ISSUE NO.2 www.ipriasia.com
Technological innovations shaping materials analysis in the automotive industry
The rise of lighter weight metals in the Automotive Industry
With AI and IoT through the crisis
DIGITAL ISSUE NO.02 : Apr 2021
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EDITOR'S NOTE
ADDRESS IPRI Co.,Ltd. 58/2 Soi Phrom Sri, Sukhumvit Rd., Khlong Tun Nuea, Wattana, Bangkok 10110 Thailand Tel: +66 (0) 2392 2011 Website: www.ipriasia.com MANAGEMENT Publisher Wannee Sananwatananont MEDIA DIRECTOR Laverne S.Taypin : lawant@ipriasia.com ADMINISTRATION / DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION Rawiphan Promgam : rawiphan@ipriasia.com DIGITAL TEAM / PRODUCTION Wiratchada Sukkhathon : pure@ipriasia.com Watcharida Sukkhathon : preem@ipriasia.com
As the world faces challenges due to Covid-19, which has disrupted lifestyles of people regardless of their race or skin color, all across the world. And as the digital technologies, the upcoming 5G network have provided people with fast and broad access to information, helping to connect people across borders. increasing production efficiency in the manufacturing sectors, thanks to the full speed and unlimited connectivity, making the world a smaller place like one could never have imagined before. This edition of Digital Magazine for industrial sector of the machine tool and metal working industry that you are now reading is the latest updates on modern technologies for the manufacturing industry of the machine tool and metal working industry so that everyone can access latest technologies from the manufacturers and for the manufacturing industry instantly and with efficiency. It also allows you to access to information in digital format so that you can easily forward and share the information to those that are relevant. I hope that our readers will benefit from Asia Pacific MetalWorking Digital issue. For any of the latest developments on new technologies that you would like to share, kindly send to us at editors@ipriasia.com. We are more than happy to be the medium for sharing your news.
Lavene S.Taypin
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CONTENTS AUTOMATION & ROBOTICS
06 09 10 12
Focus on Automation: METAV Digital Showcasing Automation Solutions for Efficient Metalworking With AI and IoT through the crisis The rise of lighter weight metals in the Automotive Industry Technological innovations shaping materials analysis in the automotive industry
MACHINING
22 23 24
SCHUNK Application Center-CoLab SICK launches solid state safety solution How CNC Companies Can Survive And Thrive During The Pandemic
INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY
SMART MANUFACTURING
14 16 19 20 4
Five Megatrends of Digital Transformation in Manufacturing Manufacturing, Industry 4.0 and the hyperconnected business of the future AI Made in Germany AI standardization roadmap recommends standards for artificial intelligence. FARO® Introduces BuildIT 2021 Software Suite
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New flexCoder sensors for robotics and handling automation AG03/1 Compact positioning drive with IO-Link
ASSOCIATION
28
Hildegard Muller: European Commission's new trade strategy brings opportunities for German automotive industry
ASIA UPDATE
30
How will automation affect workers in Asia?
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Focus on Automation: METAV Digital Showcasing Automation Solutions for Efficient Metalworking
The main focus at METAV digital, the industry event for production technology from 23 to 26 March 2021, will be on precision tools and processing machines. Besides machining technologies, the spotlight will also be on automation so-lutions designed to raise the efficiency levels in production. Automation is considered a decisive ‘enabler’ for greater competitiveness, productivity and production optimisation. Automation solutions are increasingly finding their way onto factory shopfloors and manufacturing plants, and not only since the arrival of Industry 4.0. For more than 40 years now, precision tool manufacturers, machine tool suppliers and numerous other companies, organisations and universities with a manufacturing background have been using METAV as a platform where production experts get together to compare notes – this year as a genuine interactive 3D experience. Innovative ways to reduce production costs Interlocking is set to play a crucial role for Paul Horn GmbH at METAV digital. The focus is on tools for bevel gear cutting
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as well as for the precision deburring of gears. “Other innovations in the fields of high-feed milling, high-gloss machining, grooving, profile turning and shaping will also be presented,” announces Horn Press Spokesman and Head of Communications, Christian Thiele. Robotics, automation and digitalisation are on the rise. They are useful additions in many areas and help reduce loca tional disadvantages in comparison to low-wage countries. “Horn has worked closely with the Kistler Group to refine a globally unique solution for real-time tool monitoring. The innovative PTS system is ideal for use in turning operations,” explains Thiele. “Alternative measurement methods are less effective here because of the small deviations.” The solution requires no intervention in the CNC control. The application
is machine-independent and takes up only a small amount of space in the machine. Use of the PTS lowers production costs and raises production capacities. Automation for machine tools “Digitalisation of machine tools is being talked about by everyone in the industry – we’re constantly refining it, making it less complicated and more accessible for users,” reports Dr. Stefan Hansch, CEO of Emco GmbH. A successful example is Evva, a manufacturer of high-quality locking systems, whose production Emco helped digitalise with a milling machine. The new production system demanded both a high degree of flexibility for productive special production, and the ability to produce series parts efficiently. In addition to the machine tool itself, key elements in this project were the flexible software platform Emconnect and a complete automation package. Emco has recently expanded its successful MMV series. The 5-axis moving column machining centres are available with extended traverse paths (X= 4200 / 5200 / 6200 mm) and thus meet the increased demand in this area. The systems can be used for the complete machining of large and heavy parts in a single clamping – for workpieces up to 8,000 kg. The automation options of the Umill series of universal machining centres represent a further highlight. Customised solutions are available for almost all variants of certain processing machines: there is a two-level linear pallet storage system, for example, which is designed to optimise productivity. Or efficient and flexibly adaptable automation solutions for the smaller Umill models, the compact dimensions, short set-up and makeready times and simple operation of which are particularly impressive. These solutions are also available for Emco lathes. “In these challenging times, METAV digital offers us a secure platform for communicating with all interested parties and customers,” says the appreciative CEO of the Hallein-based machine tool manufacturer in Austria. “It doesn’t replace face-to-face contact, of course, but it’s an excellent alternative right now and we’re happy to use it.” World firsts at the METAV digital “At this year’s METAV, we’ll be presenting a number of world firsts from our new Neologiq campaign,” says Erich Timons, CTO / Technical Director and Member of the Executive Board at tool specialist Iscar Germany GmbH in Ettlingen, providing some initial insights. “These include solutions for turning, grooving, drilling and milling. There will also be a number of innovative digital tools to discover.” More gener ally, tools offering extremely high productivity will also be on
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show. These include tools which incorporate sensor technology. “Iscar has developed tools that require no set-up time. Furthermore, we offer tools in all product ranges that are ideally suited for high-performance cutting,” continues Timons. And what are the latest developments with regard to the future? “Many companies are currently struggling with smaller batch sizes. Issues such as machine set-up times are attracting more attention as a result.” Modular robotics for flexible solutions “Integrative solutions with end-to-end connectivity and extensive automation have become even more important for manufacturing companies working under corona conditions,” explains Prof. Dirk Biermann from TU Dortmund University. It is essential to network people, machines and companies if overall increases in productivity and sustainability areto be obtained right now. “The development of interface standards is therefore crucial for achieving this within a reasonable space of time,” says the head of the Institute of Machining Technology (ISF) and member of the WGP (German Academic Association for Production Technology). “Furthermore, there are some interesting developments that allow secure processing and analysis of sensitive data locally. Intelligent edge systems can use these to provide data protection of AI-based applications in the end device.” 8
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Robotics and automation offer an extremely diverse range of possibilities that can be configured cost-effectively as standardised modules for specific applications, for example. Modular robot systems in particular are ideal for creating flexible solutions, which are now gaining in importance. Under the banner of “Researching for the factory of the future”, TU Dortmund University has set up various interdisciplinary projects aimed at exploring the various challenges facing industrial production. Research projects such as the “Adaptive Intelligence of Factories in a Dynamic and Complex Environment” research group or the “Availability of Information through Analysis under Resource Constraints” collaborative research centre are exploring fundamental ideas that can be put into practice within the framework of industrial partnerships. And there are new solutions for special tasks, such as [Tool]prep integrated cutting edge preparation for tool grinding machines. “The current limitations mean that we now have some catching up to do in terms of getting to grips with the latest production developments,” says Dirk Biermann, summing up. “METAV digital represents an excellent opportunity for this.” For more information : https://metav-digital.de/en/media/fo cus-on-automation-metav-digital-showcasing-automation-solutions-for-efficient-metalworking
AUTOMATION & ROBOTICS BY HANNOVER MESSE
With AI and IoT through the crisis
The digitization of the industry has been the central theme of the Hannover Messe for years. If the #HM20 had not had to be postponed until next April, it would again have been an impressive show of the latest developments. But the Corona Pandemic changed everything. That is precisely why it is now worth asking how industrial companies are reacting to it and whether they are perhaps putting the brakes on digitalisation. A current study by tech consult on behalf of Microsoft Germany shows: Almost one in five small and medium-sized industrial companies in Germany (18.9 percent) rate digital technologies as “more important than ever before”. They rely on artificial intelligence (AI) or the Internet of Things (IoT) to get through the crisis successfully or largely unscathed. A further 45.2 percent rate these technologies as “still important” for their companies because they were already of great importance before the pandemic. However, 31.6 percent also state that technologies such as AI and IoT are “still of little importance” to them. It is noticeable that this thesis is particularly often put forward by micro enterprises with up to 20 employees (43.6 percent). Of the larger industrial companies with up to 400 employees, only 25.3 percent make this statement.
Securing liquidity high on the agenda The study also shows that really all the companies surveyed are actively dealing with the consequences of the pandemic and how they can best manage this crisis. For the majority (56.6 percent), the focus is on “securing liquidity”. In addition, four out of ten of the industrial companies surveyed say they are focusing on “digitalizing their business processes” (41.8 percent) or “innovative product development” (39.8 percent). 21.9 percent also see the best future prospects in a “realignment of the business model”. The study results show that COVID 19 does not slow down or even stop the digitalization of the industry. For many companies the following applies: The crisis drives their digitization processes and even makes them a decisive success factor. “The more digitally positioned the industrial companies are, the faster they will recover from the consequences of the shutdown”, commented Bitkom boss Achim Berg only recently on a survey of his industry association. For more information : https://www.hannovermesse.de/en/ news/news-articles/with-ai-and-iot-through-the-crisis
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AUTOMATION & ROBOTICS BY HITACHI HIGH-TECH ANALYTICAL SCIENCE
The rise of lighter
weight metals in the Automotive Industry
I recently presented a webinar on automotive trends changing material analysis and how you can be ready with Quality Digest magazine. During this webinar we asked a few questions, and it was interesting to find out that more than 50% of participants felt that new automotive trends related to light weighting were affecting their day to day operations already. However, over 75% said they were not yet using spark OES (optical emission spectrometer), LIBS (laser induced breakdown spectrometer) or XRF (X-ray fluorescence) PMI (positive material identification) analyzers to meet material specifications.
Aluminium and magnesium alloys have recently won favour in the automotive industry because they’re light, relatively low-cost and give many of the required properties. They can be formed into complex shapes including engine components, gearbox housings and structural parts. Even in the current environment, the legislation driving the need for lighter-weight metal is here to stay, and the development for these lighter-weight metals will continue, albeit possibly at a slower rate in the near-future until the economies around the world recover and manufacturing ramps up. Aluminium continues to dominate
The automotive industry has very exacting requirements for components – perhaps second only to aerospace. Safety is a huge issue and many components need to absorb energy on impact. Other components need to be structurally rigid and therefore the focus is more on strength. The role of incoming inspection and using spectrometers for metal analysis is becoming more and more important especially as new materials are introduced throughout the supply chain.
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Coming in at around one third of the weight of steel, use of aluminium in cars has skyrocketed in recent years. That trend is set to continue for some time: by 2022 the average car is expected to contain almost 100kg of aluminium that have replaced heavier parts. This means that the automotive industry will make up a quarter of all aluminium consumption, that’s 30 million tonnes, by 2025.
Magnesium also on the rise Magnesium is even lighter than aluminium – 36% per unit lighter. It also has the highest strength to weight ratio of all the structural metals. It’s abundant and easily recyclable, so it’s not surprising that since it’s early use for wheels, magnesium is replacing steel and aluminium in housings and space frames. Right now, over half of all magnesium is used in alloys with aluminium. Cast Mg-Al alloys are used for many parts, including transmission and clutch housings, as well as steering wheels and support brackets, among others. However, magnesium does have a few drawbacks. It’s brittle and doesn’t have the creep resistance of aluminium. However, research teams worldwide are working on this. A team at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia have created a process that changes the microstructure of magnesium to make it less brittle. This means that pure magnesium can be formed and compressed to any shape at room temperature without cracking. Another team in at the U.S. Department of Energy have developed a process that improves the energy absorption and ductility of magnesium, making it more feasible for a larger range of car parts. Steel poised to make a comeback If you thought that steelmakers were sitting idle, watching their industry whittle away, think again. Steel is a reliable, abundant, well-known material and steelmakers have been
working hard to win back some of the market share lost to the new kids on the block. Steelmakers are looking to develop super-lightweight steel that is stronger, cheaper and almost as lightweight as aluminium. And they are just about there, with new products expected to arrive on the market in 2021, if not earlier. It’s going to be hard to resist the allure of better strength and lower cost, so the predictions based on a growing aluminium and magnesium market could be upset if steel raises its game as much as it suggests. Introducing the ground-breaking OE750 OES analyzer In the development of new alloys – and meeting the exacting specifications of current supplies – analysing the melt to ppm levels is crucial. Hitachi High-Tech’s latest spark spectrometer for metal identification offers a level of analysis never before seen in an OES analyzer in this class. The OE750 covers the entire range of metals at the lowest detection limits, delivering the performance of much more expensive instrument. It’s designed to support QA/QC programmes by verifying tramp and trace elements at incoming inspection, and meeting a range of standards, such as the ASTM E415 and E1086 for steel. For more information : https://hha.hitachi-hightech.com/en/blogsevents/blogs/2020/07/13/the-rise-of-lighter-weight-metals-in-theautomotive-industry/
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AUTOMATION & ROBOTICS BY HITACHI HIGH-TECH ANALYTICAL SCIENCE
Technological innovations
shaping materials analysis in the automotive industry Partly due to emissions regulations and partly due to an attempt at competitive differentiation, the automotive sector is a hive of innovation right now, even in the current environment. Some of these developments are having an impact on production, such as Industry 4.0, and some are more consumer-focused. Here we’ll take a look at two automotive trends that are driving advances in XRF (X-ray fluorescence) analysis technology: Connected Car and Electric Vehicles.
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Connected Car In 2019, there were an estimated 64 million WiFi-enabled cars produced and according to latest research from Deloitte, electronics account for 40% of the total cost of a new car in 2020. By 2030, this is forecasted to reach almost half. With a focus on the premium market, the possibilities for in novation once a car has connectivity are huge. Some projects are designed to help the driver and their passengers, such as in-car entertainment, real-time congestion information, car wear and tear monitoring, and navigation aids. Others are more about using the data collected for wider scale monitoring to tackle larger issues, such as reducing CO2 emissions Specific projects include a collaboration between BMW and Spotify to stream music to vehicles, and Audi China are working
with FAW-Volkswagen and Alibaba, Baidu and Tencent in data analysis to develop smart urban transport. Of course, all the self-driving programmes in development are fundamentally based on connected car technology monitoring and giving feedback on each vehicle’s immediate surroundings. XRF for plating manufacturing: Microspot benchtop analyzers The rise in connected cars is a real opportunity for plating manufacturers. As circuit board volumes increase further, high throughput analysis can help ensure quality is main tained. XRF analysis offers a long-term solution to address the challenge of achieving consistent and accurate board finishes in miniaturized electronics. As electronics coatings become thinner and are applied to smaller features, you want to invest in technology that is effective today as well as futureproofed for tomorrow’s operations.
Hitachi’s range of coatings analyzers range from high-precsion XRF that can analyze several layers of a component for composition and thickness, to handheld thickness gauges for a fast check during production. You can see Hitachi’s range of XRF analyzers for high-end electronics and semiconductor wafer industry Electric Vehicles Seen as an unlikely dream just twenty years ago by many, today EVs are silently making their way along our streets, charging up at futuristic parking spaces in smart cities and helping to cut particulate emissions that are a risk to health in our planet’s major cities. However, the fact that electric vehicles are now seen on our streets doesn’t mean that innovation has halted. Right from the beginning the issue with electric cars was range. A picky public, nervous of new technology, wants the assurance that they are not going to be stranded when the family car runs out of juice. Core to range is the battery. It’s an obvious statement, but the more charge it can hold, the further you’ll get between charging. Currently the Tesla Model S Long Range claims a 375 mile (600 km) range. The only batteries that are up to the job and commercially available today are lithium ion batteries (LIBs). Yet despite being established technology, Li-ion batteries have a safety concern – thermal runaway. One potential cause of this is the metal contaminants within the cell that migrate through from the cathode to the anode, causing a short circuit which leads to local overheating. Classically ICP-OES or WDX analysis methods have been used to check for metal particles, but these technologies have drawbacks. It’s not enough to establish whether a metal contaminant is present inside the battery cell, you have to build up a picture of the size and distribution of the particles too. Introducing the EA8000 X-ray particle contaminant analyzer Hitachi High-Tech have developed an X-ray particle analyzer specifically for the detection and analysis of metal contaminants within lithium ion batteries. Coupling powerful XRF technology with X-ray transmission analysis, the EA8000 is designed to maintain quality across your lithium ion battery prodution from raw material testing, process control to failure analysis. For more information : https://hha.hitachi-hightech.com/en/blogsevents/blogs/2020/07/20/technological-innovations-shaping-materials-analysis-in-the-automotive-industry/
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SMART MANUFACTURING BY FUJITSU
Five Megatrends of Digital
Transformation in Manufacturing How do you incorporate voice of customers to design customer-oriented manufacturing process? Until the turn of the century, the manufacturing industry generally focused on developing, mass-producing and unilaterally delivering products. However, the Internet gave customers access to significantly more information about products and wider choices of them. This change led manufacturers, including those engaged in B2B, to incorporate customer feedback more proactively into their product development processes. We believe manufacturers need to seriously consider building end-to-end digitalized operations and integrating internal and external processes across industries to provide rapid response to changing customer demands in these days. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has threatened both health and economies throughout the world. It has also exposed weaknesses in existing manufacturing operations and manufacturers faced huge challenge in continuity of normal business operations.
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Digitalization is now key to creating resilient manufacturing systems that allow manufacturers to react in an uncertain future. In this page Fujitsu introduces five megatrends and digital transformation in manufacturing as your digital transformation partner.
Fujitsu’s vision for the future of manufacturing No single organization will be able to deliver all the value that customers want. The required value will be created only when suppliers, channel partners and other customer touch points become connected ecosystems. It is not enough to digitalize internal processes and link them with data. Moreover COVID-19 has highlighted the need to rebuild more distributed supply chains with closer proximity to the market, in order to provide resilience against similar crises in the future. We expect this approach will eventually enable manufacturing processes to work as integrated systems, delivering fully customized value in a timely manner. It is becoming a business priority for manufacturing companies to actively participate in such data-driven ecosystems, in order to exploit the potential of future manufacturing.
Five Mega Trends in Manufacturing How will manufacturing change in the future? Fujitsu has identified five key factors that have huge impact on the industry’s future. Manufacturing based on the value from experience Customer needs are rapidly diversified, and customers are increasingly looking for personalized experiences. Manufactures are increasingly using customer feedback so that they can develop a better understanding of their customers by connecting with them on an ongoing basis and creating insights from the data. Leveraging ecosystems for manufacturing There are three main categories of companies within an ecosystem. The first category is made up of ‘platformers’. The second category comprises companies that specialize in very specific functions and roles. The third category comprises digital technology companies. Companies in each category need to collaborate to create value that customers want.
Changes in human roles in manufacturing We have already seen that digital technology and robots are increasingly used to automate manufacturing processes. This could lead to minimizing the scope of people’s work in the entire process. The unique capabilities that only people possess, such as creativity, imagination and empathy, will be in high demand in the future business environment where people and computers will collaborate more extensively. Contributing to the achievement of SDGs through manufacturing Manufacturers need to respond to the growing demands of their various stakeholders for sustainable products and services that take social and environmental aspects into account. Manufacturers need to formulate strategy to support the SDGs by exploiting their manufacturing excellence.
Software-driven manufacturing The value for customers has radically shifted from hardware products to software and digital infomation. Manufacturers have to embrace open innovation approach by collaborating with a variety of companies, startups and research institutions to realize the value that customers want by using software in a fast-changing market. DIGITAL ISSUE NO.02 : Apr 2021
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Manufacturing, Industry 4.0 and the hyperconnected business of the future Automation, sensors and data-based monitoring have long been used in manufacturing. But today, advanced networking, real-time controls and machine intelligence are helping to create dramatically new, more efficient and more innovative – that is, hyperconnected – models of industry. Introduction Automation, sensors and data-based monitoring have long been used in manufacturing. But today, advanced networking, real-time controls and machine intelligence are helping to create dramatically new, more efficient and more innovative – that is, hyperconnected – models of industry. For example, some factories are now able to quickly and affordably produce consumer goods that aren’t one-size-fitsall but are instead custom-made, tailored for each individual customer’s tastes. And innovative industrial machine-makers are working to ensure their equipment will never break down, thanks to intelligent, around-the-clockmonitoring and predictive maintenance to identify minor problems before they became major problems.
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These and other solutions are being enabled via an initiative known as Industry 4.0. Launched in Germany in 2011, Industry 4.0 is seeing widening adoption across Europe and is beginning to deliver numerous benefits that were unthinkable just a few short years ago. And Fujitsu is among the first of several dozen companies working with the initiative toenable a future where manufacturing becomes hyperconnected, with more real-time data and visibility for improved efficiency, predictability and innovation. Origins and evolution of Industry 4.0 As its name implies, Industry 4.0 is just the latest of several generations of technological change that have come to the manufacturing sector. For instance, long before the arrival of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), manufacturers, utilities and similar companies were using automation in the form of SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) systems or RFID (radio-frequency identification) tags for tracking goods and equipment.
Compared to earlier generations of automated technologies for manufacturing, however, Industry 4.0 is more than just another incremental step forward. Instead, it embodies changes that can rapidly and radically reshape industrial operations, processes and value chains for increased competitiveness and cost-effectiveness. This is also transformational for customers. It’s about much more than automation. Rather, Industry 4.0 stands to reinvent manufacturing in entirely new ways. Through a variety of hyperconnected technologies, industrial companies can better understand operations in real time to optimize and transform how they work with suppliers, partners and customers. Launched by Germany’s scientific/advisory Research Union in 2011, the Industry 4.0 initiative aimed to ensure a hyperconnected, more efficient future for the country’s largest business sector. Manufacturing accounts for nearly a quarter of Germany’s GDP, so it’s essential the sector remains competitive, especially in a fast-growing global market where many nations have much lower labor costs. Industry 4.0 thinking has now expanded far beyond Germany’s borders to deployments in France, the UK and other parts of Western Europe. Initiatives to promote digital innovation in manufacturing are also under way in China, Japan, the US and elsewhere. In a nutshell, such initiatives have the same goal everywhere: to not only make manufacturing smarter and more autonomous but to decentralize and hyperconnect industrial processes for more flexible, sustainable and personalized production in real time. With an ideal deployment, this approach stands to bring the production cost for an individual order very close to that for the same item when mass produced. Such an outcome can help industrialized regions such as Europe and North America practically eliminate their labor cost disadvantages compared to countries like China or India. Fujitsu: A new perspective for industry So why and how has Fujitsu become such a key player in the Industry 4.0 initiative? Its role has grown out of its unique capabilities and expertise in multiple areas related to the use of hyperconnected technologies in manufacturing. These experiences have provided the company with one-of-a-kind insights and perspectives. First, unlike many other technology companies now moving into Industrial Internet of Things projects, Fujitsu is itself a manufacturer. It has long operated many factories around the globe, including an advanced computer manufacturing
facility with state-of-the-art processes and laboratories in Augsburg, Germany. The knowledge and experience gained from operating its own factories gives Fujitsu first-hand awareness of the special challenges facing today’s industrial customers. For example, as a manufacturer itself, Fujitsu understands the importance of supply-chain visibility and efficiency. Consider the many thousands of small companies that make com ponents for larger original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). To maintain such business relationships in an increasingly competitive global market, these small suppliers need to automate as much as possible. Working with Fujitsu, one industrial client – Meggitt Composites – was able to do just this. By applying Fujitsu GlobeRanger’s RFID system to every part used and assembled in its factory, the company has gained instant visibility of its entire manufacturing process. Measurements and fault corrections can be made in real time with the help of a graphical dashboard, providing the company with full electronic accountability. As a long-time provider of IT infrastructure, integration, consulting and other services, Fujitsu also understands the issues that can arise when manufacturers look to update and modernize their information technology systems. What’s more, Fujitsu has special advantages when it comes to deploying and managing the many moving parts needed to create an effective, hyperconnected business. For example, its experience in engineering and developing cloud-based systems for enterprise customers provides it with a solid foundation for rolling out similar programs in a manufacturing environment. And its strengths in analytics, pattern recognition and other data-driven processes lets it help industrial users put information from machines, remote sensors and other devices to effective, productive use. Look, for instance, at Baker Hill Industries, a Fujitsu customer that makes precision machined components for the aerospace industry and other markets. It’s using GlobeRanger to monitor operations for issues in real time. Continuous status updates alert the company to any process that’s not performing to expectations, enabling it to respond immediately with fixes and preventing lost production time. Finally, thanks to established partnerships with many other leading technology companies and a history of competency across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Fujitsu is uniquely positioned to help manufacturers in EMEA advance their Industry 4.0 ambitions quickly and successfully.
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Put together, all of these elements enable Fujitsu to deliver hyperconnected business solutions for its manufacturing clients that use market-leading products, share data effectively and securely, maintain system availability and optimize cost savings. Industry 4.0 in action Leaders in the Industry 4.0 initiative initially thought they were being over-ambitious by aiming to publish 100 use cases during the first full year of the program. By the end of 2015, however, they had assembled 203 examples of IIoT projects in action, mostly across Germany. While available technologies are continually evolving, the primary goals for such projects typically fall into several areas of innovation: more intelligently automated production processes to increase efficiencies and reduce costs, optimized integration of value chains for improved labor and asset productivity, and the introduction of smarter, value-adding services such as predictive maintenance to reduce industry downtime and other inefficiencies that can lead to lost revenues. Fujitsu is helping to bring about such benefits through digital solutions that let manufacturers, partners and customers better collect, share, understand and put to use a wide variety of data. For example, by using hyperconnected systems to gather performance data from hundreds or thousands of industrial machines used by different customers, a manufacturer of such machines can then apply advanced analytics and artificial intelligence to that data to gain insights into factors or conditions that could cause less-than-ideal performance or even machine failures. Insights like these can, in turn, allow manufacturers and their stakeholders to co-create transformational changes in how they work together. For instance, Fujitsu’s technologies can help industrial machine manufacturers to better predict optimum maintenance dates for their equipment, helping their customers to achieve maximum system availability with the fewest service calls. Such capabilities will be increasingly vital for industrial firms that want to stay competitive. IIoT solutions can also enable companies to develop innovative new services for their customers. One Fujitsu customer, an airport operator, was looking for ways to encourage airlines to use its own greener, more sustainable energy services instead of the on-board auxiliary power units (APUs) that are used to start plane engines and run electrical accessories. Fujitsu helped the airport deploy and test a sensor that uses sound to detect when an APU is in operation. 18
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By being alerted to APU use, the airport could then contact the airplane’s crew to offer an alternative power source. Having proved successful in early deployments, the system will eventually be rolled out across the entire airport. In fact, Fujitsu is now developing the system as a new product that can be offered to other airports across Europe and around the world. Yet another example of Industry 4.0 in action can be seen in a wind turbine manufacturer’s use of ultrasound photography to detect weaknesses and flaws in its products without any invasive procedures. As an expert in algorithmic image pattern recognition, Fujitsu was able to help the manufacturer reduce its average rotor-blade checking times from one-and-a-half days to just two hours. Beyond the beginning Eventually, IIoT technologies could help manufacturers create hyperconnected systems that allow them to interact with customers, suppliers, logistics companies and other partners in entirely new ways. Imagine, for example, a world in which factories of all kinds could offer one-of-a-kind products tailor-made to individual customers’ specifications, yet manufactured as quickly and inexpensively as massproduced goods. Industry 4.0 technologies and processes could make possible a much wider range of such personalized, innovative products that are customer-led. As Industry 4.0 technologies continue evolving, Fujitsu is looking to encourage wider adoption, and to help early adopters expand into newer, even more advanced applications. To help with that mission, it has launched a new Industry 4.0 Competence Center in Munich that brings together its many hyperconnected business capabilities under one roof. The center’s goal is to help manufacturing customers speed up their digital transformation efforts to ensure they can remain profitable and competitive in an ever-changing global market. “Where once the focus was on implementing technology solutions, we are now engaged in discussions about connecting and transforming entire businesses and enabling our customers to succeed in multi-company ecosystems,” said Dr. Rolf Werner, Fujitsu’s head of Central Europe. To find out how Fujitsu can help your company gain more visibility, efficiency and predictability, and to discover what a hyperconnected future can mean for your business, visit www.fujitsu.com/global.
SMART MANUFACTURING BY HANNOVER MESSE
AI Made in Germany
AI standardization roadmap recommends standards for artificial intelligence.
The German Institute for Standardization e.V. (DIN), the German Commission for Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies of DIN and VDE (DKE) and the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) recently published the AI standardization roadmap, which recommends standards for artificial intelligence. “With the AI standardization roadmap, we are implementing an essential measure of the federal government’s AI strategy. Norms and standards ensure seamless cooperation and trust in AI systems and pave the way for ‘AI – Made in Germany’,” says Peter Altmaier, Germany’s Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy.
Three-hundred experts from business, science, the public sector and civil society jointly developed the 200-page roadmap, which focuses on strengthening the German economy and science in the international competition surrounding AI. In addition, it recommends the initiation of the national “Trusted AI”, which would give Germany the chance to develop the world’s first AI certification program. The AI standardization roadmap will be updated regularly, taking into account evolving requirements. The document is available free of charge (German only) at http://din.de/go/normungsroadmapki and http://dke.de/normungsroadmap-ki .
DIGITAL ISSUE NO.02 : Apr 2021
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SMART MANUFACTURING BY FARO
FARO® Introduces BuildIT 2021 Software Suite
Simplifies Workflows and Enhances Ease for Manufacturing, Assembly & Construction
FARO Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: FARO), a global leader for 3D measurement, imaging and realization solutions, today announced the release of its most advanced BuildIT 2021 software suite, which represents the next evolution of this platform that simplifies workflows, improves performance and enhances ease of use.
BuildIT Metrology 2021 features upgrades related to four key areas, including: user experience, probing, scanning and automation: Inspection annotations – Can now be defined prior to perform any measurement and then computed and populated dynamically as new measurements are added; BuildIT offers three individual products – BuildIT Metrology, dynamic annotations are supported for points, lines and BuildIT Projector and BuildIT Construction – each designed curves, and surfaces to address the most challenging quality inspection, manufacturing and assembly or construction issues, offering FARO Laser Tracker Improvements – Integrates the most flexible and intuitive user interfaces in their the latest SDK (software development kit) to provide a respective applications. While the BuildIT 2021 suite more seamless Wi-Fi experience by handling disconnecis integrated with FARO hardware products to ensure a tions and reconnections automatically best-in-class FARO solution experience, it also delivers high-quality outcomes for non-FARO hardware products. Improved GD&T (geometric distancing & tolerancing) – Runout and total runout tolerances are now sup“The performance enhancements in BuildIT 2021 Soft- ported with any DRF file extension that frees DoF (degrees ware Suite are substantial,” said Vito Marone, FARO Senior of freedom) required for a proper evaluation of tolerances Director of Software Product Marketing. “For example, by using this significant upgrade of our BuildIT Construction Faster alignment and analyses – By trading a few software, users can complete reports in five minutes or microns in accuracy, the alignments and analyses gets a less – a process which used to take 10 minutes or more.” boost in speed between 10X to 100X 20
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Auto-complete and syntax highlighting – Are now available in the process editor to streamline writing automated processes; tooltips can also be displayed for providing documentation on the go BuildIT Projector 2021 comes complete with an enhanced user interface and includes instant projection – a feature optimized for low production environments and one-off workflows. With no planning needed, it is the fastest way to go from importing the CAD model to projection. BuildIT Projector 2021 also features the ability to: Pick Alignment Points on the Fly – The TracerSI lets you align directly to features on the part. For those workflows, all users have to do is pick an alignment point, coordinate from the CAD, aim the scanbox at it, scan, and accept if the contrast is good enough
BuildIT Construction 2021 boasts a guided user interface for concrete floor flatness analysis and an object-based analysis to simplify reporting to all stakeholders, allowing for a quick and easy comparison of what was built versus the original design. Now, users can enhance their learning curve, uncover inconsistencies, and deliver complete reports on day one using the new guided workflow. With object-based analysis, users can also verify a complete building level against the original file and uncover within minutes which elements onsite were placed beyond tolerances – all while sharing this vital information with project stakeholders in real time. Other unique value-add benefits include: Comprehensive Tank Analysis Package – Determines and identifies critical issues in the plant facility that support faster modification and renovation
Operator Gamepad Remote & Mobile Remote – One gamepad remote can control multiple projectors, allowing the operator to spend more time assembling and less time walking back and forth from the computer station. Mobile remote has several new features and contains all the controls needed to run an alignment routine
Significant Reduction in Onsite Cycle Time – From laser scan projection data preparation to 3D visualization
Unparalleled Automation – These capabilities can now be leveraged as part of a projection plan, as layers have a Layer Process property, which specifies which process should be automatically launched when the operator reaches this layer
Numerous Workflow Efficiency Improvements – Includes file size reduction, faster rendering and clipping box functionality
Streamlines Raw Scan Import Process – Feature automatically detects targets and facilitates faster alignment with the software
For more information about FARO, visit: www.faro.com.
DIGITAL ISSUE NO.02 : Apr 2021
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MACHINING BY SCHUNK
SCHUNK Application Center-CoLab In the CoLab, the new application center at the SCHUNK location in Brackenheim-Hausen, customers can now test their automation solutions realistically on 800 square meters of space and have them validated by SCHUNK experts. The focus is on new technologies and fields of application in particular. The possibilities for automation are manifold and new technologies are constantly expanding the range. Uncertainties often create hurdles that prevent users from implementing automated processes, even though great potentials lie dormant here. Is the planned cobot application feasible? Can I handle my workpiece optimally with the selected gripping solution? Is the desired cycle time achieved? In order to answer these questions more purposefully, SCHUNK is expanding its range of services with a new application center. The CoLab offers customers space to work with SCHUNK application engineers to develop the right solution for their application. To do this, the area is divided into smaller cells for lightweight construction, robots and test setups. Twelve robots and cobots help solve specific problems. “In the CoLab, we support our customers in the development of a suitable solution for their application quickly and conveniently with the help 22
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Automated handling during cleaning of titanium screws under cleanroom conditions using EGP electric gripper.
of the broad SCHUNK portfolio. Our validation process enables us to take special requirements into account and answer questions in a targeted manner,” explains Dr.-Ing. Fabian Ballier, CoLab Team Leader. The main focus will be on application fields that incorporate new SCHUNK technologies. Ballier, the Team Leader, and his colleagues provide support for applications involving the new SCHUNK ADHESO grippers and offer a test environment for magnetic grippers. The applications mostly involve lightweight robots, but it is also possible to integrate conventional robots from different manufacturers without any problems. “The CoLab offers us the opportunity to develop new fields of application together with our customers and to gain experience in the use of new technologies. Users can be impressed by the solution in advance and put it through its paces,” Ballier emphasizes. Digital meetings or webinars are also available in addition to in-person visits. If you would like to validate your automation solution in advance, you can contact your SCHUNK specialist area sales person and product sales consultant. For more information : https://schunk.com/de_en/news/highlights/reports/ Youtube : https://youtu.be/nGUU0UeE6f4
MACHINING BY SICK
SICK launches solid state safety solution for line-guided small vehicles - ScanGrid2 boosts the productivity of small autonomous AGCs thanks to safe solid state LiDAR technology
Waldkirch - The scanGrid2 safe multibeam scanner from SICK is the first of its kind in the world. The compact sensor uses a novel and in-house developed solid state LiDAR technology to increase the productivity, in particular, of small autonomous and line-guided transport vehicles, so-called Automated Guided Carts (AGCs). Certified as a Type 2 / SIL 1 safety sensor according to IEC 61496-3, the scanGrid2 can protect hazardous areas up to performance level c and can be used for collision avoidance. An app and cloning function also ensure a high level of usability and fast commissioning of the sensor solution. SICK employed its novel and in-house developed solid state LiDAR technology for the first time when developing its first scanGrid2 safe multibeam scanner. “We are seeking to offer manufacturers of autonomous and line-guided AGCs, in particular, a cost-effective safety solution that they can use to boost the productivity of their applications. Specifically, this means increasing the speed or payload of the vehicles, or being able to eliminate mechanical barriers such as fences”, explains Marco Faller, Strategic Product Manager at SICK AG. Conventional safety laser scanners are often not a suitable solution for these very simple and exceptionally cost-effective small vehicles for economic reasons. Users have therefore often been faced with the choice of limiting the speed or payload of their AGC or avoiding operating them in unfenced areas in order to minimize the risks associated with the vehicles. scanGrid2 now offers users new possibilities for successfully increasing the productivity of their small autonomous and line-guided carts. Thanks to the rapid return on investment, switching to a safety sensor is now a viable option with initial installations showing productivity increases between 50 and 70%. Reduced to the essentials, scanGrid2 offers users exactly those functions they require for safe operation: the sensor
safely detects objects of a variety of sizes within the freely configurable protective field zones, can evaluate multiple fields, and can execute configurable monitoring cases. A warning field zone extending up to four meters beyond the safe working range can be employed for non-safety actions. The solid state LiDAR technology is based on the principle of time-of-flight measurement and eliminates all moving parts. Instead, the device uses only semi-conductor elements in conjunction with geometrically arranged optics modules to span a protective field of 150 degrees. Within the defined protective field zone, scanGrid2 can solve Type 2 classified, performance level c safety requirements in the context of safety applications. App and cloning function ensure a high level of usability and fast commissioning “When it comes to the use of safety sensors, easy configuration, fast commissioning, and diagnostics are the key aspects our customers are looking for. Ensuring fast servicing also saves valuable time and money,” explains Faller. That is why SICK redesigned the configuration and diagnostics features. Besides the tried-and-proven infrastructures and tools such as the Safety Designer software, the engineers at SICK have implemented an additional Near Field Communication (NFC) interface. This, in conjunction with the Safety Assistant app, enables diagnostics to be performed on the sensor quickly and easily, e.g., via a smartphone. The advantages of this approach are also readily apparent during commissioning or servicing: sensor configurations can be transferred wirelessly and easily from one sensor to another thanks to a cloning function in the app. More information : https://www.sick.com/sg/en/
DIGITAL ISSUE NO.02 : Apr 2021
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MACHINING
How CNC Machining Companies Can Survive And Thrive During The Pandemic
The global Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 changed the world. For many businesses, it brought unforeseen problems and unexpected hazards. The pandemic’s effect was uneven; some industries escaped relatively unscathed (outdoor activities) and some even thrived (online shopping) while others, such as traditional manufacturing, witnessed a serious downturn. To survive the pandemic and even find a measure of success in the middle of it, businesses needed to learn how to pivot. This meant finding a new market, or a new product, or a new area of focus that was seeing increased demand during the pandemic. Pivoting an existing business is a tall order; try something too radical, and the burden on the business will be too much. But if you don’t pivot quickly enough, you risk losing out on a chance to keep your business going and even thriving. CNC machining companies face a similar choice. As the pandemic continues, machine shop owners need to determine where to focus their efforts. Fortunately, while traditional manufacturing – the mainstay of work for most machining hubs and machine shops – suffered
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a serious setback, other sectors witnessed increased demand for CNC-machined parts. A setback By some estimates, reduced manufacturing industry output resulted in over $200 billion lost in 2020, in China, India, Japan, and the US alone. That figure, while serious enough, was much lower than expected at one point during the pandemic. Most countries recovered or are recovering their manufacturing demand quite quickly, a point that bodes well for CNC machining businesses down the road. Nevertheless, a $200 billion downturn is a serious blow. As factories shut and shops closed, demand from the manufacturing sector for CNC machining services took an expected tumble. However, while manufacturing demand fell, another sector saw a sky rocketing need for CNC services, providing an opportunity for CNC machining to offset losses in one sector with gains elsewhere.
Emerging opportunities
Setting the stage for post-pandemic
From respirators to advanced laboratory equipment, the demand for high-end healthcare devices exploded. US states spent over $7 billion on a range of medical equipment and devices in spring 2020 alone, a number that was surely spent several times over throughout the course of the year. Much of that equipment relies on high-end precision machining. Just in the area of vaccine development, the federal government sank over $10 billion into six vaccine candidates. That money was spent to support researchers and the labs in which they worked, equipping those labs with the latest high-end medical research equipment. That equipment, including devices such as centrifuges, might require tolerances as low as 0.0002” in order to achieve the desired accuracy. Creating equipment with such narrow tolerances requires advanced CNC machining centers. Successful CNC shops have pivoted to meet that demand. Machining parts to produce advanced medical equipment doesn’t require additional equipment; it’s a simple matter of conforming to certain ISO standards and then acquiring the right contracts.Machine shops create parts that are especially important for the pharma industry. Centrifuges, cooling towers, dryers, and inspection equipment are all produced with CNC machined parts. That equipment played a vital role in the eventual production of the various Covid-19 vaccines in the latter part of 2020.
Moving out of the pandemic, what’s the path forward for machining companies? Companies that have pivoted to provide parts and equipment for the medical and pharma industries are likely to see continued demand. At the same time, traditional manufacturing should see continued growth as countries come out of the pandemic. This sets the stage for renewed growth in 2021 and beyond, as manufacturing levels slowly climb back to pre-pandemic levels. That growth is expected to take some time, especially as companies try to diversify and keep an eye on the next potential disaster. Even the process of disruption-proofing the manufacturing sector offers potential opportunities for savvy machining companies. One of the primary focuses of a disruption-proof manufacturing sector is expected to be an emphasis on digital technologies. Those technologies include techniques such as digital twins, virtual blueprints that work to model how a part or tool will work in the real world. The technology behind digital twins also integrates well with existing CNC technology. With a digital blueprint, CNC programmers can create G-code programs for new parts more intelligently and easily. Digital blueprints continued improvement to existing CNC technologies, emerging tech such as 3D printers, and a host of other CNC-related improvements will result in continued opportunities for machining companies to survive and thrive in the post-pandemic world. DIGITAL ISSUE NO.02 : Apr 2021
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INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY BY SIKO
New flexCoder sensors for robotics and handling automation New developments in robotics, automation and many other rotative applications are aiming for ever more compact designs and often cannot be implemented using the standard components available on the market. To prevent restricting the scope of design for the customer, SIKO offers a new flexCoder technology – an encoder system comprising a sensor and rule that can be adapted to the position and shape of the application.
as it is switched on. For this the SSI interface and the established motor feedback interface, BiSS-C are used. Optionally, the analog real-time signal output can be provided with sin/cos signals 1 Vss.
flexCoder technology The flexibility of adaptation of flexCoder technology allows it to be built exactly into the customer’s design. The key factor is that both the sensor and the rule can be adapted. The available SIKO standard can also be applied by a magnet ring or encoder. This allows, for example, the compact sensor mount to be adopted, and modification is required only to the attachment of the rule on the customer’s shaft. With other applications, a standard SIKO magnet ring is used and the mounting of the flexible sensor array and the evaluation and interface electronics are adapted to the customer’s specific fixing options in the housing. Since the electronics can be both bent and stacked, integration can be very compact. Thanks to these adaptations to the encoder and rule with regard to the shaft diameter and the fixing options available, the application can be designed more compactly and more uncompromisingly.
A further special feature of the MSAC200 is its high installation tolerances. The distance between the sensor and the rule is ≤0.6 mm, and the axial tolerances are of the order of ±0.2 mm. This makes the construction of the complete system easier and allows use in dynamic applications.
Custom solutions – flexible and quickly realized SIKO has the advantage that in-house technologies can be drawn on for both the rule technology and the electronics. The realization time in which the system is customized to the customer specification is planned skillfully. From the idea through to the series solution, the project is implemented directly and in short time intervals. High-resolution, absolute – technical performance The MSAC200 issues absolute position feedback as soon 26
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With ring diameters from 44 mm, an absolute resolution of up to 21 bits is achieved. The high repeat accuracy of 0.01° allows precision positioning at all times.
Target applications The MSAC200 is ideally suited for use in applications in which both high resolution and precision are accompanied by the need for flexible adaptation to the customer’s design. These requirements apply to motor feedback, to handling and assembly automation, and to robotic systems. MSAC200 profile: Customer-specific ring diameter and type. Integration into small installation space Absolute resolution of up to 21 bits Repeatability 0.01° Sensor/ring distance ≤0.6 mm BiSS-C and SSI interfaces Optional analogue real-time signal output sin/cos 1 Vss for industrial and medical applications, e.g. for motor feedback, handling automation and robotics Product page: www.siko-global.com/p/msac200 Author: Mr. Lutz Kettenhofen, MagLine Sales Engineer
AG03/1
Compact positioning drive with IO-Link Communication right to the cloud In the Industry 4.0 (smart factory) environment it is often not enough to exchange pure process data; rather, the communication must also enable values to be retrieved for diagnostic purposes, such as final stage temperature, motor current, and various voltage values. The electronic type plate further offers clear identification of the unit type, plus the serial number and the hardware and software versions, which also facilitates planning of maintenance intervals. When formats are changed on production machines such as packaging machines, labelers, textile machines, printing machines or wood-processing machines, precise and reproducible positioning is always crucial. As well as optimizing machine setup times, fully automated positioning drives can prevent incorrect settings, which in turn prevents waste and damage. SIKO positioning drives can do all this by design, but are now available for the first time ever with an IO-Link interface. For example, the new AG03/1 IO-Link positioning drive. Plug & Play with IO-Link The AG03/1 positioning drive enables fast integration via a point-to-point connection using simple I/O connection technology. Thanks to the open, manufacturer-independent standard of the IO-Link interface, convenient integration options are available for machine control systems from all leading providers. IO-Link master components can be used to network multiple devices on a modular basis. This reduces complexity and cabling outlay as well as the costs involved in commissioning. The standardized wiring, combined with additional diagnostic features, improves serviceability and reduces downtimes in the event of errors. The IO-Link master allows parameter data to be read from a field device, stored, and loaded onto a new device of the same type when the old one is replaced – even while theprocess is still running.
Condition monitoring and predictive maintenance SIKO positioning drives provide specific data via the IO-Link interface, so that it can be used for tasks such as condition monitoring and predictive maintenance in centralized, higher-level systems, in some cases in the cloud. With the open IO-Link standard, a wide range of network components from various manufacturers is available so that seamless communication can be realized from the field level up to the cloud, securely and simply. All-round solution for minimum installation spaces Even with axle spacings of just 37 mm, the two adjacent AG03/1 positioning drives do not interfere with each other and so can be used with axles that are very closely positioned to one another. Integrated with the positioning drive in a compact housing just 80 mm deep is the position measuring system, all the control electronics, and the IO-Link interface. 50W drive for a wide spectrum of applications The brushless 24V EC motor has an output of 50W, is not subject to wear and so offers a long service life. Yet its 3.2 Nm of torque and its maximum speed of up to 100 rpm ensure top performance for adjustments of formats, stops, and tools. The absolute magnetic measuring system, with 1600 steps per revolution, outputs position values with high resolution – over the entire travel path of ±6250 revolutions. Accordingly, reference movements on drive startup are no longer necessary. Further, the magnetic measuring system has proven to be resistant to dirt, moisture, shock, and vibrations. Profile Integrated IO-Link interface, M12 connection technology Supply via IO-Link master or separately Compact design, hence space-saving and easy to install Hollow shaft throughout up to max. ø14 mm Brushless 50 W, 24 V EC motor with long lifespan Integrated power and control electronics with protection against wrong polarity and overload Integrated absolute position encoder on the drive shaft Author: Mr. Jürgen Schuh, DriveLine product manager DIGITAL ISSUE NO.02 : Apr 2021
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ASSOCIATION
Hildegard Muller:
European Commission's new trade strategy brings opportunities for German automotive industry VDA welcomes commitment to open markets – Opportunities for the automotive sector – Implement trade agreements now the European Commission published a communication on the EU’s new trade policy. The German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) welcomes its clear signals concerning multilateral cooperation, free and fair world trade and sustainable growth.
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“The new alignment of European trade policy can contribute greatly to a sustainable growth model consistent with European business interests by providing clear guidelines,” said VDA President Hildegard Müller. The new strategy shows, according to Müller, that the European Commission was rightly adding sustainability and fairness to its free trade and globalization agenda. In addition, it aimed for a “level playing field” with appropriate countermeasures permitted to tackle cases of unfair competition.
Müller continued: “However, it is important that the new alignment does not lead to protectionist measures. An impact assessment should therefore be undertaken for each measure.” Furthermore, given the economic impacts of the corona pandemic Müller sees the Commission’s new strategy as sending out an important signal in times of global uncertainties, increasing trade disputes and growing unilateralism. The European Commission was right to emphasize that other countries would also have to take on greater obligations within the international trade rules, for example as set out in the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment reached between the EU and China. “The new trade strategy sets priorities and provides impetus. The Commission is underscoring the topics relevant to the automotive sector, from the need to reform the WTO and sustainability in supply chains, to digitization and the protection of intellectual property, and all the way to the important regulatory dialog with key trading partners,” the VDA president explained. The strategy can have a first concrete application in rebuilding the transatlantic relationship. The VDA therefore supported the commitment to the WTO and the will to contribute its reform. Its Appellate Body had
to be made fully functional again as quickly as possible. “With a new EU trade strategy, the reform commitment from the new Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and the new US administration, the main framework is now in place for reforming the WTO,” Hildegard Müller said. She added that also from a development-policy viewpoint, the VDA welcomed the measures listed in the EU’s trade strategy for continuing to expand partnerships with emerging continents and economic regions such as Africa and Asia. The VDA was actively involved in shaping these approaches and supported interregional economic cooperation in the auto industry, e.g. through partnerships with its sister associations in Africa and India. The agreements with major trading partners such as Mercosur should also be partnerships benefiting all the members and should foster sustainable development. VDA President Hildegard Müller now wishes to see courageous and responsible progress: “Agreements that have already been negotiated should now be ratified so that Europe does not lose credibility.” For More Information : https://www.vda.de/en/press/press-releases.html
DIGITAL ISSUE NO.02 : Apr 2021
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ASIA UPDATE
How will automation
affect workers in Asia? With about 1 million robots in use in Asia, robotics and automation mean economic risks and growth opportunities for the region. For Asia to fully reap this digital opportunity as the world’s main engine of growth, countries need to revamp their education systems and invest in innovation to support a workforce for humans and robots alike.
As our chart of the week from the last Regional Economic Outlook: Asia Pacific shows, Asia is at the forefront of automation with an estimated 65 percent of the world’s total industrial robot usage for 2017. In Asia, China is now the single biggest user of these robots with an estimated 50 percent of the region’s total industrial robot usage, followed by Korea and Japan.
As digital technologies like artificial intelligence transform business models, the rise of industrial robot usage—robot- It comes as no surprise then that Asia, with all these robots, ics used for manufacturing, for example in welding—in Asia has the highest robot density, which is the number of insignals a change is underway. dustrial robots per 10,000 workers. Korea and Singapore are global leaders in robot density, followed by Germany and Japan.
‘‘
More complex work that could only be done by humans can now be done by machines.
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Further, Asia may be the global leader in employing industrial robots, but it is also the region with the highest robot production—Japan and Korea are the world’s top two producers, with market shares of 52 and 12 percent, respectively.
Robot takeover
Digital divide vs. digital dividend With more than half of the world’s estimated stock of The movement towards more automation and digitalization industrial robots in use, Asia’s investments in robotics show may bring global economic challenges, but it also provides how crucial the automation of production is for the region’s opportunities for Asia to bolster its economy and reap the digital dividend-the economic benefits that come from going economies. digital. Yet, automation and digitalization are not new. Recent advances in computing power and powerful data generation equip To maintain its global competitiveness and to keep the world’s robotics with more cognitive capability, such as the latest main engine of growth running, Asia’s policymakers need generation of robots that can collect data to adapt their move- to tackle disruptions caused by automation and robots by ments in real time. This means that more complex work that supporting job creation without stifling innovation. This fine could only be done by humans can now be done by machines. balance is easier said than done, but policies that can help include: This trend could mean trouble for workers in Asia where Equipping job seekers with globally competitive relatively low-cost and low-skilled labor has been the basis for skillsets by revamping education the region’s role as “the factory to the world.” More robots Investing in physical and regulatory infrastructure than humans doing technical work may bring down the cost of business, including labor costs, significantly. As a result, that supports entrepreneurship, innovation, and competiworkers are displaced as producers are more likely to employ tion; and Addressing labor-market and social challenges, inrobots that cost less and perform more effectively, rather cluding income redistribution and safety nets. than having to pay wages. For more information : https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/09/ chart-of-the-week-invest-in-robots-and-people-in-asia
DIGITAL ISSUE NO.02 : Apr 2021
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EVENT CALENDAR
Hannover Messe
The Canadian Mining Expo
Made In Steel
12 - 16 Apr 2021
26 - 28 May 2021
Hanover, Germany
Fiera Milano, Rho, Italy
https://www.hannovermesse.de/de/
https://www.madeinsteel.it/en/
Deutsche Messe AG
Made In Steel Srl
INT
SteelFab
INT
INT
INT
01 - 03 Jun 2021 McIntyre Community Centre, Timmins, Canada https://canadianminingexpo.co Canadian Trade-Ex
INT
INT
Japan Robot Week
MTA Vietnam
7 - 10 Jun 2021
7 - 10 Jul 2021
8 - 11 June 2021
Expo Centre Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center
Aichi Sky Expo, Tokoname, Japan
https://www.steelfabme.com
http://mtavietnam.com/vi-vn/
https://biz.nikkan.co.jp/eve/s-robot/
Expo Centre Sharjah
Informa Markets - Vietnam
Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun Ltd.
INT
Metef 2021
INT
TH
NEPCON Thailand 2021
Metal & Steel Exhibition
10 - 12 June 2021
17 - 19 Jun 2021
23 - 26 June 2021
Bolognafiere, Italy
Egypt International Exhibition Center
BiTEC Bangkok, Thailand
https://www.metef.com/
www.mra-asia.com Arabian German for Exhibitions & Publishing S.A.E
www.nepconthailand.com
Veronafiere
TH
Manufacturing Expo
Reed Tradex
INT
TH
Asean Robomation Expo
ALUMINIUM CHINA
23 - 26 June 2021
23 - 26 June 2021
7-9 July 2021
BiTEC Bangkok, Thailand
BiTEC Bangkok, Thailand
Shanghai New International Expo Centre
www.manufacturing-expo.com
www.rex-expo.com
www.aluminiumchina.com/
Reed Tradex
Reed Tradex
Reed Exhibitions (China) Ltd.
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