【Mold Processing Challenge Ranking】 Over 40% cite 'Labor Shortage' as No. 1. Challenges and Prospects for 'Lead Time Reduction' through Automation

Applied Technology Co., Ltd. (Kita-ku, Osaka; President: Takahiro Konishi) conducted a survey on the 'Current State of Challenges and Automation in Mold Processing' targeting professionals in the manufacturing industry. While machinery in mold processing has evolved, the creation of processing data still relies heavily on the experience and intuition of veteran craftsmen. Issues such as 'difficulty in training young workers,' 'complex software operation,' and 'inability to keep up with data preparation for night-time operation' are major barriers to productivity. The survey revealed that approximately 40% of respondents are seeking automation for 'CAM processing path generation.' The survey highlights that 40% of sites feel a 'labor shortage,' indicating a critical lack of resources. Additionally, high maintenance costs for CAM software and inadequate training systems were cited as challenges. There is a strong expectation for 'lead time reduction' and 'reduction of human error' through automation, with over half of the companies willing to invest around 500,000 yen annually. To address these issues, Applied Technology provides 'MillEdge.hub Automation,' which automates CAD/CAM tasks and significantly reduces processing time.