Kashiyama
Driving Innovation: Kashiyama Employs MiR Robots for Agile Automation in Vacuum Pump Manufacturing
Kashiyama Industries, Ltd., a leading Japanese manufacturer specializing in the production of dry vacuum pumps essential for semiconductor and liquid crystal panel manufacturing, has embraced the future of automation to enhance efficiency and address challenges in their production processes.
Optimizing Efficiency through Simple, Slim, Speedy
Kashiyama Industries, Ltd. (Kashiyama), with 1500 employees and an annual production volume of approximately 45,000 units, places a strong emphasis on ensuring a stable supply system and quality under the guiding philosophy of "Simple, Slim, Speedy" Facing challenges in their numerous work processes, the company sought to automate simple tasks like dispensing parts and transporting products to allow employees to focus on higher value-added tasks.
With the expansion of their second factory in May 2023, Kashiyama encountered increased distances for product transportation, reaching up to 4 km per day. Considering the introduction of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), they opted for Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) instead due to the high human traffic and dynamic layout changes in their facility. The AMR’s from Mobile Industrial Robots has an ability to automatically avoid obstacles and cooperate seamlessly with its surroundings, which made it the ideal choice.
MiR Hook250: A Versatile Solution for Diverse Workflows
Kashiyama selected the MiR Hook250 for its versatility, allowing it to adapt to various shapes of carts used in their facility. The hook-type AMR seamlessly integrates with existing carts, minimizing the need for major modifications, and ensuring smooth implementation. Currently, one MiR robot transports finished products from the manufacturing department to the shipping department, covering approximately 150 meters round trip. But this is just the first step of an early implementation:
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We are considering introducing the system to a route where parts are transferred from the parts warehouse on the first floor to the manufacturing department on the second floor via an elevator, and to a 300-meter round-trip route where semi-finished products are transferred
Gains and Benefits: Towards a More Efficient Future
Kashiyama envisions several gains and benefits from the implementation of MiR robots:
Redeploying Workers for Higher Value Activities: With the widespread use of MiR, the company aims to increase the workforce in bottleneck processes, allowing employees to focus on more valuable tasks.
Time Savings: While the complete time saved is challenging to estimate, the replacement of key conveyance tasks with MiR is expected to significantly reduce operational time.
Enhanced Safety: MiR's trajectory-based navigation ensures safe transportation without the need for manual route selection, contributing to a safer working environment.
Reduced Bottlenecks and Waiting Times: MiR's ability to operate even during non-operational hours is anticipated to shorten production tact time, reducing bottlenecks, and waiting times.
As Kashiyama enters the first phase of their automation plan, they remain committed to leveraging MiR's high versatility to extend the system to other processes, fostering innovation and efficiency in their production landscape.