FACE TO FACE
The ‘ living green roof ’ on Mazak ’ s World R & D Centre . Moss grows to reduce the heat-island phenomenon contributing to global warming . It is one of the largest green roofs in Asia .
Go Green strategy
Mazak ’ s business philosophy has factored sustainability into all its operations including machine-tool design , development , manufacture , usage and eventual renewal . Its continuous improvement strategy focuses on improving the sustainability and efficiency of Mazak machines four times over by 2030 , compared to 2010 . For example , the nextgeneration of its five-axis simultaneous vertical machining centre ( VARIAXIS i-800 NEO ) delivers machining capability that reduces running CO₂ emissions by 22.7 % compared to the previous model .
Using standards set out by the Green House Gas Protocol , Mazak Smooth Technology offers functions to support customers ’ requirements in measuring , analysing and improving the energy and subsequent CO₂ footprint of the parts that they produce .
“ Customers ( e . g . Tier 1 car manufacturers ) tell us that they are not only being asked for price and delivery by their customers , but also for CO₂ impact . To be able to supply this data , they need to know ( at a part level ) how much carbon is being expended to produce that part . When we do machine demonstrations now , we are starting to publish the carbon footprint cost per part . We are also integrating this capability into our machines ,” Greg Cocks , Senior Manager , European Sales and Engineering , explained .
Mazak has also set a stringent goal , by 2030 , to reduce its own carbon emissions by 50 % compared to 2010 . Its manufacturing premises in Japan and the UK operate to comprehensive energy and sustainability policies . They maintain the registration of ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management and ISO 50001 Energy Management . Its facilities in Japan and Singapore utilise roof space for over 3.5mW of solar energy production . Local initiatives are supported across Europe with clear objectives to promote sustainability and environmental awareness right through to its customers .
“ We monitor our own energy use at the Worcester ETC and seize any opportunities to reduce energy . We are also building and designing our machines to be transformers ( 400v ) for further savings ,” added Greg Cocks .
Smart factory production
Discovery Week was also an important moment for Mazak to launch its new iCONNECT platform on the path to the Smart Factory .
“ We have been working on our new iCONNECT platform for almost two years . It is a free web portal for customers . iCONNECT functionality will eventually connect all customer machines to the Mazak cloud . It is a free service – customers can log onto the portal and access a wealth of information online ( e . g . download their machine manuals ; see their part orders and servicing history ; look at maintenance videos ; obtain software apps etc .). They can also access FAQs and training videos . It is designed to be a very rich environment ,” explained Greg Cocks .
Mazak has sold over 60,000 machines in Europe . However , once customer machines
are connected to the Mazak cloud , it will also be able to offer full remote support ( via TeamViewer ) on all its machines . This moves the company one step further into the IoT ( Internet of Things ) world .
Companies are increasingly looking towards IoT and AI ( Artificial Intelligence ) technologies as investments to increase production efficiency . By collecting and analysing Big Data , production can be optimised and quality improved . Yamazaki Mazak began the digitalisation and networking of its own factories to maximize production efficiency over many years .
The first Mazak iSMART Factory™ pilot was started at its facility in Kentucky ( United States ) in 2015 . Since then , it has expanded the concept , first to its global headquarters in Oguchi , Japan , in early 2017 and then at its Singapore factory in June 2017 . Mazak Inabe Plant became operational in 2018 . The latest Mazak iSMART Factory™ , in Worcester , is being upgraded to iSMART Factory™ status , the company ’ s highest level of Industry 4.0 connectivity , in line with its other plants in Japan and Kentucky in the United States . n
Smart Factory
Mazak ’ s iSMART Factory philosophy .
ISMR December 2022 / January 2023 |
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