Joint PH-Korea Project Offered Webinars Aimed to Develop Human Resource for Local Die and Mold Companies During Metals and Engineering Week 2021
By: Zalda R. Gayahan
The ongoing project, ‘Establishment of Mold Technology Support Center (MTSC),’ is an Official Development Assistance (ODA) of the Republic of Korea to the Philippine government. The lead implementing agency for the Philippine party is the Department of Science and Technology – Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC).
The MTSC's objectives are to develop die and mold-relevant skills so that local companies do not run out of a pool of human resource; to encourage the advancement of the competitiveness of the Philippines' manufacturing industry, and to contribute to the industrial cooperation between the Republic of Korea and the Philippine government.
In the recently concluded Metals and Engineering Week 2021, the DOST-MIRDC conducted several MTSC webinars: 3D Modeling Webinar on June 14; 3D Modeling Assembly Webinar on June 15; Smart Factory’s Story with SMART MCT on June 16; and Usability of Three Dimension Coordinate Measuring Machine on June 17, 2021.
Resource speakers from the PH party of the MTSC project team conducted the 3D Modeling and the 3D Modeling Assembly webinars. The SMART MCT and the Usability of 3D Coordinate Measuring Machine webinars were conducted by foreign resource speakers, Mr. Sam Kim and Mr. Lee Jong Hyun. They are both experts in their fields selected by the Korea Association of Machinery Industry (KOAMI) to present to the Filipino audience the latest products and technologies used in more advanced countries such as South Korea.
More webinars are in store for the industry and members of the academe who need to enhance die and mold manufacturing skills. The MTSC facility is currently being constructed at the Cavite Economic Zone. The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), Department of Trade and Industry-Board of Investments (DTI-BOI), and the PDMA, Inc. (A Die and Mold Association of the Philippines) are members of the MTSC project. MTSC will offer hands-on training following health and safety protocols. Watch out for announcements via DOST-MIRDC social media pages.
Metals and Engineering Week 2021 Highlighted Products and Services of PH Die and Mold Companies
By: Zalda R. Gayahan
The PDMA, Inc. presented the products, services, and capabilities of local die and mold firms in an online activity entitled 'PDMA in Focus' on June 17, 2021. This activity was in line with the celebration of the Metals and Engineering Week 2021.
PDMA, Inc. President, Mr. Hector U. Villanueva, started the activity with a presentation of the vision, mission, and activities of the association. He also discussed the PDMA's involvement in the ongoing project, the Establishment of the Mold Technology Support Center (MTSC), an Official Development Assistance (ODA) grant of the Republic of Korea to the Philippines.
PDMA, Inc. companies that participated in the online activity are MYGROWTHTECH, INC.; YCA Metal Forming Corp.; 12-R Asia Enterprise, Inc.; Partmaker Software Sales & Services; GRASCO/Stampform; Computrends Systems Technology, Inc.; and Accutech Steel/Maximetal, Inc.
Philippine manufacturing showed expansion in January 2021, based on the Purchasing Managers’ Index. According to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the expansion is largely due to increased orders from existing and new clients, specifically from the local market. Recovery efforts are building consumer confidence and driving domestic demand.
The DOST-MIRDC joins the entire country in efforts to lead to the recovery of the economy, particularly the metals and engineering industries that serve the requirements of downstream manufacturing companies. The PDMA, Inc. provides a significant contribution to the growth of the local manufacturing sector.
MIAP Says Public and Private Cooperation is Key to Revitalizing the Economy
By: Jim Patrick S.D. Erispe
Officers and members of the Metalworking Industries Association of the Philippines (MIAP) held a webinar entitled “MIAP on Focus: Collaboration of Public and Private Sector” as part of the Metals and Engineering Week on June 17, 2021. The webinar allowed MIAP officers to present in detail the association’s vision, mission, objectives, plans, and programs. MIAP members likewise presented their company’s products, services, and milestones for the past years.
A dialogue towards the end of the webinar enabled participants to speak their minds regarding certain issues. The discussion paved the way for the expression of shared goals and unity among local companies engaged in the metalworking business.
With industry associations such as the MIAP that are taking steps to continually find ways to improve products and services, and to develop mutually beneficial business relationships, the country has a good ally in creating a stronger, more competitive economy.
Webinars on Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and Automation Studio Featured During the Metals and Engineering Week 2021
By Zalda R. Gayahan
Processes nowadays need to be programmable. Production in businesses has to be automated. We are indeed living in a modern world.
The Department of Science and Technology-Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC) offered free webinars on Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and Automation Studio on June 16, 2021. The objective is to help the industry, the academe, and other stakeholders make processes faster and resilient. Participants came from various sectors, including the manufacturing industry, the academe, and the public sector.
The webinars are in line with the launching and inauguration of the Advanced Mechatronics, Robotics, and Industrial Automation Laboratory (AMERIAL) that seeks to assist micro, small, and medium enterprises as they transition to Industry 4.0. During the launching event, DOST-MIRDC Executive Director and AMERIAL Project Leader Engr. Robert O. Dizon announced that clients may avail themselves of AMERIAL services for free until December 2021. AMERIAL services include research and development, training, and technical consultancy.
The webinars on PLCs and Industrial Automation are only two subject matters that clients may learn from AMERIAL.
The celebration of the Metals and Engineering Week 2021 concluded today, June 18, 2021. The DOST-MIRDC, in partnership with various industry associations that make up the local metals, engineering, and allied industries, was at the lead in this celebration. The M&E Week is an annual event celebrated every third week of June to recognize the significant contribution of the metals and engineering industries to nation-building.
The Most Beautiful Tool Mankind Ever Had is Light
By: Jim Patrick S.D. Erispe
Humanity’s oldest tool is probably our own bare hands. Human hands have boundless functions, from a simple gripping to a more complex building. We use them to learn, to express ourselves, and to design. Aside from our hands, we need to have other tools to help us do all the endless things that need to be done.
Light might just be the most beautiful among all other tools we use.
As part of the Metals and Engineering Week 2021 celebration, Mr. Markus Lindermann of TRUMPF Group proudly shared his company’s products and services during a webinar entitled “TRUMPF Laser Systems for Additive Manufacturing of Metal Parts” on June 16, 2021. He revealed to the audience that light is their most beautiful tool.
He then presented their Laser System – a product that is comparable to light. Laser is versatile, elegant, and precise. While most people know that laser can cut through objects, the TRUMPF company uses the laser as an additive manufacturing tool.
Mr. Lindermann presented the different machines that the company offers and the advantages that go along with the acquisition of these machines. He also emphasized that their company will adjust according to the needs of the customers
Most definitely, lasers are the future of manufacturing. Lasers are here to define the landscape of manufacturing in the decades to come.
