NACHI-FUJIKOSHI: Streamlining routine inspections with remote monitoring—energizing company-wide maintenance.

Interview conducted with Mr. Shirai, Production Engineering Dept., Robot Manufacturing Plant, NACHI-FUJIKOSHI Corp.

Participants (from left in photo)

• Mr. Shirai, General Manager, Production Engineering Dept., Robot Manufacturing Plant, NACHI-FUJIKOSHI
• Mr. Suzuki, Senior Engineer, Production Engineering Dept., Robot Manufacturing Plant, NACHI-FUJIKOSHI

Theme

Streamlining daily inspections through remote monitoring—activating maintenance across the entire organization.

Please tell us about your business.

As a comprehensive machinery manufacturer contributing to manufacturing worldwide, we operate diverse businesses, including Materials (specialty steels, industrial furnaces), Machining (tools, machine tools), Functional Components (bearings, hydraulic equipment), Engineering, and—in this case—Robotics. We have production sites in Japan and overseas; the Robotics division has two locations: our Toyama site in Japan and a factory in China. Consolidated net sales total ¥258 billion, with strong demand in China, and automotive-related products account for roughly half of sales.
In Robotics, we previously focused mainly on spot-welding robots for automotive plants, but in recent years we launched the compact MZ series and expanded into the electrical and electronics industry. 

What challenges did you face, and what led to adopting LiLz Gauge?

With many pieces of production equipment on site, daily inspections are essential. However, given our scale, inspections weren’t handled by dedicated staff; frontline personnel verified equipment checks themselves, which led to occasional oversights.
Concretely, at start-of-shift we had numerous items to check—cranes on the shop floor, compressors, torque wrenches, and more—so it took time. Paper check sheets were handwritten, inviting errors; even a 10-minute inspection repeated multiple times a day accumulates into a large annual workload.
Seeking to properly manage such omissions, we looked for a remote management solution and learned about LiLz Gauge, which led to our adoption. 

What specific effects have you seen from introducing LiLz Gauge?

We installed LiLz Gauge at locations that take about 10 minutes round-trip on foot from the office, as well as at inspection points high off the ground where there is potential for industrial accidents. We now monitor items such as over-temperature prevention in ducts, refrigerant pressure gauges, and current values.
We can monitor remotely without visiting the site during inspections, enabling early detection of equipment anomalies and faster response.

What are your future plans?

Currently, LiLz Gauge is deployed on selected equipment. Our plan is to expand it across the entire Robotics division and establish a robust maintenance environment. 

Customer: NACHI-FUJIKOSHI Corp.
Interviewees: Mr. Shirai (General Manager), Mr. Suzuki (Senior Engineer), Production Engineering Dept., Robot Manufacturing Plant
Business Overview: Materials / Machining / Functional Components / Engineering / Robotics

For a cost-simulation or consultation on introducing LiLz Gauge, please contact us. Phone and email are available. For a more detailed proposal, we recommend a ~30-minute web meeting.