FEMCO’s FATEK Excels in Metaverse Applications
The global metaverse market is growing fast, and with Taiwan’s strong 5G and IoT foundations, new applications are ready to take off. FATEK, part of machine tool leader FEMCO, has made major progress in metaverse-related technologies and services in recent years. These have changed how a traditional machine tool maker operates and serves customers, transformed the production and assembly process, and, using blockchain to improve supply chain management and shipment tracking, greatly increased shipping efficiency and information transparency, overturning traditional manufacturing thinking.
FATEK explains that to tackle remote work, high-mix low-volume production and supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic since 2019, it developed metaverse-related technologies and services. It connected and integrated its long-standing PLM product system, built 3D models for every product, visualized sales orders, and installed a digital assembly guidance system on the shop floor. It obtained accurate 3D files from suppliers of purchased and semi-finished parts and entered them into the PLM system according to unified rules, and used blockchain to improve supply chain management and shipment tracking, raising shipping efficiency and transparency across the board.
For customer service, order visualization, digital assembly guidance, equipment alerts, maintenance and repair guides let customers use AR glasses for more intuitive, deeper interactive simulation in ordering, assembly, staff training and maintenance.
FATEK has the industry’s first technical animation planning capability and offers a range of digital services, including:
1. An animated troubleshooting guide for equipment faults.
2. Animated digital maintenance reminders.
3. Animated repair and assembly guides.
4. An equipment parts BOM lookup system. These services help users shorten maintenance, repair and troubleshooting time, improving competitiveness and after-sales satisfaction.
FATEK also combines AR to demonstrate its digital integration capabilities, including:
1. Real-time equipment information.
2. Fault alarms that launch SOP troubleshooting guidance.
3. SOP guidance for replacing spare parts, combined with AR glasses (HoloLens 2) for deeper interactive simulation that strengthens customers’ understanding of products and services and leads them into FATEK’s metaverse era.
Besides using these technologies on its own machines, FATEK leads its peers in technical animation planning, and companies in other industries have already approached it about cooperation, a recognition of its R&D strength.
Related links (in Chinese): Yahoo News · China Times · Commercial Times