Developments

esmo continues Asian expansion with Kassow robots partnership

esmo group (esmo), a full-service systems integrator that provides innovative and advanced engineering services, now has a partnership agreement with Kassow Robots to market, sell, and integrate the collaborative robots in Singapore. This strategic partnership marks Kassow Robot’s first venture into the region, and augments esmo’s best-in-class automation solutions for the Asian market. Denmark-based Kassow Robots develops compact 7-axis lightweight collaborative robots (cobots) for industrial applications. Capable of higher payloads and longer reach radiuses than other cobots in the market, Kassow Robots’ cobots offer the benefits of strength, speed, and simplicity all at once. The intuitive and robust design of the cobots allows operators to automate repetitive, laborious tasks in a cost-effective manner. With Kassow Robots solutions, esmo’s customers stand to enjoy an increase in productivity and a boost in labor efficiency. “We’ve seen great success in the Asian market for a good number of years now, and a key component of that success lies in our ability to provide and maintain a strong portfolio of leading-edge technology,” shared John Lee, Sales and Application Engineer, esmo Asia. “Our partnership with Kassow Robots enables us to offer a comprehensive range of innovative and reliable cobot solutions that can address our customers’ current and future operational needs.” Kassow Robots’ family of products now comprises five 7-axis cobots that can handle payloads of up to 18 kilograms, and offer a reach of up to 18 meters. The suite of automation solutions is ideal for a variety of industries, including metalworking and food manufacturing.

CharlieQiuShaoLing-GKN-Automotive-China-ASIA-MN

GKN Automotive appoints new president of China business

GKN Automotive, the global leader in drive systems, has announced Shaoling (Charlie) Qiu as the new President GKN Automotive China, effective from 1 May. Shaoling (Charlie) Qiu, who will be reporting directly to GKN Automotive CEO Liam Butterworth and based in Shanghai, is joining from Thyssenkrupp Automotive where he was CEO of its Asia Pacific region and in charge of its China business division. This follows an extensive career in the automotive industry including four years serving as President Dayco China. Liam Butterworth, CEO GKN Automotive “China is a critically important market for us, and Charlie is joining GKN Automotive at the perfect time. He will be leading our ambitious strategy to continue growing our business in the world’s largest car market. “Our advanced e-powertrain technologies make us perfectly placed to take advantage of China’s growing appetite for electrified vehicles. We are also intent on boosting our world-leading Driveline business, working with our joint-venture partner HASCO. Charlie has the experience and leadership to help us achieve those goals and I look forward to working closely with him.” Shaoling (Charlie) Qiu “I am honoured to be joining GKN Automotive, working with Liam and the rest of his leadership team. It is a world-leading business, with a tremendous history of innovation and an impeccable reputation with global car manufacturers. With GKN Automotive’s advanced technologies and unrivalled ability to collaborate with car makers, we have a terrific opportunity to rapidly expand in China. It will be an exciting challenge.” GKN Automotive is the global leader in drive systems. A global automotive technology company that pioneered electric drive systems and is now driving the future of transportation. It is the trusted partner for most of the world’s automotive companies, specialising in developing, building and supplying market-leading driveline systems and advanced ePowertrain technologies. GKN Automotive’s […]

Smart city and wireless communication network, business district

Smart Cities to fuel growth of Asia-Pacific’s Internet of Things market by 2026

APAC IoT market is expected to reach $436.77 billion in revenue by 2026; spending on smart cities accounts for almost one-third of the market Frost & Sullivan’s recent analysis finds that Asia-Pacific’s Internet of Things (IoT) market is rapidly being transformed by Mega Trends, including the integration of edge-computing networks into IoT systems and new narrow-band (NB) IoT deployments. Driven by growing investments in 4G/LTE and 5G, reduced IoT sensor costs, and government support, the buoyant APAC IoT market is expected to reach $436.77 billion in revenue by 2026 from $96.92 billion in 2020, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 28.52%. China leads IoT spending, accounting for over half of the APAC market, followed by Japan and Australia. Government spending on smart cities accounts for almost one-third of the region’s combined spending, followed by transportation and logistics, then manufacturing. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted customers’ transformation journeys across several industry verticals, resulting in delays in projects such as integrating innovative technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), Blockchain, and cloud adoption. “The APAC region accounts for about 40% of global Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) connections, with NB-IoT accounting for 97% of them,” said Hemangi Patel, Information and Communication Technology Research Analyst at Frost & Sullivan. “We forecast that the rise of NB-IoT technology will benefit low-resource IoT devices penetration. NB-IoT is expected to be an integral part of IoT connectivity, addressing requirements related to low-bandwidth, low-speed connections in utilities, industries, and households.” Patel added: “On a macro level, increasing government focus on smart cities and Industry 4.0 initiatives is driving demand for digital IoT solutions in the region, such as eGovernment, public transportation, smart traffic management systems, and smart power grids. Given their portfolios ranging from business application solutions to data analytics and end-to-end platforms, telcos are […]

Food waste used to make construction materials

UK-based company Biohm uses natural vegetative material to ‘grow’ insulation panels.It has also developed a new type of composite material that is 100% biodegradable and vegan. Biohm is one of 17 companies in The Circulars Accelerator Cohort 2021. What if we could use waste or carbon-negative materials to make buildings? Biohm,a ‘biomanufacturing’ company is doing just that, creating building materials from mushrooms, orange peel, cocoa husks and other food waste. They have developed an alternative to wood-based sheet materials made from waste by-products from the food or agricultural sectors. Called Orb, the composite material is 100% biodegradable and vegan and can be moulded into shapes. It has also developed a world-first insulation panel made from mycelium – the white, thread-like roots that grow from fungus. The natural mushroom fibres can outperform some insulation products. “Mycelium is usually found in forests, underground, and it holds the topsoil together. It allows plants to connect to one another – it’s like nature’s Internet. And we grow that into an insulation panel that can provide superior insulation values compared to other alternatives on the market,” says Biohm founder Ehab Sayed. Cutting back on waste Sayed started the company after being shocked by the waste from the construction industry. By repurposing waste, and creating biodegradable products, his company contributes towards the ‘circular economy’. Biohm is a member of The Circulars Accelerator Cohort 2021, an initiative to help circular economy entrepreneurs scale their innovations. The accelerator is a collaboration with UpLink, the World Economic Forum’s innovation crowdsourcing platform, and is led by professional services company Accenture in partnership with Anglo American, Ecolab, and Schneider Electric. An incomplete circle More than 92 billion tonnes of materials were extracted and processed in 2019, contributing to about half of global carbon dioxide emissions, according to the World Economic Forum. “The resulting waste – including plastics, textiles, food, electronics and more – […]

Ford and HP collaborate to transform 3D waste into auto parts

An Industry First Ford says 3D printing has potential to revolutionise customisation of low-volume vehicle parts, accelerate sustainability Companies found way to extend life of already-used 3D printed powders and parts, turning them into auto components for Super Duty F-250 trucks, creating closed-loop on waste Implementation completed in less than one year from ideation to application in parts Ford is continuing to drive the future of automotive 3D printing, this time teaming up with HP to innovatively reuse spent 3D printed powders and parts, closing the loop and turning them into injection molded vehicle parts – an industry first. Sustainability is a priority for both iconic companies, which through joint exploration led to this unlikely, earth-friendly solution. The resulting injection molded parts are better for the environment with no compromise in the durability and quality standards Ford and its customers demand. The recycled materials are being used to manufacture injection-moulded fuel-line clips installed first on Super Duty F-250 trucks. The parts have better chemical and moisture resistance than conventional versions, are 7 percent lighter and cost 10 percent less. The Ford research team has identified 10 other fuel-line clips on existing vehicles that could benefit from this innovative use of material and are migrating it to future models. “Finding new ways to work with sustainable materials, reducing waste and leading the development of the circular economy are passions at Ford,” said Debbie Mielewski, Ford technical fellow, Sustainability. “Many companies are finding great uses for 3D printing technologies, but, together with HP, we’re the first to find a high-value application for waste powder that likely would have gone to landfill, transforming it into functional and durable auto parts.” HP 3D printers are already designed for high efficiency, with systems and structures to minimise the excess material they generate and reuse a […]

Hitachi High-Tech expands metals analysis range with OE720

Hitachi High-Tech Analytical Science has further expanded its metals analysis range with the launch of the OE720. A year ago, the reveal of the ground-breaking Hitachi OE750 caused waves in the industry by making high-performance metals analysis finally accessible to all sizes of metals producers. Designed to help foundries, fabricators and manufacturing plants meet ever more demanding specifications, the new OE720 joins Hitachi High-Tech’s new OE series. The OE720 boasts the same high-performance as the OE750 but offers an attractive price advantage to companies who don’t need additional gas analysis capability. High performance made affordable: Complex supply chains and increased use of scrap metal as a base material puts foundries and metals manufacturers under increasing pressure to control tramp and trace elements within the melt and finished product. The OE720 optical emission spectrometer covers the entire spectrum of elements in metal except for gases like oxygen and hydrogen and has some of the lowest detection limits in its class. The result is an analyser that has the capability of much more expensive instruments, bringing high quality analysis within reach for the first time for many foundries and metals manufacturers. Innovative technology: The secret to the Hitachi OE series’ performance is its unique LightWing optic design*, coupled with superior CMOS detector technology. This unique combination achieves the very large wavelength range necessary to measure the entire range of elements within metals at ppm levels; essential in meeting today’s tight metals specifications. Low cost of ownership: The second advantage of the LightWing optics is reduced argon and power consumption, thanks to its ultra-compact design. As well as a fast start-up and measurement time, helping keep costs down and productivity high. Developed for the aluminum industry: The OE720 is the ideal analyser for aluminum casting as it can determine phosphorous to very low […]

Hexagon acquires CADLM

Hexagon AB, a global leader in sensor, software and autonomous solutions, has aquired CADLM SAS, a pioneer in powering computer-aided engineering (CAE) with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to revolutionise the impact of simulation in product development processes and lifecycles. Founded in 1989, France-based CADLM has years of experience developing computational design and optimisation methods for industrial products and processes, and since 2014 has been developing AI and machine learning solutions. Its ODYSSEE software platform applies AI and machine learning to real-world sensor data and physics-based simulation data to produce accurate, predictive models of a product at efficient computing power levels. The combination enables faster, more efficient simulations of dynamic, multi-physics phenomena – such as automotive crash and safety – that fully characterise and understand real-world product behaviour. This insight enables engineers to explore the design space more extensively and interactively and improve next-generation products without prohibitive computing cost or time. Furthermore, the pervasive use of the digital twin beyond the early design phase enables manufacturers to leverage image recognition, predictive simulation and fault prediction to address challenges such as downtime, throughput, quality and flexibility throughout the manufacturing process. “The convergence of CAE with advances in data management, AI, machine-learning and an increasingly connected manufacturing lifecycle is transforming the industry’s ability to address increasingly complex design challenges with rapid innovation and increased productivity,” says Hexagon President and CEO Ola Rollén. “CADLM’s AI knowledge and technology further strengthen our Smart Manufacturing solutions portfolio, putting data to work beyond the early design phase to improve product design innovation, manufacturing productivity, product quality and environmental sustainability through reductions in material waste.” CADLM will operate as part of Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division. The acquisition has no significant impact on Hexagon’s earnings. Completion of the transaction (closing) is subject to normal closing conditions. Hexagon […]

HandySCAN 3D Silver Line-Up

Creaform has announced the latest addition to its HandySCAN 3D line-up offer, the Silver series. With more than 5000 users already, this proven, trusted and patented technology is the industry standard in portable metrology-grade 3D scanners. It will now be available at an accessible price for professionals looking to grow their business by acquiring state-of-the-art measurement solutions. Developed and manufactured in North America, the Silver Series captures highly accurate and repeatable 3D measurements of any complex surface in any location. It represents the best value for money on the market and is supported by a global team of engineers and technicians. The SILVER series offers a versatile professional 3D scanner, with all the features that made the HandySCAN 3D scanners the reference in the industry: Quality optics: Provides reliable and maximised scan quality with an accuracy of up to 0.030 mm (0.0015 in). 7 lasers crosses: Can quickly capture the surfaces in the entire field of view with a scan area of 275 x 250 mm (10.8 x 9.8 in). Versatility: One device for all shapes and sizes, it masters various objects regardless of the part size, complexity, material, or color. Plug and play: A simple user interface and real-time visualisation offers an ease of use and a short learning curve, regardless of the user’s experience or expertise level. On the go scanning: Portable, lightweight and quick to set up, it can be up and running in less than 2 minutes, either in-house or on site. Available in 2 models: Customers can choose from two models based on their business needs -HandySCAN 307TM at US $19,990 or the HandySCAN 700TM at US $29,900. “For the professionals who need to adapt quickly to their customers’ needs and provide better answers to their inquiries, a reliable 3D scanning solution is indispensable,” explains […]

Learn from Asia

Fabian von Heimburg Co-founder and Managing Director, Hotnest When I started my technology company in China 7 years ago, everybody in the West thought China was just copying European and US technology and there was no real innovation taking place. The overriding theme in the media and at conferences – where I spoke about the daily reality of operating in the Chinese startup world – was always belittling Chinese innovation, while South East Asia was not even mentioned. But what I saw seven years ago from my daily experience is that China was already very innovative in many areas – from e-commerce to social media – and had created a unique ecosystem. The world was surprised when China was suddenly recognised as being innovative and leading the way in AI, IoT and electric vehicles – areas where the West thought it was ahead. The problem was an inability and unwillingness from western observers to understand or acknowledge the tremendous development that was taking place. The West is frankly not used to learning from others. Europe and the US are mostly looking at each other, or worse, just internally for innovation and progress. Many Asian countries on the other hand, are used to observing very closely what is happening in Europe and the US in terms of innovation and progress. The West’s judgement of the rest of the world is more and more clouded by judgement based solely on differences in values. If Europe wants to keep progressing like it has in the last 50 years, it needs to finally start learning from Asia, just as Asia has been doing from Europe for decades. Our future depends on cooperation and mutual learning, avoiding conflict and solving the world’s biggest problems, such as climate change, together. Europe needs to learn how to […]

Secutech rescheduled to July 2021

Because of ongoing uncertainty caused by the covid-19 pandemic, including safety concerns and logistical difficulties facing participants, the organiser of Secutech has decided to reschedule the upcoming 23rd edition. Originally scheduled to be held in April at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Centre, the fair will now take place from 7 – 9 July 2021 at the same venue. ‘Secutech hybrid’, the fair’s new online platform has also been deferred, and is now set to take place during the new timeslot of 16 June – 15 July. With the pandemic expected to significantly slow in the second half of the year due to progress with vaccinations, the organiser expects a safer, more business friendly trade fair in July. Ms Regina Tsai, General Manager, Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd – Taiwan Media Branch Office, says: “After weighing the options very carefully and consulting the relevant stakeholders, we have arrived at this decision in the best interest of the fairs’ exhibitors, visitors and partners. With the pandemic expected to be under much better control this summer, this adjustment to the calendar will not only help exhibitors reach out to more potential visitors, but it will also ensure that trade buyers get a safer and more productive trade fair experience.” To aid international participants that are facing travel uncertainty, the 2021 edition of Secutech sees the introduction of ‘Secutech hybrid’, a new online platform that will supplement the physical trade fair. Safety and security are increasingly important basic needs and, therefore, stand for a growing global market. With twelve trade fairs, congresses and forums around the world, Messe Frankfurt brings together demand and supply worldwide with progressive, connected products, applications and services focusing on commercial security and the protection of buildings, spaces and people. The Safety, Security & Fire business cluster offers access to the […]

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