Okuma’s New Dream Site 2 Smart Factory
07.20.2017
Annette Carroll, Director of Marketing at Okuma America, recently traveled to Japan along with 70 distributors and Okuma leadership members for the Okuma Machine Fair event held at the company headquarters in Oguchi. She also had the opportunity to tour the new Dream Site 2 (DS2) facility. She describes her experiences in a recent blog, Seeing the Possibilities, which is well worth a read because it gives you an insider’s perspective on the amazing technology advances that are in use today. This state-of-the-art “smart factory” is where Okuma is producing the many parts that go into our machine tools (primarily lathe and multitasking machines).
Industry-Leading Smart Factory
DS2 operates in tandem with the DS1 (which commenced production in 2013) located right next door. As a parts factory, DS2 manufactures medium-size parts including flanges, manifolds, headstock, tailstock and turrets. Precision parts such as main spindles, tailstock spindles and flanges are machined in a temperature-controlled room. There is also a FMS (flexible manufacturing system) that utilizes 3 MCR-BIII double-column machining centers for highly-efficient production of beds and saddles.
DS2 is a smart factory that utilizes the latest IT and new production control system features:
- Comprehensive control of CNC machining, assembly and distribution
- Flexibility to adapt to sudden changes (scheduled vs. actual production orders)
- Large monitors and tablets are used by workers to monitor data such as equipment utilization and work-in-progress
Energy Costs Reduced by 30%
These “factories of the future” also employ energy-saving technologies that are delivering significant reductions in energy costs. DS1 has 500 solar panels on its walls and 3,800 solar panels on its roof. The panels generate roughly 1,040 kW, which is equivalent to the energy consumed by 260 ordinary homes. DS2 uses thermal energy for high-efficiency heating and cooling in the plant. Energy efficiency is also promoted with the use of solar panels with high insulation properties on exterior walls, LED lighting, air compressor invertor controls, electric heat pumps and other equipment. So far this has reduced energy costs by 30% compared with previous levels.
We offer a variety of ways for you to stay informed about our events, and to receive general Okuma updates. Fill out the form below to let us know the type of information you'd like to receive.
