Smart Manufacturing Today

How new technology is changing market research

-Bill McMurray, Managing Director, Asia Pacific and Japan, Qualtrics The rapid evolution of technologies such as mobility, data analytics, and cloud computing, is changing the way organisations gain insight into their markets. This technology is making it easier for manufacturers to accelerate business decisions through insight gained from market research platforms. Of all the new technology making market research faster and more effective, mobility is one of the most important. Thanks to mobility, manufacturers researching their markets and products now have easier access to more detailed market feedback. With more than half of the New Zealand public now claiming access to the internet via smartphones, according to Nielsen’s 2015 New Zealand Multi-Screen report, mobile technology can give manufacturers a broad scope for connecting with consumers. The saturation of mobile devices also provides a useful mechanism to collect data in real-time with visual images and other multi-media content. This lets manufacturers monitor behaviour as it occurs, providing the opportunity to test or adapt products and services, marketing, and strategies instantly. Mobility, social media, and website intercepts provide increasingly-flexible platforms to find the right engagement methodology. Qualtrics recommends manufacturers consider six key elements of effective market research: Defined objectives Defining objectives is the first step to determining what the business wants to get out of the research, which questions to ask, and who should be involved in the process. If businesses don’t take time to work out their objectives, they may waste valuable resources without gaining any improvements. Include necessary definitions Not everybody understands certain titles and terms in the same way. To ensure all customers are on the same page and the results are accurate, businesses should include definitions at the beginning of the research survey, or attached to individual questions, depending on the layout of the survey. Make surveys easily […]

3D happy with EMEX

“We have been exhibiting at Emex for the past five years, with good results. However this year we had an outstanding success with multiple large orders for our new UP BOX 3d printers. The UP BOX allows customers to 3d print in a multitude of industry plastics, including wood! ” -Bruce Jackson, 3D Printing Systems https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSV1mpVnSUw

NZ manufacturing start-up bucking convention, taking on the world

Manufacturing is in decline in much of the Western world. However, New Zealand-owned start-up PGE Injection Moulding is bucking this trend. The company is already exporting its expertise with its first products being used in marine safety applications by a US-based company. Established three years ago, PGE specialises in titanium injection moulding – a complex method with few competitors in the global market. Titanium is very light but also very strong, making titanium alloys ideal metals for many manufacturing projects. However, titanium alloys are also very expensive. Rather than using solid titanium, PGE uses titanium powder for easy transportation and far less waste. “Titanium is expensive but has such strength and versatility that if you can nail titanium injection moulding you can lead the market in high-value industries such as aeronautical, health and marine,” said Brian Breading, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer for PGE. “While our competitors typically make parts up to 20 grams in weight we can build parts up to 120 grams creating more opportunities in larger scale manufacturing.” PGE took two-and-a-half years to perfect its process. The company uses 3D design software SOLIDWORKS to handle the design of the parts and moulds. PGE is working with Intercad, the largest reseller of SOLIDWORKS solutions in New Zealand and Australia, for specialist technical support and to provide flow simulation services. One of the critical parts of the process in injection moulding is the creation of a mould which will maintain the integrity of the titanium part during the sintering process. During sintering, the moulded titanium part – which is actually a mixture of titanium powder, wax and other elements – is removed from the mould and heated to a point where those other elements melt away leaving the pure titanium part. If the mould is not designed correctly it […]

Networked Manufacturing

– Dieter Adam, CEO of the NZMEA The next wave of technological developments, described as Industry 4.0, have the potential to substantially change the nature of manufacturing, around the world and in New Zealand. Though its future and realities are uncertain, it could represent huge opportunities for those who can leverage technology, and risks if we cannot keep up. Take networked manufacturing. At the core of this is the idea that the physical elements on the factory floor – machines, tools, transportation systems and products are all networked; they can send data to a central control point and to each other and receive instructions from a central control point and from each other. Centralised monitoring and control of production equipment is not new – the interconnectivity of all elements and the potential to process and learn from large amounts of data, however, is new. This technology could give manufacturers the ability to monitor and record the performance of pretty much any tool or machinery on a production line in terms of each individual action. Beyond the immediate quality control, this will allow far-reaching retrospective analyses of potential mechanical failure when the cause of a vehicle accident is investigated, for example. Other uses could include fully autonomous local logistics, self-managing the flow of materials through a process line and factory, or physically attaching further-processing instructions to semi-finished products on a line (via RFID) to allow automatic variations within the production process. It will provide more flexibility to use input from other parties to define customisation without having to manually change tools or adjust production lines. At the macro level (systems level), Big Data systems will allow the analysis of ever more complex sets of data to identify and predict the occurrence of (rare) events. One of the most potent Big Data […]

Solid Edge ST9 software provides new cloud capabilities

The latest release of Siemens’ Solid Edge software (Solid Edge ST9) for mainstream computer-aided design (CAD) provides flexible and easy access to the full capabilities of Solid Edge with cloud-based licensing, user preferences, and collaboration tools. In addition, the new built-in data management capabilities, with zero IT support requirements, enable users to easily index their CAD models, while the new migration tools enable rapid conversion of legacy design data from virtually any CAD system. For more comprehensive data management capabilities, Solid Edge ST9 facilitates an easy upgrade to Siemens’ Teamcenter portfolio, the world’s most widely used digital lifecycle management software. Solid Edge ST9 also offers significantly enhanced integration with Teamcenter to help simplify completion of critical data management tasks. New cloud capabilities provide faster and more flexible deployment options, improved user access and collaboration across remote designs teams. Licenses and user preferences can be stored on the cloud enabling users to access their personal environment anytime and anywhere. Solid Edge ST9 also adds data storage options via cloud-enabled vaulting so users can store and share design data in a controlled manner with external suppliers and customers, using popular software like Dropbox, OneDrive® software, Google Drive™ online storage service and Box. While this allows users to efficiently work online, the option to work locally, i.e. offline, is always available. “In my business I need the flexibility to quickly access my design projects wherever I am located,” said Craig Hall, Owner, Hall Designs. “Cloud based access to both my CAD software license and my user preferences for Solid Edge will save me a lot of time as I move from workstation to working remotely on my tablet.” Implementing Solid Edge has never been faster or easier. Solid Edge ST9 provides the industry’s most flexible licensing options. This combined with new cloud-enabled options […]

Five steps to protecting Industrial Internet of Things infrastructure

1. Implement layer-7 inspection technologies for improved visibility Granular visibility of ICS protocols is a helpful step to increasing intelligence over data traffic. Linking this visibility to users and inspecting file-bearing applications is an essential part of this process. Next-generation firewalls employing advanced deep-packet inspection technology can help to deliver this capability. 2. Apply zero-trust network segmentation It is important to apply zero-trust rules with access allowed on a ‘least privilege’ basis, where users are given access only to the systems they need to carry out their duties. This approach can result in a marked reduction in the number of vectors that can be used by an attacker, while also providing better correlation between user and application. 3. Use modern tools for preventing zero-day attacks So-called zero-day attacks exploit previously unknown vulnerabilities in computer code to breach systems. Tools that can detect and prevent such threats at both the network and the endpoint levels are now essential for protection. A combination of malware ‘sandboxing’ solutions and advanced endpoint protection technology can help reduce the success of such attacks. 4. Secure mobile and virtual environments Mobile devices should be checked for proper configuration before being allowed to access the network and, once on the network, applications should be limited to reduce the potential attack vectors. For virtual environments, virtualised firewall technology should be used to provide better visibility to data traffic. 5. Use a cohesive security platform Many legacy ICS environments don’t have adequate security, and those that do often use security systems with point solution architecture. This can hamper performance, incident response, and administration. Next-generation firewall architecture, on the other hand, along with new models of centrally-connected endpoint security measures, support optimal operation and threat detection.

Motion Analyzer web tool helps design control systems

Rockwell Automation has rebuilt Motion Analyzer software as a Web tool. The tool offers new user-friendly features and a vastly expanded product catalog to help engineers more easily specify, design and validate complete motion control systems. The Motion Analyzer Web tool is cloud-based, allowing users to access, update and collaborate on projects stored in a single location, reducing version control issues and the need to share project files back and forth. A cloud-based platform also means users are no longer limited by the processing speed of their computers when designing systems for more complex applications. The tool’s new browser-style format allows users to filter, review and compare products and general pricing, similar to search capabilities on popular e-commerce sites. “Incorrectly sizing a motion system not only generates unnecessary costs in wasted engineering time and re-stocking fees, but it can greatly slow a machine’s time-to-market,” said Gavin Black, product manager CompactLogix, SLC, Kinetix Motion, Rockwell Automation. “The latest Motion Analyzer release is an evolution of the platform that is more collaborative, expansive and easy to use. When engineers can quickly create and examine complete motion control systems within a single platform, they can spend more time innovating and improving their machines.” The Motion Analyzer Web tool provides machine builders access to a wider range of motion control products than ever before. It now incorporates products from nine Rockwell Automation PartnerNetwork Encompass product partners, including STOBER Drives, NIDEC-SHIMPO, item North America, Tolomatic, Nook Industries, WITTENSTEIN, Exlar Corporation, Bonitron and Elwood Corporation. “Collaboration between various disciplines among machine builders and automation solution providers is critical to lower the Total Cost to Design, Develop and Deliver equipment,” said Clayton Webber, STOBER Drives. “Having mechatronic solutions up-to-date in the cloud establishes Motion Analyzer as a differentiator in machine design. STOBER and Rockwell Automation are striving […]

Streetscape Kumutoto Toilet Structure [Img-011]

Distributed design is now the norm: Why CAD must evolve to support it

By Jon Hirschtick The wide-bodied Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a long-range passenger plane designed for comfort. The celebrated aircraft’s unique features include: more headroom (higher ceilings and overhead luggage bins), more legroom, a “comfier recline,” 21% more fuel efficiency, bigger windows and “infinity mood lighting.” When the first Dreamliner came off the production line on July 8, 2007 (not coincidentally “07-08-07”), there was much industry fanfare. Boeing hired former NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw to host a red carpet affair for 15,000 employees and even commissioned a Dreamliner theme song. Chief rival Airbus graciously sent a congratulatory letter to Boeing, declaring it “a great day in aviation history.” But beyond the funky mood lighting and more comfortable coach experience, the Dreamliner represented a landmark moment in distributed design. Instead of building a complete aircraft under one roof, the 787 would have its major components designed and built in many different factories spread across the globe. The cargo doors, for example, would come from Saab in Sweden; engine parts from Rolls-Royce in England; and wing sections from Mitsubishi in Japan. In total, 17 design teams in 10 countries would play a major role. On a varying scale, Boeing’s distributed design and manufacturing chain shift has become the norm rather than the exception. As the lead founder of SolidWorks and now as the lead founder of Onshape, I’ve spent a tremendous amount of time visiting CAD customers and have witnessed some dramatic changes in the way product ideas become a reality. Three profound things have happened to design teams, most noticeably over the past decade: Teams have become highly fragmented. There used to be a team in one location for design and another location for manufacturing. That same product might now be built by 20 different fragments of teams. Teams have become […]

Multisensor apparatus for 3D measurement

Industry 4.0 has imposed a great demand on in-situ and/or inprocess production measurement in manufacturing environments. This portable multisensor apparatus provides a novel solution which makes use of a wide range of motion axes of machine tools and a motion sensor to assist the position estimation of laser scanners to perform holistic surface scanning and reconstruction without the need to interface with and assess the coordinate information of the motion axes of machine tools. This innovative concept makes the apparatus portable for different types of machine tools which provide a wide range of potential industrial applications. Special Features and Advantages • This portable multisensory apparatus consists of a motion sensor and a laser scanner to perform holistic surface scanning • In-situ HDR 3D measurement with a large measurement range and a high resolution becomes feasible without the need to interface with the motion control system of machine tools Applications • Portable apparatus for in-situ 3D measurement on various machine tools, e.g. CNC machine tools, 3D printers, etc. • In-process metrology for workpieces not amenable for offline measurement • Robotic arms for production automation • Automatic inspection on production lines • Multi-sensor measurement probes for Coordinate Measurement Machines (CMM)

Defining the IoT

-Dr. Hai Wang, Senior Vice President, Technology & Operations, NXP Semiconductors. At NXP, we believe that we are entering a new era of computing technology that many are calling the Internet of Things (IoT). We see the IoT as billions of smart, connected “things” (a sort of “universal global neural network” in the cloud) that will encompass every aspect of our lives, and its foundation is the intelligence that embedded processing provides. IoT is made up of smart machines interacting and communicating with other machines, objects, environments and infrastructures. As a result, huge volumes of data are being generated, and that data is being processed into useful actions that can “command and control” things to make our lives much easier and safer—and to reduce humanity’s impact on the environment. How would IoT affect people and businesses now and in the future? IoT affects individuals, businesses large and small as well as industries. Today there are an estimated 2.9 billion people online, or 40% of the world’s population. Analysts expect that as nations and technology develop, 50% of the world’s population could be online by 2017. We could see up to 30 billion connected devices in coming years, three times more than today’s 10 billion connected devices. The major impact of IoT will be in consumer and business sectors, security and safety, education and healthcare, as well as in governments and policy shaping. What benefits do NXP Smart Solutions bring to businesses? A critical value that NXP brings is secure connectivity solutions. In fact, NXP is currently the world’s leader in secure connectivity solutions for embedded applications, enabling secure connections and infrastructure for a smarter world. Our solutions work behind the scenes, helping partners in the global ecosystem as they work to are create and deliver complete hardware and software solutions […]

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