[RTJ2022 Report] Over 40,000 people in three days (2/2)

August 5, 2022

ROBOT TECHNOLOGY JAPAN (RTJ) 2022, an exhibition of industrial robots and automation systems, was held at Aichi Sky Expo in Tokoname City, Aichi Prefecture, from June 30 to July 2.　The exhibition was organized by News Digest Publishing, which runs SEISANZAI Japan.　The exhibition, which was held for the first time, reflected the growing demand for automation in central Japan, and attracted a total of 41,880 visitors over the three days. Here is a look back at the three days of excitement.

Collaboration of machine tools and robots

A key feature of this exhibition was the active proposals by machine tool builders for collaboration with robots and automation systems for the metalworking industry. Various powerful proposals were presented for manufacturing sites where the need for automation is increasing.

Okuma’s “ARMROID” is as popular as ever

“ARMROID,” a CNC lathe “LB3000 EX II” with a built-in robot by Okuma, attracted a lot of attention from visitors. ARMROID was launched a couple of years ago, but “we are constantly receiving repeat orders from customers who have already installed it,” said an explanatory staff member.

DMG Mori exhibited “WH-AMR5,” an autonomous transport system equipped with a Cobot. It can run stably even on uneven floors and is capable of automating a wide range of tasks, from workpiece removal and attachment to in-plant logistics.

Yamazaki Mazak presented its “Ez LOADER Series” of automated cells. The Ez LOADER offers three “easy” advantages. In addition to being easy to operate with no need for complicated teaching, it can be connected to Yamazaki Mazak’s machine tools simply by connecting cables, making it easy to relocate the machine. Further, since operation programs can be easily created using dedicated software, the system can be flexibly customized.

Huge crowds at various events

During the RTJ, there were events organized by the organizers every day.

Special session with leading robot manufacturers received a great response

On the first day, a special session was held with leading robot manufacturers. Shu Yasumi, editor-in-chief of SEISANZAI Japan, moderated the session, which brought together senior executives from FANUC, YASKAWA Electric, DENSO WAVE, and ABB. The session, titled “How to Use Robots in the Future,” was extremely popular. Before the session began, there was a long line of people waiting for a cancellation, and during the session there were many visitors standing around to watch.

The Japan Factory Automation & Robot System Integrator Association held “SIer’s Day in Aichi” on the second day of the exhibition. About 180 people attended the event, from those involved in the SIer industry to general visitors.

On the final day, two special seminars titled “Learning Robot Utilization Methods from New Fields” were held: “Agricultural Robots” by inaho and “Space Robots” by Astroscale. Both seminars reached full capacity with advance reservations.

218 elementary school students from Tokoname City, Aichi Prefecture, visited the venue

On the morning of the second day, a total of 218 elementary school students from Tokoname City, Aichi Prefecture, toured the RTJ site. They visited the “Industrial Robots Experience Zone,” the “Agricultural Robots” and “Space Robots” exhibits, and the FANUC and DENSO WAVE booths, and came into contact with industrial robots that they would not normally have the chance to see. The little guests excitedly shared their impressions of the robots, saying that they were “fun” and “the robots move so fast”.

RTJ Reporting Team

DMG MORI exhibited its guideless self drive robot “WH-AMR5”