Volume 9 Issue 10 May 2013 Pages 60 `100
Technology to power your innovation drive! COMET L3D The new dimension of efficient 3D data acquisition from Steinbichler
The Road this Far Quality Innovations in the World Automotive Industry Changing the tide during economic slowdown Advances in seat control systems for the commercial vehicle sector Integrated Industry – rallying call for the fourth industrial revolution Preventing shut downs and fires The Bigger Game for Global Business Why You Should Be Measuring Time to Utility for Your Product
The Journey Ahead
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May 2013
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May 2013
Continuing the market conditions from last fiscal, the first month of the current financial year started with decline for the auto industry, specially the passenger cars, sales falling below 7%, after almost a decade. Last year the SUV segment geared the auto sales and that is facing a decline with the increase of excise duty on SUV effective, April 2013. Now automobile majors are initiating measures to keep the production and inventory on control. The commercial vehicle sector witnessed mixed response from the market with Tata Motors posting 5% growth while a 7% decline in sales for Eicher Motors. However the two wheeler industries have shown positive results by a growth of almost 3% during last month. The two major achievers in this growth, Honda Motorcycle and Scooters India growing by over 30%, and with the new scooter Ray, Yamaha Motor India posted a growth of over 33%. With petrol prices coming down and diesel subsidies getting reduced, the demand for petrol cars are expected to grow, which in turn will help the segment to recover.
Foreword
Dear Readers,
Indian Automotive Industry looks to gain momentum by focusing on costeffective solutions. Raghuram N M the Country Manager of Steinbichler India pens down an article about the solutions to overcome the current economic slowdown by effectively using their solutions. Steinbichler Vision System India is a fully owned subsidiary of Steinbichler Optotechnik GmbH Germany, a worldwide leading supplier of optical measuring and sensor technology. An interview with Raghuram is featured in the Leader Speak Column. From this issue, MART is beginning a new column called Tomasz’s Corner by Tomasz Tunguz. Tomasz is a venture capitalist at Redpoint Ventures, an IT venture fund with offices in Silicon Valley, China and Brazil. The regular column of P S Satish about Managing a SME in India talks about the necessity of Information Technology in an SME today to be competitive. There are no doubts for the government, private sector or an individual about the measures we should take, when it comes to protect our environment. Grow-trees.com makes this simple by their solution of planting trees and nurturing them. Within 3 years of operations, Grow-Trees.com has planted over 438,000 trees on public and community lands across India in 11 different projects. We feature them in our Green In segment this edition. Apart from our regular contents, in this edition of MART, we have featured an article by Manisha Dahad and Jackie Thoms on social responsibility. We wish you a great manufacturing and selling for the next one month, till we reach to you with the June edition of MART. Do write to us how we can serve you better. Keep changing with MART.
Hari Shanker Managing Editor
The growth of the automotive sector in independent India has been remarkable. With early players like Hindustan Motors, TATA Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Ashok Leyland and Bajaj initiated a strong manufacturing base, the joint venture of Indian Government with Suzuki revolutionized the vehicle market in our country. Today, almost all major automobile giants in the world have their own manufacturing facility, or a joint venture, or an assembling unit. Some of the Indian manufactures already expanded their sales network across the subcontinent with growing demand for Indian vehicles. In the cover article this edition, our Assistant Editor Nilanjan Mitra goes in deep about the drastic changes automobile manufacturing witnessed as well as the opportunities it offer in the future.
Cover Feature 8
Volume 9 Issue 11 May 2013
The Road this Far, The Journey Ahead
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Quality Innovations in the World Automotive Industry
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Changing the tide during economic slowdown
Annual Subscription `1200 Member INS Managing Editor Hari Shanker hari@martinfotech.in +91 9743 181818 Associate Editor Hiya Chakrabarti hiya@martinfotech.in +91 9038 104104 Editorial Advisory Board
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Advances in seat control systems for the commercial vehicle sector
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Leader Speak
J R Mahajan LD Bhakre Mahesh R P
Raghuram N M Country Manager, Steinbichler India
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Off Beat Preventing shut downs and fires
The Bigger Game for Global Business
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Demand for Machine Tools lacks Momentum
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Plant trees with a few clicks!
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Managing a SME in India
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Why You Should Be Measuring Time to Utility for Your Product
Fair Mart 24
Integrated Industry rallying call for the fourth industrial revolution
Articles
Sandhya Lal
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P S Satish
Tomasz Tunguz
Mart Update
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The Last Leaf
The new generation of micro-chains
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VHX-2000 – Super Resolution Digital Microscope with Automated Measurements
42 44 45 48
Nilanjan Mitra
Content Editor
V Viswanath
Art & Creative
Pradeep Jayaprakash Avijit Kar
Accounts Suresh accounts@martinfotech.in
Columns Manisha Dahad and Jackie Thoms
Siji Nair
Assistant Editor
Creative Assistant
FLIR T440 thermal imaging camera: a perfect tool for electrical inspections
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A S Shetty Saravjit Singh Manoj Kabre P S Satish
The measuring machine element Measuring systems with IO-Lin Lighter Marking Gun is as Robust and Easy to Handle
46 New Beyond EADE™ Solid Ceramic
Endmills from Kennametal
Manager Customer Support
Prathibha Prakash +91 9964 181818
Regional Directors
Ahmedabad
Narendra Vora +91 8734999636
Bangalore
John Heston +91 98451 42405
Chennai
Balu G +91 9840918972
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Sujit Kumar +91 9871646163
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Jeetender M Daundkar +91 9822287560 MediaMart Infotech Corp Off: No:217, 3B Main, OMBR Layout, Bangalore – 560 043 Admn Off: 4/155, Paschim Putiary Kolkata - 700 041 Email: info@martinfotech.in
Tel: +91 9038309307/ 8553012371
Edited, Printed, Published and Owned by Hari Shanker A G and Printed by him at Lotus Printers Private Limited, No:32/25, 2nd Main Road, Sir M V Industrial Town, WOC Road, Bangalore – 560 044 and Published from No: 217, 3B Main, OMBR Layout, Bangalore – 560 043. Industrial Business Mart is a monthly journal published from Bangalore. Views and opinions expressed in the journal are not necessarily those of the Publishers. Industrial Business Mart reserves the right to use the information published here in any manner whatsoever. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information published in this edition, neither the Publisher no any of its employees accept any responsibilities for any errors or omissions. © Reserved 6 All Rights www.ibmart.in
May 2013
COVER FEATURE
Nilanjan Mitra editor@martinfotech.in
The Road this Far, The Journey Ahead Since the last two decades the traffic on Indian road and the market’s demand has increased exponentially. With an upwardly mobile consumer base and global brands setting up manufacturing units in India, how is the automobile manufacturing sector fairing? By the turn of the century, the wind fall in India’s economy had started gathering force propelling the great Indian business dream in cruise control. As intended by the policy makers of 1991 the nation was posited in the arena of global business and commerce triggered by economic reforms. The new millennium rolled in and the results reflected by empirical figures in GDP growth rate, from an abysmal 1.1% in 1991 to comfortable 7.9% in 2003, were bearing out an evident turn towards positive ends both in political and public life. Harking back to the years of the early eighties, the foundation of Indian
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automobile industry’s success story was led with the establishment of Maruti Udhyog Ltd, a collaboration between the Government of India and Suzuki Motors of Japan, to make a Rs.50,000 people’s car. Production commenced in 1983 with the Maruti 800, based on the Suzuki Alto, for a market henceforth dominated by the Ambassador and Premier Padmini. Also during this decade Japanese companies were allowed to enter into collaboration with Indian companies for the manufacture of Light Commercial Vehicles by the Government of India. These collaborations resulted in the manufacture of LCVs under
the brand names DCM-Toyota, EicherMitsubishi, Swaraj-Mazda and AllwynNissan. Flashing forward, the climate of liberalization conducive to investment of private domestic and foreign players boosted the sectors that had for long remained in an embryonic state or were hardly explored viz., manufacturing, banking and finance, information technology, infrastructure, power, outsourcing services and retail. The implicit and explicit changes triggered by their flourish could well be noted in the social scenario of India through the May 2013
2007
BMW India Pvt Ltdis a 100% subsidiary of the BMW Group
1999
TKMPL, a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation, Japan, with Kirloskar Group as a minority owner
Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) Santro launched
1998
GMIPL. A 50-50 JV between Hindustan Motors and General Motors. Poduction of Opel cars in Halol
1996
Honda Siel Cars India Ltd - JV between Honda Motor Company and Usha International of SiddharthShriram Group
1995
Ford India Private Limited. A 50-50 JV with Mahindra & Mahindra Limited to create Mahindra Ford India Limited (MFIL)
1995
Mercedes-Benz India Ltd is a 100%-owned subsidiary of Daimler AG
1994
MarutiUdyog Limited, commence production with the Maruti 800, based on the Suzuki Alto design
1983
Bajaj Tempo Ltd, name now changed to Force Motors
1958
Equity participation by Leyland Motors, the company was renamed Ashok Leyland Limited
1955
1954 1953
1948
1948 1949 1949
1936 1930 1928 1912 1903
GOI and private sector agreed to build automotive component manufacturing industry Simpson & Co began manufacturing Perkins P-6 diesel engines
Ashok Motors established in Madras to assemble Austin cars Standard Motor Products of India Ltd, first product the Vanguard
Premier Automobiles Limited (PAL) Mahindra & Mahindra Limited (M&M) 75 CJ3A Jeeps assembled from CKD kits
1947
1942
TELCO established
Hindustan Motors Limited (HM), established by Mr. B.M. Birla Dunlop India Limited sets up the first tyre manufacturing
Ford India Private Limited started assembly of Model A cars General Motors India Limited sets up the first automobile assembly
TVS an early pioneer Simpson & Co, Madras, India’s first steam car
Timeline Infograph support: Mr. Saravjit Singh
Major automotive companies in India
first decade of the century as modalities of living went through a sea change. Thanks to the newly adopted consumerist values of Indian citizens which initially at times appeared somewhat tentative and misplaced. Such was the impact of this resultant mutation from the years of stasis in mental fabric that the newly empowered consumer went on a ‘shopping spree’ which invested a sense of arrival in his being proportionate to India’s growth. Among the most noticeable changes that could be witnessed was on the roads of India, an ever increasing number of automobiles that account for both private and commercial vehicles. Following the world-wide economic meltdown that ensued from December 2007, the global recession has affected
Comprehensive Product Range
the entire world economy with greater detriment to some countries than others. Indian economy suffered as the most immediate effect of this global financial crisis was registered in the form of an outflow of foreign institutional investment (FII) from the equity market. The withdrawal by the FIIs led to a steep devaluation of the rupee. The banking and non-banking financial institutions have been suffering major losses. The down turn generated by the financial crisis in USA and other developed economies had adversely affected India’s exports of software and IT services. In such a distressing situation the pinching effect could be felt on India’s auto industry. At one end of the spectrum, car manufacturers like Tata Motors, GM, Hyundai, Ford, Mahindra and Maturi
Suzuki were investing huge amount of money to establish production plants and at the other end the industry watchers had cut down the growth forecast of the automotive industry. The automobile industry had gained a boost from the amount of cumulative foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow during April 2000 to January 2013, today operating with a worth of US$ 7653 million. India is the second largest two wheeler market, fourth largest commercial vehicle market, eleventh largest passenger-car market, and fifth largest bus and truck market. The RNCOS report, “India MCV and HCV Market Outlook”, observed that infrastructure boom and emergence of hub and spoke model, among other factors have given a new dimension to the medium and heavy goods carrier commercial vehicles’ sector in India. India is also home for the largest motor cycle manufacturer. The majority of India’s car manufacturing industry is based around three clusters in the south, west and north. The southern cluster consisting of Chennai as the hub is the biggest with 35% of the revenue share. The western hub in Mumbai and Pune region contributes to 33% of the market and the northern cluster around the
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But as the year 2013 began, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) published reports showing a declining trend; the automobile manufacturing industry produced 1,684,011 vehicles in April 2013 as against 1,721,455 in April 2012, decline of (-) 2.81 % over same month last year. The results in the domestic sales are not too encouraging either. On the sales perspective, the overall sales in Passenger Vehicles declined by (-) 8.21 % in April 2013 over same month last year. Passenger cars and vans dropped by (-) 10.43 % and (-) 13.42 % respectively, while utility vehicles grew marginally by 3.99 percent in April 2013 compared to the same month last year. Passenger Vehicles, Commercial Vehicles and Three Wheelers grew by 10.81 %, 11.13 % and 18.45 % respectively while Two
May 2013
Auto Component Industry Profile
Turnover
National Capital Region contributes 32%. Gurgaon and Manesar in Haryana form the northern cluster being the places where country’s largest car manufacturer, Maruti Suzuki, is based.
Wheelers dropped significantly by (-) 17.84% in April 2013 over April 2012. Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicles (M&HCVs) registered negative growth at (-) 6.66 % and Light Commercial Vehicles grew at 4.81 %. These figures bring forth the fact that the ripple effect of a general mood of vague disillusionment about inflation and rising fuel prices has left a dampening of spirit among the vehicle consumer segment of India.
In the month of April 2013, the automobile exports too registering de-growth of (-) 9.14 % owing to a significant drop of (-) 17.84 % in Two Wheelers though Passenger Vehicles, Commercial Vehicles and Three Wheelers grew by 10.81 %, 11.13 % and 18.45% respectively. In keeping with the growing demands of vehicular movements on Indian roads, thanks to the thriving middle class which is a key component of the overall economic
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growth, the automotive component sector had taken off too. The consequence to this upward trend is that the major automobile manufacturers were attracted to Indian auto industry looking for greener pastures as the international brands were finding it hard to find newer markets in the stagnated automobile sectors in Europe, US and Japan. The potential of the automotive component is best understood by the size and volume of the market as reflected by the values stated earlier. It registered a turnover of US$ 26.5 billion during 2007-08 followed by a moderate turnover through 2008-10 which subsequently rose to US$ 39.9 billion during 2010-11. CAGR for this industry was 11% during 2007-11. According to the Automotive Manufacturers Association of India (AMAI), this sector is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10% till 2015-16. India is projected to be among top five automotive economies by 2025, which is estimated to log a CAGR of 11% during a period of 2011-2021. The product range of the manufacturers consists of engine parts and drive transmission & steering parts with 31% and 19% respectively. The other allied components like body & chassis, suspension & brake parts and electrical equipments account for the rest of the product segment. These components and parts not just cater to the domestic market and have been a source to revenue generation through export. Though Europe is the key export destination, North America and Asia have been importing Indian parts in considerable volume.
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Key India companles in the automotive industry
modern implementations of information technology and automation at ease. The OEMs on the other hand leave no effort to exercise stringent quality control methods and procedures to ensure product quality, which is the corner stone of their performance and brand value. For the survival in the highly competitive market the SMEs are required to set and maintain a global standard and this is where IT and automation come into play. The extent of the adaptation of modern practices is dependent on the size and scope of the manufacturer but on the part of the SME, it is equally mandatory to understand the power of such modern practices, when implemented, gives the company a completive edge.
Recognizing such huge potential, the Government of India had launched a 10year plan –Automotive Mission Plan (AMP) 2006-16, prepared by the Ministry of Heavy Industries in consultation with the industry body Society for Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) which aimed to make automobile industries’ contribution to GDP more than 10% while providing employment to 25 million people.
Further scope of development can be explored in the supply chain system. From the stage of raw material till the point of final delivery to the customers, for seamless functioning of the entire process the supply chain needs to be operating in a streamline manner to sustain a regular business with the OEMs. Accurate tracking of inventory is another aspect where the modern tools of IT can be utilized to render positive results in the Supply Chain Management (SCM).
The local manufactures of the parts and components, most of them being SMEs, have to face an area of specific hindrance related to work culture. The automobile component industry is a labour intensive sector, with people working at the shop level do not tend to adopt the
The next effective method to deliver quality in the hugely competitive scenario is to evolve a robust industry specific knowledge base, the purpose of which will be to keep the domestic manufacturing segment abreast through periodic updates, tracking trends, analyzing commodity
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prices and following the policy issues of India and the overseas. The core idea of such an exercise is to create newer investment sector and emphasize on R&D. The ideal way to understand the requirements of both the existing customers and the prospective ones is to get them involved by providing inputs in the development part of the production. This can be achieved by creating an environment of collaboration by taking advantage of present day information technology, which has triggered significant changes in recent times and its associated ‘apps’ that are at the manufacturer’s disposal. The purpose of such a media driven placement of the manufacturer’s products in the market will attract the savvy customers who track the market for quality deals. This far, as it appears, the indices do show a moderate growth for the automotive industry in India. The challenges like uncertainty in the economy, rising fuel prices and low return in investments are faced by the domestic automobile manufacturing segment. For it being a sustainable and growing sector in the following years, the synergy between policy placement, regulatory implementation and reaping benefits from its coterminous advantages, both in technology and market, will remain a prerequisite to push India as a major player in world market. Source: SIAM, ACMA, IBEF
May 2013
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QUALITY
Quality Innovations in the World Automotive Industry
Saravjit Singh saravjit@10xquality.org
Ford, GM and Toyota were the front-runners in creativity and innovations that led to quantum jumps in the evolution of the modern car. Notable evolutions have been first-time-right new product development in less than half the time, zero defect manufacturing and assembly processes, and very high quality, reliable, cars that delight customers. Gottlieb Daimler fitted his patented single cylinder petrol engine on a modified stagecoach frame and made the first four-wheeled automobile in 1886. Exhibit 1 shows Gottlieb Daimler being driven by his son Wilhelm Daimler in this vehicle. Daimler’s developed another car in 1889. This was a departure from his 1886 vehicle. It was based on a framework of light tubing. Its engine was in the rear, a belt drove the wheels and the car had four speeds. It was steered using a tiller. In 1890, Daimler Motoren-Gesellschaft was founded to commercialize this vehicle. Rapid innovations in design and styling of cars occurred from 1891 to 1910. PanhardLevassor, in France, produced notable cars during 1891-94. However, the really outstanding examples of classic cars came from UK - Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts built from 1906 to 1925. These cars were famous
Exhibit 1: Gottlieb Daimler driven through the streets of Berlin in 1886 by his son Wilhelm
for their style and meticulous attention to craftsmanship. Their quality established the
4. Very high cost, so only the very rich could
perform only a single task and move from
ever-lasting high reputation of Rolls-Royce
afford to buy these cars.
vehicle to vehicle around the assembly hall.
automobiles. Royce believed, “Quality remains long after the price is forgotten.”
the most to the automobile industry. He
First Model T cars were made at Ford’s Piquette Plant in Detroit, Michigan, USA.
These early cars were individually produced
designed his well-known Model T car,
Then, in1913, Ford introduced the moving
using craft production techniques.
which used interchangeable components
assembly line, which brought the car
Craft production has the following
that were easy to assemble. The Model
part to the stationary worker. From 1st
characteristics:
T employed some advanced technology,
December, 1913, onwards, the Model T was
such as vanadium steel alloy. Its durability
produced on this assembly line in Detroit.
was very good. Henry Ford supported
This revolutionized the car industry. By
the use of advanced materials and use
1914, the assembly process for the Model
of improved mechanical and industrial
T had been so streamlined it took only 93
engineering.
minutes to assemble a car.
Let us follow the innovations made by
Ford Model T car was commercially
Ford. In 1908, Ford had already achieved
produced from October 1, 1908 to May
perfect part interchangeability for Model T
27, 1927.The last car produced was the 15
cars. He decided that the assembler would
millionth Model T. By the time Henry Ford
1. Need for highly skilled designers and work force. 2. The use of general-purpose machine tools. There was very little interchangeability of parts. 3 A very low production volume – 1,000 or fewer automobiles a year. Only a few of these cars were built to the same design.
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Henry Ford (1863-1947) has contributed
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May 2013
the United States. Unlike Ford, GM’s vehicles offered more than just basic transportation. Its 1927 Cadillac LaSalle, with curves and a long, low stance, made people see it as being luxurious and a status symbol. Designed by Harley Earl, the LaSalle was a world apart from the high and boxy Ford Model T, marking the beginning of true automotive design. Earl headed GM’s design studio until his retirement in 1959. For seventy-eight years, from 1929 to
Exhibit 2: 1910 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost
2007, GM was the largest vehicle seller made his 10 millionth cars, 50 percent of all
open tourer cost $850; in 1913 the price
in the world. In 2008, Toyota overtook
cars in the world were Fords. Model T was
dropped to $550; in 1915 it was further
GM. GM managed to outsell Toyota in
so popular that Ford did not purchase any
reduced to $440. By the 1920s, the price
advertising between 1917 and 1923.
had fallen to $260.
Henry Ford’s approach to Model T design
Ford believed, “There is one rule for the
was one of getting it right and then
industrialist and that is: Make the best
keeping it the same. He believed the
quality of goods possible at the lowest
Model T served all transportation needs.
cost possible, paying the highest wages
As other companies, starting with General
possible.”
Motors (GM), offered comfort and styling advantages, at competitive prices, the Model T lost market share. Eventually, on May 26, 1927, Ford Motor Company ceased production of Model T and began the changeovers required to Model A.
Parallel with the rise of Ford, another giant came up. As demand for automobiles grew to unexpected heights in the 1920s, the strategy of Alfred P. Sloan, CEO of GM, was, “a car for every purse and purpose.” GM added
Ford consistently achieved cost reductions
Chevrolet, Vauxhall and Opel cars, thus
in Model T because of his innovations. He
diversifying the selection and adding to
passed on much of this cost reduction to
their reach. In the 1920s, GM also opened
his customers. In 1909, the standard 4-seat
more than a dozen new plants outside
Exhibit 4: Toyota leads in global car sales 2011 when Toyota’s factories were slowed by an earthquake and tsunami in Japan. This natural disaster left Toyota dealers with few cars to sell. In 2012, Toyota again dethroned General Motors as the world’s top-selling automaker. It sold 9.7 million cars and trucks worldwide in 2012, as against 9.29 million vehicles sold by GM. GM’s global sales rose 2.9 percent in 2012, whereas in the same period Toyota sales rose 22 percent. See exhibit 4. Ford and GM both used mass manufacturing techniques till 1990. Thereafter, like other major automakers they gradually shifted to a new manufacturing system that had been single handedly developed by Toyota. This is the
Exhibit 3: Ford Model T produced in 1909 May 2013
Toyota Production System (TPS).
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TPS has tremendous advantages over mass manufacturing. TPS is generally known as lean manufacturing outside of Toyota. We will use the terms TPS and lean manufacturing interchangeably. TPS is based on four principles: 1. Minimize waste. Tatichi Ohno’s list of seven deadly wastes include: a. Overproduction and early production – producing more than customer requirements, producing unnecessary materials / products b. Waiting – time delays, idle time (time during which value is not added to the product)
Exhibit 5: Difference between Mass and Lean Manufacturing opportunities (e.g. lost motivation, lost creativity, and lost ideas). Unused human
c. Transportation – multiple handling, delay
potential often results from management
in materials handling, unnecessary handling
policies and management styles that
d. Inventory – holding or purchasing unnecessary raw materials, work in process, and finished goods e. Motion – actions of people or equipment that do not add value to the product
diminish employee contributions. Toyota strives to remove this waste by training and involving all employees in its continuous improvement initiatives. Toyota allows competitors to visit its plants, to see and adopt TPS. However,
f. Over-processing – unnecessary steps or
Toyota and its key suppliers are still the
work elements / procedures (non added
best practitioners of TPS.
value work)
In the twenty-first century, agile
g. Defective units – production of a part
manufacturing (AM) has emerged as a way
that is scrapped or requires rework.
to deal with an unpredictable and intensely
2. Perfect first-time quality
competitive environment and to meet the quality needs of highly demanding
opportunities. 2. Leverage impact of people and information. Value knowledge, reward innovation, and take decisions at lowest possible level. The organization must have entrepreneurial spirit, and a climate of mutual responsibility for joint success. 3. Cooperate to enhance competitiveness. Cooperation internally and with partners is the main strategy of the agile company. The objective is to bring products to market as rapidly as possible, by finding and using the required resources and competencies wherever they exist.
i.e. zero defects
customers. AM has two components:
4. Enrich the customer.
3. Flexible production lines
1. Enterprise level manufacturing strategy
The products of an agile company are
of introducing new products into rapidly
perceived as solutions to customers’
This keeps production in line with actual
changing markets;
problems. Pricing the product is based on
customer requirements. 2. Organization ability to thrive in a 4. Continuous improvement This endeavor helps the company to keep moving towards perfection, the ultimate goal of quality. Following the above principles enables Toyota to deliver the very best quality in its
competitive environment characterized
the value of the solution to the customer, rather than on manufacturing costs.
by continuous and sometimes unforeseen
We see that all major automobile
change.
companies, led by Toyota, are moving
Studies have identified four principles of agility: 1.Organize to master change.
products and services to customers. Learn to thrive in conditions of change and An extremely important form of waste
uncertainty while rapidly reconfiguring
that is not represented within the seven
human and physical resources to adapt
deadly wastes is unused human potential.
to changing environment and market
towards lean and agile manufacturing. Other engineering companies can learn from them and adopt their best practices to thrive in today’s uncertain conditions. The author Saravjit Singh is the Chief Executive Officer of 10XQuality.org and he can be contacted at saravjit@10xquality.org
This waste result in all sorts of lost
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AUTOMOTIVE
Changing the tide during economic slowdown Indian Automotive Industry looks to gain momentum by focusing on cost-effective solutions Industry experts predict that the Indian automotive industry will play a crucial role and will become one of the key markets for many auto OEMs in the coming years. The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) says the Indian Automotive industry accounted for 4% of the total foreign direct investment (FDI) which is roughly $7,653 million and furthermore experts predict the Indian small and light commercial vehicle segment to more than double itself by 2015-16 and grow at about 18 percent compound annual growth rate for the next couple of years. As the automotive industry is looking to
and Promotion (DIPP) says the Indian
It has continuously strived to bring
expand its operations in many developing
Automotive industry accounted for 4% of
innovative and affordable technologies
markets, the pricing of the product plays
the total foreign direct investment (FDI)
to the Indian market. The company with
a vital role. Globally the automotive
which is roughly over $8000 million and
over 200 patents worldwide has been at
industry is pushing the envelope to roll out
furthermore experts predict the Indian
the forefront of several groundbreaking
small and light commercial vehicle segment
technologies directly and indirectly
to more than double itself by 2015-16
benefitting the industry. Its Indian office
and grow at about 18 percent compound
specializes in offering 3D scanners and
annual growth rate for the next couple of
surface inspection technologies.
appealing products at affordable prices. Added to these customer expectations are high and factors like design, aesthetics, and value for money and customer experience play a critical role in deciding product performance in the market. Industry experts predict that the Indian automotive industry will play a crucial role and will become one of the key markets for many auto OEMs in the coming years. The Department of Industrial Policy
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years.
“Our vision has always been to enable the
Steinbichler Optotechnik GmbH, a
industry to realize its potential and increase
worldwide leading supplier of optical
its throughput without having to consider a
measuring and sensor technology has
tradeoff between quality and productivity”
over 25 years of experience working with
adds Steinbichler’s India Country Manager,
some of the large automotive OEMs.
Raghuram N.M.
May 2013
A few typical applications of Steinbichler’s 3D Digitization systems are presented below:
Competetion Analysis ( market research, Competetive benchmarking etc)
Design and Development
Aftersales/Retrofit
Manufacturing ( Quality Control, supplier quality, die maintenance)
1. Aesthetic design - Styling
analysis.
The function of a 3D scanner is to accurately capture the form of hand sculpted or carved models. It enables capturing of local changes and updating the global model.
- Understanding machinery and processes used.
2. Competitive benchmarking
- Producing value engineering studies.
Competitive Benchmarking helps in focusing on improvement of products, services and processes, e.g.
3. Quality Control/Inspections
- Developing material utilization and handling.
- Determining time required for various assembly operations.
The process of controlling dimensional characteristics of a part produced by comparing against nominal data, usually CAD model or a signed off/golden part.
- Selection of tooling.
4. Die Maintenance
- Identification of subsystems and cost
Expensive die repairs are avoidable when
May 2013
required tasks are applied at scheduled times during die maintenance process. Our systems enable in-house maintenance and repair; identify compelling reasons and strategies for establishing an effective diemaintenance program. 5. Quality control of sheet metal parts in manufacturing 6. Reverse Engineering Other applications includes: industrial and engineering design, rapid prototyping, first article inspection, fit and form analysis, retrofit and aftermarket part development, packaging, crash testing, acoustical, thermal, structural and aerodynamic analysis and many more. www.ibmart.in
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Technology to power your innovation drive! COMET L3D 8M – The new dimension of efficient 3D data acquisition from Steinbichler Steinbichler Optotechnik GmbH, the worldwide leading supplier of optical measuring and sensor technology presents the new 8 Megapixel Sensor COMET L3D 8M. In the development of this device Steinbichler made use of the continuously improved one-camera technology as well as the experience gained through the premium product range COMET 5. In comparison to the high end COMET 5 systems, the COMET L3D 8M offers detailed results in the premium segment and remains true to the COMET L3D series in terms of pricing, resulting in an unbeatable price-performance ratio. The package consisting of the COMET L3D 8M and the COMETplus software offer all the necessary functions for easy and efficient work processes. The COMETplus software and the integrated correction models enables the COMET L3D 8M to render impressive data quality and density. “Single and multi-axis rotary tables are available as accessories, which enable fully automated measurements in connection with the COMETplus software and therefore also a very comfortable entry-level solution in automated optical measurement technology. The new STEINBICHLER COMET L3D 8M is particularly convincing with its high degree of detail, providing high resolution structures even for larger measurement fields”, adds Herbert Daxauer, Product Manager 3D Digitalization at Steinbichler Optotechnik GmbH.
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The very compact and efficient COMET L3D 8M opens up a new dimension of efficient 3D data acquisition with its innovative LED lighting technology. The ultra-portable device does this even more easily, faster and more precisely. Therefore, and as it is economic, the 3D sensor presents an ideal entry-level solution for users who would like to use the wide range of optical measuring technologies without compromising on technology, service or data quality. Yet the COMET L3D 8M is also ideal for challenging applications, such as quality control. The robust construction and the dust-proof optical components allow the device to be used under industrial conditions. Furthermore, the extremely compact dimensions and the low weight mean the user can use conventional accessories such as a camera tripod to position the sensor. As already known from COMET L3D, the transport and commissioning of the complete system require minimum effort. The particularly easy handling and usability of the system offer the user the greatest possible flexibility as well as maximum efficiency when handling any measuring work. The BLUE-LED technology of the COMET L3D 8M sensor provides for extremely fast recording of up to 8M measuring points. In the case of components with many features, this procedure is much faster than measuring using conventional, tactile systems. The contact-less
measuring principle of the COMET L3D 8M impressively showcases its advantages, particularly when measuring delicate objects (e.g. made from plastic or foam material), which is very difficult to do with tactile sensors and conventional measuring machines. The short working distance between scanner and area of interest also ensures problem-free work, even in confined spaces. The COMET L3D has the tried and tested single camera technology from Steinbichler. The intelligent software design also provides for the combination with photogrammetric measuring procedures to digitize large objects. Besides quality control and inspection, particularly for small and medium-sized plastic and metal parts, the 3D sensor has various other demanding areas of application: actual/target comparison of measuring data for the CAD data record, tool and mould manufacture, tool reconstruction, scanned data to generate milling paths, recording of actual data after tool release, the design field, when scanning design models for further processing in CAD and documentation, rapid manufacturing, when recording 3D data for rapid prototyping procedures, reverse engineering and 3D scanning, as well as when recording historical art objects, for example for archaeology, etc. For further details write to: nfo@steinbichler.in or visit www.steinbichler.in May 2013
LEADER SPEAK
“Access to key markets in Asia makes India a strategic partner for several auto OEMs” Steinbichler Vision Systems India Pvt Ltd, a fully owned subsidiary of Steinbichler Optotechnik GmbH is a worldwide leading supplier of optical measuring and sensor technology. Raghuram NM is the Country Manager at Steinbichler India. Today under his dynamic leadership, Steinbichler India is often chosen as preferred measurement partners by several Automotive, Aerospace, Medical/Healthcare and Manufacturing companies. In this interview, Raghuram NM speaks to MART. How is the future of Indian automobile industry as you see it, vis-à-vis the current economical scenario? India with its rapidly growing aspirational middle class, higher disposable incomes, combined with strong growth of economy over the past few years have attractedmajor automotive manufacturers to the Indian market.Trends indicate small and medium cars to remain dominant and an increase in demand for high end sedans with hybrid and electric drive options. The SUV industry is growing rapidly and introduction of mini SUVs have made it an attractive segment for youngsters. Better infrastructure and easy finance has helped in growth of multi-axle commercial vehicles and light commercial vehicles (LCVs). Two wheeler and tractor industry have also grown owing to rapid urbanization, increase in agricultural output and exports to other countries. Availability of skilled workforce and access to key markets in Asia makes India a strategic partner for several auto OEMs. Our years of learning and experience working with several automotive companies worldwide, has helped in developing innovative productsthat play a critical role in new product development and with the focus shifting towards development of“India specific” products have only helped us in this cause even more.
quality affordable and combining this with ease of use. This addresses the increasing requirement for quality, also by local suppliers, which we see as a natural part of the global trend towards more local manufacturing driven by most OEMs. Since Steinbichler has only sales, marketing and services in India, could you please give the profile / segment of your customers, manufacturers / vendors? We cut across industry verticals and our customers include companies from Automotive, Aerospace, Heavy Industries, Electronics, Power Generation, Medical, Tire Industry, Education and Research Institutes. Our products play an important role at several stages of new product development; from conceptualization phase to final production. Although we have been in the industry for over 25 years, the Indian market is still new to us and we see great potential here. Our aim is to democratize 3D digitization technology by making it more cost effective. Our aim is to democratize the technology by making it more cost effective and our new product releases in the past year like COMET L3D( Blue LED based 3D scanners), T-SCAN CS (handheld laser scanning and probing solution), ABISOptimizer ( portable surface inspection system) have all been directed towards achieving this goal. How is India doing in the R&D of automotive innovation? What is Steinbichler’s association in this respect?
What are the newer measures Steinbichler is formatting to cope with in the automotive segment? Globally and also specifically for the Indian market, we are focusing on making high May 2013
Although the industry went through a lean patch in the past few quarters, it is expected to bounce back soon due to reasons discussed earlier.Indian automotive companies were accustomed to spending relatively less on R&D as a percentage of sales. The industry growth
drivers along with increasing demandhas influenced several auto OEMs to choose India as their launch market. Inspired byglobal trends, the industry is setting sights to achieve higher goals and investing more in R&D related activities. Also, thedirect feedback from local market helps parent companies enormously in effectively developing their product mix for the local market. With its vast resources and strategic location, we feel India will be one of the key markets in the coming years. Since inception, Steinbichler has always strived to develop products to address specific needs of the industry. Our associations with several Research and Development centers, has helped us in understanding and predicting trends in the industry and develop products to meet its current and future requirements.Over 200 patents worldwide speak volumes about our expertise in optical metrology. We have partnered with several large OEMs for our product development. These now have direct presence in India, so we hope to grow our market base through this.
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AUTOMOTIVE
Advances in seat control systems for the commercial vehicle sector
John Morris www.norgren.com
The need to accurately control the position of the driver’s seat on both on and off-road commercial vehicles is long-established, with the function being integral to both safety and comfort. Meanwhile, the desire for seat levelling – returning the seat to its original position after it has been lowered to allow the driver to comfortably enter or exit the vehicle – is also now widely established. John Morris of Norgren, an international market leader in pneumatic motion and fluid control technologies, explains the technology behind seat control and seat levelling and the options available to modern commercial vehicle designers. levelling systems.
Most commercial vehicle seating systems on the market are pneumatically suspended and employ a rubber air bellows whose action helps to protect and isolate the driver from the rigours of cab movement – a key consideration, especially on longer journeys. Pneumatically controlled seat adjustment valves allow, at the simplest level, adjustment of the height of the seat through the inflation and deflation of l this rubber bellows or ‘air bag’ within the seat base.
Essentially these systems are based around a levelling mechanism which automatically senses the height of the seat and is able to return the seat to that position after it has been lowered for the driver to enter the vehicle. This eliminates the need to hold down a button to readjust to the required height after the seat has deflated. The simplest systems are mechanically operated and function by linking a pneumatic levelling valve to the seat’s vertical movement. Height adjustment is achieved by altering the levelling valve’s neutral position through a system of
mechanical links and/or cables to an accessible driver interface. These systems are generally a cost-effective option, but the downside is that not only can they lack accuracy and refinement, but their adjustment mechanisms take up more space than the alternatives and can be more difficult to integrate into the vehicle seat. At the other end of the scale are solenoid valve and switch-controlled electrical systems. These systems have been commercially available for 10 to 15 years at the higher specification end of the market. They offer a number of benefits – they use
While it is in theory a relatively straightforward process for the driver to position the seat to their own personal requirements, the limited space available within the cab in most modern commercial vehicles means that for the driver to access or leave the vehicle comfortably, the seat needs to be lowered to allow sufficient space for the driver to manoeuvre comfortably under the steering wheel. This then causes an issue as the driver must manually reposition the seat before they can start their journey – a particular nuisance on multi-drop runs where the driver may be required to leave the vehicle several times a day -which drove the development of the first automatic seat
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The heart of the new seat control system is a simple, air operated clutch that is integrated with the seat levelling valve. May 2013
electrical switches with the controls routed though wires which are easily integrated into the seat alongside other electrical functions. They can also be ‘smart’ with computing power meaning they can calculate the optimal ‘time averaged position’, while high-specification memory can store the preferred seat positions of several different drivers – a key advantage on vehicles which are commonly used by driver teams. Most systems also offer some form of safety adjustment zone – where the levelling system can be used to prevent the operator from adjusting the seat to be too close to its vertical travel limits, reducing the risk of injury to the driver. Levelling systems also offer automatic leakage compensation, whereby if the seat’s air bag system loses some pressure, air will automatically be added into the air bag to preserve the adjusted height. An option which delivers high levels of functionality and ease of integration without a premium in terms of cost draws on the very latest in pneumatic technologies. These systems employ a simple, air-operated disengaging clutch which can be integrated with a rotary pneumatic seat levelling valve. When the clutch receives an air signal while adjusting seat height, it automatically decouples the levelling valve from the seat during the adjusting process. Once the desired height is reached and adjusting is ceased, the clutch re-engages the levelling valve and ‘remembers’ this new seat position. Under normal circumstances, the clutch is inactive and the seat and levelling valve operate together as normal.
These advanced systems are becoming more and more the preferred option for vehicle and seat manufacturers worldwide seeking to achieve higher end functionality and ease of integration without the costs associated with electrically controlled designs. A world leader in pneumatic motion and fluid control technologies, Norgren works closely with customers to gain a deeper understanding of their engineering needs, and then connects its people, products and expertise to give their equipment and their business a clear advantage.
The levelling valve can be mounted anywhere in the structure of the seat where the full stroke of the seat can be converted to approximately 120 degrees of rotary valve motion. In many circumstances, a simple two-bar link is all that is required. A further option is the integration of a ‘rapid dump valve’ - a 3/2 valve which can be used to rapidly deflate the seat’s air bag and so bring it to its lowest position for easier ingress and egress while disabling the automatic levelling action. When the driver returns, the deflate switch is restored to normal mode and the levelling valve automatically brings the seat back to May 2013
the height from which it was ‘dumped’. These modern pneumatic systems offer cost benefits compared with electrical systems and are simple to integrate with existing platforms as there is no need for any special mechanical adjusting linkage or control, while their functionality far exceeds that achievable with previous pneumatic control systems.
Norgren’s reputation rests on a world-class portfolio of high performance products, the innovation and technical expertise of its 6000-plus people, and an ability to deliver exceptional local service. A subsidiary of the £2.13 billion turnover engineering group IMI PLC, Norgren has a sales and service network in 75 countries, technical centres in the USA, Germany, UK and China, and manufacturing facilities around the world. For further information visit www.norgren.com/in www.ibmart.in
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FAIR MART
Jagdish R Mahajan mahajanj@gmail.com
Integrated Industry – rallying call for the fourth industrial revolution HANNOVER MESSE, Germany from 8 to 12 April 2013 HANNOVER MESSE 2013 and its 11 flagship fairs were staged under the motto of “Integrated Industry”. This is the buzzword that is paving the way to a fourth industrial revolution – a trend which was not only well in evidence at exhibitors’ stands, but also at the many forums and roundtable discussions which addressed the topic. The eleven trade fairs featured the keynote theme of “Integrated Industry.” 6,550 Exhibitors, highlighting a multitude of innovative products and technology solutions provided a vivid showcase for this theme. The show’s five core topics - Industrial Automation and IT, Energy and Environmental Technology, Fluid Power and Power Transmission, Industrial Subcontracting Technology and Services Manufacturing and R & D - opened up new prospects for expert dialogue across all aspects of Industry 4.0. International Attendees: As per Deutsche Messe, this year’s Hannover Messe industrial exhibition attracted 6,550 exhibitors from 62 nations, making it the “strongest” show in the past 10 years. It reported that, with a total of about 225,000 attendees, this year’s fair matched the performance in 2011. One in
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every four visitors came from abroad, half of whom were from the European Union. Some 20% hailed from South, East and Central Asia. The largest visitor contingents were from the Netherlands (3,500) and China (3,400), followed by India, Italy, Austria and Denmark. Industrial Automation: Industrial Automation featured production process automation and system solutions for production and buildings. The “Integrated Industry” keynote theme which the dominant topic at Exhibitor stands, and the debate on the “Factory of the Future” continued at the “Industrial IT Forum”. Leading robot manufacturers and system providers organized a “Parade of Robots,” while showcasing their latest production automation technology and solutions.
Within the exhibition halls, trade visitors were viable to view live displays of robots in operation. The process technology exhibition area provided comprehensive coverage of topics like pressure, level and temperature measurement as well as transmission and control engineering, along with a rich program of presentation and discussion forum. The Efficiency Arena with more visitors offered a program of lectures and debates on all aspects of energy efficiency in industrial processes during the five-day event. Motion, Drive & Automation (MDA): MDA Introduced Bosch Rexroth as this year’s Hermes Award winner, successfully highlighting the immense potential stemming from innovations in the area of electric and mechanical drive engineering, pneumatics and hydraulics. Bosch Rexroth received the award for a software solution May 2013
perfectly tailored to the “Integrated Industry” keynote theme of the Fair. Generally speaking, the Exhibitors at this year’s MDA focused on efficient and sustainable integrated intelligent system solutions. All the market leaders in the sector were at MDA, with displays including roller bearings, gears, clutches, hydraulic cylinders and subassemblies, filters, valves, sealing systems, oil supply systems and power electronics. Key topics at the MDA forum this year were- drive technology for wind energy plants, sealing systems, condition monitoring system, along with sustainability, energy efficiency and light weight construction. “Energy” The leading-edge technologies displayed by Energy Exhibitors illustrated their ability to make a real contribution to the global transition to improved energy systems. Exhibits covered the entire energy industry supply chain, from generation, grid supply, transmission, distribution and storage through to the latest IT and market mechanisms for smart grids. The focus was on what potential savings and efficiency gains could arise from decentralized energy supply solutions. Decentralized grid supply stationary fuel cells were featured at the Hydrogen + Fuel Cells. Smart grids were another major theme, with a dedicated theme park and on the Accompanying forum. The most popular HANNOVER MESSE forum was “Life Needs Power”, where experts from policy, research and industry debated all the key trends and issues confronting the energy industry. Another major drawing card was the Renewable Energy Forum, which featured
German Chancellor Angela Merkel looks up at a remote-controlled drone called a BionicOpter that looks like a dragonfly at the Festo stand informative presentations on wind and bio energy, photovoltaic systems, and solar and geothermal energy. Wind: Wind power is seen as the driving force among the various renewable energy options. Already installed power worldwide has reached more than 200 GW. The leading manufacturers, subcontractors, logistics specialists and service providers were on hand to present their new concept designs and technologies for on-and offshore solutions and their skills to highlight for the energy transition . Higher towers, nacelles larger, longer rotor vanes and more powerful transmission systems are making wind energy plants more powerful. Optimized plants for low-wind locations therefore have a part to play in making efficient use of wind energy. The wind event again highlighted the enormous innovation momentum in this sector. MobiliTec: The raft of new products and innovative solutions on display in MobiliTec made an impressive contribution to HANNOVER MESSE in terms of economic policy issues. As the flagship tradeshow for electric drive technologies, mobile energy storage and
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alternative mobility technologies, the event provided a comprehensive overview of electric mobility solutions. Among the Exhibitors were regions whose projects have been selected by the German federal government for funding under the “Electric Mobility Showcase” program. Another highlight what the emotive pavilion with cutting-edge electric mobility displays. The MobiliTec user forum drew big visitor numbers, with discussion and debate on the latest research findings and trends in energy storage technologies and power-train electrification. So visitors were able to test drive the latest electric vehicles on the extended circuit on the open-air site at the Hannover Exhibition Center. Digital Factory: Digital factory in Hall 7 was the ICT hub at HANNOVER MESSE. The huge Importance of IT as a driver of industrial innovation which reflected in the broad range of solutions on display, including PLM, ERP, MES and CAx. The key themes of the event were fully canvassed both in meetings and trade in the debates on strategy issues on all aspects of Industry 4.0. The industry associations VDMA (German Engineering Federation), ZVEI (German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association) and BITKOM (German Federal Association for Information Technology, Telecommunications and New Media) have cooperated specifically for this purpose.
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Exhibitor firms provided impressive examples of the integration of real and digital business environments across every facet of the “Integrated Industry” keynote theme and debated the specific challenges Involved in maintaining the data flow from product design, production scheduling and production through to the service phase.
sourcing event, the Industrial Supply show staged in halls 4 to 6 CLEARLY showed how the subcontracting industry is closely Involved in its customers’ planning and production processes. They appreciated the synergies from the physical location near the venues for surface technologies, environmental technologies and R & D.
ComVac:
The companies presented components and processes meticulously tailored to customer requirements, for intelligent integration into production processes. This made a clear and very tangible contribution to the HANNOVER MESSE keynote theme of “Integrated Industry”. The Industrial Supply Exhibitors impressed visitors with their wide range of applications and solutions-oriented products and technologies for functions like solid and sheet metal forming, machined components, systems and subassemblies, casting products and latches and locking systems, operating controls, fastening and joining techniques and adhesive bonding technology. Lightweight construction topics were again a special highlight. This technology is seen as providing intelligent solutions for sustainable efficiency improvements.
Exhibitors at ComVac provided a complete market overview of their sector. All the market leaders were back this year for the “odd-numbered cycle” to display at HANNOVER MESSE Their compressed air and vacuum technology products and solutions - from generation to distribution and treatment and practical applications in systems and machines. The focus was on the state-of-the-art solutions that significantly consume less electric power and are more maintenancefriendly, with lower noise emissions, adding up to clear efficiency gains in production operations. Other themes sector in high demand included the classic after-sales segment like maintenance, repair and service contracts and consulting and analysis. This included the simulation of compressed air requirements, leakage checks, and audits and evaluation of compressed air systems and finance options. Industrial Supply: The hall optimized configuration and comprehensive supporting program for the Industrial Supply events, particularly the Suppliers Convention and Materials Forum, were well received by Exhibitors and visitors alike. As a worldwide global
Surface Technology: Surface Technology 2013 showcased the entire value chain of application-oriented surface technologies. As a key technology segments with applications across all industry sectors, the surface technology industry derives full benefit from the HANNOVER MESSE concept, since it has customers and users in all the sectors Represented at the event.
IndustrialGreenTec: The displays of IndustrialGreenTec Exhibitors at events covering all aspects of environmental technologies primarily focused on the needs and issues facing SMEs from Germany and abroad. At a range of workshops and conferences, international trade visitors were viable to learn from the pioneers of sustainable production processes. Special attention was given to best-practice examples in terms of resource efficiency and the conservation of natural resources. One of the events highlights what the Industrial GreenTec Conference, centered around the practical implementation of sustainable production processes and how businesses can benefit from them. Research & Technology: Technology transfer and partnerships between research and industry were in the spotlight at the Research & Technology show. The exhibiting institutes, universities and companies were in Hall 2 to dialogue with industry and political representatives on the new technologies and improvements that will be needed to successfully address the challenges facing industry. The “tech transfer - Gateway2Innovation” showcase put creative innovators in touch with business decision-makers and others looking for new ideas. The Research & Technology thematic clusters, Adaptronics: such as, World of Nano Bionics, Organic Electronics, Textile Solutions and in the R & T arena CLEARLY illustrated the potential benefits for industry stemming from the research and science domain.
India @ Hannover Messe There were 128 exhibitors from India. A large contingent came through EEPC. Twenty-five Indian companies displayed their portfolio under the umbrella of the CBI, The Netherlands in MDA, Electronics and Subcontracting halls. Although as per the organizers the number of visitors this year was more than last year, the experience of Indian companies indicated otherwise. The number of visitors this year appeared to be lesser by 20-25% over the last year, although the quality of visitors was better. There were quite a few serious enquiries for engineering, electronics and instrumentation products.
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Indian Exhibitors @ EEPC Indian Pavilion in Hannover Messe 2013 May 2013
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OFF BEAT
Preventing shut downs and fires FLIR T440 thermal imaging camera: a perfect tool for electrical inspections Thermal imaging has become an important tool for electrical inspections in many industries. A power failure can result in expensive shut downs. But there is more. Aside from the production loss there is a greater danger: FIRE. A small electrical problem can have extremely far-reaching consequences. The efficiency of the electrical grid becomes low, and so the energy is spent generating heat. If left unchecked, heat can rise to the point where connections start to melt. Not only that, but sparks can fly, setting the environment on fire. Insurance companies are now taking this into consideration and require regular thermal inspections. This provides new opportunities for dedicated specialists. The company EGI in Duisburg is a perfect example. A Duisburg success story
opportunity.” explains Michael Weigt.
The electrical systems specialist EGI was established in Duisburg in 1980. Today EGI provides its customers in the areas of industrial, commercial and building technology with electrical installation services. More than 40 employees work for the company with DIN EN ISO 9001, DIN 14675 and OHSAS 18001 certifications. Michael Weigt has been managing director since 2005 and has strengthened the company with regard to management and engineering. He also focused on extending the business model and identified thermal imaging inspections as a new opportunity.
In 2007 Michael Weigt researched the thermal imaging camera market, obtained information about different manufacturers and tested various thermal imaging cameras at trade shows.
Thermal imaging inspections: an additional service “I asked myself the question which service we could offer that requires additional know-how that our customers don’t have themselves. Thermal inspections of electrical installations were a perfect
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Decision for the market and technology leader: FLIR Systems Worldwide thermal imaging camera market leader FLIR Systems quickly made the shortlist. “From the very beginning, I was not looking for a toy, but a well-engineered and high-resolution thermal imaging camera.” Michael Weigt was impressed by the image quality and attractive design of the FLIR T360.
Thermal image without MSX
Time for training “In the midst of the economic crisis, our new thermal imaging business got off to a slow start in 2008/2009.” says Michael
Thermal image with MSX: As compared to standard thermal images, MSX technology allows for the additional detection of important details. May 2013
Weigt in retrospect. “We faced skepticism and the same arguments over and over: “We’ll check that ourselves. Our own electricians can do that. We don’t have a budget right now for thermal inspections.” But Michael Weigt didn’t let this deter him, because he was convinced of the potential of thermal imaging for electrical inspections. He and some of his technicians followed a training course at the Infrared Training Center (ITC) in order to gain more in-depth knowledge of the FLIR thermal imaging camera and FLIR Reporter software. Extra training was provided by FLIR sales partner Herzog. In the beginning, the jobs consisted of examining individual electrical cabinets in schools, hospitals, banks and public buildings. Today EGI inspects electrical installations for industrial customers. Thermal imaging for electrical inspection “Control rooms can include up to 40 electrical cabinets and they have to be inspected every 4 years. This is not only stipulated by law, but also required by insurance companies for fire prevention. And this makes a lot of sense”, says Michael Weigt from experience, because some of these control rooms have been in operation for 30 years. “Old cable coating can become porous”, Weigt explains. “External factors such as UV radiation and subsequent chemical processes in the material change the softening agents in the plastic coating over the course of time, thus making it more brittle and causing it to break off.” In addition to this, contact points
oxidize and fuses become overloaded. The FLIR thermal imaging camera detects this immediately. Defective electrical components are then noted for replacement during the next planned shutdown. Inspection with a thermal imaging camera allows the system to be under load. Electrical systems tend to heat up before they break down. A thermal imaging camera will clearly identify “hot spots” so that preventive action can be taken before failure occurs. Thermal imaging can also be used to detect asymmetrical loads. The reason for this is not always faulty modules. Older systems have often been extended over the course of time. In such cases, an electrical circuit could be exposed to more load than originally intended. This requires immediate action, because excess load can cause heat problems and poses a fire hazard. “If serviced regularly, even older electrical installations can run smoothly and un¬planned shutdowns and high costs of down¬time can be efficiently avoided.”, says Michael Weigt. Thermal imaging for quality control EGI not only provides thermal services, but builds its own electrical switchboards and cabinets. EGI uses thermal imaging also to monitor the quality of their own cabinets and document this for the customers. All components are wired and each screw contact has to be tightened to a specific torque. A thermal imaging camera is used before commissioning the system to detect
For thermography in tighter spaces, Michael Weigt uses an additional interchangeable 45° wide-angle lens on his FLIR T440. excess heat and to immediately correct the problem. A new camera due to positive business development Starting in 2010, EGI received an increasing number of orders for thermal imaging and decided to buy a new thermal imaging camera. EGI decided for the FLIR T440. One of the unique features in the FLIR T440 is Multi Spectral Dynamic Imaging (MSX). MSX is a new, patent-pending technology based on FLIR’s unique onboard processor that provides extraordinary thermal image details in real time. • Real-time thermal video enhanced with visible spectrum definition • Exceptional thermal clarity to highlight exactly where the problem is • Easier target identification without compromising temperature data • Unrivalled image quality. No need for a separate digital photo for reports
Images of cable connections in a circuit breaker. The plastic cable coating is already porous, the insulation is peeling and temperatures are high above 60°C, thus indicating an acute problem. The cause for this has to be found by checking for defective fuses in the breaker, excessive contact resistance at the cable connection points (e.g. due to oxidation), etc. The cable then has to be partially replaced or at least shortened (if it is long enough), stripped and reconnected. May 2013
Unlike traditional thermal fusion that inserts a thermal image into a visible-light picture, FLIR’s new MSX embosses digital camera detail into thermal video and stills. MSX provides sharper looking thermal images, quicker target orientation, clutter
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it eliminates the risk of erroneous notes and speeds up the reporting process since all values are automatically included in the inspection report. “We used to note the values of a clamp meter separately on a sheet of paper and allocated them to the correct thermal image later on. Of course this posed the risk of mistakes.” explains Andre Bacht. He also uses the camera’s integrated wireless LAN feature to transfer the thermal images
A conspicuous cable or terminal can be detected here. The system operator should inspect the cause. free reports and a faster route to solutions. Interchangeable wide-angle lens for tight spaces The FLIR T440 comes equipped with a 25° lens, which is ideal for many applications. But thermal imaging professionals often don’t have enough space in tight rooms. Therefore EGI decided to purchase an additional interchangeable 45° wide-angle lens, because sometimes the distance to the electrical cabinet is only 80 cm when taking thermal images. Even at such short distances, the 45° lens provides a full picture, in which problem areas, even in thin cables, can be clearly identified.
Thermal image: Picture in picture feature
Thermal image: thermal fusion feature
image. This can be done immediately on the touch screen of the camera. The indications you make on the thermal image will automatically appear in your report. He also uses the Meterlink feature.
to his tablet PC.
Technician Andre Bacht is not only impressed by the touchscreen display with its sketch feature. This new FLIR Systems feature allows to clearly indicate on a saved image the location of the problem area both on the thermal and the visual
FLIR MeterLink technology makes it possible to transfer, via Bluetooth, the data acquired by an Extech clamp meter into the thermal imaging camera. This saves time since there is no longer the need to take notes during the inspection. Furthermore
Conclusion Michael Weigt’s strategy has been an absolute success. “Our goal consisted of tapping into a new business area for EGI with qualified services. We have achieved this, and thermal inspections inspection has also proven to be an interesting job. FLIR thermal imaging cameras are perfect for the task.” SD card
FLIR T440
Mini-USB
USB
Video output Ergonomic design Easy to use buttons
Tilting lens unit
LED light
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Digital camera
Interchangeable infrared lens May 2013
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SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Manisha Dahad
The Bigger Game for
manisha@socialbrilliance.org
Global Business
Manisha Dahad and Jackie Thoms chart the emerging agenda of global organisations being asked to go beyond profitability to create value for society as a whole. Throughout the world we are becoming more connected, conscious and aware by the day. Employees are challenging companies to allow them to contribute in a greater number of ways and consumers are demanding products and services that sustain more segments of the population as well as the planet. Many businesses are moving towards developing sustainable cultures and practices where social purpose is an integral part of the organisation. A report by the communications company Havas called it “the rise of the caring corporation”; Howard Schultz of Starbucks talks about the importance of “social conscience”; Harvard Business School’s Michael Porter describes the growing impact of “shared value”; and The Economist states that, “In time it will simply be the way business is done in the twenty-first century”. Whatever the terminology, it is clear that there are exciting opportunities emerging to create and implement innovative ideas and solutions that integrate societal and business objectives and transform the way business is done. Many have embarked on this journey in the last decade and have used different approaches. We have seen organisations at various stages of societal engagement creating impact through philanthropy, community investment, volunteering and charitable initiatives. A social conscience, however, cannot simply be manufactured through a strategy — no matter how smart the strategy might be. Increasingly, change is being brought about through social visionaries appearing in unexpected areas of organisations and
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creating new services and products that have both social impact and business benefit. Think of M-Pesa, a mobile payment system introduced in Kenya. It unleashed the latent entrepreneurial capacities of millions of people, including those previously excluded from the services telecommunications networks facilitate due to living in remote and rural parts of the country. M-Pesa created tremendous social empowerment in these communities while becoming an unexpected commercial success. Elsewhere, Novartis created a social business department to provide pharmaceutical products and services to low income segments in the developing world. Its first initiative, Arogya Parivar (meaning ‘healthy family’ in Hindi) was launched in India to reach 740 million people in the rural areas of the country where it used a comprehensive process of delivery which included health education, prevention and medicine dispensing. This initiative achieved break even in 30 months creating both social and commercial impact. Another sustainable model of no-profit/ no-loss was adopted by Accenture’s Development Partnership where consultancy services are provided to large global charitable organisations at a subsidised rate. This facilitates access to leading technological and strategic thinking, directly impacts the communities served by these charities and also expands the leadership capabilities of the Accenture team. These examples highlight that social initiatives and projects can only be truly
sustainable when they benefit both business and society. The range of approaches organisations can adopt to engage individuals and communities to liberate the brilliance and potential of the business and societies to create equitable, fair and vibrant societies is illustrated in the Bigger Game Matrix figure below. The bigger game matrix Many global businesses are having huge societal impact on communities around the world through their charitable and philanthropic activities, especially addressing poverty and ensuring the provision of basic food and shelter. We call them Saviours as they consistently support communities to solve societal problems. There is minimal business potential in their activities and low empowerment of the community. These include many company foundations, such as Virgin Unite and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, along with companies that make community investments. As Helpers, employees from companies volunteer, give and raise funds for charities and impact individuals and communities on a small scale through their actions. The potential of employees is not necessarily fully expressed and the business benefit is low, but it expands awareness and understanding of social situations. With Sustainable Stars, the innovative potential of the business is sparked to create societal and environmental impact. Some have shown great promise, like solar technology and hybrid fuel cars and some have yet to become widely available. New technologies and products can change the playing field and provide alternative resources but they need to be supported May 2013
and brought to the wider market to benefit all of society. And lastly, World Changers are creating waves in global communities and pointing us to the possibilities of creating vibrant sustainable societies on a large scale. From Grameen Bank unleashing the entrepreneurial potential of women in Bangladesh and becoming the bank for the poor, to Telefonica’s Wayra incubating and supporting entrepreneurs with technology ideas that can benefit the societies around the globe, businesses are finding many new ways to reshape their business focus and align it with the needs of society. Such approaches require a different set of capabilities. In particular: — Mindset of Potential Most businesses implement solutions tosocietal problems that have existed for decades, either small or big, through community engagement and investment or by developing products and services that resolve the problem and provide better opportunities for the communities. But, the world changing initiatives described above unleash the latent entrepreneurial potential of the individuals in those communities and empower them to grow and develop. This requires a new lens. Businesses need to look for the potential of individuals and communities whatever their circumstances to empower their own new solutions and look to see how they can contribute to the creation of the solution. This means a movement away from deciding ‘what is good for them’ to ‘creating together what is truly wanted by all’ and is a radical new way forward. — Social Intrapreneurship Entrepreneurial spirit within organisations has always been prevalent and encouraged, but more and more social enthusiasts are emerging and wanting May 2013
to make a difference from within their businesses. These social intrapreneurs spark ideas that combine both social and business objectives and create a winwin for all — themselves, the business, society and also the planet. We call this phenomenon Winnovation. By fostering a culture of social intrapreneurship and by encouraging Winnovation champions, new ideas and solutions that can transform business and society will become one of the greatest assets of companies. — Cross Sector Collaborations Working through the maze of collaborations that are developing between charities, nongovernmental organisations, world institutions and other companies requires multidimensional capabilities to facilitate the alignment of diverse agendas with higher societal goals, communicating and building relationships at multiple levels and most importantly allowing the emergence of new ways and ideas to come to the fore. As the future unfolds, global companies are well positioned to bring people from across countries with diverse capabilities and talents to connect and co-create with communities everywhere and unleash
world changing thinking, capacities, technologies and products. Mike Barry, Head of Sustainable Business at Marks & Spencer, says: “These trends point to more ambiguity and makes it difficult for businesses to develop strategies for the future. We therefore need to create more openness and outward looking capabilities to be ready for some of that change.” One of the biggest first steps for many will be to embrace the potential to impact society positively and to do that with the social visionaries and intrapreneurs within the organisation. © London Business School 2013. The definitive, peer reviewed and edited version of this article is published in Business Strategy Review [volume 24, issue 1, pages 84-85, 2013], www.london.edu/bsr The authors Manisha Dahad Jackie Thoms are Co-Founders of the Centre for Social Brilliance (www.socialbrilliance.org). The Centre, also co-founded with Joanna Brill, aims “to develop new thinking, new ways and new frameworks that catalyse the brilliance of humanity and evolve our global society”.
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E-MART
Demand for Machine Tools lacks Momentum In the first quarter of 2013, order bookings in Germany’s machine tool industry fell by 19 per cent compared to the equivalent quarter of 2012. Domestic orders were down by 21 per cent, while orders from abroad dropped by 18 per cent. “Demand for machine tools is still lacking momentum”, comments Dr. Wilfried Schäfer, Executive Director of the industry association VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association) in Frankfurt am Main. The weak start to the year, he said, signals a perceptible degree of scepticism, not least by mid-tier customers in Germany. Order bookings in metal-cutting applications, for instance, with a broadly diversified customer base, remained 26 per cent down on the preceding year’s figure. In forming technology, by contrast, which is dominated by project business with the automotive industry, orders are still running at the previous year’s level. “The year’s second half now has to provide a counterweight, if the predicted growth in production output of one per cent is not to be put at risk”, comments Schäfer. Expectations here are once again focused on the expanding markets of Asia. In China, particularly, by far the biggest market for the German machine tool industry, faster economic growth is again being forecast. North America, most recently a vital
Order bookings and turnover in the German machine tool industry support for the sector, will remain a stable market this year as well. Russia, finally, thanks to its substantial need for moderni sation in its domestic industrial sector, likewise continues to be an attractive customer. There are also rays of hope from the international automotive industry, which is deploying strategic investments in the battle for market shares, and from the aircraft industry and the mechanical engineering sector. All of them intend to be making above-average capital investments in 2013. There will be a good opportunity for this at the EMO Hannover 2013, where the international world of metalworking will be meeting up from 16 to 21 September, showcasing to the planet’s users of machine tools the latest Dr. Wilfried Schäfer Executive Director , VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association)
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innovations in the field of production technology, providing them with the best possible basis for their ongoing investment decisions. The German machine tool industry ranks among the five largest sectors in the country’s mechanical engineering segment. It supplies production technologies for metalworking applications to all categories of manufacturer, and makes a crucial contribution towards progressing innovation and productivity in the industrial sector overall. Due to its absolutely key position for industrial production output, its development is also an important indicator for the economic vigour of the country’s industrial sector as a whole. In 2012, the German machine tool industry produced machines and services worth around 13 billion euros, and was employing 70,900 people (status: December 2012, firms with more than 20 staff). This corresponded to growth of 10 per cent.
May 2013
Window to the industrial world now comes out with a “Secure Wallet”
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“industrial business MART”, popularly known as MART - the largely read international engineering manufacturing monthly, now the one year subscription comes out with a Secure Alumunium Wallet worth `1899 absolutely free!
With the last nine years of networking and publishing of MART, we were successfully made a place in the Indian Manufacturing industry. Our growth was always triggered by the changes undertaken as per the needs of the industry. The contents of MART is unique, with regular columns by industry experts in the diversified fields of engineering manufacturing, technical features, news updates, interviews, case studies, trade fair informations etc. The guidance and support of the experienced industry professionals through our Editorial Advisory Board have helped us to understand the need of the Indian Manufacturer better and produce a journal which is used by the industry as an utility.
Yes, We are interested to subscribe “industrial business MART” as per the selected option:One Year (12 Issues) with Aluminium Secure Wallet worth `1200/One Year (12 Issues) at `900/-, You save `300/Three Year (36 Issues) at `2500/-, You save `1100/- and also get Aluminium Secure Wallet worth `1200/Name: ....................................................................................... Designation: ............................................................................ Company: ......................................................................................... Address: ............................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ City: ......................................................... Pin: ......................... Tel: ............................................................................................. Mobile: .................................................................. Email: ............................................................................................................ Enclosed find our Cheque/DD No:..................... dated:..................... for ` .................... favoring “MEDIAMART INFOTECH”
May 2013
mediamart
i n f o t e c h
No: 217, 3B Main, OMBR Layout, Bangalore - 560 043, India Tel: +91 85530 12371/ 72 Fax: +91 80 25426934 Email: info@martinfotech.in Visist www.martinfotech.inwww.ibmart.in 35
GREEN IN
Plant trees with a few clicks!
Sandhya Lal sandhyalal1985@gmail.com
Companies globally are realizing the importance of going green. The 2011 Carbon Disclosure Project report, prepared for 551 signatory institutional investors representing $71 trillion of assets, shows that the majority of US companies are taking climate change action, despite an absence of mandatory rule. In addition to a desire to be more socially responsible, companies now understand how being seen as green benefits their business. Companies globally are realizing the importance of going green. The 2011 Carbon Disclosure Project report, prepared for 551 signatory institutional investors representing $71 trillion of assets, shows that the majority of US companies are taking
climate change action, despite an absence of mandatory rule. In addition to a desire to be more socially responsible, companies now understand how being seen as green benefits their business. • A study "The Value of Green: The Effect of Environmental Rankings on Market Cap" by N Blumenshine of Middlebury College concluded that "companies with high environmental rankings have higher market cap values than comparable companies with lower rankings". • Findings in Australia by Nielsen, the market research firm, found that 68% of consumers are willing to pay more for products from companies who support worthy causes concerned with the environment
• According to an Ipsos Mori survey, 80% of respondents across 15 developed nations would prefer working for a company that “has a good reputation for environmental responsibility” – the figure was 81% in the U.S. Reducing carbon emissions and shifting to cleaner technology are long-term and costly solutions. A simple, easy and effective way for a company to go green is to plant trees. Trees provide flowers, fruit, fodder and fuel to communities and living creatures, improve water catchment areas, offer shade to nomads and their livestock, prevent soil erosion and give shelter to birds and animals and benefit posterity while decarbonising the world.The USDA Forest Service estimates that over a 50year span, a tree generates $ 162,000 in
Indo-MIM, a manufacturing company based at Bangalore, has undertaken the noble initiative and a pledge to plant 7500 trees during the financial Year 2013-2014.
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benefits - $31,250 worth of oxygen, $62,000 worth of air pollution control, recycles $37,500 worth of water, and controls $31,250 worth of soil erosion. www.grow-trees.com gives companies an easy way to go green by allowing them to plant trees with just a few clicks at Rs. 60 per tree. Each tree planted can be gifted out to a recipient through a tree-dedication certificate. Companies are planting trees to celebrate employee birthdays and anniversaries, to honour new and loyal customers, to honour speakers, to recognize dealers and distributors, for new Facebook fans, as part of CSR or to offset emissions. www.grow-trees.com is co-founded by Indian business veteran Pradip Shah who is the founder of CRISIL and his son Karan Shah. Due to its robust systems and processes, it is the only organization in India to become a tree planting partner for UNEP’s Billion Trees campaign and also an official partner of WWF’s Cities for Forest campaign and of UNDB. Within 3 years of operations, Grow-Trees. com has planted over 438,000 trees on public and community lands across India in 11 different projects. Over 130 companies such as Thomas Cook, Ernst & Young, iGate, SBI Life Insurance, NSE, Novartis, Yes Bank, DHL, Nokia, Franklin Templeton and Kotak Credit Cards have planted trees through Grow-Trees.Companies have shown a deep commitment towards environmental protection. Grow-Trees has created over 30,000 work-
days of jobs for rural communities by the nursery raising and plantings itself. Planting trees only on public lands reemphasizes the underlying ethos that the trees should benefit the environment and society in general and not just a few individuals. The projects have seen the active support and involvement of the local communities who seek out a living through forest produce, animal husbandry and agriculture and belong to backward sections of society. The planting is then independently audited. Companies find the idea to satisfy a private purpose while doing social good by planting trees novel and sensing the forthcoming environmental degradation are increasingly becoming active in the space
of environmental protection, many times terming it as a CSR practice. Similarly, a lot of individuals are seeking ways to fulfill their responsibilities towards the environment in easier ways. www. grow-trees.com provides them too an option to just visit the website and plant trees with a few clicks and also to dedicate those trees to their loved ones by sending customised e-certificates. People from around 150 countries have visited www. grow-trees.com. Most of the time people use Grow-Trees.com to greet their friends and family on birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and on birth of a child by planting trees which is also a tradition in Jewish Diaspora across the world. The website is also used as a means to offset individual carbon emissions by planting trees. At some instances it has been used to plant trees for memorial of a deceased person to pay tribute to a person. Bouquets are pleasant to eyes, but have no long term value and wither away in a couple of days. Even greeting cards are considered cliché and overused and give no real value to the environment. Individuals realize this and are moving towards saving the environment while greeting and offsetting. The site allows them the convenience to plant at one time for delivering different messages to different people for different occasions in the future, and their messages would be delivered by email on the due dates, with no risk of forgetting those special occasions. Why to use a conventional greeting card when you can greet with trees instead?
May 2013
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37
MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE
Managing a SME in India - Part V
P S Satish gotopssatish@gmail.com
As a continuation of last article, we will discuss on few more points to manage SMEs better in India Darwin’s theory works still now. ‘If species do not adopt with the change they will become extinct’. Similarly if SMEs do not adopt information technology (IT) in their operations, their growth will be limited. The myth that IT is only for big corporates is far from truth. The awareness of what IT can do is missing. Associations have a bigger role to play here. They should take lead in educating SMEs on IT, develop right solutions for SMEs by working closely with IT developers and introduce at an affordable rate. Associations can bring in professionals which SMEs by themselves cannot hire. Industrial Associations should start using IT. They can work on having directory of members in their websites with details of member’s product, key figures, and contacts to promote their business. By this, SME members are encouraged to know about IT and a hang of it. 12. IT in SMEs Darwin’s theory works still now. ‘If species do not adopt with the change they will become extinct’. Similarly if SMEs do not adopt information technology (IT) in their operations, their growth will be limited. The myth that IT is only for big corporates is far from truth. I agree that considering maturity level of SMEs, selection of right IT structure for SMEs could be an issue. Many IT service providers though focusing on SMEs are finding it difficult to penetrate well since adaptation rate by SMEs is less. The SMEs should consider IT as a tool for their growth and investment on it is worth. Typically, in west at least in big corporates, spend on IT in a year is about 4-5% of their sales volume. Please do a check on your IT spend in a year as a portion of sales volume. We see it in fractions.
The key thing for success in IT is the commitment by the owner of the enterprise and ready to pay for it. I go to a company where they have about dozens of PC which are almost 10 years old. Internet connection is recently given to them. The speed of the PCs is so slow that employees are losing patience and consequently productivity is getting affected. The MD seems to be not concerned about it since he is looking at new investments to replace the PCs. Actually he can afford it but he is not convinced of improvement it brings. The example here may look trivial but it is the ground reality in SMEs.
which I explained in last article, better. There are dozens of readily available softwares e.g. Capability studies, using quality tools which can be used. What required is the will to make a beginning in this direction. Having a website is becoming a part and parcel of every business. How many SMEs have their own website? It is not very expensive now. They can begin with a simple one and gradually develop. When customers search in the net, you may miss the opportunity if you are not there on the web. Instead of having a link with some other trade portals, I recommend SMEs to have their own website. Are you ready for it? If you have made the beginning, move faster. IT matters. 13 . Key Measure of success If we ask owners of SMEs what is their measure of success, we may end up likely as profitability increase or growth of numbers in balance sheet. I feel this is not enough. One of the important measures is how much the company made efforts to experiment new things and to learn each day. What do we do each day to know
Start with having PCs with latest configuration and servers, encourage all employees to use PCs, train them on usage like email handling, word and excel programs etc. Teach them simple things from which they can do their job better. This familiarity helps in introducing ERP,
How many SMEs have their own website? It is not very expensive now. They can begin with a simple one and gradually develop. When customers search in the net, you may miss the opportunity if you are not there on the web. Instead of having a link with some other trade portals, I recommend SMEs to have their own website. Are you ready for it? If you have made the beginning, move faster. IT matters.
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about new customer, new product, new process and new way of doing business? If you keep learning as a measure, I am sure company will survive long. We may not be successful in our experiment of learning in our conventional definition of success. One success from the experiment for sure is the lesson we derive. In that sense, even a failure can be a success if you take in right perspective. I quote here a lesson I learnt from a philosophical book. As per one survey made, when people are aged and are on their death bed, they regret normally for not having made enough money but by things they didn’t try new things or experiment. SMEs can work on experimenting on new product features, methods to market their product better, improving productivity, ways and means to keep customer happy. These measures will bring success for sure in the long run. It should not be taken that other measures of success like customer base increase, revenue, profit etc. are not important. I know that all SMEs do
May 2013
experiment each day but successful ones are those who learn a lesson from those and move on. After all, entrepreneurship is about experimenting new things. Are you ready to experiment and learn? 14. De-skilling operations One of the challenges of SMEs is to get right employee with right skill and to retain them. Skill development is a national topic today where projections say, India will have huge deficit in the years to come. When you design manufacturing process, look at how to de-skill operations. That means to say how the operations can be done by a lesser skilled employee. Devising a process which demands highly skilled employees can be risky. De-skilling may not be possible for all operations. But look at the possibility by using suitable fixtures, equipment. Partial use of automation may help here. This calls for lot of debate by team on options while planning a process. One of my co-consultants in a specific
case made a fixture for critical drilling operations which could be operated by a gardener. Developing systems and processes at all areas supports de-skilling. Big corporates focus on standardization of processes and one of the aims is de-skilling. I give another example. In purchase process, the decision may be complex which might be dependent on the person. If we, split this decision process into different steps where few thought over steps and formats to be followed then same decision can be done even by a person with less expertise. The steps and formats should ensure that all factors for decision process are captured. I will continue the article in the next issue. Please send your inputs,remarks,suggestions to P.S.Satish, Mentor and Trainer, M/s Saraswati Industrial Services, Q-103,Mantri Paradise Apartments,Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore - 560076. Email : gotopssatish@gmail.com; www.satishps.com Wishing good day to you all.
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39
CHAINS
Harish Bhooshan
The new generation of micro-chains
harish@igus.in
System E2 micro – sturdier, quieter and more versatile igus has given its micro-chains for tight design spaces a makeover and come up with a new modular system: clever design tricks such as the double stop system or the “brake” make the E2 micro versions even sturdier and quieter than their predecessors. With the e-chain E2.15 an increase in possible additional load of 100 per cent was achieved. With a self-supporting length of the upper run of up to 1.25 m, new application options are now possible in the tightest of spaces. The micro-chains from igus are made up of very small one or two-part e-chains. Their low weight makes them extremely suitable for highly dynamic applications such as automatic doors, measuring machines, handling, pick-and-place robots or adjusting units. With the series E2.10 and E2.15 the tribo-polymer company from Cologne has developed a new generation of micro-chains. The new energy chains are much sturdier than their same-size predecessors. The high stability is due in
Every E2 micro-chain is delivered with a plastic opening tool. The wings are hinged at the side and open all bridges in seconds for even faster installation.
part to the clever design – a double stop system helps the E2.15 series to achieve an increase in possible additional load of up to 100 per cent. And with a maximum
self-supported length of 1.25 m, 25 per cent more than with the predecessor chain, new application possibilities are possible even where space is extremely tight. New in the modular system are the microseparating bridges, the catches of which guarantee a firm hold even with side fixtures. In addition, the round contours of the bridges ensure a particularly smooth interior that goes easy on the cables. A built-in “brake” dampens stop noises and guarantees smooth running. Opening tool for assembly in seconds The E2 micro system includes connection elements in different versions – rigid, onesided and two-sided pendulum bearings. This means the E2 micro can be mounted in any direction on the chain and attached to the machine – including on the front when the quick flange clipped in at the side is used. This allows the E2 micro to be used for all applications – horizontally, vertically downwards or upwards, circular or even lateral.
The new generation of igus micro-chains is even sturdier than its same-size predecessors: With the e-chain E2.15 a few design features achieved an increase in possible additional load of 100 per cent.
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A further aspect of the new E2 micro is its fast and easy installation. There is an entering diagonal worked into the bolts of the sides to make assembly easier. Every E2 chain is delivered with a plastic opening tool to make installation even faster. The tool can be hinged open at the side and May 2013
MEASURING
VHX-2000 – Super Resolution Digital Microscope with Automated Measurements Pioneering the field of digital microscopy, KEYENCE has released its latest microscope system, the VHX-2000. The VHX Series Digital Microscope was designed to alleviate the shortcomings of traditional, optical light microscopes - shallow depthof-field, short working distance, lack of portability and versatility, sample limitations, etc. By integrating advanced zoom optics with a CCD camera, 17” LCD monitor, light source, controller and analysis/reporting software, the VHX streamlines testing and improves the speed and efficiency of the inspection process. A Super Resolution mode combines the blue filter with KEYENCE’s pixel shift technology, capturing images with 25% better resolution. To improve the operation and ease-of-use, the VHX-2000 can be equipped with a motorised XY stage along with motorised Z-axis lens control. Users can adjust movement in all three axes by using an included control pad. When combined with our Double’R lens/magnification recognition function, the VHX-2000 can automatically provide the ideal movement speed for the XY stage and enables onepush automatic focus and calibration. The Image Stitching function can now be completed with just the push of a button, and at much higher speeds, to produce up to a 20,000 x 20,000 pixel image that expands the viewing area by up to 200 times.
With a magnification range from 0.1x 5000x, the VHX Series enables a wide range of microscopic observation from macro-scale stereoscopic imaging to the detailed analysis of an SEM. Many lighting techniques are also supported including bright and dark field, transmitted, polarised, and differential interference
observation.
has wings which open all the bridges in seconds.
predecessors in terms of design too; the E2 micro system is available in the igus-specific modular range in three variants: Alongside a completely closed version, the E2 micro can be opened with two different bridge versions in the outer or inner radius. At the
Modular system also for the smallest e-chains The new e-chains differ from their one-part
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Building on top of the VHX platform, the VHX-2000 incorporates several new features. A colour filter wheel has been added to allow users the option of choosing a specific wavelength (red, green or blue) of light for their samples.
Automated measurement functions simplify the most difficult of measurement tasks and help to remove variation between different users. The system also has the ability to save a portion of the image/measurements as a template to be used to measure future samples with a click of the mouse. For VHX-2000 Digital Microscope specifications and applications visit www.keyence.co.in/VHPR
moment, all versions with an inner width of 20 mm for the heights 10 mm and 15 mm are available. Gradually, after the Hanover Fair, both series will be manufactured in seven further widths each. For further details visit www.igus.in www.ibmart.in
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MEASURING
The measuring machine element Shaft coupling with integrated torque measurement The torque-measuring shaft coupling ROBA®-DSM is based on the tried-and-tested backlash-free shaft coupling ROBA®DS. This torque measurement coupling can be used in many different applications, from test stand construction to serial machines, right up to condition monitoring. The system allows easy condition monitoring of machines and systems. Using the data collected by the coupling, machines can be optimally used to capacity. transmission of energy and measurement data via a carrier, these systems require a complex separation of signals. The new torque-measuring ROBA®-DSM makes use of two completely separate paths for the transmission of energy to the rotor and the transmission of data to the recipient. Due to the high bandwidth of up to 3.5kHz, it can even record fast, dynamic processes reliably.
The torque-measuring shaft coupling ROBA®-DSM is based on the backlash-free and robust shaft coupling ROBA®-DS. The measurement of rotating parts requires the transmission of energy onto the rotating part and the transmission of data from the rotating part. Many different systems are available for this purpose. In the past, energy and data were mainly transmitted inductively. However, this principle has several disadvantages in comparison to the data transmission of the new ROBA®-DSM. A big disadvantage of the inductive systems is that data can only be transmitted over short distances. Therefore, they work mainly using “enclosing” stators, which are also partly bearing-supported. The enclosure makes both installation and replacement far more complex. Furthermore, the installation must be carried out very precisely, as the distances are very short. Another disadvantage is the low tolerances in case of vibrations and shaft run-out. Bearing-supported systems
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also make a torque support mandatory. Here, it is also important to observe the installation position, so that the bearing friction torques are not included in the measurements. Systems, which are not bearing-supported, require an installation aid in order to centre the rotor and the stator. The ROBA®-DSM does not require an enclosure and therefore only needs a small installation space. The stator can easily be mounted in any position on the circumference. When adjusting the stator, large tolerances are permitted in all directions. Potential distances of up to 5 mm are substantially larger than on enclosing systems. Another major disadvantage of the inductive systems is the usually low transmission bandwidth on analogue versions or the low data rate on digital variants. In most cases, such systems are specified up to 1 kHz. Due to the
The preparation of the data on the rotor permits optimum amplification and offset compensation. On the rotor there is a programmable amplifier, which is programmed via the radio interface. In this way, the customer can undertake offset compensation on the rotor even after installation. In addition, the user can adjust the address encoding and radio channel with the aid of software. Another advantage is the use of an encoded radio system in the 2.4GHz ISM band. No authorisation is required for operation within the EU due to a general approval. The system can also be deployed in other markets, but additional approvals are required for the purpose. The system uses up to 80 channels. This means that the operation of several couplings in the same environment is no problem. The data transmissio is encoded with an address so that only the appropriate recipient is able to detect and evaluate the signal. The radio connection function can be checked on the receiver via a simple display. Because the data transmission is bi-directional, and each package is acknowledged, the quality of the radio connection can be monitored. The receiver reports any malfunctions in the radio connection or missing data from the transmitter. Due to the high sampling rate and the fast radio connection, the ROBA®DSM achieves very good values for Jitter
May 2013
TOMASZ’S CORNER
Tomasz Tunguz ttunguz@gmail.com
Why You Should Be Measuring Time to Utility for Your Product From this issue, MART is beginning a new coloum by Tomasz Tunguz. Tomasz is a venture capitalist at Redpoint Ventures, an IT venture fund with offices in Silicon Valley, China and Brazil. You can follow him on twitter @ttunguz. Do you measure your product’s time to utility? If not, you should. The best products reward users as quickly as possible after installation and account creation. But it’s easy to forget about this and as a result, watch conversion rates from download/install-to-active fall. CRM products have the longest time to utility of most software products. The end user, a salesperson, logs into a blank Salesforce installation. She must type in a bunch of data about a customer. If the customer account closes, great. But it’s not until twelve or eighteen months later when the customer considers renewal and she has to strategize how to best pitch the customer that this salesperson benefits from any of the data entered into the CRM. On the other hand, sales managers’ time to utility for CRM products is much faster. As soon as the team enters in current pipeline data, he can see the sales forecast for the current month. This difference in time to utility is one of the causes of the tension in adopting CRM tools. It’s present in many enterprise tools that generate reports for management because there’s a time-to-value mismatch between the roles.
(max. +/-68μs) and Delay (typ. 2ms), which usually are substantially higher on digital systems. Like industrial standard systems, the ROBA®-DSM supplies an output signal of +/-10V for the right/left torque, which can be used as the input signal for a PLC. However, because more and more control systems are PC-based, the direct collection of digital data is an advantage. The new system ROBA®-DSM provides
May 2013
Consumer products tend to offer faster time to utility. Google search, Facebook news feed, Twitter feed. Immediately after searching or logging in, the user receives some value: the right results or some relevant updates. But if you think about the most frustrating software to use, by and large, the time to
a USB interface, via which the digital measurement data can be read in on any PC or laptop using a standard USB interface. No additional hardware is required for the recording of measurement data. Therefore the operator can quickly obtain an overview over the current performance data. In addition, records can easily be made, even over extended periods of time. The evaluation of the data can then take
utility will be long and the magnitude of that utility will be small. Measure your time to utility for all your product’s segments and try to minimize it. You’ll see the impact at every step of the conversion funnel. Source : www.tomtunguz.com
place offline using appropriate programs such as DIADEM or also EXCEL, and other tabular calculation programs. In addition, online evaluation is possible, whereby the data are read in directly, for example using LABVIEW, and processed in real time. For further details do write to National Engineering Company (NENCO), J-225, MIDC Bhosari, Pune 411026 Tel: +91 20 2747 4529 Email: nenco@nenco.org
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43
MEASURING
Measuring systems with IO-Lin First magnetostrictive position measuring systems with IO-Link
Position measuring systems from Balluff stand for the precise detection of measurement paths in large parts of the manufacturing and assembly industry. With the Micropulse BTL6 Profile PF IOLink model, Balluff is the first company worldwide to equip magnetostrictive position measuring systems with IO-Link.
All measured values and status data are
PF magnetostrictive position measuring
networks of any type, IO-Link establishes a
sent digitally and via a simple, three-wire
systems from Balluff are characterized
high-performance communication channel
cable via IO-Link master to the control
by their flat construction and a robust,
in both directions. Against the background
level. The contact-free transducers with
shock-, vibration- and soiling-insensitive
of increasing demand for IO-Link designs,
intelligent communication interface are
design in enclosure rating IP 67. Thanks
Balluff has, with the Micropulse PF IO-Link,
used preferably where comprehensive
to multi-magnet technology, the contact-
equipped another device from its product
IO-Link designs are to simplify the
free transducers reliably detect the
line with the intelligent interface.
configuration, accelerate the installation
measurement position and ensure absolute
and reduce costs during wiring.
and precise results.
Thanks to IO-Link, the end results are
Measurement lengths from 50 to 4,570 mm
of 230kB, achieves a process data cycle of
streamlined and productive manufacturing
can be realized; the position measuring
1 ms and offers a resolution of 1Âľm. As a
solutions that permit automatic
systems tolerate a vertical and horizontal
result, even fast movements can be reliably
configuration during running operation
offset of the position encoder to the sensor
detected. Via M12 connectors with a
and transparent diagnostics down to the
profile of up to 15 mm.
standard sensor cable, the transducers are
process level.
With its point-to-point connection under
The contact-free position measurement technology communicates with a speed
connected quickly and easily to the IO-Link master and integrated in the controller. Due to the integrated information flow, all data can be stored centrally and consistently. With IO-Link, configuration in running operation, monitoring and diagnostics all the way down to the place of occurrence are possible. For further details write to Balluf India, 405,Raikar Chambers, Deonar Village Road, Govandi East, Mumbai-400088 Tel: +91 22 25565966/ 25568097/ 67973257/ 58 Email: balluff@balluff.co.in Visit www.balluff.co.in
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May 2013
MARKING
The portable p123 marking gun is particularly suited to the marking of heavy or large parts. Made from robust and durable materials, users will love its ergonomic design and wide flexibility of use. The p123 features an all-new cast aluminum grip for a comfortable hold and easy placement on surfaces. In addition, the range features an exclusive set of LEDs that light up the working field as well as functions such as front-plate indexing (stylus-part distance) for increased productivity.
Lighter Marking Gun is as Robust and Easy to Handle as its Predecessors In continuity with preceding versions, SIC Marking developed a new mechanism that produces high precision, top quality markings. These criteria are particularly important for data matrix code marking.
including an electromagnetic clamping system, a balancer and a special front plate.
Marking pause function:
General specifications:
- Maintenance menu.
The p123 delivers sufficient force to produce deep markings on materials of all types (including stainless steel, steel, aluminum and plastic) and parts of all shapes and surfaces (flat, concave, convex, cylindrical, rough, machined, etc.).
-Marking window: 120 × 25 mm or 120 × 40 mm
- Straight, angled or radial, normal or reverse marking. Marking angle (0 to 360°).
-Weight: 3.760 kg
- Marking of alphanumeric characters, logos, etc.
It offers a wide range of marking capabilities, from text (OCR, OCRA, Arial, etc.) and variable data, to serial numbers, logos, dates and times and data matrix codes. Its very large marking window (120 × 25 mm or 120 × 40 mm) allows large characters for easier reading. For added convenience, the p123 portable gun can be easily mounted on an optional cart (optional) for mobility and is completely self-powered (when used with the battery kit). When fitted with the optional column and base, it can be very easily converted into a workbench tool. Access to the p123’s many functions is made via a controller that features a simple yet complete interface and is designed to run by itself (no need for a PC) in industrial environments (IP40 enclosure). A wide range of options is available,
May 2013
- Marking On/Off button - Machine connection cable: 3 m, 10 m and 15 m (depending on version and option) - Marking field lit by LEDs (e8 version of gun) Software specifications: - Configuration via the keyboard and input menu: - Graphic display (marking preview). - Text X and Y positions. - Barcode entry directly connected to controller (option) - Programmable travel speed and impact force - Height- and width-adjustable characters and spaces (0.1 pitch). - Graphic display, manual approach, test run.
- Operator- and supervisor-level passwords.
- Horizontal and vertical mirror marking (with e8 controller). - Marking of 2D data matrix codes (with e8 controller). SIC Marking is an international company dedicated to the development of permanent marking solutions & automated identification (Datamatrix) for complete traceability of industrial components. Having maintained focus for the last 20 years solely on permanent part marking for component traceability, SIC Marking has developed a full range of exclusive marking machines- dot-peen, scribing & laser marking systems- plus unparalleled expertise to respond to your specific marking application. For further details write to Purshotam Co Pvt Ltd, 8 Lyons Range, 1st Floor, Kolkata 700 001 Tel: +91 33 22434941 Email: sales@purshotam.com Web: www.purshotam.com
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MACHINE TOOLS
New Beyond EADE™ Solid Ceramic Endmills from Kennametal
Satish S Melinamani satish.melinamani@widia.com
Set New Speed and Tool Life Benchmarks Machining Nickel-Based High-Temperature Alloys Industry first shows outstanding reductions machining turbine blades and other energy/aerospace components speeds in selected applications, but solid ceramic end mills were rarely seen because such tools were more brittle than carbide and did not perform well. In fact, many turbine manufacturers have taken to producing their own solid carbide end mills in house due to the high consumption of these tools. Kennametal’s new SiAlON KYS40 ceramic grade and the overall design of the solid ceramic endmill now offers the most effective way to rough nickel-based hightemperature alloys. “Cutting speeds on nickel-based superalloys can be up to 20 times higher compared to solid carbide end mills, and due to ceramic’s outstanding heat New 6-flute Beyond KYS40 solid ceramic end mill from Kennametal. Perhaps the most basic assumption in
tooling commonly runs at speeds between
machining is that cutting high-strength
65 and 200 SFM (20 to 60 m/min) in such
materials takes higher-strength tools.
materials with limited tool life.
Proprietary nickel-based alloys used in gas and steam turbines, for example, are among the world’s strongest materials, continually being developed to allow power plants to run at much higher
endmills from Kennametal, however, are presenting orders-of-magnitude improvements in machining high-strength
(negative rake), tool life can last five times longer or more,” says Thilo Mueller, global product manager at Kennametal. Two types of KYS40 solid ceramic end mills are available, a six-fluted version for face milling and profiling; and a fourfluted, necked version for slot milling and pocketing. Both product lines allow ramping, helical interpolation, and
temperatures.
nickel-based alloys, roughing at cutting
This not only provides more power to
tool life two to three times longer than
The wear mechanisms and wear indication
those that need it, it increases plant
comparable solid-carbide tools.
on the solid ceramic end mills is completely
efficiency and reduces or eliminates harmful emissions. Superalloys such as Inconel®, Waspaloy®, Rene®, and others come into play in turbine blades and other parts that require high strength, excellent high temperature creep resistance, phase stability, and resistance to oxidation and corrosion. But machining such materials can be a slow, laborious, and cost-intensive experience. In general, solid carbide
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New Beyond KYS40™-grade solid ceramic
resistance and stronger cutting edges
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speeds up to 3,300 SFM (1000 m/min) with
Industry First Cutting tools made of ceramics, mainly aluminum oxide (Al2 O3) have existed since the early 20th Century. Patents on ceramic cutting tools were issued in Germany in 1913 and were commercially available in the
trochoidal machining strategies as well.
different from carbide, allowing running ceramic end mills far beyond the point where carbide tooling would need to be replaced. That’s also the reason that this new KYS40 grade end mill is a throw-away type of tooling to allow usage beyond regular type of wear.
US in the 1950s.
Turbine Blade Machining
Ceramic indexable inserts have their place
Whether powered by fossil fuels, hydro,
today because they can operate at higher
or nuclear power, almost all electrical
May 2013
power on earth is generated by a turbine
machined with one tool at a 12-minute
User-driven navigation with selectable data
of some type. Producing, managing, and
machining time per segment, which test
provides quick, convenient comparisons to
maintaining these critical components are
personnel deemed “unprecedented.”
complimenting and competitive products.
vital to keeping the power flowing.
The new EADE solid ceramic end mills
Demonstrations and application videos
This puts a lot of pressure on
are also featured in the new, easy-to-use
provide valuable, real-world experience of
manufacturers to continually update their
“Kennametal Innovations” iPad app, free
the tooling technologies in actual use.
machining strategies. Many factors affect
to download from the iTunes™ App Store.
this: are large numbers of similar blades
The app’s simple navigation makes it easy
required or small volumes of different
to search via keywords to find specific
blade designs? Are multiple setups and
tooling solutions and product groups.
inch (4 – 12 mm). Running the tool does not
Among key features:
common high performance collet, power,
machining centers involved or single multiaxis multitasking machines? What is the CAD/CAM system being used and what is the expertise of the operators? And, of course, what are the best tooling choices for the machining operations? Recent test results involving the new KYS40 solid ceramic end mill are insightful. First of all, the KYS40 Beyond grade
Product animations provide clear visual representations of processes with direct links to detailed information. A navigation map offers drop-down menus with supplemental information, including expandable and customizable, charts and graphs.
Kennametal is offering the new KYS40 ceramic end mills in the range of 3/16 – ½ require use of special clamping, the use of or hydraulic chucks is fully sufficient, although the chuck must be able to run at the high speeds necessary for superalloy machining. To ensure highest tool life, final balancing is recommended. More information is available at www. kennametal.com.
ceramic in both the four-flute and sixflute versions features an enlarged core design that improves tool rigidity and reduces deflection at high cutting speeds. Optimized end geometry and a 40-degree helix angle increase shearing action and chip evacuation. In roughing the profile of a small turbine blade made of Inconel 718, machined dry, the EADE four-flute end mill was run at 645 m/min (2116 SFM), fed at 0.03 mm/z (0.0012 IPT). Depth of cut (ap) was 0.5 mm (0.0197 inches) and width of cut (ae) was
Turbine blades in nickel-based superalloys present complex machining tasks. New solid ceramic end mills from Kennametal are setting new benchmarks in machining speed (below) and tool life.
11.4 mm (0.866 inches). Compared to a conventional solution, the EADE four-flute mill lasted three times longer doing the roughing in less time. This application resulted in three times more parts being produced per mill. The six-flute EADE solid ceramic end mill was tested profiling a blisk (blade integrated disk) made of Inconel 718 and run with compressed air for chip evacuation. Unlike conventional carbide tooling, roughing to near net shape creates chips closer to dust than traditional curled chips, requiring only compressed air to blow them out of the cut. Test conditions were cutting speed of 679 m/min (2228 SFM), feed of 0.03 mm/z (0.0012 IPT), and the depth of cut varied up to 0.5 mm (0.0197 inches). The results were two blisk segments
May 2013
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47
MART UPDATE
Indo-MIM takes initiative with TAYSAD for New Generation MIM technology
Dissemination of information has been the main focus of Indo-MIM, a manufacturing company based in Bangalore in India. Being a world leader in MIM (Metal Injection Molding) technology, it has been a priority for this company to help designers and engineers world over to get technical information about this technology and help them apply it in their field. Having developed more than 3500 varieties of diverse products as per customer designs, Indo-MIM has a rich experience of using various types of materials for complex geometry. Their motto is aptly coined: Complexity Simplified. One such initiative was taken up by IndoMIM in organizing a technical seminar in co-operation with TAYSAD, on 16th May at TAYSAD Campus at Istanbul. TAYSAD is the Association of Automotive Parts & Components’ Manufacturers in Turkey. This was a 3 hour session conducted by Mr. Manoj Kabre, Vice President – Marketing from Indo-MIM, Bangalore and Mr. Osman Karakas, Turkey representative. The seminar was conducted in both English and Turkish (as required) and answered all the technical query of the participants. The programme had participants from various automotive industries across Turkey. All the automotive industries have been working on the challenges offered by automotive manufacturers for rationalizing part geometry and strength. In every area of an automobile - be it an engine or a transmission unit, or a moving component of an aircraft engine, reliability is an important factor to focus on. As a manufacturing technology, MIM has been a very successful technology to meet the needs of such applications. It has the entire
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gamut of application ranging from engine parts of an automobile to cosmetic parts of a mobile phone or a tablet. Its diversity is in its strength, and it has a sculptor-like approach for the engineering fraternity, when it comes to the capability of the technology. MIM Technology combines the design flexibility and production scale of plastic injection molding with the strength and integrity of wrought metals to offer cost effective solutions to meet these demands. It has the unique ability to manufacture complex, lightweight shapes that are not economically viable with other metal cutting / forming processes. Minimizing part wall thickness by proper use of coring and ribs, allows use of less metal without sacrificing durability. This was very well explained in the seminar by Mr. Kabre, giving examples of actual parts thereby making it easy for the participants to understand and visualize.
conducted such workshops in the past two years at various industries in Turkey such as Bosch-Siemens, Ingersoll Rand, Arcelik, etc. Mr.Ali Özgür Bozkurt, Chief Engineer Production Engineering Department from Farplas R & D Center, who was one of the participant, sent his comments, “First of all, thank you very much for your seminar. It was quite fluent and informative. Honestly speaking, when I first saw your title, I was suspicious about the agenda and I was thinking it would be a classical marketing and company presentation that would be waste of time as an engineering point of view. However, your presentation was quite rich and your way of representation was almost perfect. It was very nice for me to see a marketing activity that is directly base on technical (technology) explanations. I really enjoyed and also got brief but satisfied information about the technology. I will keep in mind and contact in case my company quote such suitable components for MIM.”
Some of the participants at the seminar very aptly understood that besides superior shape capability, the MIM process provides the designer with a wider choice of high strength ferrous and stainless steel alloys as well as wear resistant and high temperature super alloys.
Indo-MIM has expressed sincere gratitude to the team at TAYSAD, especially Ms.Sevgi Ozcelik, to have made all arrangements for the seminar. It also showed readiness to come to future events, if arranged by TAYSAD.
Indo-MIM has shown readiness to extend its Value engineering service to various industries in Turkey, as and when they need. Elaborating this approach, Mr. Karakas explained to the team that in this approach, the problem is designated and the boundaries are fixed enabling the MIM designer to develop innovative solutions tailored to a customer’s specific problems. He shared his experience of having
One such event was also conducted earlier at Prague in Czech Republic by Indo-MIM, which was conducted by Mr. Michal Kasik, their East European representative. The event was organized in 4 batches in the campus of Technical University in Prague – see http://www.techlib.cz/en/. The choice of timings allowed various technical representatives from various manufacturing companies to be present at the event. May 2013
Havells India maintains growth momentum Havells India Limited, a $1.3 billion leading Fast Moving Electrical Goods (FMEG) Company and a major power distribution equipment manufacturer, announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and the financial year ended March 31, 2013. On a standalone basis, Total Income grew 17% to Rs. 4,224.99 crore compared to Rs. 3,615.61 crore in the corresponding period of the previous financial year. Net Profit rose by 22% to Rs. 371.39 crore as compared to Rs. 305.43 crore in FY12.
“The results are in line with expectations despite challenging economic conditions, particularly in Europe. A robust growth in distribution network and new product launches in small domestic appliances have contributed to our performance. We continue to aggressively promote our range of products across all markets and are confident of maintaining growth trends during the current year.”
On consolidaated basis total Income for the year ended March 31, 2013 increased by 11% to Rs. 7,247.89 crore as compared to Rs. 6,518.20 crore in the corresponding period of the previous financial year. Net Profit (PAT) was Rs. 581.4 crore (However this includes one-time exceptional item of Rs. 194 crore) as compared to Rs. 369.92 crore in FY12.
industrial electrical needs. Havells owns prestigious global brands like Crabtree, Sylvania, Concord,
Havells India Ltd is a $1.3 billion and India’s fastest growing FMEG company (Fast moving electrical goods) its products range includes Industrial & Domestic Circuit Protection Switchgear, Cables& Wires, Motors, Fans, Power Capacitors, CFL Lamps, Luminaires for Domestic, Commercial & Industrial applications, Modular Switches, Water Heaters and Domestic Appliances covering the entire gamut of household, commercial and
Luminance and Standard.With 94 branches/representative offices and over 6000 professionals in over 50 countries across the globe, the group has achieved rapid success in the past few years. Its 14 state-of-the-art manufacturing units in India located at Haridwar, Baddi, Noida, Faridabad, Alwar, Neemrana, and 6 stateof-the-art manufacturing plants located across Europe, Latin America & Africa churn out globally acclaimed products.
Anil Rai Gupta Joint Managing Director, Havells India
Products have rolled out from India’s first large scale Lighting Fixture plant at Neemrana, Rajasthan which was commissioned in October 2012. Havells have launched a new range of premium domestic appliances like Coffee Maker, Induction Cooker, Rice Cooker, Mixer Grinder, etc. New products like Solar Cables, Home Safe Protection Devices Fitted with MCB, Smoke extraction motors and Fans have performed as per our expectations. It has also expanded Havells Galaxy chain by opening more stores across India taking the total figure to 200 galaxy stores.
Datamax-O’Neil’s RL4 Portable Printer certified for Ruggedness Datamax-O’Neil, a global provider of industrial grade label and receipt printing solutions, announces that its RL4 portable printer has achieved standard IEC 600682-31, a free-fall drop test comprised of 2,000 repeated drops from 500 mm. The testing was conducted by Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services. The printer sustained minor physical damage, but continued to operate successfully following completion of the testing. “The RL4’s ability to operate after 2,000 free-fall drops is confirmation that our efforts to design a portable printer that May 2013
meets the most demanding mobile application requirements was successful and demonstrates our commitment to offer the industry’s most rugged and reliable printers,” said John Murphy, senior product manager for Datamax-O’Neil. Datamax-O’Neil is a trusted global provider of stationary and portable label and receipt printing solution products that enable manufacturing and supply markets to capture the benefits of automated product identification and automated legal and financial transactions.
“The results from the printer comparison and drop tests are not a surprise to us since we have continued to receive positive comments from our customers since the first day the RL4 entered service,” Murphy explained. “It’s just great to hear others touting the rugged reliability of the RL4.”
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Mechatronic gripper modules from Schunk Simpler, lighter and more flexible Mechatronic gripping can be so easy: The electrically driven small parts gripper EGP from SCHUNK, the competence leader for clamping technology and gripping systems, is so easy to control that the conversion from pneumatic to electric gripping modules becomes child’s play. Compared with other electrically driven small parts grippers on the market, it scores points with respect to its high speed and simultaneous high gripping force. A powerful junction roller guide ensures high efficiency and makes the gripper a dynamic and high-performance specialist for demanding Pick&Place applications. Since the EGP is based on the time-tested pneumatic small parts gripper MPG-plus, it offers a bundle of additional advantages: For example, users can completely transfer the sensor system of the MPG-plus to the EGP and convert existing systems from pneumatics to electricity in a flash. Control of the gripper module is the same as for the MPG-plus – either directly (digitally) or by means of sensor distributors (open/ closed). Like the MPG-plus, the EGP also can be bolted through or bolted on either on the side or bottom, for increased flexibility in
designing the system. In addition, the innovative family-owned company consistently implemented a lightweight construction in the design of the EGP: Excess material is avoided on the gripper housing, and internal components made of special highgrade aluminum reduce the weight. This enhances the dynamics and energy-efficiency of the higher level system. Without the occurrence of significant interfering contours, two positions can be reliably monitored by means of an integrable and programmable magnetic switch, for example “Open” and “Closed”. The switch-off points can be programmed as well, which further increases the process stability. Reliable position monitoring and detection of different sized workpieces are possible even in case of very short strokes. The first version is the EGP in size 40. Weighing only 400 g, the gripper is designed for workpiece weights up to 675 g, can achieve a stroke of 6 mm per finger and has a four-stage adjustable gripping force of 135 N with a closing time of less than 250 ms. For further details write to info@in.schunk. com or visit www.schunk.com
Perfect alternative to pneumatics: The EGP small parts gripper provides for flexibility and high cycle rates in Pick&Place applications.
Bursting Strength Tester from Mangal Mangal Bursting Strength Tester is designed to find bursting strength of fabric/ leather/ paper/ paper board. Different models are available in the range. A test specimen is held between two annular clamps under sufficient pressure to minimize slippage. The upper clamping surface which is in contact with the test specimens has a continuous spiral grooves. A circular diaphragm of pure gum rubber is clamped between the lower clamping plate & pressure cylinder so that before the diaphragm is stretched by pressure underneath it the center of its upper surface is below the plane of the clamping surface. The equipment is fitted with a mo-
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tor driven cam mechanism, which increases fluid displacement on the lower side of the diaphragm at a specified rate. The equipment is fitted with an arrangement, which automatically brings down the pressure and stops the motor on completion of the test cycle. A maximum reading type pressure gauge gives the bursting pressure. For conducting tests on material where one pressure gauge does not cover the full range of loads encountered with the desired accuracy in measurement, a special model fitter with two pressure gauges with an isolating valve can be offered. Digital
type pressure gauge type instruments are also available. Digital type pressure gauge with pneumatic clamping model also available. For more details visit www.mangalinstrumentation.com
May 2013
Turning with Precision and Flexibility The NLX series from DMG/ MORI SEIKI combines excellent machining accuracy with high manufacturing productivity The NLX2500 Series has evolved from the NL Series that sold more than 10,000 units, and is designed to reflect current market needs and over 5,000 feedback from our customers. It is packed with extensive features including (1) high rigidity, (2) measures against thermal displacement, (3) energy saving, (4) space saving, (5) MAPPS IV + ESPRIT, and (6) compliance with safety standards. High rigidity The NLX2500/700 (turning specifications), NLX2500MC/700 (milling specifications) and NLX2500Y/700(Y-axis specifications) use different platforms for each model to ensure high rigidity. In addition, the machines offer longer tool life and capabilities for heavy-duty cutting by using slideways. Measures against thermal displacement As standard specifications, the NLX Series uses a bed with coolant circulating inside. This allows the machine to achieve active control over thermal displacement caused by cutting heat and changes in the ambient temperature. Energy saving The NLX Series uses a compact CNC that consumes less power, an inverter–type hydraulic unit, and LED lighting to reduce environmental burden and running costs. The total power consumption has been reduced by approximately 13% for the NLX2500/700 (turning specifications), by approximately 10% for the NLX2500MC/700 (milling specifications), and by approximately 14% for the NLX2500Y/700 (Y-axis specifications). Additionally, the lubricating oil consumption has been reduced by approximately 15% by stopping the oil supply during standby.
Space saving
Highlights: NLX2500Y/SY/SMC
Each model uses different platforms and is optimally-designed to suit the specifi-cations. The NLX2500/700 (turning specifications), for example, has achieved approximately 22% reduction in the installation area compared to the conventional NL Series.
Slideways are used for all axes
MAPPS IV + ESPRIT The NLX Series uses the MAPPS IV highperformance operating system for its operation panel. In addition to automatic programming software (standard), ESPRIT CAM software is available as an option. The combination of MAPPS IV and ESPRIT allows the machine to handle complex machining programming and to flexibly meet
Coolant circulation inside the castings Built-in motor spindle BMT (Built-in Motor Turret) Approx. 30% reduction in standby power consumptionY-axis travel ±50 mm (S, SY type) customer needs. Compliance with safety standards The NLX Series conforms to safety standards all over the world, including CE Standards, UL Standards and ANSI. For further details visit: www.dmgmoriseiki.com
Major specifications
May 2013
Item
NLX2500/700
NLX2500MC/700
Max. turning diameter (mm)
φ 460
φ366*1, φ356*2
Max. turning length (mm)
728
705
Axis travel(X/Z/Y)(mm)
260/795/-
Max. spindle speed (min-1)
3,500 [4,000]
Rapid traverse rate (X/Z/Y)(mm/min)
30,000/30,000/-
Number of tool stations
10/12
Spindle drive motor (30 min/cont)
18.5/15
NLX2500Y/700
260/795/±50 4,000
4,000 30,000/30,000/10,000
[ ] Option *1 For 35 mm overhang of O.D. cutting tool *2 For 40 mm overhang of O.D. cutting tool www.ibmart.in
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Mekaster Hydraulic Jacks More than 50 standard single acting models of Hydraulic jacks from 5 to 200 tonnes capacity in types such as plain, screwed, hollow, short height & flat. Jacks up to 1500 T capacity are also supplied in single / double acting models for various applications such as Pile Testing, Post Tensioning, Bridge Lifting &/ or Shifting etc. Mekaster has been a leading manufacturer of heavy-duty industrial tools in India since 1970s. Incorporated in the year 1991, Mekaster Tools Ltd started as a separate entity manufacturing a range of high performance maintenance tools including Hydraulic Jacks to complement existing range of heavy-duty sockets / wrenches, torquing tools (manual / hydraulic /electric & pneumatic) etc.
These jacks conform to ASME B30.1 standards and are designed with a safety factor of 2:1 with components manufactured from graded alloy steel, hardened, tempered for toughness. Cylinder bores / piston rams are hard chrome plated & then honed / ground to enhance wear resistance. Pressure activated, anti-extrusion Polyurethane seals of imported makes provide high
reliability. Bronze guide rings provided to reduce scoring caused by off-centre loads. Replaceable hardened grooved saddles provided on ram to prevent its mushrooming. Matching hydraulic hand pumps with coupler and hoses of European Origin are also available for single and multijack applications. These heavy duty pumps (single /double speed) are with hardened and ground piston, integral reservoir with telescopic handle, automatic safety relief valve, modular valves for ease in maintenance etc. Electric / Diesel or Petrol driven pumps can also be supplied against orders. For further details write to Mekaster Tools Limited, 10168, East Park Road (K.C.P.), Karol Bagh, New Delhi.110005 Tel + 91 11 32908029/ 32959904 Email support@mekastertools.com or visit www.mekastertools.com
Clean drive solutions for food technology, conveyors, and beyond
Lightweight, hygienic helical bevel gear units For hygienically demanding applications, NORD DRIVESYSTEMS supplies aluminum two-stage helical bevel gear units in five sizes with a maximum torque of 660 Nm that are especially easy to clean. The wash down design is based on smooth inclined surfaces, transitions with large radii without dead spaces, and requires no assembly covers. Cleaning liquids wash off easily and completely from the surfaces, which also
remain considerably cooler than those of conventional drives thanks to the special construction. The design is optimized, amongst others, for use in the food industry and complies with international guidelines and standards such as EHEDG, ANSI / BISSC, and ANSI / NSF. If required, the gear units can be fitted with double shaft seals. They can be ordered as open or closed frame versions with hollow or solid shafts. Designed according to the proven UNICASE principle, the housings are very torsion-
NORD’s hygienic helical bevel gear units are available as open or closed frame versions – right: combined with a smooth-surface motor
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resistant and withstand high mechanical stress. With the optional NSD tupH surface treatment, they become extremely resistant to corrosion as well as acids and alkaline solutions. NORD’s NSD tupH sealed surface conversion system is not a coating, which means that no layers can peel. Instead, the process transforms surfaces with up to seven times the hardness of the base aluminum material. Thereby, the housings acquire robustness and durability qualities that are similar to stainless steel versions, while remaining much lighter and more economic. In addition to food industry processes, the gear units are also ideally suited for conveyor systems and hoists, especially in applications where geared motors have to be moved and their light weight becomes essential. All gear units can be combined with suitable smooth-surface motors from NORD or other manufacturers. For further details visit www.nord.com
May 2013
Complex movements made easy Baumüller adds “Coordinated Motion” to its software toolbox users to make coordinated movements on several axes. Only the programming languages included in IEC 61131 are used. Programming of path movements is done using the G-Code conforming to DIN 66025, which is widely known in the CNC world.
The user can load DXF files, for example from CAD systems, no matter how large they are At the Hannover Messe, Baumüller will be presenting its new software library in action. With its “Coordinated Motion” components library, Baumüller is now making robot and CNC functions usable within Motion Control SPS. This makes it easy for
By this means, the user can define trajectories, speeds and the workpiece coordinate system entirely freely within the workspace. The CNC program is loaded into the SPS system as a simple text file and can be as large as required. Thus data from CAD/CAM systems can also be used for programming the machine.
you need as standardized and validated components or already packaged together into sector-specific specialized modules. The combination of these basic functions allows you to create applications using the ProMaster engineering framework without effort-intensive programming, mainly by setting values for the parameters specific to the machine you are using. For further details write to marketing@ baumuller.in
The pre-programmed components and the combination of CNC and SPS functionalities saves machine builders programming time and spares them the cost of additional hardware. From inside the Baumüller software toolbox you can find all the basic functions
Simulation of processing
Magnetic rotary encoders with outstanding performance Absolute rotary encoders with magnetic detection principle from Pepperl+Fuchs combine compact designs, robustness, and service life with high resolution and accuracy, and in so doing open up new fields of application. Singleturn absolute rotary encoders from Pepperl+Fuchs are based on two-axis Hall sensors. These encoders can be turned into multiturn absolute rotary encoders through the addition of a Wiegand sensor. The big advantage of the magnetic functional principle is its compact installation dimensions and the fact that it is a non-contact sampling system. This means that there is no mechanical gear that can wear and requires maintenance and servicing. Resolutions of 12 bits are currently possible with singleturn versions, while resolutions of up to 39 bits can theoretically be May 2013
achieved with multiturn versions. The standard resolution is 12, 16, or 18 bits. Today, this design principle enables accuracies from 0.5° to 1° for magnetic absolute rotary encoders. Magnetic rotary encoders are characterized by their compact size, which makes them ideal for use in medical technology or laboratory automation. The magnetic detection principle is also extremely robust, which means that these encoders are an appropriate solution in areas where the ambient conditions are especially adverse, such as in commercial vehicles or wind farms.
At a glance: • Magnetic rotary encoders combine outstanding performance with regard to robustness and service life with compact designs. • Pepperl+Fuchs also improves the accuracy of the magnetic encoder technology with continuous enhancements in the area of the electronics.
As resolution and accuracy improve thanks to enhancements in terms of the electronics in particular, further fields of application will open up for absolute rotary encoders with magnetic detection principle, including in factory automation.
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Innovative and user-friendly solutions from Lapp and FPE Fischer
EPIC® SOLAR MAP SET nominated for Intersolar Award 2013 At Intersolar Europe, the Lapp Group and FPE Fischer will present innovative connection solutions and an unprecedented level of user-friendliness with the EPIC® SOLAR MAP SET, a modular connection system developed jointly by the two companies and now nominated for the Intersolar Award 2013. In a further innovative move, the Lapp Group has teamed up with Kostal Industrie Elektrik to guarantee, for the first time ever, the compatibility of solar connectors from two different manufacturers. Thanks to a completely new connection design, the EPIC® SOLAR MAP SET helps cut the cost of connection technology, while boosting the level of automation in the module manufacturing process and making modules easier to service and repower. As a result, the two partners have been nominated for their innovative connection systems for the second year running: their aluminium junction box, the EPIC® SOLAR RAZOR, made it onto last year’s shortlist for the Intersolar Award. The EPIC® SOLAR MAP SET consists of a range of components made of top-quality, weatherproof, impact-resistant plastic, which can be combined as required to create connections between photovoltaic modules – thereby rendering conventional junction boxes redundant. These standardized components can be mounted and welded onto modules automatically, and customized solutions for different numbers of strings and varying cable lengths can easily be provided, even within
Nominated for the Intersolar Award 2013: the modular EPIC® SOLAR MAP SET from the Lapp Group and FPE Fischer is a great way to substantially reduce part costs and running costs the same production line. Modeled after the automotive industry’s principle of flexible production platforms, the EPIC® SOLAR MAP SET builds on existing technologies and modular parts. Since the components can be inexpensively produced using injection molding and stamping technology, the manufacturers’ part costs are extremely low. The system’s modular construction also opens up the possibility of further variants, including one for glass-glass modules. The prototype of this model will be on display for the first time at Intersolar Europe 2013. Elsewhere, the Lapp Group’s partnership
with KOSTAL Industrie Elektrik has paid off handsomely: thanks to their combined expertise in the development of photovoltaic connector systems, the EPIC® SOLAR 4 THIN from Lapp comes fully tested for compatibility with the KOSTAL KSK 4 connector – something customers have been requesting for years. The two companies worked together closely on the tests to ensure compatibility, making it possible at long last to combine connectors from both manufacturers intelligently and securely. Visitors to Intersolar can learn more about intelligent connection solutions for photovoltaics at booth 270 in hall A4.
New iPhone and iPad App for Eplan Data Portal The new Eplan Data Portal app which is now available in two languages from the iTunes Store allows users to access over 230,000 components in the portal search and select mobile devices and components. The intelligent basket transfers the data collected into the original Eplan project, unless the customer has a software service
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contract. Extensive filter options make finding the right component for ser-vice or maintenance quicker and easier. If components need to be replaced, they can be selected directly in the app ‘on site’. If a manufacturer has removed the item from the range, a successor item can be found quickly and easily. Once in
the basket, the part is ready and can be transferred directly to the project at the office. This ensures that the documentation reflects the machine’s ‘as-built’ status and everything fits together logically. The plant and project documentation are consistent and seamless. More information and direct link at: www.eplan.de/app May 2013
Strategi offers Hitachi Variable Speed Drives Hitachi of Japan brings a wide, rugged range of AC drives upto 400 Kw ratings. These are available as simple v/f drives and also sensorless and flux vector drives. Simple v/f drives (L300 and X200) are suitable for fan, pump, compressor applications and are available upto 132 Kw. Variable Speed drives offer significant power savings when used in such applications with paybacks in many cases being within a year. These drives also incorporate a special Hitachi algorithm to ensure higher energy savings in fan/pump applications. The SJ700 series vector control drives have a industry leading starting torque of 200% at 0.3Hz in the SJ700 series. It can maintain 150% torque at 0Hz also. These drives can be used for position control applications with the addition of a feedback option
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card. The SJ700 series has an inbuilt braking circuit upto 22Kw and a built in EMC filter upto 55Kw. These drives have a built in Over current and Over Voltage suppression. The new latest WJ200 drives has many class leading features such as 200% starting torque. It has special algorithms to improve low speed regulation. It can be used for simple positioning applications with encoder feedback without the use of any add on card. It can be controlled with a pulse train input also. It incorporates a built in USB port for programming. The same drive can be used for both induction motors as well as brushless motors. All the drives are compliant with International ratings such as CE, UL, C-UL etc. For further details write to Strategi Automation Solutions Pvt Ltd, Plot #
25/B, Doddanakundi Industrial Estate, Off Whitefield Road, (Behind Graphite India), Bengalooru – 560 048 Tel:+91 80 32329798/ 32467879 Email:sales@strategiautomation.com Visit: www.strategiautomation.com
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THE LAST LEAF Dear Readers, The world today rewards the ones who “Make a difference” – one in the crowd. With the global market place having come on a touch screen, communication has become very easy and quick. This allows everyone to be able to connect and solicit the best suppliers and customers worldwide, through networking. In such a situation, he who attempts to “make a difference”, wins. I recently read about the arrival of the world’s first smartphone for blind people which will allow them to read SMSes and emails on this phone, which converts all text into Braille patterns. “We have created the world’s first Braille smartphone,” says its innovator, Sumit Dagar, whose company is being incubated at the Centre for Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship, located in IIM Ahmedabad campus. “This product is based on an innovative ‘touch screen’ which is capable of elevating and depressing the contents it receives to transform them into ‘touchable’ patterns,” he says. This is an excellent example of thinking out-of-the-box and applying conventional technology to unconventional areas. Dagar, an alumnus of National Institute of Design (NID), developed the device realizing that technology was only serving the mainstream and ignoring the marginalized. He is collaborating with IIT Delhi on making the prototype, which is currently being tested at L V Prasad Eye Institute in Hyderabad (Courtesy www.techgig.com). This is an excellent case study of academy-industry collaboration, which is the need of the hour. Earlier last month, the space-transport start-up SpaceX had its most successful launch test yet with Grasshopper, the first fully and rapidly reusable rocket. This is the latest step in the company’s journey to dramatically reduce the cost of space travel - an innovation initiative by the start-up’s founder, serial entrepreneur Elon Musk. Developing new products and cutting costs each require an innovation mindset. Creative problem-solving skills, thinking about the long term, and adopting a holistic perspective will lead to savings ranging from incremental to breakthrough. Cost innovation — rather than simple cost reduction — can only occur once an organization broadens its approach and keeps a constant eye on the long term (Courtesy : HBR). There is one more country which is making a difference in the global market place - Taiwan. It is the world’s largest supplier of contract computer chip manufacturing (foundry services) and is a leading LCD panel manufacturer, DRAM computer memory, networking equipment, and consumer electronics designer and manufacturer. With a population of 23 million, it has a GDP (global ranking of 21st) that is one-third of India. It has an inflation rate of little over one percent and unemployment of four percent, which are some of the strengths of this small country. With an abundant SME (Small and Medium Enterprises) sector having been nurtured in the midst of various eminent Universities, the industrial economy at Taiwan is a great strategic advantage for the country. As always, we need your input on the industry news, views and any observation about the industry around you. Your feedback will be useful to us to better inform our reader’s about tomorrow’s manufacturing solutions. Till then, Happy Technology! Manoj Kabre Member, Editorial Advisory Board (EAB), MART
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RNI No.: KARENG/2004/13614 Regd. Regn. No: KRNA/BGE/1016/2012-2014 Posted at MBC, Bangalore GPO, Bangalore - 560001 on 15th of every month
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