Electrical discharge machine introduced by Nagatsu Manufacturing as part of its work automation efforts.

Nagatsu Seisakusho will begin automating its main plant to improve the efficiencyof machining die parts. The company will introduce work changers for 5-axis machining centers (MC) and other equipment to replace processed parts. The company plans to introduce several 5-axis MCs and work changers as a set if they are utilized smoothly. The installation cost is about 10 million yen. Workers without machining skills only need to take the workpiece and electrodes in and out of the shelves at the site. The company's domestic sales are about 1.6 billion yen. However, the domestic mold market is shrinking. Rather than expanding sales, this automation initiative is aimed at strengthening cost competitiveness and promoting work style reform. Once the automation at the head office plant gets going, the company plans to start automation at the Niigata plant in Mitsuke City, Niigata Prefecture in two to three years. (= September 18, 2019, photo credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images)