Near the Japanese city Kisarazu a large white building rises. Inside, visitors are greeted by the buzz of motors. This is dozens of robots work continuously and produce consoles Playstation 4.
Only a few people are involved in the process, who need to perform a number of specific tasks: two bring bare motherboards to the line, and the other two are engaged in packaging the assembled consoles.
But the assembly itself is carried out exclusively by articulated robots from Mitsubishi Electric. Built in 2018, a production line with a length of 31.4 meters capable of releasing one new console every 30 seconds. It is called the real weapon of the PlayStation, since such performance is unique.
The production unit is responsible for managing the Kisarazu factory. Sony Global Manufacturing & Operations. SGMO worked closely with the gaming division to implement advanced technology at the facility. Sony Interactive Entertainment.
The use of machines for attaching wires, tapes and other flexible elements to the console is one of the main achievements of the site. These tasks are assigned “on shoulders” 26 of 32 robots presented at the factory. They deftly handle materials that most robots would be very picky about.
For example, in the case of attaching a flexible ribbon cable, one robotic arm is needed to hold it, and the other to twist. Then it must be attached in a certain direction using the correct pressure. For a person, such a task may turn out to be simple, but for a robot this is an extremely difficult maneuver.
“There is probably no other platform in the world where robots can perform this type of work. Each process, up to the final packaging, is automated. The combination of robotic and human labor has been carefully optimized taking into account the priority of return on investment.”
“We have created profitable production lines,” explained SGMO general architect Hiroyuki Kusakabe.
The focus on improving performance is rooted in the original PlayStation, which was released in Japan in December 1994. Brand First Console Designer Teyu Goto He concentrated his main attention on creating a gaming system that could be launched into mass production without much effort. It is reported that it was Goto who forced the Kisarazu plant engineers to increase productivity through advanced manufacturing technology.
As the console nears the end of its cycle, the model inevitably becomes a victim of declining sales and price competition. Thanks to continuous improvements, production lines are able to maintain profitability.
Released in November 2013 Playstation 4 During its existence, it has already sold over 100 million devices, and the number of PlayStation Plus subscribers has reached 41.5 million.
Sales of $ 93 billion and the profit of more than $ 9 billion generated for PS4 formed the basis for structural changes introduced by Sony’s former president and CEO Kazuo Hirai. He held this post from 2012 to 2018. Along with films, music and other divisions, the PlayStation gaming brand is now the center of a Japanese multinational corporation.
In the fall, Sony plans to launch Playstation 5whose competition will be Xbox Series X from Microsoft. Much for the brand will depend on how well the gaming community will accept the new system when it reaches the shelves.
Experts point out that Sony’s new production approach, which implies the ability to release one console in Japan every 30 seconds, can help a lot in situations where there is a shortage of devices on the market.
See also: Historical decision aimed at future business development: Sony changes its name
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