Kaji Metal Implements IBM-Dassault PLM Solution to Increase Efficiency of Aircraft Parts Machining
Tokyo, Japan, July 19, 2006 ─IBM Japan, Ltd. and Dassault Systèmes (Nasdaq: DASTY; Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA) announced today that Kaji Metal Industries, a pioneering aircraft parts manufacturer as well as a Boeing-authorized supplier, has dramatically increased productivity and cut labor costs using their PLM solutions in five-axis NC data generation.
“By using IBM and Dassault Systemes’ PLM solutions, we have been able to innovate in various ways: cutting down production lead time and reducing man-hours by using cutting edge technologies, for example,” says Yasumasa Kaji, President of Kaji Metal. “Staying abreast of and implementing the latest technologies allows us to maintain our competitive edge.”
Kaji Metal began generating five-axis NC data using CATIA V5 in September 2004: integrating modeling for jig design and machining shapes and performing CAM operations, while reproducing the machining process using “virtual machining” on IBM’s IntelliStation M Pro, which provides realistic machining simulations. 20 months on, Kaji Metal has generated NC programs for over 200 items and reduced man-hours by two-thirds. When taking into account the increasing complexity of parts, productivity has quadrupled.
Kaji Metal plans to use the knowledge ware and power copy features of CATIA V5 to increase design automation, and will focus efforts on further reductions in production lead times. As data volume grows managing it becomes increasingly important. The company plans to create framework to share design information with clients and to submit related data to business partners immediately, in response to their requests.
“By implementing and piloting our advanced solutions, Kaji Metal has started transforming its business and reaping the business benefits of PLM in the challenging aerospace industry. The company intends to increase its PLM investment, maximizing product innovation and delivering greater value to its customers now and in the future,” says Chris Bahr, Director, IBM Product Lifecycle Management, IBM Asia Pacific.
“In the aerospace industry reliability and safety are paramount, in the harshest conditions. Manufacturing companies need to provide products of the highest-quality, and corporate parts suppliers must respond promptly to customer requests,” says Christian Nardin, Managing Director, Dassault Systèmes Asia. “By adopting DS’ PLM solution, Kaji Metal will increase productivity by raising the quality of complex parts and improving the efficiency of the design process, to become even more competitive.”
The solution was implemented by .Kanematsu Electronics, an IBM Business partner.
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