Digital Video Disk (DVD) ROM Drive
Perceiving the situation, Samsung began to develop a suitable product it and achieved its aims. The technology involved in making a DVD ROM drive consists of two essential parts, one of which is a systemic technology involving the entire concept and design and based on the DVD format; other concerns the design technology of the core parts. Backward compatibility, which is the ability to reproduce all kinds of CDs including CD-R, is one of the core parts. To develop the technology, Samsung has adapted an optical pick-up using an annular masked objective lens to play both DVDs and CDs. The company has also acquired high-precision mechanism and control technology, and high-density optical disc technology. The optical pick-up using annular masked objective lens to reproduce both DVD and CD is an internationally approved technology. With this development, Samsung has arrived at the threshold of developing a rewritable DVD RAM drive which is to be developed in the near future. The world demand this year for CD ROM drives is estimated to be about 60 million units. The comparable market for DVD ROM drives is estimated to grow dramatically over the next two to three years, and could one day replace the CD ROM market. Samsung is now advantageously placed to capitalize on the opportunities presented by this nascent market.
Diagnostic X-ray Equipment
A second feature of the system is that the user can take a exposure by a three-step procedure: the selection of the body part to be X-rayed, assessing body size, and initiating the X-ray exposure. Users of existing equipment must employ seven steps. A third feature is that Dong-A has integrated the X-ray tube support and the table the patient lies on. In addition, the high-tension transformer and generator have been put under the table, so that the required room for installation is reduced by 50 percent in comparison to requirements by existing equipment. The design of the NCG-600 is such it can also be installed in a low-ceilinged room. Some120 NCG-600 units have been sold in the seven months since it was put on the market, and some 50 units have been exported. To gain entry into the North American market, Dong-A is in the process of obtaining approval from the USFDA. Dong-A X-Ray Co., Ltd.
Single-type PCB Loader
During the process, waste powder and phenol are produced; furthermore, the board can be severely damaged. Besides these shortcomings, the process has the additional problem of requiring a great deal of labor. Yuil Semicon Co., Ltd. has developed a device for loading a single-type PCB on the machine to be mounted with chips. This automatic supplier with memory module PCB consists of two parts: the loading system, which loads single-type PCBs assisted by a jig (a sub-device); the other is an unloading system which unloads the final product, processed PCBs, from the machine. In other words, Yuil's product supplies, moves, and unloads single-type PCBs automatically from start to finish. The Yuil Co. device maintains the general form of existing array-type PCB production systems, and features a jig to separately load PCBs into the chip-mounting machine. Single PCBs are loaded into the jig and conveyed into the machine to be processed in the manner of an array-type PCB. Yuil has also developed related software for the user's convenience; sensors and computers check the machine's operation which can be monitored on a screen, allowing for quick and easy maintenance. Use of this single-type PCB production system drives down the cost of raw material usage by 20 to 30 percent; the cost of labor cost is also cut. Moreover, environmental contamination from phenol and waste powder is eliminated. A Korean company which adopted this newly-developed system has reduced its annual costs about by US$20 million. Yuil Semicon Co., Ltd. Electronic Controlled Power Steering System
Mando Machinery Corporation Hyundai Power Measurement and Protection System
Under this improved SCADA, HIMAP operates as a Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) when installed in the electronic switchgear. Electronic switchgear using the system comprises one HIMAP, three digital meters and one breaker switch, while existing analog switchgear typically has three analog meters, several analog protection relays, several transducers, two change-over-switches, and lamps. Power costs are cut significantly through using this system. HIMAP comes in three models to meet different modes of digital protection relay: HIMAP-F/I for incoming and feeder protection; HIMAP-T for transformer protection; and HIMAP-M for motor protection. HIMAP-SYS fulfills its protection and measuring function using a 32-bit central processing unit for input/output signal processing, and accordingly does not need additional transducers. HIMAP's measuring of voltage, current, power and so on, is accurate within limits of กพ1%. Parameter settings of HIMAP digital relay can be easily changed by the key button. The world market for the system is now growing, and the Korean market for systems using digital relays as RTUs is expected to take off within a very few years. Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (HHI) Ice Thermal Storage System
The product developed by EnE System, Inc. utilizes the capsule type. This particular type is equipped with a nucleator to prevent super cooling, a design which easily accommodates volume expansion, and has high thermal conductivity. Owing to the difficulties in developing this technology only a very few companies, including some in the U.S.A. and France, possess it. An existing system of the capsule type has been designed to accommodate a volume expansion of 10 percent when the water is icing. However, it is designed to accommodate the expansion externally, so it occasionally causes some problems because of the demands of the expanding ice on space. The capsule system developed by EnE Systems, Inc. is designed to accommodate ice volume expansion internally. Therefore, the external shape of the system is relatively simple in design and has the benefit of being easy to install. The ratio of the surface area to unit volume is also 10 percent bigger than other systems on the market. In addition, the distance from the surface to center is shortened by 60 percent in this system so the rate of thermal conductivity is increased by 30 percent. For these reasons, the system can save off-peak electricity, and can provide air-conditioning easily during the 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. period while avoiding using on-peak electricity. Ice thermal storage systems were introduced in the U.S.A. in the early 1980s, in Japan in 1985, and in Korea in 1991. The market for the system in Korea has expanded rapidly since 1994, and is now worth about US$ 60 million annually. Now passed its introductory period, the market is in a rapidly growing phase, exhibiting a yearly growth rate of 30 percent. Power shortages are endemic in China and other South-East countries which are experiencing high rates of growth. Nevertheless, because the demand for air-conditioning is high, the potential demand for systems such as these is great. Today, the U.S.A. is so far the only country which exports this type of system to this part of the world. Accordingly, the opportunity for EnE System to make inroads into the Southeast Asian market are relatively good.
In addition, the focus of these changes is not the conglomerate but rather the smaller, highly flexible high-technology venture company, which, by virtue of its size and focus is more able to translate technology into immediate benefits. A perennial problem, though, has been the difficulty in bringing together providers of technology and its potential users of this information in a manner conducive to their mutual advantage. In response to these developments and challenges the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) will host the first Korea Technomart with the theme of "Building Prosperity through the Hi-tech Venture." To be held November 5th to the 9th 1998 at the 5,000-square meter Korea Exhibition Centre, Seoul, the Technomart will serve as an arena specifically geared to encouraging technology-based partnerships among participants in all their many varied forms. Marking Korea's entry into the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development as an active member, and with the purpose of furthering the aims of the Technomart, the keynote event will be a symposium on business-level technological cooperation organized jointly by KOTRA and the OECD's Directorate for Science Technology and Industry. Experts from the directorate will address the subject from the point of view of technology in an age of globalization, the advantages and importance of international technological cooperation, and technological strategy at the micro-level of the individual business. Presenters of technology will be invited to exhibit under one of four categories: electronics, telecommunications, and technology relating to the environment and machinery. As a special incentive to encourage potential exhibitors, a number of expenses associated with exhibiting including the rental for booth space, the use of furniture and installation and local use of telephones, will be provided free of change. In addition, a number of initiatives will be undertaken during the course of the Technomart to maximize the opportunities for technological exchange among the Korean firms and the almost 200 hi-tech companies from the rest of the OECD which are expected to attend. With the aim of clarifying the range and nature of the technologies on display in the exhibition hall, presentations of selected technologies under the four categories described will be made concurrently with the exhibition. For those participants who wish to further explore the possibilities such technologies presented, a series of one-on-one business meetings between those wishing to introduce new technologies, form joint ventures, or seeking other forms of technological cooperation, will be held on a pre-arranged basis. Meanwhile, a chance to appreciate first-hand the technological capability of Korean industry in terms of technological application and research and development will be afforded to participants by a series of tours to selected manufacturing plants and research institutes. Korea sees itself at the forefront of efforts to harness the motive power of the high-tech enterprise, and to this end, has embarked upon a series of measures to stimulate and nurture the development of the venture company, including the provision for direct financing, labor and managerial expertise, and preferences in local planning. Visitors to the Technomart will find a receptive audience for their ideas and willing partners in business and government to bring their plans to fruition. Further contacts: KOTRA by Jae-Kwan Kim
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A DVD ROM drive, as an internationally standardized peripheral device, performs far better than a CD ROM drive. A handy comparison of the relative merits of the two is their respective user data capacities. DVD ROM has seven times more than CD ROM (DVD ROM: 4.7GB, CD ROM: 650MB). Therefore, movie, education, and game titles on CD ROM used in a PC can be appreciated far more through upper-level picture quality (MPEG2) and sound quality (AC-3) when installed on a DVD ROM. Samsung Electronics has developed a drive which plays a DVD ROM; the company has also developed a DVD player. However, DVDs now on the market have problems in playing CD ROMs. Furthermore, they have the significant problem of not being able to play CD-Rs, the popularity of which has increased rapidly over the last year. Because of these advantages, the market for DVD ROM drives is considered to have enormous potential.
In the development on medical science, the use of high-tech devices such as the CT (Computed Tomograph) and the MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) has been paramount.
X-ray equipment has been used continuously for 102 years since it was developed and has made an immeasurable contribution to the field of diagnostics. To widen its usage, Dong-A X-Ray Co., Ltd. has developed the NCG-600 which combines ultramodern function with economic price. The NCG-600 is equipped with a microcomputer able to provide 72 kinds of optimum exposure. Its integrated construction and layout enables it to be installed in a small room.
The primary feature of the NCG-600 is
that there is no need to adjust the conditions for taking X-rays of different parts of the body due to the variety of programmed optimum exposures. This equipment's core technology is fixed kilovoltage peaking (KVP) capability. Existing technology permitted the possibility of generating illegible images because of KVP problems, but these can now be controlled by NCG-600. By fixing the X-ray kilovoltage, a picture featuring good contrast can be obtained. Regardless of body size, a good contrasting image can be made since NCG-600 is equipped with fixed KVP software which accommodates image-taking on every region of the body.
A memory semiconductor, a crucial component for a computer or multimedia system, is not used separately but is generally used in combination with two or more semiconductors and chips machine-mounted on a PCB (Printed Circuit Board). Most semiconductor producers manufacturing for an international market use an array-type PCB production system, a method in which five to eight module PCBs are arrayed on a large board. However, this method requires cutting the board into individual PCBs at the final stage of manufacture after the processes of chip mounting, screen printing, and soldering have been completed. Finally, every PCB should be ground and cleaned to make the cutting surface smooth.
The electronic controlled power steering (ECPS) system is a device made for driver convenience. The system controls the steering effort electronically according to the vehicle's velocity. A vehicle equipped with this system affords ease of steering in a parked position or low speed, and provides for stable steering at high speed. Mando Machinery Corporation's development of the system marks a first for Korea. The system is now installed in the Hyundai Motor Company's 'Tiburon' sports car. The car is proving extremely popular both at home and abroad.
Mando's ECPS system consists of four parts: a sensor unit composed of three sensors to check the vehicle's velocity; a throttle position sensor which can sense engine power; a steering angle sensor; and an angular velocity sensor. A electronic control unit (ECU) which analyzes the information from the sensor unit and generates a fail-safe signal. An actuator controls the steering effort according to the ECU's signal. Mando's system involves a high-tech of hydraulic system, micro-process application, analysis, design, proportional solenoid manufacturing technology, automotive sensor technology development and application, and optimal static and dynamic vehicle tuning technology. The ECPS is the first development of its kind in Korea. Moreover, Mando developed it on the company's own initiative, and in the process has acquired a certain level of technology to enable the company to compete with other advanced car makers around the world.
The Hyundai intelligent measuring and protection system (HIMAP-SYS) is a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system designed to supervise the operation of power systems within office buildings and factories. Existing SCADA systems serve an input/output data acquisition function for power systems. This new SCADA system, however, also protects against overloading or grounding.
The Ice Thermal Storage System makes ice using off-peak electricity periods during the night, and melts the ice during the day for air-conditioning purposes. The theory behind the device is simple. The core parts of the system utilize ice-making and rapid ice-thawing technology, which are teamed efficiently with an existing HVAC systems. The system comprises two main components: a chiller and an ice storage facility. Storage facilities fall into one of three categories: the ice-on-coil type, the harvesting type, and the capsule type.
The technological parameters which define today's business world are changing so rapidly that firms which depend upon the exploitation of advanced technology must continually strive to maintain their competitive edge.
In a world where access to information is indirect proportion to competitiveness, it is only by business being pro-active in its quest for, and assessment of, leading-edge technologies can it optimize its opportunities for success. Technological cooperation is increasingly the key to the development and exploitation of new markets and spurring world trade, the enormous surge in which over recent years has served to boost living standards worldwide.
