Engineering

From challenges to opportunities: favourable climate for the plastics industry

The plastics industry in ASEAN remains unperturbed by global developments that are also impacting the growth path of key industries. With K 2016, the world’s largest trade fair for plastics and rubber, coming up in Düsseldorf, Germany, from 19 to 26 October, we take a closer look at this market. The new norm of economic growths and trends such as oil prices, variable supply and demand, and weakening of most Asian currencies against the US dollar, have allowed the region’s countries to rediscover their strengths to sustain growth either individually or as a part of the collective grouping of the 10-member ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nation), which comprises Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia. ASEAN’s fertile consumer base with a combined population of over 600 million and a combined GDP of US$ 2.6 trillion, as well as presence in the global market, enables the region to tap the right opportunities, hinging on the region’s rising middle class sector. One of ASEAN’s top export sectors by value is plastics and plastic products earning US$ 39.3 billion in export revenues in 2013. The sector’s production rates have witnessed a steady average growth over the recent years, especially in the ASEAN-6: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, which account for more than 95 % of regional GDP, according to McKinsey & Company. Vietnam’s relatively nascent plastics industry had an average annual growth of 16-18 % between 2010 and 2015. Packaging accounts for 37.4 %, followed by consumer goods (27 %), construction (18 %) and technical products (15 %). Yet, the industry is still at the “low end and of low value”, according to Vietnam Plastics Association (VPA), with a majority of exports being plastic bags to Japan. It also relies heavily on imported raw materials, like […]

Defining the IoT

-Dr. Hai Wang, Senior Vice President, Technology & Operations, NXP Semiconductors. At NXP, we believe that we are entering a new era of computing technology that many are calling the Internet of Things (IoT). We see the IoT as billions of smart, connected “things” (a sort of “universal global neural network” in the cloud) that will encompass every aspect of our lives, and its foundation is the intelligence that embedded processing provides. IoT is made up of smart machines interacting and communicating with other machines, objects, environments and infrastructures. As a result, huge volumes of data are being generated, and that data is being processed into useful actions that can “command and control” things to make our lives much easier and safer—and to reduce humanity’s impact on the environment. How would IoT affect people and businesses now and in the future? IoT affects individuals, businesses large and small as well as industries. Today there are an estimated 2.9 billion people online, or 40% of the world’s population. Analysts expect that as nations and technology develop, 50% of the world’s population could be online by 2017. We could see up to 30 billion connected devices in coming years, three times more than today’s 10 billion connected devices. The major impact of IoT will be in consumer and business sectors, security and safety, education and healthcare, as well as in governments and policy shaping. What benefits do NXP Smart Solutions bring to businesses? A critical value that NXP brings is secure connectivity solutions. In fact, NXP is currently the world’s leader in secure connectivity solutions for embedded applications, enabling secure connections and infrastructure for a smarter world. Our solutions work behind the scenes, helping partners in the global ecosystem as they work to are create and deliver complete hardware and software solutions […]

The Future of Manufacturing

-Tony Glockler, CEO of SolidProfessor, talks to Asia Manufacturing News People love to predict the future: whether they will score a 100 on a test, receive a promotion, or win the lottery. Humans make predictions because it gives them a sense of hope and feeling of control over their future. Predictions also free people from fear and prepare them for the unknown. With the rapid speed of technological advancements, many ponder how this will affect the future of manufacturing. Robots, the Internet of Things, and technological obsolescence are a few technological factors that will shape the future of manufacturing. Understanding how these will affect the manufacturing industry will allow one to properly prepare for the future. Robots The number of robots being used today for industrial work is close to one million. Robots are highly sought after by manufacturers due to their productivity, efficiency, and quality. Manufacturing robots are typically utilized for assembly line work at automotive plants, energy plants, and hospitals. They are useful for their ability to do a variety of repetitive tasks effectively and tasks that are dangerous to humans including heavy lifting, handling chemicals, and cutting and polishing objects. Because of their usefulness, robots will only become more and more common, shaping the future of manufacturing. Many may wonder if robots will replace human factory workers. While this is inevitable, it will also create new professions that work alongside these robots. Robots are still imperfect and their abilities will never be sufficient to replace humans. Though it may change with the increased use of robotics, human labor will continue to be important, regardless of how mechanised industry becomes. Internet of Things The Internet of Things, or IoT, is a network of physical objects including devices, buildings, vehicles, and other items becoming embedded with electronics, software, sensors, […]

SL-400 hydraulic gantry simple to operate

A compact, simple-to-operate and safe hydraulic gantry crane is being introduced by Enerpac South-East Asia to facilitate precision lifting and positioning of heavy loads, up to 408 metric tons, when using four towers. The SL-400 Super Lift Series is a cost-effective alternative to a traditional crane for numerous applications including building and infrastructure, manufacturing, mining, logistics, ports, oil and gas and maintenance. The SL-400 hydraulic gantry is the company’s highest capacity bare cylinder gantry. Equipped with three stage lifting cylinders, the SL-400 lifts up to 9.14m at the top of the third stage and can handle up to 408 metric tons at the top of the second stage. Designed to meet stringent safety requirements, the SL-400 complies with the safety standards set by ASME B30.1-2015. To ensure quality performance, each gantry is tested to 120 percent of capacity at full extension and witness tested by a qualified third party organization. The SL-400 is also CE compliant. “The SL-400 has a smaller footprint compared with larger gantry cranes and overhead cranes, making it ideal for heavy duty lifting in confined spaces, limited hook approaches or low headroom areas, such as heavy machinery, turbine or generator positioning and press installation,” says Enerpac Integrated Solutions Manager for South-East Asia, Mr Maxim Lee. Hydraulic Gantries are a safe, efficient way to lift and position heavy loads in applications where traditional cranes will not fit and permanent overhead structures for job cranes are not an option. Hydraulic Gantries are placed on skid tracks to provide a means for moving and placing heavy loads. “The SL-400 is also a very cost-effective solution for installation and maintenance across a huge range of industries. It doesn’t need expensive foundations or permanent structural support columns for the installation of heavy equipment such as industrial presses, turbines and generators. Workshops […]

Entegris expands operations for semiconductor process liquid filtration in South Korea

Entegris a leader in yield-enhancing materials and solutions for highly advanced manufacturing environments, announced today the expansion of its liquid filtration/purification analytical science and research and development facility in Suwon, South Korea. As an addition to its existing Korea Technology Center (KTC) facility, the expanded lab includes advanced chemical/water analysis and material characterisation capabilities, along with filtration device instrumentation. These new capabilities will allow closer collaboration with local customers to solve specific liquid filtration challenges by providing optimised solutions for their advanced processes. “Sophisticated analysis of the interaction and compatibility between complex process chemistries and filtration devices are increasingly important as technology nodes advance. We continue to invest in these technologies ̶ close to our customers ̶ to optimize the performance of our filters with the unique chemical solutions our customers require,” said Entegris Vice President of Liquid Microcontamination Control, Clint Haris. “Expanding the KTC liquid filter lab allows us to increase collaboration with Korean customers and to integrate new developments into new process solutions faster.” The expansion represents Entegris’ on-going commitment to serving the Korean semiconductor manufacturing market and its continued effort to work directly with customers on a local level to solve critical issues for advanced technology processes. Entegris is the leading provider of liquid filtration and purification technologies for the most advanced semiconductor applications. In addition to the expanded analytical and R&D liquid filtration services, Entegris’ KTC also provides wet and dry chemistry development, chemistry formulation and pilot scale-up, on-site metrology with real-time reporting, and microcontamination and liquid filter characterisation. Entegris is a leading provider of a wide range of products for purifying, protecting, and transporting critical materials used in processing and manufacturing in the semiconductor and other high-tech industries. Entegris is ISO-9001 certified and has manufacturing, customer service and/or research facilities in the United States, China, […]

Fujitsu launches new VPS

TOKYO, Dec 15, 2015 – Fujitsu Limited and Digital Process Ltd. today announced two additional products and an overall new version of the Digital Process-developed software package, Fujitsu Manufacturing Industry Solution Virtual Product Simulator (VPS). This digital production-preparation tool for the discrete manufacturing industry uses 3D modeling to help analyze product-assembly processes. The software’s tracking functionality has now been enhanced so that changes to the original 3D CAD design data are reflected to the parts affected in VPS, which enables improved response to design changes and manufacturing process development. Viewing functions have also been enhanced, such as with the ability to use iOS devices to display process-flow diagrams for assembly verification. These enhancements make it easier to further utilize 3D data in production-preparation processes, thereby contributing to improvements in product quality, shorter development times, and cost cutting. VPS is packaged software that uses a product’s 3D model data created in CAD to provide cohesive support for production-preparation tasks and processes, including product reviews in assembly production planning, process reviews when assembling products, studies of production line layouts, and document creation for use in manufacturing. In on-site preparation for production, it has been a challenge to reduce the amount of work needed to reflect CAD data revisions, frequently occurring at the design stage, to VPS data that has already been generated with production information attached. In addition, there was a growing need to view VPS data at work sites in order to improve the efficiency of assembly operations. This new VPS version provides agility in responding to changes in design and manufacturing processes, as well as enhanced viewing functions. Product Features 1. Less editing time required with improved support for design changes and manufacturing-process development 1) Enhanced design-change tracking functionality that greatly reduces the work needed to reflect differences when changes […]

Toscotec starts up its first AHEAD-1.5M tissue machine at Yuen Foong Yu Taiwan

The Toscotec-supplied AHEAD-1.5M tissue machine has started up at Yuen Foong Yu’s Chingshui mill in Taiwan. Yuen Foong Yu Paper, with its famous brand Mayflower, is currently the largest paper manufacturer in Taiwan and it ranks 49th in the world. The start-up has been welcomed by the Taiwanese producer as the positive outcome of a strong cooperation between the two teams: “We are pleased with the qualified teamwork and Toscotec’s support all the way from the engineering phase to the commissioning field work. We look forward to seeing the outstanding performances and energy saving results that we expect from Toscotec’s technological solution” says Mr. Ming Fa Tang, YFY’s Deputy General Manager. The scope of supply of the Italian supplier included one AHEAD-1.5M machine, installing Toscotec’s second generation Steel Yankee Dryer TT SYD-18FT, a 1,425 mm diameter suction press roll and steam-heated hoods, as well as the stock preparation system. The machine has a working speed of 1,650 m/min and it will increase the mill’s production capacity by 40k t/y. The Taiwanese producer has chosen Toscotec’s cutting-edge technology and customized design as the winning solution that strikes the perfect balance between machine performance and the lowest possible total energy consumptions. The masterly combination of a large diameter Steel Yankee Dryer, a single jumbo press roll and steam hoods delivers key advantages in terms of energy savings. TT DOES (Drying Optimization for Energy Saving) is now widely acknowledged as Toscotec’s signature design solution, especially on the Asian market, where energy savings are a major concern for tissue producers. About Toscotec S.p.A. Toscotec is a turnkey technology supplier to the global paper industry, offering a complete suite of solutions for tissue, paper and board manufacture, as well as maintenance services for rolls and cylinders. Based in Lucca, Italy, and with subsidiaries in China […]

Hybrid propulsion technology and Oceannet communications network to protect marine life

HONG KONG – Mr. Nobu SU, Chairman of Today Makes Tomorrow Group (“TMT”) successfully registered a patent in Singapore for Hybrid Ship, a hybrid technology that enables a variety of vessels, including bulk carriers, tankers, PCTC and LNG ships to enhance fuel efficiency. The innovation consists of a conventionally driven main propeller and an electrically driven duct propeller; the combination allows for reduced fuel consumption, particularly when a vessel is travelling with minimum ballast. The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore granted the patent on August 28, 2015. A patent was also granted by the Liberia Industrial Property Office back in January 13, 2014 for a period of 20 years. Several patents will continue to be pursued by Mr. SU and his partners, who made filings with 25 shipping nations in total. In respect of the latest patent registration, Mr. SU said, “I trust that as more patent offices register Hybrid Ship, the technology will be more readily adopted, which will help tackle problems associated with the transfer of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens through ballast water. Such a transfer has already seen the Pacific saury affected – a species found in the subarctic and subtropical North Pacific that is regularly harvested by Chinese, Japanese and Russian fishermen. With the Hybrid Ship technology, a vessel requires minimum ballast water, and therefore reduces the risk of water contamination affecting the eggs of this fish.” Further aiding the crusade against water contamination is another invention of Mr. Su, namely, Oceannet, which enables the transmission and reception of data via an offshore mobile communications network. Patented in the United Kingdom, United States and Korea, Oceannet can be used to relay the best navigation routes when vessels are travelling with reduced ballast, thereby maximizing efficiency while at the same time minimising their impact on marine […]

White Paper from Cisco and Rockwell Automation helps securely share plant and enterprise data

Australia: Designing an industrial demilitarised zone with the right assets helps enable secure data-sharing from plantwide network to enterprise network Many manufacturers segment business-system networks from plantwide networks by using an industrial demilitarised zone (IDMZ). But once segmented, how is data from industrial automation and control systems (IACS) securely shared across this buffer zone? A new white paper from Cisco and Rockwell Automation, “Securely Traversing IACS Data Across the Industrial Demilitarized Zone,” provides guidance for successfully designing and deploying an IDMZ as part of a Converged Plantwide Ethernet architecture. This allows manufacturers to securely share IACS data from the plantwide network to the enterprise network. The paper explains key IDMZ assets that enable this secure data-sharing, which include application mirrors and remote desktop gateway services. The white paper summarises key design principles from a comprehensive design and implementation guide on IDMZ. Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in IT that helps companies seize the opportunities of tomorrow by proving that amazing things can happen when you connect the previously unconnected. For ongoing news, please go to http://thenetwork.cisco.com. Rockwell Automation Australia and Rockwell Automation New Zealand are subsidiaries of Rockwell Automation, Inc.—a leading global provider of industrial automation and information solutions that helps manufacturers achieve a competitive advantage in their businesses. The company brings together leading global brands in industrial automation which include Allen-Bradley® controls and services and Rockwell Software® factory management software. Its broad product mix includes control logic systems, sensors, human-machine interfaces, drive controllers, power devices, and software. Rockwell Automation Inc. (NYSE: ROK), the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and information, makes its customers more productive and the world more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., Rockwell Automation employs about 22,500 people serving customers in more than 80 countries. LISTEN. THINK. SOLVE. is a trademark of Rockwell […]

Meet Model X from Tesla

Model X is said to be the safest, fastest and most capable sport utility vehicle in history. Standard with all-wheel drive and a 90 kWh battery providing 250 miles of range, Model X has ample seating for seven adults and all of their gear. And it’s ludicrously fast, accelerating from zero to 60 miles per hour in 3.2 seconds. Model X is the SUV uncompromised. The estimated delivery for new reservations is the latter half of 2016. Safety First Design Every part of Model X is designed with safety as a first priority. The floor-mounted battery lowers the centre of gravity so that the risk of rollover is almost non-existent. The battery structure strengthens Model X against side impact intrusions. And without a gasoline engine, the large front trunk acts as a giant impact-absorbing crumple zone. Active Safety Model X continually scans the surrounding roadway with camera, radar and sonar systems, providing the driver with real-time feedback to avoid collisions. Even at highway speeds, Model X will automatically apply brakes in an emergency. Pollution Free, Inside and Out A medical grade HEPA filter strips outside air of pollen, bacteria, viruses and pollution before circulating it into the cabin. There are three modes: circulate with outside air, re-circulate inside air and a bioweapon defence mode that creates positive pressure inside the cabin to protect occupants. Falcon Wings Falcon Wing doors allow easy access to second and third row seats from any parking space. Minivan style sliding doors open at most halfway while traditional doors are not capable of opening fully when parked next to another car. With only a foot of clearance, Falcon Wing doors articulate smoothly up and out of the way, allowing passengers to enter from both front and rear directions. The side and overhead opening is so large […]

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