Developments

The SKF smart manufacturing transformation

Manufacturing excellence has always been a vital part of SKF’s offering to its customers. The performance and durability of products depend on appropriate materials, precise geometry and accurate assembly. To achieve those things, the company is continually refining and evolving its production processes and capabilities. World-class manufacturing isn’t just about precision, however. It also requires great flexibility. To ensure the best possible service for customers, while keeping costs under control, manufacturers need agile, adaptable production systems that handle small batches and work to short lead times. In common with many top manufacturing companies, SKF has adopted the principles of lean manufacturing, with its relentless focus on elimination of errors, delays and other forms of waste. Now the company is building a new generation of manufacturing systems, which embrace the power of today’s digital technologies to achieve a further step-change in speed, efficiency and flexibility. “At SKF, world-class manufacturing is about providing innovative sources of value for the customer at the most efficient cost,” says Roberto Napione, Manager of SKF’s Machine Centres of Excellence and Standardisation. “In today’s environment, we can no longer work in fixed production sequences, we want to take the real-time demand from the customer and produce those specific products in the volume batch required.” That capability has the potential to provide tremendous value for SKF’s customers, he explains. Today, many of them spend considerable time and effort attempting to forecast future demand. Then they tie up valuable capital in stock to meet that forecast. In the future, those customers will be able to order what they need, when they need it, with confidence that the right product will be available at the right time. It’s a compellingly simple idea, but it is one that requires complex changes behind the scenes. “The digital transformation in manufacturing involves improving […]

Digital simulation for the Industrial IoT

PTC and ANSYS have a solution that will enable ANSYS engineering simulation technology to be rapidly added to applications built on the ThingWorx Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) platform from PTC. Development of a connector between these two technology platforms will enable customers to transform raw data into new forms of actionable intelligence. The connector will integrate intelligent digital simulation models with products as they exist and operate in the real world. This will open up new opportunities for companies to create value by enabling them to optimize operations and maintenance and to integrate them into their product development processes. Simulation helps companies understand situations that may occur – such as a product failure – as early as the design phase. When faced with limited access to rich historical data, companies can leverage simulation models to generate an initial “as designed” set of expected outcomes or product performance. The results of these simulations act as a rich source of data that can be used for supervised machine learning and predictive modelling. The ongoing connection between real-world performance, simulation, and machine learning helps companies make sense of data that can lead to predictive models and a more insightful feedback loop, enabling them to improve product design and modelling. The IoT is making it possible to create a digital twin that combines real-time data about a physical product with the organisation’s digital information about the product. Simulating digital twins provides advanced intelligence and insight into a product’s behaviours. The combination of the ThingWorx platform capabilities with ANSYS simulation models will enable companies to deploy powerful applications that can analyse current operating conditions, rapidly identify and diagnose operations issues, predict future operating conditions, and improve product performance. PTC and ANSYS will make the capabilities of this solution available within IoT applications developed on […]

Student designing his own solutions to new challenges

Mark Cooper is a person who gets on with things. Mark was a shepherd and began coming up with ways which would allow him to still use a ute. He needed a hoist to get his electric wheelchair into the restricted space in the back, but could find nothing available which met his needs, so he made his own device. He designed and built a large arm which lifts his chair neatly into the back cabin, just above where the sheepdogs fit. Mark faced another issue with the ute, however. He needed to be able to easily access the vehicle cab when he left his chair, but most off-the-shelf solutions required extensive modifications to the ute, which he wanted to avoid. With the help of an engineering firm in Nelson, he solved that problem too. He came up with another design utilising a support platform which fits into the seat frame, allowing him to get in and out of the driver’s seat. But he didn’t stop at the ute. Mark has designed a wheelchair hoist for his jetboat too. With no engineering background he has gone through a process of trial and error, with some help from the professionals. Mark is hoping to move into a rural valuation, rural banking or consultancy role when he finishes his studies, though his hoists suggest a future in design. He is doing engineering as part of his degree, but has no special projects lined up, and does not see any commercial potential in the things he has made so far. They were all made to meet specific needs. However, if those needs change, or he has new ones and can’t find anything that meets them, who knows what else he might come up with?

Exponential Manufacturing Revolution

Diane Francis, Member of Advisory Council at Hudson Institute Kleptocracy Initiative The train to Boston from New York speeds past stunning scenery as well as the blight of abandoned factories, scarred with graffiti. These empty buildings are the remnants of a New England that was the China of the Industrial Revolution based on cheap immigrant labour. Today, its towns languish economically, except for Boston, which is enjoying a resurgence as a technology, pharma, and advanced manufacturing hub. America remains a manufacturing powerhouse, as well as the world’s pre-eminent technology nation, but marrying the two will take time. In global terms, the industrial sector represents one-third of all global economic output and represents half of the world’s energy consumption and renewables. “This year, offshore wind power generation matched the cost of natural gas power plants in Europe,” said Singularity’s energy expert Ramez Naam. “In windy parts of the world, wind power is cheapest, and in sunny parts of the world solar is.” In solar, record low prices were reached this year too. A major contract in Dubai at 2.91 U.S. cents per kilowatt hour, the world’s lowest — Ontario’s prices average 8 cents per kilowatt hour. India just completed the world’s largest solar farm (4.5 U.S. cents per kilowatt hour) and its federal government intends to have only electrically-powered vehicles by 2030 – completely bypassing fossil fuels. As these industries scale, costs plummet for solar panels and turbines. China is converting to renewables rapidly, but has also earmarked half a trillion dollars to become the world’s advanced manufacturing leader. This is a major pivot, necessary in light of the fact that cheap labour, in an era of technology, is no longer a competitive advantage. “China has launched the Artificial Intelligence Institute and its companies are buying companies globally in this space,” said […]

A game-changing material

Customisation is the name of the game for Utah Trikes, a producer of trikes, quads and custom wheelchairs. President and CEO, Ashley Guy, said from the very beginning the company was all about personalisation. “We started making our quad using existing frame platforms and built custom two-wheel drive rear ends that we’d add on and effectively turn the trikes into quads. That grew into something where suddenly everybody who wanted something customised came to us.” These custom lugs, made with Stratasys FDM Nylon 12CF, are painted red after emerging from the tumbler with a smooth, polished finish. Customer Needs Drive Innovation But customisation has its obstacles, namely time and cost. “The production run might only be 100 parts and it’s hard to get your cost down with such a small run,” said Guy. Utah Trikes’ next step was trying to solve its manufacturing issues. “We have some CNC machines we ran pretty much nonstop,” Guy said. “But this was always a hassle without committing to jigs and fixtures, which meant a lot of man hours to prototype.” Also, as the parts became more complicated it became harder and harder for Utah Trikes to outsource. What Utah Trikes needed was the ability to make prototype pieces they could actually test, and that would be both cost and time efficient. About this time, 3D printing showed up on Guy’s radar. “I was intrigued but had no idea what I was looking for. When we heard about Stratasys Fortus 3D Printers, we knew we had a true production tool that could make real production parts.” FDM Nylon 12 CF A Game-Changer “The FDM Nylon 12CF is fantastic. It’s changing everything for us,” Guy said. He cites the strength of the material, as well as its soluble support as game changers. Additionally, “We can take […]

Panic button emergency alert notification launched

Employee communications software company SnapComms (www.snapcomms.com) has launched a new feature designed for emergency situations in the workplace. SnapComms Panic Button enables first-at-the-scene employees to send a pre-configured emergency alert straight to the mobile phones and desktops of colleagues, as well as large display screens in communal areas. The Panic Button emergency alert overrides all other applications in use at the time. It displays fully across a screen’s real estate, greatly increasing the chance of employees immediately seeing the alert at a time when every second counts. For additional impact, the emergency alert can include an audio notification. Customer demand led to SnapComms developing Panic Button, explains Sarah Perry, CEO, SnapComms. She says: “Organisations are increasingly conscious of their responsibilities to staff in emergency situations. They need to minimise the risk, should the worst happen. “In response, we’ve created a high-impact notification tool that’s exceptionally quick and easy to trigger. It saves valuable minutes during a time of extreme stress.” An important feature of SnapComms Panic Button is real-time reporting. This provides critical metrics such as delivery and receipt of emergency alerts, highlighting which staff have (and have not) seen the message. Panic Button also eliminates a time-wasting step that most other emergency notification systems still insist upon: the official internal publishing process. In other words, first-at-the-scene staff are empowered to broadcast a pre-configured alert without delay – and without having to waste time trying to track down the person who normally publishes internal communications content. Use-case scenarios include: a severe weather warning; a wide-scale medical emergency; a suspected terrorist threat; an active shooter on site; a natural disaster; a fire; or any other time of duress. The emergency alerts can be sent to targeted staff within 60 seconds (this is the standard setting, subject to network connectivity and third […]

Seamless integration with PointSense 18.0 suite

Seamless Integration of 3D Scanner Data with Autodesk 2018 Design Tools FARO, world source for 3D measurement and imaging solutions for factory metrology, construction BIM/CIM, product design, public safety forensics, and 3D solutions, announces the availability of the FARO PointSense 18.0 software suite (http://www.faro.com/aecsoftware18-0/). This robust software platform evolution delivers seamless integration into the latest 2018 AutoCAD and Revit design tools, a better user experience, improved software handling, and enhanced efficiency in processing software data. The suite includes: PointSense basic/Pro for AutoCAD PointSense Building for AutoCAD PointSense Heritage for AutoCAD PointSense Plant for AutoCAD PointSense for Revit The one stop bundle and compatibility across the broad range of Autodesk architecture, engineering, construction and surveying products makes this the most cost effective solution of its kind currently available. Seamless Integration and Enhanced User Experience PointSense 18.0 resets the bar for “ready to go”. It includes the same high value, beneficial use features and functionality with which savvy AutoCAD and Revit users are already familiar. The addition of a new, step by step guidance screen assures that even less familiar users can get up to speed quickly and optimize their workflow. Improved Confidence in Accuracy PointSense 18.0 for Revit is the first software platform to incorporate Levels of Accuracy as defined USBID (U.S. Institute of Building Documentation) standards. This enhanced analysis tool enables users to more confidently validate the accuracy of the as-built model compared to the relevant point cloud, i.e. the set of data points acquired by a 3D laser scanner. Workflow Enhancement The improvement in scan navigation functionality was driven by direct user feedback, supports greater efficiency and assures that the user is able to get to a result faster than ever before. With just a double click, users can move from one scan perspective to another inside a given […]

Creaform HandySCAN 3D scanner now certified by Airbus

Creaform, leader in portable 3D measurement solutions and engineering services, has had its flagship metrology-grade portable 3D scanner, the HandySCAN 3D, certified by Airbus and will be added to the company’s next Technical Equipment Manual (TEM) release. This certification comes following the recognition of HandySCAN 3D’s specifications by the French National Laboratory for Metrology & Testing (LNE). Combined with Creaform’s powerful and easy-to-use VXelements software, the scanner can reduce measurement times by up to 80% compared traditional methods. * Metrology-grade measurements for aircraft maintenance: Users can digitise dent damage on metallic parts with the accuracy of up to 0.030 mm (0.0012 in.) and a resolution of up to 0.050 mm (0.002 in.) with high repeatability and traceable certificate. * Intuitive pass/fail testing: With its intuitive design and real-time software visualization, the 3D scanner ensures ultra-short learning curves so operators can get the critical information they need to regardless of their experience levels. All they have to do is point and shoot! * Real-time visualisation and portability: Because it is so light and small, it can be used in any work environment, such as a hangar or outdoors, as it adapts to ambient and tarmac lighting. Users can easily perform 3D surface inspection of any part of an aircraft—including on and under wings. This certification by an industry leader like Airbus symbolises Creaform’s commitment to helping the aerospace as much as the automotive industries address their high-level of GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) requirements. With this certification, more and more industry players are turning to Creaform technologies to facilitate and speed up their 3D measurement processes to carry out accurate assessments of aircraft mechanical damage. The goal is to provide user-friendly and highly advanced solutions to get airplanes back in the skies faster and enable airlines to slash the high costs associated with […]

SEMICON -Industry 4.0 no longer hype

Disruption and the Value of Digital Transformation in Manufacturing; Learn More at SEMICON Southeast Asia 2017. SEMICON Southeast Asia 2017, held at the SPICE arena in Penang on 25-27 April, is Asia’s premier showcase for electronics manufacturing innovation. KUALA LUMPUR – At SEMICON Southeast Asia 2017, Dr. Chen Fusen, CEO of Kulicke & Soffa Pte Ltd, Singapore, will give a keynote on the digital transformation in the manufacturing sector. Chen believes that Smart Manufacturing, or Industry 4.0, is no longer hype, but real and Asia needs to get on board sooner rather than later. SEMICON Southeast Asia (SEA) 2017, held at the SPICE arena in Penang on 25-27 April, is Asia’s premier showcase for electronics manufacturing innovation. “Digital transformation has proven to provide solutions for addressing challenges in the manufacturing industry but there is still the issue of acceptance as well as lack of skills and knowledge that needs to be addressed,” said Chen. “With disruptive technology changing our world, I expect that more companies will see the value of their investments realised as this technology accelerates the creation of more individualised products and services.” Dr. Hai Wang from NXP Semiconductors Singapore Pte Ltd, Singapore agreed that more consumer-related innovations would stem from digital transformation as demand for solutions that provide efficiency and security increases. “At NXP, we look at developing advanced cyber security solutions for the automotive industry, such as tracking and analysing intelligence around connected and automated vehicles, which will help to counter any adverse threats in real time. These innovations are real and will soon mark a shift in the future of automation and manufacturing. It is vital that we embrace the change and adapt accordingly,” he said. Other speakers at SEMICON SEA also feel strongly about the importance of Smart Manufacturing and digital transformation. David Chang […]

Innovative zero-gravity arms recognised by construction company

Headquartered in Hong Kong, Gammon Construction is one of SE Asia’s leading construction companies, with an annual turnover of US$2.5bn, and is a keen adopter of new technology with a focus on adding value for its customers through innovative and sustainable solutions. With over 8000 employees, the engineering and construction company, like others in the Hong Kong construction industry, has long faced manpower shortages, together with an aging workforce. Consequently, in an effort to lure talented new workers and to reduce the workload of its employees, the company recently invested in two sets of “zero-gravity arms” (Zero G Tool Arms) from Sigma Ergonomics, one of Australia’s leading providers of ergonomic systems to a wide range of industries. Manufactured by US company Ekso Bionics, the innovative mounted exoskeletal system functions without the need for power, allowing workers to comfortably operate heavy tools including impact drills, chipping hammers and grinders for extended periods. With the zero-gravity arms shouldering the weight of the equipment, workers are not affected by the strain and fatigue caused by repetitive tasks such as drilling, tiling, chipping and grinding. The Ekso Bionics Aerial System, to which the Zero G system is mounted, is designed to increase safety and productivity while working from an elevated work platform (EWP). As well as eliminating the risk of dropping heavy tools from heights, the system significantly reduces the risk of injury from heavy tool usage and awkward body position. In a recent direct comparison with an Access Work Platform (AWP) at a height services installation, the Zero G system improved the productivity of the drilling work task by over 50% while reducing worker fatigue and improving safety and efficiency. Thomas Ho, Chief Executive of Gammon Construction, is a passionate supporter of innovation and highlights the Zero G system as one of the […]

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