TKK partners with partners to showcase intelligent solutions at METALEX 2024: GRACO & ANEST IWATA with Fluid Expert Solution products to meet the needs of modern industries in Thailand (Part 1)

Now in its 38th year, METALEX 2024, ASEAN's leading machinery and metalworking technology event, is bigger than ever this year, showcasing innovative masterpieces of machinery and metalworking technology from manufacturers and technology distributors, including smart materials and AI technology from over 3,000 brands from around the world, to be presented to over 100,000 metalworking industrialists across the ASEAN region.

And of course, at a major regional technology solutions exhibition like this, TKK Corporation Co., Ltd., a leader in offering solutions for the smart manufacturing industry, did not miss the chance to be a part of this year's METALEX. They are showcasing cutting-edge technology from KSI Solution, a subsidiary of TKK, and from trading partners for which TKK is a distributor, to announce their readiness to be a provider of manufacturing technology that meets all aspects of modern industry in Thailand.

On this occasion, Mr. Chai Buranajitphirom, CEO of KSI Solution Co., Ltd., spoke about the concept of co-organizing METALEX 2024 and revealed the highlights of cutting-edge technology that TKK and its business partners will showcase at the event.

“The concept behind this year's METELEX event is to shift from a product-based approach to a solution-based approach, to update both our customers and potential customers on the cutting-edge solutions offered by TKK and our appointed distributor partners, by showcasing their capabilities at this event.

"At this year's METALEX, visitors will discover intelligent products and solutions that meet the needs of Thai entrepreneurs who are transforming their production and service systems to meet the demands of the digital age. Solutions from a wide range of technologies are available."

"Whether it's COBOT or ROBOT, we'll showcase robots from various manufacturers catering to different industrial sectors. From manufacturing robots to service robots, automation systems, AI platforms, and intelligent production control systems, we'll address IT & OT digital needs and digital solutions. We'll also showcase the latest hardware and software know-how. These solutions are from leading companies recognized both domestically and internationally, some of which will be showcased at TKK's booth at METALEX 2024."

"We will soon open registration for the event, and those who register will receive exclusive privileges and the highest discounts available at no other event. We want all the solutions on display to be affordable for Thai entrepreneurs. METALEX is a major annual event, having been held for 38 times. It's also the only event that combines the power of intelligent manufacturing technology across all areas. You'll definitely get the most value from this one event."

And to give everyone a glimpse of the products and solutions that TKK will be showcasing at this year's METALEX, we have a review article highlighting those smart solutions to update everyone before they meet the real thing at METALEX 2024. Starting with products in the fluid handling product application or liquid transport equipment used in various industries, especially the future automotive industry, the leading brand that will be showcasing its products is GRACO, an American brand that has been offering products in this category for over a century. There will also be products from the Japanese brand ANEST IWATA, which is a manufacturer of compressors, air compressors, vacuum pumps, painting and surface coating equipment, spray guns, and general liquid spraying equipment that has been recognized by leading industries for a long time.

GRACO is set to showcase its fluid handling products, addressing the EV manufacturing industry and the decarbonization trend in modern industry.

Wuttichai Thaiprasert, Product Manager of Fluid Expert Solution Group, TKK Corporation Co., Ltd., tells us about the strengths of the GRACO brand and highlights the products that GRACO will be showcasing at METELEX 2024 in the TKK booth.

“GRACO is an American brand known for its outstanding products, which include equipment for transferring or transporting liquids in industrial applications, including paint spraying, adhesive application, and chemical transfer. TKK is the primary distributor for automotive customers who use GRACO brand products for paint spraying and adhesive application. At METALEX 2024, GRACO showcased two types of products that effectively meet the needs of the industry.”

GRACO's E-Flo-IQ meets the energy-saving, carbon-reducing trend.

“Currently, the GRACO brand is focusing on developing products that address energy conservation and carbon emissions. Historically, air compressors used in the automotive industry typically utilized pneumatic systems, which utilized air for their operation. Today, GRACO has developed electric pumps for automotive use, including paint sprayers and adhesive dispensers, which effectively address energy conservation. Highlights of GRACO's E-Flo-IQ include:

• Save more than 3 times more energy
• Air motor Energy = 300 kWh
• Electric Motor = 100 kWh
• Consistent control of flow rate with the electric servo-driven motor system of E-flo IQ, thus keeping the flow rate constant at all times.
• Accurate Dispensing Performance: Electronic flow control allows for precise dispensing control.
• Easy to use and simple to integrate with Remote AMD (Advanced Display Module), allowing for quick commands and efficient connection to PLC systems.

GRACO brand glue dispenser, a product trusted by the electric vehicle manufacturing industry.

"Furthermore, in this era where we are transitioning from combustion-powered vehicles to electric vehicles, GRACO, a trusted American brand for its high-viscosity fluid handling equipment, is used in various vehicle assembly processes, such as hoods, bodies, mirrors, flow measurement, and fluid suction and discharge," said Mr. Wuttichai, providing further information on the next products GRACO will showcase at the TKK booth at this year's METALEX.

"With over 100 years of experience in manufacturing automotive paint spray equipment, we've been able to adapt quickly to these changes and offer innovations that meet the needs of the electric vehicle manufacturing industry and enhance the potential of battery and electric vehicle assembly plants. This product is a glue dispenser for use in battery pack assembly. This glue dispenser is used in the adhesive dispensing process to bond cells and module covers, which are small and require high precision."

“This GRACO glue dispenser is a key feature in meeting the demands of the electric vehicle industry, particularly EV battery assembly. This makes the battery assembly process for EVs more efficient. GRACO glue dispensers have been adopted by several EV manufacturers that have established production bases in Thailand, and their features have been recognized in a variety of areas, including:

• Efficiently bond cells and module covers
• Precise control of the dosing
• Prevents shock and vibration
• The structure is welded with epoxy inside the battery pack to make it strong and durable.
• It is a heat dissipation and gap filler material that helps dissipate heat efficiently.
• Battery cover gasket seal prevents water from entering.
• Used in the process of spraying coating battery modules to provide good fire protection and corrosion protection.

“As for TKK, we are the main distributor of GRACO. TKK possesses the know-how to provide installation and after-sales service for the GRACO brand, which has earned the brand's trust and long-standing appointment as a distributor.”

ANEST IWATA is introducing high-performance paint spray guns, guaranteed by the "IDEA" industrial machinery design award from Japan, and air compressors, responding to the energy-saving trend in the Thai industrial sector.

Regarding the ANEST IWATA brand, Mr. Wuttichai recommends, “ANEST IWATA excels in paint spraying equipment. We also offer air compressors and air boosters, or air pumps used in a variety of industries. Our customers, in addition to automotive paint spraying, also use these products in the food industry.”

At the TKK booth at this year's METALEX, ANEST IWATA showcased a paint spray gun, guaranteed quality by winning the "IDEA" Industrial Machinery Design Award from Japan, and a SCROLL Oil-Free Air Compressor that's clean, quiet, and energy-efficient. This compressor, developed over 30 years ago, effectively meets the needs of various industrial applications.

ANEST IWATA's WIDER1 and WIDER2 paint spray guns have outstanding features that cannot be found in other brands.

• Designed for ease of use, each adjuster features deep grooves for easy twisting without slipping.
• Easy to maintain, easy to clean and maintain the equipment without any hassle.
• Adjusting the spray curtain is easy and hassle-free, such as adjusting the width and narrowness more precisely than before. It can be adjusted to fit the desired workpiece area very well.
• It has an air valve set that is designed to have a wider air channel. It can be easily removed and installed. You can turn it at any angle to get the same spray pattern.

“And with its excellent industrial-grade features, ANEST IWATA paint spray guns won the 50th “IDEA” Industrial Machinery Design Award from Japan. ANEST IWATA's WIDER1 and WIDER2 are also recognized as high-quality Japanese products, having been developed for over 15 years and commanding over 80% of the Japanese market.”

SCROLL Oil Free Air Compressor, silent operation, energy saving beyond expectations.

ANEST IWATA's SCROLL Oil Free Air Compressor is accepted in the industry because it provides clean air, is quiet, and saves energy. It has been continuously developed for over 30 years and has a price that entrepreneurs can afford. The outstanding features of this ANEST IWATA scroll compressor model are:

• Developed the world's first scroll compressor through ANEST IWATA's advanced technology laboratory.
• It is the quietest compressor in the world, featuring low noise levels and low torque fluctuations.
• The world's highest energy efficiency. The control system will operate the appropriate number of units based on the amount of air the customer uses and stop the units that are not needed to reduce the electricity bill as much as possible.
• CLASS ZERO / CLEAN AIR Compressed air quality level, which measures the cleanliness of compressed air, is defined by ISO 8573-1 (JISB 8392-1).

And these are just some of the product highlights that will be on display at METALEX 2024. We'll continue to feature great products from TKK's trading partners that will provide smart solutions for all modern industrial sectors.

For those interested in updating on cutting-edge technology never seen before, we invite everyone to join us at METALEX 2024. Experience cutting-edge technology and gain experiences that will change every perspective of your life. And give yourself the opportunity to step into a new world of innovation with us! For those interested, you can register to receive exclusive privileges available only at this event. You can register to receive these privileges at https://forms.gle/Bw2tkviLbJ7xUUW99