International Metalworking News for Asia

Over the years, technology has assisted with enhancing productivity across manufacturing supply chains to lower costs and improve profit margins and customer satisfaction. The increased usage of smart devices has granted organisations real-time, on-demand visibility of mission critical data for issue containment and to reduce cost risks and improve delivery to customers. While technology has improved the efficiency of manufacturing operations, companies are working to address the challenges of creating and implementing policies that support a safe and productive environment. Bystronic hosted Competence Days 2019 at the company’s headquarters in Niederönz, Switzerland. The event reflects Bystronic’s competitive advantage in the fields of laser cutting, bending, automation, and software. IMNA attended the event and witnessed exactly how the company not only presented machines but also vision and concepts for the future. Experts from the company discussed ways they could be the best partner, and how Bystronic sheet metal processing technologies support customers to be ahead of competition. Rounding out the August issue is a dialogue with Hoffmann Members of the Executive Board, Martin Reichenecker, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, and Borries Schüler, as they celebrate Hoffmann’s 100-year anniversary, a legacy that began with selling technical articles and metalwares in Munich, Germany in 1919. With the strength of its global reach, expansive quality and service programs, the company and its subsidiaries achieved record sales topping €1 billion for the first time in 2018. While Martin and Borries enjoy the opportunity to share about Hoffmann’s long history, both are keeping their eyes firmly focused on what’s happening now and in the future. This issue spotlights a preview of EMO Hannover 2019 happening next month. During the show preview conference in July 2019, which IMNA participated, Dr.Wilfred Schafer, Managing Director VDW, mentioned about umati - universal machine tool interface. umati represents a quantum leap in the implementation of Industry 4.0 in production. Today's customers expect to be able to integrate new machines into their own IT ecosystems with no difficulty. umati does this on the basis of the international interoperability standard OPC UA – easily, quickly and securely. Finally, this issue of IMNA features another exclusive interview of Markus Lindemann, Head of Laser Technology Asia Pacific, TRUMPF Pte Ltd. He shared his proficiency in additive manufacturing and encourages customers to have an open mind set. Markus is not inciting a big bang approach and throwing money. Instead, he urges customers to try new things and improve along the way. Many are increasingly interested in new technologies with clear use case, but most are still not ready to invest broadly. Markus’ goal is to educate readers about the potential value of additive manufacturing.