Media Release - Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology ...

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• Technology development - PE companies can tap on the expertise of SIMTech’s team of 300 researchers to develop technological capabilities in process, automation and manufacturing IT to create niche technologies that will expand their market opportunities. • Manpower development – PE companies can “skill up” their staff in advanced manufacturing technologies to support the industry’s move towards higher-end manufacturing. This is offered under the Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications System’s Specialist Diploma and supplemented with regular SIMTech-organised technology seminars and workshops. • Advice and consultancy – Expert services and resources will be available to help with process troubleshooting, product design and engineering, technology capability assessments, and testing and failure analysis. • Facility and equipment sharing – PE companies will have easy access to the comprehensive R&D infrastructure at SIMTech, which has state-of-the-art processing equipment, diagnostic tools and reliability testing for developmental or diagnostic activities. 4. Since it began operations in June 2007, the Centre has attracted strong industry interest with 42 projects with PE companies. These are development projects in the areas of processes, automation and manufacturing IT, resulting in high value-added growth to the companies. Of these, 34 projects are carried out with 22 SMEs. 5. Dr Lim Ser Yong, Executive Director of SIMTech, said: ”As an R&D organisation with a strong industry track record in providing advanced manufacturing technology, SIMTech is well-positioned to provide enabling technologies for PE SMEs to innovate and venture into growth industries.” 6. Alignment Tool is among the 22 pioneering SMEs that have successfully tapped the PE COI to venture into new growth areas by developing methods in designing cutting tools. Mr Roger Heng, Managing Director of Alignment Tool (S) Pte Ltd said: “The development and manufacture of competitive cutters used to be a time-consuming process with many trials and customer validations, particularly on the design and prediction of tool-life. With the help of the PE COI, the company has successfully developed new methods for cutters designed for free form machining that saves significant time. Alignment Tool is now supplying these high value cutters to aerospace manufacturing companies. The innovation has also led to new business opportunities for the company in industries where tooling reliability is a critical competitive factor.” Page 2 of 4
7. Another SME, Delta Optics Technologies, an optical mould inserts manufacturer, worked with the PE COI to develop an innovative ultrasonic-assisted machining process to speed up its manufacturing of high-precision mould inserts. “By working with the PE COI, we have been able to cut down production time dramatically from six weeks to one day and improve the moulding tool’s life by six times. The innovation has enabled Delta Optics to successfully compete with companies in the US, Europe and Japan to supply high-precision mould inserts for the manufacture of plastic optical components,” said Dr Liu Xiang Dong, Technical Director, Delta Optics Technologies Pte Ltd. 8. The PE COI is an important part of A*STAR’s long-term plan to assist SMEs to scale to the next level of competitiveness. It complements A*STAR’s core programme for SMEs, called the Growing Enterprises with Technology Upgrade (GET-UP), that enables SMEs to raise their capabilities by helping them develop their operation and technology roadmaps, providing technical advice and secondment of A*STAR researchers. More than 200 SMEs have benefited under GET-UP. 9. The PE COI is the third centre launched under SPRING’s Technology Innovation Programme (TIP), which encourages SMEs to grow their businesses by adopting technology to create high value products and services and compete effectively in the global market. Two other COIs for SMEs in the food as well as marine and offshore industries were launched in 2007. 10. Besides the investment in the PE COI to help SMEs connect to technology expertise, SPRING has other programs, such as the Semiconductor and MedTech Capability Development Programs, to assist local PE SMEs to build up their capabilities to meet the stringent demands of these two high precision sectors. ~~~ End of Media Release ~~~~ About SPRING Singapore SPRING Singapore is the enterprise development agency for growing innovative companies and fostering a competitive SME sector. We work with partners to help enterprises in financing, capabilities and management development, technology and innovation, and access to markets. As the national standards and accreditation body, SPRING also develops and promotes internationallyrecognised standards and quality assurance to enhance competitiveness and facilitate trade. For more information, please visit http://www.spring.gov.sg About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research Page 3 of 4
Page 1: Media Release: NR/14/2008 23 May 20

Media Release - Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology ...

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