Smart Manufacturing

BlueBotics and Planet T & S to grow Thai AGV market

BlueBotics, the global reference in natural navigation for automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), has expanded its Asian footprint by signing a new distribution agreement with Thai factory automation specialist Planet T& s Co Ltd. Prior to entering into this distribution partnership, Planet T & S was a navigation customer of BlueBotics. As a result, the company has developed several ANT-driven AGVs, which it now sells into the Thai market. Found in 1997 in Bangkok, Thailand, Planet T & S. is a leading automation technology service provider whose aim is to help Thai businesses lower costs, reduce defects and increase efficiency with technology products and engineering solutions. The company has over five years of AGV experience and has commissioned more than 80 vehicles across Thailand to date. The new partnership between BlueBotics and Planet T & S is the fourth such Asian agreement that BlueBotics has signed in the past three years. The company previously signed distribution deals with MacPion in Korea, Altech Co. Ltd. in Japan, and Shanghai TONGPU Electronics Co. Ltd. in China. BlueBotics is the reference in natural navigation and has the mission to help companies meet the challenge of vehicle automation. With its 20 years of industry experience, the company provides the autonomous navigation technology (ANT) and expert support customers need to bring their AGV, automated forklift or mobile robot successfully to market.

Xinhua Silk Road: China Zoomlion speeds up development

The “smart industry city” project by Hunan-based Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Co., Ltd. on Friday took off in full swing with the headquarters building, the engineering crane machinery manufacturing park, the concrete pumping machinery park, and the aerial-work machinery park kicking off construction. China Zoomlion held a ceremony on September 17, kicking off construction on the headquarters building, the hoisting machinery park, the concrete pumping machinery park, and the aerial-work machinery park of its “smart industry city” project. Eyeing for a global construction machinery cluster, the smart industry city project is expected to generate some 100 billion yuan of output value annually when put into function. The project will gear Changsha City with a high-end smart manufacturing namecard and a highland for advanced manufacturing base, said Changsha mayor Zheng Jianxin. Looking ahead, Zoomlion will accelerate intelligent and green transformation and cluster development to further contribute to building Changsha City a “capital for construction machinery”, said Zoomlion chairman Zhan Chunxin. The project mainly consists of four parks with the excavating machinery park already in operation. Annual output value of the four parks is planned to range 20-30 billion yuan each, according to Zoomlion vice president Fu Ling, noting that the project is expected to become the world’s largest construction machinery intelligent manufacturing park when completed. It is noted that more than 260 robots, 57 intelligent production lines and four “dark factories” are planned for the engineering crane machinery park. For the concrete pumping machinery park, visual recognition, AI decision-making, laser scanning, and 3D modeling will be in place to gear 32 intelligent production lines for welding, machining, painting, and assembly. For aerial-work machinery manufacturing park, 620 sets of automation equipments are planned with 27 intelligent production lines. Efficiency is another keyword, with the project expected to witness […]

Jet Aviation gains Aerospace Standards EN 9110 Certification in Singapore

Jet Aviation’s maintenance facility in Singapore has been awarded Aerospace Standards (AS/EN) EN 9110 certification in recognition of its quality management system. AS/EN certifications are based on ISO 9001 quality standards adapted for the aviation, space and defence (ASD) industry. Following Basel’s certification in January 2018, this is the company’s second MRO site to achieve this internationally recognized industry standard. Developed by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG), AS/EN 9110 certification is the quality standard for repair stations, including criteria critical to the maintenance of commercial, private, and military aircraft. The only organisations eligible for this certification are those whose primary business focus is in supporting MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) and CAMO (continuing airworthiness management organisation) services for civil and military aviation products of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM). “This certification is a significant testament to our ongoing commitment to the highest industry standards and best practices,” said Louis Leong, Jet Aviation’s VP South-East Asia and GM of Singapore. “As part of the certification process, we participated in a series of demanding, independent audits by Bureau Veritas to establish our focus on continuous improvement and service excellence — from our documentation processes that improve output consistencies and our quality monitoring procedures for early defect detection and rectification, to the regular review of practices to identify obsolete or inefficient processes and our general rigor regarding proper documentation and maintenance procedures. AS/EN 9110 certification is a great achievement for Singapore, and a great credit to our team.” Located at Singapore’s Seletar Airport, Jet Aviation’s maintenance facility in Singapore is a Factory Authorised Service Center and Warranty Repair Facility for a wide range of aircraft types and models, including Gulfstream, Embraer, Daher-Socata and Boeing Business Jets. It is also the designated Maintenance Response Team for Pratt & Whitney Canada 307 and 308 series […]

Metallography and Failure Analysis

By George Vander Voort, Metallurgist & Exclusive Consultant to Buehler Tuesday, September 28, 9:30am CST Buehler is sponsoring a webinar “Metallography and Failure Analysis” on September, 28, 2021, 9:30am CST (China Standard Time or 8.30 pm CDT). George Vander Voort, exclusive consultant to Buehler, will present this educational webinar. Failure analysis consists of studies to determine why a component failed in service. Registration is complimentary and recordings will be available. The 9-11 attack of the World Trade Center buildings 1, 2 and 7, and the 1979 failure of the Three Mile Island Unit 2 nuclear reactor are classic examples of failures that required an analysis on what happened to the materials during very serious failures. Metallographers are brought in to analyse and identify what caused the problems and how they can be dealt with to stop the problem and any potential further damage and also to determine what can be done to prevent future problems. With more than 50 years of experience in metallography and failure analysis, George will discuss fundamental principles of performing a failure analysis, as well as utilising metallographic techniques to investigate failures and determine why they occurred and how they can be prevented. Practical examples of the use of light optical and electron microscopy will be demonstrated through examples of failed specimens with a variety of case histories and studies, including: Ductile and brittle fracture surfaces and how to recognize them Fatigue fracture types Failure due to corrosion Failures caused by microstructural changes Failures due to embrittlement Highlight common problems Discuss key techniques to ensure success A live question and answer session will follow the presentation. The webinar is ideal for metallurgists, metallographers and specimen preparation technicians, new engineers, quality control and laboratory personnel in any metallography facility new to the area or looking for […]

Automation: The future of logistics companies in Asia Pacific

-Aik Jin, Tan, Vertical Solutions Lead, Zebra Technologies Asia Pacific In recent years, Asia Pacific (APAC) has seen a rapid growth in e-commerce adoption, but the pandemic has undoubtedly accelerated digital transformation, leading to an even bigger surge in e-commerce. Between 2020 and 2025, the Asia market is estimated to account for 57% of the growth of the global e-commerce logistics market1. As more consumers switch to online delivery platforms, click-and-collect models, and curbside collections, supply chains are being challenged to adapt quickly. Though container shortages, shipment delays2 and the growing demand for air cargo demand in Asia3 have affected fulfillment in recent months, industry leaders are rapidly investing in technology solutions to ease these growing pains – especially automation. There are several different automation solutions that enable manufacturers, warehouse operators and logistics providers to get goods to consumers faster with greater accuracy and efficiency, and at a lower cost. And now that technological advancements are making automation solutions more accessible to companies of all sizes, it will be easier for entire supply chains to keep up with evolving consumer demands, process more orders, and expand operations, all while keeping workers safe. Automation Solutions Have Become More Scalable and Flexible Companies in APAC that are looking for new ways to meet changing business requirements are beginning to realise the importance of automation in warehouse processes. Zebra’s Intelligent Enterprise Index found that nearly half of transport & logistics (46%) and manufacturing (42%) organisations had already deployed Internet of Things (IoT) solutions on a company-wide scale by 2019. Fortunately, warehouse automation solutions have become much more scalable and flexible in recent years, delivering significantly faster returns on investments (ROI) than were previously possible, a result born from the need for innovative technologies that could be rapidly deployed. Necessity is truly the mother […]

Online workshop on carbon capture open for registration

Infocus International Group has released a brand new online workshop – Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) and it will be commencing live on 8 November 2021. This course is intended for those in business, commercial and strategically focused roles within the energy sector; in particular those responsible for environmental matters, business sustainability and business transformation in areas such as oil & gas, hydrogen and industrial energy usage. Attendees will leave with a clearly explained and independent perspective on how, where and why CCUS is happening now and could grow in future – covering the range of technological solutions and business drivers, including policy. In addition to reviewing existing CCUS approaches, the course will highlight new opportunities and integrated value creation possibilities through carbon utilisation. This will include how the fate of CCUS links to other aspects of the clean energy transition, such as clean hydrogen production, industrial decarbonisation and the transition away from oil & gas. Benefits of Attending – Understand the most challenging aspects of the clean energy transition & the role of CCUS in addressing them– Examine the various technological aspects of the CCUS value chain, from capture through to storage and/or utilisation pathways– Discuss the key economic and policy variables which will determine how CCUS plays out in different markets– Review up-to-date examples of projects and strategies from around the world, and evaluate the lessons from them– Learn the dynamics of the new competitive environment, including the risks of “business as usual” and the importance of industrial clusters in CCUS deployment– Identify approaches to sustainable strategic planning and new business opportunity assessment Want to learn more?Eemail emilia@infocusinternational.com or call +65 6325 0210 to obtain the event brochure. For more information, please visit https://www.infocusinternational.com/ccus .

Yili named the world’s most valuable dairy brand by Brand Finance in 2021

On August 10, 2021, Brand Finance released the annual report on the most valuable and strongest food and drink brands. China’s Yili has once again claimed the top spot this year on the list of the Top 10 Most Valuable Dairy Brands, posting an 11% growth of brand value to US$9.6 billion. With its strong innovation capabilities, Yili has also been ranked as the global dairy leader in terms of brand potential for four consecutive years. Yili maintained steady growth despite the pandemic of the previous year. Mr. Zhang Jianqiu, CEO of Yili Group, told Brand Finance that Yili, adhering to the principle of “putting consumers first” and upholding a global vision, continued to provide customers with high-quality products and services through innovation. Based on this, Yili won the recognition and trust of consumers, which contributed to its outstanding scores in Brand Finance’s rankings. Winning the trust of 1.3 billion consumers with high quality Over the years, Yili has regarded quality as its lifeblood and committed itself to producing dairy products that are 100% safe and healthy. Yili’s strict quality standards has helped the company gain the trust of consumers. According to the 2021 Asia Brand Footprint Report, Yili is the most preferred FMCG brand, with a 92.2% brand penetration rate and an outreach to nearly 1.3 billion consumers, and it has been chosen for the most times per household for the sixth consecutive year. Responding to the diverse demands of consumers with innovative products The Covid-19 pandemic has raised consumers’ health awareness. Consumers have put forward higher requirements for quality, and increasingly diverse demand for the dairy market. Yili makes good use of big data to gain insights into the needs of consumers in real time and accelerate product innovation and upgrades. At present, the company has more than 20 […]

How can we make machining sustainable?

The changes that cut waste and increase productivity According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), India’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions declined by 7% in 2020. Breaks in industrial production contributed to the reduction, resulting in CO2 emission savings of nearly 50 million tonnes. This significant reduction in emissions demonstrates the large potential the industrial sector can play in combatting climate change. Here Emrah Titiz, president of sales, India, at global leader in metal cutting tools Sandvik Coromant, looks at how the machining industry can become more sustainable. Like many other manufacturing sectors, the machining industry is under rising pressure to develop more environmentally friendly practices. This is in line with Goal 12 of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), sustainable consumption and production. Fortunately, making machining more sustainable doesn’t have to entail high costs and productivity sacrifices. In fact, thoughtful adjustments to processes can simultaneously improve a business’s bottom line and decrease its environmental impact by reducing waste and increasing efficiency. Reduce tool waste Tools can be a high source of waste in machining centres. Many tools contain valuable, finite materials, and it’s important that these are kept in circulation to preserve resources. Once a tool has been worn, it doesn’t have to become destined for landfill. The first step to consider in bringing new life to old tools is reconditioning. In contrast to tool repair, which only fixes the defective part, tool reconditioning rejuvenates the entire tool to bring it back to its original manufacturing standard. With each aspect restored, the reconditioned tool can perform to the same high ability as upon initial purchase. Reconditioning can add multiple use cycles to a tool, therefore reducing the required frequency of replacements. Manufacturers can maximise reconditioning by considering it from the purchasing stage, through selecting tools that have been […]

tna strengthens North African operations

Global food processing and packaging solutions provider, tna solutions, has announced the appointment of Magdy El Dessouky as General Manager for North Africa. With over 21 years’ experience in customer service and business development, El Dessouky will assume responsibility for on-the-ground customer services and technical support for Algeria, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia. This latest move forms part of a wider initiative to bolster tna’s ongoing commitment to support its customers across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) territories. Since first joining tna in 2016 as General Manager for Australia, El Dessouky has held various key positions across Europe, the Middle East, the US, Africa and Australia, developing valuable experience along the way. In his new role, he will assist customers based in North Africa – helping them to optimise their packaging and processing solutions with the latest innovations tna has to offer. Commenting on the appointment, Mukul Shukla, General Manager-MENA at tna said: “Magdy’s appointment will lend further support to tna’s efforts to support the food manufacturing sector across the region. North Africa has shown great potential in embracing new technologies and is now ripe to establish more innovative enterprises. tna’s expansion here is just one example of how our strong trade and investment ties continue to grow, creating even more opportunities for our customers now – and in the future.” Alf Taylor, Managing Director and CEO at tna adds: “With a proven track record in technical sales and engineering, Magdy’s extensive global experience and passion for results make him the perfect candidate to offer our customers the best in high-performance, flexible and simple solutions. The food manufacturing industry is an integral part of the North African economy and Magdy’s appointment will lend further support to our initiatives to bolster growth and long-lasting success for our customers in the […]

Schaeffler starts production of 2in1 electric axles in China

Another milestone has been reached on the way to becoming a leader of innovation in electric mobility: Global automotive and industrial supplier Schaeffler celebrated the start of production of 2in1 electric axles at its production plant in Taicang, China. The electric axle system comprises an electric motor and transmission. The production start marks a further milestone in Schaeffler’s electric mobility business and is proof of the company’s successful involvement in this sector. Schaeffler attaches great importance to local production to ensure it can respond quickly to its customers’ needs around the globe. “Schaeffler is striving to become a leader of innovation in electric mobility. The volume production of our 2in1 electric axles has strengthened our position in this market,” said Dr. Jochen Schröder, President of the E-Mobility business division at Schaeffler. “With the innovative strength of a global automotive and industrial supplier and our strong expertise in industrialization, we are a preferred partner for our customers.” The 2in1 electric axle from Schaeffler: A highly efficient and compact system solution The 2in1 electric axle from Schaeffler is an electric drive solution within Schaeffler’s electric axle system product portfolio. This system integrates the reduction transmission and the electric motor into one compact unit. With an outstanding torque density of the transmission, this electric axle is characterised above all by compactness, high power density, high level of system efficiency, and superior acoustic behavior. With a modular design, it can satisfy different usage requirements and can be used for various vehicle platforms. The first Chinese car model equipped with this product will be launched in the near future. Following its market launch in China, the Schaeffler 2in1 electric axle will also be used by a European automotive manufacturer. Since establishing an independent business division at the beginning of 2018, Schaeffler’s ongoing commitment to […]

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