In April 2022, a new building, the "Mechanical Engineering Department Comprehensive Experiment and Training Building" was completed on the campus of Saitama Institute of Technology in Fukaya City, Saitama Prefecture.It is a new base for cultivating “digital manufacturing human resources” for the next generation of the digital age.

 


 

 The integrated experiment and training building, which has started operation this time, will support active experiments, practical training, and research in the department of mechanical engineering, such as functional aspects and communication, by consolidating the experiment and training rooms that have been scattered throughout the campus. It is intended toA two-story factory zone with a total floor area of ​​approximately 2000m2, which combines active FACTORY and LABO. The layout and experimental equipment are designed to flexibly respond to various needs, and are arranged according to the changing times. At the same time, you can experience the latest digital manufacturing equipment. Professor Naoki Kawata, Dean of the Department of Mechanical Engineering Science, Faculty of Engineering, says he wants to shift from manufacturing sites called 3K to 3S (Safety, Sustainable, Satisfaction), and to nurture engineers who will lead the DX era.

 The foundation of Japanese manufacturing, which has built up the Made in Japan brand, including industrial products that require advanced technology, good quality, and precision, is now in a difficult situation.It goes without saying that the driving force of the global economy is shifting to Asian countries.

 A pressing issue in the field of industry is the delay in digitization.Of course, although there are differences depending on the size of the company, delays in digitization are also delays in education.To be more specific, Professor Kawata says that he hears from companies that data is not fully utilized in the field, that there is a shortage of human resources that can utilize it, and that there is a need for "on-site capabilities."

 However, the delay in digitization referred to here is not a simple problem that can be solved by increasing the number of human resources who can digitize, mechanize, and process with personal computers.

 In the first place, what is "good" and "value" in industrial products produced by machines?
There is no single definition.The answer is different for each product.

 There is no doubt that many of the things craftsmen have created through years of experience will be replaced by data and machines in the future.However, after considering various factors such as needs, production costs, time, and the environment, determining the criteria for what is considered "good" and the definition of "value" for each and every product will take into account how advanced digitalization has progressed. Even so, it is still human work.

 At Saitama Institute of Technology, in parallel with learning digital skills such as programming, AI, and IoT, you can learn processing techniques from veteran craftsmen, and experience various situations in an environment equipped with cranes just like in an actual company factory. Emphasis is placed on the students themselves moving their hands and experiencing things.

 

 

 For example, in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, there is practical training in cutting that uses sensors to measure the behavior of the machining state.In this practice, changes in data from measurements are matched with sensory experiences of manufacturing, such as appearance, sounds and smells during processing.Why do we have to match?It is only when students themselves can understand with their heads and five senses what the actual "good" and "bad" are in terms of numbers and physics that they can "guess" what the changes in the data mean. ” because you will be able to do it.

 And that will lead to the skills that lead to the definition of the "value" of each product, and the "on-site power" required by companies and society.In fact, the efforts of the Mechanical Engineering Department of Saitama Institute of Technology, and the accumulation of these efforts, have been highly evaluated by companies, and have been reflected in employment records, and have been ranked higher in the employment rankings of famous major companies.

 Ingenuity to cultivate "on-site capabilities" can be seen everywhere.In the new general experiment and training building, there is a large space without walls or pillars, which serves as a so-called "partition". While second-year students practice, third- and fourth-year students work on experiments and graduation research alongside them. Second-year students looked at themselves one or two years from now, and created an environment in which they could think about what they should do now, raise their motivation, and work on practical training.

 

 

 In addition, considering that the equipment to be used will change depending on the future of the student, various equipment is prepared in the practical training room.By touching and thinking about many items, even if the things to deal with change from when you were a student after getting a job, it is a consideration so that you can respond flexibly.

 Thanks to the development of communication and video technology, we are now able to have various experiences and virtual experiences regardless of location.Furthermore, due to the risk of new coronavirus infection, contactlessness is progressing in society.But we know instinctively that the experience of actual touch brings us experiences of inexplicable significance.That is why, even under such risky conditions, people are trying to restore a world where they can touch, experience, and actually meet people.

 Professor Sachio Fukushima, Vice President and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, said, "In Japan, where resources are scarce, the value of manufacturing unique to Japan that can be proud of to the world is indispensable." In addition, our challenge is how to connect the digital world with the real world of manufacturing.

 Furthermore, in collaboration with the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, which is the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of our university, we would like to take on the challenge of manufacturing as a whole at Saitama Institute of Technology. Developing human resources who can contribute to the future of the industrial world, aiming to move from the 3K (Tough, Dirty, and Dangerous) workplace to a 3S (Safety, Sustainable, Satisfaction), safe, sustainable, and highly satisfying manufacturing workplace. I would like to work on it," he said.

 

 

Saitama Institute of Technology Vice President and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering

Professor Sachio Fukushima

He has business experience in industry, government and academia, including private companies and public research institutes, and is currently developing research mainly on IoT technology in manufacturing.He has a Ph.D. (Engineering).

 

 

Saitama Institute of Technology Faculty of Engineering Department of Mechanical Engineering

Professor Naoki Kawata

With 20 years of experience in product development and production technology development at a private company, he is currently conducting research on visualization of machinery, railway vehicles and small mobility.He has a Ph.D. (Engineering).

 

Saitama Institute of Technology

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Based on the philosophy of "fusion and harmony between technology and humanity" and the spirit of founding based on the Buddhist spirit, we are training human resources such as engineers and practitioners who can contribute to society as the core of society.In the 2 faculties and 5 departments of the Faculty of Human and Social Studies and the Faculty of Engineering, the educational team with rich individuality is finely tuned and polite […]

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