Manufacturing Technology

Autodesk Inventor 2017 unveiled

Autodesk has unveiled Inventor 2017, one of the most advanced 3D modelling solutions for manufacturing industry professionals. The latest version in innovative software for designers and engineers, Inventor 2017 delivers new professional-grade design, interoperability and communication tools aimed at supporting customers ever-expanding needs. “The manufacturing industry is witnessing an evolution of the role of the mechanical engineer. They are no longer solely responsible for the design of complex mechanical systems, but are often also tasked with complete product definition, design and delivery,” said Derrek Cooper, director of the Inventor product line. “With this latest version of Inventor, Autodesk is delivering new capabilities aimed at supporting all aspects of this expanding role.” Based on the requests of Inventor’s more than 11,000 alpha and beta testers and IdeaStation community, the company built Inventor 2017 to serve the expanding role of the modern professional engineer and provide customers with features aimed at simplifying the new aspects of their jobs: Professional-grade Design Tools help users design faster and optimize performance from the outset and include:  Enhanced sketching, part modelling, assembly management, surfacing and sheet metal capabilities so users can capture and develop design ideas quickly and easily. Additional Shape Generator capabilities such as symmetry and member size controls that help users explore lightweight designs and improve product performance. New Interoperability Tools help to pull disparate aspects of a project together, regardless of the discipline or software that was originally used and include: Expanded AnyCAD tools allow users to easily integrate non-native mechanical design data into Inventor models without translation, now including associative connections with the industry standard STEP format. Inventor’s latest update includes hundreds of enhancements including several customer-requested modelling tools. Shape Generator, an integrated design optimisation tool powered by Autodesk’s Nastran technology, guides users in the design of structurally efficient parts. Other […]

Hitachi to Exhibit at the 13th Delhi Auto Expo 2016

The company will exhibit at the 13th Delhi Auto Expo 2016 – Components Show from February 4th-7th at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. The company will exhibit a wide range of advanced technologies developed by the Hitachi Automotive Systems Group at Hall No. 18 GF Stall 23. (List of Products on Display enclosed below). Hitachi Automotive Systems is focused in the areas of environment, safety, and information technology and aims to create value for society by contributing to the development of vehicles that connect society while providing safe, accident-free mobility with ultra-high fuel efficiency and a low carbon footprint. The company is also focused on rapidly expanding its global business. In Indian automotive market that is expected to exhibit stable and long-term growth, the company has invested over three billion rupees to launch the company group’s second Indian manufacturing base in Chennai in April 2015. The production of valve timing controls and ignition coils commenced at the manufacturing base in October 2015 and the additional new products are being continuously studied for the future. With India’s rapid economic expansion generating increased demand for cars, domestic production and sales in India continues to grow. By 2020, India is expected to become the world’s third largest car manufacturer, solidifying the country’s presence as a global automotive leader. At the same time, in the capital of New Delhi, as well as other cities in India, air pollution caused by airborne particulate matter (commonly measured as PM 2.5) has become a serious problem. Thus, society is looking to the car industry and technology leaders like Hitachi Automotive Systems to provide product solutions that respond to societies needs. The company will exhibit not only valve timing controls and ignition coils which are manufactured in its manufacturing base in Chennai, but also the company group’s wide range […]

Smart chip tells you how healthy your battery is

In the picture: NTU Prof Rachid Yazami (left) holding his smart battery chip with research fellow Sohaib El Outmani holding a prototype testing device. Scientists from Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore) have developed a smart chip which can tell you how healthy is your battery and if it is safe for use. If the battery in your smartphone or electric vehicle is faulty and is at risk of catching fire, this smart chip will warn you. Current warning systems only alert users when the battery is already overheating which may be too late for any remedial action. Developed by Professor Rachid Yazami of the Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N), this smart chip is small enough to be embedded in almost all batteries, from the small batteries in mobile devices to the huge power packs found in electric vehicles and advanced aeroplanes. A pioneer in battery research, Prof Yazami won the 2014 Draper Prize for Engineering awarded by the Washington-based National Academy of Engineering for being one of the three founders of lithium-ion battery. The prestigious award recognised his discovery in the 1980s in making lithium-ion batteries safely rechargeable, paving the way for its universal use today. “Although the risk of a battery failing and catching fire is very low, with the billions of lithium-ion batteries being produced yearly, even a one-in-a-million chance would mean over a thousand failures,” explained Prof Yazami, who holds more than 50 patents and has authored more than 200 scientific papers, book chapters and reports on batteries. “This poses a serious risk for electric vehicles and even in advanced aeroplanes as usually big battery packs have hundreds of cells or more bundled together to power the vehicle or aircraft. If there is a chemical fire caused by a single failed battery, it could cause […]

Universal Robots empowers Wistron with greater production flexibility

China’s manufacturing industry faces multiple challenges such as global competition and the increasing need to transform and upgrade to modern processes. To stay ahead, major manufacturers have begun implementing structural adjustment programs to automate its production lines. Wistron is the world’s first Original Design Manufacturer to deploy collaborative robots from Universal Robots (UR) in its laptop assembly line, enabling efficient and flexible production. Since February 2015, Wistron has deployed 60 sets of UR robots in its production, performing functions that include applications such as pick and place, screwing as well as those involving vision systems. With the implementation of UR robots, the company has gained more flexibility for its future production line layout and configuration, effectively improved its product yield and optimised personnel allocation. At the same time, the company is expected to see a reduction in operating costs and enhanced profitability in the long term. Enhanced flexibility in production line layout Wistron began automating its production with the installation of robotic arms more than two years ago. The traditional four and six-axis robotic arms that were deployed previously not only required safety fencing but also occupied a large footprint and were designed only for non-sophisticated operations such as product handling. They did not conform to Wistron’s concept of a production line that represents “efficiency, flexibility and safety”. Wistron’s laptop production line is unable to achieve complete automation because of its specific operating mode. As a result, the motion range of the robotic arms has to be restricted to ensure the safety of workers. They realised that they require robots that can function effectively without compromising workers’ safety, robots’ operating speeds and other functionalities within tight spaces. “UR’s robots occupy a small footprint and are highly secure,” said Congyao Zhang, Wistron’s Manufacturing Technology Director. “Additionally, they can rotate 360 degrees, eliminating […]

3D printer microfactory

Microfactory combines additive and subtractive manufacturing, integrating machining and 3D printing into a safe, self-cleaning, networkable unit. The Microfactory 3D printer contains four printing heads on two separate heaters, plus a milling head. This allows it to print in four colors of the same material, or two colors of two different materials, on the same part. The milling component is capable of cutting and etching wood, plastic and some metals (with optional upgrade). Its user-friendly features are designed to bring more industrial capability to smaller workshops. They include a vacuum port to remove all the debris created by cutting, an air filter, prominent emergency-stop button, covered belts and motors (to keep clothing from getting caught by moving parts) and a noise-reducing housing. The Microfactory 3D printer contains a full on-board computer, which gives it many unique capabilities. With its Internet connectivity, the Microfactory will allow users to watch the progress of jobs in real-time from a phone or tablet, start and stop jobs remotely, or network machines together for more efficient production. All of the software components of the Microfactory are open-source, and the hardware is designed to be upgraded and modified by more intrepid users: The gantry is intended to support the attachment of different heads, and the entire left wall of the machine is removable to support alternate modules.

Hypertherm introduces fibre laser cutting system

SINGAPORE: Hypertherm has released of a new 3 kW fiber laser system- the HyIntensity Fibre Laser HFL030 with a recommended cut capacity of 3/4 inch (20mm) for mild steel, a 1/2 inch (12mm) for stainless steel, and 3/8 inch (10mm) for aluminum. Like all Hypertherm HyIntensity Fiber Laser systems, the HFL030 is specifically optimised for cutting applications. It comes complete with pre-developed cutting processes, and all the needed components for significantly simplified table integration and operation. As a result, the system can cut thicker materials in some cases much faster than many higher powered competitive systems. In other words, HyperthermÕs 3 kW system has the cut capacity of other 4 kW fiber laser systems without sacrificing cut quality. When compared with CO2 laser systems, the fiber laser cutting process significantly simplifies table design requirements and integration. Operating costs, thanks in part to the high energy efficiency of the fiber laser, and maintenance requirements which are virtually nonexistent are also much lower than with CO2 laser for lower total cost of ownership. All of the HyIntensity systems were developed and manufactured by Hypertherm in the United States, making Hypertherm the only company to offer both laser and plasma cutting expertise.

Allan Marketing Group To Distribute Renfroe Clamps

With industrial and construction growth increasing in the Asian markets, J.C. Renfroe & Sons, Inc., an international manufacturer and marketer of industrial lifting clamp products, based in Jacksonville, Florida, has selected the Allan Marketing Group of Victoria, Australia as its Master Distributor-Agent. The Allan Marketing Group will be responsible for promoting the sale and solicitation of orders for Renfroe’s product line in an assigned territory that includes, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, South Pacific Islands, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea. Renfroe offers a full line of lifting clamps and ancillary products such as crane blocks, sheaves and swivels. The company, which has affiliated manufacturing facilities in Germany, Japan and Spain, supplies their products to customers around the world. Allan Marketing Group has over 35 years experience in the lifting industry and is an Asian supplier of hoists, chains, winches, wire rope fittings, plate clamps, hydraulic equipment, pallet trucks and lashing. “We are looking to grow our Asian markets,” explained Ron Raymond, vice president and general manager of J.C. Renfroe & Sons. “Our company wanted a distributor who has the reputation and experience to promote Renfroe’s product line throughout the southern Pacific Rim and Korea. We believe Allan Marketing Group is the right company to help us achieve our goals in these markets.” For more information about J.C.Renfroe & Sons, visit www.jcrenfroe.com. And to contact the Allan Marketing Group, go to info@titanlifting.com.

PowerMILL ‘the best for five-axis’

PIC CAP: In-house manufacturing with PowerMILL has helped make Viking Yachts a world leader in semi-custom fibreglass yachts. “When it comes to CAM for five-axis programming, Delcam’s PowerMILL is hands down the easiest and best I have ever used,”states Jason Taylor, five-axis CNC programmer at Viking Yachts. His company first added the Delcam software after it acquired an MR125 gantry milling system able to handle parts fifty feet long by twenty feet wide and ten feet high. This machine can mill patterns as large as a vessel’s bridge and helm, as well as Viking’s smaller hulls, in one piece. The Viking Yacht Company was started by brothers Bob and Bill Healey in 1964 when they bought Peterson-Viking Builders, a small, struggling New Jersey builder of 37-foot, wooden sport-fishing boats. The renamed Viking Yachts has grown to become a world leader in semi-custom fibreglass yacht production, with over 4,000 luxury/performance sport-fishing and cruising yachts delivered to happy customers. Viking prides itself on its in-house manufacturing capabilities, which have been an important part of its highly-regarded reputation. From the initial design to the finished product, the company is committed to producing ninety per cent of the boat in house. Except for components such as engines, transmissions, pumps, hoses, air conditioning units, electronics and entertainment systems, virtually everything else is produced in-house by the company’s talented workforce. “I have been programming with PowerMILL for over five years now,” said Mr. Taylor. “Here at Viking Yachts, we use cutting-edge software for all our engineering needs. PowerMILL helps us stay on top of the competition.” “When I first started using PowerMILL, we were on version 5,” he added. “Now, after at least eight major updates, we are running the 2011 version. With each update, Delcam and the team at our reseller, DM Solutions, make my job […]

Materials that shrink when heated

New research holds promise for applications ranging from high-precision optical components to tooth fillings. Samples of Invar. Also known as FeNi36, it is an iron-nickel alloy notable for its lack of expansion or contraction with temperature changes. One common reason that people with fillings experience toothache is that their fillings expand at a different rate to the original tooth when, for example, drinking a hot drink. Contrary to intuition, however, not all materials expand when heated-some actually contract. Recent research on these so-called negative thermal expansion (NTE) materials has led to the discovery of alloys exhibiting unexpectedly large thermal contraction. Controlling the thermal expansion of composites is important for producing nanometer-scale electronic circuits, as well as the next-generation fuel cells and thermoelectric devices. An ability to combine NTE materials with ‘normal’ materials which expand upon heating ensures a reduction in thermal expansion in a composite material Ð something that people with tooth fillings would appreciate. An example of such a composite is Invar, an iron-nickel alloy with a uniquely low coefficient of thermal expansion. As a result it is used where high dimensional stability is required, such as precision instruments, clocks or seismic creep gauges. Koshi Takenaka at the Department of Crystalline Materials Science, Nagoya University in Japan works on NTE materials for practical applications. In the latest issue of Science and Technology of Advanced Materials (link below) he summarizes the physical mechanisms governing NTE with emphasis on recent developments. Takenaka notes that, “NTE materials will expand our capability of thermal-expansion control, opening a new paradigm of materials science and technology thermal-expansion-adjustable composites.” One challenge facing the scientist is that the addition of NTE materials to composites leads to undesirable instabilities at interfaces. New methods for producing stable interfaces between the host composite and NTE compensators are of critical importance. […]

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