- Makino Asia’s smart factory leverages automation and digitalisation to increase its total machine production capacity by almost double
- Rollout of Makino Asia’s Workforce Transformation initiative to upskill employees to adopt automation and digital technologies to remain relevant
- Energy saving, and efficiency is a key feature of the facility with nearly 2,400 megawatt hours of solar energy expected to be generated annually – equivalent to reduction of 1,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions or removal of around 200 cars from Singapore roads.
Singapore, 11 April 2019 – Makino Asia, a leading provider of machine tools used across various industries including automotive, aerospace, medical, semiconductor and electronics, showcased its smart factory at its regional headquarters in Singapore. The facility is designed to meet the growing demand for high-quality products and sophisticated precision engineering capabilities in Asia by adopting Industry 4.0 and the principles of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). The smart factory consists of an assembly factory and state-of-the-art machining factory, leveraging seamless automation and digital technologies to achieve high levels of productivity and connectivity between its robots, machines and other peripheral systems.
The combined facility is expected to increase machine production capacity to almost double its previous capacity. The new machining factory and existing assembly factory are connected by a link bridge for staff, and a canopy area for the transfer of materials between the two factories using automated guided forklifts (AGF).
The facility is also fitted with energy-saving and efficient solutions: green energy from installed solar panels within the compound helps to generate about 2,400 megawatt hours of energy annually. This is equivalent to taking 200 cars off the road, avoiding 1,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions over the same period. In the machining factory, a chilled ceiling system is used to ensure maximum energy efficiency of its air-conditioning system while maintaining high quality, reliability and optimum performance of Makino Asia’s manufacturing operations.
Mr Neo Eng Chong, CEO and President of Makino Asia said, “Makino strives for a ‘Quality First’ mindset across the organisation, from the manufacturing of our products to the development of our people and the business. We are extremely proud of our expanded smart facility in Singapore that will enable Makino Asia to better support our Customers in the region and Singapore’s vision to become a global Advanced Manufacturing hub.”
He added, “The automation and digitalisation of the entire facility serves as a way for us to achieve increased productivity, capacity or energy efficiency. More importantly, it embodies our vision to provide more than just machines for our Customers, by providing the most effective and efficient solutions that meet their needs. The establishment of the IoT Centre to provide real-time support is another milestone to enrich partnerships with our valued Customers.”
The monitoring and tracking of machine conditions in real-time enables Makino Asia to provide proactive and predictive services to Customers. This ensures optimum machine performance at all times so that Customers are able to consistently deliver high quality products.
Mr Lim Swee Nian, Assistant Managing Director of the Singapore Economic Development Board said, “Global precision engineering manufacturing leaders are accelerating the adoption and deployment of Advanced Manufacturing technologies from Singapore, to better serve the evolving needs of their Customers. We are pleased that Makino will be deepening its 45-year presence in Singapore through the launch of its digital transformation journey. As Makino Asia focuses on building its Industry 4.0 capabilities to develop and scale new solutions, we are confident that it will create value-added roles and upskilling opportunities for Singapore to succeed in the digital manufacturing economy.”
Makino Asia embarked on its digital transformation journey in 2016 with a plan to invest around S$100 million over five years to expand and boost the capabilities of its facility in Singapore. The company also established two new departments focused on automation and digitalisation to catalyse digital transformation in the company.
Besides having “smart” machines and solutions, Makino is committed to upskilling all its employees to keep up with fast and ever-changing developments in the manufacturing landscape. Makino Asia’s new and current employees undergo a Workforce Transformation program focused on equipping them with automation skills, digital literacy skills and safety skillsets. The courses are mandatory for all employees to keep abreast of the digital technologies being used to manage automated equipment.
The manufacturing sector in Singapore remains a key pillar of Singapore’s economy. It accounts for around 21 per cent of Singapore’s nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 14 per cent of the total workforce. Rapid technological advancements and digitalisation are changing the face of manufacturing. Developments in Advanced Manufacturing presents opportunities for companies to leverage on new technologies to drive productivity and growth.
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Burson Cohn & Wolfe
Charu Srivastava
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About Makino Asia
Makino Asia has a long history of introducing innovative solutions that boost productivity and profitability. Makino Asia has since developed into a fully integrated manufacturing company, incorporating research and development (R&D), engineering, production and business administration under one roof. By integrating visionary digital technologies with premium performance machines, Makino helps companies fundamentally transform.
Makino Asia produces the PS, Slim3n, F and E series milling machines, EDAF and EDNC series sinker electrical discharge machines, and U and Uj series wire electrical discharge machines in the Singapore facility.
The China facility in Kunshan, Jiangsu manufactures the EDGE sinker series electrical discharge machines and U series wire electrical discharge machines. Makino Asia’s India plant in Bangalore, Karnataka produces the Slim3n milling machines.
For more information, visit Makino Asia’s website at
www.makino.com.sg
Watch news coverage of Makino Asia's More Than Just Machines launch event where its its smart factory and digital technologies were unveiled
