Okuma America Corporation, a world-leading builder of CNC machine tools, announces the completion of the company’s newest production facility Dream Site 3 (DS3)  located in Kani, Japan. This smart factory utilizes cutting-edge technology, robots and IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) to manufacture vertical and horizontal machining centers and double-column machining centers to support the company’s product line. Innovative technology coupled with automation at this smart factory can shorten production lead times by up to 50%

Okuma’s Third Smart Factory

DS3 is a self-contained start-to-finish production facility for vertical and horizontal machining centers and double-column machining centers. This is the third smart factory investment by Okuma in the company’s headquarters country of Japan, with the first two factories – DS1 & DS2 – being built in 2013 and 2017 respectively on the company’s headquarters compound in Oguchi. DS1 was one of the first self-contained start-to-finish smart factories.

Building Futuristic Factories

Okuma is building its smart factories based on the goal of building futuristic factories that interweave automation with skilled techniques. These smart factories combine cutting-edge automation, technologies for unmanned operation, advanced IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things), and workplace know-how to achieve high-mix low-volume production while maintaining production efficiency equivalent to that of mass production.

DS3 Highlights

• More Advanced Automation by Using Smart Machines and Robots That Consolidate Processes: At the DS3 Parts Factory robots, LASER EX and ARMROID are utilized in advanced ways to build a completely automated parts machining system.
• Accurate and Quick Work Instructions Using IIoT: All parts have workpiece identification tags (IDs) and tool identification tags so the locations of the parts and tools can be accurately known and controlled. This allows for quick and precise instructions to be given in machining and logistics.
• Progress and Operation Monitoring That Promotes Improvements for Overall Optimization: The progress of production throughout the entire factory and the operation status of machines are all made visible, and data analysis is carried out in real time. The goal is a factory that evolves on a daily basis through the ability to improve in the workplace.

About Okuma America Corporation

Okuma America Corporation is the U.S.-based sales and service affiliate of Okuma Corporation, a world leader in CNC (computer numeric control) machine tools, founded in 1898 in Nagoya, Japan. The company is the industry’s only single-source provider, with the CNC machine, drive, motors, encoders, and spindle all manufactured by Okuma. The company also designs its own CNC controls to integrate seamlessly with each machine tool’s functionality. In 2014 Okuma launched the Okuma App Store, the industry’s only centralized online marketplace for machine tool apps and related content. Along with its extensive distribution network (largest in the Americas), and Partners in THINC, Okuma is committed to helping users gain competitive advantage through the open possibilities of machine tools, today and into the future.