Case Study: Developing the New Piloted Robot: ARCHAX – TSUBAME INDUSTRIES

ARCHAX is the new human-piloted robot developed by TSUBAME INDUSTRIES Co., Ltd. which is attracting great attention in the industry. This newly designed robot, in fact, offers the world a unique experience resembling something out of science fiction, where individuals can actually board and control large robots. The AI-based procurement platform for mechanical parts, meviy, is the technical supporter in the development of ARCHAX. We interviewed ARCHAX at the Japan Mobility Show 2023, discussing its utilization of meviy’s services.

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What is ARCHAX, the new piloted robot?

details of ARCHAX’s hands and arms

ARCHAX is a human-piloted robot developed by TSUBAME INDUSTRIES Co., Ltd. under the principle of “bringing the world of science-fiction into science-reality.” This large robot, reminiscent of those in many movies, features a cockpit around the chest area where individuals can actually board and operate it. The prototype was completed in June 2023, with world pre-orders for sales commencing in October 2023, with a selling price set at 3 million euros . In October, ARCHAX was showcased at the Japan Mobility Show 2023, unveiling its astonishing capabilities to a wide audience.

meviy's Contribution to ARCHAX Development

Mr. Ishii from TSUBAME INDUSTRIES presenting ARCHAX

meviy serves as a technical supporter in assisting the development of ARCHAX. In this context, we had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Akinori Ishii, the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of TSUBAME INDUSTRIES Co., Ltd., about the benefits of meviy in the development of ARCHAX.

Mr. Akinori Ishii, CTO of TSUBAME INDUSTRIES Co., Ltd.

 

During his tenure at a major construction machinery manufacturer, Mr. Ishii developed the “Double-Arm Working Machine (ASTACO),” a machine with arms that move like human arms. Subsequently, he held positions such as the Technical Director for the “Moving Gundam” exhibited in Yokohama. Currently serving as the CTO of TSUBAME INDUSTRIES, he oversees the entire process, from design to process management.

 

meviy, the AI-based platform for custom mechanical parts procurement, is an online service that provides immediate price and delivery time estimations upon uploading 3D CAD data. This service streamlines the digitalization of quoting and manufacturing for mechanical parts, reducing the labor-intensive process that takes dozens of hours on both the designers’ and buyers’ end.

“We used meviy for every part of the robot. For example, for small metal parts inside the cockpit. ARCHAX has a structure where the main frame is attached to the exterior, and in the brackets connecting the main frame and the exterior, it is used in hundreds of places,” says Mr. Ishii. According to him, meviy’s strength was particularly evident in the structure of the hands.

“Our CEO, Mr. Yoshida, is also involved in the development of prosthetic hands, and the mechanical part of ARCHAX’s hand is based on that technology. The frame of ARCHAX itself is constructed relatively similarly to construction machinery. However, the hand is designed to resemble a human hand. In doing so, the frame itself takes on a three-dimensional and complex shape. Utilizing meviy in digital manufacturing allows us to create this complex shape directly,” mentions Mr. Ishii.

 

The sheet metal parts of the independently movable five-finger hand have complex curved surfaces, much like human bones. Creating a 2D drawing for such parts requires numerous instructions and long working hours. In the field of robot development, which requires many parts, speed in design and procurement is crucial. “meviy allowed us to get quotes and place orders directly with only 3D data. This has been tremendously helpful” says Mr. Ishii. He also shared that meviy’s sheet metal parts are used not only in ARCHAX but also in the development of prosthetic hands by CEO Yoshida.

The Power of Drawing Less Thanks to Digital Manufacturing

When asked about his impressions of meviy’s services, Mr. Ishii mentioned that the ability to create sheet metal parts directly from 3D data has been the most helpful. “Being able to estimate based on the 3D model without having to create a 2D drawing significantly reduces the development workload. Additionally, getting immediate information on delivery time and price right there makes procurement incredibly easy,” he stated.

 

In traditional sheet metal processing estimates, even when designing in 3D, it was necessary to create a 2D drawing to show to the supplier. While modern 3D design software includes tools to assist in 2D drawing creation, going through processes like 2D conversion and checking still incurs a considerable amount of work. Especially for complex shapes like the manipulator of ARCHAX’s hand, determining which cross-section communicates the shape and design intent can be challenging, making the 2D drawings complex and time-consuming. However, with meviy, the process becomes as simple as creating or uploading 3D data on the web for an instant estimate of sheet metal parts.

 

“I appreciate the appeal of achieving drawing-less thanks to digital manufacturing. We’ve been using meviy for this reason,” says Mr. Ishii. ARCHAX’s development seems to have indeed been facilitated by the digital manufacturing capabilities of meviy.

meviy's Sheet Metal Processing

Get instant quotes and delivery times by uploading 3D data, with quick and reliable lead time. Dimension tolerances, precision holes, and geometric tolerances can be specified directly in the browser. It supports various materials like iron, aluminum, stainless steel, resin, shim, transparent resin plates, and offers many surface treatment.

ARCHAX is pioneering new value with its manned robot. Throughout its development, meviy’s digital manufacturing has been a significant contributor.

TSUBAME INDUSTRIES continues to pave the way for the future of manufacturing, sure to rely on meviy as its supporter and supplier of custom mechanical components.

 

*MISUMI’s products and services are for general industrial use. Use with TSUBAME INDUSTRIES Co., Ltd. is based on special permission

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