China Mission To Be Self-Reliant May Be Hampered
While China is doing what it can to stimulate its electric vehicle (EV) growth, recurring power outages plus other challenges may potentially undo all its efforts.
Renault Drops Nissan As Cylinder Head Supplier
Nissan will stop production of cylinder heads for alliance partner Renault at its plant in Sunderland in the UK amidst cost cuts.
Latest Product Launches From Mitsubishi To Widia
Mencom Connectivity Solutions for Hazardous Locations
These connectors are available for most Mencom circular connectors series such as MIN & PMIN Series, MIL-SPEC series, M23, M12, NAN M8, and Networks. They are rated IP65 (minimum) to IP67 (IP69), providing complete protection against ingress of dust, water jet, and steam. Their rugged structure with quick connect and disconnect design greatly increases installation speed without the use of special tools while providing more secure connections than hardwiring alternatives against machine vibration.
Mencom also offers a locking mechanism for the MIN Size I (7/8”) and PMIN (1 3/8”) series to protect the connection that prevents unexpected interruptions between two straight plugs or between a straight plug and a mating receptacle.
Mitsubishi: Half-Bridge Driver High-Voltage (600V) IC With BSD Function
Mitsubishi is launching a half-bridge driver high-voltage (600V) integrated circuit (HVIC) equipped with a built-in bootstrap diode (BSD) function that can help reduce the number of parts required in inverter systems. The new HVIC, which is designed for circuits that drive power semiconductors in low-capacity inverter systems, will also help to lower the power consumption of white goods, electric bikes, and other electrical products.
Sales will begin on 1 April 2022. HVICs that drive power semiconductors in inverter systems are in increasing demand for use in motor-control systems that help to save energy and improve the performance of consumer products and industrial equipment.
New Analog Safety I/O Modules from Rockwell Automation
The analogue safety I/O modules from Rockwell Automation offer integrated safety with systematic capability up to SC 3. The modules are TÜV certified up to SIL 3, PLe, Cat. 4. They also can be mounted in the same I/O bank with standard FLEX 5000 I/O modules to reduce system costs and complexity.
The FLEX 5000 analogue safety I/O modules are ideal for process applications where speed or frequency measurement, temperature, pressure, or flow sensor monitoring are required for functional safety protection. Potential applications include emergency shutdown, burner management, turbine control, compressor control, oil and gas auxiliary boilers, high-pressure protection, lighting, and ventilation management.
OMAX Unveils OptiMAX, Its Most Advanced Waterjet Ever
New and improved features include:
- IntelliMAX premium software, designed for incredible ease of use and operation quickly following installation. Incorporating decades of proprietary waterjet cutting models, no other system can consistently produce parts as rapidly or capably.
- IntelliVISOR console with key metrics to optimise operations and complete system monitoring to avoid unplanned downtime.
- EnduroMAX pump that automatically sets the correct pressure and minimises fluctuations to improve component life, while offering the most efficient waterjet pump technology in the market.
- IntelliTRAX drive system with advanced motion control for further increased system robustness and reliability. Requires virtually no maintenance compared to more conventional ball screw and rack and pinon drive systems.
- New garnet delivery system to further minimise downtime.
Seco Machine Monitoring Maximises Manufacturing Efficiency
With a low entry cost, Seco Machine Monitoring provides enhanced communication from the shop floor to upper management based on data-driven smart Manufacturing. Colour-coded metrics on real-time dashboards give manufacturers the insights they need to improve efficiency.
Employees are also able to easily add their insights and observations, categorise machine downtime and help contextualise problems. These best-in-class service solutions come courtesy of partnerships with an exclusive network of state-of-the-art software providers and technology partners like Machine Metrics.
SLM Solutions: Assembrix VMS Software Integrates With SLM Solutions Machines Worldwide
The Assembrix VMS platform enables remote printing on SLM machines while maintaining the highest security standards so that OEMs can work remotely and still have complete ownership of the fully automated printing process. A real-time data feed keeps customers updated on the printing status, while advanced encryption technology ensures IP protection.
This new partnership meets the growing demand by OEMs for secure distributed additive manufacturing and enables the creation of a reliable, international AM ecosystem with new opportunities across the entire value chain.
Teledyne FLIR Introduces Neutrino SX12 ISR1200 MWIR Camera
Based on Teledyne FLIR focal plane array (FPA) technology, near diffraction-limited optics, and a long-life linear Stirling cooler with 25,000-hour MTTF, the Neutrino SX12 ISR1200 offers 1280×1024 resolution with 12µm pixel size.
It also features dual-parallel outputs using a 60Hz Camera Link base with 1080P30 HD-SDI or 720P60 HD-SDI, ideal for tracking, turbulence mitigation, and artificial intelligence. The SX12 ISR1200 is a turnkey system that is ideal for integration with ground-based, long-range ISR, perimeter surveillance, border surveillance, and counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS).
Widia Introduces The Next Generation In Versatile End Milling
The initial release of the WCE platform features WCE4, a four-flute geometry which combines advanced, high-performance features with a brand new, versatile grade offered at a highly competitive price.
Two key features of the tool are its asymmetrical index and variable helix. The combination of the two reduce vibrations and enable heavy cuts, while the new grade, WU20PE, enables versatility on steel, stainless steel and cast-iron applications. These design features, coupled with the four-flute geometry, deliver an end mill with reliable performance and application versatility – even in demanding operations such as full slots and heavy cuts.
The WCE5 five-flute geometry will be released later in 2022. Orders for the WCE4 end mill, as well as other WIDIA metal cutting tooling, can be placed through WIDIA authorised distribution partners.
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New Chucks For Standardised Processes
When Mitsubishi Motors Corp. decided to set up a new production line in 2018 to improve its tool logistics, adjustment and maintenance, they relied on MAPAL’s shrink chucks and services
The MAPAL employees are always available to MMC with their know-how.
Every year, the production plant of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) in Kyoto builds engines for around 1.2 million vehicles. Numerous tools from MAPAL are used for machining the engines for the Mitsubishi vehicles. In 2018, the persons responsible at MMC decided to change over multiple production lines completely to shrink chucks from MAPAL.
Cutting costs—automation—precision: these were the three keywords when the production of a new engine was being planned at MMC.
“We wanted to bundle the work,” explains Makoto Nishida, head of production for drive technology at MMC. “Over the past months, we have focused increasingly on automating tool logistics, adjustment and maintenance.”
The aim was to increase the cost-effectiveness of the new production line while maintaining at least the same level of precision.
In this case, MMC is relying on tools from MAPAL for machining the most important engine components. From PCD milling cutters and solid carbide drills to fine boring tools—tools for a wide variety of operations are used for machining cylinder heads, cylinder blocks and crankshafts. “We use numerous combination tools from MAPAL in order to perform multiple machining steps with one tool,” emphasises Nishida.
“A further challenge we faced was preparing the tools for their application, in other words, simplifying the clamping and adjustment processes,” Nishida remembers. “After all, we experienced long non-productive times in preceding projects. Our aim was to reduce these significantly on the new line.”
“MMC used various technologies for clamping the tools, mainly collets,” Koichi Fukui, application engineer responsible at MAPAL in Japan, describes the initial situation. This was one of the issues MAPAL addressed in order to fulfil the requirements of MMC to reduce variety and standardise processes. “We designed application-oriented shrink chucks for various lengths and diameters that are equipped with an RFID chip for automating the processes,” says Fukui. Shrink chucks achieve considerably better radial run-out values than collets and ensure reliable processes in the long term.
“The concept that MAPAL presented convinced us. However, the question was whether we would manage to implement everything by the start of production, including the procurement of the suitable shrink unit and the structure for identifying tools with the RFID chips,” says Makoto Nishida. It was in this situation that MAPAL offered to do all the necessary work, including setting up the tools.
“That was a huge plus for us,” Nishida praises MAPAL’s commitment, “because it allowed us to focus on other unresolved issues relating to engine production.”
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Mitsubishi Motors To Invest Seven Billion Baht In Its Thailand Facility
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) will be investing ¥25 billion (7.08 billion baht) in its Laem Chabang production facility to enhance its car production efficiency and maintain the facility as its largest manufacturing center outside of Japan.
This is following the announcement that the company has passed the milestone of exporting four million vehicles from Thailand and has obtained the Board of Investment privileges for plug-in HEV investment applications worth 3.1 billion baht in March.
“Of the total budget, ¥12 billion is allocated to improve the car paint factory in Laem Chabang, where Mitsubishi has yet to upgrade the production efficiency for over 20 years. The remaining Y13 billion will go towards modernisation of the production lines, including incorporation of robots to raise efficiency and lower costs,” said Osamu Masuko, chairman of MMC.
“This improvement is meant to raise efficiency, ability and productivity at MMC’s manufacturing facility in Thailand to make vehicles for the global market,” he continued.
Mitsubishi will be assembling its plug-in hybrid cars in the Laem Chabang plant, the first in Southeast Asia. This is aligned with the goal to produce eco-friendly vehicles and the company aims to sell 3,000 plug-in hybrid cars in 2020.
Thailand continues to be an important hub in Mitsubishi Motors’ global operations and the company will continue to strengthen its operations as a key player in the ASEAN region.
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Schaeffler And Mitsubishi Electric Announce Global Strategic Partnership
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation and Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG announced a global strategic partnership as part of the e-F@ctory Alliance network. Since 2010 both companies have been partners in the e-F@ctory Alliance, which is part of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation’s e-F@ctory Concept. This concept supports companies with measures within the framework of the digital transformation, such as the integration of machine and plant data into MES (manufacturing execution systems) and ERP (enterprise resource planning systems).
Industry 4.0 scenarios are characterised by highly individualised products in very flexible manufacturing conditions. Along with production technology, Industry 4.0 also comprises digitally connecting components and machines. Dr. Stefan Spindler, CEO Industrial of Schaeffler AG, explained: “To provide Industry 4.0 solutions with substantial added value for the customer we need collaboration across different companies. With the technological expertise and systems know-how of Schaeffler and Mitsubishi Electric teamed up in this global strategic partnership, we will be able to offer intelligent solutions tailored to customer and market requirements to optimise manufacturing operations and equipment lifecycle costs.”
Mr. Noriyuki Shimizu, Executive Officer and General Manager of Factory Automation Overseas Division at Mitsubishi Electric, added: “Over the last years, we have successfully carried out joint projects in various countries in Europe and Asia. Now, we intend to intensify and expand our collaboration on a global level.” Schaeffler and Mitsubishi Electric collaborate to boost connectivity and to create Industry 4.0 solutions that reduce machine downtime and maximise productivity for the customer. For example, the machine protocol SLMP (seamless message protocol) implemented in Schaeffler condition monitoring systems enables vibration sensors to communicate bidirectionally with Mitsubishi Electric’s programmable logic controller and to transmit the characteristic values determined. The PLC processes the data into information, which is prepared as plain text messages and shown on a display. An additional integration level also allows the condition monitoring system to be connected with the PLC of the relevant plant via a network cable and Modbus protocol.
Schaeffler contributes concepts that combine mechatronic products, condition monitoring systems, and digital services to form application-specific 4.0 solution packages. These provide the basis for the creation of customised products and services whose main focus is always on the effectiveness of the overall system.
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation offers a vast range of factory automation and processing technologies, including programmable logical controllers (PLC), inverters, robots, servo-drives and HMI, helping to bring higher productivity and quality to the factory floor.
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Mitsubishi To Export Philippines Manufactured Units To ASEAN
According to the Philippines Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) would start exporting locally produced vehicles to different parts of Southeast Asia in 2019 and the company has also expressed a desire to help develop the local electric vehicle industry.
In particular, MMPC would be exporting the Mirage and L300 units in a bid to address the Philippines’ worsening trade deficit as well as the decreasing revenues in the entire local vehicle industry. Currently, MMPC is producing Mirage and Mirage G4 units domestically under the multibillion-peso Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) programme, which is an initiative under the Aquino administration that aims to produce a total of 200,000 car units by 2023.
Regarding the export of MMPC manufactured vehicles, Trade Secretary, Ramon Lopez, has said, “We keep saying that building an export manufacturing base is the way to go. It is also a good import substitution strategy. Through this initiative, we will address the trade imbalance and provide more jobs to our countrymen.”
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Vietnam Experiences Influx Of Japanese Investments
Experts have projected that the strengthened bilateral ties between Japan and Vietnam as well as Vietnam’s high economic growth and enhanced business environment will attract an influx of Japanese investments.
During Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s recent visit to Japan, wherein he met with Japanese companies such as All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd, AEON Co Ltd., Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Mitsui and Mitsubishi, sentiments were strong on the part of the Japanese investors regarding their interest in investing in Vietnam. With Japanese companies stating that they have plans to invest billions of US dollars in Vietnam, across a diversity of sectors.
Seiji Imai, Head of Mizuho Bank for Asia and Oceania has also commented that Vietnam is the first destination for overseas investments in Japan and the country could be experiencing a new wave of investments from small and medium Japanese enterprises with advanced technologies that are looking to enter the domestic market. Furthermore, he believes that the country will experience two waves of investments from Japanese firms with the first wave being attributed to large manufacturing companies and the second to follow shortly thereafter.
Umeda Kunio, the Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam has told the local media that many Japanese companies are very interested in conducting business in Vietnam in areas such as urban development. This can be witnessed with projects in the northern part of Hanoi as in the case of the the Binh Duong project, subway route No.1 in Ho Chi Minh City, and subway routes 1 and 2 in Hanoi.
Currently, Vietnam ranks as the third country in a recent survey on the overseas deployment of Japanese manufacturing companies by the Japan Bank for International Co-operation, and second in the same survey if only small and medium companies are taken into consideration as observed by Mr Kunio.
In a survey conducted last year by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), up to 70 percent of Japanese companies that are currently operating in Vietnam have expressed an interest to expand operations within the country, which is a relatively high percentage compared to other countries in ASEAN. Additionally in a Japanese survey questioning participants about countries and territories for potential expansion agendas, the number of companies choosing Vietnam has been observed to increase over three consecutive years.
According to Mr Kunio, the attractiveness of Vietnam as an investment destination can be attributed to its market potential, relatively low cost yet diligent workforce and political stability. Based on numerous economic forecasts, Vietnam’s economic growth is projected to remain high in 2018, and Japanese investment into Vietnam this year is also expected to be corresponding high. A trend that is also backed by reports from the Foreign Investment Agency.
As of 20 September this year, Japan had 3,900 valid investment projects that are worth a total registered capital of US$55.78 billion in Vietnam. Similarly, up till September of this year, Japan has been recorded as Vietnam’s largest foreign investor, with total investment capital of US$7 billion.
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Vietjet To Finance Fleet Expansion With Foreign Investment
Vietnamese budget carrier, Vietjet, has signed two agreements worth a total of US$1.2 billion with Mitsubishi UFJ Lease & Finance Company Limited (MUL) and BNP Paribas in order to fund its fleet expansion plans which includes the acquisition of up to five brand new aircrafts, costing a total of US$614 million.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by the Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and also included the signing of a memorandum of understanding worth US$625 million between Vietjet and Natixis, a French banking group, as well as several Japanese equity underwriters.
These deals have been made under a financial plan whereby Vietjet would claim future ownership of the aircrafts and the acquisition of the new aircrafts, which includes the A321neo aircraft, are also acknowledged as part of a contract signed earlier between Vietjet and Airbus.
Currently, Vietjet operates 60, A320, A321 aircrafts and operates more than 385 flights daily, carrying more than 65 million passengers across 101 routes to destinations such as Vietnam, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, China, Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia and Cambodia.
Moving forward, Vietjet has announced plans to develop three new routes linking Vietnam with Japan in the coming three months which would facilitate the growth of tourism and trade between the two countries and across the region. The new routes include Osaka-Hanoi, Osaka-Ho Chi Minh City and Tokyo-Hanoi.
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Mitsubishi Motors Increases Its Production Capacity In Indonesia
TOKYO: Mitsubishi Motors has announced that it is to increase the production capacity at its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Bekasi, Indonesia in response to strong demand for the XPANDER crossover MPV in Indonesia and export markets.
The expansion will increase capacity to 220,000(*) units from the current 160,000(*) units by fiscal year 2020.
The expansion represents an investment of around 4 billion Yen and will see an extra 800 people employed at the Bekasi plant, taking the total number of staff up to 4,100.
The production volume of XPANDER will rise from 115,000 units to 160,000 units by fiscal year 2020. Exports will rise from 30,000 units to 50,000 units to feed demand from overseas markets including ASEAN countries.
In addition, the XPANDER’s engine will be produced in Nissan Motor Indonesia (NMI), a local production subsidiary of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. This will increase the localised parts ratio of XPANDER to about 80 percent from the current 70 percent and have beneficial economic effects on the local supply chain. The expansion of NMI facility will mean 160,000 units of the engine will be produced annually.
Since its launch last August, the XPANDER has accumulated 100,000 orders in Indonesia by the end of September 2018. In March and July this year, it was ranked No.1 in Indonesia’s sales volume ranking, and has received the Car of the Year 2018 from the OTOMOTIF newspaper in March and FORWOT Car of the Year 2018 from Automotive Journalist Forum in September.
By expanding its Indonesian business, Mitsubishi Motors is committed towards continuously contributing to the economic growth in Indonesia.
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