Strengthening Automation Technology and R&D in IoT and Industry 4.0

「In terms of products, the Company announced the “XYT-65Y” multifunctional lathe, which provides automation and process integration in response to customer needs, at MEX Kanazawa 2026 and began accepting orders. It also advanced the supply of the strategic model “AT-1” for the Asian market to overseas sites and strengthened local promotional activities.」

「The AT-1 is a strategic model targeting the Asian market and consolidates in a single machine the features of the GSL-10H and GSL-15 PLUS in the GSL series. By reviewing its machine specifications, it reduces power consumption by 18% compared with the GSL-15 PLUS, lowering running costs.」

「The Company exhibited options for processing both ends of a workpiece to broaden processing capabilities, an automation unit that can be installed after the initial purchase, and programming software that enables processing programs to be created easily, among other products.」

「On the product front, the XWT-8, a 2-spindle, 2-turret precision lathe launched in November 2023, received the Japan Institute of Design Promotion Award at the 55th Machine Industry Design Award IDEA. It was recognized for reducing running costs and energy consumption and contributing to lower environmental impact.」

「During the consolidated fiscal year, we worked on developing the XTL series and announced 3 models.」

「On the product front, we pursued development of the XTL series to expand orders for EV-related components and newly developed the 1-spindle, 1-turret precision lathes XTL-8 and XTL-8MY. Targeting shaft machining required for EVs, hybrid vehicles, internal-combustion vehicles and industrial machinery, we improved machining capacity over previous models and enhanced energy efficiency and maintenance functions to support carbon neutrality. We also announced the XTL-8MYS at JIMTOF2024 as the third model in the series, enabling complete machining in a single machine.」

「The large touch panel improves operability, while increasing the speed at which workpieces are moved through the machine by 10% compared with the previous model contributes to higher customer productivity. We also developed and installed our proprietary cooling system. The new system changes from conventional water cooling to air cooling and uses air from an air layer near the ground, where temperature fluctuations are relatively small. This makes it less susceptible to temperature changes in the factory environment and enables high machining accuracy. In addition to improving accuracy, it reduces power consumption compared with the conventional system and contributes to customers’ achievement of carbon neutrality.」

「At this exhibition, we also focused on responding to EV demand, which is expected to grow. For the aforementioned XWT-8, we proposed machining EV components as a target application, and exhibited a shaft-machining prototype under active development as a reference display. Despite its compact size, the prototype can handle longer shaft workpieces than the best-selling XT-8. Although it has not yet been launched, it received many expressions of expectation and questions from visitors.」

「We developed the new XWT-8, the successor to the XW-130, a 2-spindle, 2-turret precision lathe that combines speed and accuracy in cutting. In addition to further improving machining performance over the previous model, the XWT-8 targets the machining of EV components and incorporates our proprietary new operating system and various environmentally friendly functions. We unveiled it as a new model designed to develop new market needs at MECT2023, held in Aichi Prefecture in October.」

「We are developing an AI-powered automatic sorting machine for recyclable waste by combining our automation technology cultivated in the machine tool business with 株式会社PFU’s multi-lighting and feature-fusion recognition technologies. In addition to MEX Kanazawa 2023, we exhibited the machine as a reference display at the NEW Environmental Exhibition, one of Asia’s largest environmental events, held in Tokyo. It attracted strong interest from personnel in a wide range of fields, including local governments and general waste treatment companies.」

「In production, we advanced the use of IoT technology through initiatives including improving shop-floor work efficiency by introducing RPA and establishing a data monitoring system.」

「On the product front, we developed the XTS-6, pursuing further downsizing from the best-selling XT-6 and achieving the smallest floor space in its class. The model is equipped with an idle-stop function for energy savings, reducing power consumption by approximately 20% compared with previous models when the machine is stopped. Its lower center of gravity also provides more stable machining accuracy, enabling high productivity while reducing operator workloads. In addition, the new XWG-3 enables high-precision, high-efficiency production in the compact space of a single lathe, with 2 built-in motor spindles. It also features a large 19-inch touch panel with upper and lower multi-screen display, improving operator visibility and operability.」

「Our R&D efforts have proactively addressed the needs of the times, including optimization of machining using AI and IoT technologies, DX through visualization of machine conditions, proposals for carbon neutrality through reductions in power consumption and waste, and the promotion of the SDGs through technological innovation, in addition to improving ease of use. These efforts attracted strong interest from many customers.」

「On the product front, we worked to develop new products that meet market and user needs, launched sales of the XV-3, which consolidates 3 vertical lathes into 1 machine to improve productivity, and the ServoROT-01 automation system, which combines an articulated robot and tray changer in a single package. We also promoted R&D initiatives using digital technologies such as IoT and AI.」

「At MECT2021, one of Japan’s largest machine tool exhibitions, we demonstrated machining with products including the new XV-3, which consolidates 3 vertical lathes into 1 machine to improve productivity; the XT-8MY, which can perform combined machining of motor shafts, for which demand is expected to increase with the shift to EVs; and the ServoROT-01, which combines an articulated robot and tray changer in a single package to meet needs for labor reduction and automation. We also introduced the T-Support System, comprising the Thermony thermal displacement compensation system and the Spimony spindle condition monitoring system, designed to support productivity, and received high praise from customers.」

「As a new solution proposal, we promoted automation on our website by linking our space-saving XT-8MY combined lathe, designed for ease of use, with a robot made by another manufacturer.」

「In addition to developing the 1-spindle, 1-turret lathes XT-8M and XT-8MY, we have promoted R&D initiatives using digital technologies such as IoT and AI.」

「On the product front, alongside developing new products to meet market and user needs, we have promoted R&D initiatives using digital technologies such as IoT and AI.」

「In September, we held an online new product presentation and announced 2 models, the XT-8MY and the XYT-51 model equipped with a new gantry loader.」

「On the product front, we newly announced 2 models: the XV-3, which incorporates 3 machining units in 1 machine, enabling simultaneous turning, drilling and other diverse machining operations and thereby improving productivity; and the XT-8, the successor to our mainstay XL-150, which retains our proprietary automation technology and achieves high productivity through an advanced operating system with functions that support manual tool-position adjustment and IoT functions for preventive maintenance.」

「On the product front, we newly announced 2 models: the XV-3, which incorporates 3 machining units in 1 machine, enabling simultaneous turning, drilling and other diverse machining operations and thereby improving productivity; and the XT-8, the successor to our mainstay XL-150, which retains our proprietary automation technology and achieves high productivity through an advanced operating system with functions that support manual tool-position adjustment and IoT functions for preventive maintenance.」

「At EMO2019, we exhibited a linked machine combining our XT-6 with the WE30V manufactured by 株式会社エンシュウ, highlighting automation technology that can also be integrated into production lines with machine tools made by other manufacturers. On the product front, our Σi Loader high-speed type received the Jury Special Award at the 49th Machine Industry Design Award, organized by Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, in recognition of its high performance.」

「As major initiatives during the first quarter of the current consolidated cumulative period, we worked to secure orders by proposing optimal solutions incorporating automation technology, while also focusing on sales activities to develop markets outside the automotive industry.」

「The SKV-8, a dedicated skiving machine, also received the 2018 Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers Outstanding Product Award from the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers. This was its second award, following the 2017 Jury Special Award at the 47th Machine Industry Design Award, organized by Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun.」

「On the product front, we announced 3 models: the XT-6, a CNC 1-spindle, 1-turret precision lathe evolved from the long-selling XL-100; the XWT-10, a CNC 2-spindle, 2-turret precision lathe with a larger machinable workpiece size; and the XYT-51, a CNC 2-spindle, 2-turret combined precision lathe designed to meet demand for process consolidation through complete machining. The XT-6 can be equipped with an optional touch panel to improve operability and is also compatible with IoT technology that promotes visualization of operating conditions.」

「In addition to introducing our product lineup, including new products, and IoT systems that contribute to higher productivity, the event provided a valuable opportunity for direct exchanges of views and for building relationships over the next 10 and 20 years.」

「On the product front, we announced 2 models at MEX Kanazawa 2018, held in Ishikawa Prefecture in May 2018: the XWT-10, which handles larger workpieces than previous models while maintaining stable machining accuracy, and the XYT-51, which improves machining capacity through increased motor output and can accommodate a wide range of tooling.」

「On the product front, we redesigned the XTT-500M, which can accommodate 8 rotary tools across its twin turrets and enables efficient process consolidation through a wide range of combined machining operations, and the GSL-10. We also announced the new GSL-10H, which improves ease of use, including through the adoption of a hollow chucking cylinder, while emphasizing cost performance. In addition, the SKV-8, a dedicated skiving machine, received the Jury Special Award after being recognized for both its functionality and design at the 47th Machine Industry Design Award, organized by Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun.」

「As major initiatives during the first quarter of the current consolidated cumulative period, we worked to secure orders through promotion at domestic and overseas exhibitions. We exhibited at CIMT2017, held in Beijing, China, in April 2017, and at MEX Kanazawa, held in Ishikawa Prefecture in May, displaying the new XTT-500M and linked machines using material-handling robots, among other products.」

「In addition to developing new products, we have promoted basic research from a long-term perspective and joint research with industry, academia and government. We have also pursued R&D in systems and software for the automation systems in which we specialize.」

「We introduced our strength in automation technology and promoted sales of new products.」

「We will pursue R&D into core technologies related to IoT and Industry 4.0, with the aim of increasing product value while taking into account recent changes in the technological environment and future service development.」