DOST Invites Electronics Industry to Avail Product Development Services
By: Zalda R. Gayahan
October 6, 2021 – Today, the Department of Science and Technology focuses on actively promoting its service offerings to the electronics industry through the conduct of the Online Kapihan entitled ‘DOST: Behind the Development of Competitive Electronics Products.’
The Electronics Product Development Center (EPDC) and the Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMCen) are two of the DOST's facilities that cater to the requirements of the electronics industry, from product conceptualization up to EMC and product safety testing.
The Orthopaedics International, Inc. (OII) and the Futuristic Aviation and Maritime Enterprise (FAME), partners of the EPDC and AMCen, discussed how their companies became involved in collaborative initiatives with the EPDC and the AMCen.
The OII is involved in the development of electronic medical devices. The trends in orthopedics include the use of instruments for better and more consistent placement and alignment of implants, and incorporation of electronics in instruments for better functionality, such as the use of a computer-assisted navigation system. ‘This puts pressure on our company to improve. We cannot just stay purely mechanical. We have to improve our instruments to take advantage of technology,’ says Engr. Jude L. Sasing, President of OII. ‘EPDC allows hobbyists to test ideas,’ he adds.
FAME, on the other hand, makes maritime transponders uplift the lives of fishermen. FAME's target market is small fishing vessels. FAME deploys transponders and trains fishermen how to use them. FAME collaborated with the AMCen for the 3D printing of transponder casing. ‘We made 3D printed samples…Right now we are filing an IP together with AMCen. We co-own that particular design. We are talking with the EPDC since we are enhancing the PBC design,’ shared Engr. Arcelio J. Fetizanan Jr, CEO of FAME. ‘Ang nakakatuwa dun is that we have everything created here in the Philippines, the design, the manufacturing, and even the testing,’ he further shared. ‘Nakaka-proud and thankfully DOST is there to support.’
 |
|
|
(L) Engr. Sasing of Orthopaedics International Inc. and (R) Engr. Fetizanan of Futuristic Aviation and Maritime Enterprise (FAME) share their collaborations with the EPDC and the AMCen. |
|
The EPDC and the AMCEn offer their services to clients with the clients' convenience as a top priority. Both located within the compound of the DOST-MIRDC in Bicutan, Taguig City, the two facilities provide a one-stop solution to electronics products development and supports budding entrepreneurs, students, researchers, and MSMEs alike.
 |
|
| The event emcee, Keith Dizon (R), with the panelists: (from L to R) Engr. Fred P. Liza, Program Leader of the AMCen; Engr. Joseph Alfred V. Garcia, Sr. Science Research Specialist of the DOST-MIRDC and AMCen; Engr. Julius T. Solomon, Head, EMC and Test Engineering Department of the EPDC, and Engr. John Ryan E. Gumtang, Head, Electronics Product Prototyping Department of the EPDC. |
| Registration Link: https://bit.ly/Web_Regs_Intro_Mold_Processing_Oct12_1-3pm | |
| Title: | Introduction to Mold Processing |
| Date: | October 12, 2021 |
| Time: | 1:00PM - 3:00PM |
| Description: | We will discuss the fundamentals of machine tool operations. At the end of the webinar, participants will be able to list and identify the proper sequence of operations, as well as create a systematic approach for the fabriaction of work parts. |
| Contact: | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
Improved Abaca Stripping Machine Poised to Benefit Local Fabricators and Craftsmen
By: Marlyn U. Ramones
The abaca industry in the Philippines is one of the livelihood sources of many countryside communities. Among the regions in the country that are heavy producers of abaca fiber are Bicol and Mindoro in Luzon; Leyte, Samar, Negros Oriental, Iloilo, and Aklan in the Visayas; and all provinces in Mindanao.
Recognizing the abaca industry as a huge market for local equipment fabricators, the DOST-MIRDC improved the commonly used manual abaca stripping machine.
The improved machine is portable. It is relatively light and can easily be transported to mountainous abaca plantations. It can be installed in a few minutes. Its use allows efficient and convenient stripping of abaca fiber.
The design of the portable manual abaca stripping machine features a spring that is adjustable to ensure that the blade is tightly installed into the wooden board. Its blade material is stainless steel 440C series, which is corrosion-free. The blade is heat-treated, a process that increases the blade’s service life.
Users of the machine evaluate that it produces excellent fiber grade which is based on color and texture quality.
The blade used in the traditional
abaca stripping machine by the Antique Development Foundation
The portable abaca stripping machine was developed by the DOST-MIRDC.
The locally-developed portable abaca stripping machine is an output of research and development of the DOST-MIRDC. Its intended end-users are the abaca processors.
A notable example is the people with abaca plantation in Barangay Leon in Laua-an, Antique, who are presently benefitting from using the developed portable abaca stripping machine. In the past, they were not involved in abaca stripping because, according to them, the traditional abaca stripping device was difficult to install.
When the portable abaca stripping machine was introduced to them, they started producing abaca fibers. At present, they continuously supply an average of 30-50 kgs abaca fibers per harvest to the Antique Development Foundation (ADF). The ADF is a non-government organization recognized as one of the key players in the abaca industry in the province of Antique.
The introduction of the portable manual abaca stripping machine is not only intended to benefit the abaca fiber producers. It is, first and foremost, intended to create business opportunities for local equipment fabricators. Fabricators who will license the technology may expand to serve the needs of businesses in the abaca handicrafts industry. Commercialization of the locally-developed machine will generate jobs, widen profit margins, and encourage active economic activities.
The DOST-MIRDC will conduct a forum/webinar to feature the portable manual abaca stripping machine. Abaca handicraft makers and equipment fabricators are invited to attend the event.
Connect to the online forum/webinar on DOST-MIRDC’s portable abaca stripping machine scheduled on 21 September 2021 at 2:00 - 3:30 pm. You may now register through the link below on a first-come-first-served basis:
https://tinyurl.com/WebinarAbacaStrippingMachine
Memorandum of Agreement for the Development of Training Curricula on Advanced Mechatronics, Robotics, and Industrial Automation
By: Maybelyn D. Rivera
The DOST - Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC) and the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) inked the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on September 21, 2021. The MOA pertains to the development of training curricula on advanced mechatronics, robotics, and industrial automation.
TESDA and DOST-MIRDC officials who took part in the event are as follows:
Ms. Rossana S. Urdaneta
TESDA Deputy Director-General for Policies and Planning
“The synergy between TESDA and DOST-MIRDC will make the nexus of technologies and metals and engineering industries stronger and more effective.”
Engr. Robert O. Dizon
DOST-MIRDC Executive Director
"Hopefully, through this partnership with TESDA, we will be able to come up with the appropriate training curriculum that will enable our workforce to do jobs, such as working remotely, working using mobile phones and gadgets, and operating the business even during the hard times of the pandemic."
Hon. Isidro S. Lapeña
TESDA Secretary
“This MOA signing will result in the development of four (4) training curricula for the AMERIAL Project that will allow us to share resources including the services of technical experts and trainers, learning materials, as well as research and training facilities.”
The AMERIAL team had already identified possible training curricula with the support of the Mechatronics and Robotics Society of the Philippines (MRSP).
The DOST-MIRDC now has better guidance in the preparation and development of the curricula through the signed MOA. MIRDC, together with TESDA, will create a joint working group to implement the training curricula and learning materials applicable for the AMERIAL project. This agreement will also pave the way to the promotion and advancement of the industries and human resources towards industry 4.0.
Currently, the AMERIAL team is drafting the four (4) curriculum designs in coordination with the MIRDC Industrial Training Section (ITS). The team seeks technical inputs from TESDA that are necessary for the preparation of the training activities. The curricula will be finished by the end of this year. TESDA will assist to ensure that the curricula comply with the requirements of the Unified TVET Program Registration Accreditation System (UTPRAS) before the program implementation in 2022.
By Marlyn U. Ramones
Taguig, Metro Manila, 25 August 2021 – The Department of Science and Technology - Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC) presented its new guidelines in facility sharing and technical services through a virtual industry dialogue. The presentation of the guidelines is an initiative to better serve the metals, engineering, and allied industries.
The MIRDC offers technical services such as testing, calibration, metrology, training, technical consultancy, design, heat treatment, machining, metal casting, metal finishing, welding, and fabrication. In his message, DOST-MIRDC Executive Director Robert O. Dizon said that although the MIRDC offers these services, the systems and procedures are not clearly defined. "There is still room for improvements," Director Dizon pointed out that the guidelines, which were formulated based on the Center’s collaboration with the industry, are intended to maximize the industry’s utilization of the DOST-MIRDC facilities.
Dr. Agustin M. Fudolig, MIRDC Deputy Executive Director for Research and Development, further discussed that MIRDC will offer technical services based on its mandate and will undertake research and development to fully support the industry players in the manufacture and disposition of metal products. He emphasized that MIRDC shall not compete with the private sector, but rather complement them in the conduct of technical services.
“We value the partnership with the industry associations," said Engr. Jonathan Q. Puerto, MIRDC Deputy Executive Director for Technical Services, in his closing remarks. He assured that the MIRDC, being a dynamic organization, continues to provide technologies and services to the metals, engineering, and allied industries.
There were 187 who attended the industry dialogue, mostly company members from different industry associations, academe, and government.
