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News and Updates from SWARCO Advanced Industry Systems Issue 2 | 2021
ROUNDER
UNIVERSAL EFFICIENCY Open Innovation Is the Key to Finding the Ideas of the Future.
PRODUCTS Walnut Shell Granulate – a Blasting Medium for Sensitive Surfaces
TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION Silanization Improves the Performance of Glass Beads in Plastics.
TREND Flexicurity – Open and Secure?
UNIVERSAL EFFICIENCY
OPEN INNOVATION SWARCO relies on new research approaches to further strengthen and expand its technological leadership. EDITORIAL Dear readers, Processing and refining flat glass cullet into micro glass beads is SWARCO Advanced Industry Systems’ core competence. Our products are consistently competitive thanks to their broad range of applications worldwide. Among the many advantages of our power of innovation, it helps us constantly advance our products and adapt to fastpaced market fluctuations and technical standards. We are continuously developing new ideas and implementing them in the real world. This is why, at SWARCO, research and development are a matter of prime importance. But this is modern, open research and development, which is based on dialogue between clients and partners. This approach actively seeks cooperation opportunities and engages with creative minds around the globe, inviting them to an exchange of ideas. The SWARCO JOIN&GROW programme is a real-life example of this form of open innovation. As part of this programme, innovative ideas are not only developed but also fleshed out and implemented collaboratively. An active and global process for a globalized economy and world. SWARCO is well aware of the new challenges and risks that may come along with this new approach to R & D. Issues related to communication (not least in the midst of a pandemic), logistics, and especially data security have to be addressed. This places a strong emphasis on a meaningful, cross-cutting use of new technologies. This change requires new framework conditions and management approaches. There are exciting developments awaiting us, and together, we will harness them. Kind regards,
Robert Buchinger Business Development SWARCO Advanced Industry Systems
Given how connected the world is nowadays, relying only on internal research and development activities is no longer enough for companies seeking success in innovation. Open innovation is necessary. While in the past, new ideas and products were developed behind closed doors, today, the assumption is that success requires the exact opposite. The term “open innovation”, which refers to – precisely – opening up R & D processes, was coined in 2003 by US economist Henry Chesbrough, who was among the first economists to understand that new globalized research paradigms were needed for a new globalized world.
Basic Concepts The two basic approaches for open innovation are called “inside-out” (or outbound) and “outside-in” (or inbound). Inside-out involves taking internal knowledge outside the organization, while outside-in integrates external impulses into in-house research and development activities. Both insideout and outside-in take place primarily on the creative front end. In both scenarios, consumers, suppliers, tertiary institutions, research institutes, creative minds, partner companies in different industries, and technical consultants are all major sources of ideas. Harvesting Ideas To bring in new ideas from the outside, three approaches have proven effective. The first one is crowdsourcing, whereby open platforms such as forums or idea competitions serve as a source of inspiration. Under the second approach, companies have the opportunity to collect fresh opinions and ideas by organizing workshops. Thirdly, companies benefit from simply signalling openness: when all creative minds across the globe are invited to offer their ideas in a self-motivated mindset and cooperate to develop them further, it creates a win-win situation for all parties involved.
A connected world requires connected thinking.
OPEN INNOVATION – A REAL-LIFE EXAMPLE In a world that is becoming increasingly interconnected, we can only grow when we grow together. SWARCO JOIN&GROW is a good example of applied open innovation. It showcases how product and process development works with the participation of clients and partners. Conducting research and development within one’s own company is a costly endeavour. Furthermore, it can happen that even after years of research, certain problems still cannot be solved. At this stage, it is often difficult to think outside the box or see the bigger picture. Open innovation offers the solution. It enables access to knowledge and resources beyond any individual’s reach. In addition, uncertainty and risk during the innovation process are reduced. At SWARCO JOIN&GROW, cooperation means reducing development cycles and costs at the same time. Wide-ranging joint research and development increase product acceptance on the market. All necessary steps on the way to serial production are planned together by the SWARCO JOIN&GROW partners. Become a JOIN&GROW Partner! SWARCO has an international JOIN&GROW Committee that evaluates ideas, and, together with the relevant partner, endeavours to bring promising innovations to market.
For more information see
SWARCO JOIN&GROW
www.swarco.com/ join-grow
TREND
PRODUCTS
A VERSATILE PRODUCT
Flexicurity – Open and Secure?
In addition to glass beads, the SWARCOBLAST portfolio also includes organic products. Walnut shell granulate, in combination with stone fruit pit fragments, makes for a versatile fine blasting medium used from the hobby all the way to heavy industry. As a blasting medium without preservatives and, above all, without iron content, walnut shell granulate makes a compelling case, especially thanks to its softness. It is ideal for cleaning sensitive surfaces, such as monuments. For example, walnut shell granulate allows for an efficient removal of elastic coatings without affecting the tolerance of the base material. In the plastics industry, there is a wide array of applications for the deburring of thermosets. This fine blasting medium is also suitable for matting plastic surfaces.
Walnut shell granulate is a natural blasting medium used in a broad range of applications.
TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
SEE WHAT HOLDS IT ALL TOGETHER For the silane coating of glass beads, choosing the right coupling agent is key. tailored to the client’s needs. Silane-modified glass beads reinforce plastics, enabling their use for a diverse range of applications. The enhanced adhesion to the matrix made possible by the adhesion promoters usually improves the mechanical properties of the moulded plastic component considerably.
Organofunctional silanes are hybrid compounds within a single molecule. Therefore, they can be used as molecular bridges between organic polymers and inorganic materials, such as glass beads. Silanes have an organofunctional group (amino, glycidoxy, methacryloxy groups) to ensure adhesion to the polymer, and a methoxy or ethoxy group to bond with the surface of the inorganic filling agent. The choice of the functional group – and thus, of the silane – depends on the properties of the plastic to be modified. It’s All Better with Beads At SWARCO Advanced Industry Systems, SWARCOFORCE glass beads can be coated with the silane that is suitable for the plastic in question. The coating of the glass beads occurs directly after the production process and is
Upon hearing about open innovation, some begin to wonder about the idea of a (seemingly) uncensored circulation of sensitive information. And indeed, the closed doors from the past have now mostly been replaced by pairs of opposites such as “stability & agility” or “security & risk”. In each of those duos, both diametrically opposed values are desirable – an ambivalent configuration in which companies and organizations in the 21st century have to strike the right balance. With its JOIN&GROW open innovation programme, SWARCO is facing the same challenge. Modern innovation research refers to the concept of reconciling the flexibility requirements and the needs for security of the modern working environment as “flexicurity”. In a context where a secure work life and a flexible personal life are increasingly interwoven, this involves looking for ways and means of securing both on an individualized basis in a manner that makes sense, be it in relation to incoming or outgoing data. This means: personalized network security, personalized encryption, secure individualized and mobile login, and flexible protection of local networks and mobile data storage devices.
A True All-Rounder Walnut shell granulate is used as a blasting medium in the petrochemical, aviation, automotive and maritime industries to descale turbines, compressors, engines, valves, reactors or chassis. In foundries, walnut shell granulate serves as a filling agent for the coating of castings. The dust-free grains are also used as a natural and biodegradable pet litter for small animals.
Using SWARCOFORCE glass beads as filler and reinforcement materials for plastics is a practical and profitable idea. The only problem is that on the molecular level, glass does not have a particularly strong affinity towards organic polymers. Coating the beads with adhesion promoters is a valid solution. To produce these stable polymer-glass systems, silanes are the optimal choice for bond coating.
With the trend of open innovation, companies and individuals participating in the creative process find themselves dealing with new, conflicting securityspecific priorities.
Silanized glass beads can be used as filler and reinforcing materials for plastics.
Flexicurity brings opposites together, requires a high degree of trust, and promotes innovative solutions. If, going forward in this direction, we are able to make the most of new technologies, work life and personal life can be reconciled regardless of time or location while being flexicure: both flexible and secure. Source (in German): zukunftsinstitut.de
OUR PHILOSOPHY
OUR MISSION
We leverage the universal benefits of glass beads for your special industry applications, in energy-efficient ways. OUR VISION
Industrial glass beads by SWARCO Advanced Industry Systems – the world’s preferred choice in all niches OUR VALUES
Efficiency, Diversity, Intelligence OUR MOTTO
Universal Efficiency
NETWORK
A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS IN INNOVATION As early as 1999, the Plastics Cluster in Upper Austria was one of the first clusters ever created in Austria. It has since always remained true to its motto, “innovation through cooperation”. This Upper Austrian cross-industry network for the plastics sector is still one of the most important Austrian industry clusters, having grown to include 400 member companies. Overall, the Cluster’s companies employ over 65,000 people with a total yearly turnover of more than 20 billion euros. Still today, 80% of the Cluster’s companies are SMEs, and about 10% of them are originally from another country. The Plastics Cluster is a joint initiative of the provinces Upper Austria and Lower Austria. The regional location agencies Business Upper Austria and ecoplus are the bodies in charge of this cluster. A Diverse Industry The companies participating in the Plastics Cluster span all segments of the value chain. From the processing of raw materials to plastics processing and machinery, as well as the mould and tooling production, from providers of plastics engineering services all the way to research, development, and academic institutions, the range of the Cluster’s members is immense. There are few other places in the world where the presence of all the different segments of the plastics industry is as concentrated as in Austria. On the Lookout for New Trends The Austrian Plastics Cluster’s activities are closely aligned with the needs of the industry. Members consider it their duty to identify technological trends early on and provide other companies in the cluster with the corresponding know-how. This is, of course, based on the premise of cooperation. This clear, prioritized goal-setting approach introduces and accompanies innovation projects.
IMPRINT: Responsible for content: SWARCO Advanced Industry Systems, Industriestraße 10, 3300 Amstetten, Austria, www.swarco.com/ais Idea, design and artwork: Kommhaus, www.kommhaus.com Photos: SWARCO Advanced Industry Systems, Wolfgang Stadler, www.shutterstock.com/M.Style/ImageFlow English translation: Irina Pálffy-Daun-Seiler | Printed by Druckwerkstatt Handels GmbH | Subject to change without notice. No liability for errors or misprints. We are deeply committed to gender equality. For the sake of brevity, only one gender may be used on occasion. However, this does not imply any discrimination against the other gender. If you no longer wish to receive our newsletter, please send an e-mail to ais@swarco.com.
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Current Areas of Focus The Cluster’s cross-company cooperation is currently focusing on the circular economy; the development of materials and components; manufacturing technology; production flexibility and optimization; and on qualification and training programmes for the plastics industry. In each of these areas, all steps are planned, coordinated and implemented jointly. Together towards Success The Cluster’s companies cooperate as part of several different initiatives. They also constantly explore opportunities for exchanges with other industries and stakeholders. Examples of current cooperation opportunities are the “Initiative Smart Plastics” (ISP) and A2LT, the Austrian Advanced Lightweight Technology platform. SWARCO Advanced Industry Systems is also an active member of the Plastics Cluster. You will find more information on both projects’ content on their respective websites: www.smart-plastics.com and www.a2lt.at. Other cross-industry cooperation opportunities for companies include the PlasTexTron® textiles, plastics, mechatronics network; activities related to additive manufacturing/3D printing; the Biopolymers Team; and the “Fachkräfte/Jugend in die Technik” initiative, which endeavours to attract more skilled workers/young people into technical professions. All of them are pooled as part of the Cluster’s business location-related activities.