Developments

Laser technology to boost diamond cutting industry

LASER World of PHOTONICS INDIA is coming up with its 3rd edition from 23-25 September 2014 in Bangalore International Exhibition Center (BIEC), Bengaluru. It is an important gateway for the growth and use of lasers and optoelectronics in the diamond industry in India. Lasers today are widely used at various steps in diamond processing, sawing being one of them. Sawing is the use of a laser saw to cut the diamond rough into separate pieces. Laser sawing of diamonds is beginning to revolutionize the diamond-cutting industry. Not only does the laser saw offer saving in time and money, but it also enables the cutting of material virtually unusable by conventional methods and makes available an almost limitless assortment of fancy shapes like horse heads, oil wells, stars, butterflies, initials, etc. In addition, there are many industrial applications for laser-cut diamonds like wire dies, surgical instruments, heat sinks, and many others for the electronics and aerospace industries. The potential for unusual cuts is infinite with this method. Laser proves to be the perfect tool for micro processing of precious metals. This technology allows designers to design delicate jewellery of complex shapes. Laser cutting involves directing the focused light of a laser, which then either melts, burns or vaporizes away material. There are numerous advantages of laser cutting over mechanical cutting, including higher cut quality and a smaller heat-affected zone that minimizes part distortion. India – playing a significant role in diamond processing – is always keen to upgrade and adopt the advancements in laser technology which helps them to enhance their manufacturing processes. It accounts for about 90 percent of the estimated 60,000 crore export of the precious stones. “LASER World of PHOTONICS INDIA 2014 has taken this initiative to demonstrate the diverse use of lasers and photonics across different application […]

Asia Aerospace City takes flight with Nottingham expertise

Asia Aerospace City brings together University research with the Aerospace Malaysian Innovation Centre (AMIC) and MARA Aerospace & Technologies (M-AeroTech), a Malaysian government agency. Kuala Lumpur-based Asia Aerospace City was officially launched at this year’s Farnborough International Airshow, one of the world’s largest aerospace exhibitions and air displays. The University signed a Memorandum of Understanding with AMIC and MARA. The partners will collaborate on research and technology, specifically on virtual reality, tooling supply chain development, repair and composite manufacturing. The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus will be contributing to this important AMIC initiative through research and development in the focal areas of composite manufacturing, tooling and manufacturing automation. Professor Andrew Chan is the academic lead on the project from The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus (UNMC). Professor Chan, Associate Dean, Engineering, said: “This is a major milestone in the research profile of UNMC and a true recognition of our research capabilities in aerospace engineering. We are truly honoured to be entrusted with this opportunity by the Malaysian Government and we shall be doing our best in our contribution towards the aerospace industry developments in Malaysia.” The Memorandum of Understanding was witnessed by Professor Hai-Sui Yu, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Internationalisation, The University Nottingham; Shamsul Kamar Abu Samah, CEO of AMIC & Zulfikri Osman, Executive Director of M-AeroTech; Jean Botti, CTO of Airbus Group & Co-Chairman of AMIC; Richard Parker, Director of Research & Technology of Rolls Royce and Director of AMIC; Salmah Hayati, Deputy Director General of MARA & Chairman of M-AeroTech and Tan Sri Amir Sham, Chairman of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority. Asia Aerospace City’s Executive Director, En. Zulfikri Osman, said: “Asia Aerospace City is a complete business ecosystem, a synergy of human capital capabilities, excellent engineering services supported by a strong innovation culture. It transcends the current aerospace value […]

Alstom Grid energises Jeju Island in South Korea

Alstom Grid has successfully energised the second High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) turnkey project in South Korea, following the first also delivered by Alstom in 1997. The newly energised project, awarded in 2009, establishes a 400 MW HVDC bi-directional transmission line between Jindo and the island of Jeju. With 50 million people, South Korea is an energy-intensive nation, ranked eleventh worldwide in total energy consumption[1]. Yet, it imports 82 per cent of the total energy it consumes. Since 2006, the Korean government has developed new energy policies to become more energy independent, meet growing demand and increase energy efficiency. Jeju Island is located 100 km south of the peninsular mainland at 73 km wide and 41 km long. Known as the country’s honeymoon and holiday destination, the island previously operated on an independent electric network; it faced frequent blackouts and unstable power supply due to the network’s lack of efficiency and low power capacity. “Alstom supplied the first HVDC link at 300 MW between Jeju Island and the mainland in 1997. This second project, first of its kind at a power capacity of 400 MW in South Korea, demonstrates the Alstom’s efficient commissioning management, and commitment to continuous innovation in the high voltage energy management,” said Patrick Plas, Senior Vice President Power Electronics & Automation for Alstom Grid. Alstom’s HVDC technology is well-aligned with Korea’s ambition for a low-carbon economy, and is essential to carrying large amounts of power across long distances, with minimal losses. The new HVDC link is designed to be bi-directional, where power flow goes in both directions between the mainland and Jeju Island. This ensures that increasing renewable power on Jeju Island will be integrated for mainland use. The global HVDC market is expected to grow by €40 billion between now and 2020. In 2013, Alstom […]

The Second Machine Age

Driverless cars and 3D printers are harbingers of a new era, argue MIT colleagues Brynjolfsson (Director/Center for Digital Business; co-author, Wired for Innovation: How Information Technology Is Reshaping the Economy, 2013, etc.) and McAfee (Principal Research Scientist/Center for Digital Business; Enterprise 2.0: New Collaborative Tools for Your Organisation’s Toughest Challenges, 2009, etc.). Some 200 years ago, the invention of the steam engine sparked massive amounts of mechanical power to drive factories and mass production in the first machine age. Now, computers and other digital advances are providing such “a vast and unprecedented boost to mental power” that technologies once found only in science fiction are becoming everyday realities. Drawing on research, including interviews with inventors, investors, entrepreneurs, engineers and others, the authors describe the forces driving the emerging age, notably the digitisation of nearly everything, which increases understanding and fosters innovation, and an amazing exponential growth in improvements. We’re now seeing “the emergence of real, useful artificial intelligence (AI) and the connection of most of the people on the planet via a common digital network. As machines complete cognitive tasks—as opposed to physical ones—engaging in pattern recognition and complex communication, AI will do more and more, for example, giving key aspects of sight to the visually impaired and restoring hearing to the deaf. Along with benefits, including greater amounts of individual choice, technological progress will bring economic disruption, leaving some people behind and workers without jobs. The authors describe the large differences that are already apparent among people in both income and wealth and explain how individuals can improve their skills to maintain healthy wage and job prospects. “Our generation has inherited more opportunities to transform the world than any other,” they write. “That’s a cause for optimism, but only if we’re mindful of our choices.”

Alstom Grid energises Jeju Island in South Korea

Alstom Grid has successfully energised the second High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) turnkey project in South Korea, following the first also delivered by Alstom in 1997. The newly energised project, awarded in 2009, establishes a 400 MW HVDC bi-directional transmission line between Jindo and the island of Jeju. With 50 million people, South Korea is an energy-intensive nation, ranked eleventh worldwide in total energy consumption. Yet, it imports 82 per cent of the total energy it consumes. Since 2006, the Korean government has developed new energy policies to become more energy independent, meet growing demand and increase energy efficiency. Jeju Island is located 100 km south of the peninsular mainland at 73 km wide and 41 km long. Known as the country’s honeymoon and holiday destination, the island previously operated on an independent electric network; it faced frequent blackouts and unstable power supply due to the network’s lack of efficiency and low power capacity. “Alstom supplied the first HVDC link at 300 MW between Jeju Island and the mainland in 1997. This second project, first of its kind at a power capacity of 400 MW in South Korea, demonstrates the Alstom’s efficient commissioning management, and commitment to continuous innovation in the high voltage energy management,” said Patrick Plas, Senior Vice President Power Electronics & Automation for Alstom Grid. Alstom’s HVDC technology is well-aligned with Korea’s ambition for a low-carbon economy, and is essential to carrying large amounts of power across long distances, with minimal losses. The new HVDC link is designed to be bi-directional, where power flow goes in both directions between the mainland and Jeju Island. This ensures that increasing renewable power on Jeju Island will be integrated for mainland use. The global HVDC market is expected to grow by €40 billion between now and 2020. In 2013, Alstom […]

High strength cellular aluminium foam for the automotive industry

Aluminium foam is used for applications that requires high level of energy and sound absorption characteristics. Researchers have developed an innovative process to make high strength cellular aluminium foam with help from some salt. Aluminium foam exhibits unique properties when compared to its dense form, particularly its lightweight characteristics. Generally, the foam can be divided into two categories; closed cell and open cell, both have different characteristics and applications. The features of the closed cell are, the pores structure is isolated and they are not connected to each other. This type of aluminium foam is suitable for application that requires high level of energy and sound absorption characteristics. It has been used widely in many structural parts, particularly in areas exposed to high damping capacity, for example in the automotive front bumper component. Meanwhile, the open cell, owing to greater level of connectivity of the pores, the structure has been accepted and used in thermal management applications. One such promising application is as a heat exchanger, particularly as a cooling medium to transfer heat, due to the development of its porous structure, which provides greater surface area, thus, enabling improved heat transfer efficiency. Producing a combined structure of open and closed cell in one volume component appears to be a difficult process due to the different processing techniques involved and their individual limitations. Therefore, in this study, an innovative processing route for high strength cellular aluminium foam (CAF) by integrating porous and dense structures is presented. The CAF is well known as a light-weight product exhibiting high level of inter-connected porosity which is very useful as a thermal management application, particularly as a heat transfer or cooling medium. However, the level of strength for the CAF is not really promising when it is subjected to high impact; thus, limit its […]

Gemalto to provide secure M2M solution for car manufacturers in China

Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653 GTO), world leader in digital security announces that Flaircomm Microelectronics Inc., a high-tech company developing devices for the automotive industry, is integrating Gemalto’s M2M solution in their telematics control unit (T-Box). The solution designed for car manufacturers in China includes the Cinterion(R) MIM and integrates smoothly with in-car cellular networks. The T-box is ruggedised for extreme conditions including high temperatures, pressures and vibrations. It can inform the driver of the car conditions such as oil pressure, car speed, and engine status, as well as providing information on nearest amenities like petrol stations and convenience stores. If the car breaks down or is involved in an accident, an emergency call (eCall) will also be triggered automatically for assistance and medical help. “According to Strategy Analysts, the connected car market in China could exceed RMB 200 billion (EUR 23.5 billion) by 2020,” said Luke Shi, Chairman of Flaircomm Microelectronics Inc. “Working with Gemalto puts us in a good position to address that mega-trend. We have also passed the joint debugging test carried out by ten European operators, and so we have become a key player in the automotive industry for both domestic and international markets.” “Gemalto already has a significant M2M footprint in China, offering M2M solutions to leading providers,” added Michael Wallon, Vice President of M2M Sales for Asia Pacific at Gemalto. “We are fully committed to meeting Flaircomm’s current and future needs, with a complete M2M offering that can include Cinterion(R) modules and secure personalization after the MIM has been deployed. For our customers, this means simplified cross-border movement of M2M devices and unparalleled flexibility in instantly bringing on board international network partners.”

ATAG: Supporting Asia-Pacific Regional Growth Through Aviation

GENEVA – The air transport industry plays an important role in supporting the growth of economies across Asia-Pacific, according to a new study released today by the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) at its Global Sustainable Aviation Summit in Geneva, Switzerland. The report, Aviation: Benefits Beyond Borders outlines how air transport supports 24.2 million jobs and $516 billion in gross domestic product (GDP) in Asia-Pacific. Often overlooked when discussing aviation are the benefits that the industry has ‘beyond the airport’. This includes supporting millions of jobs in the wider economy; enabling business trips, the travel of friends and relatives, tourism and the rapid delivery of cargo – including high-value, high-tech components. Of the 24 million jobs across the region, 1.8 million are within the industry itself and the rest are supported as part of the industry’s supply chain and the significant role air transport plays in the tourism sector. ATAG executive director, Michael Gill, says that the report also outlines the worldwide impact of the industry, “Looking at the global benefits of aviation, our report identifies that the air transport industry supports over 58 million jobs and $2.4 trillion in GDP worldwide. At the current rate of growth, we expect aviation to support over 100 million jobs and $5.8 trillion in GDP around the world within two decades.” ATAG has established a web resource to outline some of these benefits: www.aviationbenefits.org. Commenting on the report, Andrew Herdman, director general of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA), said, “Aviation is a key driver of economic and social development, particularly here in Asia. This report highlights the fact that the Asia-Pacific region, with close to one billion passengers flying annually, now accounts for 32% of passenger traffic worldwide. “Looking ahead, timely investments in associated infrastructure will be needed to match the […]

Omni Stop provides pedestrian protection

There are regular reports of incidents where vehicles have crashed into construction zones, bus stops, pavement cafes and retail shop windows. Protecting lives from potential injury or death is paramount for all authorities so after each of these incidents, there is an investigation to assess whether or not it could have been prevented. One way to prevent out of control vehicles crashing into work zones or pedestrian areas is to erect a barrier which affords protection but does not restrict everyday activities on, or adjacent to, a road. Some common types of barrier, such as precast concrete sections or water-filled plastic units, provide inadequate protection and in some cases increase damage and injury to drivers and pedestrians. The Omni Stop Bollard is an energy absorbing bollard that is the only one of its type in Australia. It has been extensively crash-tested with impacts up to 60 kilometres per hour and complies with the requirements of AS/NZS3845:1999 Table 5.3.3(3). The Omni Stop Bollard permits access for workers to a construction zone or pedestrians to a shopping precinct while at the same time preventing vehicle penetration. PICTURE: Vehicle travelling at 60 km per hour safely stopped with minimal deflection of the Omni Stop Bollard. Designed, assembled and tested in Australia, the Omni Stop Bollard is available from Saferoads. Based in West Gippsland, Victoria, Saferoads has been servicing State government departments, local councils and road construction companies with a broad range of products designed to direct, protect, inform and illuminate all road users since 1992. The carbon steel bollard of the Omni Stop is supported by a unique energy absorbing cartridge that is encased in a concrete footing. When the bollard is impacted, the cartridge deforms and absorbs the kinetic energy of the vehicle. When a 1600 kilogram car at 60 kilometres per hour […]

Composite helicopter made in New Zealand

This years’ spectacular show centrepiece at EMEX 2014 is the New Zealand designed and built carbon fibre composite helicopter manufactured in Dairy Flat by the Composite Helicopter Co. It wasn’t a good look for the prototype machine to ditch into Auckland harbour, but that’s in the past, those days are gone and fine tuning and learning from the experience helped owner Peter Maloney to move on, make the changes needed for success. The KC518 helicopter has strong support worldwide and now with new carbon blades is well positioned to forge ahead. The benefits of this kind of helicopter are endless and when NZ Manufacturer first wrote about it, we recognised the innovation and forward-thinking and dedication of Peter Maloney and his team. The helicopter is a good example of Kiwi ingenuity and importantly, the prototype becoming the product, being made on our shores and available for sale around the world with orders already being taken. An all-composite fuselage helicopter is one thing, robustness another, as is fuel efficiency and the advances in composite materials means a successful helicopter has been made from a structural perspective. Visit the website www.compositehelicopter.com, check out its features, learn about the challenges that were faced building a fuel-efficient, balanced composite flying machine that the world is sitting up and taking notice of. There are many firsts with the KC518 – amongst them: it can be used by the military and VIPs, it is corporate and is the helicopter of the future.

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