Asia Manufacturing News August 2015

THE INTERVIEW – JOSEPH AREZONE, FARO ASIA PACIFIC equipment from FARO permits high-precision 3D measurement and comparison of parts and compound structures within production and quality assurance processes.

ASIA

Asia Manufacturing News

August 2015

MANUFACTURING NEWS Success Through The devices are usedInnovation for inspecting components and assemblies, production planning, inventory documentation, as well as for investigation and reconstruction of accident sites or crime scenes. They are also employed to generate digital scans of historic sites.

August 2015

•

asiamanufacturingnewstoday.com

With FARO, 3D measurement and documentation needs can be fulfilled confidently. As a pioneer and market leader in portable computer-aided measurement, FARO consistently applies the latest advances in technology to make its industry-leading product offerings more accurate, reliable, and easy to use.

The focus is on simplifying workflow with tools that empower customers, thereby dramatically reducing the on-site measuring time and lowering overall costs.

Worldwide, approximately 15,000 customers are operating more than 30,000 installations of FARO’s systems. The company’s global headquarters are located in Lake Mary, Florida, with its European head office in Stuttgart, Germany and its Asia-Pacific head office in Singapore. FARO has branch locations in Japan, China, India, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, Poland, and The Netherlands. u

Rockwell Automation: Where to for IoT? Philippines to ride global manufacturing wave 3D printing in Singapore

Joseph Arezone, Senior Vice-President, Managing Director for FARO Asia Pacific

Community Planning, Sustainable Business and Waste Minimisation Strategies www.envision-nz.com

asiamanufacturingnewstoday.com

1

MARKET REPORT

INDONESIANS WILL BECOME WEALTHIER FASTER THAN THEIR PEERS Indonesia remains an attractive market in a variety of sectors, particularly given the country’s fairly consistent

big-ticket items, such as cars, tends to increase markedly.

However, high underemployment and the continuing

economic performance since 2008, despite a tumultuous

importance in the economy of informal (and often poorly

time for the global economy.

paid) activities will squeeze households’ discretionary

The Economist Intelligence Unit estimates Indonesia’s population at 253.3m in 2014, which is the largest in South-east Asia and as such it is unsurprising that the

income, limiting growth opportunities for companies selling consumer goods and services.

Low disposable incomes and the large size of the

country’s consumer market is also one of the biggest and

informal sector have fuelled smuggling and circulation

fastest-growing in in the region.

of counterfeit goods, despite government efforts to crack

Despite the favourable demographics, the vast majority

down on illegal imports.

of Indonesians are far from wealthy, with GDP per head

Furthermore, even as incomes rise, the relatively high

in US dollar terms standing at an estimated US$3,508 at

luxury-goods sales taxes and taxes on imported non-food

market exchange rates in 2014 (one of the lowest in the

consumer goods will mean that wealthy Indonesians will

region).

continue to do much of their high end shopping abroad.

Healthy economic growth will ensure that this number

As Indonesians become richer, however, the popularity

rises strongly in 2015-19, to reach US$5,515 by 2019. The

of modern retail outlets, which currently account for only

large proportion of poor people in the population means

30% of total retail sales, will grow at the expense of

that low-cost consumer goods will experience the greatest

informal channels, especially in urban areas. The rising

demand in the forecast period, although a rising number

middle classes will also be increasingly drawn to the

of households are crossing the US$3,000 threshold of

conveniences and choice offered by hypermarkets and

annual disposable income, at which demand for more

superstores.

With relatively high and rapidly growing broadband penetration and the popularity of smartphones and social media, Indonesia also offers huge potential for e-commerce.

The capital, Jakarta, is one of the top five cities in the world in terms of the number of Facebook and Twitter users. Over half of Internet users in Indonesia access the web via mobile devices, and one-quarter of all adults have smartphones.

According to a research firm, eMarketer, there were 5.9m online shoppers in Indonesia in 2014, and this number is expected to grow to 8.7m in 2016.

2

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MANUFACTURING NEWS JEZ Media

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EDITORIAL

Harnessing the technology opportunity in ASEAN. Doug Green In manufacturing, disruptive technologies could increase profit margins and lower costs, potentially creating $25 billion to $45 billion of annual economic impact in ASEAN by 2030, according to research by MGI. The use of big data and the Internet of Things could improve demand forecasting and production planning, leading to better customer service and higher profit margins.

Fifteen percent of ASEAN respondents in a recent survey said they were optimistic that big data’s ability to improve forecasting accuracy could increase revenue or efficiency for their company by more than 50 percent.

On the cost side, analysing detailed, real-time data on everything from suppliers’ inventory and shipments in transit, to downstream customer demand, allows manufacturing companies to tighten inventory control and maximise production capacity.

However, many manufacturing firms in ASEAN are still lagging behind in applying available technologies to their operations. Beyond awareness of the opportunities, skill gaps appear to be an important barrier.

Companies need to recruit or groom three types of talent: workers with deep analytical skills to execute big data analyses; managers and analysts who know how to request and consume these analyses; and supporting technology personnel focused on implementation.

These trends could help ASEAN economies become the next ‘factory to the world.’ They may also require manufacturing firms to adopt a more sophisticated approach to plant location decisions to reflect this rapidly changing landscape.

Asia Manufacturing News

August 2015

CONTENTS 6 | THE INTERVIEW Where to for IoT?

8 | BUSINESS NEWS Growing middle class in India offers potential for manufacturers.

10 | MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

DesignSpark Mechanical add-on modules for 3D design tool.

3D Metrology software delivers increased productivity.

Next generation of centrifugal chillers.

Ultra-compact plating laboratory equipment launched.

10

14 | EVENTS TechInnovation 2015 VitaFoods Asia Conference 2015 16 | MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

HyAccess extended consumables available for more systems.

18 | ENERGY More affordable solar power means business opportunities across Emirates.

14

20 | THE FUTURE OF MANUFACTURING

AspenONE to help manufacturers achieve operational excellence.

3D printing in Singapore.

24 BUSINESS NEWS

Philippines to ride global manufacturing growth wave.

25 | DEVELOPMENTS Showa Denko expands utilisation of used plastic to produce ammonia.

Veolia conducts water assessments for largest Thai paper manufacturer.

Thai Solar Energy to build solar power plants in Japan.

21

30

30-31 | ANALYSIS Automatic bending machines help automotive industry cope.

5

THE INTERVIEW W

By Stephen Broadbent, Rockwell Autom How do you see the Internet of Things (IoT) being beneficial for manufacturers?

Or is it too many elements in the one box?

manufacturing information. Various management layers will have improved visibility to drill down to a particular line or process and look at parameters such as machine availability, scrap rates, predictive maintenance and energy usage.

The IoT enables companies to establish an

When linked to business drivers such as

information-enabled business, linking consumer

sales forecasts, production volumes, stock turns

information, distribution, manufacturing and

and profitability, more productive and efficient

supply chain allowing manufacturers to become

manufacturing can be driven through the entire

flexible and competitive on a global scale.

business.

Manufacturing generates more big data than any other sector making analytics evermore relevant.

By combining the data source elements of the

Is there a connection between the IoT and globalisation?

consumer, supply chain and manufacturing into the plant automation platform, improvements in control can be made in real time.

For example traceability is particularly important

Manufacturing facilities now have a global reach with consumer markets in different parts of the world, brand protection and compliance are vital

to the food and beverage industry. Data oriented

for exporters. This is particularly relevant to the

decisions or changes in manufacturing can be

New Zealand market where exporters of niche OEM

made rapidly providing secure, lower cost to

machines and food and beverage products are

market while allowing businesses to add value to

mixed with exports of commodity mass produced

their products to meet consumer demands.

goods.

IoT technologies can help manufacturers

Can the IoT make business more efficient? If so, how?

remain successful on a global scale by delivering integrated consumer supply information. Market demographic consumer data can be captured

It is estimated that by 2020, one billion new

through their smart device. In turn, this can be

middle class consumers will add $8 trillion to

linked back to the business enterprise system

consumer spending. These global population

enabling a smart manufacturing layer.

trends will result in increased demand for

This information allows the optimisation of the

manufacturing, resources and infrastructure. The

entire supply chain from raw product to tracking

value proposition that the IoT can bring will deliver

of distribution and authenticity - facilitating global

improved asset utilisation and enterprise risk

‘track and trace’ and product recalls.

management for manufacturers.

Production machines and ingredients can be

Mobility tools powered by the IoT will provide

rapidly batch managed to meet demand. IoT

dashboard style access to real time consumer and

technologies help to enable secure, safe and

6

asiamanufacturingnewstoday.com

Asia Manufacturing News

August 2015

Where to for IoT?

mation. efficient food production and distribution to global markets.

For the exporter of manufacturing machinery

As the level of automation in a facility increases the skillset for workers will change and workers will be deployed in different areas. For example, the

the IoT will provide a link to their equipment,

change of focus from production to maintenance

enabling product updates and service information

is likely to be key. Workers will be required to help

to be done remotely, saving on costly travel while

ensure that the machines remain running and

enabling the end user to maximise machine

profitable.

uptime.

If the IoT of things means more automation are we looking at the need for fewer workers?

How do we successfully and securely store all of the data, which is a result of the IoT? As a result of the IoT there has been a rise in

The growing population will place ever increasing

cloud based storage systems and data centres. To

demands on the production of food, automotive

address security concerns, Rockwell Automation

and infrastructure. Production volumes will need to

teams with industry leaders, such as Cisco to build

increase and workers will become more engaged

multiple layers of security into systems.

with production data based on consumer demands.

Rockwell Automation has developed software

The use of visualisation dashboards on production

products such as FactoryTalk速 Historian and

lines will be more widespread.

AssetCentre that are able to not only track

Employees can monitor the productivity data

production manufacturing data but also the use of

such as units per hour, energy use and shift volume

your critical assets within a facility. FactoryTalk速

requirements. Workers will be more informed and

VantagePoint can be used to dashboard

focused to help reduce scrap and downtime. It is

information in real time both in a facility based

not about having fewer workers but more about

system but also on mobility tools such as tablets

driving a more productive and engaged workforce.

and smartphones.

asiamanufacturingnewstoday.com

7

BUSINESS NEWS

GROWING MIDDLE CLASS IN INDIA OFFERS POTENTIAL FOR MANUFACTURERS Rising income levels mean that India’s huge

Nevertheless, India remains a predominantly

population of around 1.2bn is becoming an

agricultural society and is home to around 40% of

increasingly important market for consumer goods,

the world’s poorest people. Moreover, even the

and this trend will continue during the forecast

middle classes have limited disposable incomes.

period.

Private consumption expenditure will rise from

Demand for large and even medium-sized cars is still limited. Higher-quality products certainly

US$1trn in fiscal year 2013/14 (April-March) to

appeal to the country’s consumers, but price

US$2.4trn in 2018/19. The majority of people will

remains the main determinant of the level of

continue to be preoccupied with meeting their

demand.

basic daily needs rather than following the latest consumer trends.

However, the presence of a large number of

Unreliable and limited supplies of water and electricity have forced foreign manufacturers of white goods to rethink their approach—for

middleclass households offers considerable

example, by designing smaller and more efficient

potential for manufacturers and retailers. The

washing machines and refrigerators.

rapid growth in personal incomes, combined

-The Economist

with a more open domestic market, will make India an increasingly attractive market for foreign companies.

This picture taken on January 9, 2015 shows cars being assembled in a workshop of an automobile factory in Shenyang, northeast China’s Liaoning province. China’s auto sales exceeded 23 million vehicles last year, an industry group said on January 12, but annual growth halved from 2013 as a weaker economy took its toll on the world’s biggest car market. CHINA OUT AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)

8

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Asia Manufacturing News

August 2015

Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times.

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Honorary Chairperson: Sunil Chandiramani VP Global Business Operations – Consumer Ink Business Hewlett-Packard, Singapore

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Kel Kearns Head of Plant – Sanand Vehicle Assembly & Engine Plant Ford, India

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Kulbhushan (K) Gupta Senior Vice President & Global Head - Operations Management Excellence Jubilant Life Sciences Ltd, India Lakkaraju Syamprasad Senior Director & Head of Operations Dr. Reddy Laboratories, India Sudarshan Shelgaonkar GM, Manufacturing Operations – Consumer Electronics Products Videocon Industries, India

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9

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

DESIGNSPARK MECHANICAL ADD-ON MODULES FOR 3D DESIGN TOOL Singapore - RS Components (RS), the trading

final designs. It means that companies can

brand of Electrocomponents plc (LSE:ECM), the

pass designs to their mechanical department or

global distributor for engineers, has expanded

outside contractors for final design creation and

DesignSpark Mechanical with two new optional

manufacturing and do not have to invest in highly

premium modules that significantly extend the

expensive 3D CAD licences or training.

functionality of the existing version of the tool.

Developed in conjunction with SpaceClaim, the

The second premium module – DesignSpark Mechanical Drawing – adds SpaceClaim’s

leading provider of flexible and affordable 3D

Associative Drawing environment, which allows

modelling software for engineers, DesignSpark

the changing of designs, as well as the ability

Mechanical is an advanced 3D direct modelling

to create and modify geometry from within

tool that can be downloaded free of charge.

drawing views. It enables the creation of detailed

Notwithstanding the availability of these optional

dimensioned drawings allowing designers to move

premium paid-for modules, which can now

beyond concept development and the 3D printing

be purchased from RS, very importantly the

of prototypes and on to final manufacturing.

fundamental software that is available today will

The drawing environment also provides a familiar

remain free to all users with continued support,

workspace for those accustomed to working in 2D.

new versions and updates from RS into the

In this environment, drawings support annotations,

foreseeable future.

including geometric dimensioning and tolerances,

DesignSpark Mechanical is a key element of the

notes and leaders, to JIS, ISO, and ANSI standards.

initiative by RS to provide tools for engineers that

These two new premium modules build on top of

enable them to rapidly develop prototypes in the

the latest version of free-to-download DesignSpark

product concept design stage. For example, the

Mechanical. Version 2 of the software was released

software’s STL-output format enables the direct

in December 2014 and added several features that

export of designs to 3D printers.

had been requested by DesignSpark Mechanical

The first premium module available is DesignSpark Mechanical Exchange, which adds advanced import/export capabilities and enables

users to enable an even better 3D design experience.

These improvements include a simplified

the import, modification and export of indus-

user interface and access to a new 3D catalogue

try-standard STEP and IGES file formats, which

allowing the rapid insertion of tens of thousands of

allows full exchange of design data with CAD

3D models from leading component manufacturers.

tools such as SolidWorks, Catia, ProEngineer and AutoCAD. The module enables engineers to integrate

Also integrated in version 2 were all the necessary RS purchasing data for fast Bill-of Materials (BOM) creation and also a QuickParts®

DesignSpark Mechanical into a product

3D printing service, which is available via RS in

development toolchain that works across various

conjunction with its partner 3D Systems.

software platforms, moving beyond concept creation to a seamless workflow for producing

10

asiamanufacturingnewstoday.com

Asia Manufacturing News

August 2015

3D METROLOGY SOFTWARE DELIVERS INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY FARO Technologies, Inc. has released FARO速

the ability to automate repeat

CAM2速 Measure 10.5, its latest software for the

inspections by programing data

FaroArm, FARO Laser ScanArm and FARO Laser

analysis to automatically occur

Tracker.

after the measurements are taken.

CAM2 Measure 10.5 leads the market with its

This new capability reduces required training time,

capability to connect multiple 3D measurement

significantly reduces the risk of operator error, and

devices, within the same coordinate system, and

accelerates job completion times.

simultaneously scan into a single seat of software

Additional enhancements include expanded

on one computer. This capability allows users to

point cloud capacity and the ability to easily scan

seamlessly scan large objects with higher speed

trimmed edges. Users are now able to collect over

and precise accuracy in order to complete 3D

20 times more data than our previous versions

scanning jobs faster.

while maintaining accelerated processing speed.

Significant advancements to Geometric

New capabilities also allow trimmed edges

Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) functionality

on materials such as sheet metal to be easily

provide users with streamlined analysis and visual

scanned, essentially eliminating the need to collect

reporting. A part inspection can now be displayed

hard-probed measurements on part edges.

just like a print to easily visualise and determine

The capability to connect multiple devices for

part quality. This enhanced functionality eliminates

simultaneous 3D scanning, automating repeat

the need to look at each feature in sequence to

inspections, and enhanced GD&T functionality

make the same determination.

represent major advancements in metrology

Workflow efficiencies are maximized with

software.

ASIA

MANUFACTURING NEWS

in October

Rockwell Automation in Asia IoT Borderless Manufacturing The Future of Manufacturing Control and Automation GDP and Trade Shows

Deadlines Editorial and advertising deadline is 21 September 2015 Banner advertising to be addressed to http://asiamanufacturingnewstoday.com/

D J Green, Publisher

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11

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

NEXT GENERATION OF CENTRIFUGAL CHILLERS TOKYO - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) has developed a new series of centrifugal

through structural simplification.

HFO-1233zd(E) features the same low global

chillers, dubbed the “ETI-Z Series,” adopting a new

warming potential (GWP) as carbon dioxide (CO2),

refrigerant, HFO-1233zd(E), that offers outstanding

i.e. 1, and an ozone depletion potential (ODP)

environmental compatibility.

of 0. Owing to this minimal impact in terms of

The various models in the new series will be

greenhouse gas emissions and no impact vis-a-vis

progressively launched starting this September.

ozone depletion, the new refrigerant is not subject

The ETI-Z series marks the world’s first small-size

to Japan’s Freon Emissions Control Law.

centrifugal chillers to adopt the new refrigerant.

This means that HFO-1233zd(E) is not regulated

The ETI-Z Series carries on the fundamental

in terms of curbing emissions or leakages, recovery

product concept of the ETI Series: high

and destruction for disposal, etc. Compared to

performance combined with compact size.

MHI’s current refrigerant, however, the volume of

The ETI series with built-in inverter panel have been widely spread in to the market since the first models were introduced in 2008.

refrigerant gas is about 5 times greater, therefore to achieve the same capacity, generally the size of the compressor and heat exchanger will be increased.

Models in the new ETI-Z Series have a cooling

In the ETI-Z Series, a more compact size has

capacity within a range of 80 to 700 refrigeration

been realised by applying the latest blade shape,

tons (RT). Superlative performance is achieved

increasing the motor speed, and by adopting and

by reducing motor drive-energy loss through the

optimizing the arrangement of the high-perfor-

adoption of a compressor with high-speed direct

mance tubes.

motor drive, the elimination of step-up gear and use of fewer bearings.

Together these features enable achievement of a

The microcomputerised control panel features a new board that enables more precise control, thanks to increased speed of the central processing

rated COP (coefficient of performance) of 6.7 in the

unit (CPU), to support the energy-saving operation

200 RT class. Reliability has also been enhanced

of the chiller. The adoption of a touch panel type liquid-crystal display both enhances operability while also improving functions that support maintenance of the main unit.

Going forward, MHI plans to enhance its lineup of centrifugal chillers featuring the new refrigerant by progressively developing and launching models up to the 1,500 RT class, including fixed-speed models.

12

asiamanufacturingnewstoday.com

Asia Manufacturing News

August 2015

ELECTROPLATING ENGINEERS OF JAPAN LAUNCHES ULTRA-COMPACT PLATING LABORATORY EQUIPMENT TOKYO - Electroplating Engineers of Japan,

laboratory equipment,

Limited (EEJA), which operates the Tanaka

it achieves a level of

Precious Metals’ plating business, has launched

plating equivalent to

the RAD-Plater cup-type ultra-compact plating

that of mass-production

laboratory equipment for semiconductor

machines, which enables

wafers, which achieves equivalent films to

early problem-solving in

mass-production machines.

the development stage for mass production issues

The RAD-Plater is ultra-compact laboratory equipment for manufacturing 2 to 8 inch semiconductor wafers. Measuring 800 mm

such as expected yield, and enables trouble-free rollout to the mass-production line.

This is the world’s first cup-type plating

wide and 700 mm deep, it is smaller than mass

laboratory equipment for manufacturing

production machines and can operate on only

semiconductor wafers, using 10 litres or less of

compressed air and the 100 volt power of general

plating solution and handling 8-inch wafers.

equipment.

Many development divisions of manufacturers

In addition to gold, silver, palladium, copper and

with mass-production plating lines would have

nickel, it can use a wide variety of plating solutions

previously contracted out the plating solution

including alloys and lead-free solutions, and at

experimentation work to equipment manufacturers

10 litres or less of solution, it uses about half the

and others for evaluation, but purchasing a

plating solution required by dip-type machines,

RAD-Plater and conducting experiments in-house

which also reduces experimentation costs.

now enables a considerable reduction in

The RAD-Plater uses an EEJA-manufactured Stir Cup and delivers mass-production level plating

development lead times.

Other customers would have previously

quality through uniform and bubble-less film

purchased mass-production machines to conduct

thickness and superior filling of deep vias.

their own experiments, but because the RAD-Plater

It also enables reduced plating time by using a

comes at a cost that is one third to one quarter that

high current density achieved with an increased

of the mass-production machines, they can now

ion supply. Even though the RAD-Plater is

achieve considerable cost reductions.

asiamanufacturingnewstoday.com

13

EVENTS

TECHINNOVATION 2015 22 - 23 September Location: Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore.

For the fourth year since 2012, TECHINNOVATION, a premier technology-industry brokerage event organised by IPI, brings together international and Singapore technology providers and seekers

technologies for adoption, licensing or

to explore technology and business collaboration

co-development.

opportunities through open innovation.

TECHINNOVATION 2015 is a premier industry-to-technology matching event and marketplace

• Pre-event matching of technology opportunities with company needs through one-to-one business meetings.

that brings together international technology providers and enterprises to accelerate the

What’s new at TECHINNOVATION 2015?

commercialisation of emerging technologies, seed

Technology Display Gallery

licensing opportunities and foster open innovation

• An exciting new display of innovative

collaborations.

It is the largest conference and exhibition

technologies from selected SMEs and MNCs available for licensing, partnership or

in Singapore that focuses on the matching of

co-development. For exhibition opportunities,

industry’s needs to enabling and ready-to-market

please contact techinnovation@ipi-singapore.org

inventions & technologies in info-communications, electronics, materials, manufacturing, personal care, healthcare, medtech, energy and environment from global sources.

Join leading corporate R&D, research

Private and Public IP Translators • Come visit SPRING’s pavilion that features Centres of Innovation (COIs) and Private Sector Translators (PSTs) to learn about the resources

organisations, university tech transfer offices,

available in translating early-stage IPs and

IP intermediaries, technology translators,

technologies into products and services.

multi-national corporations, small and medium

• COIs’ areas of specialisation: Electronics, Precision

enterprises and public agencies for an intense

Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Food

two-day event packed with exciting plenary

Innovation, Environment & Water Technology,

talks, fast-paced technology pitchings, calls

Marine & Offshore Technology and Advanced

for collaboration and productive one-to-one

Materials.

pre-matched meetings.

• PSTs’ areas of specialisation: Biotechnology, Medical Technology and Clean Technology.

Highlights of TECHINNOVATION 2015

Mark your calendar if you are looking for:

• Over 60 exhibitors and 200 emerging and

• Cutting-edge technologies to stay ahead of

ready-to-market technologies will be featured.

business competition

• Global and major corporations presenting and

• Opportunities to commercialize new technologies

seeking technologies, solutions or external

- Capabilities and know-how to solve your business

partnerships in the spirit of open innovation.

- Technology providers pitching available 14

asiamanufacturingnewstoday.com

challenges - Enabling technologies to drive productivity

Asia Manufacturing News

August 2015

VITAFOODS ASIA CONFERENCE 2015: Translating Science into Good Business

Vitafoods Asia, the only event dedicated to the nutraceutical, functional food and beverages, and dietary supplement industries in Asia, has announced the programme for its second edition of the Vitafoods Asia Conference.

Running alongside the exhibition from 2 – 3 September at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong, the conference boasts a brand new format and an increase in content offering.

Delegates can expect to hear from well-respected industry experts across segments and job functions during the two-day event.

Speakers include professionals from A*STAR, Agence Tesla, ASEAN Food & Beverage Alliance, BrandHive, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Chung Shan Medical University, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, EAS Strategies, Euromonitor International, Food Industry Asia, Frost & Sullivan, HealthBrandBuilders, The HealthyMarketingTeam Ltd, Herbalife Taiwan Inc.,

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Innova Market Insights, International Society for Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods, Kaohsiung Medical University, National Yang-Ming University, and NSF International.

Two Streams: Connecting Science with Business With sessions that cover both commercial and science aspects of business, delegates are presented with a full picture of the production cycle from idea to retail shelves. Content is divided into two distinct, parallel streams: Your Business focuses on how to turn consumer and business intelligence into insights and competitive growth strategies. Whilst the second stream, Your Science, presents the latest R&D, product and ingredient innovations across a number of health categories.

Delegates can choose to attend a mix of sessions from either stream, allowing them to customise their learning for a more personal and relevant conference experience.

Conference Programme Overview Stream 1 – Your Business • Functional Beverages, Foods, Dietary Supplements • Sustainable Brand Positioning • International Trade (within and outside ASEAN) • Market Strategies, Technologies and Consumer Engagement

Stream 2 – Your Science • Weight Management • Healthy Ageing and Preventative Health • Nutricosmetics • Probiotics

Keynote Panel Discussion Topics: • The future of the functional food and beverage, dietary supplement and nutraceutical industry in Asia-Pacific • Creating closer economic integration in the ASEAN region • Driving product safety, quality, and excellence in functional nutrition Exclusive Content: Growth, Innovation & Leadership (GIL) Briefings with Frost & Sullivan Also, for the first time ever, Frost & Sullivan partners with Informa Exhibitions to bring an element of its Growth, Innovation & Leadership (GIL) event into the Vitafoods Asia Conference.

Traditionally only open to Frost & Sullivan’s customers, GIL events are designed to inspire participants to develop new ideas and fresh perspectives for their organisations. The partnership allows attendees of Vitafoods Asia

Conference to participate in these exclusive sessions at no extra cost.

asiamanufacturingnewstoday.com

15

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

HYACCESS EXTENDED CONSUMABLES AVAILABLE FOR MORE SYSTEMS Hypertherm, is expanding the availability

Metal workers specialising in equipment and

of its HyAccess extended consumables to the

vehicle repair, structural work and jobs requiring

Powermax65, Powermax85, and Powermax105

angular cutting or gouging now have a new tool to

systems, in addition to legacy Powermax and MAX

make hard work easier.

systems.

are available from all authorised Hypertherm

Previously, the consumables were only available for Hypertherm Powermax30, Powermax30 XP and Powermax45® air plasma systems HyAccess consumables extend 76 mm longer

HyAccess consumables

distributors.

Hypertherm designs and manufactures advanced cutting products for use in a variety of industries such as shipbuilding, manufacturing,

than standard consumables for better visibility and

and automotive repair. Its product line includes

accessibility when cutting or gouging in hard to

plasma, laser and waterjet

reach areas or confined spaces.

cutting systems, in addition to

Improved visibility and access achieved with

CNC motion and height controls,

HyAccess eliminates the need for certain secondary

CAM nesting software, and

operations or multiple cutting passes.

consumables.

HIGH-QUALITY RATCHET WRENCHES FOR FAST WORK IN TIGHT SPACES RS Components (RS), the trading brand of Electrocomponents plc (LSE:ECM), stock the latest GearWrench 120XP ratcheting socket wrenches and spanners, which feature a precise 3-degree swing arc and long reach with a compact head design to help engineers work quickly and efficiently even in inaccessible areas.

The tools are designed with high-quality materials and finishes to provide a lifetime’s service.

The socket wrenches offer a choice of ¼-, 3/8or ½-inch square drive, with long handles giving lengths of 5.11 inch, 8.38 inch and 11.02 inch respectively for enhanced reach.

They also feature a low-profile teardrop-shaped head with 6-position adjustable angle, which enhances usability in tight spaces such as inside enclosures or behind panels. The wrenches are available individually, or as a 3-wrench set, or in multi-piece socket sets containing a selection of SAE and metric size sockets.

All feature the GearWrench XL beam, which is extra long and wide to allow enhanced force distribution and optimum reach. The spanners can be bought individually or as multi-piece sets in metric or SAE sizes.

16

asiamanufacturingnewstoday.com

Asia Manufacturing News

August 2015

asiamanufacturingnewstoday.com

17

ENERGY

MORE AFFORDABLE SOLAR POWER MEANS BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS EMIRATES Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - The UAE’s solar powered energy pricing has now reached parity with fossil fuel models, making it economically attractive and commercially viable for the first time ever in the nation’s history, argued a recent ‘REmap 2030’ report published by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), in conjunction with Masdar Institute and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Directorate of Energy and Climate Change.

Solar is the critical resource and focus for the UAE, with different forms of solar energy accounting for more than 90% of renewable energy use in the IRENA ‘REmap 2030’ report.

Solar power, together with other renewable energy sources, could save the country billions of dirhams annually while introducing innumerable health and environmental benefits, while also acting to preserve precious existing fossil fuel resources.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) module prices, as perhaps the best example of renewables’ new affordability vis-‡-vis fossil fuels, have fallen by close to 75% since 2008.

“We believe that, for the UAE and wider Arabian Gulf, solar power is perhaps the most promising of all renewable energy sources” said Naji El Haddad, Group Event Director of the annual World Future Energy Summit hosted by Masdar and part of Abu 18

asiamanufacturingnewstoday.com

Dhabi Sustainability Week.

In 2015, there were 154 exhibiting companies from the solar sector occupying a gross space of 7200 square meters, with more than 6500 solar industry professionals in attendance, many of them from across the region where the uptake of solar energy is on the rise.

Egypt, as one example, recently announced that the country plans to generate 18,000 MW of solar power over the next five years.

In fact, the 2016 running of the event will see the launch of ‘WFES Solar Expo’, a dedicated area on the show floor for showcasing solar technology and innovation, and bringing together experts, innovators, suppliers, and buyers.

More than 150 exhibitors have already confirmed their participation, with such global names as First Solar and Hanergy committed to take part in the exhibition and discussion proceedings.

The World Future Energy Summit (WFES) 2016 will take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre 18-21 January 2016, and will form the centerpiece of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2016, with 650 exhibiting companies from more than 40 countries, and more than 32,000 attendees from 170 countries.

In addition to Solar Expo, International Water Summit and EcoWASTE will also be co-located at the WFES event.

Asia Manufacturing News

August 2015

The nutraceutical event for Asia

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21/07/2015 22:46

asiamanufacturingnewstoday.com

19

THE FUTURE OF MANUFACTURING

ASPENONE VERSION 8.8 SOFTWARE TO HELP MANUFACTURERS ACHIEVE OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE Additionally, customers will experience improved

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workflow innovations that allow users to minimise

plants and supply chains.

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THE FUTURE OF MANUFACTURING

Asia Manufacturing News

August 2015

3D PRINTING IN SINGAPORE 3D Printing, or Additive Manufacturing (used interchangeably), has evolved well over the past 30 years since the 1980s. Opposed to conventional manufacturing such as machining, casting and moulding, 3D Printing allows the production of complex configurations and the flexibility to accommodate changes conveniently. Rapid changing industrial demands can now be met without incurring additional tooling costs and with

Co-founder Alex Pui, CEO Fang Kok Boon and NTU Mentor Professor Chua Chee Kai with Blacksmith Genesis 3D printer come scanner.

less material wastage.

As a fast-evolving market with enormous growth potential across numerous sectors, there has been

printing technologies, processes and materials.

increasing worldwide attention in 3D Printing. The

This will be done through attracting leading

Economist has forecasted 3D Printing to be the 3rd

researchers to the Centre, nurturing a skilled talent

industrial revolution, due to prospects of thriving

pool, as well as establishing strong linkages with

into a new type of manufacturing industry.

and delivering state of the art and innovative

Singapore has, likewise, identified 3D printing

solutions to the industry. The centre will also

as a new growth technology and enabler for

consolidate NTU’s existing competencies and

future manufacturing, tapping on projected global

strengths in 3D Printing, including a $30 million

industry growth and developing technology-inten-

research centre, NTU Additive Manufacturing

sive skills catered to Singapore’s unique interests

Centre (NAMC), funded by Singapore’s Economic

as a knowledge-based economy.

Development Board.

The Centre also houses world class facilities

New Research Centre on the Block: Singapore Centre for 3D Printing (SC3DP) With a funding of more than $150 million from National Research Foundation (NRF), Economic

with industry-aligned research focused on novel material properties, 3D Printing technology innovation, database development for metal 3D Printing and non-metal 3D Printing technologies.

Through close collaboration with major industry

Development Board (EDB), Nanyang Technological

partners, SC3DP aims to harness, strengthen and

University (NTU) and industry partners, the

expand Singapore’s 3D printing capabilities in four

Singapore Centre for 3D Printing (SC3DP was

key areas, namely: 1) Aerospace and Defence, 2)

established on 1 December 2014.

Building and Construction, 3) Marine and Offshore,

The Centre aspires to be the world’s leading research institute in 3D Printing to achieve

and 4) Future of Manufacturing.

The centre is keen on establishing strong

prominent and outstanding breakthroughs in

partnerships with key industries, seeking

the research and development of innovative 3D

collaborations in joint labs and industry projects.

asiamanufacturingnewstoday.com

21

THE FUTURE OF MANUFACTURING

GE AND NTT DOCOMO TO PROVIDE INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT FOR IOT SOLUTIONS

Tokyo - GE Energy Japan Co., Ltd. (GE) and NTT

ensure communications are secure.

DOCOMO, INC. (DOCOMO) are to provide a new

GE selected DOCOMO communication module

Internet of Things (IoT) solution. The partnership

embedded for Orbit platform based on the variety

will combine GE Digital Energy’s MDS Orbit

of industrial machine-to-machine communication

Platform, a wireless router for industrial equipment,

experiences and result of signal quality

and DOCOMO’s communication module.

qualification.

GE’s MDS Orbit Platform with DOCOMO’s

By cooperating further with GE, a top industrial

embedded communication module will enable

equipment manufacturer and a world leader

private companies with infrastructure facilities, as

in the IoT field, DOCOMO will promote its +d

well as customers of local governments, to monitor

(pronounced “plus d”) initiative to create new

real-time operational data such as temperature and

value by collaborating with various outside

vibration on infrastructure equipment.

partners.

The solution will provide data for remote areas

By integrating the technologies of GE and

on roads and bridges, plants, electricity, gas, and

DOCOMO and continually expanding to a wider

water.

range of fields, both companies will work together

By combining the operation data acquired by the Orbit platform with DOCOMO’s application on the “Toami” IoT cloud platform, users will be able to manage the data on their smartphones and tablets.

This feature can serve as a predictive diagnostic

to provide their customers with IoT solutions that offer new kinds of value.

NTT DOCOMO provides innovative, convenient and secure mobile services that enable smarter living for each customer. The company serves over

tool to prevent failures and assist in preserving

65 million mobile customers in Japan via advanced

aging facilities. With the cloud platform, customers

wireless networks, including a nationwide 3G

will be able to receive added value instantly

network and one of the world’s first commercial

without having to make any additional capital

LTE networks.

investments.

GE’s Orbit platform employs robust housing for

Leveraging its unique capabilities as a mobile operator, DOCOMO is a leading developer

industrial equipment data communication, and

of cutting-edge technologies for NFC mobile

includes advanced security technology and Class

payments, mobile GPS, mobile TV, intuitive mobile

I Division 2 authentication notice. The platform

assistance, environmental monitoring, smart grids

is strongly resistant to environmental barriers,

and much more.

including elements such as location and terrain, to 22

asiamanufacturingnewstoday.com

Asia Manufacturing News

August 2015

www.10thousandtrees.com

asiamanufacturingnewstoday.com

23

BUSINESS NEWS

PHILIPPINES TO RIDE GLOBAL MANUFACTURING GROWTH WAVE TO BE AN ASIA PACIFIC STANDOUT With Asia well poised for future economic success, the Philippines is slated to be one of the region’s growth leaders, as long as it continues to reduce corruption, invest public monies to build key infrastructure, and solve its electric generation and transmission issues.

“The strong growth in global manufacturing to 2033 will drive world growth, and this presents the Philippines with great potential to integrate into the

• Transportation and logistics: The poor quality of

global supply chain of high-value manufacturing,”

the transportation infrastructure has held back

said Gary Coleman, Managing Director, Global

the economic development of the Philippines

Clients and Industries, Deloitte Global.

for many years. The Aquino government has

“If the government makes smart investments

laid out a four-point strategy to address ongoing

in infrastructure—including roads and harbours—

transportation infrastructure issues. Assuming

that would help to boost the construction

that the government successfully implements

and transportation sectors and lead to higher

these strategies, a baseline forecast of 4.9 percent

productivity growth in the coming years as well.”

growth in sector between now and 2033 can be

Industry driving growth highlights include: • Manufacturing: To help boost manufacturing

expected.

• Information and Communications: Ready

initiatives, the government should introduce a

access to high-quality information is critical

number of special industrial zones that benefit

for economic development and poverty

from a combination of supportive government

reduction. Boosting Information Technology

policies. The Philippines should also begin to

(IT) and broadband access as well as improved

specialize in higher-value manufacturing.

communication infrastructure can help jumpstart

• Business Process Outsourcing: After India and

BPO services. The sector is expected to grow 5.1

China, the Philippines has the third-largest

percent per year between now and 2033.

annual graduate supply in subjects relevant

“Relaxing limits on foreign ownership could

to the BPO. In 2014, metro Manila overtook

boost foreign direct investment, increase efficiency

Mumbai to become the second-largest global

and prompt higher levels of competition,” said

outsourcing destination for BPO. Labor costs in

Chaly Mah, Chief Executive Officer, Deloitte Asia

the Philippines are also lower than in many other

Pacific. “Additionally the government should

large BPO destinations.

look to public-private partnerships to help speed

• Construction: Construction of roads, harbors, and

investment spending on infrastructure, reduce

other public infrastructure can boost the nation’s

bottlenecks, and implement policies that promote

employment, productivity, and economic output.

inclusive economic growth.”

Reconstruction efforts following the devastation

The report projects that the Philippines will grow

of Typhoon Haiyan and upgrades to existing

faster than Southeast Asia as a whole over the next

infrastructure should contribute to a growth rate

two decades, with overall GDP expanding by 4.8

of 5.2 percent per year from 2014 to 2033.

percent per year in the 2014–33 period.

24

asiamanufacturingnewstoday.com

DEVELOPMENTS

Asia Manufacturing News

August 2015

SHOWA DENKO EXPANDS UTILISATION OF USED PLASTIC TO PRODUCE AMMONIA Showa Denko has completed the expansion of used-plastic gasification facility at the Kawasaki Plant.

As part of its basic chemicals business, SDK is producing ammonia at Kawasaki. SDK processes used plastic to obtain part of hydrogen necessary for the synthesis of ammonia. As an industrial material, ammonia is used in the production of synthetic fibers and metal surface treatment for automotive and construction machinery parts.

The demand for ammonia used for removing nitrogen oxides contained in exhaust gas from thermal electric power plants and other facilities has been increasing in recent years. Furthermore, SDK’s liquefied ammonia (trade name:

materials. By providing products indispensable

Ecoann(TM)) has been approved and rated high

for protecting the environment and improving

as “eco-friendly goods for procurement” by major

social infrastructure, SDK will continue meeting the

electric power companies because the product is

expectations of society and local communities.

partly based on used plastic.

In January 2015, SDK’s plan to raise the

Showa Denko K.K. is a major manufacturer and marketer of chemical products serving a wide

percentage of feedstock from used plastic was

range of fields ranging from heavy industry to the

recognized by the Ministry of Economy, Trade

electronic and computer industries. SDK makes

and Industry as eligible for the ministry’s interest

petrochemicals (ethylene, propylene), aluminum

subsidy program for the promotion of effective

products (ingots, rods), electronic equipment

utilisation of resources.

(hard disks for computers) and inorganic materials

Under the program, SDK received a loan from the Development Bank of Japan Inc., and invested

(ceramics, carbons).

The company has overseas operations and a

in the expansion of used-plastic gasification facility

joint venture with Netherlands-based Montell

at the Kawasaki Plant*. After the expansion, the

and Nippon Petrochemicals to make and market

percentage of hydrogen from used plastic to

polypropylenes. In March 2001, SDK merged with

produce Ecoann(TM) will increase to 65%.

Showa Denko Aluminum Corporation to strengthen

The method to produce hydrogen from used

the high-value-added fabricated aluminum

plastic entails significantly lower environmental

products operations, and is today developing

burden compared to the conventional methods to

next-generation optical communications-use

produce hydrogen from petroleum-derived raw

wafers. asiamanufacturingnewstoday.com

25

DEVELOPMENTS

VEOLIA CONDUCTS WATER ASSESSMENTS FOR LARG Singapore-Veolia Water Solutions &

benchmarked against other regional and global

Technologies (Thailand) Ltd is proud to announce

P&P companies’ scores using Veolia’s Pulp & Paper

its first partnership with a Thai conglomerate

industry Water Benchmark.

company that operates 12 paper production plants

Consolidated based on Veolia’s knowledge,

throughout Southeast Asia. To support the client’s

experience, and references in the P&P industry

plan of achieving a 30% expansion in capacity for

over the years, the industry water benchmark

its paper plant in Prachinburi (Thailand), Veolia will

provides an effective scale for companies to better

spearhead a series of proprietary studies, including

understand their water consumption practices

an in-house Water System Audit, Pulp & Paper

against other manufacturers in the industry.

(P&P) Industry Water Benchmark, Water Impact Index (WIIX), and the True Cost of Water (TCOW).

Michael Poonpipat, Business Development

The water assessment also includes the Veolia Water Impact Index (WIIX) tool that measures the plant’s water footprint and considers three crucial

Director at Veolia Water Technologies in Thailand,

elements - the quantity of water used, the level of

shared, “As a one-stop shop for all water treatment

stress on water resources, and the overall quality of

needs, Veolia actively conducts water audits and

the water.

assessments for companies around the world.

This enables the client to outline and set more

Although it is not mandatory for manufacturers

efficient water strategies in place to mitigate

to undertake such initiatives, more and more

existing water challenges such as water scarcity

companies globally – all leaders in their respective

and the impact of water risk on the environment, in

fields – have become increasingly receptive

order to achieve a lower total water footprint.

to implementing water assessments in their

Veolia’s True Cost of Water (TCOW), a business

manufacturing processes. Our analysis reflected

intelligence methodology to monetise water risks,

high ‘Blue Risk’ (water risk) areas that link to

will complete the audit. The pragmatic metric

operational, financial, regulatory, and reputational

assesses water-related risks, helping companies

risks, but we are confident that these challenges

to make sustainable business decisions that can

can be mitigated with Veolia’s water assessment.”

ensure long-term profitability. By attributing a

Conducted over a period of twelve weeks, the

dollar value to the impact of future investment

paper plant assessment will feature a series of

associated with water risks and opportunities at the

consecutive studies that commences with an

plant, the paper producer can then make better-cal-

in-depth water system audit. The results are then

culated choices to support its overall corporate agenda.

A proactive way to analyse existing operations, Veolia’s complete water audit service allows manufacturers to reduce operational costs, achieve higher efficiency levels, and secure key operating licenses for business sustainability. With water playing

26

asiamanufacturingnewstoday.com

Asia Manufacturing News

August 2015

GEST THAI PAPER SUPPLIER an essential part in the client’s production processes, the audit will help the company set

assistance tools for sustainability success. “ More and more, companies with corporate

goals that contributes to its overall growth strategy.

agendas are enlisting water experts to help

Etienne Fiquet, Business Development Manager,

to mitigate water risks and carry out regular

Water Risks & Opportunities at Veolia Water

evaluations in their pursuit of continuous

Technologies, concluded, “This first partnership

improvement. Veolia strives to be the benchmark

with a paper industry leader signals the growing

for industrial companies on all issues relating to

importance of water audits for responsible

water resource management, and we look forward

business management, and also reflects an

to more auditing opportunities with the client’s

increased willingness among South East Asian

other plants, as well as across other industries.”

manufacturers to employ decision-making

NEW PRODUCTS

FIBRE LASERS DELIVER FLEXIBLE CODING SOLUTIONS Fibre laser technology offers highly energy-ef-

enables the coders

ficient coding across many different substrates

to operate in

including metals and plastics as well as paper and

more challenging

glass. It delivers a very fine spot size which creates

environments than many

excellent quality permanent codes.

other lasers, with the

This makes them ideal for producing small discreet codes for traceability or anti-counterfeiting purposes, bigger codes for high profile branding or

laser source lasting more than 100,000 hours.

An internal air cooler

promotions, and large amounts of information in a

offers greater energy efficiency and is mainte-

small area.

nance-free, as well as producing cost savings over

The coders are suitable for many different sectors including aerospace, automotive, electronics,

the installation of a separate cooling system or compressed air supply.

pharmaceutical, medical devices and tooling, as well as FMCG packaging.

The new Linx FSL20 and Linx FSL50 have one of the smallest supply units and marking heads on the market, which enable easy integration into even the smallest of factory spaces.

The availability of four different lenses means the coders can be tailored to the precise needs of each product - whether for static or moving environments.

Durable construction of the Linx fibre lasers, which includes the IP54 rated marking head, asiamanufacturingnewstoday.com

27

DEVELOPMENTS

THAI SOLAR ENERGY TO BUILD SOLAR POWER PLANTS IN JAPAN Bangkok - Thai Solar Energy Pcl, or TSE, has

Holding Inc. Under the agreement with Eco

decided to build overseas solar power plants with

Solar Japan, it will build a solar farm with a

a total production capacity that will reach 100MW

production capacity of 13MW in Aomori City in the

by 2016 and 300MW in three years, starting with

northernmost part of Honshu Island.

25MW solar-farm projects to be operated in cooperation with its partners in Japan.

The firm expects to have the first commercial

It and Prospec Holding Inc will build solar farms with a total installed production capacity of 12MW in Ibaraki City in the northern area of Kanto region

operation date early next year, and that the

and Ishikawa City in the central region of the

projects, once completed, will generate THB300

country.

million in annual revenue.

Dr. Cathleen Maleenont, Chairman and Chief

THB2.5 billion will be spent for the first phase of development of solar farms in Japan. Construction

Executive Officer of TSE, a producer and supplier

will begin in the second half of 2015, and the first

of solar power to the State, revealed the company’s

commercial operation date (COD) is expected

goal to invest in more solar power plants in Asia

to reach by early 2016. All the projects, once

through TSE Group International Pte Ltd, its Singa-

completed, will generate more than THB300 million

pore-incorporated subsidiary firm, to achieve

in annual revenue.

overseas solar power production at 100MW by the end of 2016 and at 300MW within three years.

TSE has adopted a plan to enter the solar power

Thai Solar Energy Public Company Limited (“TSE”) was established in 2008 in Bangkok, Thailand. TSE is the first company in Southeast

plant market in Japan, where a large number of

Asia to have effectively applied solar energy

solar farm plants can be developed and continued

commercially.

government support is available for alternative

The Company supplies electricity to the

energy projects. Projects will be invested in both

government following the policies of Energy

directly and through partnership with local firms.

Policy and Planning Office, Ministry of Energy

Recently, the company has reached agreements

to encourage production and consumption of

for solar power production projects with a total

renewable energy, and distributes electricity

production capacity of 25MW with two Japanese

to Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) and

partners, namely, Eco Solar Japan and Prospec

Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA).

28

asiamanufacturingnewstoday.com

DEVELOPMENTS

Asia Manufacturing News

August 2015

A ROUTE TO DEVELOPING ULTIMATE SUPERCONDUCTING NANO DEVICES A research group at Tohoku University has succeeded in fabricating an atomically thin,

higher- Tc, that can be fabricated into a thin film.

The research team at Tohoku University turned

high-temperature superconductor film with a

its attention to iron selenide (FeSe), which is a

superconducting transition temperature (Tc) of up

member of iron-based superconductors*2. While

to 60 K (-213째C). The team, led by Prof. Takashi

the Tc of bulk FeSe is only 8 K (-265 째C), a signature

Takahashi (WPI-AIMR) and Asst. Prof. Kosuke

of higher-Tc superconductivity has been suggested

Nakayama (Dept. of Physics), also established the

in ultrathin film and its verification has been

method to control/tune the Tc.

urgently required.

This finding not only provides an ideal platform for investigating the mechanism of supercon-

Present research The researchers at first fabricated high-quality,

ductivity in the two-dimensional system, but

atomically thin FeSe films, with thickness of

also paves the way for the development of

between one monolayer (which corresponds to

next-generation nano-scale superconducting

three-atoms thickness) and twenty monolayers

devices.

(sixty-atoms thickness), by using the molecu-

The research results were published in Nature Materials on June 1, 2015.

lar-beam-epitaxy (MBE) method*3. Then they carefully investigated the electronic structure of

Superconductors are regarded as one of the most promising candidates for next-generation advanced electronic devices, because the unique quantum

grown films by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES)*4.

In the ARPES measurement, the researchers

effects in superconductors are a great advantage in

observed the opening of a superconducting gap at

achieving the energy-saving and ultrahigh-speed

low temperature*5, which is direct evidence of the

processing.

emergence of superconductivity in the films. The

However, the device application of

researchers found that the Tc estimated from the

superconductors has long been hindered. The

gap-closing in a monolayer film is surprisingly high

largest obstacle is the necessity of a huge

(above 60 K), which is about 8 times higher than

and expensive cooling system with liquid

the Tc of bulk FeSe.

helium, because of the low Tc of conventional superconductors, which is close to absolute zero (0 K, - 273 째C)*1.

It has also been a big challenge to realise the high-density integration of superconductors into electronic devices. In order to overcome these problems, it is definitely necessary to develop a new superconductor with

Blue and green circles indicate iron (Fe) and selenium (Se) atoms, respectively. The superconducting transition temperature is tuned by introducing electrons by depositing potassium atoms (orange circles) on the surface. Yellow circles represent a pair of superconducting electrons (Cooper pair).

asiamanufacturingnewstoday.com

29

ANALYSIS

AUTOMATIC BENDING CELLS FOR THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY In order to be able to cope with the current and future

The use of hollow profiles plays an important role in

demands of modern motorcars and commercial vehicles,

the fields of body and chassis construction as well as in

the automotive supply industry depends on efficient

exhaust gas technology in the meantime: In order to be

processes and technical innovations.

able to ensure compact construction of future vehicle

The rational production of hollow profiles for body and chassis construction, exhaust gas technology and many other fields of application benefit decisively from

generations, pipes and tube profiles have to provide evermore complex geometries and smaller bending radii.

At the same time, new high-strength and especially

automatic bending cells. They simplify the manufacturing

light-weight materials as well as reduced wall thicknesses

process, offer a high degree of occupational safety,

make completely new demands on the machining of

withstand nonstop operation effortlessly, and thus increase

hollow profiles.

productivity.

Stricter threshold values for CO2 emissions, more

Automobile industry suppliers, who have to ensure precise, speedy and economical mass production despite

efficiency in fuel consumption, higher demands on

exacerbated conditions, have to rely more than ever on

safety and comfort – these and many other aspects

tailor-made tube bending cells.

force manufacturers and suppliers to build ever more

They permit a completely automatic production of tube

components and to produce them smaller, lighter and

and profiled semi-finished products – from tube separation

more robust at the same time.

and weld seam positioning via bending process to

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August 2015

integrated quality control, reshaping or separation systems

existing manufacturing chain is decisive for output and

and unmanned further transport of the semi-finished

competitiveness of a company primarily: Storage, transport

products.

and manufacturing techniques have to interlock like gear

Among other things, they offer special advantages in the rational series production of injection pipes, coolant and

wheels.

Schwarze-Robitec integrates machines into existing

axle tubes, tie rods as well as several body, exhaust gas

manufacturing cells, but they also supply completely

system and chassis components.

harmonised fully-automatic tube bending machines –

The centre piece of an automatic bending cell is usually

depending on demand and specification profile. If a high

a mandrel bending machine. In contrast to warm bending,

degree of automation is required, the fully-automatic

the cold bending process of this machine guarantees

machines will produce the best results.

especially fast and energy efficient machining processes and hardly changes the microstructure of the material.

Moreover, the use of a bending mandrel permits the

In order to ensure that fault-free bent tubes are further processed exclusively, the Cologne-based company also integrates measuring systems for quality control upon

reliable production of very small radii even in case of

request. As a sought-after development partner of the

thin-walled tubes. For the automotive supply industry

automotive supply industry the bending specialist escorts

especially, the Cologne-based tube bending machine

its customers in the creation and implementation of new

manufacturer Schwarze-Robitec offers various mandrel

ideas and technologies.

bending machine series for rational mass production.

In this way, the freeform bending process was

Without exception they are freely programmable CNC

developed, among other things. It permits the efficient

controlled plants which can be integrated into the existing

machining of large radii and complex geometries with

production processes without any problems. The machines

different bending radii as well as high-strength materials.

of the CNC MR series, for example, have been optimised

After all, hollow profiles with radii of more than 6 x D are

for the efficient production of tubes with different radii or

fitted in motorcars and commercial vehicles.

bend-in-bend geometries.

Fitted with stacked bending tools, they ensure minimal set-up times. “For every plant we offer a modular configurable accessory programme which we adapt flexibly to the specific project demands and user needs,” says Schwarze-Robitec Managing Director Bert Zorn. “In such a way we develop an ideal production solution together with the customer.” Moreover, the high level of automation of the individualised manufacturing cells ensures a maximised occupational safety.

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