Digitalization And The Metal Industry

The digital age has not only affected perceptions and attitudes towards communications and the sciences. It has had a huge impact on various industries as well, from real estate and healthcare to automobiles and even current metal production.

Image source: siemens.com

Industry leaders are now shifting to a “digital metals” business paradigm, focused on re-envisioning the production and distribution value chains of commodity-based metals. With digital channels in place, the industry can anticipate demand and supply trends in real time while improving operations and enhancing customer relations.

Metal companies are now more concerned with the best responses to “disruptive” technologies, and consciousness of the growing importance of sustainability. This is a key path onward, with more and more customers looking for products made from recycled materials, offer reduced carbon footprint, and are more durable and reliant on specialist steel like liquid metal.

Big data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence are changing the face of the industry. Sensor-based data from newer machines allow for better predictions of successes and possible failures, as well as thorough analytics. Digitalization has led to streamlined and faster production of metals, while providing increased customer support. Indeed, the chains are made of more stronger links than ever.

Image source: mckinsey.com

John Kang is currently the chairman of California-based LM Group Holdings, Inc. He is responsible for the overall strategy of the company and oversees the company’s portfolio companies. For similar reads, visit this blog.

Is liquid metal a viable thermal paste?

Liquid metal has been introduced to several manufacturing industries as well as tech industries. Apple has been using Liquidmetal to create parts and accessories that are replacing traditional alloys and plastics. Accessory companies that produce premium watches like Swatch have also started using Liquidmetal for some of its parts. Even NASA has experimented on the material and has come up with solar panels to be used in future expeditions. 

Image source: gamersnexus.net

But apart from these examples, other liquid metals have found their way into the hearts of tech people as a cooling agent. Gamers and content creators have seen the value of liquid metal as a viable replacement for thermal paste. 

Thermal paste is applied when manufacturing electronics like laptops for better heat transfer. However, the application of thermal paste is not always perfect. It is also possible for the manufacturer to use a less desirable thermal paste to cut costs. 

What techies would do is open their units, remove the existing thermal paste carefully, then reapply their own choice of thermal paste. The results usually reflect better temperatures and improved performance. Fans won’t struggle as much, and throttling is reduced. 

Right now, gallium is one of the few ready-to-apply liquid metals that consumers can buy to improve their computer’s performance. 

Image source:  tomshardware.com

John Kang led and served as the chairman of Liquidmetal Technologies, Inc. from 2001 to 2010 through its initial offering. Under his leadership, the company worked with renowned companies such as Apple Inc., The Swatch Group Ltd., HEAD, and Rawlings. For more articles like this, follow this Twitter page.