Features

Companies who do not harness data will find themselves in a vulnerable position and unable to strategise their next steps, or worse yet, be cut out of the supply chain.

Regional insights with Atual Chandna, EY Asia-Pacific Supply Chain Leader

Hybrid- or multi-cloud architectures provide the flexibility, speed, security, and resilience you need to fuel your journey to becoming an adaptive organisation.

Vapour smoothing is a hands-off process for improving the finish of polymer parts.

Under the brand name AM Solutions, Rösler group offers numerous equipment solutions and services in the area of additive manufacturing.

ESD Resin is a cost-effective solution for producing static-dissipative parts designed for use on the factory floor.

Pressure to launch new products on the market before they become obsolete is forcing many companies to adopt an agile product development strategy.

Contributes to manufacturing in a decarbonised era with world’s first digital 3D printing technology.

From design to fully functional metal parts in as few as 28 hours.

Collaborative automation guarantees ergonomic benefits for the operators, who are no longer required to work below the vehicle body.

With a population of 3.2 billion, a young growing middle-class, and aggressive sustainable policies, Asia will play a major part in the global shift to clean mobility.

Named “DUROXO Lithium-Ion Solutions”, it incorporates Lithium-Ion Phosphate (LiFePO4) modular battery system, which provides high power density and a longer lifespan. Battery Asia (S) Pte Ltd is a proud manufacturer of Duroxo Lithium-Ion battery and SDC Traction Battery Chargers. After…

New models to secure long-term demand and share risk reflect a rebalancing of negotiating power. The implications for the traditional industry are clear – its cars are heavily reliant on older, legacy semiconductors. But investments in building capacity for these…

Mr Maier will be sharing with APMEN in this article on Schaeffler’s recent acquisition of Melior Motion GmbH in view of their plans to strengthen their robotics portfolio.

Industry Trends With both Scott Wooldridge And Marcelo Tarkieltaub Of Rockwell Automation

Fujitsu Asia discusses with APMEN Team on their “Sustainable future for Asia” plans and how Fujitsu is supporting its customers to change their markets, their industries, their futures.

Kek Hean Hooi is the Co-Founder and CEO of Antbuildz.com, Singapore’s first online construction equipment rental marketplace, connecting trusted rental partners with users over the platform and helping to accelerate the digitalisation of the construction sector. Prior to co-founding Antbuildz.com,…

  Syed Suroor Anwar has vast international experiences in Asia, Europe and North America with key E-commerce and technology companies. At present, Suroor Anwar is Vice President, Strategy and Commercial for RS components, Asia-Pacific. Suroor has been with RS Components…

Feature Interview With: Ms. Serene Sia, ASEAN Managing Director at Autodesk

GM AirSeT is a new generation of innovative and smart switchgear that makes it possible to end reliance on sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) gas commonly contained in electrical equipment used to power the grid, industrial electrical installations and large buildings.

ANCA’s new product AIMS connects the sequential processes in tool manufacturing so that cutting tool makers can realise the many benefits of automation and integration.

Wing’s aircraft is designed with both fixed wings and hover propellers to seamlessly transition between an aeroplane and a helicopter –– keeping the package steady and level when delivering things like coffee without a spill.

With the right technology in place, manufacturers can leverage the power of their data, make informed choices, and prepare for the future, now.

By using a combination of real-time data analysis in the cloud and machine learning at the edge, industrial companies are steadily turning their aspirations into realities and spurring the next industrial revolution.

The manufacturing industry was greatly impacted by the disruption to business processes during the pandemic.

Keppel Offshore & Marine (Keppel O&M) and Keppel Technology & Innovation (KTI) were able to successfully produce the crane gear with the EOS M 290 system, in accordance with the Additive Manufacturing qualification requirements of Lloyd’s Register (LR).

Metal cutting leader, Sandvik Coromant shares their newly developed 3D modelling technique that can 3D print up to 200 plastic face shields in the time traditional methods require to print one.

In additive manufacturing, powder ageing is defined as the change of powder properties and pick-up of certain elements across multiple process cycles. Article by EOS. In the additive manufacturing (AM) of titanium alloys through laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), rapid…

Every other new vehicle worldwide is equipped with at least one Brose product, including various mechatronic components and systems, such as seat structures, door components, and various electric motors and drives. Article by Formlabs. As one of Germany’s most innovative…

Mould and die machine manufacturers in Taiwan are firming up their solutions and technologies in preparation for the anticipated strong demand in line with the global manufacturing recovery. The mould and die industry is a good indicator of the overall…

According to a survey conduct by PwC’s Vietnam Digital Readiness report shows that 89% of local respondents believe automation will bring more opportunities thank job risk. While the Industry 4.0 transformation was brought up by Germany in 2015 and expected…

  To achieve greater speed and versatility from production lines, extending beyond press machines to include the development of automated transfer equipment is vital. Article by AIDA Engineering. In recent years, metal formers have come to demand even greater speed…

Sigma Surgical in India were able to reduce tool costs by almost 50 percent, boost productivity and achieve a stable process with the help of Blaser Swisslube’s optimal coolant.  Sigma Surgical, located in Ahmedabad, is an upcoming leader in the…

X-ray tubes are the basis of a number of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in medicine. Manufacturing precision and cleanliness of the individual parts are key factors for the functional reliability and longevity of these high-tech components. A leading manufacturer relies…

In the world of supply chain, we can never be too sure of what will happen next. APMEN interviewed Oliver Stein, Director at South East Asia, JAGGAER to understand how the pandemic has disrupted manufacturing supply chains and how we…

For automotive manufacturers, cost control and quality are vital when it comes to high volume and critical engine components. Bob Remler, Technical Sales Manager in North America at Ultraseal International, discusses how one manufacturer managed to reduce costs and improve…

Despite being a year of huge disruption, the year 2020 has accelerated change for many companies. Find out more in this article by Hitachi High-Tech Analytical Science. There’s always an opportunity with a crisis. Whilst 2020 was a year of…

Xiaoyu Wang of ANCA discusses the new challenges in electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing, how EVs will impact the traditional automotive manufacturing industry, and the new opportunities in this global trend. Founded in the 1974 by two engineers, Pat Boland and…

The advent of the electric powertrain has reset the automotive manufacturing landscape, essentially putting everyone back on the same starting line.

If the Eiffel Tower was built today, it would require just 25 percent of the steel used for its construction in 1887. This is one example of the impressive development of material science. But as material science develops, so too…

For safe cable guidance in unsupported and long travels, igus has developed the E4Q energy chain. The bionically inspired design of the series saves weight, while a crossbar with locking tabs reduces the assembly time of the energy supply system…

Experts in the metalworking industry provided their outlook for the coming year and their insights on how manufacturers should navigate whatever challenges the industry might still have along the way to recovery. The year 2020 had been an extraordinary one,…

As we move into 2021, lets take a look back at the most popular COVID-19, Fast-Fab and Machining articles in 2020: COVID-19 Thailand’s Roadmap To Become The Regional EV Hub By 2025 The Thailand government has drawn up a roadmap…

As we move into 2021, lets take a look back at the most popular Industry 4.0, Metal Cutting and Metrology articles in 2020: Industry 4.0/Automation Empowering Manufacturing Transformation Through its suite of advanced and leading-edge technologies, Siemens not only helps…

Hard to believe that it has been a year since the world was struck by the pandemic. It has indeed not only caused an unprecedented impact on our lives, but also changed the manufacturing sector profoundly—putting agility and resilience to…

Smart manufacturing not only depends on an unmanned environment. Instead, it requires various intelligent tools and equipment, software, and human-machine interfaces, and needs to enhance the integration of personnel and automated devices to meet business requirements. Article by Taiwan Machine…

Innovative mould maker uses Siemens solutions to improve part quality, reduce costs and lead time. Founded in 2013, iMFLUX was created as a wholly owned subsidiary of Procter & Gamble (P&G) as the Ohio-based consumer products giant wanted to improve…

Medical manufacturing company Straits Orthopaedic delivers on diverse medical applications with their flexible ANCA CNC grinding machines. Article by Duncan Thompson, ANCA. If manufacturers have learned anything over the recent months, it is that you can take nothing for granted.…

Meeting customer demands for better, lighter and stronger metal products can be a lot to tackle without the right tools. Fabio Mielli of Rockwell Automation explains why, and how you can address these challenges. Today more than ever, you need…

Dr. Mark Cross of Ultraseal International explores the role of vacuum impregnation when implementing zero waste, zero defect and continuous improvements in hybrid and electric vehicle manufacturing. With the world focused on finding sustainable, low-carbon solutions for travel, the move…

In order to supply modern motors with energy and data, users need appropriate cables that function dependably even at high accelerations and on long travels. Especially for use in motion, igus has developed a hybrid cable that is offered as…

Most customers turn to Sandvik Materials Technology when they’re searching for large steel billets and tubes, or equipment for industrial furnaces. However, Sandvik’s expertise also extends to the kitchen and the company has previously worked with professional chefs to develop…

Starting in production, to warehousing up to the delivery process, businesses are increasingly aware of the challenges lying ahead in terms of their supply chains. Poul Lorentzen of Körber Supply Chain talks about the findings of their recent survey. As…

INTERMACH and MTA Asia 2020—ASEAN’s leading international industrial machinery and subcontracting event—is proud to showcase intelligent industrial machinery and technologies that drive the industry forward with timely manufacturing solutions such as automation, robotics and artificial intelligence (AI).  The event offers…

Despite the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the first quarter of 2020, consumption index for the whole of Vietnam’s manufacturing registered an increase of 2.8 percent compared with the same period in 2019. On the other hand, the…

APMEN will be hosting a Webinar: Additive Manufacturing (AM) Deployment and Future Developments in Southeast Asia, on 24 Nov and 15 Dec 2020.  3D Printing On Track For Growth Additive manufacturing (AM), or 3D printing, has been around for nearly…

Countries around the world are bracing for a possible, looming “second wave” of infections. However, the damage to the automotive industry has already been done.  As one of the hardest hit sectors, the world’s light vehicle market is forecasted to…

The world may seem a very different place to what it was a few short months ago.  Yet from a manufacturing point of few, many of the trends identified before the coronavirus crisis are just as relevant today as they…

The July/August 2020 issue of Asia Pacific Metalworking Equipment News (APMEN) magazine features the latest developments happening in the world of metalworking, including new tool materials, the right spindle repair, CFRP tools, intelligent punching heads, CMM with mass technology, and…

The machine tool makers were instrumental in Taiwan’s race to supply the mounting demand for masks in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Article by TAITRA. With COVID-19 devastating world manufacturing now, most factories have either paused work or are…

Despite continued softness in the market, the automotive manufacturing market is steadily moving towards recovery. According to Globaldata, although the global light vehicle sales fell 33.8 percent in May compared to a year ago, it showed an improvement from April…

The COVID-19 pandemic has been having an unprecedented impact on the global manufacturing supply chain. For instance, factory shutdowns have drastically impacted the metalworking supply chain around the car and auto parts manufacturing industries. In line with our continuing coverage…

The COVID-19 pandemic has an unprecedented adverse impact on the aviation industry and, consequently, on the MRO business, without clear visibility on the timing of its recovery, according to Singapore-based SIA Engineering Co. Ltd. Border controls imposed by countries worldwide…

In the wake of the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, global light vehicle sales in 2020 are now forecast to drop to 69.6 million units, 22 percent lower than in 2019, with risks to the forecast still skewed to…

Amid growing concerns regarding the Covid-19 outbreak and the global economic slowdown, Asia Pacific Metalworking Equipment News (APMEN) understands that many business operations have been impacted by the pandemic. In this exclusive interview series, Stephen Las Marias, Editor of APMEN…

Global air traffic has practically been brought to a standstill and the global airline industry has plummeted as countries worldwide implement travel restrictions and fleet groundings to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Airlines in Asia Pacific will suffer a…

When Mitsubishi Motors Corp. decided to set up a new production line in 2018 to improve its tool logistics, adjustment and maintenance, they relied on MAPAL’s shrink chucks and services Every year, the production plant of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC)…

Amid the global economic slowdown in 2019, and the current COVID-19 pandemic, global vehicle sales forecast 2.5 percent fall in 2020 instead of the previously predicted 0.9 percent drop compared to 2019 (Moody’s Investor Service). Here’s a roundup of the…

Alex Teo of Siemens Digital Industries Software talks about the current automotive manufacturing trends; their collaboration with VinFast; and the impact of COVID-19. Article by Stephen Las Marias.  Alex Teo is the Managing Director for Southeast Asia at Siemens Digital…

The COVID-19 pandemic is causing massive supply chain shocks, and the automotive industry is not spared. How can automakers build a resilient supply chain in times of crisis? Article by Katherine So. The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak continues to headline the…

igus has expanded its 3D printing service for fast production of maintenance-free special parts, and increased design freedom in the automotive industry. Additive manufacturing is giving designers new freedom and flexibility in the design of special solutions, including the development…

Solutions for suppliers seeking ways to meet new productivity challenges, including increasing demand and shorter lead times.

By making and delivering customised products—whether through mass customisation or other make-to-order (MTO) processes—manufacturers may feel shielded from another prevalent market trend: the so-called Amazon effect. After all, if you’re manufacturing precisely the personalised product that buyers want, why would…

The aerospace industry is one of the most important driving factors for cutting tool development. Here are the recent tool developments to address the challenges in aerospace parts manufacturing. Article by Andrei Petrilin, ISCAR. The aerospace industry is not only…

Steve Bell of Renishaw Singapore discusses the additive manufacturing trend for aerospace parts, and the journey towards Industry 4.0. Article by Stephen Las Marias. At the recent Industrial Transformation Asia Pacific (ITAP) 2019 event in Singapore, Renishaw (Singapore) Pte Ltd…

The global metal forming market for automotive manufacturing is projected to US$269.01 billion by 2025, up from US$221.22 billion in 2018, growing at a CAGR of 2.83 percent over the forecast period. Article by MarketsandMarkets. The global metal forming market…

Franklin Vargas of Halcyon Technology (Philippines) Inc. talks about the opportunities, manufacturing challenges, and markets driving the growth of the metalworking industries in the Philippines. Article by Stephen Las Marias. Halcyon Technology (Philippines) Inc. is a partnership company between a…

Thailand is gearing up for Industry 4.0. Here’s a look at the opportunities and strengths that the second largest economy in ASEAN has to offer, and its manufacturing outlook for this year. Thailand is the second largest economy in Southeast…

Market outlook 2020: The year 2019 has been quite a challenging year for the manufacturing industry, with geopolitical tensions impacting investment decisions and shifts in manufacturing centres, and trends such as e-mobility, Industry 4.0, and additive manufacturing creating industrial transformation.…

Dr. Wilfried Schaefer at VDW speaks with Asia Pacific Metalworking Equipment News about the technology trends shaping the global metalworking industry. Article by Stephen Las Marias. Dr. Wilfried Schaefer, Managing Director of German Machine Tool Builders’ Association (VDW – Verein…

Celebrating its 63rd year in business, MESCO Inc. has been leading and aiding the growth of the Philippine metalworking industry. Allen L. Lee, president, tells us more about the company and his outlook for the country. Article by Stephen Las…

Here’s how medical instrument manufacturer Mahe Medical has successfully grown their range and market. Article by Duncan Thompson, ANCA. What does it take to successfully enter a new market? Examples where one factor alone sets up an easy path for…

Karl Moessmer (left), regional manager for Singapore, and Dirk Hund (right), sales manager, at Heimatec, speaks with Asia Pacific Metalworking Equipment News (APMEN) about the opportunities in the market, the challenges they are seeing, and their strategies to navigate these…

One of the most serious enemies of carbide inserts is the high temperature of the materials that results from the machining process. Here’s how high temperatures in machining are being addressed through the latest insert technologies. Article by ISCAR. Cooling…

In an interview with Asia Pacific Metalworking Equipment Magazine (APMEN), Punit Gupta, Head of West Asia (India & SEA) at Blaser Swisslube, talks about the challenges and opportunities in the metalworking fluid market, a 20-year milestone project and his outlook…

Ahmad Alshidiq speaks with Martin Reichenecker (Chief Sales and Marketing Officer and Spokesman of the Board) and Borries Schϋler (Chief Product Management and Engineering Officer) from The Hoffmann Group on the company’s recipe for its centennial success. The Hoffmann Group…

From the shrink fit chuck to the presetting device, aerospace supplier Heggemann relies on consistent Haimer quality in tool management. Article by Haimer. Anyone who concentrates on the development and production of sophisticated metallic lightweight components and subassemblies is a…

There are plenty of potential benefits in making good use of standardisation concepts when sourcing a mould base. Article by Lung Kee Group (LKM). Injection moulding is one of the key processes in today’s manufacturing industry, enabling manufacturers to achieve…

Successful development of innovative and dynamic parts in today’s miniature dental and medical components industry presents a formidable and equally dynamic challenge to cutting tool manufacturers. Article by ISCAR. Successful development of innovative and dynamic parts in today’s miniature dental…

There are various operational characteristics that must be considered before an educated—and successful—gripper choice can be made.

Indexable or solid—which round tool concept is better? As in many subjects of technology, there is no absolute answer to this question. However, a definite answer does exist if the advantages and disadvantages of both concepts are considered according to…

In this interview with Asia Pacific Metalworking Equipment News (APMEN), Vincent Teo, general manager of Schunk, talks about the gripping and clamping challenges that their customers are facing, and how they are helping them address these issues. Article by Stephen…

As the sector transforms itself, will the auto industry keep its soul? Article by Paul Gao, Russell Hensley, and Andreas Zielke, McKinsey & Company. Over the past 50 years, automobiles have continued to be our “freedom machines”, a means of…

Digital circulation continues to grow at a steady pace, primarily from the intensified efforts in globally, including Southeast Asia. Digital advertising revenue continues to grow worldwide (5.38 percent in 2017). Revenue from digital circulation continues to grow at a double-digit…

Machine tools include numerous motors and auxiliary components. Energy consumption varies significantly during operations. From the process itself to individual component power consumption, savings potential can be evaluated and measures defined for more efficient energy use. Article by Grainger. One…

To gain traction in the aerospace industry, Australian manufacturer of rotary shank cutting tools, Sutton Tools, has been using linear motor technology. Article by Anca. Jeff Boyd, export manager at Sutton Tools said, “By really focusing on how we could…

In 2018, we witnessed the rise of Southeast Asia’s manufacturing industry as the Trade War pressured manufacturers into shifting production from China to Southeast Asia. A trend that is expected to continue on in 2019 as Southeast Asia continues to…

With new solutions for sheet metal processing, Bystronic, a leading global provider of high-quality solutions for the sheet metal processing business, takes customers to the top of the competition at the EuroBLECH 2018 in Hanover, Germany. At the most important…

MAPAL offers various UNIBASE dispensing systems for optimum storage and management of tools, components and accessories, which can be individually networked with one another according to a modular principle.

Paul Horn GmbH uses additive manufacturing to produce its own tools, particularly when making prototypes, special tools and tool holders.

APMEN is pleased to conduct an interview with Lim Fang How, Regional Director, Southeast Asia, Zebra Technologies Asia Pacific how manufacturers, transportation and logistics (T&L) firms, and retailers are preparing to meet the growing needs of the on-demand economy.

APMEN is pleased to conduct an interview with Amine Kamel, Head of Urban Mobility Projects and Autonomous Driving at Bosch Southeast Asia to gain his insights on innovative solutions for vehicles and the future of the automotive landscape.

Selection, procurement, ordering, invoicing – complex merchandise management with products in the B2B area needs one thing above all: simple and standardised processes from the manufacturer to the recipient, and uniform worldwide. Under the name BMEcat, the Federal Association for Supply Chain Management, Procurement and Logistics (Bundesverband Materialwirtschaft und Einkauf (BME)) has developed a standard system for the electronic exchange of catalogue data that can easily be integrated into existing merchandise management systems. igus, the motion plastics specialist, is now using the exchange format for catalogue data for its chainflex cables used in moving applications.

The automotive industry is already experiencing disruption by all vehicles electric, autonomous and connected. Fundamentally, these technological innovations are changing current perceptions of the automotive industry. With all these innovations and disruptions already happening, here comes another new kid on the block to further ruffle the industry’s feathers— blockchain.

The next phase in manufacturing sees 3D visualisation systems at the heart of more efficient, cheaper, highly customisable goods. By Louis Loh, Sales Leader for DELMIA at Dassault Systèmes

Both high-strength composite 3D printing and metal 3D printing are valuable fabrication methods. Used separately, they address a broad spectrum of manufacturing use cases. Together, they enhance each other and provide clever solutions. There are several ways you can leverage…

The requirements for materials used in jet engine parts are necessarily very exacting. They must survive extremes of temperature and force, while being as light as possible and ultra-reliable. Contributed by Iscar A turbojet engine can be divided simply into…

Led by his passion for graphic design and information technology, Eng Poo Yang, Managing Director of Appvantage Asia started the business in 2011 focusing on bespoke digital solutions for the automotive industry. Q: As a considerably young company, what are…

Massimo Carboniero, President Of UCIMU-Sistemi Per Produrre, discusses the rise of Italy’s manufacturing as a formidable competitor in the arena of technological invention and digitalisation. Innovation As A Driver Of Development, Always This first glimpse of the 21st century shows…

Does your customer have high requirements with regards to workpiece accuracy? One adjusting screw to guarantee a high accuracy is hydrostatic. Especially if you produce lot size 1 or large and complex workpieces, you have to avoid inaccuracy has to…

Germany’s robotics and automation (R&A) industry has enjoyed unprecedented success over the last decade. With a workforce of more than 52 thousand employees, the industry’s turnover has more than quadrupled since the mid-1990s. Contributed by Claudia Gruene, Germany Trade &…

In our digital, data-driven world, software—particularly enterprise resource planning (ERP) software—is one of the principal tools organisations leverage to keep the enterprise ship sailing boldly forward. By Anthony Bourne, vice president, Global Industry Solutions, IFS In today’s accelerating and volatile…

Customers are demanding increased accuracy and precision from their production equipment across a wide range of applications. By Dan Thompson, product manager for energy chain cable carrier systems, igus Incorporated. Increasingly complex automation has created the additional challenge of vibration…

Miniaturised medical devices, being intricate and precise in character, depend on cutting tools that are progressive and tailor-made to machine them competently. By Yair Selek, product manager, face grooving systems and miniature industry, Iscar The miniature medical manufacturing industry is…

The healthcare industry, which is facing a severe human resource crunch, is getting a shot in the arm in the form of automation technology. Now, there are automated equipment, and even robotic workers. Will robot scientists be next on the…

If you have not looked at plasma in the past few years, you should. Manufacturers have made huge strides in terms of cut quality, cut speed, operating cost, and ease of use leading to better productivity and profitability. Contributed by…

The e-commerce industry is going through explosive growth in recent years fuelled by rising Internet penetration and a rising generation of more affluent, web-savvy middle-class consumers. By Lieu Yew Fatt, Managing Director, Omron Electronics Singapore In Southeast Asia, the e-commerce…

Low-cost manufacturing played a huge role in making China the second largest economy, and the modern Chinese economy was built based on this competitive advantage in manufacturing. By Farah Nazurah China has shifted from a centrally-planned to a market-based economy…

With Asia well-poised for future economic success, the Philippines is slated to be one of the region’s growth leaders, so long as a few hurdles are overcome along the way. By Michael E Neumann As long as Philippines strives to…

With hard chromium plating consuming lots of energy as well as being damaging to the environment, a more economical and environmentally friendly solution has been found. Contributed by Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft

With the global steel market seeing encouraging recovery last year, we take a look at the outlook for 2018. By Jonathan Chou The demand for steel globally is projected to reach 1,648.1 Mt in 2018, according to an outlook released…

Removing frictional heat is critical in final machining, in order to be as precise as possible. Doing this on an industrial scale is no small feat. Contributed by bielomatik

If you want to be successful as a contract manufacturer and as a supplier to businesses, working on reliability, flexibility and precision count most. By Blaser

Users of 3D metal printing are increasingly discovering the new possibilities and freedoms offered by additive manufacturing. By Guido Radig

The world wants to fly, and consumers worldwide are increasingly travelling more and enjoying low air fares offered by carriers. As we move into 2018, the dynamic aerospace sector continues to expand to cater to the global rapid growth in the travel sector.

The island republic of Singapore is set to change its manufacturing landscape by embracing advanced and potentially disruptive technologies. By Jonathan Chou

What are the trends and opportunities that may impact your business and influence your strategy in 2018? Eight industry leaders share their thoughts on key market trends in this advancing Industrial Internet of Things era.

From the Internet of Things to the cloud to artificial intelligence, industries are seeing a new wave of technologies that have the potential to transform and significantly impact the world around us. Contributed by IHS Markit

Fast, Flexible & Exact Forming Simulations For Sheet Metal A virtual test laboratory allows the examination of different load states for metal materials to determine precise mechanical data. Contributed by Fraunhofer.

Smart Clamping & Intelligent Networking We explore the potential of clamping technology in a process-optimised manufacturing operation. By Walter Frick

The APMEN Team would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2018! providing more authoritative metalworking content for you.

Infographic Source: BDG Vietnam Machining In Vietnam Key Facts And Figures

Sleeping Giant Indonesia’s Growing Automotive Industries Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, and is also ASEAN’s biggest economy. By Jonathan Chou

All it takes is a wrong tilt and a collision takes place, leading to costly delays. How can this be avoided? Contributed by Heidenhain All it takes is a wrong tilt and a collision takes place, leading to costly delays. How can this be avoided? Contributed by Heidenhain

Forging Ahead With Future Technologies: Germany’s Machine Tool Industry With developing partnerships in Asia Pacific coupled with the worldwide demand for increasingly complex machining, Germany’s machine tool industry seems to be growing on all fronts. By Jonathan Chou

CNC manufacturers Rethinking The Internet Of The CNC Industry A burgeoning online platform aims to connect CNC manufacturers, buyers and suppliers together from all over the world. APMEN speaks to Oliver Lorenz, head of market Asia, Orderfox

Embracing New Digital Frontiers: EASY DATA EXCHANGE IS CRUCIAL As more machinists and programmers start using brand-neutral tool selection software for easier workflows, providing digitised product catalogues becomes more vital. Contributed by MachiningCloud

Vietnam’s advantageous location and rapid industrialisation may soon see it occupy a niche within the world manufacturing stage. By Jonathan Chou

A company has managed to not only bring additive manufacturing into the production process, but also remove assembly errors at the same time. Contributed by Stratasys

While using acoustic data in machine maintenance is not new, the use of airborne acoustics is. We speak to Amnon Shenfeld, co-founder and chief executive officer, 3DSignals, on the role this plays in predictive maintenance.

Scott Crump, chairman and chief innovation officer of Stratasys explains how direct digital manufacturing, otherwise known as 3D printing, is fast emerging as a disruptive technology that may make manufacturers rethink manufacturing.

Researchers at Kyoto University have found that molybdenum silicides can improve the efficiency of turbine blades in ultrahigh-temperature combustion systems.

The advantages of using aluminium alloy engine blocks over cast iron blocks can be augmented with thermal coating spray. Contributed by Paulo ES Rosa, manager, advanced thermal spray applications and process development, Comau.

CIMdata, in its 2016 PLM Industry Analysis Report, showed growth in PLM spending in 2015 as all industries were affected by the trend towards smart, connected products, either directly or because of the effects of the Internet of Things (IoT).

The what, why and who of product lifecyle management (PLM). By Ho Pei Ying

Mark Johnston speaks to Alexander Tjioe and Harald Dickertmann on the opening of their new technology centre in Jarkata, Indonesia. Mr Tjioe is the president (automation), Schunk (Indonesia) while Mr Dickertmann is the head of sales and business development Asia, based out of Germany.

Proper plasma system maintenance can help prolong life and performance of system, and it requires just a little time investment. By Clayton Gould, marketing manager, Aftersales, Hypertherm Inc.

Already in the thick of future manufacturing in the machining sector, Sandvik Coromant has identified five areas where the company intends to lead development.

Disruptive technologies today look to change the landscape of manufacturing because it demands an entirely new mind set towards procurement strategies an eventually the overall business framework. By Guo Tao, NX Product Marketing Manager of Asia Pacific, Siemens PLM Software

As Indonesia moves towards an age of increased digitalisation and connectivity, there is an increased expectation of the automotive sector to improve on its productivity and swing around an otherwise lacklustre 2015.

Many advances have been made with regards to machining titanium but has the full potential of the material been really exploited?

China at this point, despite some jitters in the stock markets remained poised to challenge the United States as the world’s top economic superpower. With this, manufacturing in China has seen unprecedented growth but will this economic fairytale sustain? Contributed by ExxonMobil.

The focus is shifting increasingly onto robot-based automation – and for good reason. By Andreas Schuhbauer, marketing segment manager for machine tools at Kuka Roboter GmbH.

APMEN was invited to the Iscar customer seminar in Tefen, Israel to check out the latest products and innovations and have a chat with Jacob Harpaz, CEO of Iscar and President of the IMC Group. Syed Shah reports from Israel.

Haimer’s shrinking technology enriches machining centres with precision. Contributed by Wolfgang Klingauf.

Thanks to solid experience in the automotive sector and in-depth knowledge of OEM and Tier One manufacturers’ production dynamics, Comau offers robotised solutions for dedicated sheet pressing lines which fully satisfy, and often anticipate, market trends and requirements. By Marina Zussino.

We take a look at how one scientist in Singapore made a breakthrough in technology

APMEN spoke with two machining experts to see how they are handling the machining and fabrication of exotic materials. By Joson Ng

APMEN spoke with Charles Chong, president of the Association of Aerospace Industries (Singapore) of AAIS and Soh Chee Siong, CEO of JEP Precision Engineering to chart the path of a contract manufacturer aspiring to enter the aerospace market.

The aerospace industry in this region is expected to be on the up, says aircraft manufacturers.

High-temperature RFID tags and read/write modules monitor and record process status in the most demanding industrial environments.

Automotive manufacturing, given its complexity and volumes, requires the use of efficient, high-volume processes which can guarantee productivity and quality.

The trend for today’s manufacturers is to keep costs down and this is best done with an effective ERP system to manage processes. Craig Charlton, Senior VP, Asia Pacific, Epicor Software Asia Pte Ltd has more on this.

To remain competitive, aerospace manufacturers and suppliers must effectively manage compliance to the standards that drive their business. By Andy Reese, manager, HIS

Thanks to the implementation of a new line featuring robots, which was made possible by the collaboration between SIR, a system integrator based in Modena, and FCA Cento, production of new engine blocks for 3000cc V6 diesel engines is doubled. Contributed by Comau

As the economy recovers, manufacturers simply have no time to lose. By Craig Charlton, senior VP & GM, Asia Pacific, Epicor Software Asia

Machine simulation can go a long way into improving part quality and productivity. By Karlo Apro, product marketing, technical manager at CNC Software, Tolland, CT USA

The civil aerospace is currently experiencing unprecedented demand for new aircraft, with both Boeing and Airbus predicting a need for well over 30,000 new passenger and dedicated freighter aircraft in the next twenty years. Peter Dickin shares his thoughts.

With the emergence of Industry 4.0, the economic rules, value-added networks and the industry’s entire DNA are changing. There are numerous opportunities to CNC Industry’s bring business activities in-line with the new requirements of this global transformation and overall digitisation of all business and production processes.

Easily generate in-process inspection instructions and 3D digital documentation from simulated in-process machined features. Bryan Jacobs, marketing communications manager, CGTech shows us how.

Robots designed to work side-by-side with humans are safe, user-friendly and are easily integrated into existing applications. By Shermine Gotfredsen, general manager at Universal Robots, Southeast Asia and Oceania

Key Trends For Growth In Southeast Asia With 2017 looking to be a year of steady manufacturing growth for Southeast Asia, machine tool makers that form the backbone of most industry development would do well to take notice.

Are you still using pen and paper to collect data from the shop floor? Your utilisation rate may be suffering. By Ed Potoczak, director of industry relations, IQMS Real-Time Shop Floor Integration, Simplified

Honeycomb Storage Systems Allow High Storage Density & Rapid Access Times How has adopting an automated storage system improved access and delivery times for an Australian steel producer?

With the upcoming Emo Hannover’s theme of “connecting systems for intelligent production”, the event organiser German Machine Tool Builders’ Association (VDW) is putting a spotlight on important trends steering not just global machine tool industry, but also its related sectors. Dr-Ing Schaefer, executive director of VDW, shares his insights.

APMEN interviewed Prof Dr Tim Hosenfeldt, senior VP, corporate innovation, Schaeffler, on the importance of material choice and the application of smart materials in the manufacturing and production sector. Making The Right Choice: Smart Materials

Slideway oil affects both the machining precision and service life of metalworking fluid. By Imtiaz Ahmed, Asia Pacific Mobil SHC brand manager, ExxonMobil Lubricants

Not content with being the world’s 13th largest automotive producer, Thailand’s development of Special Economic Zones set in motion its ambitions to transform into a knowledge-based economy. Rolling Along Smoothly: Thailand’s Path For Economic Growth

Sand casting plays a critical role in manufacturing today. Yet, many organisations are still challenged by cost, quality and lead time. Contributed By BigRep The Difference Between Sand-Casting And 3D Printing

Manufacturing operations can significantly benefit from big data analytics and developing the right kind of technologies and expertise to apply them will be a critical skill for manufacturers to stay competitive. By Thomas Jakob, regional president Asia Pacific, Bosch Software Innovations

Southeast Asia’s dynamic growth has created a thirst for machine tools that is driving an ever-growing trade in used machine tools, and creating an eagerness among suppliers in countries such as the United Kingdom to meet that demand.

Components equipped with sensors are central to the drive systems used in machines and equipment. They record data and are key in facilitating digital services, and enable the reduction in machine life cycle losses and life cycle costs. Contributed by Schaeffler

An uncertain world stage and political issues in South Korea saw the nation go through a record-high recession in 2016 which affected machine tool exports. Machine Tool Industry Does 2017 spell better news for the country?