Smart Manufacturing

SANY Witnesses the Birth of The Land of the Future

Located in the Northwestern of Saudi Arabia, NEOM, a $500 billion giga-project launched in 2017, is SANY Group’s (SANY) most significant project in the Middle East with a total of about 2,500 units of machines projected to be deployed in the construction. As the centerpiece of ‘Saudi Vision 2030’, an ambitious plan by the Saudi Arabian government to transform the country’s economy, NEOM will not just be a place, but a home for people who dream big and an innovative hub for those who seek to build a 100% sustainable city. The name NEOM, derived from the Ancient Greek prefix “neo” and the first letter of the Arabic word “Mustaqbal”, means “new future”. The future land consists of three core regions: Oxagon, the world’s largest floating structure serving 13% of the world’s trade, is set to redefine the traditional industry with clean tech and a smart supply chain network. Trojena is a year-round mountain destination blending amazing nature and unique human-centric experiences. THE LINE, the most imposing of the four, is an innovative city totally driven by clean energy. The line-shaping city will stretch 1700 kilometers from the banks of the Red Sea to the city of Tabuk being only 200 meters wide and a mirrored city wall towering 500 meters above the sea level. Prioritising people’s well-being over any transportation and infrastructure, THE LINE will have no roads, no cars, and runs on 100% renewable energy. Once completed, 9 million residents in the future city will have access to all daily necessities within a five-minute walk. SANY has deployed over 1672 pieces of equipment on-site since the second half of 2021, including cranes, excavators, loaders, dump trucks, and pump trucks, and the number is expected to increase as intended orders continue to pour in. The simultaneous running of […]

Downstream preparation and local ancillary needed for Malaysia’s expanding automotive and electronic vehicle ecosystem

Amid significant injections into the Malaysian Automotive market, the helping hand of collaborative robots can help sub-sector players deal with newly accelerated peaks in manufacturing By Marvin Ming, Country Manager Malaysia, Universal Robots Malaysia has taken a major leap forward in its quest in becoming the region’s automotive and EV hub, with industry leaders Tesla choosing the nation to be its regional headquarters. This deal comes amid an injection of Electric Vehicle (EV) related investments stemming from 2018, with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) approving 58 EV investment projects totaling RM 26.2 billion. Currently, the country has nearly 1,000 EV charging stations and plans to build a further 10,000 across the country by 2025, with this investment aimed at covering vehicle assembly along with the manufacturing of EV parts and charging components. Malaysia does seem to be shaping into the region’s automotive hub and EV hub, but is the nation ready for the increased demands this entails? It is paramount that sub-sector players in Malaysia have to make downstream preparation for the strain on the industry this impending transformation is going to bring about. Becoming the Region’s Automotive Hub According to reports, the Asia-Pacific EV market was valued at US$230 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach US$778 billion come 2027. The recent Tesla announcement is not the only factor in the sector’s increased value, as three major Chinese automotive players – BYD, Great Wall Motor, and Cherry, have also launched in Malaysia this year. Additionally, Malaysia is also home to other international automotive companies and assembly plants, with the likes of Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz all manufacturing within the country. Equipped with the existing expertise in manufacturing, Malaysia’s components sub sector could potentially be used to double up in servicing the projected automotive exploits, covering a […]

TKE Zhongshan Solar System

TK Elevator has achieved another significant ESG milestone in the Asia Pacific region with the installation of a large-scale solar panel system on the rooftop of their manufacturing facility in Zhongshan, China. Operational since November 2022, this solar energy system comprises 5,834 panels, generating a total of 3,200 MWh of electricity annually. This translates to a reduction of 2,008 tons of carbon emissions per year. As of February 2023, energy generated by the system supplied over 40% of the facility’s total monthly energy consumption, effectively lowering the carbon footprint of our escalator and elevator production in the Asia Pacific region. TK Elevator’s commitment to reducing its production carbon footprint continues with the planned introduction of a solar energy system at its Songjiang manufacturing facility in China in September 2024. At its initial stage, this system is expected to generate 1,792 MWh per year, accounting for approximately 30% of our Songjiang facility’s total energy consumption. The company is dedicated to continuously improving its environmental performance, and strives to minimise the carbon emissions associated with each TKE mobility unit, enabling our customers and passengers to enjoy safe, reliable, and sustainable mobility options.

Hexagon launches mould and die suite, to make short work of complex manufacturing

Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division has released the HxGN Mould & Die, a suite of dedicated CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and manufacturing), engineering, and automation tools empowering mould and die and tool manufacturers to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and produce high quality tools for their customers across industries ranging from automotive to aerospace and beyond. The suite was developed to empower mould designers and makers to achieve operational excellence in the design and manufacturing of plastic injection moulds, progressive dies, forming dies, and similar tools. Capabilities of the suite include CAD/CAE (computer-aided design and engineering) for plastic injection mould design, CAD/CAE for progressive die design, CAD for manufacturing preparation, CAM for CNC (computer numerical code) machine-tool programming, process simulation and G-code verification and optimisation, shop-floor production intelligence, and automation and collaboration powered by Nexus, Hexagon’s digital-reality platform. The suite’s simulation tools help manufacturers understand the feasibility and cost of mould-making processes with actionable information. “We took everything we know about mould-and-die manufacturing, including our best-in-class Hexagon technologies, to build a specialised suite that empowers mould and die shops of any size to get the best results faster,” said Chuck Mathews, general manager, production software at Hexagon. “Their competitive edge will be enhanced Nexus, which connects desktop software via the cloud to provide further automation and collaboration opportunities. It also gives teams an easy way to share 3D models with customers through secure web-based visualisation, and consolidate access to libraries for tooling, fixtures, and materials from their desktop apps.” “The HxGN Mould and Die suite is an exciting development, combining our customers’ challenges with our deep domain knowledge to achieve more. We are refocussing innovation to bring our ecosystem technologies together and help production teams make better informed decisions, faster,” added Parth Joshi, chief product & technology officer at Hexagon. For plastic-injection mould […]

Planting Machines in “Machine-tending” — Operations in a Collaborative Industry 5.0 World

Shih Pin Tan, Head of Sales Channel Asia Pacific, Universal Robots Boasting a fleet of over 10,000 aircraft, taking a commercial flight in Asia might not be as novel as before. In generations prior, it was not as easy to manufacture these machines, with the average commercial jet airliner comprising of over 350,000 individual parts. In crafting these parts—whether metal or plastic, one process is essential: machine tending. A well-functioning manufacturing workflow relies on machinery consistently being loaded and unloaded with parts or materials. When done well, machine tending increases productivity and yields – driving down the cost of production over time. Without it, production would grind to a halt. As the sector looks forward into the future, advancements in manufacturing will rest on optimising this crucial task. The next industrial revolution Stemming from the early 2010s, Industry 4.0 saw manufacturers integrating new technologies into their production facilities and throughout their operations. Industry 5.0 builds on this, using R&D to transition to a more sustainable, human-centric and resilient industry. With that, collaborative automation has a vital role to play. Already integral to Industry 4.0, greater automation of machine tending – more specifically collaborative robotics – will help manufacturers transition to Industry 5.0. In fact, the European Commission sees Industry 5.0 as playing a vital role in providing solutions to challenges for society, including the preservation of resources and climate change. The future of manufacturing and the transition to Industry 5.0 rests on ensuring machine tending benefits from both human skill and automated consistency, something collaborative robots (cobots) are specifically designed for. The man-machine partnership Over decades, human machine operators have been slogging away at the repetitive and physically demanding task of machine tending. This poses a multitude of issues for both workers as well as manufacturers and must be […]

Electronics Asia Conference 2023 to Highlight IoT, AI/ML, Automotive, and Wireless Developments

Now on its second year, EAC will focus on how IoT, AI/ML, automotive, wireless, and the industrial sectors are powering innovations in Asia’s semiconductor ecosystem. Following the success of its inaugural edition, the second Electronics Asia Conference (EAC), a virtual conference and exhibition organised by AspenCore, the publisher of EE Times Asia, EE Times India, and EDN Asia, is set to take place from October 17 to 19, 2023. With the theme “Strengthening Asia’s Semiconductor Manufacturing Ecosystem,” EAC 2023 aims to highlight the latest technology trends, innovations, and strategic insights within the electronics and semiconductor industry in Asia. The global semiconductor industry reversed its five straight quarters of decline by registering a 3.4% revenue growth in the second quarter of 2023, according to Omdia. Driving the turnaround are the wireless segment, the automotive electronics sector, and artificial intelligence (AI), mainly due to growing demand for generative AI and data processing chips in the server space. According to International Data Corp. (IDC), spending on AI—including software, services, and hardware for AI-centric systems—in the Asia-Pacific region is expected to reach $78.4 billion in 2027, reflecting a shift toward adopting cutting-edge technologies to transform operations and maintain a competitive edge in a rapidly changing market. Meanwhile, the increasing adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies is fueling the automation and digitalisation trends in the industrial space, thereby stimulating demand for Internet of Things (IoT) and embedded systems, as more manufacturers embrace smarter manufacturing. These key trends are among the many developments driving Asia’s electronics and semiconductor supply chain. EAC 2023 will put the spotlight on technology innovations that are driving the latest developments and new applications in sectors including IoT, AI/ML, embedded systems, industrial automation, smart manufacturing, the wireless sector, and the electronics and semiconductor supply chain. The event will feature a virtual fairground, an […]

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XCMG Machinery takes centre stage with intelligent and eco-friendly construction machinery

Leading construction machinery manufacturer XCMG Machinery exhibited 28 flagship equipment products from eight major sectors, innovative intelligent technologies, and comprehensive set solutions at the 16th China Beijing International Construction Machinery, Building Material Machines, and Mining Machines Exhibition & Seminar (BICES 2023) held from September 20 to 23 in Beijing, China. XCMG has signed strategic cooperation agreements with China Anneng, Sinopec Fourth Construction, Shenda Group, JCHX Mining Management, and Beijing Hengshi, an order of more than 100 units of equipment products with Linyi Shihou Tianyuan, and delivered the order to China Railway 10th Bureau Group. At BICES 2023, XCMG introduced the all-new upgraded walking excavator products known as “steel mantis”. The 10-ton and 20-ton modular walking excavators are providing more solutions for emergency rescue and special operations in mountainous conditions. XCMG also highlighted Asia’s only all-terrain, rubber-tracked bulldozer with a maximum speed of 58 kilometers per hour, a high-speed excavator with the industry’s first mechanical steering technology and a steady travel speed of 80 kilometers per hour, and more as part of the emergency rescue solutions. XCMG has launched the 2023 digital and intelligent construction fleet at the exhibition, featuring a series of comprehensive solutions from intelligent construction equipment and digital monitoring to coordinated fleet operation. The 15 new energy equipment products showcased at BICES 2023 included the world’s largest tonnage hybrid all-terrain crane, the XCA300L8-HEV. Its highly efficient fuel-electric conversion in extended range mode can save 80,000 to 100,00 yuan (US$ 10,959-13,699) of operation costs annually. Its “Peacock” series large-tonnage high-voltage lithium forklift, 105-ton electric mining ruck XGE105, the world’s first unmanned electric mining truck XDR80TE-AT, pure electric excavator XE215E, hybrid pump truck HB62VH, pure electric mixing truck G4802BIIVE, as well as new energy aerial work platforms, are bringing sustainable, green solutions for global customers. As XCMG continues to advance […]

Malaysian manufacturers share journeys at APAC cobot conference

The manufacturing industry is a key contributor to Malaysia’s export revenue, job creation and GDP, at 24 percent in Q2’23, second only to services industry. Despite slipping by 4 percent in June, Malaysia’s manufacturing sector still recorded a sales value of RM147.4 billion—highlighting its importance and untapped potential to the nation’s economy. Collaborate APAC 2023 Against this backdrop, Universal Robots (UR), a leading provider of collaborative robots (cobots) will be holding Asia Pacific’s largest cobot conference, Collaborate APAC 2023 in Malaysia. The conference aims to provide a platform for manufacturers to share both the challenges and successes of their automation journeys in combatting roadblocks of the sector and explore automation solutions to address emerging manufacturing issues. To be held at Sunway Resort Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, the conference includes presentations from Sensata, a global electronics and sensor technology company, and Plasform, a Malaysian plastics manufacturer, where they share about their automation journeys in the quest of hurdling challenges faced in the industry. “Despite a number of headwinds, manufacturing continues to play a vital role in Malaysia’s economic transformation and overall growth,” said Adam Sobieski, Regional President APAC at Universal Robots. “We understand that manufacturing is no simple task, and there is no one blanket solution for every business in the industry. However, automation on the manufacturing floor can act as a catalyst for productivity and innovation, spearheading growth.” The Next Generation Cobot – UR20 Locally, the government has made strides in embracing the Fourth Industrial Revolution to ensure the manufacturing sector continues to be competitive. In 2021, there was an allocation of RM100 million for the Smart Automation Grant (SAG) under the PENJANA stimulus package, along with RM50 million under the PEMERKASA aid package. The SAG encourages small-medium enterprises and mid-tier businesses to adopt automation and digitalisation in production processes and operations. The general outlook for Malaysia’s electronics industry remains favourable, […]

Lishen Battery selects Siemens Xcelerator to scale sustainable battery production

Lishen Battery to leverage Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industry software and battery digital thread to establish traceability and transparency along the entire value chain Siemens Digital Industries Software recently announced the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement with Tianjin Lishen Battery Joint-Stock Co., Ltd. (Lishen Battery), a leading high-tech company specialising in the research, development and production of lithium-ion batteries. The agreement signifies a pivotal milestone in Lishen Battery’s digital transformation journey, with both Siemens Digital Industries Software and Lishen Battery fully dedicated to advancing the evolution of the global battery industry. “Lishen Battery is firmly dedicated to delivering comprehensive power solutions to customers. The strategic collaboration with Siemens will harness the potential of digitalisation to revolutionize the company’s management system and drive our pursuit of high-quality development,” said Tong Laiming, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of Board, Lishen Battery. As part of the collaboration, Lishen Battery will leverage Opcenter™ software from the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industry software, to establish a technology center for Lishen. The dedicated facility will be equipped with advanced capabilities for full data traceability and connectivity throughout product research and development as well as the manufacturing process. “The key to improving the competitiveness of the manufacturing industry lies in the deep integration with digital technology, so we are honored that Lishen Battery has selected Siemens Xcelerator,” said Leo Liang, Senior Vice President and Managing Director for Greater China, Siemens Digital Industries Software.“Siemens remains committed to our aspiration to foster a collaboration with Lishen Battery that fully leverage Siemens’ expertise and commitment to continuous innovation and comprehensive solutions – ranging from product design, testing and simulation, to production – to contribute to the rapid development of the global battery industry.”

Asia-Pacific to spearhead global economic growth in 2023

The global economic growth is poised to gain momentum in 2023 due to easing inflation pressures in food and energy sectors, the gradual revival of European nations, strong growth potential in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, and North America’s resilient labor market. As economies move through diverse business cycle stages, regional disparities may emerge. Nevertheless, APAC nations are set to drive nearly 70% of the global growth, whereas Western peers could encounter significant economic deceleration, reveals GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. Against this backdrop, GlobalData has revised its 2023 economic growth projection for the global economy by 0.11 percentage points (pp) to 2.1% in June 2023, compared to its previous projections in March 2023. GlobalData’s latest report, “Global Macroeconomic Outlook – Q3 2023 Update,” reveals that all regions are expected to experience a slowdown in economic growth in 2023, except for the APAC region. However, in June 2023, growth projections were revised upward for APAC to 3.8% (0.10 pp higher than March 2023), the Americas to 1.2% (0.11 pp increase), and Europe to 0.6% (0.22 pp higher). On the other side, the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region’s growth projection was downwardly revised to 2.8% (a 0.37 pp decrease) due to declining oil prices and lower production. Less developed African nations also face challenges from high food prices, complicating their economic recovery. The global inflation rate is estimated to decrease to 5.3% in 2023 from 8.7% in 2022, but it is projected to remain above the target set by major economies’ central banks. GlobalData estimates inflation rates to ease across all regions—APAC (6.6% in 2023 vs 7.6% in 2022), the Americas (9.9% vs 10.4%), Europe (7% vs 11%), and the Middle East & Africa (16% vs 19%). Ramnivas Mundada, Director of Companies and Economic Research at GlobalData, comments, “In […]

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