Developments

IoT testbed for the manufacturing industry

TOKYO – Hitachi has announced that along with Mitsubishi Electric Corp. and Intel K.K. (Japan), it proposed, and received approval for Factory Automation Platform as a Service (FA PaaS) Testbed(1) in the field of next-generation factories at the Industrial Internet Consortium(IIC)(2). The goal of this testbed is to test open IoT platforms that seamlessly integrate Factory Automation (FA) in the front lines of manufacturing and Information Technologies (IT) that support management and operation, in collaboration with Mitsubishi Electric and Intel. Hitachi will incorporate the results of these tests into the IoT platform “Lumada”, and create new solutions along with customers and partners. In recent years, amid increasingly intense global competition in the manufacturing industry, there has been a growing demand for more rapid product development and market introduction, quality improvements and shorter lead times in order to quickly respond to the rapidly changing market environments and management environments through the introduction of new technologies and collaborations between companies. In this backdrop, there has been a growing expectation for overall optimization that uses data related to manufacturing in the increasingly global supply chain to connect the front lines of manufacturing with management, suppliers, and customers. This in turn has given rise to a need for secure connections between a variety of devices in FA environment and cutting-edge IT services (e.g., Big Data and the cloud) and for the accelerated development of applications in the field of next-generation factories. These platforms include IoT data processing platforms that processes Big Data, IoT head end systems, and IoT gateways that securely connect the service platform layer with FA environment, and FA edge devices that provide functions unique to FA applications, and which also enable communications with FA devices in the field of next-generation factories. In addition, the advantage of IoT platform tested in this […]

Smart devices rely on even smarter engineering

As industrial machines become more sophisticated and connected, the need for ‘smart engineering’ and detailed application knowledge continues to grow to increase productivity and safety, lower risk and reduce costs of compliance. Peter Tomazic, senior solution consultant with the Global Solutions team at Rockwell Automation has more than 25 years experience in ‘thinking outside the square’ to successfully solve customers’ unique challenges, whether it involves engineering for cranes, pulp and paper machinery, process lines, mining applications , printing presses and the list goes on. He explains that while providing the hardware is only 30-40 percent of the solution, it is the domain knowledge on the application and how to apply the engineering that really makes the difference. “Anyone can go and buy hardware and try to put it together but it is the application knowledge of how to engineer the hardware that really adds value to our customers operations.” “As part of the Global Solutions team at Rockwell Automation, we leverage our in depth technical knowledge and work with customers to understand their unique challenges and goals. We can then design, manufacture and commission a solution to meet their production and business objectives,” said Tomazic. Driving innovation Advances in technologies such as the Industrial Internet of Things, are enabling machines to get smarter and meet endusers networking, integration, diagnostics and intelligence demands. Motors and drives are gaining improved integration and connectivity, resulting in increased productivity, safety and asset management. “Ethernet communications is now an important part of any application that involves drives because it provides full access to all the diagnostics within the drives, including drive parameters, status and additional features such as Automatic Device Configuration,” explained Tomazic. Automatic Device Configuration is a feature that increases uptime by allowing the Logix controller to automatically detect a replaced drive and download […]

Distributed design is now the norm

Why CAD must evolve to support it By Jon Hirschtick The wide-bodied Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a long-range passenger plane designed for comfort. The celebrated aircraft’s unique features include: more headroom (higher ceilings and overhead luggage bins), more legroom, a “comfier recline,” 21% more fuel efficiency, bigger windows and “infinity mood lighting.” When the first Dreamliner came off the production line on July 8, 2007 (not coincidentally “07-08-07”), there was much industry fanfare. Boeing hired former NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw to host a red carpet affair for 15,000 employees and even commissioned a Dreamliner theme song. Chief rival Airbus graciously sent a congratulatory letter to Boeing, declaring it “a great day in aviation history.” But beyond the funky mood lighting and more comfortable coach experience, the Dreamliner represented a landmark moment in distributed design. Instead of building a complete aircraft under one roof, the 787 would have its major components designed and built in many different factories spread across the globe. The cargo doors, for example, would come from Saab in Sweden; engine parts from Rolls-Royce in England; and wing sections from Mitsubishi in Japan. In total, 17 design teams in 10 countries would play a major role. See “Birthday Girl,” a Boeing 787-9, be assembled quickly in a time lapse video. (Source: Virgin Atlantic/YouTube) Embed link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKQQHfquBa8#t=32 On a varying scale, Boeing’s distributed design and manufacturing chain shift has become the norm rather than the exception. As the lead founder of SolidWorks and now as the lead founder of Onshape, I’ve spent a tremendous amount of time visiting CAD customers and have witnessed some dramatic changes in the way product ideas become a reality. Three profound things have happened to design teams, most noticeably over the past decade: Teams have become highly fragmented. There used to be a […]

Semiconductor use in India to grow to USD55 Billion in 2020

PENANG, Malaysia, Apr 8, 2016 – The Indian Electronic System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) market is expected to grow from USD31.6 billion in 2015 to USD400 billion by 2020, and consumption of semiconductors is expected to increase to approximately USD55 billion in 2020. Given this backdrop, the electronics supply chain will convene at SEMICON Southeast Asia (SEA) from 26-28 April at the Subterranean Penang International Convention and Exhibition Centre (SPICE) in Penang, Malaysia. SEMICON SEA 2016 will offer a complete platform for engaging customers, suppliers, engineers and decision-makers from across the industry. With the objective to champion regional collaboration, the event will open new business opportunities for customers and foster stronger cross-regional engagement. Against this positive backdrop, many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and integrated device manufacturers (IDMs) have invested in the Indian semiconductor space. The Government of India expects investment proposals in electronics manufacturing to increase two times in the 2017-18 timeframe, giving a push to the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative. According to Mr Ng Kai Fai, President of SEMI Southeast Asia, “The Indian semiconductor industry offers high-growth opportunities as the industries which source semiconductors are themselves witnessing high demand. With the Internet of Things (IoT) picking up momentum, the next generation of interconnected devices will further increase the demand for intelligent computing, creating sustainable demand for semiconductors.” “SEMI has organized a Technology Innovation Forum focusing on the impact and potential of IoT within the semiconductor sphere at the upcoming SEMICON Southeast Asia 2016. Known as the region’s premier showcase for the entire electronics supply chain, the event will feature industry leaders who will share their views on how IoT is impacting the semiconductor ecosystem. With a sold-out event, the support from global players provides a compelling reason why Vietnamese semiconductor stakeholders should visit SEMICON SEA 2016,” he added. […]

The Internet of Drones has landed

H3 Dynamics has unveiled DRONEBOX,a revolutionary system that converges professional drone-enabled service activities with the Industrial Internet of Things. Welcome to the Internet of Drones. DRONEBOX is an all-inclusive, self-powered system that can be deployed anywhere, including in remote areas where industrial assets, borders, or sensitive installations require constant monitoring. Designed as an evolution over today’s many unattended sensors and CCTV cameras installed in cities, borders, or large industrial estates, DRONEBOX innovates by giving sensors freedom of movement using drones as their vehicles. End-users can now deploy flying sensor systems at different locations, and measure just about anything, anywhere, anytime. They offer 24/7 reactivity, providing critical information to operators – even to those located thousands of miles away. Besides innovating in the world of unattended sensors, DRONEBOX eases the scalability challenges for drone service operators. Such service providers use professional drones to provide their customers with detailed aerial land surveys in mining or agriculture, perform infrastructure inspections, or monitor the progress of construction sites. However, some remote locations need regular or prolonged visits, which increase travel costs and risks to drone service providers. From an end-user perspective, despite providing powerful new insights within an industrial context, the mass-adoption of professional UAVs is slowed by the special skills required to operate them. Conversely, by pre-deploying DRONEBOX systems at the right locations, travel to remote areas is no longer required, charging or handling drone batteries is eliminated, and sensor data is simply sent through a network for easy access and processing. DRONEBOXES can be installed anywhere so that drones can perform pre-programmed scheduled routines, deploy on demand, or be woken up by other drones or sensors as part of a much wider network of “things”. As a network, DRONEBOXES can increase their effectiveness and mission times using collaborative technologies. Such deployments could […]

IoT Asia 2016 delivers solutions for a sustainable IoT Ecosystem in Asia

SINGAPORE – 30 March 2016 – Today, IoT Asia 2016, the region’s leading platform in the Internet of Things (IoT) returns with its third and largest edition from 30-31 March 2016 at the Singapore EXPO Convention and Exhibition Centre. Themed Closing the gap: From vision to reality, this edition will reveal new insights on emerging trends, new key technologies and directions for IoT’s proliferation in the region. It will also stimulate in-depth discussions to drive business collaborations in the region and undertake the real nuts and bolts of IoT implementation to make it a reality. Jointly organised by the Singapore Industrial Automation Association (SIAA) and SingEx Exhibitions (SingEx), the event was officially opened by Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister-in-Charge of the country’s Smart Nation Initiative. Aloysius Arlando, Chief Executive Officer of SingEx Holdings, emphasised the significance of the event to the region, “We are entering an era dominated by smart and connected devices, and IoT is fast becoming a reality in our everyday lives. Not only is this causing a paradigm shift in how we go about our daily activities, it’s also changing and challenging traditional business models. “IoT Asia 2016 provides a rich and diverse knowledge-sharing platform for industry players and stakeholders – from the private and public sectors – to share their challenges and solutions. It continues to be the principal event for governments, businesses and communities in the IoT ecosystem to convene and discuss real outcomes, and enhance the design of effective business solutions that could impact the wider communities across the region.” Smarter technologies for Smarter Cities and Communities Asia’s urban population is growing on an average of 44 million every year[1]. As a result, there is growing pressure on the infrastructure of Asia’s cities, from transportation to communications and […]

Fabrics detect dangerous gases

Researchers, from the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute and Konkuk University in the Republic of Korea, coated cotton and polyester yarn with a nanoglue called bovine serum albumin (BSA). The yarns were then wrapped in graphene oxide sheets. Graphene is an incredibly strong one-atom-thick layer of carbon that is known for its excellent conductive properties of heat and electricity. The graphene sheets stuck very well to the nanoglue: so much so that further testing showed the fabrics retained their electrical conducting properties after 1,000 consecutive cycles of bending and straightening and ten washing tests with various chemical detergents. Finally, the graphene oxide yarns were exposed to a chemical reduction process, which involves the gaining of electrons. The reduced-graphene-oxide-coated materials were found to be particularly sensitive to detecting nitrogen dioxide, a pollutant gas commonly found in vehicle exhaust that also results from fossil fuel combustion. Prolonged exposure to nitrogen dioxide can be dangerous to human health, causing many respiratory-related illnesses. Exposure of these specially-treated fabrics to nitrogen dioxide led to a change in the electrical resistance of the reduced graphene oxide. The fabrics were so sensitive that 30 minutes of exposure to 0.25 parts per million of nitrogen dioxide (just under five times above the acceptable standard set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) elicited a response. The fabrics were three times as sensitive to nitrogen dioxide in air compared to another reduced graphene oxide sensor previously prepared on a flat material. The new technology, according to the researchers, can be immediately adopted in related industries because the coating process is a simple one, making it suitable for mass production. It would allow outdoor wearers to receive relevant information about air quality. The materials could also be incorporated with air-purifying filters to act as “smart filters” that can both detect and […]

Vitafoods Asia coming soon

Vitafoods Asia is now in its sixth year and is the only dedicated business platform for Asia’s nutraceutical industry. Taking place on 1-2 September at AsiaWorld-Expo, in Hong Kong, Vitafoods Asia is for the nutraceutical, functional food and beverages and dietary supplement industries. Vitafoods Asia provides buyers the opportunity to source Ingredients & Raw Materials, Finished Products, Contract Manufacturing & Private Label services, and Services & Equipment. Some 170 global exhibitors and over 2,500 senior industry professionals from across Asia take part all actively seeking to grow their business in this booming region. www.vitafoodsasia.com, LinkedIn Vitafoods Asia, Twitter @VitafoodsAsia

UNIST centre to promote 3D printing technology

In the picture: At the inauguration ceremony, (from left) Mayor Ki-hyun Kim of Ulsan, UNIST President Mooyoung Jung.. The advancement of 3D printing and its impact on manufacturing have already been acknowledged by many industrialized countries. Indeed, a number of industries have been applying 3D printing technology to manufacture a wide array of items, from auto parts and prototypes to human skin and living organs. With the official launch of 3D Advanced Additive Manufacturing Center at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, 3D printing will become the city of Ulsan’s new future growth engine, following the bioindustry. An inauguration ceremony for the 3D Advanced Additive Manufacturing Center was held in the morning of Friday, February 26th, 2016. The ceremony was attended by key officials affiliated with the center, including Mayor Ki-hyun Kim of Ulsan, President Mooyoung Jung of UNIST, Vice President Jae Sung Lee, and Prof. Jeong Beom Kim (School of Life Sciences). The mission of the center is to promotes quality and innovative research in the area of 3D printing and to educate a new generation of manufacturing engineers and innovators skilled in their use. In recent years, the center has undertaken an important R&BD project, led by Professor Namhun Kim (School of Design & Human Engineering) under the suprvision of the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy (MOTIE) of Korea to produce eco-friendly 3D printed automotive parts. Moreover, it has also been working on the 3D printing project of patient-specific implants, led by Professor Jeong Beom Kim under the supervision of the Korean Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (MSIP). The ceremony was followed by a symposium on 3D printing technologies and applications to share knowledge about the future of additive manufacturing in different branches. UNIST President Mooyoung Jung states, “3D printing technology has an infinite amount […]

Making Data Digital with the Internet of Things towards Building a Smart City

Based on a 2014’s U.N. report, 54% of the world’s population are residing in urban areas, and the numbers are expected to rise to 66% by 2050. With Singapore leading the pack with 100% of its population in the urban areas, it is no wonder that this smart city has been the center of attention of global ICT leaders looking to explore the best practices of building smart cities worldwide using Big Data and Internet of Things (IoT). BIGIT, which stands for Big In Technology, is honored to present its 3rd Big Data and Smart Cities World Show which will be held on 22nd – 23rd March 2016 at Marriott Tang Plaza, Singapore with Cloudera as its Gold Sponsor. This two-day conference with the theme, “Making Data Digital with the Internet of Things towards Building a Smart City” will highlight significant key areas of Big Data and IoT in changing businesses and people’s lives in line with the implementation of Smart Cities. How will you benefit?  Gain comprehensive learning experience related to Smart Cities with tangible input from renowned senior leaders and experts from all industries across the globe.  Build interactive network with global ICT leaders by being involved in the growing and creation of new and existing Smart City markets using Big Data and IoT.  Gain various strategies and tools to promote knowledge exchange, develop new partnerships and create business opportunities in the new and growing Smart City markets.  Understand what it takes to embrace and instigate Big Data in your own organization. What can you expect?  Be in the presence of more than 200 attendees from highly targeted audience including global Big Data & IoT industry leaders who are interested in the technologies and sustainability of Smart Cities.  To discuss and identify […]

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