International Metalworking News for Asia’s June 2017

Be sure to read International Metalworking News for Asia’s June issue, which spotlights interesting interviews of some of the industry’s movers and shakers.

Philip Parker, Product Marketing Manager of Hypetherm Mechanised Plasma Systems Team talked about most significant advance in mechanised plasma cutting with the introduction of an entirely new class of plasma called X-Definition™. This new plasma is available for the first time in a 300 amp plasma system called the XPR300. He said that the arrival of X-Definition Plasma and our new XPR300 is a huge step forward in the capabilities of plasma technology.

Dr Robert Blackburn, CEO of Hoffmann Group said that market is moving quickly and developing up the value chain. The trend over the coming three years is all about embedding software or embedding intelligence in the tool. He discussed the company’s ambition to further build up intelligence and offer smart solutions that enable efficient communication between the tool and the machine. This is a challenge, but above all it’s a great opportunity for Hoffmann, who is at the forefront of that development.

Industry 4.0 and the constant demand for new innovations can be stressful for companies, but Sandvik Coromant has created an environment for bright ideas to flourish. It’s no coincidence that competitors are still struggling to produce vibration-free boring bar lengths above 10 times the hole diameter while the team is testing bars that can handle double that, now with connectivity and software that save valuable time and money for the customers. Find out the secret behind Sandvik Coromant’s silent tools.

Sure enough, the issue includes columns from such as show previews, industry news and product highlight.

Finally, we take your comments seriously. If you have something other topics in mind, we want you to let us know. Drop us a line and tell us what you want. 

Interview with Hoffmann Group’s new CEO

Dr Robert Blackburn, CEO, Hoffmann Group

Much coverage is being given about the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This era takes us far beyond the steam and water that kicked off industry in the 1800s and builds upon the electronics and computers that seemed so high-tech in the 1980s. You can either be scared or be excited that Industry 4.0 is creating exciting changes in everything from how and where things are created to how they’re distributed.

Most manufacturing executives who have heard about Industry 4.0 are sceptical. Others think that this is just another piece of marketing hype or that only big manufacturing facilities need these technologies that promises to reshape the way things are made.

INTERNATIONAL METALWORKING NEWS FOR ASIA is fortunate to interview Dr Robert Blackburn, the new CEO of Hoffmann Group, during the recent MTA Singapore. Dr Blackburn is considered internationally to be a leading mind with strategic vision and to be a pioneer in the field of digitalisation.

Managing a manufacturing transition
Emerging countries in South East Asia is moving itself down a more advanced manufacturing path. And they need help transitioning to competitive manufacturing environments. But are they ready to enter the next phase in the digitisation of the manufacturing sector?

So what happens to a country when a new manufacturing mind-set becomes reality? How do small companies begin to transition internally, expand locally, or decide to seek opportunities through digitalisation. These are only a few a questions and concerns from small shop owners in Asia that were discussed across conference tables.

The transition to high-complexity manufacturing is not going to happen overnight. What better way to start and be ahead of the game is by using an intelligent dispatch machine that optimises tool administration, and can provide interfaces to the company network including materials management system.

Dr Blackburn, said, "When you’re a small shop owner premium tools are hard enough to get. They’re even harder to keep track. So in a very pragmatic way, we can take the smallest shop and we can provide them a solution, which is of a highest premium standard to protect quality tools from going missing. We always like to talk about the advantages our premium tools provide. But we also have tools in our portfolio that have very pragmatic purposes while at the same time offering a good quality.”
Tool24 Smartline is Hoffmann’s latest innovation for managing tools. GARANT Tool24 Smartline concept is impressively simple: sturdy tool cabinets with up to 90 drawers offer you round the clock access to the desired material. The intuitive software allows you to make your selection quickly, be it by scanner, key word search or article number.

“In a big company what does Smartline do? It allows you to immediately manage your spend on tool and know which worker is using what. But if you’re in a small shop sometimes it can be as simple as protection. You don’t want to be locking everything up. Just like what it does in a big company, the system opens for you and it knows which tool you need when,” he added.

Dr Blackburn explained, “What Smartline is offering sets a real impact in society for the smallest of the small workshops to the biggest most state-of-the-art factory. Let’s say you’re at the port in Singapore and you’re running a rather small business, who got a contract with an oil & gas firm. So instead of locking your tools up or throwing them in the back of your truck, you can put them in your van and inside a Smartline machine.”

Innovation: Market differentiator
He described innovation in Hoffmann’s segment in the tool industry, particularly in Asia, a market differentiator. “The market is moving quickly and developing up the value chain. The trend over the coming three years is all about embedding software or embedding intelligence in the tool. So, our ambition is to further build up intelligence and offer smart solutions that enable efficient communication between the tool and the machine. This is a challenge, but above all it’s a great opportunity for us. Obviously, Hoffmann is at the forefront of that development.”

Dr Blackburn added, “In our Garant tools we have the intelligence already inside. Within our portfolio we offer tools that communicate to the machine and send a signal when replacement is needed, for example. There’s a reason why we are a premium brand, and that’s what our customers can justly expect from a technology leader.”

Dr Blackburn defined the fourth industrial revolution all about connectivity. “But, while focusing on digitalisation and connectivity you have to provide quality, above all. That’s what Hoffmann Group stands for: the highest quality tools in the market.” What is also unique about Hoffmann is the omni-channel approach the company intends to bring to Asia. “In terms of digitalisation, we are continuously improving. We thrive for an integrated approach. That means for example, that we will integrate some of the expertise that our sales team in the field offers our customers in human form into our digital channels. Our consultants will be able to use the new channels to show their “face” to the customer on the website. This approach is unique in our industry.”

By: KATHRYN GERARDINO-ELAGIO 

International Metalworking News for Asia June 2017

Revolution in industrial cutting

“It’s More Than Just a Revolution in Plasma. It’s a Revolution in Industrial Cutting.” This is the message Hypetherm Asia Pacific aims to convey to the press and their channel partners present during the recent "Meet the New Plasma Media Event" in Singapore.


Plasma cutting systems have been used to cut metal for over 50 years and provide numerous advantages over other cutting methods. But despite the fact that plasma cutting systems have been used in industrial applications for many years, some people are still unaware of its benefits and how it can be an essential productivity enhancing tool.

Among the tell-tale signs that Hypetherm is betting its future on helping shape the world is the launch of XPR300^TM and EDGE^® Connect. Philip Parker, Product Marketing Manager of Hypetherm Mechanised Plasma Systems Team, and Nathan Pascarella, Product Marketing Manager of Hypetherm Automation flew all the way from New Hampshire, USA to help introduce XPR300 and EDGE Connect CNC, and to leverage these next-generation technologies through discussions and presentations.

XPR300

Philip Parker, Product Marketing Manager

Philip talked about most significant advance in mechanised plasma cutting with the introduction of an entirely new class of plasma called X-Definition™. This new plasma is available for the first time in a 300 amp plasma system called the XPR300. He emphasised, “The XPR300 has unmatched performance and unbeatable operating cost.” Philip said the X-Definition class plasma combines engineering advances and refined high definition plasma processes to deliver unmatched plasma cut quality on mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminium. Laboratory testing shows ISO-9013 Range 2 cut quality on thin mild steel and extended ISO Range 3 cuts on thicker metals. To reach this point Hypertherm engineers had to develop a number of new patent-pending processes like Vented Water Injection™ (VWI) and plasma dampening, and new vent-to-shield technologies. The end result is squarer cut edges, markedly less angularity, and excellent surface finish on non-ferrous metals like aluminium and stainless steel.

“The arrival of X-Definition Plasma and our new XPR300 is a huge step forward in the capabilities of plasma technology,” said Philip. “The combination of faster cut speeds, unparalleled cut quality, intuitive features, and automatic system monitoring make it our most advanced and productive plasma yet. It really opens up a wide range of opportunities for companies by providing cut quality and consistency that may make it suitable for applications which have previously been associated with laser, but with the much lower initial investment costs associated with plasma,” he added.
Despite being Hypertherm’s most advanced system yet, the XPR300 is easy to use. Sensors in the power supply deliver refined diagnostic codes and significantly enhanced system monitoring information. This reduces troubleshooting time and provides proactive data to improve overall system optimisation and uptime. Additionally, the system is designed with fewer consoles and connections so operators can spend less time setting-up and more time cutting.

For example, an EasyConnect™ feature allows operators to quickly plug the torch lead into the torch connect console without the use of tools, while a patent pending QuickLock™ electrode delivers easy quarter turn tightening to further reduce setup time. Another new design feature is a quick change torch that enables an operator to rapidly change torches with just one hand. All consoles feature advanced autogas capability allowing operators to select and implement cutting jobs directly from the CNC, along with Wi-Fi in the power supply to enable system, or even multiple system, monitoring from afar.

EDGE Connect CNC

Nathan Pascarella, Product Marketing Manager

According to Nathan, the EDGE Connect is the latest CNC designed and built by Hypetherm. This exciting new product combines ease of use and reliability features into the three new hardware configurations powered by Phoenix^® software, the EDGE Connect provides end users with the performance features they need and channel partners with flexibility for installation and integration.
“Our customers wanted greater functionality integrated into their cutting machines coupled with our embedded expertise. EDGE Connect delivers that through our new software applications running on this new hardware platform,” he said.

Nathan added, “The EDGE Connect offers greater flexibility for machine operators with ProNest CNC, a feature that allows SureCut outcomes to be programmed quickly and efficiently from the touchscreen interface. It is a great complement to our offline CAM software, providing a solution when offline CAM programming might not be available.”

Cutting machine customisation is further enhanced by quick and easy set up through an EtherCAT communication platform and custom software configuration that allows for up to 12 axes through an online configurator. The hardware platform is the foundation and software selections enable any EDGE Connect to be set for various cutting applications. Furthermore, cutting machine manufacturers can develop their own operator consoles and auxiliary programs using the Soft Op Con API and PLC Connect.

Creativity and innovation

Israel Gonzales, Regional Director

One of the more interesting takeaways during the media event is Israel Gonzales, Regional Director, Hypetherm Asia Pacific sharing about the company’s vision. He said, “Hypetherm’s vision is to be the agent of innovation in industrial cutting operations globally, working together as a company of owners to make positive change, create shared value and bring out the full potential of every associate.”

The company aims to be recognised beyond plasma, metal, 2D, and cutting systems & consumables. They want to be known as a company that provide the full value stream, including upstream and downstream; not just products and not just at time of sale, rather a trusted adviser and service partner over the full product/customer life cycle.

Israel believes that “The Human Touch Matters!” The company’s overall objectives are: high performance, access and fast delivery, reduce operating costs, high uptime, optimise total cutting value stream, provide training, make purchasing easy, keep me informed, and objective advice on technology.

“Quantify the relative importance of each of the nine services crucial to the customer experience, and understand the relative size of the gap between what the end user desires and what is actually being delivered by Hypetherm and our partners, today on a global scale,” he said.

Finally, Lester Lee, Regional Marketing Manager, Hypetherm Asia Pacific, shared two strategies for creating competitive advantage: 1) Cost Leadership- a cost leader is where the company has decided to create the cheapest product on the market. This strategy requires the product to be commoditised and take advantage of the economies of large scale. 2) Differentiation- The differentiation strategy is where we decide to choose a certain attribute of our business offering to focus on. In order to make this strategy work you have to select an attribute that a big enough section of the market care about enough in order to pay a premium price for your product.

By: KATHRYN GERARDINO-ELAGIO 

International Metalworking News for Asia June 2017