Engineering

Beijing E-Town builds demonstration city for robot industry

As a pioneer in high-quality development for the new era, Beijing E-Town (BDA) is seizing the opportunity to lead the development of the embodied intelligent robot industry. The plan is to build a domestically leading and internationally first-class demonstration city for the embodied intelligent robot industry in two steps. “By the end of 2026, we aim to achieve full coverage of over ten interactive service application scenarios, attract more than 100 innovative enterprises, gather over 1,000 high-end talents, and reach a mass production capacity of 10,000 embodied intelligent robots. “By 2030, we plan to create an embodied intelligent robot innovation ecosystem characterised by ‘full-chain layout, full-stack autonomy, and comprehensive empowerment,’ establishing Beijing as a strategic base, a technological origin, an application demonstration, and a main industrial hub for embodied intelligent robots in China,” stated Kong Lei, Deputy Secretary of the Party Working Committee and Director of the Administrative Committee of the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (BDA), during the main forum on “Industrial Development” at the World Robot Conference 2024 (WRC 2024) on August 22. To achieve the development goals of the demonstration city, Beijing E-Town will implement the “Five Priorities” plan. In terms of advancing key technologies, Beijing E-Town will focus on critical areas such as the “brain,” “cerebellum,” and “limbs” of embodied intelligent robots. It will support key enterprises in strengthening collaborative research on disruptive and leading technologies, accelerate the construction of an innovative industrial technology system, and seize the high ground in embodied intelligent robot technology. To this end, Beijing E-Town will create an internationally competitive embodied intelligent “brain,” supporting robot companies in collaboration with AI enterprises to conduct research on key technologies of general-purpose large models in the field of embodied intelligent robots. It aims to develop an AI-based general-purpose model that integrates perception, decision-making, and control, […]

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AI and Sustainability in Advanced Manufacturing to take Centre Stage at Industrial Transformation ASIA-PACIFIC (ITAP) 2024

Industrial Transformation ASIA-PACIFIC (ITAP), will be held at Singapore EXPO from 14 -16 October 2024. Focusing on shaping the future with sustainable manufacturing, ITAP 2024 will spotlight the latest AI integration capabilities that enable diverse manufacturing sectors at various stages of technology adoption to foster business growth while contributing towards global climate goals. National AI developments to spur AI integration in manufacturing The Asia Pacific region is leading the smart manufacturing sector, which is expecting to grow at 15.7% CAGR through 2030. This is underscored by the accelerating rollout pace of AI policies that will lead to its greater adoption by manufacturers. Various industries are currently seeing more AI integration. For instance, Rolls-Royce, at their Seletar campus, uses AI for predictive analytics and maintenance of aircraft engines, enhancing reliability and performance while minimizing downtime. At ST Engineering, AI is used in predictive maintenance, enhancing production efficiency, and improving product quality across its various sectors, including aerospace and electronics. At a national level, Singapore revised national AI strategy (NAIS) with one of the aims to triple the nation’s AI workforce to 15,000 by 2029 and plans to invest more than $1 billion (US$743.7 million) over the next five years in AI computing, talent and industry development. Indonesia projects that AI will make a significant contribution of US$366 billion to its economy in the next decade. Indonesia aims to accelerate the growth of Southeast Asia’s largest AI ecosystem with the 2045 Artificial Intelligence National Strategy (Stratnas AI). In Vietnam, the government has approved a national strategy on AI that will enable Vietnam to become a hub for AI innovation and solutions in the Southeast Asian region and globally by 2030. Malaysia is propelling ahead with its Malaysia AI Roadmap 2021-2025, having recently launched the Malaysia Artificial Intelligence Consortium (MAIC) and the AI […]

BLT unveils high-strength aluminum and Ti65 powders for additive manufacturing

In a significant advancement for the aerospace and industrial sectors, Bright Laser Technologies (BLT) has recently unveiled its latest innovations in metal powder tailored for additive manufacturing. Leveraging its extensive research and development capabilities, BLT is launching new high-strength aluminum for Selective Laser Melting (SLM) and BLT-Ti65 for Selective Laser Melting (SLM) and Directed Energy Deposition (DED) processes, providing comprehensive turnkey solutions that cater to the complex demands of modern manufacturing. BLT-AlAM500 High-Strength Aluminum Alloy Boosts Industrial Manufacturing Quality High-strength aluminum alloys are renowned for their exceptional strength, thermal stability, and superior processing performance. These materials are prominently used in the aerospace sector for aircraft structural components, and engine parts. Beyond aerospace, high-strength aluminum alloys are also essential in high-speed trains, lightweight automotive parts, and premium sports equipment. However, producing these alloys using Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technology often presents challenges such as cracking and poor component density. BLT has optimised the process parameters for high-strength aluminum alloys, overcoming the difficulties of manufacturing complex, large-sized components with integrated structures and achieving high yield rates. In May this year, leveraging its extensive manufacturing experience with high-strength aluminum alloy components, BLT launched the new high-strength aluminum alloy BLT-AlAM500, specifically designed for aerospace applications. At TCT Asia 2024, BLT showcased parts like the bent tube, ventilation duct, and connecting pipe made from this material. The bent tube, ventilation duct, and connecting pipe printed in BLT-AlAM500. These components, characterised by thin-walled, irregularly shaped tubular structures with internal cavities, demand high precision and quality. Traditional manufacturing methods are complex, challenging, and costly. BLT optimised the design of these parts, using the high-strength aluminum alloy BLT-AlAM500 and the our Metal LPBF printing machine BLT-S400 for integrated manufacturing. Each part takes approximately 30 hours to form, achieving an average weight reduction of around 20%. The parts exhibit […]

Zoomlion opens eighth service center in Thailand

Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Co., Ltd., a leading manufacturer of advanced equipment, recently celebrated the grand opening of its eighth service center in Thailand, marking a significant step in the company’s strategy to strengthen its market presence and provide high-quality, efficient services to local customers. The grand opening was attended by over 150 distinguished guests, including representatives from local government, construction and road contractors, and industry professionals. The ceremony featured an impressive display of Zoomlion’s latest equipment, including cranes, concrete mixers, excavators, mining trucks, industrial vehicles, and tractors. Gan Mengfei, general manager of Zoomlion’s Thai subsidiary, emphasized the importance of the new service center in Phitsanulok. “The opening of this center enhances our response capabilities and service quality in the region. Customers now have more diverse product options and superior after-sales service experiences. “We are committed to deepening our market presence, boosting sales and service capacities, and continually improving customer satisfaction,” said Mr. Gan. Zoomlion’s Development in Thailand Zoomlion’s Thailand subsidiary was established in 2015 and currently employs 130 staff members. The new Phitsanulok service center is the company’s eighth in Thailand, joining existing locations in Bangkok, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chiang Mai, and more. Each service center is staffed with 4-5 service engineers, 2-3 service vehicles, and ample spare parts. This ensures prompt, efficient, and professional service. Service personnel typically arrive within 1-2 hours of a customer request, resolving issues within 24 hours. If a problem cannot be resolved within three days, a replacement machine will be provided. On July 2, Zoomlion delivered 246 aerial working platforms, including scissors and boom lifts, with models such as ZS1012HA, ZS1212HA, ZA14J, and ZA22J-V. Customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Zhao Zhaoqi, general manager of the Overseas Business Department at Hongxin Construction Development Company, stated, “We chose Zoomlion for its superior products […]

Greene Tweed completes manufacturing facility in South Korea

This new expansion will increase the manufacturing leader’s capacity and capabilities for the semiconductor market. Lansdale, PA – Greene Tweed, a leading global manufacturer of high-performance thermoplastics, composites, seals, and engineered components, has completed its new manufacturing facility in Ochang, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea. The milestone marks a significant expansion of Greene Tweed’s global footprint and reinforces its commitment to delivering innovative solutions and exceptional service to their customers worldwide with its flagship Chemraz product line. With construction now complete, the new facility is poised to commence sample production immediately and transition to commercial production by September 2024. The state-of-the-art plant is equipped with advanced manufacturing technology as well as solar panels and greywater recycling facilities to mitigate environmental impact, and skilled staff are in place, ready to drive operations forward. “The opening of this facility represents a pivotal step in our strategic growth plan,” said Magen Buterbaugh, President and CEO of Greene Tweed. “Our investment in Korea not only expands our manufacturing capacity but also strengthens our ability to provide high-quality Chemraz® products to our customers, particularly in the semiconductor industry, which is crucial to the global economy.” The new Greene Tweed location underscores the company’s dedication to supporting clients based in Korea and the surrounding region, including notable semiconductor industry leaders. With the semiconductor market expected to be valued at one trillion dollars by 2030, Greene Tweed is well-positioned to meet local and global demand. By increasing its manufacturing presence in Asia, the company expects to improve delivery times, enhance business continuity, and offer greater flexibility and reliability for customers worldwide. “Greene Tweed’s new manufacturing site in Korea is a testament to our ongoing commitment to innovation and operational excellence,” said Thyag Sadasiwan, General Manager, Chemraz. “This facility will initially focus on our Chemraz product line, known […]

Made in China

This is the surprising story of how Cold War foes found common cause in transforming China’s economy into a source of cheap labor, creating the economic interdependence that characterises our world today. For centuries, the vastness of the Chinese market tempted foreign companies in search of customers. But in the 1970s, when the United States and China ended two decades of Cold War isolation, China’s trade relations veered in a very different direction. Elizabeth Ingleson shows how the interests of US business and the Chinese state aligned to reframe the China market: the old dream of plentiful customers gave way to a new vision of low-cost workers by the hundreds of millions. In the process, the world’s largest communist state became an indispensable component of global capitalism. Drawing on Chinese- and English-language sources, including previously unexplored corporate papers, Ingleson traces this transformation to the actions of Chinese policymakers, US diplomats, maverick entrepreneurs, Chinese American traders, and executives from major US corporations including Boeing, Westinghouse, J. C. Penney, and Chase Manhattan Bank. Long before Walmart and Apple came to China, businesspeople such as Veronica Yhap, Han Fanyu, Suzanne Reynolds, and David Rockefeller instigated a trade revolution with lasting consequences. And while China’s economic reorganisation was essential to these connections, Ingleson also highlights an underappreciated but crucial element of the convergence: the US corporate push for deindustrialisation and its embrace by politicians. Reexamining two of the most significant transformations of the 1970s—US-China rapprochement and deindustrialisation in the United States—Made in China takes bilateral trade back to its faltering, uncertain beginnings, identifying the tectonic shifts in diplomacy, labor, business, and politics in both countries that laid the foundations of today’s globalised economy.

In-Depth Interview with BLT: Metal AM Printing’s Shift from Technology-Driven to Cost-Driven

Additive manufacturing isn’t just about comparing build volume sizes across different manufacturers. While build volume is a technical consideration, it’s only part of the bigger picture. To truly penetrate the industrial sector and usher in the era of mass production, our products must be manufacturable and affordable for customers. They need to be efficient, high-quality, and stable, with an excellent cost-to-performance ratio. In the past, competition might have focused on specific metrics, but now it’s more about whether your equipment can help customers run consistently over long periods, if the manufacturers can offer comprehensive industry solutions, and if it can help customers be profitable. Only under these conditions will the industry fully embrace the technology. Cost-driven production is the most solid foundation for applying this technology effectively in the field. ——-Jia Xin, Deputy General Manager at Bright Laser Technologies (BLT) Metal additive manufacturing is gradually entering the stage of large-scale application. BLT has achieved revenues of approximately USD 170 million, marking a 34.24% year-over-year increase, with a net income attributed to shareholders of around USD 19.6 million, a 78.11% increase year-over-year, making it the leading publicly traded AM company globally by market capitalization. At the 2021 TCT Asia show, BLT introduced the concept of the “Era of AM Mass Production,” marking the transition of additive manufacturing from the experimental validation stage to large-scale application. As the focus shifts from being technology-driven to cost-driven, metal additive manufacturing is steadily advancing towards the era of mass production. Jia Xin, Deputy General Manager of BLT, gave an exclusive interview at the 2024 TCT Asia show to further explain BLT’s strategies and the technological innovations driving this shift. Transitioning from Experimental Validation to Mass Production Jia Xin pointed out the evolution of additive manufacturing from its initial stages of experimental validation to its current […]

SICK and Aicadium to deliver AI solutions to Singapore and Southeast Asia

Advanced sensors and cutting-edge artificial intelligence address the most difficult visual inspection problems In a significant development for the industrial sensor and artificial intelligence sectors, SICK, a leading solutions providers for sensor-based industrial applications, and Aicadium, a global technology company specializing in AI-powered computer vision products, have announced a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to co-develop and commercialise advanced computer vision AI solutions for industry customers in Singapore and Southeast Asia. This partnership will mark a pivotal step towards integrating cutting-edge artificial intelligence with state-of-the-art sensor technology to address critical challenges in industrial and commercial environments. The partnership between SICK and Aicadium will focus on the most challenging customer use cases. It aims to leverage the strengths of both entities to create AI-powered solutions for businesses in Singapore and Southeast Asia, combining SICK’s leading sensor technology with Aicadium’s innovative AI software. With this collaboration, both companies want to revolutionise how the industrial sector tackles high-impact problems with visual inspection by providing advanced AI solutions that enhance efficiency, safety, quality, and productivity. Key aspects of the MoU include: A structured approach to solution development and commercialisation Solutions tailored to meet the technical and business needs of end customers in Southeast Asia Discovery of emerging trends to better address high-impact use cases Use of advanced deep learning and generative AI technologies SICK is renowned for its worldwide operations in developing, producing, selling, and servicing sensors, sensor systems, and sensor-based solutions particularly in the fields of optical sensors, proximity switches, safety technology, encoders, environmental and process measuring technology, identification solutions, material flow automation, traffic systems, and laser measuring systems. “We are thrilled to collaborate with SICK to deliver computer vision AI to a broad base of industrial customers,” said Kezheng Chong, Senior Director of Business Development at Aicadium. “This partnership comes at the right […]

Epicor acquires smart software for AI-Powered inventory planning & optimisation technologies

Epicor has acquired Smart Software, a leading provider of cloud-based, AI-driven inventory planning and optimisation (IP&O) applications, and an existing Epicor ISV partner. The acquisition accelerates Epicor’s delivery of best-in-class ERP solutions that provide practical application of AI across the spectrum of business operations for the make, move, and sell industries. Financial terms were not discloseds “In today’s fast-paced and constantly evolving supply chain landscape, effective inventory management is critical for success,” said Epicor CEO Steve Murphy. “The Smart Software acquisition further accelerates our focus in transforming traditional ERP from a system of record to a system of action, giving Epicor customers AI-powered capabilities to turn inventory into a competitive asset that helps drive up customer service levels and drive down costs.” Smart Software’s Smart IP&O platform is an intuitive, cloud-based portfolio of technologies that leverages patented, probabilistic AI and machine learning models to deliver superior forecasting and “what if” analysis. These models run thousands of simulations of outcomes to deliver precise predictions and avoid unrealistic assumptions, enabling users to better predict demand, stockout risks, and costs. This improves forecasting accuracy, helps users quickly identify and correct inventory imbalances, predict future operational performance, and track actuals. Customers also can use “what if” analysis to test and risk-adjust stocking policies to ensure alignment with their strategic objectives, as well as leverage the platform’s AI to prescribe optimal policies that will yield the highest financial return. As an existing Epicor ISV partner, Smart Software solutions are already integrated with several Epicor ERP platforms, extending functionality to help users make informed, strategic inventory decisions that align with their business goals. Additional benefits include: AI-Driven Operational Efficiency: With this acquisition, Epicor customers can strengthen and streamline inventory management processes, ensuring optimal stock levels. By eliminating manual data entry/data prep and automating demand forecasting while accounting […]

Rockwell Automation’s ROKLive Kuala Lumpur event highlights adoption of emerging technologies

The annual event highlights success paths with Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality, and Robotics for the Southeast Asian region Rockwell Automation hosted its annual ROKLive Southeast Asia event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in early May. With the theme ‘Discover What’s Possible,’ the event showcased the latest innovations in industrial technology such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud-based manufacturing execution systems (MES), and cybersecurity, while addressing key challenges and trends in manufacturing. This year’s ROKLive event served as a platform for customers and partners to dream big and present an opportunity to educate themselves on transformative technologies like AI, Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR), and robotics, discovering how these innovations can help revolutionize their business. The event featured engaging presentations, customer experience sharing, technology updates, industry-focus discussions, and an interactive expo featuring the latest innovations from Rockwell Automation and members of its PartnerNetwork™. Sustainability, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies in digital transformation were among the key points of discussion in the sessions. The event saw high-level knowledge sharing through keynote speeches and forums, where Marcelo Tarkieltaub, regional director, Southeast Asia for Rockwell Automation delivered a keynote on the future of automation, highlighting its potential for simplifying innovation, enhancing flexibility, and boosting performance in complex industrial settings. Apart from key executives and subject matter experts from Rockwell Automation, distinguished guests including The Honourable Fahmi Fadzil, Minister of Communications; The Honourable Tuan Dr. Mohammad Fahmi B. Ngah, Selangor State Minister for Islamic Affairs, Halal Industry, Digital Infrastructure and Technology Innovation; and Ms. Zakiah Sajidan, Director of Machinery and Metal Technology from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), offered invaluable insights during the conference. Speaking on the occasion, Marcelo said: “With the increasing number of transformative technologies in the market, it is important for business leaders to adapt to the evolving market landscape by leveraging innovative solutions […]

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