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Innovative transition to new age of computing

Leading technology experts came together on the first day of the HKTDC International ICT Expo in April to discuss how advances in computing technologies have helped to make airports, businesses and governments smarter, more efficient and more cost-effective. The expo was organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and ran concurrently with the 16th HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition). Smart airport transforms passenger experience Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) is taking biometrics and robotics to new levels in its digital transformation, aiming to provide passengers with a more efficient and enjoyable airport and travel experience, and to improve operational efficiency. Andy Bien, Chief Information Officer at Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA), explained the five key enabling technologies for realising the AA’s Smart Airport Vision: big-data intelligence, advanced biometrics, mobile technology, robotics, and the “digital twin” reality modelling system. Advanced biometric applications are helping the AA provide a seamless travel experience by combining all passenger airport interactions – self-bag drop, e-security gate, immigration, transfer security gates and self-boarding gates – into a single token. “When the system is complete, the passenger will be able to walk into the restricted area in about 10 seconds,” said Mr Bien. The AA is also developing long-range iris, palm-vein and finger-vein scanning, and deeper functions such as emotion recognition via smart CCTV for enhanced security, he said. The analysis of each detected face provides a confidence score for seven different kinds of emotions: anger, disgust, fear, sadness, happiness, surprise or neutral. Robotics is another area the AA is focusing on to supplement its huge labour force (currently 75,000 people and forecast to increase to 130,000 when the third runway opens). Mr Bien emphasised the fact that robotics integration was intended to supplement, not replace, airport workers. Driverless tractors will soon be […]

Hitachi to acquire robotic system integrator in the US

Hitachi will be entering the high-growth robotic SI(1) business in North America and accelerate the global development of its digital solution business, which connects the workplace and management, by acquiring a customer base, technology, and know-how in the Operational Technology (OT) domain. Hitachi has entered into a definitive contract for the acquisition of the robotic SI business mainly operated by an American headquartered company, JR Automation Technologies, LLC, from funds managed by Crestview Partners. Subject to the terms and conditions of the contract, Hitachi will acquire JR Automation, which builds production lines and logistics systems using industrial robots. As a result of this acquisition, Hitachi will enter the robotic SI business in North America, which is a region that is expected to see a high rate of growth. The acquisition is expected to be executed by the end of 2019, subject to the satisfaction of certain regulatory and other customary closing conditions. In the Industry Sector(3), Hitachi will continue to accelerate the global rollout of the robotic SI business, together with the acquisition of KEC Corporation (KEC), a Japanese robotic system integrator, for which an acquisition contract was completed by Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co., Ltd. (HIES) in March 2019(4). In 2017, Hitachi acquired Sullair, an American manufacturer and seller of air compressors, marking a full-scale entry into the North American industrial product business(5). With the acquisition of JR Automation, Hitachi will acquire JR Automation?s customer base in the OT domain, along with advanced robotic SI technologies, know-how, and resources. Additionally, the acquisition of JR Automation will allow Hitachi to further expand its Lumada Solution business, globally. Lumada is Hitachi?s advanced digital solutions, services, and technologies business, which helps customers and management turn their workplace data into insights to drive digital innovation. In recent years, in the manufacturing and logistics […]

3D print of heart with human tissue

Scientists in Israel have unveiled a 3D print of a heart with human tissue and vessels, a first and a “major medical breakthrough” that advances possibilities for transplants. Scientists hope one day to be able to produce hearts suitable for transplant into humans as well as patches to regenerate defective hearts. The heart produced by researchers at Tel Aviv University is about the size of a rabbit’s. It marked “the first time anyone anywhere has successfully engineered and printed an entire heart replete with cells, blood vessels, ventricles and chambers. People have managed to 3D-print the structure of a heart in the past, but not with cells or with blood vessels. But the scientists said many challenges remain before fully working 3D printed hearts would be available for transplant into patients. Journalists were shown a 3D print of a heart about the size of a cherry, immersed in liquid, at Tel Aviv University as the researchers announced their findings, published in the peer-reviewed journal Advanced Science. Researchers must now teach the printed hearts “to behave” like real ones. The cells are currently able to contract, but do not yet have the ability to pump. Then they plan to transplant them into animal models, hopefully in about a year. Maybe, in 10 years, there will be organ printers in the finest hospitals around the world, and these procedures will be conducted routinely. However, hospitals would likely start with simpler organs than hearts.

Airlines can save money and the environment

More precise weather data means safer flights and smaller fuel consumption, as aircrafts can avoid unfavourable winds at given altitudes and start the descent phase at exactly the right moment. Swedish IT company AVTECH has developed a very precise weather and wind data product portfolio to help aircrafts fly as economically and comfortably as possible – without the airlines having to invest in any new equipment. In a recent real-life test, Norwegian Air Shuttle reduced CO2-emissions by 2 000 tons in three months’ time last autumn, by using AVTECH’s services in the company’s fleet of 106 Boeing 737-800 aircrafts. “We saved from one to eighty kilograms of fuel per flight, the average being 22 kilos, purely by optimizing the descent phase of the flights”, says Norwegian pilot and project manager Stig Patey. “The 10K weather grid makes it possible to avoid unfavourable winds at given altitudes during the flight and to start the descent phase at exactly the right moment. Our pilots have reportedly been very pleased with the easy to use service that in real life proved to be much more accurate than the standard weather systems.” All of this was made without any new equipment in the aircrafts, as all real-time calculations are made on the ground by AVTECH. “The timeliness and accuracy of our high-definition weather forecasting means that the normal pre-flight package is usually sufficient on shorter flights,” says David Rytter, Chief Technical Officer at AVTECH. “On longer flights updates can be uplinked when necessary, since the files are very small in size. Now the partnership with Norwegian has deepened, exploring the climb phase of the flight, with part of the funding coming from the Swedish Energy Agency.” World leading weather service AVTECH’s 10K weather is based on the UK Met Office’s high-definition weather modelling system, […]

Mitsubishi high-precision gear manufacturing systems for Chinese market

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Machine Tool Co., Ltd. (MAT), a group company of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) based in Japan, is ramping up its proposals of high-precision gear manufacturing systems for the Chinese market. As part of this initiative, MAT will be showing its integrated gear machining systems at “CIMT 2019: The 16th China International Machine Tool Show” being held in Beijing from April 15 through 20. The focus of MAT’s exhibit will be the “ZE26C,” a gear grinding machine capable of suppressing final gear-tooth shape error to 1μm. The ZE26C will respond to needs for higher speed and precision especially in the transmission systems of electric vehicles and the reduction gears used in robots. This will be the first time MAT is exhibiting the ZE26C at an industry event of this kind. The ZE26C was developed to finish hardened and tempered gears with outer diameters up to 260 mm. Superior performance has been achieved by making vast improvements to the “ZE-B,” MAT’s earlier series of widely acclaimed gear grinding machines. Specifically, the ZE26C’s grinding precision and stability have been enhanced by increasing the rigidity of the column, table and grinding wheel head, coupled with revamping of the spindle structure. In addition, by increasing cutting speed and reducing idle (non-cutting) time by roughly 50% compared to earlier models, the ZE26C boosts high-volume production capability and promotes lower running costs. Furthermore, by expanding the maximum wheel width to 160 mm (from 125 mm on previous models), frequency of wheel replacement is reduced and simultaneous mounting of standard and polishing grinding wheels becomes possible, resulting in higher cutting precision. Also, adoption of the industry’s first water-soluble coolant (optional) improves environmental performance while also enhancing energy savings. At CIMT 2019 MAT will also be demonstrating its “GE25A” dry-cut (i.e. requiring no cutting oil) […]

Safe and sound – Is your smart factory secure?

Alarms, cameras, locks and fences are all commonly recommended to keep burglars out of homes. Obtaining clear guidance for securing your smart factory isn’t quite as easy to come by. Here Jonathan Wilkins, marketing director at obsolete industrial equipment supplier, EU Automation, discusses smart factory security and what manufacturers should consider when protecting their facility. In a connected factory, manufacturers have access to a constant data stream from the shop floor, commercial operations and supply. The Internet of Things (IoT) generates a huge amount of data, gathered from machines and components, which can be accessed and analysed remotely. Though it brings a facility a number of advantages, connectivity also introduces a vulnerability in terms of cyber-security. With information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) more closely connected than ever, systems are more vulnerable to attackers. The risk is increased by remote access or third-party access. According to Dark Reading magazine, the second most cyber-attacked industry after healthcare is manufacturing. With high profile ransomware attacks such as WannaCry disrupting large companies such as Honda, manufacturers know they must be vigilant. In the manufacturing industry, cyber-crime is usually a type of data theft, ransomware or data manipulation. Hackers can modify procedures to disrupt production processes, gain access to private patent data or cause system downtime, all of which can cause serious losses to a company. Engineering businesses must ensure that their operations, data and valuable intellectual property (IP) are protected. Businesses need to understand the limitations of their own capabilities and systems to form a well-rounded cyber-security strategy. For example, legacy equipment can be a target for cyber-criminals. Old equipment was not designed to be connected to the internet, which means that cyber security was not a priority during its design. Industrial control systems as well as programmable logic controllers (PLCs) have […]

The critical role of IIoT in the future of food processing

Michael Cahill, Rockwell MES Technical Consultant As the old adage goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. New Zealand food companies, that often produce high value-add product that is exported around the globe, value their brand and reputation. Things are changing. Customer expectations for food safety and quality are unprecedented. Expectations from regulatory authorities are increasing to meet ever growing market regulation. Demand for high safe products is driving growth at an unprecedented rate. The reality is the number of food recalls has been steadily increasing over the last decade, according to FSANZ’s 2009-2018 reporting. The lack of visibility in the early stages of production is leading to an increased amount of inedible product and is posing serious food safety compliance risks. With headline after headline, product traceability from paddock to plate is becoming more and more important. Any deviation in quality in the product line will involve significant wastage and financial burden on the organisation. A sustainable approach to maintain the highest standard of production quality is sought to meet these customer, regulator and growth challenges. Connecting the dots The rise of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) has emerged as a solution to this problem. IIoT platforms and advanced analytics now enable users to fuse multiple data sources to provide contextually relevant historical and real-time data. Add in AI and machine learning and food manufacturing is more predictive and intelligent than ever before, giving workers uncanny insight into how to solve issues and predict problems before they happen. The problem isn’t a lack of data but a lack of connectivity from food companies. IIoT has provided the tools to better verify quality, establish batch genealogy and capture meaningful processing data from beginning to end. It’s now the job of manufacturing plants and farms to […]

The future of warehousing in Asia

E-commerce represents 15 per cent of total retail sales across Asia-Pacific — that is the equivalent to $1.4 trillion US dollars. This figure is expected to more than double by 2021. As a result, warehouses across APAC are rapidly developing and it is easy to see why. Here, John Young, APAC sales director for obsolete parts supplier, EU Automation, discusses the future of warehousing in the region. The Asia-Pacific economy is the fastest growing region in the world and has the largest share of the world’s business to consumer (B2C) e-commerce market. To meet demand and remain competitive, warehouse managers are investing in efficient and ergonomic technology, such as wearables and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). Wearable devices include smart glasses, watches and headsets, whereas RFID often comprise of tags and sensors that store data on a circuit or chip, such as a contactless card. Stretched funding Technology has become essential in warehouses and managers are budgeting to invest in and learn more about it. However, by funding new technology, the budget to spend on buying and replacing broken or inefficient machinery and equipment is often cut. As a result, old machinery is often still used beyond its reasonable life, which increases the risk of breakdown. If an older machine breaks, it can often prove difficult to source the correct part to fix it, particularly if it has been discontinued by the manufacturer. However, all is not lost. When an old piece of machinery or equipment fails, obsolete industrial parts suppliers like EU Automation can locate the correct part, saving costs for warehouse managers who don’t have the budget for new equipment. This means facility managers can still spend the budget they want on new technology. Robotic enhancement Similar to wearables and RFID’s, robots have been […]

iSolutions-Range-To-Meet-Taiwan’s-Smart-And-Sustainable-Manufacturing-Needs Asia MN

iSolutions range to meet Taiwan’s manufacturing needs

Leveraging intelligent manufacturing as the key to Taiwan’s economic revitalisation, leading pump manufacturer Grundfos introduced iSolutions – a product range with a focus on digitalisation and connectivity – at this year’s Taipei International Machine Tool Show (TIMTOS). In line with the government’s ambition to transform Taiwan into a global manufacturing hub by pushing industry adoption of smart machinery, Grundfos showcased a number of machine tool products under its iSolutions range. These products are intuitive and connected solutions that feature intelligent monitoring and adjustment features, which in turn optimise performance of the entire water system. A key product of the iSolutions range is Grundfos’ E-motor, which comes with a built-in frequency converter and sensors that enable the motor to intuitively control pressure from the pump to match the system’s demand, ensuring optimum levels of operation at all times. This drives significant financial and energy efficiencies, in contrast to conventional systems that tend to run at constant speed and pressure throughout their operations, regardless of fluctuating demands. With strengthening competitiveness and sustainability being key to the local machining industry’s projected growth of 8 per cent each year[1], Eric Lai, Grundfos’ Global Business Director, Machining Industry, said, “Grundfos is committed to helping Taiwan achieve its goals for intelligent machinery to enable manufacturers to offer more value-added services at greater productivity and environmentally friendly levels. As a leading pump solutions provider, we seek continuous development and innovation to ensure that each new pump is meeting the evolving needs and challenges of industries locally and regionally. “With pumps accounting for 10 per cent of the world’s electricity consumption, the opportunity to leverage Industry 4.0 to integrate intelligence into pump manufacturing and reduce both financial and environmental costs is unprecedented,” Eric Lai added. According to Grundfos, the potential of intelligent pumps in the iSolutions range can […]

OMAX to join forces with Hypertherm

OMAX Corporation, a manufacturer of abrasive waterjet systems, plans to join forces with Hypertherm, a U.S. based manufacturer of industrial cutting systems and software, following the signing of a definitive merger agreement that establishes OMAX as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hypertherm. Upon the closing of the transaction, expected on or around April 9, OMAX’s industry leading direct drive pumps, software, and applications technologies will combine with Hypertherm’s complementary portfolio of intensifier-based pumps and abrasive recycling systems, to form the industry’s leading waterjet technology offering. “When the late Dr. Olsen and I founded OMAX 25 years ago, our goal was to combine new motion control technology with software to create an abrasive waterjet system unlike anything else on the market. We more than succeeded, creating one of the world’s top waterjet manufacturers,” said John Cheung, co-founder and CEO of OMAX. “Together, we have been planning for the future of OMAX for some time. In planning for this future, we wanted to partner with a company that shared our values and vision. We wanted a company that would protect our culture, provide stability for our employees, and give our customers products and services consistent with our mission statement. Though Dr. Olsen is sadly not here for today’s announcement, I am comforted knowing he completely supported and wanted this for OMAX.” “Hypertherm is excited to welcome OMAX to our family and to bring together the leading waterjet R&D and engineering team in the world with our hardworking and talented waterjet team in Minnesota,” said Hypertherm president and CEO Evan Smith. “We are confident the combination of OMAX’s cutting-edge technology and solutions, innovation focus, strong brand name, commitment to customers, and excellent culture is a perfect complement to Hypertherm’s waterjet offerings and plasma cutting industry leadership position. It enhances our strategy of delivering cutting […]

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