Smart factory improves ability to respond to customer needs by shortening lead times.

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA (PRWEB) MAY 09, 2017

Okuma Corporation, a world leader in CNC machine tool manufacturing, today announced the completion of the companys new Dream Site 2 (DS2) parts factory in Oguchi, Japan. This facility improves the companys ability to respond to customer needs by shortening lead times and adding value through high-efficiency production. Parts produced will be used for machine tool production and also to stock service inventory. The DS2 commenced production in March, 2017.
Okumas Second Smart Factory
DS2 is a self-contained start-to-finish production facility for small and medium lathes and grinders. This is the second smart factory built at Okumas headquarters, following the Dream Site 1 (DS1), which was completed in May 2013. The 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.
DS2 Highlights
DS2 uses the most advanced IIoT to achieve highly efficient ultra-high-mix, low-volume production of machine tools.
More Advanced Automation by Using Smart Machines and Robots That Consolidate Processes: At the DS2 Parts Factory robots 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) attached so the locations of the parts can be accurately known and controlled. This allows quick 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 work place.
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 industrys only single-source provider, with the CNC machine, drive, motors, encoders, and spindle all manufactured by Okuma. The company also designs their own CNC controls to integrate seamlessly with each machine tools functionality. In 2014 Okuma launched the Okuma App Store, the industrys 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. For more information, visit http://www.okuma.com/americas or follow us on Facebook or Twitter @OkumaAmerica.