When Tradition Meets Technology in Architecture

The common process that goes into construction of architectural models, mini replicas for practical and aesthetic displays is a tedious process. For buildings, architectural designs are first drafted by architects. Strength of materials, sound electrical connections, water and sewerage systems are all consulted with civil, industrial and electrical engineers.  Elevation and other site considerations including geo-hazards are consulted with landscape planners even geologists. A critical step between these technical inputs and actual construction or implementation of the design lies in the construction of scale models. These scale ship models or replicas physically reconstruct conceptual design templates.

Building architectural models require various skills, discipline and attitude primarily attention to details, patience and creativity to say little of the skill set required in manually cutting and mounting hundreds even thousands of small, almost minute parts together.  

Today however, the intricate process of model-building has significantly benefited from the convenience and greater accuracy afforded by computers. Softwares like Auto computer-assisted design (AUTOCAD) have provided architects, engineers, constructions foreman and even lay artists and hobbyists the ability to produce 3d architectural models with greater efficiency and speed.

In using computer programs, model builders simply input numerical values like dimensions, size, shapes and can readily choose objects to simulate and the rest of the process is performed by the machine based on input from the architectural blue print. In simple terms, model makers simply describe their concepts and the computer interprets and renders the input by itself. Whereas before, virtual 3d architectural models designs still need to be converted to actual physical replicas or models, the birth of digital printing has likewise minimized the intensive labor required in building architectural models.

Since digital printing and laser technology is capable of imprinting or cutting various materials including cardboards, styrofoam, fiber glass and even wood, which are materials commonly used in constructing architectural models, digital technology has also allowed the real production of models based only on digital input.

Traditional model or those done manually through cutting and assembling require a level of artistry and skills but newer more advanced rendering software and modelling technology require an entirely different set of skills. Model builders must have excellent and extensive knowledge of rendering softwares to actually make digital imaging work. Rendering software are highly complicated application, most of which are not user-friendly or easy to use. Only those well-versed and competent in manipulating its various functions can make the most of these softwares. Otherwise the rendering simply won’t look right.

As such, a lot of model builders are still drawn to manual architectural model building not only due to their familiarity with traditional methods but because apparently, making necessary corrections or adjustments in the design is a lot cheaper when using manual methods. In virtual 3D models you can get quick results but corrections are not easy to perform. It also requires a lot of imagination in order to see the over-all project while physical or rough models automatically provides model builders a good grasp of what they are working on.

For instance, you will need to spend half to make a miniature window frame and make it look like oak. Cutting down cardboards and pasting them to the window cut of the house and covering it with necessary material to achieve the effect of oak. This can be done in just matter of minutes with the aid of a computer. However, computer generated images still feel artificial and many model-builders, particularly hobbyists like ship scale model builders   prefer the natural look of physical models rather those that they can see only in the screen or monitor especially when doing large projects that require a model makers to get an extensive over-all view of the projects.

What is PCB Assembly Service and How Does It Help Companies?

The printed circuit board (PCB) is the foundation of any electrical device. It is considered varyingly as the “skeleton” or “brains” of any electrical gadget and provides electricity and connectivity between and among components of a device from simple household remote controls to highly sophisticated robot technology.  In today’s age of digital products and micro gadgets, PCBs have become even more important since they answer the need to smaller, more efficient ways to power electronics and embed micro systems that allow internet connectivity of many common equipment, or in more appropriate digital terms, to make devices smaller but smarter.

Circuit boards are a resin or plastic and plastic board into which are soldered various conductive or copper metal parts that channel energy and communication between or among parts. Aside from routing power, it also directs signals to various inter-working parts.  Generally, the more complex a device is the more layers the PCB will have.

As a complex electrical and mechanical roadmap, a PCB is constructed through a process of rigorous designing, printing and manufacturing. These processes require numerous skills in schematics and engineering and thus, there are very specialized companies that provide PCB assembly services.  

The initial schematic design of any PCB serves as the blueprint or template of the PCB. It is a two-dimensional map made up of a series of symbols that show how circuits, switches, resistors, diodes, nodes and other components will be attached and connected. This intricate process nowadays is best accomplished using special electronic design automation (ED) or computer assisted design (CAD) computer software like Altium Designer, KiCAD, Allegro or Express PCB. Once the software package has reproduced the two-dimensional layout, the PCB is manufactured based on the dimensions, positioning, ground, and signal traces. After initial fabrication, the circuit board are tested normally using black box testing which only checks consistency of electrical inputs and outputs. A more stringent mode of testing is the white-box testing which involves simulating the operations of the PCB to make sure that it is properly structured and functional. White-box testing tests input and output while tracing possible pathways determining failures anywhere in the board. Again, additional technology such as a laser 3d printer may make testing more convenient by allowing the production and testing of a prototype circuit board. This is specifically advisable for PCBs targeted for mass production.

For special or very specific designs, various companies in Singapore offer PCB assembly services and provide specialized and additional services in PCB design and manufacture including multi-layer and multi-part assembly orders for more complex devices. Other Singaporean PCB assembly companies also provide rohs (lead-free) solder services which allows more convenient reworking and removing functionalities and gives cleaner and shinier finishes compared to standard lead solder. Most of these companies also offer full assembly drawings, centroid file placement, silkscreen services and parts in addition to common PCB components such as battery, resistors, LEDs, transistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes and switches.  More extensive PCB assembly services in Singapore even offer cleaning solutions like aqueous clean process and moisture procedures that provides non-corrosive and non-conductive cleaning utilities that do not affect PCB parts that are normally damaged by water wash. These cleaning services also do not leave flux residues which make shinier and cleaner PCB joints.

Where to Apply for SME Grants in Singapore

Singapore is known as one of the most ideal countries in the world for businesses. The government offers several business grants not just for start-up industries as well for small and medium enterprises (SME) as well.

The Singaporean government has several agencies that could provide specific grants for different types of SMEs. Those interested could choose from these agencies to apply for the grant that they need.

One of these grants include the Productivity and Innovation Credit (PIC) Scheme. It is made to inspire SMEs to come up with different ways to innovate and increase productivity within their industry. SME companies that aim to invest in meeting the requirements in innovative and productive activities that fall under the specific categories set by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) can take advantage of cash payouts or tax deductions.

Those who will be given the PIC Scheme grant will be able to enjoy a tax deduction scheme from this year until Year of Assessment (YA) 2018. This type of grants of SME in Singapore could also take advantage of a PIC bonus or a “dollar-for-dollar matching” cash out.

Another option for grants for SME Singapore include the Partnerships for Capability Transformation (PACT), which promoted equally-beneficial relationships between large-scale corporations and SMEs.

PACT is known for supporting three different types of partnerships, which include the Partner Development which explores the capability upgrade that would be beneficial for new or existing Large Organization (LOs) suppliers, the Knowledge Transfer partnership that allows the Los to transfer their knowledge to at least one partner SME, as well as the Co-innovation partnership that deals with the expansion of innovative solutions between the Los and the SMEs.     

Those who will be qualified for this grant will have an exclusive access to various projects that are meant for upgrading areas involving capability development, total productivity, as well as various opportunities in developing innovative products or solutions.

SPRING Singapore will be assessing and approving the grant for SMEs. Once the grant has been given, SMEs will get partial funding support for as much as 70% of qualifying development expenses.  

Another grant-giving sector in Singapore is known as the SPRING Startup Enterprise Development Scheme (SPRING SEEDS). This aims to encourage private sectors to put their investment in developing start-ups with ground-breaking products or services that aim to be known in the international markets. This scheme could provide qualified applicants with a “dollar for every dollar” grant that comes from private sectors up to a maximum of SG$1,000.000.

To be able to qualify for the SPRING SEEDS grant, a start-up must be registered as a Private Limited Company Incorporated in Singapore for less than five years and must operate mostly in the country.

It could also be beneficial to take note of the kinds of business areas which the Singaporean government provide different grants. It includes the Brand & Marketing Strategy Development, Business Excellence, Business Strategy Innovation, Enhancing Quality and Standards, Financial Management, Human Capital Development, Intellectual Property & Franchising, Productivity Improvement, Service Excellence, as well as Technology Innovation.

With all these in mind, it would be a breeze for any SME owners to get Singapore grants for SME.

What is a Good Design?

Creating a good website is really a necessity nowadays. A Lot of people rely so much on what they see on screen in order to perfectly visualize what they want.

Sometimes, even the functionality of a website is important for it to gain more hits and attract more people. This is why a lot of people rely upon a professional designer that can help them achieve what they want.

Building a website entails a lot of action. You need to collaborate with IT specialists, writers, and graphic artists in order to create or visualize a page. You need a design that can be translated into a program that involves a lot of timing and precision in order to achieve a very responsive website.

Why is it so? Because people's engagement determines the success of a website. The longer the people stays, the more relevant the web page is. This is the reason a lot of people look for a web design company that can help them understand the principles, as well as, take the blueprint into a solid page.

These designers are the ones who are familiar with codes and can help you put together different scripts to be able to come up with a platform that can well represent your brand. Though there are tons of ready templates available, it is still important to be as unique as possible.

First, the page needs to adapt to any device they are using. Why is this important? Because part of what makes people stay and read a website is the accessibility they have to it. For instance, if they find it hard to read because the colours are contrasting, then they would leave. In addition, if they think that the screen does not match their mobile device, then they would also stop visiting. They would think that the page is lagging or unprofessional.

Second, the functionality is important in gaining more hits. For instance, there are websites that allow pop-ups so that it will get your time in crossing them out. As you cross them out, you spend more time on a particular site. Though it may seem annoying to some, it is actually beneficial for these pages. However, though pop-ups are cool, be careful in using them. If you would do so sparingly. Too many disturbances when people try to read make also cause them to just drop the site.

So, a good web design Singapore is something that gives you a win-win situation. What is that? It is something that makes people stay longer but gives them what they want. Good visuals and right information.  Of course, this is also a website that is easy to navigate and user-friendly. Website design Singapore is something everybody needs to take advantage of. Especially if they need a lot more engagement with analytics.

Analytics is very important in profiling visitors. With professional web designers, they will be able to give you that. When you know who visits you and what they like, you would know how to adapt.

Home Repairs and Remedies that Anyone Can Do

Our homes are extensions of who we are so it is only imperative that we take good care at each of its little parts and elements. Those broken windows in the bathroom, the broken tiles in the kitchen, a portion of the living room wall whose paint already flaked—there sure are some parts of your humble abode that need some fixing. And we often put the task away and forego the needed repair because we know how costly it is to hire handymen even when the work to be done is very basic.  But more often than not, we ourselves can actually do some restorative actions to bring them back to their finest conditions. Here are some easy and do-it-yourself home remedies and repairs that practically any member of the family can do.

 Trouble with the Toilet:

This happens a lot. When the flush won’t just function fully so you wonder what is happening inside. While we often think that the culprit is the slow water pressure, it can in fact actually be the holes under the rim that are to blame.  Or perhaps some sediments are clogging the holes. How to fix it? Get a small brush that you no longer use (preferably with stiff bristles) and use that to brush them away and clear that area. The pressure should be better after it has been cleansed.

 Those Worn Out Windows:

 Not all types of the window can be complemented with colourful curtains, so some homeowners leave them without any protective textile, come sunny or rainy seasons.  But there is actually a solution to that: buy some solar film for home windows  (they are quite frequently used and famous on urban homes in Singapore). You can easily place them on your own windows to stay protected from the damaging UV rays of the sun especially if you live in a tropical country where every single day is practical sunny. These solar films for the window can also help hide those small glass scratches and small broken spots on your window—and the great thing is, you need no one else to do the job for you. Simply follow the written instruction, and your have it stuck on the glass window in no time. They come with adhesives so that shouldn’t be a lot of work for you. If you are somehow feeling a bit uncoordinated, maybe you need another hand to make sure the length of the film is extended on the extreme opposite side. Paste it slow and precisely so there the placement won't be uneven.

 Those Stubborn Doors

Have you ever encountered doors with a squeaky sound that it drives you nuts every time you have to turn the knob? Easy. Just rub some petroleum jelly on the door hinges and that should fix a problem. Some people like pouring messy baby oil, which is fine too, but petroleum jelly seems to be more effective in most cases.

 What about Home Water?

Truth be told, we are not always able to store and stock up our fridge with bottled mineral water and there are times that we need to drink directly from the faucet. But we should not be too complacent as research have found that tainted drinking water makes more than a million individuals get ill every year all over the world. The solution, according to 20-year Singapore home-maker Tonibelle Suihn, is to purchase an efficient water filter for your water dispenser or even for the faucet in your kitchen. Water filters ensure us that the H20 we drink will be free from bad bacteria and micro-organisms that can bring harm to our body. Installation of the filter is fairly doable as most filter products came with procedural installation process than can be done in just a few minutes. No sweat.

How To Ensure Safety in Our Own Homes

As Singapore is one of the fastest growing countries in the world, economically wise, it is expected that people who reside in its city (whether they be locals or expatriates who decided to work and stay) would be very cautious in guarding their own homes. Good thing that door access system in Singapore has now been made possible after reports of possible burglars entering house in no particular time of the day has been rampant.

Truth be told, as long as the thieves see that they can easily access one’s home, they will take the opportunity to take your prized possessions come daylight or night-time.

You do not have to worry about this as you can do wise actions to prevent this unwanted and prohibited incident from happening. For one, cctv system in Singapore may be bought to make sure everyone who enters the house and other event that may take place, day or night,  will be captured on camera—which is such a small price to pay in exchange of the family’s safety.

Another option is for you to hire a 24-hour guard. If you are living in an unguarded building, ask your “super” or building admin to hire one and be more than willing to chip in for the cost of hiring the security person. If you are living in an apartment or a flat, your own household helper can man the house all day long. And if you can afford it, do it like the English people who have their own butlers or house caretakers. This is nothing compared to the peace of mind you will have if you do not have to worry about your home’s safety every hour of the day.

Photo credit via Cablecomm.com.sg

If those are not enough safety precautions, there are more suggestions we have for you:

• Do not leave your jewels unlocked on an  unsafe place in your room. Some people have safety deposit boxes (of really large and heavy sizes) that the thief cannot bring along with him.
• Bring big amount of cash with you or better yet, let them be in your savings account on your trusted bank. Never ever leave a big amount of money at home when you are away most days of the week.
• Costly appliances like big flat screen televisions should be placed or mounted in a way that they won’t be easily carried by another person. Other homeowners go as far as setting up an alarm system for possessions that may be hot in the eye of robbers.
• Laptops and cellphones should also be locked away if you are going to leave them at home for several days. These things can easily be carried around. And often, no one gets suspicious when another person takes them away.

However, things can happen even if you are already inside your home. Always have emergency telephone numbers on your wall like maybe the police station nearby or even a friend or a neighbour’s number who can easily be there to help you out in case anyone attempts to break in into your door in an unexpected time. Better yet, it is advisable to not live alone as house breakers often targets home of people who are living a solitary life.

Is It Time to Outsource Engineering Services?

Consumer demands are growing and engineering companies in Singapore need to keep pace. And one of the ways to meet these demands is through outsourcing. Nowadays, the services of an external Singapore engineering company are sought to help the company in product development and conversion processes. Here we discuss the reasons why companies choose to outsource engineering services.

1. Efficiency. There are different stages in product development and engineering is just one of them. So, if the company has no enough manpower or if there are, but there’s no ample time, it is best to do outsourcing so you can focus on your core business or competency product and at the same time, ensure operational efficiency.

2. Flexibility. What’s good about outsourcing is that when there are changes need to be made due to the demands of the emerging trends in the market, the outsourcing team is usually prepared to respond and make the necessary changes. But of course, this has to be clearly specified in your agreement with the firm; otherwise, conflicts may arise.

3. Additional expertise. While your company has credible and reputable engineers, it is a big bonus to work with another engineering firm that has likewise quality engineers. You no longer need to advertise job vacancies, conduct the tedious hiring process, and provide trainings for the newly hires. The outsourcing vendor can take care of this as it has a pool of highly skilled engineers and experts. Add to this is the software required for the project. You don’t have to shell out money in investing in additional resources when the outsourced firm already has it. You save time, money, and effort.

4. Lower cost. You can have a certain project or task done at a lower cost without sacrificing the quality. Rather then allocating a budget for hiring new employees and investing in new resources, why not get the services of outsourcing companies, which are relatively cheaper? Moreover, it gives you the opportunity to save on technology and infrastructure. In this kind of venture, the outsourcing firm takes charge of the business process and is the responsible one for developing the infrastructure.

5. Immediate results. Another benefit of outsourcing services is the reduction of production time. Since you will be working with an outsourcing vendor, expect that your ideas be converted into products in the quickest time possible.

How to choose an outsourcing vendor?
In choosing an outsourcing vendor, it is important to partner with a trustworthy firm. Have a background check on its previous projects. Evaluate its experience of delivering engineering services. Inquire about the number of projects it has done, type of clients it has worked for, and the duration of the project itself.

If the vendor seems to have good credentials, it’s a positive sign. Just make sure that the communication between you and the vendor is constant, regular, and transparent. Any irregularities in communication may lead to a misunderstanding, and that may adversely affect your business. Hence, work with an outsourcing vendor that is available 24/7 or if not, at least be able to respond to your concerns right away.