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Revolutionizing Factory Automation with 3D.Core

Amano Steel Ball Manufacturing Co., Ltd. has made a significant leap in enhancing its factory automation and optimization processes by implementing Bestat Inc.'s cloud-based service, 3D.Core. This innovative platform will serve as a foundation for constructing a physical AI environment, essential for the integration of collaborative robots.

Background of the Implementation

Amano Steel Ball, headquartered in Kadoma City, Osaka, has been a leading manufacturer of steel balls for over a century. Their products cater to various industries, including automotive, aerospace, industrial machinery, wind power generation, and satellites. The company has established several production sites both domestically and globally, maintaining a position as one of the top manufacturers in the steel ball market.

The introduction of 3D.Core aligns with their strategy to strengthen competitiveness and increase productivity while efficiently accumulating sophisticated know-how as data within the organization. Amano Steel Ball has recognized an urgent need for approaching 3D data management in a way that alleviates pressure on the design department, enabling the production planning team to rapidly prepare 3D data linked to overall optimal factory automation design simulations.

Addressing Challenges in 3D Data Management

During their research into general preparation processes for implementing physical AI, the team at Amano Steel Ball identified a challenge: the time and labor required for organizing 3D data. The evaluation of 3D.Core highlighted its capability to allow members of the production planning department to acquire and arrange 3D data without relying on the design team. Furthermore, it facilitates a seamless connection to existing 3D factory simulation software, making 3D.Core a practical solution for their needs.

Supporting Collaborative Robot Implementation

With the adoption of 3D.Core, Amano Steel Ball aims to construct virtual environments by utilizing the captured and modeled equipment data within this fiscal year. The initial focus will be on verification of collaborative robot movements and interference checks, paving the way for a deeper level of factory automation. The accumulated 3D data will serve as the foundation for ongoing efforts towards achieving next-generation factory management.

“Amano Steel Ball is not just a manufacturer; they're innovators in their field,” said Naoko Matsuda, CEO of Bestat. “Being involved in their process to transform field insights into 3D data, a common language for all stakeholders, is a great honor.”

Insights from the Team

Comments from the leadership of Amano Steel Ball reflect the company's commitment to fostering improvement and automation. Riku Matsumoto from the production planning team shared, “Testing a wealth of ideas to inform optimal decision-making is essential for advancing site improvements and automation. By leveraging 3D.Core, we can replicate actual equipment information in a digital space, allowing validations that were previously limited to on-site operations.”

He emphasized the importance of accelerating the introduction of collaborative robots and improving productivity, highlighting a shared goal to enhance competitiveness and efficiency within their manufacturing processes.

About 3D.Core

3D.Core is a sophisticated platform developed by Bestat, which originates from the research conducted at the University of Tokyo’s Matsuo Laboratory. This platform enhances industrial applications by converting diverse types of data—images, videos, point clouds, and 360-degree videos—into high-precision 3D formats, supporting tasks from acquisition to utilization and management seamlessly.

Currently, it is being implemented widely in the manufacturing and infrastructure sectors to create digital twins, improve production techniques, carry out equipment maintenance checks, and optimize layouts, ultimately bridging the gap between real-world operations and digital environments.

Explore more on 3D.Core at Bestat’s official website.