Manufacturing News of Note: October 2017

Siemens and Fair Friend Enterprise Co. Ltd. Taiwan (FFG) have signed a joint Memorandum of Understanding with the intention of strengthening their long-standing business relationship. The aim of the extended partnership is to consolidate the integration of the Siemens Digital Enterprise Suite across the Taiwanese business and to integrate Siemens digitalization and automation technologies into FFG’s machine tools and machine tool technologies.

To this end, Dr. Jimmy Chu, FFG Chairman, and Dr. Wolfgang Heuring, CEO of Siemens AG’s Motion Control Business Unit, signed the memorandum at EMO earlier this month. The two businesses agreed to work closely together in the future on the consolidation of the Siemens Digital Enterprise Suite and the cloud-based Internet of Things (IoT) operating system MindSphere at FFG. Thanks to its open-access structure, MindSphere is said to enable machine manufacturers to use their domain expertise in developing high-performance applications for machine operators, forming the basis of new services and business models. Read more.

Here is more news to note:

• Greenerd Becomes Tier 1 FANUC Robot Integrator – The company can now set up its hydraulic press customers with turnkey robotic products.
• ModuleWorks, Siemens PLM Form CAM/CAD/CAE Partnership – As part of the partnership, ModuleWorks will develop CAM elements for Siemens’ NX software.
• Handtmann Group Sells A-Punkt Automation to Managing Director – The five-axis machining center manufacturer will focus on its core business going forward.