Engineering

Clearing Misconceptions and Achieving Sustainable Development Goals with Automation in Logistics

The United Nations developed 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the assault of a series of problem seen globally. The problems—ranging from ending poverty and improving health, to improving education and economic growth, aim to be tackled while fighting climate change. When looking at climate change, one significant contributor to global emissions is the logistics industry. According to reports, the transport and logistics sector accounts to about a quarter (24%) of all global carbon emissions. The alarmingly high value is only set to increase, with the European Environmental Agency predicting that global logistics will cause 40% of global carbon emissions come 2050, if no measures are put in place. In working towards achieving the SDGs set by the UN, automation might not be the first ally many in the logistics sector would think of when “going green”. The Misconception of Automation Big, power-hungry industrial robots are what most would associate industrial automation with. Those robots unsurprisingly consume loads of energy, thus not aiding the logistics sector with achieving their SDGs. However, recent developments in automation have allowed for sustainable solutions to be used within the sector. Take AutoStore’s R5 robot for example. These little robots are busy workers aiding human workers with storage and retrieval within warehouses. Despite this, ten of these robots use approximately the same amount of energy as a single vacuum cleaner operating for the same amount of time. Other innovations within the space allow these robots to not only recharge themselves at the right time to avoid excessive charging, but also have regenerative energy functions to recharge their batteries whenever they store/retrieve or reduce speed. In totality, they only consume 100 Watts of energy during operation, allowing businesses within the logistics sector to reduce their […]

Sandvik Coromant holds Technology Day in Indonesia

Metal cutting leader collaborates with PT Weiss Tech and DMG Mori Metal cutting leader Sandvik Coromant has collaborated with Indonesian industrial automation machine manufacturer PT Weiss Tech and DMG Mori to host a Technology Seminar, which invited customers to learn more about Sandvik Coromant’s tool solutions to support the theme of process integration. The seminar attracted 93 attendees from 43 companies across the general engineering, automotive, agriculture, die and mold and food and beverage industries. Customers included Pakarti Riken, Meiwa Mold, Petrokimia Gresik, as well as educational institutions such as ATMI IGI and Surabaya State University. The event, which took place in Sidoarjo, East Java, was an opportunity for Sandvik Coromant’s key customers to develop their skills by learning more about a range of tooling solutions from the metal cutting expert, such as the CoroMill Dura range of solid end mills and CoroPlexYT, for Y-axis turning. The first session of the Technology Day explored how a cutting strategy with a 5-axis machine can improve die and mold product results. This session was presented by Djamal Harsja, Solid Round Tools specialist at Sandvik Coromant Indonesia, who examined the CoroMill® Dura. The second session focused on the theme of process integration with multi-axis turning centre to improve productivity. This was hosted by Tri Yatno, Regional Sales Manager for Sandvik Coromant Indonesia, on Y-axis turning. The seminar also included the opportunity for customers to tour the facility to experience practical demonstrations of the tools presented to help encourage customer engagement and understanding. “This technology day is one of many experiences Sandvik Coromant has arranged with its customers,” said Tri Yatno, Regional Sales Manager for Indonesia at Sandvik Coromant. “We believe that for our customers to gain maximum potential from the products, they must learn from the experts. Providing a space for customers to discuss […]

Downstream preparation and local ancillary needed for Malaysia’s expanding automotive and electronic vehicle ecosystem

Amid significant injections into the Malaysian Automotive market, the helping hand of collaborative robots can help sub-sector players deal with newly accelerated peaks in manufacturing By Marvin Ming, Country Manager Malaysia, Universal Robots Malaysia has taken a major leap forward in its quest in becoming the region’s automotive and EV hub, with industry leaders Tesla choosing the nation to be its regional headquarters. This deal comes amid an injection of Electric Vehicle (EV) related investments stemming from 2018, with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) approving 58 EV investment projects totaling RM 26.2 billion. Currently, the country has nearly 1,000 EV charging stations and plans to build a further 10,000 across the country by 2025, with this investment aimed at covering vehicle assembly along with the manufacturing of EV parts and charging components. Malaysia does seem to be shaping into the region’s automotive hub and EV hub, but is the nation ready for the increased demands this entails? It is paramount that sub-sector players in Malaysia have to make downstream preparation for the strain on the industry this impending transformation is going to bring about. Becoming the Region’s Automotive Hub According to reports, the Asia-Pacific EV market was valued at US$230 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach US$778 billion come 2027. The recent Tesla announcement is not the only factor in the sector’s increased value, as three major Chinese automotive players – BYD, Great Wall Motor, and Cherry, have also launched in Malaysia this year. Additionally, Malaysia is also home to other international automotive companies and assembly plants, with the likes of Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz all manufacturing within the country. Equipped with the existing expertise in manufacturing, Malaysia’s components sub sector could potentially be used to double up in servicing the projected automotive exploits, covering a […]

Hexagon launches mould and die suite, to make short work of complex manufacturing

Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division has released the HxGN Mould & Die, a suite of dedicated CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and manufacturing), engineering, and automation tools empowering mould and die and tool manufacturers to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and produce high quality tools for their customers across industries ranging from automotive to aerospace and beyond. The suite was developed to empower mould designers and makers to achieve operational excellence in the design and manufacturing of plastic injection moulds, progressive dies, forming dies, and similar tools. Capabilities of the suite include CAD/CAE (computer-aided design and engineering) for plastic injection mould design, CAD/CAE for progressive die design, CAD for manufacturing preparation, CAM for CNC (computer numerical code) machine-tool programming, process simulation and G-code verification and optimisation, shop-floor production intelligence, and automation and collaboration powered by Nexus, Hexagon’s digital-reality platform. The suite’s simulation tools help manufacturers understand the feasibility and cost of mould-making processes with actionable information. “We took everything we know about mould-and-die manufacturing, including our best-in-class Hexagon technologies, to build a specialised suite that empowers mould and die shops of any size to get the best results faster,” said Chuck Mathews, general manager, production software at Hexagon. “Their competitive edge will be enhanced Nexus, which connects desktop software via the cloud to provide further automation and collaboration opportunities. It also gives teams an easy way to share 3D models with customers through secure web-based visualisation, and consolidate access to libraries for tooling, fixtures, and materials from their desktop apps.” “The HxGN Mould and Die suite is an exciting development, combining our customers’ challenges with our deep domain knowledge to achieve more. We are refocussing innovation to bring our ecosystem technologies together and help production teams make better informed decisions, faster,” added Parth Joshi, chief product & technology officer at Hexagon. For plastic-injection mould […]

Planting Machines in “Machine-tending” — Operations in a Collaborative Industry 5.0 World

Shih Pin Tan, Head of Sales Channel Asia Pacific, Universal Robots Boasting a fleet of over 10,000 aircraft, taking a commercial flight in Asia might not be as novel as before. In generations prior, it was not as easy to manufacture these machines, with the average commercial jet airliner comprising of over 350,000 individual parts. In crafting these parts—whether metal or plastic, one process is essential: machine tending. A well-functioning manufacturing workflow relies on machinery consistently being loaded and unloaded with parts or materials. When done well, machine tending increases productivity and yields – driving down the cost of production over time. Without it, production would grind to a halt. As the sector looks forward into the future, advancements in manufacturing will rest on optimising this crucial task. The next industrial revolution Stemming from the early 2010s, Industry 4.0 saw manufacturers integrating new technologies into their production facilities and throughout their operations. Industry 5.0 builds on this, using R&D to transition to a more sustainable, human-centric and resilient industry. With that, collaborative automation has a vital role to play. Already integral to Industry 4.0, greater automation of machine tending – more specifically collaborative robotics – will help manufacturers transition to Industry 5.0. In fact, the European Commission sees Industry 5.0 as playing a vital role in providing solutions to challenges for society, including the preservation of resources and climate change. The future of manufacturing and the transition to Industry 5.0 rests on ensuring machine tending benefits from both human skill and automated consistency, something collaborative robots (cobots) are specifically designed for. The man-machine partnership Over decades, human machine operators have been slogging away at the repetitive and physically demanding task of machine tending. This poses a multitude of issues for both workers as well as manufacturers and must be […]

Electronics Asia Conference 2023 to Highlight IoT, AI/ML, Automotive, and Wireless Developments

Now on its second year, EAC will focus on how IoT, AI/ML, automotive, wireless, and the industrial sectors are powering innovations in Asia’s semiconductor ecosystem. Following the success of its inaugural edition, the second Electronics Asia Conference (EAC), a virtual conference and exhibition organised by AspenCore, the publisher of EE Times Asia, EE Times India, and EDN Asia, is set to take place from October 17 to 19, 2023. With the theme “Strengthening Asia’s Semiconductor Manufacturing Ecosystem,” EAC 2023 aims to highlight the latest technology trends, innovations, and strategic insights within the electronics and semiconductor industry in Asia. The global semiconductor industry reversed its five straight quarters of decline by registering a 3.4% revenue growth in the second quarter of 2023, according to Omdia. Driving the turnaround are the wireless segment, the automotive electronics sector, and artificial intelligence (AI), mainly due to growing demand for generative AI and data processing chips in the server space. According to International Data Corp. (IDC), spending on AI—including software, services, and hardware for AI-centric systems—in the Asia-Pacific region is expected to reach $78.4 billion in 2027, reflecting a shift toward adopting cutting-edge technologies to transform operations and maintain a competitive edge in a rapidly changing market. Meanwhile, the increasing adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies is fueling the automation and digitalisation trends in the industrial space, thereby stimulating demand for Internet of Things (IoT) and embedded systems, as more manufacturers embrace smarter manufacturing. These key trends are among the many developments driving Asia’s electronics and semiconductor supply chain. EAC 2023 will put the spotlight on technology innovations that are driving the latest developments and new applications in sectors including IoT, AI/ML, embedded systems, industrial automation, smart manufacturing, the wireless sector, and the electronics and semiconductor supply chain. The event will feature a virtual fairground, an […]

BICES-2023-XCMG-Takes-Center-Stage-Intelligent-Eco-Friendly-Construction-Machinery

XCMG Machinery takes centre stage with intelligent and eco-friendly construction machinery

Leading construction machinery manufacturer XCMG Machinery exhibited 28 flagship equipment products from eight major sectors, innovative intelligent technologies, and comprehensive set solutions at the 16th China Beijing International Construction Machinery, Building Material Machines, and Mining Machines Exhibition & Seminar (BICES 2023) held from September 20 to 23 in Beijing, China. XCMG has signed strategic cooperation agreements with China Anneng, Sinopec Fourth Construction, Shenda Group, JCHX Mining Management, and Beijing Hengshi, an order of more than 100 units of equipment products with Linyi Shihou Tianyuan, and delivered the order to China Railway 10th Bureau Group. At BICES 2023, XCMG introduced the all-new upgraded walking excavator products known as “steel mantis”. The 10-ton and 20-ton modular walking excavators are providing more solutions for emergency rescue and special operations in mountainous conditions. XCMG also highlighted Asia’s only all-terrain, rubber-tracked bulldozer with a maximum speed of 58 kilometers per hour, a high-speed excavator with the industry’s first mechanical steering technology and a steady travel speed of 80 kilometers per hour, and more as part of the emergency rescue solutions. XCMG has launched the 2023 digital and intelligent construction fleet at the exhibition, featuring a series of comprehensive solutions from intelligent construction equipment and digital monitoring to coordinated fleet operation. The 15 new energy equipment products showcased at BICES 2023 included the world’s largest tonnage hybrid all-terrain crane, the XCA300L8-HEV. Its highly efficient fuel-electric conversion in extended range mode can save 80,000 to 100,00 yuan (US$ 10,959-13,699) of operation costs annually. Its “Peacock” series large-tonnage high-voltage lithium forklift, 105-ton electric mining ruck XGE105, the world’s first unmanned electric mining truck XDR80TE-AT, pure electric excavator XE215E, hybrid pump truck HB62VH, pure electric mixing truck G4802BIIVE, as well as new energy aerial work platforms, are bringing sustainable, green solutions for global customers. As XCMG continues to advance […]

Malaysian manufacturers share journeys at APAC cobot conference

The manufacturing industry is a key contributor to Malaysia’s export revenue, job creation and GDP, at 24 percent in Q2’23, second only to services industry. Despite slipping by 4 percent in June, Malaysia’s manufacturing sector still recorded a sales value of RM147.4 billion—highlighting its importance and untapped potential to the nation’s economy. Collaborate APAC 2023 Against this backdrop, Universal Robots (UR), a leading provider of collaborative robots (cobots) will be holding Asia Pacific’s largest cobot conference, Collaborate APAC 2023 in Malaysia. The conference aims to provide a platform for manufacturers to share both the challenges and successes of their automation journeys in combatting roadblocks of the sector and explore automation solutions to address emerging manufacturing issues. To be held at Sunway Resort Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, the conference includes presentations from Sensata, a global electronics and sensor technology company, and Plasform, a Malaysian plastics manufacturer, where they share about their automation journeys in the quest of hurdling challenges faced in the industry. “Despite a number of headwinds, manufacturing continues to play a vital role in Malaysia’s economic transformation and overall growth,” said Adam Sobieski, Regional President APAC at Universal Robots. “We understand that manufacturing is no simple task, and there is no one blanket solution for every business in the industry. However, automation on the manufacturing floor can act as a catalyst for productivity and innovation, spearheading growth.” The Next Generation Cobot – UR20 Locally, the government has made strides in embracing the Fourth Industrial Revolution to ensure the manufacturing sector continues to be competitive. In 2021, there was an allocation of RM100 million for the Smart Automation Grant (SAG) under the PENJANA stimulus package, along with RM50 million under the PEMERKASA aid package. The SAG encourages small-medium enterprises and mid-tier businesses to adopt automation and digitalisation in production processes and operations. The general outlook for Malaysia’s electronics industry remains favourable, […]

Lishen Battery selects Siemens Xcelerator to scale sustainable battery production

Lishen Battery to leverage Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industry software and battery digital thread to establish traceability and transparency along the entire value chain Siemens Digital Industries Software recently announced the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement with Tianjin Lishen Battery Joint-Stock Co., Ltd. (Lishen Battery), a leading high-tech company specialising in the research, development and production of lithium-ion batteries. The agreement signifies a pivotal milestone in Lishen Battery’s digital transformation journey, with both Siemens Digital Industries Software and Lishen Battery fully dedicated to advancing the evolution of the global battery industry. “Lishen Battery is firmly dedicated to delivering comprehensive power solutions to customers. The strategic collaboration with Siemens will harness the potential of digitalisation to revolutionize the company’s management system and drive our pursuit of high-quality development,” said Tong Laiming, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of Board, Lishen Battery. As part of the collaboration, Lishen Battery will leverage Opcenter™ software from the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industry software, to establish a technology center for Lishen. The dedicated facility will be equipped with advanced capabilities for full data traceability and connectivity throughout product research and development as well as the manufacturing process. “The key to improving the competitiveness of the manufacturing industry lies in the deep integration with digital technology, so we are honored that Lishen Battery has selected Siemens Xcelerator,” said Leo Liang, Senior Vice President and Managing Director for Greater China, Siemens Digital Industries Software.“Siemens remains committed to our aspiration to foster a collaboration with Lishen Battery that fully leverage Siemens’ expertise and commitment to continuous innovation and comprehensive solutions – ranging from product design, testing and simulation, to production – to contribute to the rapid development of the global battery industry.”

Asia-Pacific to spearhead global economic growth in 2023

The global economic growth is poised to gain momentum in 2023 due to easing inflation pressures in food and energy sectors, the gradual revival of European nations, strong growth potential in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, and North America’s resilient labor market. As economies move through diverse business cycle stages, regional disparities may emerge. Nevertheless, APAC nations are set to drive nearly 70% of the global growth, whereas Western peers could encounter significant economic deceleration, reveals GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. Against this backdrop, GlobalData has revised its 2023 economic growth projection for the global economy by 0.11 percentage points (pp) to 2.1% in June 2023, compared to its previous projections in March 2023. GlobalData’s latest report, “Global Macroeconomic Outlook – Q3 2023 Update,” reveals that all regions are expected to experience a slowdown in economic growth in 2023, except for the APAC region. However, in June 2023, growth projections were revised upward for APAC to 3.8% (0.10 pp higher than March 2023), the Americas to 1.2% (0.11 pp increase), and Europe to 0.6% (0.22 pp higher). On the other side, the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region’s growth projection was downwardly revised to 2.8% (a 0.37 pp decrease) due to declining oil prices and lower production. Less developed African nations also face challenges from high food prices, complicating their economic recovery. The global inflation rate is estimated to decrease to 5.3% in 2023 from 8.7% in 2022, but it is projected to remain above the target set by major economies’ central banks. GlobalData estimates inflation rates to ease across all regions—APAC (6.6% in 2023 vs 7.6% in 2022), the Americas (9.9% vs 10.4%), Europe (7% vs 11%), and the Middle East & Africa (16% vs 19%). Ramnivas Mundada, Director of Companies and Economic Research at GlobalData, comments, “In […]

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