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Doug Green
Posts by Doug Green:
Delcam Summit celebrates 15 years, 2,000 customers for China subsidiary
Delcam held its annual Asian Technical Summit in Zhuhai, China, from 6th to 8th September as part of the celebrations of the fifteenth anniversary of the founding of its Delcam China subsidiary. The Summit is held each year to present the latest developments from the company to its leading customers, academicians and the technical media in the region. This year’s meeting, which was sponsored by HP, was the eleventh in the series and the second to be held in China. Close to 200 delegates attended, mainly from China but also from 10 other countries. The Summit featured presentations on the latest versions of Delcam’s range of CAM systems before their official launch at the EMO exhibition. Updates were also included on the other software in the Delcam portfolio, including the company’s design and inspection programs, plus the dedicated software for the footwear, orthotics and dental industries. Guest speakers alongside the Delcam presentations included Alastair Morgan, Consul General from the UK Consulate in Guangzhou, Kexin Chu, CEO/Chairman of First Auto Works Die Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Marco Kormann from Adidas Group, and Naoto Kitayama from Japan’s Tatematsu Mold Co. Ltd. Delcam formed its Delcam China subsidiary in 1996 after making initial sales into the country through its joint ventures in Taiwan and Hong Kong. Delcam China now employs more than 50 staff in its headquarters in Beijing and regional offices in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Xi’an, Wenzhou, Qingdao and Quanzhou. In addition, the Delcam Hong Kong and Delcam Taiwan joint ventures operate two offices each in mainland China, and there are more than 30 reseller offices in the country. The Summit comes at a time when Delcam is setting new records for its business in China. Sales of software have increased by more than 50% in the first half of this year […]
Using design automation to reduce costs and improve profitability
By Sharon Toh, General Manager, South Asia of SolidWorks. Across most industries today, profit margins are narrow and will continue to become even thinner. Even in segments where margins are relatively healthy, competition and global outsourcing make cost reduction mandatory. Historically, the high cost of engineering has contributed so significantly to the attack on profit margins that numerous attempts have been made to cut the process time or the cost of engineering activities. Most of these approaches have been point solutions, which can be highly important in their own right, but are not applicable across the board. Design automation, on the other hand, stands out as an effective means of dramatically cutting costs for a well-defined, well-proven range of engineering activities. This is especially so where business needs demand rapid, accurate quoting; consistent engineering; and, most important, minimum time to finished product delivery. Driving design automation The majority of companies share a common goal of reducing design costs. Traditionally, they have had two options: (1) to design less and standardize the product range, or (2) to design faster. If you want to limit your customers’ choices, the first option is fine. However, the pressure to customize products has risen tremendously over the past few years. In a recent Cincom study, 73 percent of total respondents viewed product customisation as critical for products over $100,000, while another 25 percent considered it crucial even for products under $1,000. This trend will only grow. The Cincom study revealed that 63 percent of engineers have seen requests for customised products increase over the last five years, and 26 percent anticipate that the growth rate will be between 25 and 50 percent in the next two years. Another survey of CAD users asked key questions about the users’ design processes. All survey respondents were aware […]
Metallurgical Corporation of China Announcement of 2011 Interim Results
Hong Kong: Metallurgical Corporation of China Ltd. (“MCC” or the “Company”, SEHK: 1618) is pleased to announce its unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2011 (the “first half of 2011” or the “Reporting Period”). — Revenue amounted to RMB105,838 million, representing a year-on-year increase of RMB16,988 million or 19.12%. — Gross profit for the period amounted to RMB9,879 million, representing a year-on-year increase of RMB1,038 million or 11.74%. — Basic earnings per share amounted to RMB0.10. — The total assets amounted to RMB319,206 million, representing an increase of RMB30,985 million or 10.75% as at 31 December 2010. — Newly-signed contract value amounted to RMB165,713 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 6.2% from 2010, including USD1,389 million of newly-signed overseas contracts. During the first half of 2011, the Company’s revenue amounted to RMB105,838 million, representing an increase of 19.12% as compared to 30 June 2010 (the “same period last year”). Gross profit of the Company amounted to RMB9,879 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 11.74%. Profit attributable to equity holders of the Company amounted to RMB1,969 million, representing a decrease of 11.47% compared to the same period last year. Basic earnings per share amounted to RMB0.10. Total assets as at 30 June 2011 amounted to RMB319,206 million, representing an increase of RMB30,985 million as compared to 31 December 2010. Total equity amounted to RMB55,495 million, representing an increase of 3.71% as compared to 31 December 2010. Newly-signed contract value amounted to RMB165,713 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 6.2% from 2010, including USD1,389 million of newly-signed overseas contracts. Reviewing the first half of 2011, the Company continued to expand its presence in the non-metallurgical engineering markets such as housing construction as well as transport infrastructure in addition to strengthening its edges over metallurgical engineering and construction. Meanwhile, […]
China – Australia mining forum promotes industry collaborations
Picture:The Mining Forum provided the opportunity for the audience to share information relating to smart, safe, sustainable automation in the industry The Australian mining industry is continuing to develop close links with China, opening the door for potential trading partnerships. As part of its ongoing commitment to providing technology solutions, Rockwell Automation hosted the ‘Innovations for Smart, Safe, Sustainable Automation Solutions in the Mining Industry’ Forum held in Brisbane recently. Interested parties from Australia and China were given an opportunity to speak with, share ideas, and hear from a range of speakers on best practices and innovations for the industry. The Forum was well attended with more than 100 people representing, Mining End Users, Consultants, System Integrators, OEM’s and Research Institutes from both Australia and China. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kevin Rudd opened the forum. In his welcome address, Mr Rudd emphasised the importance of investment from China in becoming Australia’s closest trading partner. “Our skilled professionals, advanced extraction processes and cutting edge technology have all made Australia a leader in the global minerals industry. We’re also a leader in mining equipment, technology and services,” said Rudd. “Today’s event, and the issues you will be discussing, are important to maintain the momentum of our trade.” Alongside Rudd, Senior Rockwell Automation Leadership – President Asia Pacific, Bob Ruff; Regional Director Australia and New Zealand, Twain Drewett; and Cheng Jie, Regional Sales Director, North and North East, China – also addressed the forum in the opening session. The forum was divided into two streams; Process and Automation, and Power and Safety. Key topics of discussion included: technology involved in remote operating centres, integration of automation and information systems, simulation and reporting systems for mining operations, functional safety in mines, and power and control solutions. The isolated geographical locations of many Australian […]
Delcam’s FeatureCAM enables move to 3D machining
Picture: With FeatureCAM, Mr. Waugh can now program anything that can be machined on his Haas Minimills. After adding Delcam’s FeatureCAM feature-based CAM system, Bruce Waugh has been able to move into 3D machining in the one-person machine shop, Waugh Machine, he runs in his garage in Camp Verde, Arizona. Until two years ago, he turned down jobs involving 3D parts because he was unable to program them. Now he can produce any part that fits within the capabilities of his two Haas Minimills. In addition, the feature-recognition capabilities within the software have reduced the time required to program typical 2.5D parts from one hour to ten minutes. There is a common misconception that only large companies can benefit from introducing CAM software. Examples like Waugh Machine prove that even the smallest operations can also boost their capabilities and productivity with these systems. “FeatureCAM has changed the nature of my business,” claimed Mr. Waugh, who has been a machinist for 35 years. “Because I can now do more complicated parts, I have been able to raise my rates while running my machines at full capacity. My customers are more than happy to pay my new rates because I am able to deliver a higher level of quality on more difficult jobs.” Mr. Waugh’s two main customers are a large medical-device manufacturer and an aerospace subcontractor. “The aerospace manufacturer usually gives me drawings,” he said. “Sometimes these are up to 60 years old.” “The medical-device company used to give me drawings as the starting point for contract machining jobs,” he added. “One day, the customer told me that it was going to do away with drawings and begin providing CAD files. I saw this as the writing on the wall for 2.5D programming and made the decision to upgrade to FeatureCAM […]
Multi-phased program includes 86,000 acres of hybrid Jatropha
Bharat Renewable Energy Ltd (BREL), a joint-venture of Bharat Petroleum, India’s second largest petroleum company, has initiated a program with SG Biofuels (SGB) to develop and deploy elite hybrids of Jatropha for the production of biodiesel in India. The program’s first phase includes a crop development effort to produce high performing hybrid varieties of Jatropha adapted to unique growing conditions across the country. Additional phases include the deployment of more than 86,000 acres of Jatropha using SGB’s JMax(TM) hybrid seeds. “With the genetic diversity of their Jatropha hybrid material combined with ability to produce large volumes of hybrid seed, SG Biofuels is an ideal partner to work with to successfully develop, validate and scale Jatropha as the primary source for biodiesel in India,” said Mr. M.V. Radhakrishnan, chief executive officer of Bharat Renewable Energy Ltd. SGB will draw from the advancements of its global JMax(TM) crop development centers where the company is optimizing elite hybrid varieties of Jatropha through a combination of molecular breeding and biotechnology. The centers feature hybrid material from the company’s germplasm library totaling more than 12,000 genotypes. SGB will work with BREL to select, test and scale the highest yielding, most commercially viable hybrid varieties for growing regions in India, including the initial 86,000 acre deployment. In December 2009, the Indian Government developed its National Policy on Biofuels targeting 20% blending of bioethanol and biodiesel into petrol and diesel markets. Government policy stipulates the use of wastelands to cultivate non-edible oil seed plants without affecting food security. According to the Asian Development Bank, the current cultivation of Jatropha and other non-edible oilseeds will need to increase by nearly 80 million acres to meet the nationÕs biodiesel targets. “We look forward to working with BREL to develop a thriving Jatropha industry capable of meeting the country’s significant demand […]
Gulfstream G150 Certified for China Registration
Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. has received type certificate validation (TCV) for its G150 aircraft from the Civil Aviation Administration of China, a move that allows operators to register the wide-cabin, high-speed business jet there. Gulfstream achieved the validation through close coordination with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, China’s CAAC and the Civil Aviation Administration of Israel, where the G150 airframe is built. The G150, thanks to its 3,000 nautical-mile range and high speed, provides exceptional capability and efficiency to Chinese operators and is backed by the same product support organization that services Gulfstream’s long-range G550 and G450 aircraft. The G150 can fly from Singapore to Beijing in 6 hours and 10 minutes, shaving up to 1 hour and 14 minutes off the flight time of other aircraft in its class. The aircraft can travel nonstop from Hong Kong to Mumbai at Mach 0.75, Hong Kong to Delhi at Mach 0.80 and Beijing to Delhi at Mach 0.80. The mid-size jet also offers several options to improve safety, including an Enhanced Vision System (EVS) II, and a Wide Area Augmentation System-Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance (WAAS-LPV). In addition to China, the G150 has received type certification validation from the Ukraine, Israel, the United States, Chile, the European Union, the Philippines, Canada and Brazil.