Kitamura Machinery and DOCOMO develop 5G solution for remote machine tool operation

April 7, 2021

Kitamura Machinery and NTT DOCOMO to commercialize “Auto-Part-Producer 5G”

On March 23, 2021, Kitamura Machinery, a machining center builder, announced that it will jointly develop a next-generation digital solution called “Auto-Part-Producer 5G” with the Hokuriku Branch of NTT DOCOMO.

“Auto-Part-Producer 5G” is a system that enables remote operation of machine tools using 5G. Kitamura Machinery originally developed a solution called “Auto-Part-Producer” in 2018, which allows a machine tool to be automatically operated by importing 3D CAD data into an NC device.

The new version, developed in collaboration with DOCOMO, processes 3D CAD data in the cloud and transmits it to the machine tool in real time via 5G. Thanks to 5G’s high speed and large capacity, large CAD files can be sent directly to machines without delay, even from a cloud-based system. This enables operators to control multiple machine tools remotely, with real-time response and automation.

The “Auto-Part-Producer 5G” solution is scheduled for commercial launch in April 2023.

New 5G development base established in Toyama

To support the development of these solutions, the two companies have established the “KITAMURA Innovation Factory (KIF)” at Kitamura Machinery’s head office plant in Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture, also on March 23, 2021. KIF will serve as a joint development base for 5G-enabled digital manufacturing solutions.