As a means of strengthening operations in the Copper & Copper Alloy business, we are working to improve yield rates and production capacity at copper product production sites, and to utilize development and production data at plants with the aim of streamlining operations.
To date, we have developed a data infrastructure used for collecting and accumulating data from various equipment at our plants and using it for trend analysis, and implemented a proof of concept (PoC) related to trend analysis of defects to optimize manufacturing conditions.
Looking ahead, to swiftly and efficiently drive improvement activities that utilize plant data in light of the results gained from the PoC, we will work on enhanced field data collection and accumulation for advanced analysis, and the cultivation of experts in data infrastructure utilization at each plant.
As a means of strengthening operations in the Metalworking Solutions business, we are working to build a global demand-supply management system for cemented carbide tools.
We have long faced operational challenges in responding quickly and appropriately to demand from end customers and distributors, and in developing optimal sales and production plans that reflect the supply-demand balance.
To address these challenges, we will work to develop more sophisticated demand, supply and logistics management systems utilizing DX. As of fiscal 2023, we have already introduced demand management tools and begun efforts to improve demand forecasting accuracy, and in fiscal 2024 we will develop supply management tools and systems, rolling them out to global sites.
To fulfill the social responsibility of ensuring the stable supply of clean power in the Renewable Energy business, improving the reliability of power plant operation is an important theme. To achieve this, the Renewable Energy business is working to develop more advanced operation utilizing digital technologies, and is pursuing the following three steps with the aim of achieving automated prediction and control, preventive maintenance and centralized remote control.
In geothermal and hydroelectric power generation, the security and maintenance patrol and inspection work at five power plants was digitalized, moving from printed forms to database recording using tablet devices. We are also working to speed up information sharing and simplify trend and anomaly analysis, and in the future, we will focus efforts on operational prediction and automation based on the visualization and simulation of operating information through the accumulation of operating data.
