Industry trends
With the working population declining, many industries are increasingly facing labor shortages. In the automotive sector, technological innovations-particularly those related to CASE-have been advancing year by year. Components and production systems are changing, while quality requirements are higher than ever. There are concerns about workloads being concentrated on specific engineers and insufficient time to deal with quality control. To meet the needs of a market with limited labor, the productivity of each operation must increase.
Meanwhile, all industries face a common challenge in environmental issues. As climate change intensifies and demands that corporations fulfill their responsibilities increase, business partners, consumers and other stakeholders are placing increasing importance on environmental considerations. Production sites are expected to swiftly implement energy-saving and decarbonization measures, alongside the needed productivity improvements.
Solutions
Here, we showcase the capabilities of Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems using examples involving issues widely prevalent in the automotive industry.
Digitalizing cranes for safer and more reliable transport
Transporting heavy objects is a necessary part of the automotive industry. As such, it is vital to improve the skills of operators so that heavy objects can be moved without collisions or other accidents. Many companies are struggling with a shortage of transport operators. Regular inspections are required for cranes, and tasks such as creating inspection reports and performing maintenance are often considered burdensome.
Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems inverter-type hoists are equipped with standard features that ensure they are operated safely, regardless of the operator's skill level. Load swing control reduces the swing of suspended loads when stopped. The ground clearance assist function confirms that hoisted loads have sufficient ground clearance and the overloading prevention function automatically stops the hoists when they are overloaded. These functions increase the safety of transportation using cranes. The equipment monitoring service enables operations to be monitored remotely using a computer or smart device, reduce the maintenance burden on management.
Common challenges
- Insufficient operator skill levels
- Desire to streamline maintenance operations
Example solutions
- Load swing control and ground clearance assist functions make it safe for anyone to use the cranes
- The equipment monitoring service uses operational data and increases the efficiency of operations management
Related products and solutions
Hitachi Connected Service
An IoT-enabled equipment monitoring service that helps reduce downtime by quickly detecting abnormalities.
Crane System
Equipped with a standard load swing control function. This enables even inexperienced workers to transport suspended loads quickly.
- The availability of products and services may vary depending on your country or region. For more information, please contact your local distributor.
It also contributes to energy savings and environmental sustainability.
The industry as a whole must consider the environment. Air compressors are estimated to account for 25% of the power consumed by plants and factories. Automotive factories in particular face very high electricity bills as they use a massive amount of compressed air for many different purposes. For this reason, many companies have a strong awareness of energy-saving measures and initiatives, such as locally boosting the pressure of a system when the overall system is at a lower pressure. Still, inefficient pressure boost valves are frequently used.
Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems offers an extensive range of energy-saving, high-efficiency products that help factories save energy. These include air compressors and green products that help reduce the environmental impact. We also strive to balance the stable supply of products with a reduced environmental impact by implementing a recurring business model to support the entire process from use to maintenance, replacement and recycling.
Common challenges
- Minimizing factory power consumption
- Advancing initiatives for reducing factory CO2 emissions
- Reducing pollution risks
Example solutions
- Propose an optimal option from among many energy-saving products
- Build an efficient system for reusing waste heat from air compressors
- Use transformers with soybean-derived insulation oil to reduce pollution risks
Related products and solutions
Air compressors
Available in series ranging from small to large, we offer optimal air compressor options with the right quantity, voltage and for the right place.
Transformers
Our transformers help stabilize power supply while improving energy efficiency and disaster preparedness. We have an extensive lineup of transformers, ranging from high voltage to extra-high voltage transformers.
SANFEMS neo
It is a comprehensive factory energy monitoring system. It examines how energy is used and rationalizes and optimizes equipment operations.
Green products
We have a broad range of green products, including energy-saving, high efficiency and eco-friendly options.
- The availability of products and services may vary depending on your country or region. For more information, please contact your local distributor.
Flexibly achieve the shift to IoT technologies based on site conditions
Companies are increasingly seeking to bolster their productivity by shifting to equipment using IoT technologies to manage production data or adapt in the face of the transition to high-mix small-lot production. However, many automotive manufacturers must manage a variety of processes such as press work, coating and assembly, and so they often separate their factories into two or more workplaces. A system where geographically dispersed equipment is centrally controlled can be hard to use and some see this as a problem. Many organizations have requested that systems be connected not only to on-site systems, but also to higher-level, mission-critical systems and to the networks of partner companies.
Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems designs systems optimized to handle the conditions faced by the customer. Regardless of the difficulty of the requests we receive, we carefully interview staff and examine worksites to propose solutions based on a holistic concept of the system in consideration of energy-saving and maintenance measures. We help achieve the transition to IoT technology, leveraging the reliable development capabilities that every Hitachi Group company has accumulated. Please contact us if you wish to utilize your existing equipment or systems. Simple steps, such as the installation of controllers, may make it possible to remotely monitor equipment and connect equipment to networks.
Common challenges
- Control the operation of separate factories’ air compressors in accordance with production plans
- Improve IoT equipment by linking it to higher-level mission-critical systems
Example solutions
- A system for simultaneously monitoring and automatically controlling multiple compressors
- IoT-compliant industrial controllers that can be used with existing devices
Related products and solutions
Compressor group control system
Geographically dispersed pieces of equipment are collectively controlled in line with the operation schedules of multiple factories. Energy consumption and air supply are optimized.
IoT industrial controller
It is a controller that can be used to control and monitor equipment in a broad range of areas. Compatible with IoT technologies and global expansion strategies, it meets the diverse needs of customers.
- The availability of products and services may vary depending on your country or region. For more information, please contact your local distributor.
Accurate insulation monitoring system avoiding unnecessary operations
Many factories have introduced ground leakage relays and ground leakage circuit breakers to prevent fires and electric shocks. In the automotive industry, where numerous welding machines may be used, the harmonic components of leakage current can increase and cause equipment to operate unnecessarily at times. This phenomenon is often seen as making it hard to work efficiently.
Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems’ low-voltage insulation monitoring system removes harmonic components and capacitor components from leakage current and accurately identifies the active leakage current, which may cause electric shocks and fires. This can eliminate unnecessary operations and help detect signs of deteriorating insulation at an early stage, without requiring a lot of labor.
Common challenges
- A lot of time is spent on unnecessary earth leakage relay operations
- Measuring leakage current is time consuming.
Example solutions
- Insulation monitoring system to accurately identify the active leakage current
Related products and solutions
i-moni low-voltage insulation monitoring system
A 24-hour low-voltage insulation monitoring system. i-moni prevents accidents such as electrical fires and sudden power outages.
- The availability of products and services may vary depending on your country or region. For more information, please contact your local distributor.
The expertise of the Hitachi Group is leveraged in consulting activities
The needs of production sites are becoming increasingly complex. For instance, companies aim to minimize equipment investment and maintenance costs while also improving their equipments. Measures to save energy and connect with local facilities must also be considered. Comprehensive system optimization requires expertise in both the IoT and equipment operations.
Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems combines high-quality products with digital solutions to propose solutions tailored to the customer’s needs. This ability leverages the broad expertise and experience accumulated by the Hitachi Group. The Group’s comprehensive strengths enable it to offer new ideas to address even the toughest challenges. For example, we propose maintenance plans that balance stable operation with the optimization of costs and efficient systems using operation data. We can also provide support for addressing environmental issues, such as the need to save energy and recycle products throughout factories. With a one-stop solution, we handle the entire process from the introduction of products to system development, maintenance and environmental measures. We partner with our customers to create new value.
Common challenges
- Problems are so wide-ranging that it is hard to know where to begin
- Creating a budget for investing in and maintaining equipment is difficult
- Managing all equipment in-house is difficult
Example solutions
- Providing consulting services on the optimal use of equipment, based on a holistic view of the production site
- Additionally considering equipment leases and subscription services when discussing plans
- Analyzing data to look for telltale signs of wear and proposing preemptive maintenance
Related products and solutions
LCM services
LCM services optimize production sites. They support the entire process from equipment introduction to maintenance and energy-saving activities.
- The availability of products and services may vary depending on your country or region. For more information, please contact your local distributor.
Inquiries
Contact us for inquiries about our products and quotations.
