19. April 2018 | Press releases:

Open Hybrid LabFactory gains new partner in Singapore Lightweight Construction Campus signs declaration of intent for future cooperation with SIMTech

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Open Hybrid LabFactory (OHLF) Germany, and the Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech), a research institute of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), was signed today at the Precision Engineering Centre of Innovation (PE COI) Annual Conference. The collaboration aims to establish a globally recognised competence for Lightweight Structure technologies across the entire value chain of the automotive and aerospace industries in Germany and Singapore. OHLF and SIMTech share a common vision of promoting lightweight design and fabrication for the sustainability of the manufacturing sector.

Located in Wolfsburg, Germany, OHLF offers excellent possibilities and resources for research, development, production and testing of hybrid and lightweight components for the future of the automotive industry, where digitalization and resource efficiencies are key. OHLF is well-connected to the German automotive industry, with Volkswagen as one of its founding members while SIMTech has strong partnerships with the precision engineering, automotive, and aerospace industries in Singapore. As SIMTech has a broad spectrum of expertise and leading manufacturing capabilities, its collaboration with OHLF will lead to industry-oriented cross-sectoral transfer of knowledge and technology.

The MoU signing was witnessed by Professor Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla, President of Technische Universität Braunschweig and vice chairman of the OHLF advisory board, H.E. Dr Ulrich Sante, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Singapore, and Mr Ted Tan, Deputy CEO of Enterprise Singapore, as well as Professor Tan Sze Wee, Executive Director, Science and Engineering Research Council, A*STAR.

“We are very honoured to have today’s signing of the MoU. With SIMTech, OHLF has been able to find a research partner that operates on an equal playing field and conducts similar, strong industry-related research. The first joint project ideas have already been discussed and will be developed in the upcoming months,“ said Professor Kaysser-Pyzalla.

“SIMTech has built strong competencies and capabilities in the precision engineering of lightweight structures, especially in the aerospace sector. With the mutual collaboration between SIMTech and OHLF, we are able to share ideas and skills across two important industrial sectors. This collaboration is aligned with SIMTech’s development of Advanced Manufacturing technologies to propel Singapore’s aerospace sector where manufacturing of lightweight structures are crucial for its competitiveness,” added Dr Lim Ser Yong, Executive Director, SIMTech.

About Open Hybrid LabFactory

The Open Hybrid LabFactory (OHLF) offers excellent possibilities and resources for the research, development, production and testing of hybrid components for the future topics of the automotive industry, digitalization and resource efficiency. Under the guidance of the Automotive Research Centre Niedersachsen (NFF) of the TU Braunschweig, participants from research organisations like Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, commit themselves to co-operating with industrial partners, who have established themselves as technological leaders in their particular fields, as part of a new model of a public-private partnership.
http://open-hybrid-labfactory.de/en/ohlf/

About Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech)

The Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech) develops high-value manufacturing technology and human capital to enhance the competitiveness of Singapore’s manufacturing industry. It collaborates with multinational and local companies in the precision engineering, medtech, aerospace, automotive, marine, oil & gas, electronics, semiconductor, logistics and other sectors.
SIMTech is a research institute of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). With a pool of more than 400 researchers, it is committed to serving the manufacturing industry to develop the human, intellectual and industrial capital of Singapore.
www.SIMTech.a-star.edu.sg

About the MOU between OHLF and SIMTech

OHLF and SIMTech intend to promote and develop opportunities for collaboration in the areas of Hybrid Lightweight Structures, namely:

  • The design and operation of production equipment;
  • Equipment, processes, materials and design of hybrid composite-metallic structures and components;
  • Eco-efficient manufacturing and repair technologies for functional integrated, individualised composite structures suitable for mass production;
  • Understanding and optimising the performance of lightweight structures, taking the entire life cycle into account (life cycle engineering);
  • The potential involvement of students, PhD students and the development of staff exchange and training programs where appropriate; and
  • Any other collaborative efforts the parties consider to be appropriate from time to time.