25th_Commemorative_Publication

Develops high-value manufacturing technology and human capital

Our Cover Partnership for Impact is the theme of the SIMTech 25th Anniversary Commemorative Publication. The design on the cover is the concept of X-Ray generation developed by SIMTech scientist Dr Wong Liang Jie. The hexagon pattern visualises  graphene in X-Ray generation, depicting the strong SIMTech collaboration with industry. The waves ripple outward, signifying the propelling of industry towards success and impact for the economy. Meawnhile, the rainbow-coloured spike reflects the impact of our R&D partnership for industry. The silver background serves to commemorate SIMTech’s silver jubilee. Our Logo 2018 marks SIMTech’s 25-year journey of R&D partnership with the Singapore manufacturing industry in the development of Intellectual Capital, Industrial Capital and Human Capital (3Cs) to enhance its competitiveness. The Silver Jubilee logo signifies our 25-year R&D journey (represented by the 2 in red) in propelling the industry (depicted by the 5 in blue) to achieve success and create impact for the economy (denoted by the red star). The circular symbol is a fusion of the 3Cs, an outcome of our partnership with industry. The SIMTech buildings in the background house its rich R&D talents, technologies and resources for industry.

Contents 4 ABOUT US 7 FOREWORD A 25TH ANNIVERSARY MESSAGE 9 INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT Industry Assist 11 Technology Transfer 12 Knowledge Transfer 14 Manpower Development 16 18 OUR SUCCESS STORIES Automation Technology 21 Component Technology Feinmetall Singapore 23 Wavelength Opto-Electronic 27 31

Process Technology 35 Philips Electronics Singapore 39 Quantum Chemical Technologies 43 SIA Engineering Company Limited 47 System Technology 51 Enhanzcom 55 JEP Precision Engineering 59 LHT Holdings Limited 63 Teckwah Industrial Corporation Limited Tunity Technologies 67 71 Emerging Applications Film Screen 74 Inzign 76 MOVING FORWARD ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

About Us ABOUT SIMTECH The Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology The research institute has also developed technology in (SIMTech) is a research institute under the Science and three multi-disciplinary Research Programmes, namely Engineering Research Council (SERC) of the Agency for the Microfluidics Manufacturing Programme, the Large Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). Area Processing Programme and Bio-manufacturing Programme to meet emerging needs of industry. SIMTech develops high-value manufacturing technology and human capital to enhance the As a technology provider, it is important for SIMTech competitiveness of Singapore’s manufacturing industry. to showcase, promote and engage the industry on It collaborates with multinational and local companies specific technologies and applications. in the precision engineering, aerospace, automotive, marine, electronics, semiconductor, medical technology, This is achieved through its four Industry Innovation logistics and other sectors. Centres, namely Manufacturing Productivity Technology Centre, Precision Engineering Centre of Innovation, The technologies that SIMTech helps develop Sustainable Manufacturing Centre and Emerging are in the areas of Manufacturing Automation, Applications Centre. Manufacturing Process and Manufacturing System. 6 SIMTECH 25TH ANNIVERSARY COMPANIES SERVED INDUSTRY FUNDING > 3,700 > $245m R&D COLLABORATIONS TECHNOLOGY LICENCES > 11,000 > 770 NUMBER OF PMETS TRAINED NUMBER OF POST-GRADUATES TRAINED > 4,000 > 600

Our Management Team 6 Dr Lim Ser Yong, Executive Director 1 23 45 67 89 10 7 Dr Stephen Wong, Director, FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: 1 Dr Zheng Hongyu, Director, Manufacturing Process Division 8 Dr Zeng Xianting, Director, Staff Development Office 2 Dr Zhang Ying, Director, Knowledge Transfer Office 9 Dr Lee Eng Wah, Deputy Manufacturing Automation Division and Director, Research Liaison Office Executive Director 3 Mr Lee Chee Choy, Senior Director, 10 Dr Wang Zhiping, Director, Corporate Affairs Office 4 Dr Chen Wei Long, Director, Emerging Applications Division Sustainable Manufacturing Centre 5 Dr John Yong, Director, Industry Development Office



Foreword Let me congratulate the Singapore Institute of technology innovation, knowledge transfer, and adoption FOREWORD Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech) on the occasion of by the manufacturing industry. The Model Factory@ its Silver Jubilee. SIMTech is one such platform. 9 SIMTech has come a long way since it was officially The Model Factory will allow SMEs to keep up with SIMTECH 25TH ANNIVERSARY established in 1993 to better position itself to serve global innovation trends, and successfully break into as a national focus for manufacturing research and new markets and grow, creating and capturing value to serve the manufacturing industry. It has success- for Singapore in the process. It will assist SMEs on their fully reinvented itself over the years to meet the journey towards Advanced Manufacturing through ever-changing technological needs of the manufacturing adopting Industry 4.0 suite of capabilities. sector, a key component of Singapore’s economy. At the same time, it also serves to encourage SIMTech has been able to translate and transfer its public-private partnerships that benefit the local R&D technologies to help manufacturing companies raise ecosystem as well as contribute to a more robust and their competitiveness and productivity. At the same competitive cluster. time, it has also been able to develop new capabilities to position itself well for emerging opportunities. In this Over the years, SIMTech has contributed very well regard, SIMTech has been an unequivocal success, going to A*STAR’s mission to advance science, and develop from strength to strength to become a driving force innovative technology to further economic growth behind the continued relevance and competitiveness of and improve lives. Looking ahead, I am confident local manufacturing today. that SIMTech will continue to play a significant role in advancing Singapore’s Future Economy through its The future of manufacturing will be driven by strategies and initiatives for the manufacturing industry. disruptive technologies, and local manufacturing companies must keep pace with global innovation trends On this note, I would like to express my appreciation to seize new opportunities and grow. This is why A*STAR to SIMTech’s Executive Director, Dr Lim Ser Yong, and the launched the Future of Manufacturing initiative in 2015 entire SIMTech team, past and present, for their contri- with three public-private partnership platforms to drive butions and achievements over the past 25 years and wish them every success in their next lap. Mr Lim Chuan Poh Chairman Agency for Science, Technology and Research



A 25th Anniversary Message SIMTech is committed to developing high-value Forging Partnership: SIMTech positions itself as a A 25TH ANNIVERSARY MESSAGE manufacturing technology and human capital to enhance bridge between the academia and the industry. We the competitiveness of the local manufacturing industry. have established joint labs with universities to conduct 11 Over the past 25 years, we have grown, both in strength research in advanced manufacturing technologies and research capabilities, and have established a strong and to train research manpower. We partnered with SIMTECH 25TH ANNIVERSARY culture of working with the industry to develop technol- government agencies to assist many MNCs and SMEs ogies and capabilities spanning many sectors. in adopting technology to improve their business and productivity. We expanded our industry outreach to Building Technological Capabilities: From 1993 to support more companies through our partnerships with 2001, the Institute, then known as Gintic Institute of trade associations and chambers of commerce (TACs). Manufacturing Technology, focused on building a world- class research institution to support the manufacturing These efforts have led to impactful outcomes industry. In addition to establishing industry-scale such as new business initiation, revenue growth, R&D research facilities, we have recruited many scientific and investment, and job creation and retention. Some of engineering talents globally and locally to work with the these successes are featured in this commemorative industry in R&D projects. publication. Enhancing Research: With the formation of A*STAR in The Next Lap – Industry Transformation: SIMTech 2001, the Institute was renamed to Singapore Institute of will be expanding its effort in the transformation of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech). We began to forge manufacturing industry to assist companies establish partnerships with universities to undertake upstream footprint globally with innovative technologies. We research and focus on quality research, training of will work with industry partners to embed SIMTech’s research students, publication of research outcomes in technologies into products, services and solutions for scientific journals and filing of patents, as we continued different application domains, both locally and interna- to serve the manufacturing industry. tionally, to achieve greater impact and economic value capture. Delivering Impactful Outcomes: Since 2005, SIMTech has placed strong emphasis on organising SIMTech’s vision is to be the R&D partner for our engagement with the industry to deliver impactful the local manufacturing companies in their journey outcomes in raising their competitiveness and produc- to become globally competitive. We would not have tivity. We also offer continuing education training in achieved our industry-relevant capabilities without the advanced manufacturing to the Professionals, Engineers, foresight of our former Executive Directors, Dr Frans and Executives in the industry. We have increased the Carpay and Dr Lim Khiang Wee, for steadfastly building number of projects and number of companies we served up the institute and establishing its research capabilities. by 10-folds to more than 800 projects with over 700 Our research and industry partners, TACs and related companies a year. We train more than 600 industry government agencies also played a pivotal role in our participants and research students, and publish over growth and achievements. 200 scientific papers every year. From me, my team and staff, we thank you and look forward to growing our partnerships in the next lap of industry transformation. Dr Lim Ser Yong Executive Director Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology



01 INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT Industry Engagement SIMTech supports companies in the manufacturing sector members. The Singapore Precision Engineering 13 through industry assist, technology transfer, knowledge and Technology Association and Singapore Manufacturing transfer and manpower development. Federation are some examples. SIMTECH 25TH ANNIVERSARY To engage the industry in a more holistic way, four To enable companies to tap technologies for Industry Innovation Centres were set up, each addressing growth, knowledge transfer to upskill manufacturing respective industry needs such as upgrading and engineering executives is critical. Programmes capabilities of the precision engineering industry; enhancing developed with the then Workforce Development sustainability in manufacturing; improving productivity Agency and SkillsFuture Singapore are in place. and meeting industry emerging applications. Each of these SIMTech transfers industry case-based centres, driving several initiatives, has established strong knowledge to industry through the systematic track records with major industry players and clusters. Learn-Practice-Implement model. Developing the manufacturing ecosystem is another To groom a stream of relevant R&D Manpower for tenet of SIMTech’s industry assistance. A more strategic the local manufacturing industry, the Manufacturing R&D consortia approach is adopted to build capabilities of Certificate (MRDC) Programme equips fresh graduates Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to meet the needs of with R&D skills and in-depth domain knowledge to be multinational corporations, enabling SMEs to become the industry-ready. To supplement the need for experienced suppliers of key manufacturing players and grow in R&D manpower, industry can also tap on the Technology the process. for Enterprise Capability Upgrading Programme. Industry outreach is also accelerated through Details of each of our industry engagements and broadening SIMTech’s engagements with trade associations outreach are illustrated in the subsequent sections of and chambers of commerce (TACs) to reach out to their the commemorative publication.

IEnndhuasntrcyinAgsCsiosmt: petitivenessIndustry Development OfficeINDUSTRY ENGAGEMENTcompleted more than 1,180 industry projects and 179 consultancy cases, as well as organised 285 events works with the four Industryreaching out to over 12,800 participants. Innovation Centres in SIMTech to The Sustainable Manufacturing Centre (SMC) was iengagetheindustry set up in 2009 to develop and implement innovative technologies that minimise emissions, wastes and 14 SIMTech’s role in the development of the local toxicity in manufacturing, thereby strengthening the manufacturing ecosystem is multi-faceted and global competitiveness of Singapore’s manufacturing supported by a strong research base, as well as an industry. The Manufacturing Productivity Technology SIMTECH 25TH ANNIVERSARY active industry development programme. The Industry Centre (MPTC) was launched in 2011 to promote the Development Office (IDO) was set up to bridge gaps use of technology and innovation to enhance manufac- in the commercialisation value chain for SIMTech’s turing productivity through ensuring effectiveness, technologies, and to facilitate knowledge and technology enhancing efficiency and engineering value creation. transfer of SIMTech capabilities to the local The Centre has achieved more than 2,500 manufacturing industry. IDO partners government technology adoptions.The Emerging Applications agencies and other organisations to realise innovation Centre (EAC) was set up in 2014 to spearhead industry and technology transfer, driving collaborative industry adoption of emerging technologies developed under projects, and opening up opportunities for local enter- SIMTech’s research programmes such as the SIMTech prises to engage new markets. Collaborative ties have Microfluidic Foundry (SMF) and Large Area Processing also been forged with several trade associations and (LAP). Since its launch, EAC has initiated 9 collabora- chambers of commerce (TACs) to reach out to more tive industry projects (CIPs) to drive the application local enterprises. of printed electronics in Singapore in Roll-to-Roll Prior to 2007, the majority of SIMTech’s engagement Manufacturing, Packaging Development, Print & Media, with industry has been assisting companies one at a and Smart Home Product Development. time on an ad-hoc basis. To better address the needs These centres have established closer relationships of these companies, we re-organised ourselves with major industry partners and clusters, with each to engage the industry by setting up four Industry driving several industry initiatives. Innovation Centres. Developing Manufacturing Ecosystem Industry Innovation Centres In 2011, the modus operandi of companies engagement SIMTech set up its first industry innovation centre in shifted from a one at a time on an ad-hoc basis, to 2007 - the Precision Engineering Centre of Innovation re-look at the whole manufacturing landscape to (PE COI). Since its launch, PE COI has initiated 60 CIPs, identify segments of growth - be it in oil and gas,

“We will continue to INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT engage the industry through sector- wide initiatives to tackle industry problems and develop new competitive technologies. DR JOHN YONG MING SHYAN, DIRECTOR, INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT OFFICE 15 aerospace or medtech industries. SIMTech then worked the high-value aerospace industry with SIMTech’s help. DID YOU KNOW? SIMTECH 25TH ANNIVERSARY with industry players from these segments to identify “As a result of these efforts, there is greater value gaps in the local industry’s technology and on where the capture for the Singapore economy, and local SMEs can In 2017, SIMTech worked value chain needed to be plugged in. By adopting this break into a high value-added business,” said Dr Yong. on over 800 projects with: consortia approach, SIMTech focussed its R&D efforts in areas that would yield the most benefits for companies Broadening Our Engagement 589 as well as the whole of Singapore’s manufacturing sector. In 2016, SIMTech’s casts its net wider to partner with TACs for industry engagement. Two Memoranda of Small and Medium-sized “By helping multinational corporations to outsource Understanding were signed with the Singapore Precision Enterprises some of their activities to local suppliers, SIMTech Engineering and Technology Association and the frees up their capacity to bring in more high value-add Singapore Manufacturing Federation in 2016 to co-orga- 98 activities from headquarters to Singapore. As a result, nise conferences with SIMTech, and promote SIMTech’s our total manufacturing output should increase,” said Operations Technology Roadmapping, Workforce Skills Multinational Corporations Dr John Yong, Director, Industry Development Office, Qualification (WSQ) training courses and A*STAR Collab- SIMTech. orative Commerce Marketplace portal to members of 32 these TACs. SIMTech’s latest initiative is the Technology In the aersospace industry, for instance, SIMTech Extension Partnership (TEP) Programme which helps Large Local Enterprises and its industry partners identified opportunities for develop strategic local partners for commercialisa- local SMEs to supply parts for the cabin interiors of tion of SIMTech technologies, build up their capabil- aircraft. It then worked with SIA Engineering Company ities and support them in their internationalisation (SIAEC) to identify components that could be manufac- efforts. Currently, SIMTech is working with about 20 tured by local companies, replacing international such partners to reach out to companies in Precision suppliers. SIMTech re-designed the parts to improve Engineering, Electronics, MedTech, Semicon, Construc- them and transferred the manufacturing know-how to tion, Transport, F&B, Retail and other service industries. produce them to a handful of SMEs. These SMEs are not only qualified to supply to SIAEC but have penetrated

t16INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT Technology Transfer: Extension Partnership The sharing of leading-edge Manufacturing Centre (SMC) and the Emerging Applica- technology with local companies is key to growing Singapore’s tions Centre (EAC). SIMTECH 25TH ANNIVERSARY To ensure that the applications it develops are manufacturing output relevant, SIMTech continuously seeks the views and feedback of industry partners on the types of technol- ogies they require. “We hold industry roundtables to Transferring technology developed by SIMTech’s discuss what are some of the issues companies are researchers to industry is one of the ways that the facing, and the areas where they need support in,” said research institute helps local manufacturers upgrade Dr Lee Eng Wah, Deputy Executive Director, SIMTech. their capabilities in order to stay competitive and grow Beyond industry feedback, SIMTech also analyses the their businesses. This, in turn, helps to uplift Singapore’s global manufacturing landscape to stay on top of the manufacturing sector as a whole. latest trends and technologies. SIMTech develops a broad range of Dr Lee noted that one challenge in transferring technologies with the potential for multiple applications technology to SMEs is that many are too focused on in the industry. These include solutions that improve resolving their everyday production and yield problems productivity, promote sustainable manufacturing, or and do not pay attention to improving their support the creation of new or emerging industries in manufacturing processes and innovate to create their Singapore. In terms of applications, these could be in the own products. form of software that monitors a factory’s machines to “The challenge is to get the SMEs to shift their boost their utilisation or new manufacturing processes attention from just making high-quality products for such as printed lighting. others but to innovate and make their own products. To SIMTech’s technologies are developed at four do this, R&D and transfer of technology are important,” Industry Innovation Centres, each with its distinct area he said. of focus. These are the Manufacturing Productivity To showcase the benefits of adopting new technolo- Technology Centre (MPTC), the Precision Engineering gies, SIMTech set up a “live” factory that has Centre of Innovation (PE COI), the Sustainable next-generation manufacturing technologies on display.

“The challenge is to get INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT the SMEs to shift their attention from just making high-quality products for others but to innovate and make their own products. To do this, R&D and transfer of technology are important. DR LEE ENG WAH, 17 DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DID YOU KNOW? SIMTECH 25TH ANNIVERSARY SIMTech’s technology transfer activities yielded the following benefits in 2017: Enterprises are able to tour the factory to get a better system that tracks the attendance of students boarding 147 idea of how these technologies can help them improve. and alighting the bus, and even captures the behaviour of the driver. Over 1,000 school buses have signed up new commercial licences Success Factors with the system since its launch in 2017. Many companies To Dr Lee, one key sign that the technology transfer that have adopted SIMTech technology are also Current portfolio of active has been a success is if the company uses it in its leveraging it to enter new markets abroad. licences are generating everyday operations and continues to use it over the licensing revenues of over long-term. Another key success factor is if the company To help extend the reach of technology transfer $1 million in royalties with is confident enough to roll out the technology across efforts, SIMTech started a programme that involves a projection to reach even its entire operations or further develops the technology appointing Technology Extension Partners (TEPs); more for FY18 into products to grow its business. companies that act as intermediaries to transfer technology to other SMEs. “These intermediaries are The commercial value One notable success story is in the area of RFID not the end adopters but they take our technology, generated by our portfolio technology. SIMTech’s work in RFID over the years has innovate it, and rolls it out to the end-user companies.” of licensed technologies resulted in a range of applications, from inventory is estimated to be over tracking to monitoring the freshness of food. It has Working in collaboration with TEPs, SIMTech expects $29 million in sales for also developed an RFID-based school bus management to greatly enhance the impact of its technology our licensees transfer efforts.

KImnmowerlesdivgeeLTeraarnnsifnegr:SIMTech is helping Singapore’sINDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT practice and implementation. The process helps the companies learn the methodology so that they can apply manufacturing professionals to fill it to their own problems and be able to solve it on their their skills gaps through relevant own in the future,” explained Dr Zeng. training programmes Staying Relevant for Industry One of SIMTech’s key missions has been to help localSIMTech conducts some 22 WSQ training programmes and 15 Master Classes in advanced manufacturing kcompanies upgrade their manufacturing capabilities and 18 productivity by transferring knowledge through R&D and technologies. It also offers Masters degree programmes industrial collaboration projects. in Engineering Business Management and Supply Chain To further drive this mission, SIMTech embarked and Logistics Management in collaboration with the SIMTECH 25TH ANNIVERSARY on an effort 10 years ago to share knowledge through University of Warwick and the Singapore Institute industry-focused training programmes as well. The of Management. Knowledge Transfer Office (KTO) was set up in July 2009 The KTO works constantly with industry partners to develop and conduct a series of training courses to ensure the relevance of training programmes to and master classes certified by the then-Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) under the Workforce Skills Qualification (WSQ) framework. WDA has since been renamed as SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG). The content for the courses was developed based on the requirements of industry players in the manufac- turing sector. “From our understanding of industry needs, we developed a unique model of supporting companies through training. This is something that other research institutes do not do,” said Dr Zeng Xianting, Director, Knowledge Transfer Office. SIMTech’s training programmes adopt an innovative Learn-Practice-Implement model, which has proven to be effective in transferring knowledge and technology for industrial application or adoption by participating companies. “In the Learn-Practice-Implement model, cutting- edge knowledge and skills are transferred through interactive classroom lectures and discussion, lab-based hands-on learning, and more importantly on-site

“Our training model INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT provides very clear and quantifiable measures of success. Companies can see the before and after results of their efforts. So, the benefits are very visible and measurable. DR ZENG XIANTING, DIRECTOR, KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER OFFICE 19 the industry. “The challenge is to come up with a practical DID YOU KNOW? SIMTECH 25TH ANNIVERSARY workable model to address the capability gaps and solve SIMTech’s Knowledge Transfer Office training programmes the problems of the customers. The companies identify the are organised into four categories based on the nature of the problems and we develop a course that is contextualised to training outcome. They are : overcome these. But it must be in an area that we have a core capability in,” said Dr Zeng. 1 3 In this regard, SIMTech engages TACs and companies to Workforce Skills Master Classes in advanced ensure relevance and long-term growth of its training courses. Qualification courses manufacturing by renowned Through such efforts, it has established partnerships with certified by SSG experts in the field 12 TACs or partners to understand and identify the specific needs of each industrial sector. About 4,000 PMETs from 2 4 more than 1,500 companies have taken part in the various courses over the years. Modular-based training Master degree programmes programmes under the in Engineering Business “Our training model provides clear and quantifiable SkillsFuture Advanced Management and measures of success. Companies can see the before and Manufacturing Series Supply Chain and after results of their efforts. So, the benefits are visible and Logistics Management in measurable. The growing number of participating companies, collaboration with the as well as repeat participants, is a testimony of the success of University of Warwick and our training efforts,” said Dr Zeng. the Singapore Institute of Management As KTO marks its 10th anniversary in 2018, it will continue to address the manufacturing sector’s manpower and skills needs, he added. For instance, SIMTech is set to play a leading role in establishing respective training programmes in the area of Advanced Manufacturing as part of SkillsFuture Series.

mManpower Development:INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT Grooming Talent 20 SIMTech is playing a key role in and in-depth domain knowledge through classroom and providing much needed R&D on-the-job training by working on R&D projects. Partic- SIMTECH 25TH ANNIVERSARY manpower for Singapore’s ipants also gain industrial experience in their second manufacturing sector year through an attachment scheme with a company. “The aim is to train fresh graduates in R&D skills so that they are industry-ready for leading and executing To help Singapore’s manufacturing sector move up the R&D projects. The structured MRDC programme trains value chain amid intensifying competition in the region, them in both soft skills like project management and SIMTech has been working to groom a pipeline of R&D technical presentation, as well as hard skills so that they talents who can support the growth of companies here. develop into domain experts,” explained Dr Zheng. Based on their interaction with industry players, The first batch of 15 trainees graduated in 2017 and SIMTech realised that SMEs, in particular, find it difficult have all found jobs in the industry or with other research to hire R&D engineers - an obstacle that significantly institutes. Three further batches of trainees have since hinders their competitiveness. been enrolled in the programme. “Many fresh university graduates prefer working The training programme is also adjusted from year for large companies as they perceive there are better to year to reflect the changing needs of industry. For career opportunities in these companies. For those instance, the majority of the trainees recruited in 2017 fresh graduates who do join an SME, they do not have are focused on automation and digital manufacturing as the R&D skills yet to make an immediate contribution,” a result of industry demands. said Dr Zheng Hongyu, Director, Staff Development Office. “As such, SMEs will need to spend a considerable Technology for Enterprise Capability Upgrading amount of time training new hires, but many companies Outside of the MRDC programme, SIMTech has been do not have the resources to do so.” giving SMEs access to its R&D talents through the To alleviate the situation, SIMTech launched a Technology for Enterprise Capability Upgrading (T-Up) two-year “Manufacturing R&D Certificate Programme” scheme for the past 15 years. These involve SIMTech (MRDC) in 2015 to equip fresh graduates with R&D skills researchers spending up to two years in companies to

“We have been working INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT to groom R&D talents to support the growth of manufacturing companies here. DR ZHENG HONGYU, DIRECTOR, STAFF DEVELOPMENT OFFICE 21 DID YOU KNOW? SIMTECH 25TH ANNIVERSARY help them identify and adopt critical technologies and For instance, Ms Zhang Jing Jing from SIMTech helped 15 trainees from the first build up their in-house R&D capabilities. Singnergy Corporation, a specialist in energy efficient batch of the Manufacturing sludge drying solutions, to develop an anti-stick coating R&D Certificate (MRDC) On average, SIMTech seconds 15 research scientists technology which helped to solve the problem of programme graduated in and engineers annually to the industry. In each T-Up sticking during the heating of high organic sludge feed 2017 and have found jobs effort, a company initiates an R&D project, where a material. This has allowed Singnergy to reduce business in industries or research SIMTech staff with the required expertise is deployed to costs by up to 55 per cent per annum and expand into institutes the company to carry out the research project. other areas like food waste management. Ms Zhang then 3 further batches of joined the company after completion of the trainees have been enrolled Companies benefit from T-Up by being able to T-Up project. in the MRDC programme leverage industry-focused expertise to plug the gaps in More than 15 SIMTech their capabilities. “SIMTech scientists and engineers are Another SIMTech researcher, Mr Christopher Lee research scientists and well-trained in R&D methodologies and with the right was seconded to precision engineering firm, Wavelength engineers are seconded to expertise, making it more relevant for industry,” said Opto-Electronic, where he helped build a traceability companies yearly Dr Zheng. system that allows for real-time diagnostics of system Over 100 companies performance for the company’s patented commercial have benefited from the Since it was launched, over 100 companies have laser calorimetry system. He also joined the company Technology for Enterprise benefited from the scheme. Over the years, many after completion of the T-Up project. Capability Upgrading SIMTech researchers have made significant contributions scheme to the companies they have worked with under T-Up.



02 OUR SUCCESS STORIES Our Success Stories 23 SIMTECH 25TH ANNIVERSARY Through various initiatives and programmes, SIMTech worked with over the years. From start-ups to multina- has successfully forged partnerships with a broad range tional corporations, these enterprises have leveraged of companies within the local manufacturing industry. SIMTech’s technologies and expertise to bolster their These collaborations have helped to create value and internal processes or product offerings. capture value for the sector. At the enterprise level, the companies we have supported have gained from our Some, such as Enhanzcom, have built an entire assistance through a range of tangible benefits. business around SIMTech’s solutions, while multinational corporations like Philips have succeeded in cementing Some of the impactful outcomes include diversi- their leadership position with our help. However, these fying into new businesses, growing revenue streams, relationships are two-way streets. Through our collab- expanding internationally, and setting up in-house R&D orations with industry partners, we have garnered a facilities to continue these companies’ R&D journeys. better understanding of the market. This has allowed In the process, new, higher-value jobs were created us to sharpen our R&D focus so that we can develop or retained. In the following pages, you will read the solutions with real-world applications, and be in a better success stories of some companies that we have position to meet the needs of industry players.

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Company OUR SUCCESS STORIES w Component Technology Pte Ltd World-First 3D Inspection 25 System For Semiconductors SIMTECH 25TH ANNIVERSARY Component Technology has “We reached a turning point in our journey. The industry LEFT: Mr Berne Chung, transformed from a distributor was pushing for cost reduction, so it was getting Founder and Managing for the semiconductor industry to increasingly difficult for a distributor to survive. So, we Director, an original equipment maker with were thinking of what we had to do next to survive,” said Component Technology SIMTech’s support Mr Chung. For almost 20 years since its establishment in 1989, Fortuitously, he received an email from SIMTech Component Technology had steadily built its business then that introduced him to the research institute’s distributing bonders and X-ray inspection systems for services. After browsing its website, he decided to the semiconductor industry. approach SIMTech with the aim of developing his company’s own product. In 2005, however, its Founder and Managing Director Berne Chung sensed that the company’s business might While Component Technology’s first project with be adversely impacted by a changing environment. SIMTech on image mapping technology for semiconductors failed, Mr Chung was undeterred. “That At that point, the bulk of the company’s business project failed, but I didn’t give up. We learnt from that came from distributing four key products. But Mr Chung failure and had a better idea of what we wanted believed that these distributorships might be in jeopardy to develop.” in a few years – their principals may close, get bought over or choose to distribute their products directly. On their next project, Component Technology and SIMTech jointly developed a first-of-its-kind 3D wire bond inspection system for the semiconductor industry, which was far superior compared with traditional 2D

solutions. Component Technology spun off a 20-strong research and development (R&D) company called In.D Solution in 2007 to work with SIMTech on the project. Over three years of development, the joint team developed 27 key technologies in wire bond inspection and filed two patents in stereo illumination and 2D/3D wire inspection innovations. “It was the first fully automated 3D solution in the market. It took a long time to get it working, but we managed to do it,” said Mr Chung. Dr Xu Jian, the lead SIMTech principal researcher who worked with Component Technology, noted that the fully automated system overcame the problems of human error and improved productivity. “Human beings are slow and the wires are also becoming thinner, so the OUR SUCCESS STORIES chances of misjudgment are greater,” said Dr Xu. Component Technology showcased the 3D wire bond inspection system in Semicon Japan in December 2008, where it attracted a lot of interest. However, due to the global financial crisis that broke out in late 2008, investments came to a halt. While the crisis affected the adoption rate, the company managed to deliver and integrate 20 inspection systems into production lines in a world-leading IDM (Integrated Device Manufacturer) in 2009. And since 26 2011, the company has sold more than 400 machines to leading semiconductor manufacturers worldwide. The product’s success has also led Component SIMTECH 25TH ANNIVERSARY Technology to expand its staff strength from about 20 in 2006 to 130 today, with operations in Singapore, China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia. Component Technology’s 3D wire bond inspection system “With SIMTech’s help, we have transformed from being a trading company to an original equipment manufacturer. MR BERNE CHUNG, FOUNDER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR, COMPONENT TECHNOLOGY

“With SIMTech’s help, we have transformed from being a Mr Chung said: “The experience of working with SIMTech OUR SUCCESS STORIES trading company to an original equipment is very good. The support for our company comes from manufacturer,” said Mr Chung. the very top of its organisation and it is clear that the researchers like Dr Xu have a passion for what they do.” Moving Forward Together Since the positive reception to the wire bond inspection In addition, Component Technology continues to system, Component Technology has continued to channel its resources into research. It has invested collaborate with SIMTech. Indeed, since 2006, the two $2 million in its R&D company, In.D Solution, to develop parties have worked together on 15 industrial projects. its 3D wire bond inspection system and X-ray CT system. Component Technology is now looking to move In.D Solution currently has four technical teams and beyond the semiconductor industry and is working its operations are supported by Component with SIMTech to develop inspection solutions for Technology’s sales team, which was expanded to take on other sectors. These include an advanced inspection the additional role. system for high-density thin gold wires as more automotive electronic devices use such wires to Finally, as testament to Component Technology’s achieve greater reliability. emphasis on research, Mr Chung said about 20 to 40 per cent of the company’s revenue is re-channelled into R&D. Dr Xu Jian, SIMTech Principal Research Engineer (left) with Mr Chung 27 DID YOU KNOW? SIMTECH 25TH ANNIVERSARY Through its collaborations with SIMTech, Component Technology has: Transformed from a trading company to a leading 3D wire bond inspection equipment maker Invested $2 million to set up a new R&D company In.D Solution that employs 30 research scientists and engineers Sold 400 inspection machines since 2011

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cComprehensive Company Feinmetall Singapore Pte Ltd Partnership For Growth OUR SUCCESS STORIES 29 Feinmetall Singapore has tapped In particular, the facility tapped technology solutions SIMTECH 25TH ANNIVERSARY SIMTech’s capabilities to overcome under the Model Factory@SIMTech initiative, such as LEFT: Mr Sam Chee Wah, obstacles to its success the Overall Equipment Effectiveness Monitoring System General Manager, (OEEMS) and Maintenance Management System (MMS). Feinmetall Singapore At Feinmetall Singapore’s manufacturing facility in Marsiling, a dashboard housed in a control room “We have a long working relationship with SIMTech. integrates and displays information about the company’s During the early phase of our company’s growth, we operations on multiple screens. encountered challenges like extensive manual processes and limited production capacity. The collaboration with “This set-up lets us track our business operations SIMTech over the years has helped us to overcome many in real-time and be notified immediately of lags. This of these challenges,” he said. ensures continuous flow of our processes and allows us to address any gaps quickly,” said Mr Sam Chee Wah, Searching for Innovation General Manager of Feinmetall Singapore. The company first learnt about SIMTech through Spring Singapore in 2007. Back then, Feinmetall was just a team The company is a German-Singaporean of five employees and did not have the resources for joint-venture precision engineering SME that specialises innovation activities. It considered using the services of in the design and manufacture of wafer probe cards external consultants to automate some of its processes. for semiconductor wafer tests. Its solutions are used in However, it was concerned that a consultancy might not myriad industries as well as in automotive, have the specialised knowledge and expertise required telecommunications and security applications. for the job. Taking the company into the future is its $6-million, “We chose to collaborate with SIMTech because 6,700 sq ft facility that employs digital technologies to it has a huge team of researchers and expertise. If I increase its productivity. Established in 2017, Mr Sam bring a problem to it, I am not just tapping the team of noted that the facility was made possible with the help researchers that is already helping us, but the entire of SIMTech. knowledge base of the institute,” said Mr Sam.

OUR SUCCESS STORIES Over the years, the research institute has helped Feinmetall improve its product offerings through technical collaborations. Among them is a project to upgrade the company’s capabilities in improving its wafer probe card circuit. For this project, SIMTech designed and integrated a thermal protection circuit module in the existing probe card designs. This helped to eliminate the need for power protection equipment and reduced testing time, set-up procedures as well as manpower and space constraints. The move resulted in cost savings for the company. “The good thing about working with SIMTech is that it is not only able to identify and address your business needs, but it is also able to identify upcoming opportunities. It has flagged the fifth-generation wireless systems, or 5G, as an area for us. We are still looking into it,” said Mr Sam. Leveraging R&D expertise Feinmetall has also participated in SIMTech’s Technology for Enterprise Capability Upgrading (T-Up) programme, where researchers are seconded to companies to support their research and development (R&D) operations. Mr Sam noted that businesses can benefit 30 from this initiative if they treat the researchers as their own employees and include them in meetings and gatherings. SIMTECH 25TH ANNIVERSARY “The good thing about working with SIMTech is that it is not only able to identify and address your business needs, but it is also able to identify upcoming opportunities. MR SAM CHEE WAH, GENERAL MANAGER, FEINMETALL SINGAPORE

“This is a great initiative especially for an SME like us, Mr Sam and his team at Feinmetall OUR SUCCESS STORIES because establishing our own R&D department is not viable as we have to train the researchers from scratch. On the other hand, the SIMTech researchers already have the skills and knowledge for our needs,” he said. He added: “To make the most of the initiative, companies must not be afraid to share their information with the researchers. This is how you facilitate knowledge exchange and innovation.” Feinmetall plans to continue collaborating with SIMTech to fuel its next stage of growth. To keep himself updated on the institute’s latest technology offerings, Mr Sam makes time to attend its showcase, which is held twice a year. He said: “I am always excited to see what it has to offer and how its technology can be applied to Feinmetall.” LEFT AND BELOW: The OEEMS in action 31 DID YOU KNOW? SIMTECH 25TH ANNIVERSARY Feinmetall’s collaborations with SIMTech since 2007 have achieved the following milestones: 1 3 Set up a new manufacturing Increased its total plant with R&D facilities revenue from $7 million in 2017 and 2018 to above $10 million over the past five years 2 4 Grown its staff strength from 31 to 60 in the past Achieved annual average three years growth not less than 30 per cent for the past five years

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Company OUR SUCCESS STORIES Wavelength Opto-Electronic Singapore Pte Ltd pPath To Global Expansion With New Technology With the support of SIMTech, Guided by this comprehensive plan, the company filed 33 Wavelength Opto-Electronic has its first patent in 2008, developed a rapid prototyping grown from being a components unit in 2012 and built an R&D laboratory in 2014. Mr SIMTECH 25TH ANNIVERSARY maker to a developer of high-value Huang estimated that the company has worked with LEFT: Mr Robert Huang, solutions SIMTech on more than 10 R&D projects since the start of Founder and CEO, their collaboration. Wavelength Opto-Electronic When Mr Robert Huang, Founder and CEO of optics firm Wavelength Opto-Electronic, was looking to move One key, jointly-developed project was an his company up the value chain, a friend in the industry automated contact lens inspection system which helped suggested he approach SIMTech for assistance with to significantly increase the speed of the internal research and development (R&D). inspection process. After attending a seminar organised by SIMTech, It used to take the company about 30 seconds to he decided to go into a partnership with the manually inspect a contact lens. With the introduction research institute. of the automated system in 2017, however, the time has been reduced to just three seconds. The solution has In 2007, Wavelength worked with SIMTech to develop also garnered interest from multinational corporations a roadmap for its future expansion under the which are keen to use the technology for their own institute’s operation and technology roadmapping (OTR) quality control operations. programme. The five-year OTR guided its transformation from being a producer of optics Wavelength was unable to develop the system on its components to a manufacturer of high-value solutions own as its technical resources were limited, especially used in a wide range of products, from contact in the area of software development, revealed Mr Huang. lenses and mobile phones to medical and surveillance equipment. “It is fortunate we were able to engage SIMTech. The knowledge and experience of its research staff “Facilitated by SIMTech, the OTR gave us good convinced me that we should work with SIMTech to visibility on what we needed to do to grow in the next develop this solution,” he said. five years,” said Mr Huang. “Along the way, it served as a check to make sure we stayed on course. I would say Wavelength’s experience in working with SIMTech we achieved about 70 per cent of what we set out to do researchers has been a very positive one. Mr Huang said: under the OTR.” “SIMTech staff are very knowledgeable and experienced in many areas. Whenever we encounter a technological issue, we will think of approaching them for assistance first. They are also very dedicated and resourceful. Not

only is it easy for us to contact them for assistance, but they are also proactive in calling us to check on our progress.” He has been able to observe the professionalism of SIMTech researchers up close under the research institute’s Technology for Enterprise Capability Upgrading (T-Up) initiative, which gives companies access to its researchers and expertise. Under this scheme, four SIMTech researchers have been seconded to Wavelength so far. One of them, Mr Ng Bing Qiang, was involved in developing an image processing solution for Wavelength’s automated inspection system. He has since joined the company as a software engineer. Further- OUR SUCCESS STORIES more, SIMTech provided customised training for 10 of the company’s employees that was designed to enhance their respective competencies. Mr Huang believes that the collaborations with SIMTech on R&D and new product development over the years have been instrumental in helping Wavelength climb the value chain rapidly, transforming it into a high-value systems provider. As a result, the company’s turnover expanded from US$2.6 million in 2007 to around US$30 million in 2017. Its workforce has also 34 grown to 250 employees worldwide, with about 30 team members in Singapore. SIMTECH 25TH ANNIVERSARY Banking on R&D for Future Growth Wavelength’s automated Today, Wavelength is making its mark as a leader in the inspection system specialised laser and infrared optics market. Going forward, it plans to invest 10 per cent of its total group revenue a year on R&D efforts to fuel future growth. It participated in a second enhanced roadmap in 2016 “Facilitated by SIMTech, the OTR gave us good visibility on what we needed to do to grow in the next five years. MR ROBERT HUANG, FOUNDER AND CEO, WAVELENGTH OPTO-ELECTRONIC

to help achieve its goal of growing its revenue by 35 per OUR SUCCESS STORIES cent annually over the next five years, said Mr Huang. Among other initiatives, it plans to further break into the consumer optics market and intends to set up operations in the United States to better penetrate the huge market there. The company currently has two manufacturing facilities – one in Singapore and another in Nanjing, China. Wavelength will continue to tap SIMTech’s resources as part of these efforts in the future, said Mr Huang. He suggested that the research institute could consider expanding its range of services to support SMEs on the business aspect of their operations, as well as help open doors for internationalisation. That said, he is expecting Wavelength’s partner- ship with SIMTech to bear fruit for many years more. “Without SIMTech’s support over the years, we wouldn’t have grown as quickly as we have. Its assistance has been invaluable. We would recommend SIMTech to any SME that is involved in manufacturing and is looking to grow.” 35SIMTECH 25TH ANNIVERSARY DID YOU KNOW? Wavelength’s collaborations with SIMTech on R&D and new product development over the years have contributed to the company’s growth in the following ways: Turnover expanded from US$2.6 million in 2007 to around US$30 million in 2017 Workforce has grown to 250 employees worldwide, with about 30 team members in Singapore

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hHeating Up The Market Company With New Technology Philips Electronics Singapore Pte Ld OUR SUCCESS STORIES 37 Philips’s collaboration with research and development (R&D) activities for Philips SIMTECH 25TH ANNIVERSARY SIMTech yielded a solution that Garment Care Business. LEFT: Mr B K Ching, Senior maintained its lead in the global Director, Philips Electronics laundry iron market To sustain its lead in the market, Philips sought to Singapore develop a superior sole plate coating that used wet In the 1990s, Philips Electronics was one of the leading chemicals based on sol-gel technology. To do this, it set makers of steam irons, partly due to its innovative up a joint competency centre with SIMTech in 1999 to anodised sole plate coating that was developed in industrialise the sol-gel coating solution. Singapore. With its scratch-resistant, easy-glide and non-stick properties, the coating enabled Philips to A 10-person team comprising members from Philips offer its customers a smoother ironing experience. and SIMTech worked intensely to bring the new premium product into production. The first version of the iron However, the company faced a setback when it with the wet chemical coating came out in 2001, with a discovered that a competitor had beaten it to filing a second version in 2002. patent for the coating technology by just a few months. The breakthrough that was commercialised by “We faced an issue with freedom of use for the Philips enabled the company to grow its market share coating. Another company was also working on the same and reinforce its leadership in high-end irons, which technology and it had filed its patent earlier. We needed were manufactured, assembled and tested in Singapore to find another solution to maintain our leadership and Batam. In 2002, market research firm Euromonitor position,” said Mr B K Ching, Senior Director at Philips International named Philips the world’s No. 1 brand Electronics Singapore, which conducts end-to-end in ironing. “The impact of the new iron for Philips in the high-end market was very significant. If we did not have

OUR SUCCESS STORIESthis solution, we would not have been able to continue with our growth in the garment care market,” said Mr Ching. A One-team Approach As testament to the effectiveness of the collaboration, the SIMTech-Philips team was awarded the National Science and Technology Award in 2002 for its work on the sol-gel solution. The partnership saw SIMTech providing research, laboratory testing and analytical services, while Philips focused on the application, integration and production aspects of the new formulation at its manufacturing facility. Mr Ching credited their success to a “one-team” approach. “The arrangement with SIMTech was very beneficial. If Philips did it alone, we would have needed a much bigger team. But as we were using the sol-gel technology for only one application, it would have been difficult to justify the investment,” he said. “SIMTech also offered us a team of international talent, which is hard to find in Singapore. We all worked towards a common goal and that helped to make the collaboration a success,” he added. One of the lead researchers in the SIMTech team 38 was Dr Linda Wu, who had joined the research institute SIMTECH 25TH ANNIVERSARY R&D work being carried out on coatings for steam irons “The experience with SIMTech has opened our eyes to what we can achieve when we want to develop new technology. MR B K CHING, SENIOR DIRECTOR, PHILIPS ELECTRONICS SINGAPORE

from Philips to help set up the competency centre These and other co-developments have led to seven OUR SUCCESS STORIES in 1999. jointly-owned patents with Philips on sole plate coatings. “The collaborative approach worked because it is Beyond coatings, SIMTech has also helped Philips in a non-competing structure where both parties benefit other areas of manufacturing, such as evaluating a new from the know-how. While Philips has a specific process for liquid forging for the production of steam application, at SIMTech, we have the scope to look for generators and exploring laser welding for the assembly broader applications,” she said. and sealing of the boilers. Building on Success Collectively, SIMTech’s contributions have resulted Following the launch of the sol-gel-based iron, Philips in Philips improving the turnaround time for its product continued to collaborate with SIMTech to improve development and reduced the need for the company to the technology as well as on a number of other R&D bring in technical specialists from its corporate projects in the following years, even till today. laboratories in the Netherlands. These included developing printable decorative This, in turn, has enabled the company to strengthen coatings for its irons; identifying cost savings and yield its R&D efforts in laundry iron innovation in Singapore. improvements through alternative sole plate surface Mr Ching said: “The experience with SIMTech has treatments; and looking at ways to improve the glide opened our eyes to what we can achieve when we want performance of irons at elevated temperatures. to develop new technology.” Dr Linda Wu, Senior Scientist, SIMTech, 39 with Mr Ching DID YOU KNOW? Philips Electronics Singapore’s collaboration with SIMTech SIMTECH 25TH ANNIVERSARY started in 1994. SIMTech had supported the company’s R&D efforts in creating functional materials, elements and devices to be used in the products, and to solve issues encountered during the production The partnership reached a new level in 1999 when the two parties set up a joint competency centre to co-develop wet chemical coatings based on sol-gel chemistries as an alternative to enamel and stainless-steel iron sole plates to enhance its steam irons Philips has, over the years, utilised the research institute’s analytical facilities in carrying out defect and failure analysis in new product development as well as product improvement Moving forward, SIMTech will continue to assist Philips in strengthening the chemical formulations and process know-how of sol-gel coating for its steam irons as well as new technologies addressing its future needs

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p Company Quantum Chemical Technologies (Singapore) Pte Ltd Partnership With OUR SUCCESS STORIES The Right Chemistry 41 Developed with SIMTech, Quantum These silver nanowires could be further formulated into SIMTECH 25TH ANNIVERSARY Chemical Technologies’ new conductive AgNWs inks and used in a wide range of LEFT: Ms Chew Kai Hwa, R&D printed electronics solution opens applications, including touchscreens, printed lighting, Director, Quantum Chemical up a new product segment for the photovoltaic solar cells, wearable devices and displays Technologies company harnessing printed electronics technologies. The relationship between Singapore Asahi Chemical & By leveraging printed electronics technologies Solder Industries Pte Ltd (SACSI) and SIMTech started and solutions, the company would eventually reduce over 20 years ago with projects related to the develop- the process cost compared with that of conventional ment of solder paste. Since then, the two parties have electronics processes. collaborated on 27 successful projects. “SIMTech already had the preliminary research In 1997, Quantum Chemical Technologies (Singapore) in this area and we in Quantum/SACSI looked further Pte Ltd was set up to undertake the research and into the synthesis of AgNWs with various parameters development (R&D) component of the SACSI group of and materials,” said Ms Chew Kai Hwa, Quantum’s R&D companies and oversee its intellectual property (IP) Director. Following the successful outcome of the pilot aspect. Quantum embarked on its first collaboration phase, a second phase of the project to mass-produce with SIMTech in 2014 as it sought to expand its product the silver nanowires started in 2016. lines in printed electronics applications. A Track Record of Collaboration SACSI and Quantum aimed to leverage the research SACSI was established in 1977 as a manufacturer and institute’s know-how on producing silver nanowires distributor of high-quality solder products and related (AgNWs) on a laboratory scale and turn it into an soldering chemicals for the electronics, automated mass-production process. telecommunications and electrical appliance industries. The company started working with the then GINTIC

OUR SUCCESS STORIES(now SIMTech) in 1994 by using the research institute’s facilities for testing and characterisation purposes. SIMTECH 25TH ANNIVERSARY “As a developer of electronics material, the benefit of working with SIMTech is that it has state-of-the-art equipment for both industrial application and testing as well as scientists and engineers with experience from the application aspect. This saves us a lot of R&D efforts and manpower costs, allowing us to operate under very lean conditions,” said Ms Chew. She added: “R&D is a continuous process for a company and, to reduce the cost, we signed up with SIMTech to utilise its facilities every year.” Opening New Doors Quantum has already filed a patent together with SIMTech for the silver nanowire production technology and is now working to commercialise its silver nanowire materials and conductive ink products. The company is also looking for partners who are keen to explore more applications of silver nanowires in the areas of printed electronics. “We have completed the project and we are now able to successfully mass-produce AgNWs with various dimensions to cater for different applications. We have since formulated several kinds of 42 ABOVE AND LEFT: Applications for Quantum’s silver nanowire technology “I would advise SMEs to make use of research institutes like SIMTech to leverage their capabilities. MS CHEW KAI HWA, R&D DIRECTOR, QUANTUM CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGIES

inks for different applications and will continue to do so offered a good training ground for its marketing and with our partners in their new applications and develop- application engineers to increase their understanding of ment,” said Ms Chew. the application and processes of printed electronics. “This is an advanced material and the sky is the Moving forward, Quantum will continue to use limit for its application. If the industry continues to look SIMTech’s facilities for testing and introduce the into conductive electrodes in plastics using the printed research institute to some of its users who have just electronics applications, then the market for our AgNWs started looking into new applications pertaining to will be very promising. But if this trend doesn’t take off emerging technologies. She said: “I would advise SMEs due to technology limitation or the lack of acceptance and start-ups in Singapore to make use of research in the industry and users, then that is a risk we have institutes in A*STAR like SIMTech to leverage their to face,” she added. Ms Chew noted that working with facilities and capabilities. There is nothing wrong with SIMTech’s researchers has allowed the company to save staying small and nimble as you can do big things with a on some equipment and manpower costs, as well as small team.” DID YOU KNOW? OUR SUCCESS STORIES Quantum Chemical Technologies is the R&D arm of Singapore Asahi Chemical & Solder Industries SIMTech’s contributions 43 have helped Quantum venture into a new product SIMTECH 25TH ANNIVERSARY space and also to develop the value chain for the printed electronics industry in Singapore SIMTech transferred the know-how of silver nanowire synthesis to Quantum and further improved the yield and quality of silver nanowires for automated mass production The collaboration saw the development of roll-to-roll manufacturing processes to produce silver nanowire transparent conductive film with high performance and low cost The two parties have jointly filed the patent to protect the intellectual property generated from the technology

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p Company SIA Engineering Company Limited Paving The Way For SMEs To OUR SUCCESS STORIES Enter The Aerospace Sector 45 SIMTech’s work with SIA Thereafter, it embarked on Collaborative Industry SIMTECH 25TH ANNIVERSARY Engineering Company is helping to Projects (CIPs) with local SMEs to transfer the know-how LEFT: Mr Foo Kean Shuh, develop the local aerospace value to make aircraft cabin parts. Since 2012, SIMTech has Senior Vice-President, chain worked with eight SMEs in this manner to manufacture a Line Maintenance and growing range of components for SIAEC. Cabin Services, In an effort to add value to its services, SIA Engineering SIA Engineering Company Company (SIAEC) wanted to find a way for local SMEs to “The collaborations have provided value to our supply the polymeric components that were required airline customers. Typically, if a cabin part fails, the in aircraft cabins, and to help airline customers manage airline goes back to the OEM. But the OEM is not their cost and reduce their reliance on large Original motivated to fix it, as it would prefer the customer buy a Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). new part,” said Mr Foo Kean Shuh, Senior Vice-President, Line Maintenance and Cabin Services However, local plastic moulding companies at the at SIAEC. time were unable to enter the aviation industry due to their lack of expertise in product design and “By working with local suppliers, we are able to manufacturing of aircraft cabin parts. Strict aviation produce the parts, offer lower prices and compliance regulations also made entering the industry continuously improve their reliability. SIMTech has a challenging move. helped the SMEs plug the gaps in their expertise to achieve this outcome,” he added. To overcome this hurdle, SIAEC approached SIMTech in 2012 to build the expertise and technology needed Two examples of CIPs with SIAEC involved by local firms to become suppliers to aerospace transferring expertise to two local SMEs – Proway and companies. The research institute helped to identify Maxservo – to manufacture a polymeric cup holder and parts in the aircraft cabin that failed frequently and cocktail tray. developed processes to improve them. SIMTech helped the participating SMEs upgrade their knowledge in design, simulation and manufacturing of polymeric materials according to aerospace industry

OUR SUCCESS STORIES 46SIMTECH 25TH ANNIVERSARY Mr Foo with Dr Sun Zheng, SIMTech Deputy Director, Sustainable Manufacturing Centre SIMTech helps to upgrade capabilities in manufacturing aircraft cabin parts “By working with local suppliers, we are able to produce the parts, offer lower prices and improve reliability. MR FOO KEAN SHUH, SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT, LINE MAINTENANCE AND CABIN SERVICES, SIA ENGINEERING COMPANY

standards. In addition, it transferred its technologies on Building In-house Capabilities DID YOU KNOW? OUR SUCCESS STORIES fabrication of cup holders and cocktail trays according to Beyond helping SMEs enter the aerospace industry, SIAEC’s specifications. SIMTech also helped them to set SIMTech has also transferred skillsets directly to SIAEC in SIMTech’s Collaborative up quality control systems to better penetrate the high enhancing the design and manufacturing of cabin parts. Industry Projects (CIPs) value-added aircraft cabin parts manufacturing market. with SIA Engineering Leveraging this new expertise, SIAEC set up a Company (SIAEC) are “As a result of our CIPs, local SMEs have developed fabrication team in 2016 to produce some of the opening new avenues new capabilities and have since been approved as SIAEC’s components it needed in-house. This new team, in turn, for growth for both the service providers, paving the way for them to venture opened additional opportunities for SIAEC. aerospace company and into the aviation industry,” said Dr Sun Zheng, a SIMTech SMEs that supply it researcher who worked with SIAEC on the CIPs. “Production is a new area for SIAEC. It has the As a result of a CIP, one potential to be a substantial business for us. We are not participating SME, Proway, “The value capture for them is the ability to supply making the same part, but improving it,” said Mr Foo. has seen its company parts to SIAEC and venture into both local and overseas revenue increase by 30 per aviation industries, opening a new revenue stream for the “SIMTech has been very professional and cent and it is now looking companies and broadening local suppliers’ offerings to forthcoming during our collaborations. The solutions to expand its business to the aerospace industry,” he added. and processes it developed have been well-received by Indonesia and Vietnam in our customers.” the next two years Another SME, Maxservo, has seen its annual revenue 47 increase by 25 per cent The SMEs have secured SIMTECH 25TH ANNIVERSARY businesses from overseas clients For SIAEC, the value capture is its reduced reliance on Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and the enhanced competitiveness with the availability of local suppliers at its doorstep Aircraft cabin components manufactured by local SMEs

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Company OUR SUCCESS STORIES Enhanzcom Pte Ltd gGetting SMEs Ready For The Digital Revolution Enhanzcom built its business clients, local cable system firm LanTroVision, adopted 49 around SIMTech’s Unified Fitprise in late 2009 to address issues of staff Configurable Architecture accountability and ownership of projects. Since then, SIMTECH 25TH ANNIVERSARY technology LanTroVision has saved at least $150,000 in manpower LEFT: Mr Edwin Seah, Found- and time savings annually as a result of implementing er and CEO, Enhanzcom Since 2009, local technology company Enhanzcom Fitprise. Pte Ltd has been helping other SMEs in Singapore to digitise their workflow with its core product, Fitprise – a Unified Configurable Architecture web-based software system designed to fit and integrate The technology behind Fitprise was developed by business operational workflows for industries. SIMTech researcher Dr Song Bin and his team. Fitprise is up to 40 per cent cheaper than solutions Dr Song realised that many SMEs did not have from other enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems the resources to integrate their IT systems into their and can be developed in half the time. The system was workflow. He worked with two SMEs to explore how they created locally at SIMTech and enhanced over the years could digitise and streamline their workflow, but felt by Enhanzcom. that it took too much time to build ERP solutions from scratch for each company. “Many systems on the market have a pre-defined workflow. What we provide is a system that can be “I wanted to create a software platform that could customised to each company’s individual workflow. be easily configured and quickly deployed in different Fitprise reduces the effort to develop a system,” said companies and industries,” said Dr Song. Enhanzcom Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Edwin Seah. His solution was a Unified Configurable Architec- ture (UCA) software development platform that would “We further developed the platform to suit the later drive the Fitprise system. When Mr Seah met Dr needs of the market. As time passed, customers wanted Song in 2007 through a mutual friend, he immediately more enhancements so we have added these sensed a business opportunity. He subsequently started improvements to meet their needs.” Enhanzcom with funds from his own pocket, his wife and another investor. SMEs who use Fitprise benefit from lower costs and improved productivity. One of the company’s first Enhanzcom licensed the UCA platform from SIMTech in 2008 and developed it further to become Fitprise. It

took another two years before the product was ready for commercialisation. OUR SUCCESS STORIES Building A Business from Scratch Mr Seah said that Enhanzcom’s entire business was built on the core technology provided by SIMTech. “Our company was built around the UCA platform developed by SIMTech. Without it, there would be no business.” He added that beyond providing the technology, SIMTech has also helped to reach out to the market to promote the Fitprise solution, helping Enhanzcom overcome the limitation of having only a 10-person team. “SIMTech is like our big brother. With them by our side, customers are more confident when they take on our solution.” Mr Seah noted that, in recent years, SIMTech has become more proactive in understanding the needs of industries. The knowledge it has gained has helped it to develop solutions that can be used without the need for modifications. Expanding Abroad Looking ahead, Mr Seah is planning to expand internationally with Fitprise. Already, the company has tied up with partners in Indonesia, Malaysia and the 50 Philippines. Nonetheless, he feels that there is still much Mr Seah explains the benefits of potential in the Singapore market. “We have to progress the Fitprise solution beyond the local shores, but I feel that Singapore SIMTECH 25TH ANNIVERSARY still has a large, untapped market in the SME space. “SIMTech is like our big brother. With them by our side, customers are more confident when they take on our solution. MR EDWIN SEAH, FOUNDER AND CEO, ENHANZCOM