While the aftermath of the Corona pandemic is still having an impact in many markets, Taiwan’s economy continues to grow at a fast pace. One of the industries that is particularly optimistic about the future is Taiwan’s machine tool industry. Geared to the production requirements of an Industry 4.0, we introduce you to market leaders who have established themselves internationally and who you should know.
Integrity, growth, customer satisfaction and employee safety – these are the four pillars on which CHMER’s success is based. But not only that. High quality standards and always looking ahead have also made the company what it is today. CHMER has specialised in eroding machines (EDM), which are designed for high-precision and demanding machining tasks. EDM is the term used to describe machine tools that remove electrically conductive materials by means of spark erosion and thus bring objects into the desired final shape. CHMER can look back on almost three decades of experience in the research, development and manufacture of EDM products. The entire value chain lies within the company itself, from the machine to the control technology and software to the power supply units. In short: CHMER EDM machines manufactured in Taiwan are among the highest quality and most efficient on the international market. We talk to Brad Wang about the spirit in the company.
Ching Hung enjoys an excellent reputation in the EDM machine industry worldwide. What distinguishes your machines and what makes them so special compared to the competition?
Compared to our competitors, our strengths lie in our internal know-how, which has given us a technological edge for years. In our machines we rely on the highest quality components, from powerful linear motors to a special automated wire threading system (AWT) to a specially developed remote monitoring system and an intelligent work aid function (IWA). We attach particular importance to flawless parts and therefore carry out a 100 % quality control. Because any discrepancy, no matter how small, would damage our reputation. In addition, we offer a tailor-made service. Our sales staff, technicians and R&D engineers respond precisely to the requirements and questions of our customers and are available around the clock, 24 hours a day. And last but not least, we design flexibly according to our customers’ requirements, precisely and quickly.
You focus your developments on smart and highly integrated machines. Which functions are “smart” in your view and what advantages do they bring in practice?
For example, our “Remote Monitoring System” delivers all reelvant information directly to mobile devices, so that monitoring of the machine is possible from any location. Users can thus check the temperature of the machine, the water and the environment, diagnose error messages and get an overview of the service life of spare parts. This intelligent function enables simple and continuous monitoring.
What role does digitalisation play for you, for example with regard to networked machines?
We see ourselves as a provider of intelligent machines in which we can build intelligent production with system integrators. For example, the plant manager can view the processing history of each machine in a certain period of time as well as the utilisation rate of all production lines in order to improve the efficiency of the operation from this.
How do you deal with the increasingly high volume of data, keyword Big Data? Can users of your machines use the data, for example for predictive maintenance or condition monitoring analyses?
Yes, that is possible. Our CHMER Intelligent Information Center collects all machine data and builds up the processing history into a large database on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Via our CHMER app, users can then access all machine information, e.g. the service life of the components or the utilisation rate, on their mobile phone or tablet at any time and from anywhere via the cloud. In the next step, we plan to use AI methods.
Where do you see CHMER in the next few years? Where do you still want to develop?
The epidemic is slowing down and the global economy is gradually recovering, so CHMER’s business is picking up again. Therefore, we expect a significant upturn in the next three years: with a global distribution network of more than 90 agents worldwide, we expect to sell around 1200 sets and achieve a turnover of USD 100 million. In addition, we are working hard and around the clock to establish our brand as a world leader for high-end processing solutions. That was and is our vision!
“OUR TAIWAN-MADE EROSION MACHINES ARE AMONG THE HIGHEST QUALITY IN THEIR SEGMENT WORLDWIDE.”
Brad Wang, General Manager, CHING HUNG Machinery & Electric Industrial
Source: CHING HUNG Machinery & Electric
Author: Dipl.-Ing. Nicole Steinicke, editor-in-chief, World of Industries, Industrial Automation
Today, Everising is writing almost 40 years of company history and during this time has made a name for itself with its metal band saws in over eighty countries. In doing so, the focus has always been on the needs of the customers, according to the motto: “The customer should lead the way” and this is precisely what has led to sustainable growth to this day. In addition to circular and band sawing machines, the product range includes state-of-the-art systems for profile steel processing as well as complete sheet metal processing centres.
Quality and innovation leadership have been confirmed by numerous international certifications and awards, including the “Taiwan Symbol of Excellence”, the “Certificate Of Potential Taiwan Mittelstand Award” and the “Taiwan Superior Brands” award. The basis for this is provided by an outstanding research and development team as well as more than 60,000 m² of production space and the use of state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies. Everising supplies the market for steel, aluminium, stone, quartz and silicon saws. It produces over 2 000 units per year, in Taichung, Taiwan as well as in Kunshan, China. In China alone, there are more than ten subsidiaries and service centres offering comprehensive pre-sales and after-sales service for the complete sawing technology. More than forty sales partners worldwide make Eversing an established brand in over sixty countries. But what accounts for the company’s success and what is the secret of high-quality bandsaw machines?
Mr Chen, what is the most important thing about sawing machines for machining metal, steel and workpieces?
The most important thing with band saw machines is the harmonious match between the material (steel, non-ferrous metals as well as high-strength workpieces) that needs to be processed and the cutting speed. The ideal sawing machine is therefore designed in such a way that it can produce defined sections from rolled blocks, plates or flat materials in a wide variety of dimensions with as little material loss as possible. This means that the sawing process must be carried out efficiently and without interruption.
What distinguishes your machines and how did you manage to become the third largest manufacturer worldwide?
We have continuously collected the best cutting parameters and material types and set up a metal material database system. This helps our users to quickly find the right sawing parameters when using the machine. In this way, individual specifications can be implemented in the best possible way.
The demand for semi- and fully-automated machines is increasing. How do you implement this demand in your systems?
Fully automatic bandsaw machines have the advantage that they ensure a high processing quality that does not require any further adjustment. This saves companies time and resources. The automation of the sawing process is therefore of great importance to us. Our fully automatic band sawing machines are equipped with an automatic bar feed. A PLC control takes over all electrical and hydraulic functions. The workpiece is fed via the drive rollers of a hydraulically controlled dual vice clamping system. The working height is also controlled automatically by a quick-start sensor. A movement detector for the deflection wheel ensures safe shutdown in the event of blade standstill or breakage. And of course, cleaning utensils such as a rinsing hose as well as appropriate tools should not be missing.
What intelligent functions are integrated in your machines? That is, is there a human-machine interface system, diagnostic options and visualisation of the machine states on mobile devices such as tablets or smartphones? What advantages do your machines bring with regard to a smart factory?
To this end, we bring the three core topics of digitalisation, customising and resource management into our development, which I would like to explain to you in more detail below.
Let’s start with strategic digital transformation, which is based on the strategic architectures of manufacturing, including D (Data), I (Information), K (Knowledge) and W (Wisdom). We induce and integrate huge amounts of existing data into useful information. We have spent 20 years building a database of information on machine performance as well as materials, and have collected more than 60 000 pieces of material information. This expertise is the basis for the development of innovative machines. The extensive knowledge about the machining data of the sawing processes makes the entry into intelligent manufacturing fully secure.
Furthermore, we offer possibilities for customised intelligent manufacturing. The Everising-developed I-Tech control system developed by Everising can be used via a cloud service platform to analyse cutting data and saw blade conditions. With our I-Tech system, users can connect to the database in the cloud. They then receive the optimal cutting parameters that can be transferred to the control system. The I-Tech system is easy to use and increases productivity while reducing monitoring costs and can be optimised into an interactive service. In addition, production data can be exported for statistics and analysis in combination with the machine management service for comprehensive control of machine conditions.
And the third step is our comprehensive resource management, which can be used to take advantage of smart manufacturing. The I-Tech system enables the complete digitalisation of, for example, manual printouts, production uncertainties, and management and maintenance difficulties. It also enhances the benefits of smart manufacturing by managing machine utilisation, machine diagnostics, saw blade life diagnostics and machine throughput.
Everising has already received several awards such as “Taiwan Symbol of Excellence” or the “Taiwan Superior Brands”. For what achievement did you receive them?
Everising manufactures state-of-the-art bandsaw machines with a range of smart features, designed to be user-friendly with modern technical concepts. High productivity results from the right cutting parameters, and so we use our technologies to put ideas into practice and open up new opportunities for digital transformation. This is what sets us apart.
“AT EVERISING, WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED BY THE PHILOSOPHY THAT THE CUSTOMER LEADS THE WAY AND WE ORIENT OURSELVES TO IT.”
James Chen, Vice General Manager
Source: EVERISING
Author: Dipl.-Ing. Nicole Steinicke, editor-in-chief, World of Industries, Industrial Automation
The machine tool industry has a long tradition in Taiwan and many of the world’s largest manufacturers have their roots here. This also includes the TTGroup. We turn our attention to one of the subsidiaries: Asia Pacific Elite Corp. (APEC). It has set itself the goal of optimising manufacturing technologies and processes for a wide variety of tasks in the aerospace industry. Apec sees itself as a system integrator, solution provider and strategic partner. To this end, Apec has a lot to show, namely the most comprehensive solutions for the machining of medium and large aerospace structures and engine parts worldwide. This is complemented by services such as factory planning, smart manufacturing design, technical training, process upgrades and turnkey solutions. Through expertise and a constant drive for improvement, the company now has a number of state-of-the-art 5-axis large machining centres that meet the demanding requirements of the aerospace and tool and die industries.
Apec also meets the trend of an Industry 4.0 and supports its customers on the way to the Smart Factory. Through the integration of various software concepts and technologies, future-oriented solutions such as the so-called Line Monitoring System are available. Apec combines its knowledge from research & development with innovative design, state-of-the-art assembly and test procedures and consistent quality control. The result is turnkey solutions that can be used directly for the respective application. A company that plays in the upper league of the machine tool industry is reason enough for us to take a closer look.
The requirements for machines and systems for the aerospace industry are particularly high. How have you managed to establish yourself in this demanding segment?
First and foremost, our design targets the materials and components that are commonly processed in the aerospace industry. It is essential for us to understand whether the performance of our products meets the customers’ expectations. This is the only way we can develop specific equipment that meets market requirements. As soon as we see a need for optimisation or a customer requests improvements, we react immediately. In addition, we take a lot of time for an intensive exchange with our customers. We talk in detail about the specific requirements, the testing standard and want to understand our customers’ ideas. So we focus on the people we work with and on the respective application.
What makes your solutions for tool and mould making, your second business area, so special? You even talk about cutting-edge technology here.
The key to our success is that we focus on the needs and applications of our customers. So it’s all about individuality. Once we knew that we wanted to focus on this market, we provided the necessary resources. Other points are our many years of expertise, our technological knowledge and the high quality of our machines and systems. To this day, we know that we are on the right track with this and that we achieve excellent results.
They build plants that offer the user real added value. Does this mean turnkey solutions that are individually designed, developed and built for an application or for your customers?
Correct. Apec is able to deliver turnkey solutions. Through the optimal combination of perfectly matched technology modules, e.g. for process analysis, machine recommendation, clamping devices, tools and software, we can provide the optimised turnkey solution that exactly meets the customer’s production requirements. We first start with a job study, which includes an analysis of the drawing, material, dimensions and production constraints. Furthermore, a time and cost study is carried out, in which we carry out, for example, the requirements for the machine as well as the specific machine planning. This is followed by commissioning and, after the machine installation, training and education, a first run of a workpiece machining, troubleshooting and, of course, support of the production management. Finally, the implementation of the machines, tools, clamping devices, fixtures, CAD/CAM, simulation and verification, production start-up as well as final acceptance take place.
How do you meet the trend of an increasingly strong Industry 4.0?
From our point of view, the requirements of Industry 4.0 come from our customers. We are in close exchange, ask about the current obstacles and hurdles, collect information and data and then develop customer-specific solutions and concepts. Only in this way can we pave the way for a smart factory with the right hardware and software.
Where do you see the greatest potential for optimising production processes, keyword digitalisation and automation?
In my opinion, the biggest improvement lies in increasing productivity. We collect data and thereby understand at which points we can sensibly drive automation. The right information is also essential when it comes to optimising design and improving plant functions. So it’s all in flux and a continuous cycle.
“WE ARE CONTINUOUSLY WORKING ON IMPROVING OUR MACHINES, ALSO WITH A VIEW TO INDUSTRY 4.0.”
Matt, Director, Asia Pacific Elite Corp.
Source: Asia Pacific Elite Corp.
Author: Dipl.-Ing. Nicole Steinicke, editor-in-chief, World of Industries, Industrial Automation
Source lead: Eisenhans – stock.adobe.com
Taiwan is growing
The Taiwanese machine tool industry is again optimistic about the future. After a difficult previous year, things are looking up again in 2021. The Taiwan Machine Tool & Accessory Builders` Association (TMBA) expects the production value to be + 15 to 20 % this year. The impetus will come from developments in semiconductors, 5G equipment and motor vehicles. Many machine tool manufacturers are also returning to Taiwan and expanding their investments in the domestic market. Added to this is the increasing demand from foreign markets.
