Stefanie Flaeper, Managing Director at transfluid

Q1: As the transition to Industry 4.0 picks up speed, how do you see the future of the metalworking industry? What are your views on challenges and trends facing the metalworking industry?

Anyone who considers the changes with some foresight is on a good path to a positive future. High-tech for effective pipe processing is the key to progress for many technologies and an important solution driver in all area of daily work and life, for example, when you consider machine and medical technology. Over the course of digital development, we also discovered completely new solutions, which ensure even more efficiency in heavily connected processes. Like I said, anyone who’s forward-thinking and is ready to approach digitalisation challenges and the accompanying shift in thinking openly will be successful. The demand will continue to grow together with increasing productivity. We’re already witnessing this development, for example, with our individual automation systems t motion and our tube bending software t control.

The relevance of highly rigid materials in lightweight construction continues to increase. In the automobile area, the trend is developing towards low quantities together with flexible automatic production, i.e. small quantities and individual pieces in automatic processes. This results in advantages like employee-independent production, process reliability, and influence on traceable processes, for example module assembly. Overall, there’s more planning reliability. Of course, the potential for mechanical engineering is being defined worldwide by automation and digitalisation. I see the clearest opportunities and chance to grow in this area. We’re expanding these trends ourselves with our own innovative power.

-- Stefanie Flaeper, Managing Director at transfluid

International Metalworking News for Asia- December 2017 issue

It is clear; the market for connected equipment and devices will continue to grow. But, as product designers and engineers face the challenges of building smart products, they are realising they need faster, better, smarter tools with which to create them. Part of that solution is to use tools capable of bringing all the disparate processes onto a single, unified platform.

Global high-tech companies are melding Industry 4.0, automation and big data to create metalworking equipment, tools and solutions that will build empires in the industrial manufacturing. They are developing healthy ecosystems that can carry their strategies and values far.

Whatever the situation, Industry 4.0 is here, and manufacturers all over the world are doing their best to prepare. At this issue’s 2018 Outlook Report, industry leaders and senior executives share their views and initiatives on Industry 4.0, and the current and future of metalworking industry, as part of their overall efforts toward automation and big data in manufacturing.

The adoption of Industry 4.0 is indeed a major deportation from traditional manufacturing culture. It not only needs new systems and new set of skills but also a new mind-set, to create a new culture to drive Industry 4.0.

A true digital enterprise will deliver value through physical products or services at the core, through a network of customers and suppliers augmented by digital interfaces and data driven industrial digital ecosystems. These developments will profoundly change individual enterprise, as well as transform market dynamics across the globe.

Although this vision of the future of manufacturing may still be years away for some factories in South East Asia, things are clearly headed in the right direction. InternationalMetalworking News for Asia helps bring Industry 4.0 to life for companies in the region through our motivating technical articles.

Of course, there’s plenty more stories and topics aside from Industry 4.0. Take a moment to read the magazine’s latest print issue or download your copy on iTunes and Play Store. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and like our page on Facebook.

A different method of turning

In a market as notoriously competitive as automotive, parts such as hub units, CV joint components and drive pinions share a common requirement: to maximise productivity without compromising quality. The question is, how can you produce these steel parts in high volumes? This is all about to change with a new turning methodology that challenges conventions to deliver productivity increases typically no less than double what can be achieved presently.

Read More: http://www.industrysourcing.com/article/fast-automotive-turning-gets-stamp-approval

International Metalworking News for Asia October issue

The October issue of InternationalMetalworking News for Asia is loaded with insight on some of the most important announcements and initiatives to come out of this year's top industry trends. One of the most intriguing highlights at the recent EMO Hannover is Hoffmann Group's analogy with nature's powers of innovation in its technology – emphasising the company's ongoing commitment to bringing new, high-quality tools to the market as part of its GARANT premium brand. Using the slogan "Innovative by nature", its innovations include a new conical barrel milling cutter, which makes it possible to achieve an improved surface quality and make considerable time savings through the use of state-of-the-art milling strategies.

Håkan Ericksson, Global Product Specialist at Sandvik Coromant, authored this month’s Tooling & Workholding section titled “Fast automotive turning gets stamp of approval.” He explains a different method of turning that challenges conventions to deliver productivity increases typically no less than double what can be achieved presently. In contrast to conventional longitudinal turning, the strategy allows the tool to enter the component at the chuck and removes material in the opposite direction, Turning ‘backwards’ in this manner allows a small entering angle to be applied, which in turn provides considerable productivity gains.

Also don't miss Cornelia Gewiehs article on machine learning, which answers the fundamental question whether machine learning is only something for global players and their ideas for a comprehensive concept of a digital factory. Or whether, besides a top-down development thrust by financially potent large companies with their highly competent research and development departments, a bottom-up breakthrough spearheaded by flexible, innovative small and mid-tier enterprises would also be conceivable.

We are happy to report Siemens Industry Analyst Conference in Boston. The program was designed for attendees to gain deeper understanding of digitalization and its impact on our industry. Siemens executive team presented strategic positioning and the direction of their technologies and industry solutions that are helping customers face the challenges of digitalization. Siemens customers shared best practices and lessons learned on their digital transformation journeys and how Siemens is helping them to succeed.

Lastly, email us with your thoughts, noting any article to which they apply. I read comments and questions on Facebook, Twitter, and Blog. Please contact me directly with any issues that need a response.

Siemens holistic approach to digitalisation

Manufacturing is undergoing a digital transformation driven by smart technology and connected devices. With opportunities to increase efficiency, productivity and accuracy in the industry, it is an excellent match for manufacturing.

In South East Asia, every manufacturing business is interested in what digital transformation could mean for his or her business. They believe digital transformation is key to future competitiveness, growth and agree that it will deliver better business results. 

While there is an awareness of the importance of digital transformation in South East Asia, this has not yet fully translated into reality. Majority of the companies in the region are still not fully on board, suggesting that the digital transformation race has really only just started in South East Asia.

INTERNATIONAL METALWORKING NEWS FOR ASIA (IMNA) spoke to Bisheng Liu, Vice President, Digital Factory Customer Services, ASEAN, Siemens Pte Ltd, and Tindaro Danze, Vice President and Division Lead for Digital Factory and Process Drives, Siemens Vietnam about a range of products and solutions that support companies in their journey towards digitalisation.

IMNA: Reports say that by the year 2025, automation software will replace 140 million full-time employees across the globe, are we in the brink of a jobless future?

Bisheng: We are experiencing the next wave of industrialisation. The most important fact is that digitalisation does not necessarily mean that human workers will be replaced by machines; it actually helps plant operators’ work more effectively. The second most important fact is that digitalisation helps to shorten time to market of products, and also helps plant operators to be more flexible, which means we can now do more high-value work. The manpower that used to be positioned on the shop floor work, contributing to a value-creation environment. By enabling digitalisation, you can enhance productivity, and at the same time develop a more flexible and efficient production environment. 

IMNA: In emerging countries in Asia, job shop owners and manufacturers conjure visions of massive machinery projects, huge capital expenses, and radical business process overhauls when they hear the word automation. Can automation start on a much smaller scale?

Tindaro: Digitalisation is a concept, and every company will have their own vision of how they want to improve on their processes. Companies do not have to invest heavily at once to revolutionise their factory. Some steps can be pertinent only to small shops and not for huge factories, and vice versa. The journey towards digitalisation varies based on factors such as type of company and industry, as well as country where it is based in.

Manufacturers in South East Asia are faced with tougher competition and more challenges, whether they are local small and medium enterprises with small facilities, or multi-national corporations with bigger facilities. Regardless of size, companies are looking to increase competitiveness in the market and become stronger players in the regional and global markets.

Bisheng: Consumers are experiencing a higher demand for customised products to meet their specific needs. We have digitalisation concepts for companies across various industries. We propose effective technology improvements to help customers optimise their manufacturing processes, and digitalise their assets and machineries to enable analytics to better manage operations on a facility-wide level. We deal with plants of different sizes and requirements. Here at Siemens, we educate our customers on what to expect in the current market, and what could happen in the future so that they can set a correct pace for their business.

IMNA: Is South East Asia ready to adopt advanced manufacturing?

Bisheng: Because of the ever-changing consumer demands, manufacturers are increasing flexibility in terms of creating products that meet individualised needs, and at a speed that is faster than competitors. In South East Asia, manufacturers are taking steps to enhance product quality, increasing plant efficiency and integrating protection technology in order to sustain energy, production cost and security.

Tindaro: Digital Enterprise is Siemens’ answer to Industrie 4.0. The Digital Enterprise Suite enables manufacturing companies to streamline and digitalise their entire business process, seamlessly integrating suppliers into the mix. They can begin at any point of their value chain, from product design to service, and can extend digitalisation gradually, depending on their current needs.

With the Digital Enterprise Suite, Siemens offers a comprehensive portfolio of software-based systems specifically for the discrete industries. It integrates and digitalises the complete value chain from product design, production planning, production engineering, and production execution to services. The result of the integration and digitalisation of the complete value chain is a perfect digital copy of the value chain – the Digital Twin. This enables companies to perform simulation, testing, and optimisation in a completely virtual world – before ever committing any resources in the real world. The connection of the virtual and real worlds leads to shorter time-to-market as well as greater flexibility, quality, and efficiency.

Bisheng: Also included in Siemens’ Digital Enterprise offerings is MindSphere, the cloud-based, open Internet-of-Things operating system that forms the foundation and fulfils an essential condition for databased industrial services. As an open cloud platform for industrial applications, MindSphere opens up scope for the link-up of devices and plug-and-play connectivity using open standards. In addition to offering data analysis and versatile connectivity, it also supplies tools for developers, applications and services. MindSphere helps customers to evaluate and utilise their data in ways they had never previously envisaged – such as by optimising the performance of their operating equipment to achieve maximum availability. MindSphere also paves the way for completely new business models such as the sale of machine hours, while users profit from benefits such as a transparent pay-per-use pricing model.

To cater to customers in South East Asia, the company launched ZerOne.DesIgn, Digital Factory Manufacturing Design Consultancy. Officiated by Singapore’s Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) Mr S Iswaran, it is the first-of-its-kind for the controls and automation industry globally to offer such technical consultancy services to help companies achieve their Industrie 4.0 vision. The consultancy possesses the technical expertise to propose effective technology improvements to help customers optimise their manufacturing processes, and digitalise their assets and machineries to enable analytics to better manage operations on a facility-wide level.

Call it as the fourth industrial revolution or industry 4.0, there is no denying that a fundamental shift in the supply chain is changing the way manufacturing industries operate. The August issue of International Metalworking News for Asia explores a range of articles associated with Industry 4.0. These articles implement digital improvements to business processes that are key to growth.

While modern portal machines have now achieved high level optimisation in terms of performance, and dynamics are little more than details, the question of service is becoming more important. After all, what characterises a good relationship between supplier and user? Zimmermann is currently working on an app that will display the machine state to the customer at all times. If an error occurs, the user immediately sees a message that is sent directly to the company. Find out more in this month’s Metal Cutting section.     

Despite the fact that there is an awareness of the importance of digital transformation in South East Asia, this has not yet fully translated into reality. Majority of the companies in the region are still not fully on board, suggesting that the digital transformation race has really only just started in South East Asia. Enterprise Close- up features two executives from Siemens who are experts in digital factory. Here, they talk about digital concepts for companies of different types. They propose effective technology improvements to help customers optimise their manufacturing processes, and digitalise their assets and machineries to better manage operations on a facility-wide level.  

Meanwhile, users of CNC manufacturing processes are now expecting improved capability in precision part machining, reduced setting and process adjustment time, and integration with automation systems. Learn about Renishaw Equator flexible gauge now offered with IPC (intelligent process control) software, providing the functionality to fully automate tool offset updates in CNC manufacturing processes, in this issue’s Metrology section. This capability has said to be already used by Renishaw customers worldwide to achieve considerable performance gains across a wide variety of industries, applications and CNC machine types, including lathes, machining centres and highly automated machining cells.

We sincerely trust that you will have as much pleasure reading this edition of International Metalworking News for Asia magazine as we enjoyed compiling topics about digitalisation for you. Happy Reading!

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.

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