International Metalworking News for Asia

The manufacturing industry plays a significant role in local economies of South East Asian countries, contributing more than 20% of gross domestic products in markets like Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, according to Industry Platform Pte Ltd.

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen disruptions across industries, while some companies struggled to come to terms with unusual fluctuations in supply and demand, other companies were better prepared. This month’s issue of International Metalworking News for Asia highlights various technologies and manufacturing strategies to help customers address their problems.

For manufacturers, moving away from the established way of doing things — including their choice of machines or tools — invites risk. But what if doing so could be essential to tackling steel ISO P turning challenges? The Tooling & Workholding section explains why now the time for machine shops to embrace a new generation is tooling solutions that could make their operations more efficient and productive.

For manufacturers, CNC machine tool spindles are critical to any drilling, milling, boring, grinding, routing, cutting, or sawing process. However, when these systems deteriorate and fail due to contaminants, human error, improper maintenance, lubrication issues, or poor spindle design, a quality rebuild is often required. Machin Tools section discusses how despite the plentiful availability of spindle rebuilders nationwide, not every firm provides the same level of quality. Even if a rebuilder has the equipment, they may not have the experience, technical knowledge, or attention to detail necessary to rebuild a spindle that performs reliably for many years.

The welding shortage is a global problem. The American Welding Society has predicted a deficit of 400,000 welders by 2024. John Young, APAC country director at automation parts supplier EU Automation, expounds why cobots may be the solution to the world’s welding shortage. Learn more in this issue’s Laser & Welding.

One of the many hurdles industrial players face is how to adopt smart manufacturing technology quickly, whilst seamlessly integrating legacy equipment and machinery. This challenge merits close attention and serious consideration. Mr. Inbavanan Rathinam, Senior Director, Solutions & Services, Asia-Pacific at Rockwell Automation details how enterprises in Asia-Pacific could be future-ready, especially with the growing attention on sustainable operations.

This coronavirus has many of us glued to the news, anxious for our loved ones, and adjusting our lives to deal with the changes the pandemic is having on our homes and workplaces. It is tough but the priority is to stay safe and take care.