Industry 4.0/Automation

Automation has seen massive growth over the last decade where a variety of industries have unleashed the vast potential of robots. Amongst various implementations, collaborative robots (cobots) have seen an accelerating growth in adoption over the years even though they…

New motor control systems from igus ensure a speedy start-up of linear and rotational systems. Setting up control systems to drive axes is usually time-consuming and can require software programming knowledge. To help manufacturers address this issue, igus has developed…

For small to mid-sized manufacturers, any gain in productivity can have a huge impact. Automation offers significant advantages, but many small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) believe that robotics is out of their reach. These organisations cannot afford large, complex robots…

When asked which of the traditional five senses they would most regret not having, human beings generally choose sight. Is the same true for industrial equipment? In this article, John Young of EU Automation looks at some of the latest…

Automating certain processes not only ensures consistency of control, but also enables processes to operate smoothly in the absence of human operators, right around the clock. Find out more about Advanced Process Control (APC) in this article by ABB. Today’s…

Today, with manufacturing in real need of flexible solutions, applications of the latest human and robot collaboration are highly demanded. By: Darrell Adams, Head of Southeast Asia & Oceania, Universal Robots Across different sectors and regulatory environments, all manufacturers need…

Metalworking has traditionally been slower than other sectors in its uptake of automation technologies. John Young, APAC director at automation parts supplier, EU Automation, looks at three key areas where current and future trends suggest metalworking is increasingly ready to…

John Young, APAC director EU Automation, discusses the benefits of bringing legacy control systems into the fourth industrial revolution. The cyclopic is an electric, foldable bike that’s set to be the most compact on the market. The invention takes inspiration…

Industrial robots have offered benefits to many organisations ever since it was first introduced, but collaborative robots (cobots) have been a game-changing force recently. Article by Darrell Adams, Head of Southeast Asia & Oceania, Universal Robots. Cobots made automation accessible…

Digital transformation requires secure, reliable, seamless connectivity to all industrial assets, and the use of smart machine technology positions OEMs to more effectively meet the demands of manufacturers for more flexibility. Article by Kumaravelu Sokka, Rockwell Automation. Flexible manufacturing is…

The Factory of 2035 will look vastly different than the factory of today. Ever since the first Industrial Revolution when mechanisation, water, and steam power started to automate work previously carried out manually, more work has been taken on by…

Cobots can be a game changer for companies, especially for those preparing for the next phase of growth when the economy recovers. Here are four key questions when considering where cobots can be put to work in your facility. Article…

The integration of 5G in Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) systems will accelerate the realization of Industry 4.0 with high-speed, low-latency, and large-volume data transfer. This, according to latest research from market analyst Frost & Sullivan. In its report, Frost…

High precision robots working in a digitally driven factories are creating new avenues of growth for the sector. Article by Jorge Isla, ABB. As one of the most versatile and yet demanding parts of manufacturing, metal working has been preordained…

In this Q&A, Martin Kjærbo, Universal Robot’s (UR) VP of Operations and Supply Chain, discusses how Universal Robots as a manufacturer is handling the COVID-19 pandemic, what the new challenges are, and how the crisis will shape Universal Robots going…

In 2018, two out of every three newly deployed industrial robot installations worldwide were in Asia. However, growth appears to be slowing, with just a one percent annual increase in 2018. In this context, what are the opportunities presented by…

As we move into a new decade, what will 2020 mean for automation? John Young, APAC director at EU Automation, takes a look at the trends set to shape automation in the year ahead. Over 20 years since Kevin Ashton…

In this article, James Taylor, General Manager, APAC at OnRobot, provides his insights on breakthrough gripper technologies that are bringing collaborative automation to a broader audience. People, cars, our homes, almost everything is more connected than ever before, and that…

Collaborative scenarios for the production of tomorrow will be commonplace, just like PCs are in the workplace today. In this interview, Markus Glück of SCHUNK GmbH & Co. KG, explains where the current challenges and opportunities lie in this collaborative…

In an interview with Asia Pacific Metalworking Equipment News, Uwe-Armin Ruttkamp of Siemens Digital Industries talked about how digitalisation is helping machine builders and users, the utilisation of data to improve manufacturing processes, as well as how umati will help…

Todd Abrahams of Monitor ERP System talks about why the metalworking industry should adopt ERP systems in the manufacturing line. Monitor ERP System AB was established in 1974 by Åke Persson in Hudiksvall, Sweden. The company provides complete ERP (enterprise…

Here’s a look at how cloud computing is transforming metalworking. Article by John Young, EU Automation. Metalworking has played a pivotal role in the evolution of mankind, so much so that there are entire periods of history named after metals.…

Ultimately, the metalworking industry needs differentiation and tools to help stakeholders to level up their products and services for customers. Here’s how. Article by Helen Masters, INFOR. Singapore’s government, led by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, has in recent years…

Having a predictive maintenance plan in place, powered by machine learning, will give you unprecedented insight into your operation and will lead to serious benefits in efficiency, safety, optimisation, and decision making. Article by Richard Irwin, Bentley Systems. One of…

Collaborative robots (cobots) have been changing the rules of the industrial world over the past decade. With sensors and built-in safety functions, these dexterous industrial robots can work safely alongside humans, enabling greater flexibility in a wide range of industries around the world.

While predictive maintenance is a ‘trendy’ topic in the industry currently, it’s important that companies do not deploy such system just to have it in their plant. With clear goals and proper planning during implementation, companies should achieve better maintenance schedule planning, reduced downtime and better spare parts management. Article by David Chia

The metalworking industry is entering a new era where new forces created by the explosion of data, robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence (AI), amongst others, are changing the dynamics for manufacturing companies. Article by Stephen Las Marias. To be successful…

Data is a key to start the journey towards Industry 4.0, and robust analysis of machine data can enable efficiency-optimized production, and potentially lead to new business models. Article by Beckhoff Automation Pte Ltd. Industry 4.0 is a buzzword that…

Marposs is strongly supporting the DIGIMAN project, an initiative that aims to address the industrial scenario, outlined by the Industry 4.0 paradigms, through the development of Cyber Physical Systems. These systems respond to market demands with a framework that embraces and completes…

Embedded motion control is a major emerging trend that’s being driven by the interconnectedness of many different systems, such as new edge device applications in the Internet of Things and the industrial IoT, as well as other trends such as…

One of the most common robots in the manufacturing world is the robotic arm. The robotic arm is in most cases programmable and used to perform specific tasks, most commonly for manufacturing, fabrication, and industrial applications.

Every company requires unique automation solutions for their specific production environment, but businesses can’t redesign facilities for every different process and application. In this article, Niels Ole Sinkbæk Sørensen, General Manager, OnRobot, APAC, explores why it is crucial that companies…

In the past you, could make an investment in a business technology and ignore it after installation. But today, technological advances are moving so fast that you need to keep up with latest developments, or risk losing out to competitors…

The world is going digital. That doesn’t just change how we work and learn and shop, or what we do for fun; it changes how products are manufactured. Even the smallest machinery suppliers have to be able to create modular,…

Network your production with TNC controls! Designing in the CAD system, programming and preparation of the production data in the CAM system, simulation of machining on a virtual machine, tool preparation, tool measurement, tool management – all this has long…

Disruptive technologies and megatrends are shaping the future of manufacturing. The fourth industrial revolution has been gathering momentum in recent years and is set to be transformative for Southeast Asian manufacturers. Industry 4.0 refers to the digitisation of the manufacturing industry, and a realisation of the potential of the Internet of Things, combined with artificial intelligence and data science. Done right, Industry 4.0 will enable manufacturers to improve efficiencies whilst reducing costs.

Intelligent technologies, like robotics, offer great potential for businesses to get smarter and more efficient. This is an advantage recognised by Southeast Asian business leaders.

Asia Pacific Metalworking Equipment News is pleased to conduct an interview with Dr Zhang Jing Bing, Research Director for IDC Worldwide Robotics at IDC Asia Pacific.

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

A power plant somewhere in Europe, in operation for many years or even decades. A component, such as a burner bend, is damaged and needs to be replaced as soon as possible. A spare part is needed immediately, since downtime causes high costs. Schmehmann Rohrverformungstechnik GmbH has the solution. By Hexagon Manufacturing

Industry 4.0, Big Data, Internet of Things (IoT), digitalisation, networked production – these topics seem to be everywhere. So much so that the mere mention of the buzzword “Industry 4.0” causes uncertainty among many technicians in medium-sized companies. This is because they are unsure what “Industry 4.0” will actually mean for their own day-to-day work and their future-proof production strategy and production planning. By Florian Böpple, Digital Manufacturing Manager at Walter.

Despite the hype surrounding machine learning and artificial intelligence, many companies still see these technologies as tools of the future. And, while some are too busy worrying about how AI might rob them of their jobs, the brands looking to…

Machine-to-machine integration and the Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) are reinventing manufacturing as we know it, giving birth to the Smart Factory that is connected, intelligent and aware—enabling newfound levels of productivity and predictability. By Vincent Tang, Regional Vice President,…

The fourth industrial revolution, also known as Industry 4.0, is sweeping across Asia Pacific with more manufacturers building smart factories. Nearly half of manufacturers in Asia Pacific will have fully connected factories by 2022, serving customers with shorter timelines and…

IoT being built into the product design, manufacturers adopting a more service-centric business model, and 3D-printing reaching the tipping point of realising business benefits on a large scale. These are the three game-changing predictions that Anthony Bourne, IFS Global Industry…

The manufacturing sector has played a very important role as an economic engine of countries across the world.  Global competition in this sector is fueling a race to convert factories into digital hubs.  By Dr. Darshan Desai and Om Desai, Experfy

There is a popular saying that “if you want to go quickly, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together”. These wise words are particularly applicable in manufacturing, where effective production requires the precise coordination of a…

There is much ado about connectivity, digitisation, and data within the manufacturing industry. Tim J. Shinbara, Jr., vice president, technology at The Association For Manufacturing Technology weighs in on potential hurdles businesses can face and the role IIoT plays in…

How can manufacturers protect themselves from falling victim to security attacks? By Farah Nazurah The integrated nature of Industry 4.0-driven operations means that cyberattacks can have devastating effects, evident in the unprecedented “WannaCrypt” global cyberattack in 2017. Cyber security strategies…

The theoretical benefits of Industry 4.0 are well-known, but how can we speed up its adoption and what practical tools are available to those who want to establish a factory of the future? By Ivo Maltir, vice president, Desoutter Digitalisation…

From the onset of the industrial revolution to today’s technology driven economy, manufacturing has provided jobs, spurred growth, and enabled consumers to enjoy a higher quality of life. Contributed by Parsec While many factors affect the strength of manufacturing, it…

Intelligent manufacturing takes advantage of advanced information and manufacturing technologies to achieve flexible, smart, and reconfigurable manufacturing processes. By Herbert Köbel, head of competence centre software, Leuze Electronic

With the help of artificial intelligence, researchers have developed a two-armed robot that can manufacture products without having to be programmed. By Sandra Zistl A click is heard as one hand snaps a grey part into place on a rail.…

What are some key concerns for adopting cloud computing platforms for manufacturers? By Thomson Matthews, software product manager, Anca There is lots of buzz around the cloud, a key technology driving a new era of smart manufacturing. Some potential adopters…

Industry 4.0: Opportunities for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises is changing the manufacturing landscape and providing more opportunities for SMEs. Contributed by Faro

IHS Markit technology: Top 8 Technology Trends for 2018 global technology market From the Internet of Things to the cloud to artificial intelligence, industries are seeing a new wave of technologies.

Vincent Tang, regional vice-president, Asia, Epicor Software, speaks to APMEN on how digitalisation and the latest digital tools—such as enterprise resource planning software—can help achieve core business goals.

While popular Industry 4.0 technologies tend to focus on robotics and the Internet of Things, less tangible technologies such as artificial intelligence are poised to make as much of an impact. By Jonathan Chou

APMEN speaks to Peter Wienzek, business development systems manager at ifm, to find out the importance of smart sensors in improving manufacturing processes.

From band saws to milling machines, a new digital platform is able to connect sophisticated processing solutions for an optimal and flexible approach. Contributed by ThyssenKrupp

Steps For Machine Security In The Internet Of Things Emerging new information technologies are revolutionising manufacturing. As advances in technology enable increasingly connected machinery, what steps should you take to improve security? By Jonathan Chou

Infographic: IIOT Impact On The Manufacturing Industry

The Smart Factory Is Here Top IIoT Capabilities For The Modern Manufacturer With the smart factory being a hot topic nowadays, three critical IIoT capabilities of the smart factory will be discussed. By Fritz Cleveland, director of marketing, Sensonix/Banner Wireless

Virtual commissioning in the digital factory shortens the commissioning phase and speeds up the ramp-up. Contributed by Küttner Automation

Almost every technological device today is equipped with smart sensors in one way or another. By Frederik Troester, head of connected devices and solutions, ASEAN, Bosch

What does the future hold for augmented reality and other forms of human data interaction in manufacturing?

In Part II of the “Digitalisation Of The Manufacturing Sector”, we look at its evolution towards an Industry 4.0 manufacturing model. By Imtiaz Ahmed, Asia Pacific Mobil SHC Brand Manager, ExxonMobil Lubricants

How can Asian manufacturers maintain their competitive edge in the next 40 years? The answer lies in its evolution towards an Industry 4.0 manufacturing model. By Imtiaz Ahmed, Asia Pacific Mobil SHC brand manager, ExxonMobil Lubricants.

The smart factory employs smart sensors to intelligently detect and process data to improve productivity. By Michael Kaspar, product manager for photoelectric sensors & fibres, Sick

The evolution of technology pushes all those involved in the warehousing industry to start considering new means & ways not only for the today’s, but most importantly, for the tomorrow’s warehouse operation and its environment. By Petros N. Zenieris, The Business Criterion.

Whether you call it the Internet of Things (IoT), Industrie 4.0, or the age of the digital machine, it’s clear that we’re entering a new industrial revolution. In the industrial machinery market, the impact of new technology will see manufacturing computerised – with production lines featuring smarter, more connected and more complex machines. By Mirko Bäcker, marketing director EMEA, manufacturing engineering, Siemens PLM Software.

With articulated robots and advanced software applications that can simulate every stage of production, one company’s robotic solutions help a luxury automotive maker construct their signature models. Contributed by Comau.

Drawing on a study of 795 executives from a range of sectors in Asia Pacific, Europe and the Americas, Sreenivasa Chakravarti, head innovation and transformation group, manufacturing business unit of Tata Consultancy Services shares his insights on strategic decisions involving investing in the Internet of Things (IoT).

An increasing demand for a quality Manufacturing Execution System (MES) for Industry 4.0 clearly manifests itself. The functions and properties an MES system must have are detailed in the VDI guideline 5600. But is that relevant for Industry 4.0? The Future Concept MES 4.0 casts a light on the issue.

Technology adoption in manufacturing is essential for certain companies to push forward their agendas. For other companies, it may be fine to play the follower’s role.

Analysing a huge amount of data and breaking them down into easy-to-understand visuals can help manufacturers make correct decisions quickly.

Throughout history, materials and advances in material technology have influenced humankind. Now we just might be on the verge of the next shift in this type of technology, enabling products and functions we never believed possible. Contributed by Sandvik Coromant

Industry 4.0 is becoming the talk of the industry, but with all the big terms that it has spawned, manufacturers might be intimidated by this seemingly disruptive revolution, especially when it comes to data. In a nutshell, what is the Industry 4.0, and how can one manage data smartly? By Michelle Cheong

In times to come, the manufacturing space will be so interconnected that nothing will escape the eyes of those manning the operations – all in the name of increased efficiency and productivity. By Matej Kranjc, managing director of ASEAN and ANZ, National Instruments.

Syed Shah caught up with Scott Summerville, President, Microscan, on machine vision and the implication of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) for his company and the manufacturing. on machine vision and the implication of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) for his company and the manufacturing. 

Technology that enhances device performance is sweeping the world from smartphones to scanners used in major logistics work. By Jayajyoti Sengupta, APAC head, Cognizant.

The Industrial Internet of Things will profoundly change automated production processes. How do machine vision technologies help to cope with these challenges? By Dr Maximilian Lückenhaus, director, marketing and sales, MVTec Software

The Perfect Digital Twin Increases Machining Efficiency Digitalisation of tool selection and assembly creation can increase machining efficiency. By Sandvik Coromant

When Industry 4.0 took off in Germany it rapidly made it to the headlines. With the digital agenda of the federal government it received highest political priority. But where stands Industry 4.0 in reality? By Dipl-Ing Nikolaus Fecht and Dr Andreas Thoss on behalf of EuroBLECH.

Digital platforms are being developed on the basis of which users can apply their tools more efficiently, cut back on waste, and minimise tasks that were previously carried out manually. By Walter

Machine tool builders such as DMG Mori are focusing on machining solutions that combine both the Internet of Things and increased user operability. The Digital Future Of Machine Tools

Implementing IIOT: The Time Is Now Applying the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) to factories confers a host of operational benefits. By Advantech

Dr Robert Blackburn, chairman of the board of executive directors and chief executive officer at Hoffmann Group and Pinaki Banarjee, managing director, Hoffmann Asia Pacific and India, share their insights with APMEN on how to stay ahead in today’s increasingly digitised world.

The manufacturing world has already decided to get on board the Industry 4.0 bandwagon. But where exactly is this wagon going to take us in a world that is getting very interconnected as we speak? Craig Charlton, SVP, Asia Pacific Operations, Epicor gives us the lowdown

Digital platforms are being developed on the basis of which users can apply their tools more efficiently, cut back on waste, and minimise tasks that were previously carried out manually. By Walter

There are new possibilities offered by big data, 3D printing, machine learning and augmented reality in the manufacturing industry. Leveraging on these into a new way of doing business is a key factor in Industry 4.0 to gain a competitive edge, and for companies to be more profitable and scalable.