MT duo 2008 highlights Taiwan

MT duo 2008, a slick new name for Taiwan's showcase of CNC Machine Tool and Manufacturing Technology, previously called Manufacturing Taipei, revealed yet again Taiwan in all its glory as a crossroads of the international machinery industry. The biennial show was organized by TAITRA (Taiwan External Trade Development Council) and TAMI (Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry) and together with Robot Taiwan 2008 ran from May 1 to May 5. It was renamed to highlight Taiwan's world leading position in both CNC machine tools and manufacturing technology featuring the latest break-through products and services in five focus areas of Design Engineering, CNC Machine Tools and Precision Mold Making, Outsourcing and Subcontracting, Components, Appliances and Material and Industrial Automation and Robots. Indeed, the latter, Robot Taiwan 2008, gave the show this year an important new dimension - the first ever international robotics exhibition on the island reflecting Taiwan's advance in automated applications and artificial intelligence. All in all, a one-stop shop for more than a thousand foreign visitors who crowded through the 950 booths used by a record 280 companies. Chevalier: Celebrating 30 years of excellence If there was a strong sense of celebration in the air at Taipei's M2 Duo this May it was no apparent than on the booth of one of the most respected members and foundation stones of the Taiwan Machinery Industry. Falcon Machine Tools Company. Known internationally under its brand name Chevalier corks popped in celebration of the company's 30th anniversary. A time to celebrate too the advent of Chevalier's new generation Heavy Duty Gantry type Grinder series and High Precision and Heavy Duty Gantry type Machine Center series for vehicle mold and large work pieces. The FPG series Gantry type Grinder has what Chevalier describes as a graphic conversation operation system for easy CNC operation, high performance for surface and form grinding and elevation with counter weight balance design. An eye boggling array of superlative features include a heavy duty elevation beam, a column hydraulic oil brake system, a double screw simultaneous elevating mechanism, high accuracy box way + roller design and an independent one piece double column 揵ox type?design. It was also a time to turn back the pages to the late seventies when company founder, CEO and Chairman Peter Chang realize his vision for the 搒trength and opportunity?of Taiwanese machine tools on the international market. With a few friends, as he relates, they started up the company in 1978 with a capital of US$70,000, a workshop of 1,320 meters and staff of 20 employees to manufacture high precision manual surface grinders. Falcon, with its branded Chevalier products, quickly became a name of fame, garnering over the years a succession of top awards in the industry, both at home and abroad. The earliest in 1981 for being the first makers of grinding machines recognized as a Grade A manufacturer. Among others has been the 揃est Original Brand?prize at the Taipei International Metalworking Show in 1989 and Taiwan Outstanding Products awards in the National Award of Excellence Competitions. In 30 eventful years 1988 is especially poignant for Peter Chang - the year in which he received a citation by The President of Republic of China, Lee Teng-hui for his company's Falcons community service programs and general support of charitable causes in the community. Registered and certified as Taiwan's first machine tool maker to receive the 揑SO 9002/CNS 12682 Quality Assurance System?status by the Ministry of Economic Affairs. ISO 14000 certification came in 2000. Today a listed public trading company is the biggest and best known grinding manufacturer in Taiwan, the only one crossing the machine tool arena of CNC grinders, lathes and machining centers. Environmental protection, Falcon management proclAir Jordan XI 11 Low