[Case study – Introduction to Thailand: 5 axis control vertical machining center] Fully utilizing Okuma's intelligent technology to meet the needs for high quality, short delivery times and cost savings

Phanoomphai Precision Co., Ltd., which handles automobile parts and molds, is a technical professional group that continues to support the development of the Thai automobile industry. As a strategic machine for the next generation, the company introduced a 5-axis controlled vertical machining center and intelligent multi-task machine equipped with advanced intelligent technology.

▲ Intelligent multi-tasking machine "MULTUS B400II" (front) and 5-axis control vertical machining center "MU-6300V" (back) operating in a factory environment that has acquired ISO9001 certification.

Ever since encountering an Okuma machine at a technical training attended in a Japanese factory, Wanichi had been dreaming of "someday using the Okuma machine at his own factory"

In Nonghong, Chonburi Province, eastern Bangkok, the factory of Phanoomphai Precision Co., Ltd. that manufactures important parts and machining molds for major automobile manufacturers has the most-advanced-and-latest Okuma machines, which are eye-catching for visitors. 5 axis control vertical machining center "MU-6300V", intelligent multi-tasking machine "MULTUS B400II", and 1 saddle CNC lathe "LB3000EX".

All these machines are equipped with many optional functions, representing the company's commitment to technology. It is also a place where the founder, President Wanichi Kiriya, has realized his long-standing dream. "In the early 1990s, I was assigned to a large factory in Japan for half a year to receive technical training. As a Thai engineer, although I had been longing for Okuma machines, that was the first time I saw them up close. Since then, my goal has been to install and use Okuma machines in my factory."

The president, who spoke with nostalgia, learned skills such as operations and maintenance of CNC machines at the training site, and established Phanoomphai Precision Co., Ltd. in 1996. Taking advantage of the opportunity to develop the automobile industry promoted by the government, Thailand has grown so rapidly that it is called "Detroit of Asia". Meanwhile, Mr. Wanich Kiriya has developed the company into an "excellent technical professional group" through things such as acquiring ISO9001 certification.

▲Mr. Wanich kiriya, President, talks about the automotive industry and his company's strategy for 10 and 20 years in the future with solid insight

Promoting process integration and labor savings of complex parts and mold machining with the expected high rigidity and intelligent technology that is far beyond expectations

Even though it was his favorite brand, when President Wanich selected models for 5-axis processing machines and multi-task machines, he did not choose Okuma unconditionally. In addition to being a large capital investment, in order to use the government’s low-interest loans (SME) for supporting the introduction of advanced equipment, it was necessary to pass rigorous assessments.

Therefore, he collected information from each dealer, used the internet to compare and examine the models of various machine tool manufacturers, and took the opportunity of visiting Japan to check the machine structure and actual operating conditions at Okuma's headquarters factory. After all of that, he was convinced of the reliability of the Okuma machines.

Right after the introduction, it was proven that the president's judgment was correct. The structure of the machine, which he had longed for for numerous years with his own knowledge and experience, exhibited the high rigidity that is essential for high-precision machining, and also controls the thermal displacement of the machine rationally (thermo-friendly concept) to clear strict contour shapes and dimensional tolerances.

Further, the many intelligent technologies that were installed as options brought amazing results to the staff at the site and became indispensable. For example, "Five Tuning" which automatically adjusts the time-and-labor-intensive work to correct geometric errors before machining with a 5-axis processing machine in just 10 minutes.

There was also the high-speed contour machining function "Super-NURBS" which realizes a high-speed and high-quality machining surface by optimally controlling the acceleration by curved surface machining typically for a mold. Additionally, "Machining Navi Mi" maintains high-quality machining by automatically changing chatter vibrations measured by a sensor to the optimum spindle rotation speed, and other machining is easily realized that would be difficult even for skilled workers.” As a result, we have achieved a great deal of process integration and labor savings compared to when 3-axis process machines were mainly used.

▲5 axis control vertical machining center "MU-6300V"

Develop a capital investment strategy and focus on human resource development with a view to the next changes in the industrial structure

The introduction of the Okuma machines in 2017 was aimed at the priority industries (next-generation automobiles, smart electronics, robots, aviation/logistics, etc.) indicated in the government's long-term economic vision for "Thailand 4.0", but President Wanichi is looking even further ahead.

“In the future, the number of parts in automobiles will decrease sharply due to the shift to EVs, and factories will become smart factories. Accumulating know-how and developing human resources are important to manage a paradigm shift in a changing era. The introduction of Okuma machines is considered to be a run-up to cope with it."

▲ Efficiently perform 5-axis machining by making full use of intelligent technologies such as Super-NURBS, Five Tuning, and Machining Navigation.

With this in mind, most of the employees who handle machine tools at Phanoomphai Precision Co., Ltd. create their own programs and also learn CAD/CAM design techniques. Phanoomphai Precision's vision, which aims to further raise the level of “QCD (quality, cost consciousness, and delivery time) + high-quality service” as an advanced technical professional group, rather than pursuing volume, is as clear, wide and limit-less as the blue sky.

Phanoomphai Precision Co., Ltd.
82 Moo 5, Nonghong Phanthong, Chonburi 20160, Thailand
Tel : +66(0)3-815-8072-3
Established in 1996. 60 employees.
Website : http://www.pnp.co.th/

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