SPETA, together with SIMTECH, has developed a simulator for training computer numeric control machinists, which can significantly reduce the hours and machine resources required, compared to traditional training methods. In other words, trainees would be able to practice different and more types of machining requirements within the same allocated training time. With this additional preparation, trainees would have a shorter learning cycle when they start working with the companies.

1. Virtual CNC Training Lab Story
Liu Peiling
Tuesday, May 29, 2007

2. Table of Contents
• Local Enterprise and Association Development
Programme (LEAD)
– “Industry-led and Government-backed”
– Why Industry Associations Should Take the Lead?
• Singapore Precision Engineering & Tooling Association
(SPETA)
– Role of SPETA in Manpower Development
– SPETA Manpower Development Initiatives
• Worldwide Virtual CNC training R&D Situation
– AVML & VIRTOOL
• Success Story

3. Local Enterprise and Association Development Programme
(LEAD)
• Some S$50 million has been set aside over three years to
build up a base of able and willing associations to lead in
industry development efforts.
• To enhance industry and enterprise competitiveness through
partnerships with associations which are willing to take the
lead in development and drive initiatives to improve the
overall capabilities of SMEs:
– Technology & Infrastructure – This will encourage enterprises to
improve their capabilities and productivity by leveraging on enterprise
applications and relevant technology infrastructure to innovate and
enhance their business operations. It includes the adoption of info-
communication technology, development of technical standards and
establishment of industry-wide infrastructure
– Intelligence & Research – This will encourage enterprises towards a
deeper understanding of industry trends and requirements so as to
develop industry specific solutions through comprehensive research
based on sound market intelligence

4. Industry-led and Government-backed
• Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang, who launched the
programme, said it signalled the government's commitment to working
with industry associations to nurture the local industrial landscape.
• Geared at providing focused and customised assistance to the
associations at the industry level, it complements the various initiatives
already in place for individual enterprises.
• Mr Lim stressed the need for the government to foster even closer
partnerships with industry associations.
• And he believed that going forward, Singapore could achieve the next
stage of its economic growth if it adopted an "industry-led and
government-backed" approach.
• Mr Lim urged the associations to make full use of the LEAD
Programme to meet the needs of their members and help their
industries move ahead.
• The government, on its part, will work closely with them to help them
formulate and implement self-sustaining industry development
blueprints.

5. Why Industry Associations Should Take the Lead?
• The Government designed incentives and assistance programmes to
cater to and benefit the individual enterprise. While this approach has
served us well, it does not provide enterprises with customised and
focused assistance.
– At the same time, industries in major economies such as Europe, Japan
and Korea have adopted the model of private sector-led industry
development. For example, industry associations in Europe are well-
established and have a long history of serving the needs of their members.
These associations serve as regulators for specific trade registration and
skills certification. Closer to home in Asia, the Japan Electronics and
Information Technology Association, or JEITA is another fine example of
industry association leadership.
• We can achieve the next stage of our economic growth if we adopt an
“Industry-led and Government-backed” approach. For Singapore to
become an innovation-driven economy, the private sector needs to
play a bigger role. After all, industry associations know private sector
businesses best – in terms of the industry’s unique problems and
challenges. They can play an instrumental role in the improvement
and upgrading of their industries.

6. Singapore Tooling Industry
• Contributed to 6% GDP or 9.3 billion and involved 27% value-added
total manufacturing in year 2002, PE industry is pivotal to the
competitiveness of whole manufacturing sector. The output of PE
accounted for more than a tenth of total manufacturing output in 2002
and EDB attributed PE as a key growth area and expected to double in
output over the next decade.
• When looking inside the PE industry, it can be found that the industry
relies strongly on the capability and depth of experience and capacity
of CNC machining. As the cutting edge of precision industry, CNC
machining produces essential inputs for manufacturing products by
providing injection mould, sheet metal die, casting die, jigs and
fixtures and other special tools. Creating output of 850 million in year
2001, CNC machining are major component in Singapore industry.
• PE industry is facing rigorous competition from both advanced
countries like Germany, US and Japan, and rapid developing regions
like Taiwan and mainland China. A survey to local companies done by
EDB shows that the skill of Singapore worker lags behind.

7. History of the Tooling Industry in Singapore
1960 - 1970 Birth of the Singapore tooling industry
• EDB set up new training centres, such as the metal industry development centre, prototype production & training centre,
precision engineering development centre, to meet the demands of foreign investors
1970 - 1980 Emergence of the Singapore tooling industry
• Government idustrialisation policy was readjusted towards skills-intensive industries, such as Tata Precision Engineering,
Texas Instruments, National Semiconductors, Rollei, HP & General Electric
• EDB set up government partnership training centres, such as Tata, Philips and Rollei government training centres, to meet the
demands for skilled workers
1980 - 1990 Growth of the Singapore tooling industry
• Government readjusted their policy towards high tech industries
• EDB encourages the introduction of advanced equipment, such as CNC machines
1990 - 2000 Upgrading into a regional high tech, high precision and capital intensive
• Increased regional costs competition
• Shifts towards high tech, high precision and capital intensive industry
• Drive towards regionalisation
• Gintic merged with IMT / Precision Engineering Application Center (PEAC)
• EDB launched many skills upgrading training, such as 3D mould design and CAD/CAM
2000 and beyond Re-inventing to meet the challenges of globalisation
• Many knowledge-based and IT-based industries are starting to replace the traditional labour- and skills-intensive industries
• Shifts towards high tech, high value added products
• Different skill sets, such as knowledge-based and IT skills, implies an emphasis on manpower upgrading

8. Singapore Precision Engineering & Tooling Association
(SPETA)
• SPETA is a non-profit trade association representing
locally registered companies engaged in the manufacturing
of moulds & dies, jigs & fixtures, metal stamping, metal
castings, plastic and rubber moldings, precision machining,
photonic and semi-conductor equipment, aerospace and
automotive parts, as well as in providing services related to
the precision engineering industry.
• Founded in 1982 as the Singapore Tool & Die Association,
it had changed its name to Singapore Precision
Engineering & Tooling Association in 1988.

9. • Provides industry feedback on skills training and curriculum for the Nitec and
Diploma courses, e.g.
– development of the part-time “Diploma in Precision Engineering”
– Sit on the “Industry Skills and Training Council” that oversee the development of the
‘National Continued Education and Training Framework’
– Focus on the training of strategic manpower to complement the national education and
training system in meeting the manpower needs of the tooling industry
• Industry partner in national manpower development programmes, e.g.
– Precision Engineering Manpower Development
• a training bursary cum bond scheme to attract foreign students to study precision
engineering courses at ITE and work in the Singapore tooling industry upon
graduation
– Precision Engineering Training Award
• to encourage local students to take up precision engineering courses at ITE
– Industry Training Award
• to encourage local and foreign students to take up precision engineering courses at ITE
Role of SPETA in Manpower Development

10. Manpower Development Initiatives
• Established the SPETA - 3D CAD/CAM Unit
– an initiative heavy funded by the government to drive the application of 3D CAD/CAM
tools in the design and manufacture of precision plastic injection molds
• Initiated “Train-and-Place” programmes
– provision of training cum job placements for CNC machinists and CAD/CAM Operators
• Program manager for the “Place-and-Train” programme
– a new initiative by the Singapore Workforce Agency, an agency under the Ministry of
Manpower, to place local workers in the Singapore tooling industry and provide the
necessary skills training
• Developed skills standard, curriculum and courseware for:
– CNC Machining (milling, die-sinking and wire-cut) / 3D Mold Design / CAM
• Provided CNC machinist training in:
– 3-Axis CNC Milling / Die-sinking / Wire-cut
• Provided specialist upgrading training in:
– 3D Mold Design (for mold designers) / CAM (for CAD/CAM practitioners)

11. Why CNC Training?
• So called high tech revolution of precision engineering, represented by
pervasive use of computer such as CNC control, CAM, HSM, ultra machining,
not only reduce the dependence of precision engineering on unskilled workers,
such as manual polisher, but also create a pool of demand on skilled workers,
such as skilled CNC machinists, especially who can operate knowledge
intensive HSM and ultra precision machining.
• In today's competitive world, not only the latest technologies are needed, but
most importantly, highly-qualified personnel. This is especially true when it
comes to working with CNC Machines. Only when CNC machines have been
perfectly mastered are high productivity and exceptional quality guaranteed.
Skilled workers, especially the machinist who can operate High Speed and
Ultra Precision Machine Tool, are playing a key role in current situation.
• HSM requires the machinist to know not only how to operate the machine tool
but also machining knowledge, in order to plan a successful cutting. Lacking
of skilled worker, especially skilled machinist who can do high speed and ultra
precision machining, is a major problem for local industry. Skilled machinists
are in high demand in Singapore and Asia, especially in China.

12. Why Virtual CNC Training?
Customizable training software to replace expensive machine
• Presently, trainees acquire their operating skills by observing, referring the
operation manual and then operating under the guidance of an experienced
operator. The training of skilled machinists is still a slow and manual process,
which need a lot of machine tools and fixtures etc. The machining job has a
traditional image problem of black smith. To make training safer, more
economical and more effective, there is an increasing desire to complete initial
training away from the operating environment.
• It is recognized that ITE schools, industrial training centers, public education
facilities, machine tool manufacturers and dealers are having increasing-
complexity of training requirement. They require not only training software
but more comprehensive turnkey solutions for CNC training system.
• Simulation of machining process is helpful to avoid human errors, especially
in the training center. Comparing with the sharp decline of the computing cost,
worldwide material and machine tool prices are upsurge significantly. Saving
material and machine through pervasive application of modeling and
simulation (M&S) in CNC training is not only technically possible, but also
makes business sense in the current high material and energy cost situation.

13. Worldwide Virtual CNC R&D
• USA - AVML - Advanced Virtual Manufacturing
Lab
– Develop a highly realistic virtual manufacturing lab
which includes CNC milling machines and lathes for
use in training and research
• EU - VIRTOOL - Virtual Manipulation to
Simulate Machine Tool Processes
– To develop an educational software tool for the
simulation of common machine Tool operations.

14. Virtual CNC Applications
• Virtual advanced manufacturing training
and education in academia and industry
• Visualization of next generation machine
tools
• Virtual product realization and optimization
• Virtual factory

15. National Interest
• A key factor to retaining manufacturing jobs is a
highly skilled workforce that can effectively and
efficiently use state-of-the-art machine tools
• Most potential manufacturing workers do not
have access to state-of-the-art manufacturing
labs that can provide such training
• The US President’s Executive Order identifies
manufacturing workforce skills improvement
technologies as high-priority

16. Industrial Customer Needs 1
• Increase effectiveness of on the job training
– On job training of manufacturing workers is
expensive and time consuming.
– Virtual CNC can be used to inexpensively train
workers on advanced machine tools.
• The training can encompass conditions that are hard
or expensive to duplicate in the real factory such as
effects of raw material shortages, emergency
breakdowns, handling of hazardous situations, and
unplanned interruptions.
• Training in a risk free environment and without
negative impact to production schedules for heavily
utilized machinery.

17. Industrial Customer Needs 2
• Improve design of next generation machine
– Customers of next generation machine tools don't get to
use them until after they have been delivered. At that time,
it is often too late for modifications. Also, initially it takes
a long time for the operators to get the new machine to full
productivity.
– Provide visualization of various design alternatives for end
users long before the machine tool is made and delivered.
This will optimize the configuration and reduce the cost
and increase the quality.
– Easily and inexpensively train operators even before the
machine's installation, thus greatly accelerating
deployment in production and shortening the time it takes
to achieve maximum productivity.

18. Academic and Industrial
Customers Joint Needs
• Foster cooperation between academia and
local industry
– Local colleges and university students are given basic
training on generic and outdated manufacturing
equipment that is not directly relevant to local
employers.
– Virtual CNC allow local colleges and universities in
partnership with local employers to easily and cost
effectively develop training on virtual machine tools
that are directly relevant to local manufacturing
employers.

19. Summary - Educational Benefits:
• Virtual CNC has broad impacts to the advancement of
manufacturing technology and the promotion of
creativity and collaboration in manufacturing education
and training.
• Due to high cost, there are only a handful of universities
that have manufacturing labs that are on the leading
edge of technology. This greatly restricts access of both
students and researchers to such high-end labs. What is
unique about Virtual CNC is that it will allow, for the
first time, broad access to advanced manufacturing labs.
• Foster cooperation between academia and local industry
in workforce development

20. • Economic Benefits:
– Strengthen manufacturers competitiveness in global
markets and advance important national interests.
• Societal Benefits:
– Provide accessibility to education and training on
advanced manufacturing machinery for
underrepresented groups and underprivileged sectors of
society who would not otherwise have access to an
advanced manufacturing lab. Such access will enable
those groups to reclaim manufacturing jobs that
otherwise would be outsourced overseas.

21. Virtual CNC Lab Showcase

23. MTA Daily Show

24. Virtual CNC Training Lab in ITE

25. Virtual CNC Training Lab in ITE

26. Virtual CNC Training Lab in ITE

27. MTA 2007 Industry Night

28. SPETA's 25th Anniversary

31. Speech by the Minister of State for Trade and Industry
Mr Lee Yi Shyan
at the Showcase of SPETA LEAD Projects
“ SPETA, together with SIMTECH, has developed a
simulator for training computer numeric control
machinists, which can significantly reduce the hours and
machine resources required, compared to traditional
training methods. In other words, trainees would be able
to practice different and more types of machining
requirements within the same allocated training time.
With this additional preparation, trainees would have a
shorter learning cycle when they start working with the
companies. I am pleased to note that the Institute of
Technical Education (or ITE) is already in discussion
with SPETA to integrate this simulator into their training
curriculum.”

32. Joint Media Release by
SPRING and IE Singapore
• SPETA’s initiatives under the industry development plan are already
underway. The 180-strong industry association gave an update on their
initiatives and showcased some projects at their Annual General Meeting
(AGM).
• Minister of State for Trade and Industry, Mr Lee Yi Shyan, who officiated at
the event, commended SPETA for championing the development of the PE
industry. He urged companies to “differentiate themselves by providing
products and services which cannot be easily copied or matched, seek new
growth markets, enhance their technical capabilities to move up the value
chain, and attract and retain talents and upgrade the skills of their workers.”
• SPETA Chairman Dr Felix Ong said, “We are very happy that our industry
plan and efforts have the support of SPRING and IE Singapore. Our PE
industry will be poised to meet the new global challenges ahead through the
development of new markets and businesses, and upgrading of our
capabilities.”

33. Joint Media Release by
SPRING and IE Singapore
• Singapore’s precision engineering (PE) industry can look forward to
creating $475 million more revenue and $150 million in value added –
plus 2,000 jobs -- in the next three years. This is all thanks to the $5.6
million investment pumped in to invigorate the sector by the
Singapore Precision Engineering and Tooling Association (SPETA) –
with support from the government under the Local Enterprise and
Association Development programme (LEAD).
• SPETA is among 13 industry associations that have received support
under the LEAD programme. Launched in May 2005, LEAD is a
multi-agency initiative jointly led by SPRING Singapore and
International Enterprise (IE) Singapore to enhance industry and
enterprise competitiveness through partnerships with industry
associations to improve key capabilities of local enterprises in their
sectors.

34. Joint Media Release by
SPRING and IE Singapore
• SPETA has identified several critical areas to enhance the capabilities
of the PE companies. One example is the training of computer numeric
control (CNC) machinists, which traditionally requires one machine
for one machinist, resulting in heavy capital investment. SPETA,
together with SIMTech, developed a simulator for training CNC
machinists – somewhat like the flight simulators to train pilots – which
will significantly trim the training hours on the actual machine and
machine resources required. As a result, the number of students trained
is doubled.
• This is the world’s first simulator that uses a three-dimensional precise
unified geometrical model and it allows students to simulate the
milling process and save the “machined” model for other downstream
machining process. The virtual CNC simulator also allows for
different situations to be tested during training, which would be costly
if done on the machines. The Institute of Technical Education (ITE) is
in discussion with SPETA to integrate this simulator into its
curriculum.

35. Media Release by IE Singapore
- About Virtual CNC Training Software the world’s first 3D training simulator
• Using the latest modelling and computer technologies, training CNC
machinists will never be the same again. Working like a flight
simulator that train pilots, this training software will provide realistic
training from the setup to the operation of the CNC machines and the
simulation of the actual machining process. With this training
simulator, students would be able to familiarise themselves with the
setup and operation of the CNC machines before practicing on the
actual machines, and have a better understanding the machining
process using this training simulator.
• This training simulator would be able to help educational institutions
enhance the quality of their CNC training courses using scenario-
based training and at the same time reduce their capital investment in
CNC machines and training consumables, such as raw stock and
cutters, by more than 50%.

36. • This software is developed by SPETA and the Singapore Institute of
Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech). This development project is
one of the projects supported by SPRING Singapore and IE Singapore
under the Local Enterprise and Association Development Programme
(LEAD).
• The virtual CNC simulator is the world’s first training simulator that
utilises a three-dimensional precise unified geometrical model which
allows the students to simulate the milling process and save the
‘machined’ model to be used in the simulation of another downstream
machining process. It is also the world’s first CNC training simulator
that provides realistic training from the setup to the operation of the
CNC milling machine.
• SPETA is in the process of integrating the CNC Mill into its training
courseware for CNC machinists. The enhanced CNC machinist
training course will also be aligned with the precision engineering
workforce skills and qualifications framework (PE-WSQ) developed
by the Workforce Development Agency (WDA). The intention of this
enhanced training course is to allow the students to practice different
and more types of machining requirements within the same allocated
training hours, thus reducing their learning curve when they start
working with the companies.

37. Business Times
Precision engineering industry gets $5.6m boost
AN INVESTMENT of $5.6 million will benefit Singapore's precision engineering industry
to the tune of $475 million more in revenue and $150 million more in value-add over the
next three years. An estimated 2,000 new jobs will also be created.
• This was announced yesterday by the Singapore Precision Engineering and Tooling
Association (Speta) at a showcase of its latest projects. The investment was made by
Speta, with funding from the Local Enterprise and Association Development (Lead)
programme.
• The Lead programme is led by Spring Singapore and International Enterprise Singapore.
It accepts proposals from industry associations and funds up to 70 per cent of the costs
for qualifying projects.
• Speta's proposal was approved in February last year. Their projects include a virtual
training laboratory for machinists, which will lower costs and reduce the risk of injury
and machine damage.
• The software, currently in the beta stage, was
developed by Speta and the Singapore Institute of
Manufacturing Technology. It may soon be
patented.
• Speaking at the event, Minister of State for Trade and Industry Lee Yi Shyan said:
'Strong industry associations, such as Speta, are the backbone for vibrant industry
clusters and, ultimately, a competitive economy.'

38. Channel NewsAsia
SPETA to raise profile of precision engineering firms, expand industry
• Singapore's precision engineering players are banding together to sell
themselves overseas and to provide more training for highly-needed
skills.
• It is expected that the moves will help the precision engineering
industry create 2,000 jobs and generate $475 million more in revenue
over the next three years.
• Besides the lack of global exposure, it says the industry is also short of
some 500 highly-skilled technical staff in areas like mould design,
production and machining.
• The sector is among 13 industry associations which have received
support under the government's Local Enterprise and Association
Development (LEAD) programme.
• And SPETA plans to use its $5.6 million grant under the scheme to
help the sector keep pace with market demands.

39. 938LIVE's Irene Chan reports...
• Precision Engineering industry to gain $475m more
revenue
• The precision engineering industry is set to create 475
million dollars more revenue and over 2000 new jobs over
the next 3 years.
• This is thanks to a 5.6 million dollars investment pumped
in by the Singapore Precision Engineering and Tooling
Association or SPETA, with support from the government.
• Under the Local Enterprise and Association Development
or LEAD programme, SPETA has embarked on several
initiatives to enhance the precision engineering industry.

40. 龚慧婷 - 精密工程与模具商 向汽
车零件业进军
• 一年前，精工业获得协会和“本地企业与协会发展计划”
（简称 LEAD ）的 560 万元拨款，在接下来三年里，
估计能协助精密工程业，制造超过 2000 份新工作，并
取得额外 4 亿 7500 万元的营收和 1 亿 5000 万元的增
值。
• 有了资金援助，协会最近也开发了“虚拟数控机床模拟
系统”，它类似训练飞机师用的机舱模拟器 （ flight
simulator) ， 主要是用来培训机床操作员。在传统的训
练方式下，每一名受训员工，都需要一台机床。新发
明因此能协助减少在机床上的投资成本，并缩短员工
受训的时间。

41. Precision Engineering WSQ
• 新加坡劳动力发展局推出精密工程技能资格（ Precision
Engineering WSQ ）系统，协助提升员工技能与专业素质，目标
是在 5 年内训练 8000 名员工，以应付高端的工作。
• 精密工程是制造业中首个参与新技能资格系统的领域，全国 2300
多家精密工程公司属下超过 9 万名员工将受惠。
• 劳发局副局长盖瑞韦尔说，精密工程是重要的工程技术基础，应
用范围几乎涵盖所有制造行业。此外，精密工程是个正在迅速转
型的领域，员工也必须与时并进。他说：“很多人对精密工程的旧
印象是，工作环境肮脏又老土，其实不然。精密工程正转型为高
增值行业，因此我们要重视员工的培训，让他们具备高科技技术
能力。”
• 精密工程行业技能与培训理事会主席莫壮涛博士认为，推出精密
工程技能资格非常适时，因为它不仅让员工能更有效执行高增值
和先进的制造程序，从而提高他们的薪金，也加强员工的受雇能
力，能够在任何制造领域里发挥所长。莫壮涛博士也是牧野亚洲
（ Makino Asia ）的总裁。他估计，随着精密工程的快速发展，
未来的人手需求也将日益增加，每年将制造 2000 个职位空缺

42. 精密工程创新中心设立 助中小同
业开拓商机
• 新加坡科技研究局 (A*Star) 属下的新加坡制造技术研究院
(SIMTech) 将与新加坡标准、生产力与创新局 (SPRING) 合作，在
研究院内设立精密工程创新中心 (Centre of Innovation) ，协助我
国精密工程业的中小型企业，把握这个蓬勃扩展的领域所带来的
商机。
• 有了创新中心后，精密工程中小型企业将能够借助新加坡制造技
术研究院、以及新加坡科技研究局属下其他研究机构和高等学府
的科技知识、研发基础设施，来发展它们的新产品和程序。创新
中心今后将成为本地精密工程中小型企业的一站式科技支援中心
。
• 贸工部政务部长易华仁昨天在为 2007 年亚洲精密工程、工具与
金属加工科技展 (MTA ／ Metal Asia) 致词时，宣布了精密工程业
的以上最新发展。易华仁说，新加坡制造技术研究院一向是制造
业，尤其是精密工程业的出色研发合作伙伴，它今后会为创新中
心提供所需的科技内容。至于标新局，它将通过政府去年推出的“
科技创新计划”为创新中心提供运作资金。

43. Speech by Mr Lim Hng Kiang, Minister for Trade and Industry at the Local
Enterprise and Association Development (LEAD) Programme Forum:
Learning Journey for Associations
• It gives me great pleasure to be here with you at this Local Enterprise
and Association Development or LEAD Programme Forum. LEAD was
launched in 2005 with the aim of accelerating the build-up of a strong
base of industry associations to lead industry development efforts.
Industry associations are well placed to identify the industries’ unique
problems and challenges. Through their outreach to members, the
associations can play an instrumental role in nurturing and
strengthening their industries.
• ……
• The Singapore Precision Engineering and Tools Association
(SPETA), for instance, has leveraged on LEAD to embark on a new
technology platform called the Computerised Numerical Control
(CNC) virtual training laboratory. The new training facility will
launch three specialised courseware, ranging from CNC milling to
CNC turning and mould design, over the next one year to equip
our precision engineering enterprises with niche capabilities.