YKK AP Technologies Lab (NA) Opens xTech Lab

YKK AP began joint research in 2019 with Carnegie Mellon University (CMU; Pittsburg, Pennsylvania) on themes including windows and doors installation using robots and IT technology. This is aimed at utilizing R&D in the digital field to solve issues faced by the industry, such as the shortage of sash and curtain wall installation technicians at construction sites. YKK AP Technologies Lab (NA) Inc. was established in June 2022 and is working to cultivate digital global human resources from this base in the United States, a country with advanced technologies and personnel in the digital field. 

To further enhance its R&D efforts, YKK AP Technologies Lab opened xTech Lab inside Mill 19, a research space with a university, companies, and research institutions. xTech Lab is a place for surveys, research, and development on various digital component technologies. Efforts will be made for digitalization using 5G, robots, AI, and other technologies to promote “smart factorization,” one of the company’s priority measures. xTech Lab also strives to provide digital support for transforming YKK AP Group companies in Japan and abroad, including virtual factories to help build sustainable production structures that can immediately adapt to changes in the market (which is the true purpose of smart factorization). 

By opening this base at Mill 19 (where CMU has a research institute), YKK AP hopes to accelerate joint research and to boost installation productivity and quality. At this location that draws together advanced technologies, the company will generate innovations with an eye toward collaboration with many different research institutions. 

Example themes at xTech Lab 

Virtual factories 

Digital twin technology is used to create a virtual production environment on a computer for existing manufacturing lines. By simulating equipment layouts, processes, and other factors to optimize production activities in the factory, the aim is to build virtual ECM and SCM systems. The company plans to begin working on this theme at the end of FY2023. 

* Engineering chain management (ECM): The process comprising product planning, production planning, product development, production preparations, and production 

* Supply chain management (SCM): The process comprising estimates, order receipt, procurement, production, shipping, and collection 

5G

The company is building a local 5G network to verify the transmission of enormous amounts of data. By switching factory control networks from wired networks to 5G, it is striving to create automated, remote manufacturing sites with no human operators. The verification project has been completed, and the company is currently preparing to start an evaluation project inside a new factory. 

Robots

YKK AP is using robots to automate processing, transport, production, business tasks, and maintenance after completion. The company has built robots specialized in window-related tasks through joint research with CMU. Moreover, it is researching robots for different applications at xTech Lab, selecting robots that can be applied to its businesses and implementing robots for tasks and duties. The company is also striving to bring into practical use AI-equipped robots with different structures from humans. It is currently creating a range of robots and working to augment their functions, including automated driving. 

■ Overview of xTech Lab 

[Reference] Overview of YKK AP Technologies Lab (NA) Inc.