The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), automation, robotics, 3-D printing ­– the spotlight was on these technologies at MTA2017,­ Asia’s premier manufacturing technology industry event, which took place from April 4-7 at the Singapore Expo.

The MTA2017 exhibition was comprised of 301 companies from 26 countries and regions, including four group pavilions from Germany, South Korea and Singapore, serving Asia’s high-value manufacturing sectors.

“Across the world, manufacturing is undergoing a digital transformation. As technological advances bring about greater connectivity and optimization across the value chain, MTA has gathered industry leaders and technology enablers to share their knowledge and successes in digitalization, to help businesses in Asia accelerate and achieve digital transformation in their processes, business operations and services. This will enable companies to become more flexible and agile, and better positioned to tap future growth at a faster speed,” said Lindy Wee, chief executive of MTA2017 organizer, UBM SES.

Singapore Advanced Manufacturing Commemoration Ceremony

The Committee on the Future Economy has identified “advanced manufacturing” to be one of the six growth clusters that Singapore will focus on. Over the past year, the government has reported momentum and has anchored a critical mass of advanced manufacturing investments in Singapore. The Advanced Manufacturing Commemoration Ceremony was held to celebrate and recognize 25 leading companies, which have made strategic Advanced Manufacturing investments in Singapore, and to rally the next wave of industry leaders to partner with the government in writing the next chapter of Singapore’s manufacturing story.

The ceremony was officiated by guest of honor Sim Ann, senior minister of state for the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and included senior executives from ABB, Accenture, Alcon, Chevron Oronite, Dyson, Emerson Automation Solutions, General Electric, GlobalFoundries, Honeywell Process Solutions, Infineon Technologies, Makino, McKinsey & Co., Meiban, Micron Technology, PBA, Pepperl+Fuchs, Rockwell Automation, Seagate Technology, Shell, Siemens, Singapore Technologies Aerospace, Sumitomo Chemical, The Boston Consulting Group, TUV SUD and Yokogawa.

“The advent of advanced manufacturing technologies presents Singapore with an opportunity to sustain and enhance a globally competitive manufacturing sector,” said Lim Kok Kiang, assistant managing director, Singapore Economic Development Board. “It’s a critical next step that Singapore must take, and I am delighted we have achieved early successes with a critical mass of advanced manufacturing investments. Moving forward, we will continue partnering companies to transform their business, and also equip Singaporeans with the skills needed to take on exciting jobs in the sector.”

Technology highlights at the exhibition

The exhibition showcased a spectrum of innovative manufacturing technologies in additive manufacturing/3-D printing, optics and photonics, precision engineering and semiconductor manufacturing.

• The new Smart Manufacturing Pavilion was a showcase of IIoT, robotics and higher automation work, presented by world’s leading manufacturers and technology enablers such as Accenture, BCG, Emerson, GE Digital, Honeywell, Mitsubishi Electric, TUV SUD and Yokogawa. Beyond the pavilion, ABB and Siemens had booths to display Industry 4.0 technologies such as robotics and integrated technologies.

• With 3-D printing gaining ground in the industry, companies such as Chemtron, Creatz3D, EOS Singapore, Eye-2-Eye Communications, Image Transforms, Intec Precision, InTed, Renishaw, SLM Solutions, Sodick, TRUMPF and UCT Additive Manufacturing Center highlighted various applications and equipment for industrial use.
• Nanyang Polytechnic’s Additive Manufacturing Innovation Centre and the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster presented their respective breakthroughs in 3-D printing research and development. Other activities included daily 3-D printing technology tours and 3-D printing seminar sessions held at the Technology Theatre.
• The Optics and Photonics Innovation Hub, a collaboration between the Optics and Photonics Society of Singapore (OPSS), LUX Photonics Consortium and The Photonics Institute, gathered industry and academic leaders, manufacturers and suppliers to present the latest research and innovative products and services in the field of optics and photonics.
• The Semiconductor Innovation Centre was where industry professionals could get updated on the latest advances in semiconductor manufacturing technologies and solutions, and learn how harnessing these technologies and solutions will enable the industry to compete in the global market.
• The Capabilities Hub congregated local parts and component manufacturers and service providers to highlight their manufacturing competencies in the high-value sectors of aerospace, complex equipment, medical technology and oil and gas. Organized in partnership with the Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech), it provided a viable platform for networking and knowledge exchange amongst local and overseas players.

MetrologyAsia2017

Held alongside MTA2017, MetrologyAsia2017 gathered top metrology brands such as Bruker, Carl Zeiss, Cairnhill Metrology, Edmund Optics, Faro, Marposs, Mitutoyo, Nikon, Optical Gaging, Renishaw, Zoller and others to demonstrate cutting-edge testing, measurement and inspection applications and systems for the sector.

Deep-dive into implementing digitalization

Featuring an exciting line up of speakers from technology enablers and the industry, the Smart Manufacturing Asia 2017 conference featured 30 experts engaging in deep discussions with delegates on the Industry 4.0 digitalization journey, strategies and frameworks for successful implementation of technologies such as IIoT, automation, robotics and augmented reality.

Other conferences held alongside MTA2017 include the Precision Engineering Centre of Innovation (PE COI) Annual Conference and the International Conference on Optical and Photonic Engineering (icOPEN), where delegates can seek updates on the latest technologies and industry milestones relevant to optical and photonic engineering, as well as innovations and developments surrounding the precision engineering industry. The AM Aerospace Summit presented by the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster (NAMIC) delivered the latest developments in additive manufacturing capabilities for the aerospace sector.