The annual global benchmark inventions show, 2020 Taiwan Innotech Expo, was held at the Taipei World Trade Center Hall 1 recently. More than 200 industry-academia-research institutions participated in the highly anticipated Taipei Invention Award Area. This year, MIRDC entered the competition with five of its technologies, namely surface modification method of metallic workpiece, method and its coating mechanism for manufacturing the glue-bonded core of laminations, technical development on 3D printed ceramic shell mold, processing electrode of closed vane and processing method, and magnesium-zinc-calcium alloy powder. Relevant innovative R&D achievements were not only favored by the judges, but also won three gold, one silver, and one bronze medals! These technologies fully demonstrate the forward-looking innovative technologies and technical capabilities of MIRDC.
Among them, the result of the surface modification method of metallic workpiece mainly combines surface impact formation of nanograined structures and a special surface hardening process of austenitic stainless steel to achieve strengthening and corrosion resistance, and time saving. This replaces the traditional process of hardening stainless steel that affects process efficiency because nitriding takes too long. The method and its coating mechanism for manufacturing the glue-bonded core of laminations mainly use new generation iron core stacking method without rivet and welding point, which has better diffusion and uniformity than spray painting or dot adhesive diffusive methods, and improves the flatness and stacking rate of the motor core. The technical development on 3D printed ceramic shell mold integrates CAE, 3D printing sand casting mold design, high temperature sintering control, and alloy melting to replace the traditional method, which is limited by molds and shapes and must go through repeated slurry dipping and sand stucco, to optimize the casting quality, thereby enhancing the added value of products.
The processing electrode of closed vane and processing method mainly use computer numerical control to control multi-axis motion. Only a single electrode with a simple shape is required to efficiently complete the pre-processing of structural parts with variable curvature. The subsequent combination with electrical discharge machining can replace the traditional method of machining and electrical discharge machining on complex structures and difficult-to-machine structural parts. Magnesium-zinc-calcium alloys and magnesium-zinc-calcium alloy powder mainly replace the existing addition of zinc, aluminum, and rare earth elements, thereby controlling the degradation rate of magnesium-zinc-calcium alloys to effectively develop biodegradable medical implants.
Dr. Chiu-Feng Lin, the president of MIRDC, said that the technologies entered this year's competition mainly based on metal process and material innovation R&D. In the future, the technologies will be systematically introduced into industrial applications to increase the added value of the overall industry chain. In addition to the invention competition, MIRDC also exhibited 3D mobile power detection vehicles (UAVs) and bionic modular mobile vehicles during the 2020 Taiwan Innotech Expo. More technology exchange platforms and exhibitions will promote the commercialization and industrialization of patented technologies and increase trading opportunities, which will help solve the corporate development bottlenecks and then add value to the industry and expand the markets.