Manufacturing

3D printing, or Additive Layer Manufacturing (ALM), is a manufacturing process to generate pieces from a digital model creating less waste than traditional layer subtraction manufacturing. This technology allows design optimisation or customised production. Many success stories of lighter pieces for aeronautics or complex internal networks for cooling illustrate the potential of this process. ALM can be done with a large variety of materials from plastic to metal, or even specific chemistry for pharmaceutical application.

These are electronic technologies incorporated into clothing or accessories which can comfortably be worn. Wearable technology can communicate with the wearer as well as receiving input from other sources. Smart objects enhance the interaction with the user, as well as communicating with other smart objects. They can be used to record information, to interpret events, and to interact when its interpretation of events leads to a decision.

Smart materials have one or more properties that can be significantly changed in a controlled fashion by external stimuli. Piezoelectric materials produce a voltage when stress is applied, and vice versa. Magnetostrictive materials exhibit change in shape under the influence of magnetic fields. Temperature-responsive polymers undergo changes depending on temperature. Chromogenic systems change colour in response to electrical, optical or thermal changes. Self-healing materials have the ability to repair damage as part of normal usage. Thermoelectric materials are used to build devices that convert temperature differences into electricity and vice versa.

New technologies are rising in all domains. Electrical assets are not apart. We are always looking for the state of the arts transmission assets that can better service our society by being more efficient, more reliable, or more affordable.It goes from linear assets and support (lines, towers, cables), primary assets (power transformers, CT, VT, circuit breakers, etc) to intelligent electronic devices (protections, RTU, PMU, etc).

Thanks to those new assets, we can reduce the visual impact, increase the reliability and the cost for the society.