Ilagan City Mayor Interested to Use Locally-made Hybrid Electric Road Train as Alternative Mass Transportation Mode
By: Eldina B. Pinca
The City of Ilagan is eyeing to adopt the Hybrid Electric Road Train (HERT) as their alternative mode of mass transportation.
In a virtual meeting held on June 29, 2021, Ilagan City Mayor Hon. Josemarie L. Diaz was impressed with the HERT and the positive impact that it will have on the city. Dr. Precila Delima, Executive Officer of the Isabela State University (ISU), presented the HERT and focused on how it will complement the city’s existing public transportation schemes. Dr. Delima highlighted in her presentation that as Ilagan City’s alternative mass transportation mode, the environment-friendly HERT will make the city more attractive to investors.
Mayor Diaz already expressed his wish to have two HERT units, each with three coaches, to be used as a mass transportation alternative in the city. The Mayor has also inquired about the manufacturing cost for the two units and the production time needed to complete the fabrication.
The HERT team's next meeting with Mayor Diaz is on July 7. Following the success of the June 29 virtual presentation of the HERT, the Mayor agreed to discuss the identification of the fabricators of the HERT coaches and the formulation of the Memorandum of Agreement with the HERT Consortium, led by Agricomp Machineries and Construction Corporation; DOST II; ISU; DOST-Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC); the LGU officials involved.
Ilagan City may be the second city to adopt the HERT. Cauayan City, also in the province of Isabela, adopted the Light HERT in early 2019. The Light HERT is now used to ferry commuters within the streets of Cauayan. At the height of the pandemic last year, the HERT was used to shuttle healthcare workers for free around the city.
The consortium and the people of Isabela province have been waiting for more positive developments about the HERT in Isabela. Now that the economy is slowly opening up, the fabrication of the HERT in the province will lead to more success stories for the local manufacturing industry and the province's economy.
DOST-MIRDC Experts Inform the Public about PNS 49: 2020 (Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement - Specification)
By: Genevieve M. Barsales
One of the last webinars conducted in the week-long celebration of the Metals and Engineering Week is on the latest PNS 49:2020 standard that was approved last March 2020. The webinar was hosted by the DOST-Metals Industry Research and Development Center to raise the industry’s awareness about the latest standard.
Engr. Florante A. Catalan and Engr. Gina A. Catalan from the DOST-MIRDC’s Analysis and Testing Division were the resource persons. Both are highly-esteemed experts in their field.Engr. Florante A. Catalan and Engr. Gina A. Catalan from the DOST-MIRDC’s Analysis and Testing Division were the resource persons. Both are highly-esteemed experts in their field.The webinar tackled the different new requirements of steel bars ranging from chemical composition, classification, and grading to mechanical and physical requirements. The participants benefitted from the webinar because the speakers explained the technicalities of the requirements in the PNS 49:2020 standard.
The PNS 49 standard is significant not only to the steel industry but also to the consumers. Steel bars are frequently used in residential, commercial, industrial buildings, and structures. Complying with the standard means that the steel used for these various structures is of reliable quality. It gives consumers peace of mind and a sense of security knowing that their houses and buildings are safe because the steel used for all structures passed the standard.
Countryside to Speed Up Innovations through MEICs in SUC Campuses
by Faith P. Macatangay
Taguig City, Metro Manila – State Universities and Colleges (SUC) partners from Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Regions I, II, III, and X presented their respective new technical capabilities during the Metals and Engineering Innovation Centers (MEIC) in the Regions for the Industry event on June 17, 2021.
DOST-MIRDC Executive Director Engr. Robert O. Dizon shared with the group the vision of the Center to make the metals, engineering, and allied industries of the whole country more competitive. Engr. Dizon emphasized the establishment of MEIC – through the tripartite partnership of the government, the industry, and the academic institutions – is an enabling environment in the regions. Likewise, DOST Secretary Fortunato T. Dela Peña was optimistic that the Philippines will sustain the growth of innovation with these innovation centers.
Each MEIC Manager proudly showcased the capabilities and ongoing development of their handled innovation center – vision, mission, objectives, significant event highlights, building layout, proposed research and development activities, delivered and upcoming equipment from the DOST-MIRDC, and suppliers, and priority goals.
The MEIC Managers are: Engr. Dahlia Gay A, Bulna of Ifugao State University (IFSU) in CAR; Dr. Victorio C. Palabay of Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) in Region I; Dr. Arthur G. Ibañez of Cagayan State University (CSU) in Region II; Dr. Nathaniel Oliveros of Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST) in Region III; and Engr. Bronson G. Mabulay of University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) in Region X.
The partner machine and equipment suppliers, Scuderia Enterprises, Hytec Power, Inc., and JAMP-R Kilns and Dryer Enterprises, also gave an overview of the machinery they have provided or will deliver to the academe.
Meanwhile, MEIC project stakeholders Metalworking Industries Association of the Philippines (MIAP)–Dagupan, Inc. President Marcus M. Aquino and MIAP– Northern Mindanao Chapter, Inc. President Raymond Paras stated their openness to having cluster collaboration with the universities in uplifting the metalworking industries of their region.
Undersecretary for Regional Operations Sancho A. Mabborang described the innovation center as a place where people can test ideas, build prototypes, and create solutions to address some of the problems of society. He expressed his support for the project. He also shared his excitement to see MEIC established in all regions soon. Usec. Mabborang is optimistic that MEIC in the regions can help in pursuing MSMEs to be Industry 4.0 ready.
DOST-MIRDC Deputy Executive Director for Research and Development and MEIC Project Leader Dr. Agustin M. Fudolig concluded that the added capability in terms of equipment design, and fabrication of the prototypes will help students, faculty and researchers gain actual exposures to the fabrication machines used by the industry. He expressed gratitude to the MEIC Managers and DOST Regional Directors who take part in the project. Dr. Fudolig invited the regions to avail of services of the MEIC and to support the transformation of the countryside to becoming more innovative and more competitive.
To know more about the MEIC and other MIRDC collaborative projects, visit www.mirdc.dost.gov.ph and the DOST MIRDC Facebook page.To know more about the MEIC and other MIRDC collaborative projects, visit www.mirdc.dost.gov.ph and the DOST MIRDC Facebook page.
Many Software-in-One Makes a Wise Investment
By Marlyn Ramones
Multi-Function Circuit Design Analysis and Simulation is a unique software. It combines many applications in different areas of mechanical and engineering electrical circuits such as software for circuit analysis, 3D viewer, programming, and simulation. The circuit analysis is a powerful feature of the software that helps users understand the circuit being developed. The simulation also allows functional tests and searches for errors during the planning process so that it prevents errors in the actual operation, and thereby saves cost.
The software has two versions, online or offline versions. An online version is through subscription while the offline version is installed on a computer which can be updated whenever a new component is developed and offered in the market. The user only spends on the new component. Also, it has the following capabilities: can design PCB layout, not only of high school level but of professional level; can create a schematic design; has interactive animated 3D view; has 3D model enclosure import where we can use third-party software to create a 3D model; has circuit analysis of AC, DC, transient, digital and even noise analysis and bill of materials; provides support of micro-controllers and FPGA in making processors; has VHDL and VERILOG, a programming language in developing a component with electronic rule checking of irregularities; and can create teaching materials, training, and examination for education and training.
The webinar was conducted by Mr. Leandro A. Castillo, a Technical Specialist Manager in Electronics and Allied Programs, on June 17, 2021. It was an activity organized by the Mechatronics and Robotics Society of the Philippines as part of the celebration of the Metals and Engineering Week 2021.
With the many capabilities and applications in areas of electronics, the software is indeed a good investment for the industry, professionals, instructors, and students in upgrading competencies and knowledge on circuit design analysis and simulation.
Webinar Participants Treated to a Virtual Tour in a World-Class Sheet Metal Fabrication Facility
By: Eldina B. Pinca
People’s attention is drawn toward the manufacturing industry as the pandemic highlighted the need for the country to be more self-sufficient. It was truly an exciting experience to get to know a metal fabrication facility that has world-class capabilities.
Cherimel, a member of the Aerospace Industries Association of the Philippines (AIAP), presented in a webinar its CNC machinery, especially for the information of clients who require precise sheet metal fabrication. Cherimel’s portfolio of state-of-the-art machines and integrated systems includes the CNC punching machine Amada, Trumpf fiber laser 3030 machine, Trumpf bend center 5030 machines, CNC shearing machine, and robotic welding machine, Trumpf Trupunch 5000, CNC acrylic laser cutting machine, CNC plasma/oxyfuel cutting machine, automatic storage-retrieval system, CNC hairlining machine, power press machines, CNC lathe machine, and many more.
Cherimel’s presentation also highlighted the precision, accuracy, the durability that go into the manufacture of their products. The company is proudly BS EN ISO 9001:2015 certified. The speaker also shared with the audience their list of clients that includes G.E. Philippines, Asian Transmission Corp., Concepcion Industries, and projects for Honda Cars Philippines Inc. Their vision for the next three years is to put up an additional plant and be a “kaizen” company.
Through the presentation, the webinar participants were informed that technology-driven metal works result in high-quality sheet metal customized products, which are capabilities that we have here in the Philippines.
The webinar is part of the celebration of the Metals and Engineering Week 2021. Through the various webinars, the DOST-Metals Industry Research and Development Center, in partnership with the Aerospace Industries Association of the Philippines, aims to promote the technologies, products, and services of the metals and engineering industries to downstream industries.
