide support for ongoing CO2 reduction activities.

Overview of the collaboration between Mitsubishi Electric and Evercomm Singapore.

PROJECT APPLICATION

Creating and managing smart and sustainable built environments Software solutions power the successful implementation of projects. Barangaroo South in Sydney Developed by Lendlease, Barangaroo South, is one of the largest urban regeneration projects in Sydney, Australia. Located on the western edge of Sydney’s Central Business District, the waterfront precinct has a mix of developments including commercial, residential and retail buildings. The developers wanted a smart FM (facility management) platform that will allow them to centralise the management of all the systems, with close to one million integration points, on a unified interface and a single pane of truth. This project started in 2014 and went live in 2016. Owned by Singapore-headquartered Eutech Cybernetics, iviva, a smart property management platform, was able to integrate all the IoT systems onto Lendlease’s property manager, a platform tailored for managing this precinct, through the performance of functions including alarm management, incident management, asset management, and even carpark management and visitor management. Lendlease wanted to give the tenants these digital services which could be accessed on the estate’s management platform.

Smart building solution for a mixed development in Singapore Developed by Lendlease, Paya Lebar Quarter (PLQ) is a Green Mark Platinum-rated mixed development comprising three commercial towers, a retail mall and three residential blocks. PLQ is operated through a single Open Building System Integration (OBSI) platform, integrated with 3D BIM models to create a ‘digital twin’ of each building and the precinct.

iviva enables data integration and visualisation as well as the provision of relevant information to different stakeholders in the built environment.

The digital twin, created using iviva, serves as an intelligent interface to the physical twin for smart operations and maintenance. In the digital twin, there are modules that track the behaviour of all the equipment, on a regular basis, enabling detection and diagnosis of defects, and facilitating predictive maintenance. OBSI serves multiple stakeholders including tenants, building and facility management teams, engineering and commissioning teams and contractors. Building and facility management teams will use OBSI for their day-to-day operations.

Eutech Cybernetics and iviva Eutech Cybernetics has over 20 years of experience in developing and implementing smart technology for workplaces, buildings and cities. The company currently has projects across 15 countries, and 300 million ft2 of space is managed by its iviva software. iviva is a collection of applications and a platform, Lucy. It can integrate with building systems,

business systems, IT systems and IoT systems. iviva’s platform is scalable, enabling it to serve a single building to an entire city. Currently, the software is deployed in projects for seven smart precincts and smart cities. iviva brings smart facility management (FM), smart workplace management and sustainability into a single composable platform to make organisations future-ready through effective yet affordable means. Through autonomous operations and maintenance, iviva changes the way smart buildings are designed, constructed, operated and/or upgraded, resulting in considerable improvement in productivity, quality and operational performance, at a significantly reduced cost. In particular, it can help to efficiently digitalise the business processes. A unique feature of iviva is that all its applications and the platform revolves around the concept of ‘composability’ which was coined and popularised by Gartner as ‘creating a solution by assembling pre-built components’. THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

CYBERSECURITY

Addressing cyber threats in the industrial sector Ms Jess Ng, Country Manager, Singapore and Brunei, Fortinet, points to the seriousness of the challenges and presents some of the approaches to overcome them. The Singapore Engineer (TSE): What are the main challenges for industries in terms of cyber threats? Jess Ng (JN): The industrial sector has been making gradual improvements in operational technology (OT) security, but significant challenges persist. One major hurdle is the widespread lack of awareness about the realities of OT security. According to a recent Fortinet survey, more than two-thirds of organisations in the Asia Pacific region lack a mature OT security posture. The survey also revealed that 97% of organisations in Singapore consider OT to be a moderate or significant factor in their overall security risk. Furthermore, the survey highlighted the issue of organisations struggling to centralise visibility over the full scope of OT activities. Only 12% of respondents in Singapore claimed they were able to achieve this, and just 52% of Singaporean companies surveyed could monitor all OT activities from their security operations centre (SOC). In addition, many organisations in the Asia Pacific region have cited inconsistent ownership of OT security as a significant bottleneck, with only 4% stating that the chief information security officer (CISO) held responsibility for OT security. TSE: Why do cyber attackers target the industrial sector and what are the common ways in which they do so? JN: The industrial sector has become a prime target for cyber attackers due to the ongoing digital transformation and the convergence of operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT). This convergence has, on the 26

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

one hand, improved productivity, efficiency, responsiveness and profitability. However, it has also exposed cyber-physical systems in OT environments, making it an attractive target for economic gain, sabotage, espionage and cyber warfare. Common methods used include phishing, malware, exploitation of vulnerabilities, social engineering, supply chain attacks, insider threats, zero-day exploits and ransomware. To defend against cyber threats in the industrial sector, it is crucial to adopt robust cybersecurity practices. This includes regularly updating and patching systems, providing comprehensive employee training, implementing network segmentation, deploying intrusion detection systems, enforcing access controls and encrypting sensitive data. Additionally, having a well-prepared incident response plan is essential. This plan should cover preparation, early detection, containment, communication, recovery and post-incident analysis, ensuring legal and regulatory compliance throughout. Regular testing and updates of these measures are vital to staying ahead of evolving threats. These combined efforts help minimise risks, mitigate the impact of breaches and facilitate a swift recovery, while safeguarding critical operations and reputation. TSE: How can cyber attackers targeting the Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and OT sector endanger human lives? JN: Critical infrastructure plays a crucial role in providing communities with essential services such as drinking water, electricity and

Ms Jess Ng

communications. It also supports high-value industries, including the chemical, emergency services, healthcare, information technology and transportation sectors. Attacks targeting OT pose a significant risk to society by disrupting these essential services. For instance, a disruption in the water supply could lead to a public health crisis. Similarly, a cyberattack on the electric grid could result in widespread power outages, disrupting the economy, daily life and national security. Moreover, malicious actors can target ICS or OT during climate disasters to further hamper emergency response efforts and increase casualties. TSE: Could you explain the concept of deception technology? How can industrial organisations adopt deception technology to protect their assets? JN: Deception technology revolves around misdirection and is a strategy that leverages technology to divert cybercriminals away from an organisation’s actual assets and towards decoy or trap resources. By mimicking legitimate servers, applications and data, the decoy lures threat actors into believing they have breached an organisation’s defences and accessed critical assets. In reality, the attackers are directed away from the genuine assets. This approach can be highly effective, particularly in the case of suspected breaches. Deception technology also utilises research to analyse how cybercriminals breach security perimeters and attempt to access what they believe is legitimate data. This empowers security analysts to study attacker behaviour in depth and en-

CYBERSECURITY

hance security measures to prevent similar attacks in the future. TSE: What are the pros and cons of deploying deception technology in OT? JN: Deception technology reduces the dwell time of attackers on a network. If an intrusion is detected early, attackers are aware that they will likely be discovered soon, prompting them to exit. Additionally, if attackers realise they are being directed towards decoy assets, they may choose to leave, to avoid wasting time. Deception technology accelerates threat detection and response, as IT teams focus on tracking malicious behaviour on decoy assets, leading to faster action. It also mitigates the risk of overwhelming security teams with alerts, with additional alerts aimed at understanding malicious behaviour and tracking attackers’ activities. However, deception technology

requires adaptation to modern conditions. Cutting-edge deception technology is necessary to provide active defence, combining historical deception technology with ease of use, automation and actionable intelligence. This is especially crucial for organisations with limited security staff and skills, as well as those integrating IT and OT. TSE: What is Fortinet’s advice to helping organisations build cybersecurity resilience across industrial organisations? JN: Firstly, organisations should consolidate their OT cybersecurity strategy by adopting a platform that leverages integrated and automated cybersecurity. This not only ensures the consistency of security policies across the converging IT/ OT landscape but also harnesses the power of AI and automation to identify and respond to threats in real time. When selecting cybersecurity vendors, organisations should prioritise

those with a comprehensive portfolio of solutions. These solutions should not only cover fundamental aspects like asset inventory and segmentation but also incorporate advanced AI-driven features, such as predictive threat analysis which is vital in today’s dynamic threat landscape. Furthermore, the need to secure a multitude of endpoints, including ICS, IoT devices, and BYOD (bring your own device) arrangements, underscores the importance of deploying AI-driven threat detection and response capabilities that can adapt to the evolving nature of attacks. Fortinet emphasises that the incorporation of AI and automation is key to bolstering cybersecurity resilience in the industrial sector. By embracing these technologies, organisations can proactively defend against emerging threats and safeguard critical infrastructure effectively.

Validating Fortinet’s hyperscale DDoS defence capabilities Keysight Technologies Inc has announced that Fortinet chose the Keysight APS-M8400 network cybersecurity test platform to validate the hyperscale distributed denial of service (DDoS) defence capabilities and carrier-grade performance of its FortiGate 4800F next generation firewall (NGFW). The APS-M8400 is the industry’s first and highest density 8-port 400GE Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable Double Density (QSFP-DD) network security test platform. Carrier networks, data centre operators and service providers are facing exponential growth in cyber attacks, including DDoS attacks which have increased by 40% in the last six months. The scope and scale of these DDoS attacks are also increasing, as evidenced by the recent, record-breaking Rapid Reset attack which peaked at 398 million requests per second (RPS).

Using the Keysight APS-M8400, Fortinet validated the cybersecurity capabilities of the FortiGate 4800F NGFW.

Fortinet developed the FortiGate 4800F NGFW which is powered by 16 NP7 network processors, to help carriers, data centre operators and service providers protect their critical network infrastructure and services from hyperscale DDoS attacks and other cybersecurity threats while continuing to process multi-terabit volumes

of legitimate customer traffic driven by the growing adoption of 400GE. Needing an application and security test solution powerful enough to validate the carrier-grade performance and security capabilities of the FortiGate 4800F NGFW, prior to deploying in a live customer network, Fortinet turned to Keysight's APS-M8400.

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

ROBOTICS

A smart and lean pick-and-place solution with hyperparameter and data processing optimisation by Elven Kim, Newcastle University/Republic Polytechnic, Singapore; and Chong Jun Jie, Choong Zi Jie and Michael Lau, Newcastle University, Singapore The authors propose a new technique for object detection in an embedded system, using SSD Mobilenet V2 FPN Lite, with optimisation of hyperparameters and image properties. This article is based on a paper presented at the WORLD ENGINEERS SUMMIT 2023 which was held from 8 to 10 November 2023, in Singapore. INTRODUCTION One of the current trends in advanced manufacturing is to employ Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve the pick-and-place process. The use of Convolutional Neutral Networks (CNNs) and object detection is becoming increasingly important in pick-and-place operations. Light-weight models such as SSD Mobilenet V2 FPN Lite [1] are necessary where hardware limitations exist, particularly in lowcost embedded systems such as Raspberry Pi [2]. As the Raspberry Pi is powered by a micro-USB power supply, it is extremely energy-efficient, and the hardware usually lasts a long time if it is taken care of properly. This article describes a new technique for hyperparameter and data processing optimisation using the SSD model. Figure 1 depicts the project setup of a pick-and-place operation using a deep learning model. The Raspberry Pi 4B uses the webcam and SSD MobileNet V2 FPN320-Lite to recognise objects in real time. A bounding box with the detection score is drawn when an object is detected. Using this bounding box, a command is sent to control the robot arm to perform the pick-and-place operation. To train the ‘pick and place’ robot to handle novel objects, the project uses a custom dataset of yellow cylinder, yellow cube, blue cylinder, blue cube, red cylinder and red cube. To increase the 28

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

Figure 1: Setup of the machine-vision-assisted pick-and-place solution.

10,000 steps

Aspect Ratio 320 x 320 pixels

416 x 416 pixels

512 x 512 pixels

Overall mAP

34.97%

40.11%

36.81%

Increment over COCO2017 dataset of 22.2%

+12.77%

+17.91%

+14.61%

Table 1: mean Average Precision with 10000 training steps.

mean Average Precision (mAP)

Enhanced 1.0 (control group)

Enhanced 1.5

Enhanced 2.5

Enhanced 3.5

Overall mAP

34.97

41.56

41.89

42.03

Increment over control group

+6.59%

+6.92%

+7.06%

Table 2: mean Average Precision with enhanced saturation level.

number of images, two augmentation processes are executed – flip horizontal and vertical, as well as rotation by ±15°. Table 1 shows the mean Average Precision (mAP) of the respective aspect ratios with 10,000 training

steps. We observe that the highest overall mAP is for an aspect ratio of 416 x 416 pixels, with an almost 18% increase over the COCO2017 benchmark of 22.2%. Hence the 416 x 416 pixels aspect ratio is chosen to increase the model’s

ROBOTICS

accuracy, keeping other hyperparameters such as Momentum Optimiser and Warm-up Learning rate unchanged. The second technique to raise the Tensorflow Lite model’s accuracy is to use datasets with increased RGB saturation. Python PIL library is used to enhance the RGB saturation. The control group (Enhanced 1) is the original image with no saturation added. Table 2 shows that Enhanced 3.5 has the biggest gain in mAP when compared to the control group with Enhanced 1.0. It has more than 7% increase over the COCO2017 benchmark. To conclude, we presented a systematic method to determine the optimum aspect ratio and showed that out of three aspect ratios, the aspect ratio of 416 x 416 pixels has the highest mAP for 10,000 steps. We observed that the mAP of SSD MobileNet V2 FPN320-Lite increased as much as 7% by adding Enhanced saturation of 3.5. As such, this project achieves the goal of improving model accuracy and sustainability of a smart pick-andplace system, with the use of a Raspberry Pi, a light-weight environment-friendly device.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The authors would like to thank Republic Polytechnic, Singapore for providing the use-case of the pickand-place station in the Automation Control and Technology (ACT) Lab at the Republic Polytechnic Industry Centre. REFERENCES [1] Sandler, Mark et al: ‘Mobilenetv2: Inverted residuals and linear bottlenecks’. Proceedings of the IEEE Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, 2018. [2] A F Nurfirdausi, S Soekirno and S Aminah: ‘Implementation of Single Shot Detector (SSD) MobileNet V2 on Disabled Patient’s Hand Gesture Recognition as a Notification System’, 2021 International Conference on Advanced Computer Science and Information Systems (ICACSIS). [3] https://www.tensorflow.org/lite/ performance/post_training_quantization, last accessed on 18 Nov 2023.

Growth in industrial robot installations The World Robotics 2023 Report recorded 553,052 industrial robot installations in factories around the world – a growth rate of 5% in 2022, year-on-year. By region, 73% of all newly deployed robots were installed in Asia, 15% in Europe and 10% in the Americas. “The world record of 500,000 units was exceeded for the second year in succession. In 2023, the industrial robot market is expected to grow by 7% to more than 590,000 units worldwide,” said Marina Bill, President of the International Federation of Robotics. Asia China is the world’s largest market. In 2022, annual installations of 290,258 units replaced the previous record of 2021 by a growth of 5%. This latest gain even tops the 2021 result that was a 57% jump compared to 2020. To serve this dynamic market, domestic and international robot suppliers have established production plants in China and continuously increased capacity. On average, annual robot installations have grown by 13% each year (2017-2022). Robot installations in Japan were up by 9% to 50,413 units, exceeding the pre-pandemic level of 49,908 units in 2019. The peak level remains at 55,240 units in 2018. The country ranks second to China in market size for industrial robots. Annual installations gained 2% on average per year (2017-2022). Japan is the world’s predominant robot manufacturing country, with a market share of 46% of the global robot production. The market in the Republic of Korea rose by 1% – installations reached 31,716 units in

2022. The Republic of Korea remains the fourth largest robot market in the world, following China, Japan and the United States. Europe The European Union remains, by region, the world’s second largest market in 2022. Germany is one of the top five adopters worldwide, with a market share of 36% within the EU. Germany´s installations went down by 1% to 25,636 units. Italy follows with a market share of 16% within the EU – installations grew by 8% to 11,475 units. The third largest EU market, France, recorded a regional market share of 10% and gained 13%, installing 7,380 units in 2022. In the post-Brexit United Kingdom, industrial robot installations were up by 3% to 2,534 units in 2022. The Americas In the Americas, installations were up 8% to 56,053 units in 2022, surpassing the 2018 peak level (55,212 units). The United States, the largest regional market, accounted for 71% of the installations in the Americas in 2022. Robot installations were up by 10% to 39,576 units. This was just short of the peak level of 40,373 units achieved in 2018. The main growth driver was the automotive industry. The two other major markets are Mexico, where installations grew by 13% (6,000 units), and Canada, where demand dropped by 24% (3,223 units). Future outlook The overall long-term growth trend will continue. The mark of 600,000 units installed per year worldwide is expected to be reached in 2024.

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

ROBOTICS

Four predictions for 2024 by Anders Billesø Beck, Vice President of Strategy and Innovation, Universal Robots What 2024 has in store for the world of robotics and automation. 2023 was an exciting year for innovation. The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, such as generative AI, captured global attention and dominated headlines. However, the adoption of generative AI for businesses is still very much in its early stages and questions around how best to harness this technology remain at the forefront of many minds. Digital transformation is an ongoing process so we can expect to see the breakthrough trends continuing to shape society in the new year. But how will these trends impact robotics and automation and what can the manufacturing industry expect to see in 2024? • AI will set a new pace of development in robotics and automation AI is transforming the world of software development, making it cheaper, faster and more effective. Software is a key component of automation, and with AI, software developers will be able to create more customised and optimised solutions for various tasks and challenges. If software development has sometimes felt like digging with a shovel, the introduction of AI is like bringing two horses and a plough to the process. However, automation expertise will remain a scarce and valuable resource in the process of AI revolutionising manufacturing. It has been interesting and perhaps surprising to see AI changing the lives of office workers before it touches working practices in most factories. I look forward to seeing the benefits of machine learning reach more manufacturers in 2024. After all, the technology is already there – we have many partners developing applications using AI to allow our robots to perform more 30

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

complex and diverse functions. For example, AI allows robots to have human-like perception, handle variation, move parts precisely, adapt to changing environments and learn from their own experience. With time, these capabilities will lead to unprecedented flexibility, quality and reliability in manufacturing. • Developments in robotics software will enable more sharing and reuse Robotics software is the glue that binds users to their mechanical counterparts – a digital connectivity that transcends physical interaction. Software developments are enabling a new dimension of collaboration – connecting the people that use robots. 2024 will see software developments leading to new levels of sharing and reusability. Imagine a world where, instead of reinventing the wheel, we leverage existing software assets – components, interfaces, algorithms – across multiple applications. It is a principle that already underpins our UR+ partner ecosystem, streamlining innovation and reducing time-tomarket. I cannot wait to see this evolve in 2024. • Companies will fuse IT and OT using data to improve operations The future of manufacturing is intricately linked to IT/OT integration, as data will underpin innovation and efficiency. Research shows that the manufacturing industry has been at the forefront of adopting cloudbased software services and we are already seeing some customers use these to enhance quality, cost efficiency and predictability. That makes me confident that 2024 will see the growth of data-driven logis-

Anders Billesø Beck

tics and manufacturing systems. Many still have an outdated view of the cloud as being merely a data collector and backup function, as we know it from our private lives. But the real potential and power does not lie in storing data or even in linking machines. The real transformative leap comes when cloud-based software services connect humans and machines and thus help manufacturers simplify complex processes and make smarter decisions. The benefits of this digital evolution are significant. Remote access to manufacturing data enables quick responses to issues and continuous automation improvement. With dynamic systems now essential, trusted cloud technologies offer the latest in security and state-of-the-art services. Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT) companies highlight this progression, promising improved efficiency and reduced downtime through Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) visualisation and predictive maintenance. In 2024, manufacturers stand to gain from these advancements, achieving higher quality, reduced downtime, better predictability and cost optimisation. This transition is a strategic necessity, supporting the shift towards high-volume, high-mix production; resilient supply chains; competitive data utilisation; and achievement of sustainability goals. • Logistics will be a focus area for robotics Earlier this year, Interact Analysis looked at projected growth rates in robot shipments across industries. The stand-out projected growth area? It is logistics, where Interact Analysis put the projected CAGR

ROBOTICS

for collaborative robot (cobot) shipments at 46% for 2023-2027. I am not surprised as the market for non-industrial applications is growing fast. Like manufacturing, many logistics companies face serious labour shortages while pressure is increasing as a result of globalisation, e-commerce and complex multichannel supply chains. More logistics, warehouse and distribution centres will turn to automation to provide services faster and with greater accuracy. To take an example, facing the challenge of surging e-commerce demands, one logistics company we worked with revolutionised its fulfilment centre with collaborative robots, resulting in a 500% surge in efficiency and order accuracy. The automation system, adept at processing thousands of orders daily, particularly excelled during peak periods, like Black Friday, where a

Developments in automation and robotics will impact the manufacturing and logistics sectors.

robot managed up to 4,400 orders in one day with just a small crew for replenishment. Robots and the smart use of data are poised to revolutionise logistics businesses across the whole value

chain, from incoming packages to outbound logistics. The pace of development in robotics remains impressive. I look forward with great anticipation to another exciting year of progress.

Universal Robots doubles UR20 cobot production Universal Robots, a global leader in collaborative robotics, recently announced that high demand for its new UR20 cobot has led the company to accelerate production timelines. The cobot has quickly become a preferred choice for manufacturers seeking a long-reach, heavy-payload product, prompting the company to double production capacity to meet customer needs.

the impact this cobot is having on the industry,” said Bryan Bird, President of Americas at Universal Robots. The cobot’s success is underscored by the experiences of prominent companies in the US, such as Bob’s Red Mill which has already integrated the UR20 into manufacturing processes. Bob’s Red Mill, a whole grain

manufacturer, looked for many years to use collaborative robots for palletising tasks but had not found a solution meeting the speed, payload or reach requirements, until the release of the UR20. The new, larger cobot from Universal Robots now successfully meets required cycle times, freeing up four operators, while helping to propel company growth.

The UR20 is the first in Universal Robots next generation of industrial cobots designed to increase performance, while embracing the UR hallmarks of versatility, usability and small footprints. With a 1750 mm reach and 20 kg payload capacity, the next-generation cobot handles more tasks, fits more applications and assists in more environments, than before. “The rapid adoption by manufacturers speaks volumes about

Bob’s Red Mill is one of many businesses now deploying Universal Robots’ new larger cobot on production lines.

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

Enabling Singapore’s manufacturing industry to remain resilient and competitive David Irecki, Director of Solutions Consulting, APJ, Boomi, highlights the benefits of automation and the emerging trends. The Singapore Engineer (TSE): How does automation improve the ability to ease the pressures caused by manufacturing disruptions? David Irecki (DI): In the third quarter of 2023, Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry revealed that the manufacturing sector shrank by 4.6% year-on-year. Given the current disruptions which have the capacity to result in adverse effects like shortages, production bottlenecks and delayed deliveries, among others, the adoption of automation becomes crucial for maintaining elevated productivity through streamlined and efficient workflows. Manufacturers have already implemented technologies such as robotics and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) to minimise production defects and enhance the efficiency of human labour on assembly lines. Some companies have gone further, by using intelligent integration platforms to modernise legacy integrations, enhancing agility in the face of disruption. For example, a leading Asian distribution company, involved in sectors like motor, healthcare, food, electrical, and consumer goods, and with a workforce of over 16,000 employees spread across 13 Asian economies, transformed its overall IT architecture by breaking down data silos, connecting diverse business units and strengthening service delivery, to stimulate further growth. The implementation of the integration platform enabled the company to swiftly and efficiently extract data for reporting, thereby providing a unified view that empowered 32

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

impactful decision-making, from internal teams to external suppliers. TSE: What are the challenges faced by organisations in terms of adopting automation in the manufacturing industry? DI: Organisations in the manufacturing industry face several challenges when it comes to adopting automation. Many have significant investments in legacy systems, making it financially impractical to discard them entirely. To address this, manufacturers need to modernise how they use these legacy systems, a crucial step to prepare the organisation for future use of AI technologies. McKinsey highlights that AI adoption could decrease inventory carrying costs by 20% and reduce stockouts by half. As organisations incorporate new technologies, it is essential to consider modern tools that seamlessly interface with existing systems. Simultaneously, upgrading these systems with new capabilities is critical, especially considering that new tech deployment introduces new data sources. Effective management of these data sources is vital for maintaining trusted, high-quality data. The dynamic nature of manufacturing conditions poses a challenge, by obscuring visibility over supply chains. This complicates efforts to ensure transparency and coordination between external and internal systems, hindering the ability to anticipate and mitigate potential disruptions. Overcoming these challenges requires real-time, endto-end visibility throughout the entire manufacturing process. Automation, coupled with artificial

David Irecki

intelligence (AI) and low-code/ no-code technologies, enables the synchronisation of legacy operations with new deployments. This synchronisation provides businesses with immediate insights, simplifying workflows, improving service delivery and accelerating time-to-market with fewer resources. Additionally, it creates room for innovation and effective problem-solving, making legacy-based work more rewarding. TSE: What are the benefits of automation for manufacturing organisations? DI: Automation provides organisations with a competitive advantage across various dimensions. Real-time visibility is a key advantage, allowing instant collaboration with suppliers and active product tracking. By gaining real-time visibility across the entire supply chain ecosystem, organisations can identify problems in material procurement and product shipping, faster, enabling quicker resolution and meeting customer expectations through automated workflows that foster closer collaboration with suppliers and partners. Automation ensures real-time data accessibility throughout the manufacturing process. This empowers organisations to react swiftly to issues and changing needs by providing continuous visibility. The connectivity to assets and resources feeds business dashboards with accurate, real-time data for informed decision-making. Unifying legacy and modern cloudbased systems eliminates data silos, optimising operations and taking advantage of the agility and precision offered by rapid advances

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

in manufacturing technology and processes. An event-driven architecture allows organisations to detect and react quickly to triggering actions or patterns. Connecting all critical systems ensures that the right people always have access to the data they need, tapping into partner systems seamlessly for data to inform detailed analysis and orchestrate complex processes. TSE: What are the upcoming trends for automation in Asia, in 2024? DI: For one, we can expect the momentum from Industry 4.0 to drive data democratisation – particularly as successful business outcomes increasingly hinge on allowing non-specialists to easily access data faster. According to an analyst report, the global smart manufacturing market is on track to reach USD 228.3 billion by 2027. The report indicates that the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies in manufacturing is being propelled by various factors, including the drive for industrial automation, growing intricacies in the supply chain, and the presence of technologies that can enhance operational

efficiency. This study also reveals that the APAC region is anticipated to dominate the global market share between now and 2027, primarily due to initiatives by the respective governments to digitise manufacturing processes. This will be coupled by the democratisation of AI tools and platforms as a means of democratising innovation, especially for organisations grappling with understaffed teams, so that they can improve the speed and accuracy of decision-making, predict equipment failures, and maximise the value of data. At the same time, the early indicators show that organisations are not forgetting the importance of reskilling and upskilling, while also leveraging low-code technologies to innovate faster, in spite of talent shortages. In 2024, organisations in the region will also have to grapple with delivering data insights at the point of capture. This requires significant investment in metadata and its management – otherwise data swamps will continue to force data scientists to struggle with extracting business value from data lakes. AI will also play a major role here,

enabling businesses to act faster than before. Another trend to keep an eye out for is the rise of the ‘prompt engineer’. The convergence of data management, data analytics and AI, is fuelling the transition from traditional ecosystems and deployments to those augmented with AI. Thus, the new year will give prominence to specialists who structure data so that it is digestible for AI. Organisations are looking to ensure that they have the right infrastructure, people and procedures, in place, to seamlessly integrate AI into core business operations. Meanwhile, expect automation to be leveraged to monetise data by increasing efficiency in core value chains such as research and development, engineering, plant floor operations, as well as service and support. We are also seeing organisations that are at the front of the queue utilising AI-powered automation to pivot away from traditional data monetisation strategies. This will likely also have a major impact on product development decisions amidst rising customer expectations.

Further accelerating integration and automation Boomi, an intelligent connectivity and automation leader, recently announced the availability of Boomi GPT, the first offering in the Boomi AI suite, that brings a simple, conversational experience. With Boomi GPT, organisations can harness the power of generative AI to integrate and automate faster than ever before, further democratising innovation and accelerating business outcomes. In every industry, companies are under intense pressure to innovate faster and achieve their boldest business ambitions. IT organisations have made massive investments in IT modernisation and digital transformation, aiming to increase operational efficiencies while winning the

hearts of customers. Learning from 200+ million integrations, Boomi GPT translates words into action, to quickly connect applications, data, processes, people and devices. Customers can use Boomi GPT’s natural language prompt to ask Boomi AI to build integrations, APIs, or master data models. Acting as a knowledgeable assistant or ‘copilot’, Boomi GPT then designs an outline of the requested integration or other software, which users can accept or modify, greatly accelerating the work of building connections and automation to drive business results. Earlier in the year, Boomi had announced the release of Boomi AI, a suite of AI-powered capabil-

ities, designed to help organisations apply the power of AI to make unprecedented progress on their strategic initiatives. Building on that vision of AI-powered development, and applying AI learning that resembles users’ thought processes, Boomi GPT brings the power of AI to the important and often time-consuming work of building the connections digital businesses depend on. “We are thrilled to launch Boomi GPT, the first feature in the Boomi AI suite, that will help organisations move with the speed and acumen necessary for success in today’s hypercompetitive markets,” said Ed Macosky, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Boomi. THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

Making the most of your machine tool set-up by Blasius Reschreiter, Global Manager, Machine Tool Solutions, Sandvik Coromant The first of a new article series explains how tool shop owners can make the most out of their machines through improved equipment utilisation, quick change tooling and modular solutions. “The pace of change has never been this fast, yet it will never be this slow again.” This popular quote is often brought up when speaking about today’s fast-paced technological developments. Industry 4.0 is paving the way for transformation in manufacturing, with ground-breaking innovations which, in turn, bring opportunities to develop workshops and aim for higher revenues. However, investing in new technology is not the only way to optimise a machine tool set-up. In light of recent technological advances, investing in forefront technologies can at first hand appear like a given strategy to conduct a successful business. However, markets are fluctuating. To continually strive for the latest, most high-tech solutions might not be the natural way to go forward in uncertain times. The ability to adapt production to current and future demands in a flexible way is crucial for surviving in today’s economy. Here, we take a closer look at flexible approaches to workshop machinery.

MAXIMISING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE EXISTING SET-UP

dle a temporary market downturn, a key consideration should be to investigate your current workshop, to make use of existing machines and existing capacity, preferably without dramatically increasing overhead costs. Another consideration is productivity. Often, we put our focus on achieving maximum metal cutting efficiency. Metal removal rate is one way of measuring efficiency when producing parts. However, what can be an even more important aspect to consider is machine utilisation. In an average machine shop, only 50% of a machine’s in-use time is used for machining. Breakdowns, changeovers and maintenance consume the remaining 50%.

MACHINE UTILISATION Increasing machine utilisation is a cost-effective way to boost productivity. Machine utilisation is the machine time actually used to produce components, expressed as a percentage of the total machine time available. Pushing up active machining time by only a few percentage points makes a big difference.

Machine tool and cutting tool development is rapidly progressing. However, this can involve considerable investments, requiring time, capital and somewhat secure predictions for future demands. If the market situation and business forecasts are unsure, major investments might not be an option.

Increased machine utilisation can be attained by working actively with typical time-killers often appearing in a common workshop, related to areas such as batch setup, measuring the component in the machine, tool setting, coolant pipe setting, changing worn tools, chip removal around tools and workpieces or blocked conveyors, and component change-over.

When your primary goal is to stay in cost reduction mode and to han-

Two key approaches to overcome this type of challenge are to work

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

Blasius Reschreiter

with quick change tooling and with modular systems. By applying quick change and modular solutions, machine utilisation can be greatly increased. Quick change tooling A quick-change solution can reduce time spent on measuring, set-up and tool change, allowing for dramatically improved machine utilisation. Through-coolant delivery helps to further maximise productivity. There are several benefits with quick change that support keeping the green light on, including reducing batch changeover time. Changing time from one style of tool to another is dramatically reduced using quick change. Up to 10 minutes can be saved in one typical turning operation. Increasing the number of tool positions with double tool holders can also help. Turning centres with driven tool holders often have limited space. Using double clamping units allows either sister tooling or an increased variety of tools, thereby reducing the tool change requirement for a wider range of components. Double clamping units can be used when the machine has a Y-axis, half turret or sub-spindle. There is also potential to reduce downtime when changing worn-out tools. Every time a solid carbide tool with a driven tool holder is changed, the tool offset needs to be re-calibrated. With indexable mills and drills, multiple inserts need to be changed. Using a sister tool and changing the cutter outside the machine is much quicker. For static tool holders, being able to remove the tool ensures improved maintenance of the tool, correct

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

mounting and no unexpected stops due to the need for spare part purchases. Eliminating the coolant pipe setting can also prove to be a time-saving exercise. When operators are setting the coolant pipe direction, it normally takes two to three attempts to get it right. Poor chip control often knocks the pipe, which means that setting is quite a regular occurrence. The speed of the production startup can also be improved. By eliminating the ‘first-test component’ or ‘measuring cuts’, scrap is reduced and the production rate increases. Over the course of a year, the use of quick change will result in significantly higher component production and reduced scrap. Besides, from a significant increase in machine utilisation, quick change also brings many benefits for the operator, such as user-friendliness and a more ergonomic working environment. For example, changing tools outside the machine reduces accidents, errors and searching for dropped parts. Modular systems Another strategy for keeping your machines running is modular solutions. A modular system offers a large variety of tool assemblies with different characteristics, decreasing the need for costly, customised tools with long delivery

times. Modular tooling helps to avoid spending on separate tools for each machine, component and feature. The benefits that modular tooling systems bring are flexibility, reduced tool inventory and multiple tooling combinations, all contributing to increased machine utilisation. The ability to maintain continuous production for a long period provides the flexibility needed to make your workshop better equipped to handle changing market conditions. Four applications where modularity has proven to be particularly valuable are: • Reaching difficult-to-access features. • Obtaining stability in vibration-prone operations. • Small or varying production. • Obtaining extra clearance when machining large components. While it is certainly true that the “pace of change has never been this fast”, various strategic approaches emerge to ensure adaptability and bolster financial gains in a continuously evolving market landscape. Enhancing machine utilisation, reducing changeover time and investigation into modular systems all contribute significantly to increasing the flexibility of machine shops.

Sandvik Coromant holds Technology Day in Indonesia To showcase support for customers in Indonesia, Sandvik Coromant held a Technology Day in November 2023. Eighty customers attended the Technology Day, from various industries including automotive, railway, manufacturing and engineering, to learn more about the latest developments in Sandvik Coromant’s tooling solutions. Held at Jababeka Golf & Country Club in Jawa Barat, Indonesia, the Technology Day showcased the latest additions in tooling solutions from Sandvik Coromant. The event began with an in-depth look into the company’s new brand identity, Manufacturing Wellness, which was launched in September 2023, and is made up of eight ‘habits’ aimed to guide the industry to a resilient future. The event also explored Sandvik Coromant’s latest tooling solutions. Presentations specifically focused on GC4405, the latest grade in its new generation steel turning series, ideal for high metal removal rates in stable conditions, especially in harder steels. Other products presented include CoroMill Dura solid end mills and the newly improved CoroCut 2 for improved parting and grooving applications. “Sandvik Coromant’s Technology Day serves as a valuable platform for fostering strong customer relationships while sharing new knowledge and trends,” said Tri Yatno, Regional Sales Manager for Indonesia at Sandvik Coromant.

Sandvik Coromant tools THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

Achieving sustainability in surface finishing through dry electropolishing With this resource-saving method, consistent, high quality finishes can be produced. The field of surface finishing is characterised by demands for higher quality with, at the same time, an increasing need for process consistency, traceability and resource efficiency. Frequently, this requires new finishing methods. With the DryLyte system, Rösler Oberflächentechnik offers a system for electropolishing metal components that must have a high quality finish. Contrary to classical electrochemical polishing methods, DryLyte is a dry process that utilises solid particles containing electrolytes. Acid baths or other process liquids are completely eliminated. Benefits of this technology are good surface finish, high geometrical consistency of the work pieces, a lower CO2 footprint and lower costs for waste disposal. The costly and complex treatment of used process liquids is completely eliminated and the finished work pieces are discharged from the system completely clean. Whether for cosmetic or functional reasons, providers of surface finishing solutions are confronted with numerous challenges. On the one side, demands for lower surface roughness values and geometrical consistency of the finished work pieces must be met whereas, on the other side, the finishing processes must be cost-efficient and eco-friendly. Issues such as energy requirements, consumption of valuable resources, generation of potentially hazardous substances and waste disposal are becoming more important. In addition, customers are demanding absolutely consistent results and processes that can be perfectly reproduced. All these requirements can be met, only partially, with manual finishing or traditional electropolishing meth36

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

ods with liquid electrolytes. With the DryLyte polishing technology, GPA Innova, a partner of Rösler Oberflächentechnik, offers a good method for finishing geometrically complex components made from conductive metals.

A sustainable and efficient technology The fully automatic DryLyte system simplifies and helps to standardise different surface finishing tasks such as deburring, surface smoothing, surface grinding, high gloss polishing and, even, post-processing of 3D printed components. Depending on the initial surface conditions und the specified finishing results, dry electropolishing can be utilised as a stand-alone process or in combination with known mass finishing, shot blasting and other pre-grinding methods. The DryLyte technology is based on the principle of electrochemical material removal from the surface of components. Instead of using liquid electrolytes, this technology uses a multitude of polymer pellets, in different sizes, containing electrolyte media that are precisely adapted to the respective finishing tasks. In contrast to the traditional electropolishing systems, no hazardous vapours are generated, that require energy-intensive exhaust systems and special protective gear for the operator. Since the material removed from the work piece surface is absorbed by the electrolyte medium, no dust or metal particles are released into the environment, as happens with manual grinding and polishing operations. High-quality, consistent processing results are achieved throughout the usable life of the electrolyte medium which has to be replaced only when it has been

saturated with the metal removed from the work piece surface. The waste disposal of the saturated electrolytes is similar to the disposal of grinding media. The saturation rate is monitored by the machine so that the operator is always up-to-date and informed about the remaining usage time. This guarantees absolutely stable and consistent finishing results and the optimal utilisation of the electrolyte. It also helps minimise the costs for labour and waste disposal. Finally, because of the efficient resource utilisation, the CO2 footprint is reduced.

Maintaining the geometrical integrity of the work pieces During the dry electropolishing process, the work pieces, mounted onto a fixture, move slowly through the dry electrolyte. This ensures complete coverage of the entire surface. If required, internal surface areas can also be finished by using special electrodes. The DryLyte method removes, primarily, the roughness peaks from the surface. Therefore, the metal removal rate is minimal and the overall process is very gentle. The finished work pieces have a highly homogeneous surface with no pressure points or an orange peel effect. Even in the case of delicate work pieces, with complex shapes, no damage in the form of scratches or breakage occurs. The targeted and ‘controlled’ processing ensures that in the case of precision components, like machining tools or tools for the pharmaceutical industry, their geometrical integrity is not affected and their edges are not radiused. In addition, the highly effective smoothing effect on the surface prevents micro cracks and pitting. This improves the corrosion resistance and fatigue

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

In contrast to the traditional electropolishing systems, the DryLyte dry electropolishing process removes only the roughness peaks from the work piece surface. Therefore, the material removal rate is very low. This ensures that the geometrical integrity of the work pieces is not affected.

The dry electropolishing technology enables reproducible and resource-saving generation of high gloss surfaces in short process times. Image: GPA Innova.

resistance characteristics and, thus, extends the usable life of the components. Compared to components treated with traditional electropolishing, dry-electropolished components corrode 4 to 15 times slower, as proven in corrosion tests in a saltwater solution containing 30 grams/litre of sodium chloride (NaCl). In the case of gear components used in mechanical systems, dry electropolishing increases the material load ratio, reduces friction and guarantees the optimal distribution of lubricants on the work piece surface. The improved surface conditions result in a lower wear rate and, at the same time, reduce the noise level. Another significant benefit of the DryLyte technology is the relatively short cycle times. Depending on the finishing application, initial surface roughness and required results, they can vary between a

few minutes and 1.5 hours. The process creates not only a smoother surface but, if needed, it can also produce a high gloss polish in one single process. For post-processing of 3D printed components with their, typically, very high surface roughness, the electropolishing operation is preceded by a mass finishing process utilising abrasive grinding media.

Easy adaptation to many finishing applications The patented dry electropolishing technology was initially developed for finishing prototype castings and dental crowns made from cobalt chrome and titanium. The dry electropolishing method from GPA Innova is used for finishing stainless steel, steel, hard metals, as well as nickel, aluminum and copper alloys, along with other conductive metals. Today the

The dry electropolishing technology can also be used for finishing lifestyle products. Image: Rösler Oberflächentechnik GmbH.

process is used whenever high finishing qualities are required in industries, such as aerospace, pharmaceutical, machine building as well as luxury and consumer goods. Because of the proven biocompatibility of the finished components, dry electropolishing is also used in medical engineering for the production of implants and instruments. Process development and definition of the process parameters for the respective finishing application take place in the customer experience centre at Rösler. For this purpose, the Customer Experience Center (CEC) is equipped with different machine types, allowing fully automatic operation. This approach guarantees that the finishing processes for the customer components are always based on precisely defined and validated parameters. THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

INDUSTRIAL SAFETY

Overcoming common misconceptions around Safety Integrity Level ratings by Gary Bradshaw, Director, Omniflex The measurements are important in determining industrial functional safety. Major industrial accidents worldwide have occurred due to insufficient and poorly designed safety systems. Safety Integrity Level (SIL) ratings were first introduced as part of IEC 61508 in 1998 and seek to quantify the probability of dangerous system failure. Functional safety, as defined by IEC 61508, is the safety that control systems provide to an industrial process or plant. Its purpose is to prevent both direct and indirect risk to human life, that could result from those industrial processes, including risk caused by damage to equipment, property or the environment. Functional safety is a focus across the industrial spectrum, from petrochemicals and tank farms to oil & gas and nuclear installations. One metric used to assess the risk of unsafe failure in industrial settings is SIL ratings which correspond to the frequency and severity of hazards. They describe the probability of failure on demand (PFD) and the performance required for a safety instrumented function (SIF) to maintain safety. The ratings go from SIL-1 up to SIL-4, and the higher the level, the higher is the associated safety and the lower is the probability that the system will fail to perform. However, the installation and maintenance costs, as well as the system complexity, typically increase along with the SIL rating. The levels are distinguished by their acceptable rate of failure. SIL-1 systems accept one failure in every ten demands, SIL-2 systems accept one failure in every 100 demands, and so on.

Bigger is not always better One misconception is that higher 38

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

SIL ratings are always superior for every application. Although SIL-4 does indeed offer the most reliability, the complexity involved with redundant back-up systems, more regular performance testing and hierarchical voting arrangements can be unwieldy and over-expensive if not necessary. The correct SIL rating is application-dependent. For example, if you can rely on a human operator to take action on an abnormal condition, such as for an alarm annunciator alert, then a SIL-1 system will suffice. Indeed, a safety loop involving a human cannot be rated above SIL-1, as systems are required to operate independently of operators for SIL-2 and upwards. While the most critical applications, such as aircraft flight systems or nuclear reactor protection, require SIL-4 protection, correct safety analysis during the design stage is vital to determine the

Gary Bradshaw

minimum acceptable SIL rating. Adhering to this recommendation will provide an adequate level of functional safety while maintaining cost effectivity.

Evaluating instrumentation Independent validation of safety instruments is an important factor for customer confidence in every industrial sector. Evaluation International (EI), a member-owned, not-for-profit organisation, offers consultation and evaluation services on electrical, control and instrumentation matters. SIL ratings have been an important metric for industrial functional safety for 25 years, but misinterpretations about their application linger on. To avoid incurring unnecessary cost and complexity, it is important for facility planners and managers to work with safety system suppliers who understand safety integrity levels.

Omniflex alarm annunciator Omniflex designs and manufactures electronic products and systems for the automation and control industry, worldwide, specialising in remote monitoring. They include remote I/O systems and products and systems for industrial networking, utilities monitoring, process automation, signal conditioning, and alarm and event management. In March 2007, Evaluation International (EI) evaluated Omniflex’s alarm annunciator unit, the Omni16C. EI found that the product passed the various functionality tests and that

the results were in accordance with Omniflex’s specifications. Reports like the one written about the Omni16C are useful for facility planners and functional safety managers, as they provide reliable information about validated and qualified instrumentation. Alarm annunciator systems are a vital layer of protection in plant safety strategy. They provide operators with early warnings of an abnormal condition, that can facilitate action before hazards take effect and enable human logic-driven intervention.

PRODUCTS & SOLUTIONS

The new SiTime Epoch Platform for precision timing SiTime Corporation, the precision timing company, recently announced the release of the SiTime Epoch Platform, designed to solve complex timing issues in electronics – thereby disrupting the 100-yearold quartz-based technology. The SiTime Epoch Platform is a MEMS-based, oven-controlled oscillator (OCXO) that delivers an ultra-stable clock to datacentre and network infrastructure equipment, unlocking a cumulative USD 2 billion Served Addressable Market (SAM) in the next decade. Over time, Epoch technology will be extended to other high-growth electronics markets, such as aerospace, defence and industrial controls. “The release of the Epoch Platform is a pivotal moment for SiTime and the electronics industry. For many years, customers lived with the shortcomings of existing timing technologies because there were no viable alternatives. SiTime’s Epoch Platform changes the game, delivering higher performance and reliability with lower power, that was unavailable until now,” said Rajesh Vashist, CEO and Chairman of SiTime. Precision timing is critical to network performance and reliability. All nodes in the network must be synchronised in time. For example, all nodes in a 5G network must always be synchronised within hundreds of nanoseconds, which is 10X more stringent than 4G. This level of synchronisation must be maintained despite network outages. By delivering up to 2X better performance, 9X smaller size and 3X lower power in applications, such as datacentre switches and routers, 5G base stations and core infrastructure, the Epoch Platform is said to improve performance and reliability. “As the world embraces next-gen technologies, like the explosion of AI, the reinvention of the cloud data centre, and high speed 5G/6G

SiTime Epoch Platform delivers 2X longer holdover and ensures reliable, continuous network operations.

cellular networks, advanced circuit and network timing solutions have become critical in ensuring performance, fault tolerance and reliability. AI is the most disruptive, transformative technology innovation in decades, perhaps even in the last century," said Dave Altavilla, Co-Founder, President and Principal Analyst at HotTech Vision & Analysis.

achieve the one thing that an OCXO delivered – a stable clock reference.

"The high bandwidth, low-latency data centre infrastructure needed to support AI will require robust precision timing for critical wired and wireless network connectivity. Furthermore, these technologies will also be deployed at the edge and in the field, where tough environmental conditions will require more ruggedness and higher reliability than ever before,” he added.

Key features of the SiTime Epoch Platform

A synchronised network relies on multiple, redundant timing sources to ensure continuous operation. One of these sources is an ultra-stable, local oscillator, typically an OCXO, which will ‘holdover’ the network and ensure continued operation when other timing sources are impacted. However, legacy quartz OCXOs are inherently unreliable and prone to performance degradation in the presence of environmental stressors such as temperature changes and vibration. To-date, electronics companies compromised on real-world performance, reliability, size, power and warm-up time, to

With the Epoch Platform, SiTime is said to break through all these limitations of quartz OCXOs. Epoch delivers 2X longer holdover, even under environmental stress, enabling telecom and cloud service providers to deliver service continuity in real-world conditions.

• Any frequency between 10 MHZ and 220 MHz, programmable up to 6 decimal places of accuracy. • 8 hours of holdover, up to 12 hours with ageing compensation – 2X better than other solutions in real-world environments. • ±1, ±3, ±5 ppb frequency stability over temperature. • Highest operating temperature range: -40 °C to +95 °C. • 2.5, 2.8, and 3.3 operating supply voltage. • 3X lower power: 420 mW. • 3X better ADEV under airflow: 5e12 at 10 seconds averaging time. • 3X lower ageing: ±0.08 ppb/day. • 2X faster time to stability – 60 seconds. • 9X smaller, 3X lower: 9 mm x 7 mm x 3.73 mm. • Digital control with 5E-14 resolution: I2C and SPI interfaces. THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

PRODUCTS & SOLUTIONS

Aerotech’s latest Automation1 release offers more flexible and dependable machine setup Aerotech Inc, a global leader in precision motion control and automation, has made the Automation1 motion control platform more powerful and user-friendly with every release. Version 2.6 brings the Sockets Interface (official release), a more intelligent Machine Setup and Configure workspace, additional MachineApps customisation options, API improvements and more. "We want users to easily take control of their motion systems' performance and their teams. That drives every Automation1 improvement we make. Automation1 users can confidently unlock a whole world of precision they might not have been tapping into before,” said Daniel Hong, Controls Product Manager at Aerotech. Recent developments in the Automation1 motion control platform include: • Easier connectivity: Enables connection to the Automation1 controller via Modbus TCP/IP or by a simple Sockets interface. Modbus TCP/IP is not supported on both PC-based and drive-based (as beta) hardware control platforms. The Sockets interface allows users to communicate between the Automation1 controller and other devices over TCP. • Improved tuning techniques: The new MultisinePlus frequency response type enables better tuning of high-friction systems and systems with known signal-to-noise

Aerotech’s latest Automation1 release comes with several improvements.

issues. This EasyTune feature is now the default response type in the Automation1 Studio’s frequency response tool. • Faster configuration of systems: Facilitates faster and smarter working with improved configuration tools. The Machine Setup configuration wizard has added intelligence targeted at system upgrades and configuration changes. After initial setup, the Machine Setup tool tracks changes and updates appropriate items only, enabling the team and reducing errors. • User-focused improvements: Version 2.6 adds features developers value, including better HMI brand management, more user-accessible information, improved tools for writing and reading files, improved software wizards and several AeroScript programming language improvements.

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX IES Academy –––––––––––––––––––– Inside Back Cover IES Chartered Engineer ––––––––––––– Inside Front Cover 40

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER December 2023

• Power user API improvements: Ability to stream long program files to the controller easily using the new Command Queue capabilities for the .NET and C APIs. Controller help documentation has been added for the LabVIEW instrument driver. Aerotech Since 1970, Aerotech Inc has been a global industry leader in precision motion control and automation. From standard positioning technologies and control systems to custom-designed automation systems, the company’s products support research and industrial organisations worldwide. Aerotech solutions enable manufacturing, testing and inspection processes on a micrometer and nanometer scale for the world’s best-known technology companies in industries such as aerospace, consumer electronics and medical devices.

IES-INCA –––––––––––––––––––––– Outside Back Cover IES Membership –––––––––––––––––––––––––– Page 17 Mitsubishi Electric Asia –––––––––––––––––––– Page 01