5G solution for operating machine tools by remote control

April 7, 2021

Kitamura Machinery, a builder specializing in machining centers, announced on March 23, 2021 that it will jointly develop a next-generation digital solution “Auto-Part-Producer 5G” using 5G with NTT DoCoMo Hokuriku Branch.

“Auto-Part-Producer 5G” is a system which operates machine tools using 5G. In 2018, Kitamura Machinery developed a solution “Auto-Part-Producer” which operate a machine tool automatically after 3D CAD data is imported into an NC device.

The next-generation solution jointly developed with DoCoMo processes 3D CAD data on the cloud and transfer the data to the machine tool in real time using 5G. Since 5G is capable of high-speed and large-capacity communication, large-capacity 3D CAD data can be transferred to machine tools in real time even from the cloud. Operators will be able to control multiple machine tools by themselves as well as they operate by remote control.

“Auto-Part-Producer 5G” is scheduled to be commercialized in April 2023.

The two companies established “KITAMURA Innovation Factory (KIF)” at the head office factory of Kitamura Machinery in Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture on March 23, 2021 to develop solutions. KIF functions as a joint development base for 5G solutions.