“changes” – The Mitsubishi Electric Magazine (PDF:1.8MB)

changes
The Mitsubishi Electric magazine
Connections
How we
link with others.
Issue
04
€ 5 nominal fee
0314_02_ME_Changes_04_UMSCHLAG_GB_PSO_UNC.indd 32-1
02.03.15 10:07
Electric planet
Connections
2
Connections
31
Yokoso irasshaimase –
Welcome.
“Connections” is the title of this
fourth issue of changes, the Mitsubishi
Electric magazine. As the title suggests,
this issue is all about connections
and being connected, a diverse and
multifaceted topic that again produces
a wide range of interesting articles for
you.
2
1
For example, there’s an article on
power semiconductors, which we
encounter in all kinds of places
without being aware they are there.
We reveal where. Another article
takes you on a journey through Japan,
from Hokkaido in the north to
Okinawa in the south, and explains
how traffic infrastructure provides
connections from A to B. We report on
the progress of the fourth industrial
revolution and offer insights into
what it means for us. And we also cover
sport, particularly how it connects
people at the Special Olympics. We
meet top athletes whose fi rst priority
isn’t winning.
3
There’s plenty to look forward to, so
enjoy reading!
4
6*
5
0314_02_ME_Changes_04_UMSCHLAG_GB_PSO_UNC.indd 2-31
* Photo: Deep Valley Water, United Kingdom.
The changes team
02.03.15 10:08
Editorial
» Together we can achieve
any goal. «
Georg Jennen
General Manager
We are committed to the principle of “changes
for the better”, which is why we’re all pulling
together – and moving closer to our goals with
each passing day.
Connections
3
Contents
Connections
4
Honshū
03
01
02
Tokio
06
Shikoku
Kyūshū
05
06
20
Isolated islands?Ryūkyū-Inseln
Not in Japan. We
show you how to get from A to B in
an island state.
Connecting and staying connected: our photo editorial
illustrates this issue’s theme from various perspectives.
22
Do you know what power semiconductors
are? We tell you, and explain how they
simplify our everyday lives.
24
14
Do you already know
about the Special
Olympics? No? Then
it’s high time you did!
publisher Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V., Gothaer Straße 8, 40880 Ratingen, +49 (0) 21 02 4 86-0, www.mitsubishielectric.de, [email protected]
responsible Georg Jennen Thinkstock (pp. 2 – 3, 8 – 11, 28)
copy and editing Lars Heyne art direction Miriam Hugo Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V. (pp. 3, 5, 19, 24 – 25, 28 – 29, 31)
Getty Images (pp. 4, 6 – 7, 11 – 12)
iStockphoto (pp. 10 – 11)
picture credits KW43 BRANDDESIGN (pp. 1, 4 – 5, 21 – 23, 26 – 29, 32)
Special Olympics Deutschland e.V. (pp. 4, 14 – 18)
Salomon SAS (pp. 30) Festo AG & Co. KG (pp. 5, 24 – 25)
Further
content
02 Editorial
28 Sudoku
28 Good to know
29 Electric people
30 Electric planet
The fourth industrial revolution has begun. We tell you what it means
for us.
Imprint
5
The world of connections
Connections
6
The world of connections.
the point where
everything
meets.
Swarming
together.
“Scramble” crossings help pedestrians reach their destinations faster.
When the light is green, you can also
cross the road diagonally. Tokyo
is one of the places where you can
see this extremely effective idea in
practice.
Connections
7
The world of connections
Connections
8
being
together.
Nobody knows how the lovelocks
tradition began. One thing we do
know is that they are very heavy! So
heavy, in fact, that the first bridge
railing in Paris collapsed under their weight in 2014.
Connections
9
The world of connections
Connections
10
coming
together.
Torii are traditional Japanese gates.
They mark the transition from the
earthly to the sacred world. Whenever you walk through one of these
gates, you’re either entering or leaving sacred ground.
forging
together.
A sharp connection: Damask knives
are manufactured by hammering
alternate layers of hard and brittle
steel together then folding them over
and repeating the process. The result
is an extremely sharp, robust and
flexible blade.
communicating
together.
They may not be able to speak, but
glow worms communicate with each
other using light signals. The signals
vary in length and rhythm, and
different species of glow worm use
different signals.
folding
together.
Furoshiki are square shaped pieces
of cloth that are traditionally used in
Japan as eco-friendly gift-wrapping
or bags. There are countless furoshiki
techniques, offering all kinds of
creative wrapping solutions.
Follow our instructions on how to
make your own furoshiki on page 29.
mixing
together.
Chocolate and bacon anyone? Food
pairing is an entirely new approach
to creative cooking that mixes foods
with complementary flavours in
unusual combinations.
Connections
11
The world of connections
Connections
12
tying
together.
The obi – or sash – is tied into an
artistic knot at the back and holds
kimonos together.
Connections
13
kimonos – “the
thing to put on”.
When it comes to traditional clothing, the Japanese
kimono is equivalent to the Scottish kilt. Although kimonos
are no longer seen on an everyday basis, they are still worn in
the home, on special occasions and in traditional tea-houses.
The word kimono is derived from “kiru” (which means “to
put on”) and “mono” (which means “thing”), so it simply
means: “the thing to put on”.
The T-shaped, straight-cut robe has its origins in China, where
it was worn as an undergarment. Its current design stems from
the Heian period (8th to 12th century), although it has undergone several modifications between then and now.
There are many kinds of kimonos that differ in their cut,
pattern and colour scheme: for married women (tomesode,
kurotomesode), single women (furisode, kofurisode and
koburisode), married and single women (tsukesage,
houmongi, iromuji, komon, edokomon), brides (uchikake
and shiromuke), burials (mofuku), men and children
(hitotsumi) and kimonos for recreational activities (yukata),
geishas (susohiki) and their apprentices the maikos
(hikizuri). The keikogi – the training outfit for Judo, Kendo,
Karate and Aikido – is also based on the kimono. The most
elegant and complex kimono, the junihitoe, which means
“twelve-layered robe” can be seen in Japan’s imperial palace
Despite the diverse range of kimonos, in the past they were
only available in one size, as they were cut from a single,
standard-size piece of fabric. They were adapted to the
wearer’s body by tucking and folding. Today, they are available
in different sizes. A brand new, high-quality kimono can
easily cost more than EUR 10,000: hand-sewn, hand-woven
and hand-embroidered silk fabrics are expensive, which is
why many people buy second-hand kimonos. A complete
kimono outfit, with all the accessories, can cost more than
EUR 20,000, as the obi, the stiffened sash used to bind the
kimono at the back, is very complex to make and therefore
very costly.
Like many traditions in Japan, putting on a kimono is an art
unto itself. Only recreational and everyday kimonos can be
put on without any assistance, otherwise you need the help
of a friend or a professional dresser. The latter often work at
hairdressing or cosmetic salons, although they also come to
the wearer’s home. In addition to the kimono and the obi,
the up to three-and-a-half-metre long sash, which is artistically bound into a taiko (drum knot) at the back, there are
nine other accessories: the undergarment, two waist sashes,
a scarf, two additional ties, the obijime (a cord), the obita (a piece of cardboard around which the obi knot is tied) and
the obimakura, a bustle pad that supports and shapes the knot.
Together, they create an impressive work of art, and, just like
the tea ceremony or sushi, represent Japanese artistry and
tradition. Special Olympics
Connections
14
Connections
Imagine a major sporting event where the best-of-the-best come together to compete
against each other, for example a track event such as the 200-metre sprint involving the world’s
top athletes. Now imagine one of the athletes tripping and falling half way down the track. The
other participants notice and run back to help their comrade back on his feet. They ask him if
he’s OK. When he says “yes”, they all set off again, running towards the finishing line together.
You may think that doesn’t happen, and you’d be right… almost. The Special Olympics are
held every two years alongside the World Championships and the Olympic Games, and here
you do see it happen. These Olympics are slightly different to the other events: as the name
suggests, more special.
A visit to the Special Olympics.
Very unique games.
4,800 mentally handicapped athletes competed at the Special Olympics 2014 in Düsseldorf
to celebrate their love of sport – an even bigger event than the Paralympics 2012 in London.
For one whole week, Düsseldorf was the scene of exciting contests and emotional moments.
It was the biggest event Special Olympics Germany had ever organised, with more than
14,000 competitors, 1,700 trainers, 1,500 family members and 2,000 volunteers.
Photo: Special Olympics Deutschland e.V.
winning
together.
On the morning before the first events, you could already sense the unique excitement of the
Special Olympics in the air at Düsseldorf Central Station. Many of the athletes, dressed in
their team uniforms, stood on the platform waiting for the underground train to Sportpark
Arena. Their T-shirts displayed the logos of Caritas, AWO, Diakonie and other disabled
workshops and organisations. They were clearly in an excellent mood and very excited to be
there. The contingent from Helen Keller School in Ratingen certainly made its presence felt,
chanting, “Higher! Further! HKS!” Their enthusiasm for their team was no different from
“regular” sports fans – and why should it be?
15
Special Olympics
Connections
16
The Special Olympics regatta is held at Unterbacher See, a large lake in southern
Düsseldorf. Two-person Unified Kayaks line up at the start alongside regular boats.
Meanwhile the Unified equestrian-vaulting event is taking place just a few kilometres away at Reitpark Eller. In Unified Sports, people with and without intellectual
disability train and compete together. They learn from each other and break down
everyday barriers. Unified Sports adopts three different approaches:
The goal areas on the football pitches are tense. No player is giving an inch in the attempt to
capture the ball. But there aren’t any fouls and the referees don’t have much to do – not least
because there is no offside in the slightly simplified rules. The atmosphere at the other events
is quieter, including on the tennis courts: “Quiet, please!” as the umpire says at Wimbledon.
Performance
In this competition-based approach, athletes and their partners prepare for the
Special Olympics. Participants are usually similar in age and performance level.
Sport is fun – and much more.
Learning
The development-based approach is intended to ensure that the weaker athletes
benefit and learn from the stronger sportsmen and women.
The
Special Olympics
The Special Olympics is the world’s
largest sports organisation for people
with intellectual and multiple disabilities. The aim is to help people with
disabilities increase recognition,
confidence and social participation
for themselves through sport.
The Special Olympics was founded
by Eunice Kennedy-Shriver, John
F. Kennedy’s sister, in 1968. Eunice
wanted to give their sister Rosemary
and other people with intellectual
disabilities the opportunity to participate in sports. Almost 50 years
In Gerresheim, in eastern Düsseldorf, 203 participants are competing in the singles, doubles,
team and Unified events (more on Unified Sports below) inside the big bocce hall.
Laughing
Finally, in the leisure-based approach, the focus is simply on enjoying sport together.
The Special Olympics version of bocce has eight balls (four balls each in the singles event) and
the smaller pallino ball. The aim is to throw the larger balls as close to the pallino ball as
possible. The game is over as soon as one of the players scores 16 points. Regular training is
not only fun, it also boosts the athletes’ self-confidence and improves their powers of
concentration and coordination, as well as their perseverance (a game can sometimes last up
to three hours – although at the Special Olympics the athletes also play against time). You can
see the concentration in the players’ faces as they step up to the line, kneel down, squat or
position themselves in their wheelchairs, and take careful and considered aim at the pallino
– before rolling the ball with precision to get as close to the pallino as possible. Bocce is
special because it can be played by people of any age and with almost any disability.
Unified Sports benefits both athletes and their non-handicapped partners, who are
able to improve their social skills such as the teamwork and fair play. Playing sport
together favours positive social interaction between team colleagues and they often
develop close friendships. As awareness for Unified Sports increases, more people
are getting involved. There are currently 840 athletes and 625 partners training
together, a development that was reflected in the Düsseldorf games: 260 Unified
Sports partners took part compared to 151 in 2010. The next Special Olympics will be
in Hanover in 2016.
The doubles, team and Unified Sports events also encourage social integration among people
with and without disabilities.
17
Unified Sports – strong together.
It’s business as usual at Sportpark Arena in northern Düsseldorf. The home ground of German
second-division football club Fortuna Düsseldorf is alive with hustle and bustle. The Special
Olympics has different venues for football, table tennis, powerlifting, tennis, cycling and beach
volleyball. Despite the competitors’ outstanding sense of fair play, you can still feel their determination to win, reflecting the Special Olympics’ athlete oath: “Let me win! But if I cannot win,
let me be brave in the attempt!”
Photos: Special Olympics Deutschland e.V.
Yellow card? Not today!
Connections
Why don’t you attend – as spectator, competitor or new Unified Partner! You won’t be
disappointed. later, what was initially a good idea
has evolved into a global movement
with almost four million athletes in
170 countries.
In Germany, Special Olympics
Deutschland now represents more
than 40,000 athletes who train at more
than 1,100 member organisations.
Mitsubishi Electric provided an XXL
monitor for the Special Olympics
2014 as part of its support package for
the event. In addition, 10 employees
participated as corporate volunteers.
Big in Japan
Connections
20
welcome to
infrastructure island.
HONSHU
230,500 km²
01 Hokkaido → Honshu
Seikan Tunnel. The tunnel connects Hokkaido and Honshu.
At 53.85 km in length, it is one of the longest tunnels in the
world. 23.3 km of the tunnel is at a depth of up to 240 m below sea level, which makes it the tunnel with the second- longest undersea section after the Eurotunnel.
02 Honshu → Shikoku
Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. There are three bridges connecting
Honshu and Shikoku. One of these is the Akashi-Kaikyo
Bridge. With a 1,991 m central span, it the longest span
bridge in the world.
Onaruto Bridge. While most bridges connect, the Onaruto
Bridge separates. The ferry service across the Onaruto Strait
was stopped when the 1,629 m long bridge was opened. Since
then, pedestrians, cyclists and small cars up to 3.4 m in
length and 660 cm³ haven’t been able to reach the other side.
Seto Ohashi. The Seto Ohashi Bridge is the collective name for
three suspension bridges, two oblique suspension bridges and
one truss bridge. There are also four viaducts. They have upper
and lower levels with cars using the upper level and trains the
lower level. With a total length of 13.1 km (9.3 km above water),
it is the longest double-storey bridge in the world.
the four main
islands.
SHIKOKU
18,000 km²
The Japanese archipelago
consists of four main islands
that are only separate from each
HOKKAIDO 83,456 km²
Japan is an island state. The country is made up of around
6,850 islands and islets (giving a precise number is tricky, as
new islands emerge every now and again as a result of volcanic eruptions). The “mainland” consists of four islands:
Hokkaido in the north, the large central island of Honshu,
as well as Shikoku and Kyushu in the south. They are only
separate from each other on maps. In reality, they are connected – by bridges, tunnels or ferries.
other geographically. Japan’s
KYUSHU
35,640 km²
more than 126 million citizens
are connected via bridges,
ferries, tunnels and airlines.
03 Honshu → Kyushu
Hayatomo Strait. The narrowest point of the strait is only
600 metres wide and it would soon be connected by land if
the 15 cm of sand that is deposited there every year wasn’t
regularly dredged. The Kammon Bridge, plus several car
bridges, railway bridges and a pedestrian tunnel provide
safe and dry passage to the other side.
Hokkaido
04 Shikoku → Kyushu
Bungo-suido. No bridge and no tunnel, just water and three
ferry services. The fastest of them takes around 70 minutes
to travel from Misaki on Shikoku to Saganoseki on Kyushu.
03
Honshu
01
02
05 Kyushu → Ryukyu Island
Tokio
Kawasaki
Okinawa. To get to the south of Okinawa you either need a
plane ticket or plenty of time. The weekly ferry from Tokyo
takes 44 hours. There’s a quicker service from Kagoshima –
it only takes 25 hours.
Saganoseki
Misaki
Shikoku
06 The Bay of Tokyo
The Tokyo-wan-Aqua-Line crosses above and below Tokyo
Bay. Rather than crawling through 100 km of Tokyo city
streets, drivers can now use the 10 km tunnel, the longest underwater car tunnel in the world, and a 4.4 km long bridge
to get from Kawasaki to Kisarazu in just 15 minutes. Connections
Kyushu
Kagoshima
04
05
Ryuku Islands
Okinawa
Kisarazu
06
21
Power semiconductors
Connections
22
Connections
what are power
semiconductors?
Power semiconductors are electronic
components from power electronics, a field of electrical engineering that, in the broadest sense, deals with the
electronic conversion of electric power.
If we take a small consumer electronics
device such as an MP3 player or smart
phone, a conventional Lithium-ion
battery runs on 3.7 volts (V). While the
device’s processor needs 3.3 V, the display might need 12 V and the I/O (input/
output) controller that controls writing
and reading processes 5 V. Power semiconductors deliver the right amount of
voltage to the right component.
Alternatively, have a look at your mobile-phone charger. Does the label
say 100–230 V? Then it has a power
module built into it. If you still own an
older type of charger, hold one charger
in each hand. The older charger, which
has a copper transformer, will feel much
heavier. Power semiconductors are
lighter, generally less expensive and,
unlike transformers, they can cope
with a wider range of voltages. In addition, the electronically controlled output voltage is always the same and the
efficiency far higher at up to 95 %.
High efficiency makes power semiconductors an interesting option for many
different applications, as it reduces energy losses. Insulated gate bipolar
transistors (IGBTs) are used in the power
range from several kilowatts to several
megawatts.
Switching
Power supply
(on/off)
transistors
Transforming
AC/DC, DC/AC,
frequency
Controlling
Power supply
(more/less)
Variable-speed drives are a typical application area. In this case, power
semiconductors ensure, for example,
that the drive engines in modern suburban trains receive the power they
need to accelerate quickly back to
cruising speed after stopping at a station. This is the only way for the trains
to make good progress if there are
many station stops. On the other
hand, when the brake is applied before a station, the kinetic energy of the
entire train is fed back into the overhead line with very low losses. Power
semiconductors are also used for renewable energy applications. Photovoltaic systems generate direct current
(DC). This current has to be converted
into alternating current (AC) by inverters
so that the electrical energy can be fed
into the grid. Another key application
is power transmission across long distances.
High voltage direct current transmission (HVDC) is regularly discussed
in this respect, as it facilitates high
transmission capacity with low line
losses. Power semiconductors are
used to convert power in these HVDC
systems. Even in the event of a power
cut, we need power semiconductors
such as IGBTs: they play a key role in
ensuring an uninterruptable power
supply (UPS) at data centres and other
critical installations, where again they
demonstrate excellent energy efficiency
and reliability. www.mitsubishichips.eu
Mitsubishi Electric
power semiconductors.
Mitsubishi Electric is a leading manufacturer of power semiconductors and
other electronic components. Our
portfolio includes IGBT modules and
many other components that are used
for motor control, industrial robots,
drive technology, hybrid vehicle
applications or household appliances.
Our products are also used in the
generation and transmission of power
from regenerative energy sources.
Their efficiency makes an important
contribution to saving energy.
23
Industry 4.0
Connections
24
Connections
25
exohand.
Festo research study with a
Mitsubishi Electric robot arm.
Linking real and virtual worlds – the Industry 4.0 manufacturing trend.
Photo: Festo AG & Co. KG
the fourth
industrial
revolution has
begun.
Industry 4.0
Connections
26
Perfect
part has built-in sensors that continuously monitor its
condition. It automatically reports an impending defect,
or wear and tear, to the operator and manufacturer. At the
manufacturer’s, a machine autonomously processes the
data received from the vehicle part and promptly produces
the replacement part. As the worn part has also communicated its location, delivery and on-site installation of the
replacement part can be scheduled automatically.
interaction.
Industry 4.0 is based on information
exchange. All components communicate with each other and share
data. This means, for example, that
a chipped vehicle component can
report its impending breakdown and
initiate the production and installation of a replacement.
Industry 4.0
This mass customisation production concept is one of the
key features of Industry 4.0. It offers the benefits of mass
production (such as economies of scale, learning curve effects
or simply automation), but can still cater to the growing trend
of customised products.
Opportunities for Germany.
Even the strong German economy is feeling the impact of
globalisation, as it is now faces competition from low wage
countries. Demographic change brought about by an ageing
society has also resulted in a shortage of qualified labour.
Industry 4.0 could be the answer to these challenges. The integrative, highly efficient manufacturing concept is a solution for more flexible and less expensive production that
is sustainable and satisfies global requirements. The high
level of automation will therefore master both economic and
social challenges.
You can’t not communicate.
The idea behind Industry 4.0 is the all-encompassing networking and integration of production equipment, data­bases
and products. Networking is possible as a result of the progressive miniaturisation and optimisation of computer chips.
Today, even the smallest computers can share information
via the Internet or Cloud.
Intermediate products provide machines with instructions
via barcode or RFID chip. They are adaptive and ensure that
machines operate correctly. The communication of all objects
with each other as well as autonomous decision-making processes create an Internet of Things where the real and virtual
worlds merge into cyber-physical systems.
Intelligent networking is altering the entire production
logic – not only in relation to machines, products and warehousing, but also logistics, after-sales service and marketing,
as illustrated in the following example: a chipped vehicle
01
First industrial revolution: rapid mechanisation of factory operations after the invention
of the steam engine
One concept, many advantages.
The high level of adaptability and quick change of product
will make it possible to achieve an extremely high individualisation of production. These factors will enable highly
flexible mass production in which even custom-built individual products are possible without significant effort.
Industry 4.0 is the current catchword for automation
technology. After the steam engine, mass manufacturing
and digitisation, we now appear to be on the threshold of
the fourth industrial revolution. This affects us all, as it
comes not only with introduction of new technology, but
also a permanent restructuring of economic, employment
and social frameworks.
Connections
Mitsubishi Electric is actively
promoting 4.0.
The significance of Industry 4.0 for the German economy
and Germany as a business location is evident in the fact
that three sector associations – BITKOM (the German Association for Information Technology, Telecommunications
and New Media), VDMA (the German Mechanical and Plant
Engineering Association) and ZVEI (the German Electrical
and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association) – have joined
forces to define standards and take the project forward.
Mitsubishi Electric is also convinced by the idea and, as the
largest automation supplier to the Asian market, has adopted
the “German approach” to Industry 4.0 in Asia. Mitsubishi
Electric is a long-serving member of the industrial associations VDMA and ZVEI and intends to play an even more active role in the definition of Industry 4.0 standards. 02
Second industrial revolution: mass
manufacturing is possible as a result of
conveyor belts and electrical power
03
Third industrial revolution: The “digital
revolution” resulted from digitisation and
the widespread use of electronics and IT
04
www.plattform-i40.de
Fourth industrial revolution: Industry 4.0 – networking the real and virtual worlds via
cyber-physical systems
27
Sudoku Good to know Electric people
Connections
28
sudoku.
4
Enter the numbers 1 to 9 in the grid so that each
number appears only once in each column, row
and block.
1
3
5
8
1
Happy puzzling!
6
4
6
7
2
Japan has a history of sophisticated wrapping
solutions. Furoshikis are square pieces of cloth
that can be folded and tied in many different ways
to make eco-friendly bags and gift-wrapping.
2.
7
Try it yourself – it’s easy!
3.
2
4.
2
3
9
9
1
house.
tree.
6
7
8
6
5.
We are actively involved in the Die
Hauswende energy efficiency initiative.
Mitsubishi Electric is planting new trees
after the terrible storm last Whitsuntide.
MELFA-3D Vision and Sensorless Servo
receive the R&D 100 Award.
Our contribution is the Ecodan
high-efficiency heating pump system,
an ideal replacement for old heating
systems. It can absorb heating energy
from the air in an ecological, low-cost
process (even when the outdoor temperature is as low as –20 °C) thanks to
Zubadan technology.
The storm flattened more than 34,500
trees in Düsseldorf, many of them
large and old. Many sports fields, openair swimming pools, kindergartens
and youth centres were also destroyed.
In the wake of all the chaos, we are
sowing the seeds of hope – so that
Düsseldorf will be as green as it was
before the storm in a few year’s time –
by donating a five-figure amount to the
“New Trees for Düsseldorf” initiative.
The R&D 100 jury selected two of our
automation products for the 2014
awards. Known widely as the “Innovation Oscars”, the R&D 100 Awards are
presented to the most pioneering technological developments over the past
year. We would like to congratulate our
developers for bring “their babies” to
the series-production stage. Keep up
the good work!
www.die-hauswende.de
6.
4
child.
29
the art of
wrapping.
1.
9
8
Connections
and action.
Monika Meier works at Mitsubishi Electric. Even in her spare
time, the Enterprise Quality & Compliance Manager really enjoys the
variety of life. A sport and nature fan, she climbs the highest peaks or
rides her mountain bike deep into the valley. Back in the office, Monika
Meier knows she can rely on a united team – in a work environment
that encourages our employees to stay with the company.
Have we sparked your curiosity? Mitsubishi Electric offers a wide range
of career opportunities, from apprenticeships to management positions.
Find out more at www.mitsubishielectric.de
Connections
30
electric planet.
1 With the Es’hail 2 satellite for the Qatar
Satellite Company, we will be facilitating
TV broadcasts in the Middle East and
North Africa from 2016 onwards.
2 The SCARA robots in the Engmatec
high-speed screwing station only need 1.8 seconds to pick up, insert and
A fast and safe descent depends on an optimum
connection between skier and piste. The edges of the skis,
the bindings and the boot absorb the forces generated and
guide the skier’s steering impulse.
Mitsubishi Electric brings innovation
to the piste.
Salomon, based in Annecy in the French Alps, is one of the
leading companies in the winter sports sector. This is mainly
due to the safety binding invented by the company’s founder,
Georges Salomon, many years ago. It ensures that the binding
automatically opens if the skier falls, thereby preventing
injury. Even now, Salomon is still developing many impressive and pioneering innovations for ski boots and bindings.
In the development process, the designers and engineers
use a Mitsubishi Electric MV2400S wire EDM. It ensures that
prototypes are not only made with flawless quality, but also
exceptionally quickly. It’s very wise, as the company that
launches its ski product first usually wins the race. www.salomon.com
tighten a screw.
3 Our MSZ-FH25VE air-conditioning system was rated the number one product
in the Stiftung Warentest magazine
(issue 7/2014). Temperature scans at 752 measuring points guarantee optimum comfort and maximum efficiency.
4 Ticket and cash machines check the
authenticity of bank notes at lightning
speed thanks to contact image sensors
(CIS) made by Mitsubishi Electric.
5 Our S-EIV inverters at Tokyo Myode station convert trains’ braking energy into
electricity for almost 60 households.
6 At the Llwyn Onn waterworks in
northern Wales, a Q-series SPS
controller ensures a reliable water
supply to more than 100,000 people.
Electric planet
Connections
2
Connections
31
Yokoso irasshaimase –
Welcome.
“Connections” is the title of this
fourth issue of changes, the Mitsubishi
Electric magazine. As the title suggests,
this issue is all about connections
and being connected, a diverse and
multifaceted topic that again produces
a wide range of interesting articles for
you.
2
1
For example, there’s an article on
power semiconductors, which we
encounter in all kinds of places
without being aware they are there.
We reveal where. Another article
takes you on a journey through Japan,
from Hokkaido in the north to
Okinawa in the south, and explains
how traffic infrastructure provides
connections from A to B. We report on
the progress of the fourth industrial
revolution and offer insights into
what it means for us. And we also cover
sport, particularly how it connects
people at the Special Olympics. We
meet top athletes whose fi rst priority
isn’t winning.
3
There’s plenty to look forward to, so
enjoy reading!
4
6*
5
0314_02_ME_Changes_04_UMSCHLAG_GB_PSO_UNC.indd 2-31
* Photo: Deep Valley Water, United Kingdom.
The changes team
02.03.15 10:08