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Spring 2-Day Internship - Factory Automation and Industrial Robotics

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Guangze Yang
Guangze Yang
Master of Control System, Ibaraki University

Duration: February 27-28, 2025
Content: Factory tour, department briefings, networking events

Impressive Automated Factory Tour​

I was deeply impressed by the tour of the automated factory's production lines. The factory utilizes in-house robots and servo motors to build production lines that manufacture their own products, directly contributing to sales revenue. The nearly unmanned factory operates 24 hours a day, supplying tens of thousands of products annually to customers worldwide.

Production Line Structure​

The production lines are organized as follows:

🏭 FA Division: CNC systems, servo motors, servo amplifiers
↓
🤖 Robot Division: Various robot arms
↓
⚙️ Robomachine Division: Processing machinery

Technical Excellence and Competitive Advantage​

The company possesses comprehensive technical capabilities from component design to complete production machinery, all designed and manufactured in-house. Their CNC systems use closed specifications that external companies cannot access, creating extremely high technological uniqueness and competitive advantage.

Indeed, this company is a world-class industrial robot manufacturer with high added value and profit margins.

Work-Life Balance Observations​

However, observing employee work patterns revealed that working until 9:30 PM four days a week is common. Additionally, since the workplace is located in a rural area, there are limited recreational options for weekends, making it easy to fall into a work-centered lifestyle.

Japanese Original​

Spring 2Days Internship

自動化工場の生産ラインを見学し、非常に感動しました。自社製のロボットやサーボモーターを活用して組み立てられた生産ラインで、自社製品を生産し、そのまま売上につなげている点がとても印象的でした。ほぼ無人の工場は24時間稼働しており、年間数万点以上の商品を世界中に供給しています。

生産ラインは以下のように分類されています：

  • FA部門：CNCシステム、サーボモーター、サーボアンプ
  • ロボット部門：各種ロボットアーム
  • ロボマシン部門：加工機械

部品設計から一連の生産加工機械まで、すべてを自社で設計・生産できる技術力を持っており、CNCシステムは外部企業が利用できないクローズドな仕様になっているため、技術の独自性と競争優位性が非常に高いと感じました。実際、同社は世界トップクラスの産業ロボットメーカーであり、高い付加価値と利益率を誇っています。

一方で、社員の働き方を見ると、週4日夜9時半まで残業するのが一般的であり、勤務地も地方にあるため、週末に気軽に遊びに行ける場所が少ないこともわかりました。そのため、仕事中心の生活になりやすい環境だと感じました。

Key Industry Insights​

🏭 Vertical Integration Advantages​

  • Self-Reliant Production: Using own robots to manufacture own products
  • Closed-Loop Value Creation: Internal capabilities driving external sales
  • Technology Protection: Proprietary CNC systems maintaining competitive moats

🌐 Global Manufacturing Scale​

  • 24/7 Operations: Unmanned factory systems enabling continuous production
  • International Reach: Tens of thousands of units supplied globally
  • High-Value Manufacturing: Premium positioning in industrial robotics market

⚖️ Work Culture Considerations​

  • Intensive Work Schedule: Extended hours as standard practice
  • Geographic Isolation: Rural location limiting lifestyle options
  • Career vs Lifestyle: Strong technical environment with work-life balance trade-offs

🎯 Professional Development Value​

  • Cutting-Edge Technology: Exposure to world-class automation systems
  • End-to-End Understanding: Complete production chain visibility
  • Industry Leadership: Learning from top-tier manufacturing practices

Overall Assessment: Exceptional technical environment with significant learning opportunities, balanced against intensive work culture and geographic considerations.