Smart Manufacturing

Order received for Philippines/29MW Binary Power Generation Project at EDC’s Palayan Geothermal Power Plant

♦ Power to be generated making effective use of brine from existing flash type geothermal power plant, previously discharged, as heat source ♦ 29MW carbon neutral power will contribute to regional environmental and economic sustainability ♦ CO2 reduction project to be implemented as Financing Programme for JCM Model Projects in FY2020 Turboden S.p.A., a Group company of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) based in Lombardy, Italy, and Mitsubishi Power, Ltd. have jointly received an order for 29-megawatt (MW) binary cycle power generation equipment to be installed at the geothermal power plant operated in Palayan, in the southeastern sector of Luzon Island in the Philippines, by Energy Development Corporation (EDC), a local company which boasts of being the world’s largest vertically integrated geothermal company. Turboden will provide the complete power generation system, and Mitsubishi Power will provide support through its local resources. The order calls for project completion and operation startup by the end of 2022. The power generation system will add new binary cycle geothermal power equipment, whose key component is the company’s proprietary 29MW ORC (Organic Rankine Cycle) system*, to the existing 120MW flash type geothermal power plant owned and operated by Bac-Man Geothermal Inc. (BGI), an EDC power subsidiary. The new system will generate power making effective use of brine, which until now has merely been returned to a reinjection well. By replacing power in the power grid now derived from fossil fuels, etc., the new installation will enable reduction of CO2 emissions derived from steam power. This project has been selected as a project for the Financing Programme for Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) Model Projects in FY2020 administered by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment and its execution body, the Global Environment Centre Foundation (GEC). In addition to helping to curb CO2 emissions in the Philippines, the project […]

Matrix 320 reader empowers traceability for automation and logistics

Datalogic is introducing to SE Asia, Australia and New Zealand, its Matrix 320 2MP image reader to empower traceability applications in intralogistics, distribution, 3PL, retail logistics and shop floor environments. The new Matrix 320 reader offers outstanding scanning performance to achieve higher productivity and an optimised price-to-performance ratio with its advanced 2MP sensor (1920×1080 pixels with a 16:9 form factor), achieving an extra-large Field of View (FOV) on the horizontal axis that competes against 3MP readers. The new reader is ideally suited to factory automation and manufacturing applications, including automotive, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, electronics, general manufacturing, retail and more, says Datalogic. Matrix 320 is complemented by Datalogic’s Matrix 120 and Matrix 220, further establishing the company’s world leadership in stationary industrial scanners. The reader provides the highest market application flexibility due to its modular design and a reduced number of models with a complete portfolio of lenses, lightings, filters and accessories. The new innovative 2MP sensor’s 16:9 form factor allows the Matrix 320 to cover the same horizontal field of view that typically requires a pricier 3MP sensor. This means end users and machine builders can achieve the same top scanning performance, with a lower cost solution. The powerful dual core platform, together with the HDR and the hardware acceleration capability, provide top reading performance, even in high speed applications, as well as the best reading rate of both label and DPM [Direct Part Marking] targets. The reader offers full industrial connectivity and rotating connectors on top for ease of installation in every industrial environment. The reader’s new configurable 360-degree multi-colour read feedback, coupled with green/red spot technology, provides outstanding visual feedback that will simplify the installation and maintenance, with reduced time and cost. A new web diagnostic suite and high-performance image saving capability provide information to improve the […]

i4L cost-saving Scara robot

Omron’s new i4L Scara robot sets a new bar in the light duty Scara market, bringing strong performance at the most competitive price. This compact next generation robot delivers quality along with scalability, preventative maintenance, and integration flexibility well above its class. The i4L Scara robot is capable of high speed, high-precision motion with payloads up to 5kg. The i4L offers simple integration with compact design, easy wall or table mounting and unique Ethernet or EtherCAT connectivity in the base. You can maximise uptime by means of interactive maintenance alarms and an RGB dome light. A status light helps to diagnose problems faster and more efficiently, maximising value in every stage of the product lifecycle. It is ideal for high-speed repeatable applications and comes with three options of working envelope with reaches of 350, 450 and 550mm. The i4L Scara robot gives users competitive performance and reliability at an affordable price. Fast-paced manufacturing environments require speed and flexibility. this robot provides the ideal solution. The robot can help manufacturers address labour shortage challenges and manage workplace risks associated with Covid-19. Key benefits include: Simple integration: the i4L offers simple integration with a compact design and footprint. Horizontal (table mount) or vertical (wall mount) installation is possible without additional adapters or brackets. Cable connections can be arranged so that they exit through or are parallel to the mounting surface. Maximum uptime: the i4L helps maximise uptime thanks to faster problem diagnosis. Its unique and highly visible multi-coloured LED light dome enables predictive maintenance and gives convenient indication of the robot status. Performance: the i4L offers high-end inertia and repeatability for a light duty SCARA robot, providing all the performance necessary. Reduce set up complexity and programming time thanks to simple integration and synchronisation when deploying multiple robots. Productivity: OMRON has taken […]

Engineering innovators join forces to bid for major nuclear projects

An engineering business with a global reputation for manufacturing innovative measurement products for a range of industries around the world is expanding its services in the nuclear sector. McMenon Engineering Services manufactures flow and temperature measurement instrumentation for customers in more than 60 countries, including China and the Far East, North and South America, Europe, India, the Middle East, South Africa and Australia. McMenon, which acquired its Workington-based engineering and manufacturing business from global power and automation technology group ABB, successfully operates across a diverse range of industries with major success including in energy, water, renewables and process industries. McMenon, based in the UK at a 10,000-square-metre site at Workington, Cumbria, is applying its skills and experience to increase its footprint in the nuclear industry. The pioneering company, which has been heralded for its dynamic leadership in exports, is also looking to do more business in its home North-West region, including for Sellafield in Cumbria. To achieve its expansion ambitions McMenon, which was recently praised in the House of Commons by Workington MP Mark Jenkinson, has announced it has formed a collaborative partnership with fellow SME TIS Cumbria Ltd which itself has 25 years of experience in the nuclear sector. Together McMenon and TIS will have the scale, capacity and capability to compete for, and deliver, multi-million pound projects in the UK nuclear sector. Anand Puthran, CEO of McMenon, said: “For McMenon to expand in the nuclear industry sector is an exciting next stage of our growth plans. “We have a 73-year heritage of engineering and manufacturing with exports to more than 60 countries around the world. “McMenon also invests substantially in developing the local supply chain and TIS has been a trusted supply partner for the business. It feels natural to extend the existing relationship towards jointly handling larger […]

Street smarts – How composite materials are driving the smart city movement

Singapore is often hailed as the world’s premier smart city. With a 99 per cent connectivity rate, robo-taxis and huge network of sensors providing a large pool of data for analysis, it is easy to see why the island is at the forefront of the smart city movement. But as urban areas across the globe get smarter, how will infrastructure support their progression? Here Robert Glass, Head of Marketing at global composite technology company Exel Composites, explains how composite materials are helping to drive the smart cities movement. Just two per cent of people lived in cities around the world in 1800. By 2050, the United Nations predicts that 68 per cent of the world’s population will be urbanised. Escalating numbers of urban residents is already increasing the strain on public services, infrastructure and resources. Housing shortages, traffic congestion and overcrowded transport are all side-effects of having too many people in one place. To tackle rising urban populations and provide enhanced standards of living, countries across the world are turning to technology. On the rise A smart city uses a variety of Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to collect data and manage assets. This data is produced from our devices and infrastructure and is used to control assets such as traffic, transportation systems, water supply networks, waste management and community resources. As a “system of systems”, value is given to a smart city by what it chooses to do with the technology, not just how much data the city has. If we think of our cities growing, they’re going to need to get taller. Rising buildings are going to require highly efficient elevators in order to transport people to their homes and offices, and will require more precise co-ordination. A network of data and analysis systems could […]

BYD Wins largest pure-electric bus order outside of China

BYD has exclusively won cumulative orders to supply 1,002-unit pure-electric buses to the capital of Colombia, Bogota. This tender was open to all bus technologies, yet BYD won the trust and cooperation of its partners in the fiercely competitive bidding process thanks to its cutting-edge technologies, products and services. This is the largest order for pure-electric buses outside of China to date, which sets a new record in sales volume for the overseas pure-electric bus industry. Bogota City Public Transport Authority (TRANSMILENIO S.A.) launched a public commercial tender covering diesel, CNG and electric technologies for 1,295 buses in August. Three of BYD’s global strategic partners finally adopted BYD’s integrated electric bus solutions for their bids and successfully won the tender, totally 1,002 pure electric buses. BYD will partner with local bus manufacturers Superpolo and BUSSCAR respectively on the bus body parts. This batch of buses is scheduled to be delivered during 2021 and into the first half of 2022, and will be put into operation on 34 bus routes across five regions of the capital, providing residents along the routes with quiet, safe and emissions-free travel services. With highly-recognised technology, products and services, this ‘thousand-unit’ order opens up a new era In this competition covering all bus technologies, BYD, relying on its strong capability with core strengths, has won exclusive orders for 1,002 pure electric buses, fully demonstrating the market’s high recognition and trust in BYD’s technology, products and services. So far, BYD has won 1,472 orders for pure electric buses in the Colombian capital. According to TRANSMILENIO S.A., these buses will reduce 83,433 tons of carbon dioxide and 9.63 tons of particle emissions per year compared to diesel buses meeting fifth-generation European emission standards over the 15-year concession period, which will greatly improve local air quality and enhance Colombia’s […]

OnRobot 2FG7 gripper for demanding applications

OnRobot has launched the 2FG7, a complete, low cost, easy to use, out-of-the-box, cleanroom-ready parallel gripper. Designed to enable companies of all sizes to set up gripping applications at low cost, the 2FG7 can be deployed within minutes and is specially designed to handle demanding payloads – even in tight spaces. The 2FG7 gripper is ideal for low-volume, high-mix production and enables fast ROI for many different applications, including machine tending, material handling and assembly. Boasting a maximum payload of 11 kg (24.3 lb), an external grip range of up to 74 mm (2.91 in) and a gripping force of between 20-140 N, the versatile 2FG7 can handle heavy, bulky payloads with ease. Smaller than OnRobot’s RG2 and RG6 grippers – and yet more powerful than both – the 2FG7’s dimensions (156 x 158 x 180 mm/6.14 x 6.22 x 7.08 in) make it the perfect gripper for use in small work envelopes, which is a major bonus in busy manufacturing facilities where space is at a premium, and in applications with tight quarters for maneuvering. Seamlessly integrated with the OnRobot product range and compatible with all major collaborative robots and light industrial robot arms, the 2FG7 allows manufacturers of all skillsets to set up gripping applications quickly and easily. The 2FG7’s ease of use ensures visibility during the deployment process, greatly reduces the need for custom parts and cuts the time to ROI. Meanwhile, intelligent feedback features, including grip detection and lost grip detection, further simplify the deployment process. Cleanroom certifiedThe 2FG7 is a production-ready gripper built to withstand harsh manufacturing conditions and applications. In addition to being IP67-certified, the 2FG7 has attained cleanroom certification (ISO Class 5), which is required for many handling applications in the pharmaceutical and electronics industries. It also complies with ISO/TS 15066 regarding collaborative […]

Jio defies challenging market conditions with unprecedented investments pouring in

Jio Platforms Limited (Jio) has been a notable exception for being able to garner unprecedented back-to-back investments during these challenging times. The investments spree that started with Facebook on 22 April 2020 also saw many other foreign investors ranging from tech giants to big private equity firms (PE) evincing interest in Jio. The cumulative value of such investments announced between April 22 and July 15 2020 stood at US$19.9bn, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The US$19.9bn investment is gigantic and helped Jio become debt free much ahead of its set deadline of March 2021 but what makes these investments even more impressive is the fact that it has come at the time when businesses worldwide are reeling under the impact of COVID-19 pandemic.” The investments spree in Jio this year is also special in many other ways. In one of the rare instances, Facebook as well its rival Google were seen placing gigantic bets in one company. These investments also came at a time when the Indian government is trying to curb Chinese investments and has also imposed ban on 59 Chinese apps. Interestingly, none of these investments in Jio involved any Chinese investor. Out of these 14 investments, 11 came from American firms. This also assumes more significance now that Jio has been included in the list of ‘Clean Telcos’ by the US for rejecting to do business with Chinese firms. Bose adds: “These investments also indicate that Jio has some big plans and these investments are testimony of investors seeing the potential in Jio to emerge as a tech giant in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. While these may look like just some big ticket transactions, these deals also bring in technology expertise (from tech giants) along with […]

OnRobot expands product capabilities

Traditional single-purpose industrial robots are losing ground to affordable, easy to use robots and peripherals that can be flexibly redeployed for a wide range of applications. This empowers manufacturers to gain even greater productivity increases from their automation investments. OnRobot is extending its commitment to ongoing customer empowerment with the launch of a software update for its popular, 2.5D camera-based Eyes vision system. The new features, which enable Eyes to be deployed in quality inspection applications and on mobile setups, include one-shot detection for multiple objects, colour and blob detection and automatic landmark calibration tools designed to speed cycle time for mobile robot setups. New visual inspection features for reduced cycle time and fast ROI Eyes’ new inspection features enable the system to easily sort, inspect, or pick and place unstructured objects using colour and contour detection – a capability that is beyond most competing vision systems. This detection method requires no workpiece teaching and finds items based on colour and size information input by the operator. Eyes’ inspection features can be used to inspect parts removed from CNC machines, for example, or to check IMM parts for excessive or inadequate material after part has been moulded. The tools also support manual inspections: operators can set up a camera and inspection program, manually place a workpiece in view and execute inspection. No robot required. The update also provides users with one-shot detection for multiple objects, allowing the system to pick all workpieces with only one picture. This reduces complexity for users and improves cycle times. The update includes tools that allow users to request specific workpiece types and specify gripper clearance parameters. Adding Eyes to mobile robotsA new landmark feature has been added to Eyes’ powerful toolkit, enabling easy deployment of Eyes on mobile robots and setups with carts, trays, […]

OMRON launches HD-1500 mobile robot with 1500kg payload capacity

OMRON Asia Pacific, a global leader in industrial automation solutions, has launched its new mobile robot called the HD-1500 across Oceania & Asia Pacific. The robot boasts a heavy payload capacity of up to 1500kg and is the strongest and newest addition to the company’s portfolio of mobile robots. The need for autonomous material handling is becoming greater as more demanding tasks in industrial automation increase while companies face labor shortages along with challenges in implementing new social distancing requirements due to the Coronavirus. The HD-1500 comes off the heels of OMRON’s LD-250 mobile robot, which was launched globally in the fall of 2019. OMRON’s mobile robots can automatically calculate the best route for material transportation while navigating safely around people and obstacles without the use of magnetic floor tapes nor other guides. The new HD-1500 mobile robot has a 1500kg payload capacity which can be used to transport large automotive components, such as, car chassis and voluminous pallet size payloads – things that would have traditionally been moved using forklifts. With the release of HD-1500, OMRON’s mobile robots achieve a seamless lineup of models that can transport a wide variety of items – from components to WIP (work in progress), finished products, and heavy material. OMRON’s industry-first “Fleet Manager” can control up to 100 mobile robots with different sizes, configurations and payload capacities under one system, thus enabling customers to utilize the HD-1500 together with OMRON’s existing robots – LD-60/90 and LD-250 – to automate the complex material transport and logistics applications with the optimum allocation of robots without traffic so that they can increase the total efficiency of material handling inside the factory. The HD-1500 offers 360-degree safety coverage promoting a collaborative and safe working space. With the release of HD-1500, the stop position accuracy of the CAPS […]

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