Alignment Tool develops high-tech cutting tools for machining titanium with help from R&D experts funded under the Technology Innovation Programme (TIP).
Outside of the tool industry, Alignment Tool, a Singapore company specialising in designing and crafting precision carbide cutting tools, may be a non-descript brand. But within the industry – and that’s where it counts – this home-grown company is a household name.
In the last 20 years, the company has expanded to 8 countries on the back of strong partnerships with blue chip customers in industries thirsty for precision cutting tools such as the hard disk, automotive and marine industries.
No matter where their customers are located and what industries they are in, they have one thing in common: They are sold on Alignment Tool’s business strategy i.e. “customer service beyond expectations”.
Track Record With Government-Funded Research Institutes
“We offer precision cutting tools that give competitive machining solutions to manufacturing industries. We listen to their needs and business goals, and translate them into innovative tools and processes,” said Mr Roger Heng, Founder and Managing Director of Alignment Tool.
To provide cutting edge innovations, the company has been engaging the services of Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech), a research institute under the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), since 2004.
“We developed a new series of cutting tools with experts from SIMTech,” said Mr Heng. “They were extremely committed and went the extra mile to help us achieve our business goals.”
Going For Titanium With Government Funding
In 2007, the company looked toward the aerospace industry for expansion opportunities.
“Aerospace engineering requires extremely high quality and durable cutters. Inferior cutters damage the aircraft which would be very expensive to repair,” said Mr Heng. “What we needed (for this industry) is a new range of endmill cutters to cut titanium.”
The occasion called for another collaboration with SIMTech. The two parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop the endmill cutters. But there was still the question of funding.
The company consulted with SPRING Singapore before deciding to apply for its Technology Innovation Programme (TIP). TIP subsidises the costs of hiring experts from leading R&D institutes.
“TIP was perfect for us because it provided funding for innovations arising from existing manufacturing processes,” said Mr Heng.
Preparing The Paperwork
To obtain the funds, the management team had to get all the paperwork together.
“When we first drafted our proposal, TIP wasn’t on the table yet. We had to find time to make the revisions and narrow down the focus for the project while juggling our daily, operational work,” explained Mr Heng.
The proposal, co-crafted with SIMTech and fine-tuned with SPRING’s help was approved in November 2007. Mr Heng advices other companies to “work closely with SPRING on all aspects of your project proposal.”
Distilling Expertise From The Experts
The project finally kicked off in January 2008, executed under the direct supervision of Dr Lim B S, Senior Scientist, SIMTech.
To fully reap the technical know-how, Dr Lim engaged 3 engineers from Alignment Tool to “implement the technology into manufacturing processes”.
The company also made use of the diagnostic tools at SIMTech and the machining facilities at the Precision Engineering Centre Of Innovation (PE COI), a SIMTech spin off, for its project.
In May 2008, the company’s project was transferred to PE COI which provides expertise and R&D facilities to precision engineering companies like Alignment Tool.
Future “Technovations”
Technovation for Alignment Tool will not end with the completion of the endmill project. The company is determined to “unlock the hidden manufacturing sciences” to stay ahead of competitors and teaming up with PE COI is the way to go.
“PE COI is well-equipped with advanced analytical, experimental and diagnostic tools,”” said Mr Heng. “We want to work with the visionary scientists at PE COI to create more innovative products and processes.”
