Case Study of Kyocera's CAD/CAM Implementation: The Attractiveness of OneCNC's Efficiency and Cost Reduction

Kyocera Corporation is one of Japan's leading manufacturers of electronic components and electrical equipment, and its Shiga Yohkaichi Plant manufactures a wide variety of products, including fine ceramic components, machine tools, electronic components, and printing devices.

The company has introduced OneCNC many times in multiple departments in the same factory.

About the introduction and launch of OneCNC

Mr. Yokoyama joined the company in 2005 and was assigned to another division. After that, in 2011, he was assigned to the Mechanical Parts Manufacturing Section 2, and has been working as an NC programmer since 2013.

Initially, the department to which Mr. Yokoyama was assigned had three CAD/CAM systems, including OneCNC, but his predecessor's boss decided to introduce OneCNC, and after that Mr. Yokoyama himself started using OneCNC. I decided to do it.

At that time, Mr. Yokoyama was only in his second year of transfer, but he says that he was able to learn in a short time thanks to the easy-to-understand interface and excellent operability even for beginners.

Currently, no one in the same department uses other CAD/CAM, and it is unified to OneCNC.


Regarding the introduction of multiple OneCNC units in each department

Five OneCNC units have been installed in four departments within the Yokkaichi Plant of Kyocera Corporation.

When asked why OneCNC is currently being used in many departments in the factory, he said:

“At our company, a system called Amoeba Management*, which evaluates profits on a department-by-department basis, is pervasive. The decision criteria for introducing CAD/CAM is the same as processing machines, whether it will generate profits for the department.The final decision on introduction is made by the person in charge above However, system selection, examination, and proposals are also greatly involved in my position as the group manager (currently the section manager). I receive consultations from employees who are on good terms with the company, and I explain OneCNC at meetings, but in the end, it is not my ability, but rather the balance of each department that determines the outcome.

Like a processing machine, it is considered an expense, and I think OneCNC's ability to keep costs down was a big appeal of OneCNC.In addition to cost, OneCNC is very easy to operate, making it easy for beginners to use. However, it can be learned in a short period of time. I think it was also attractive from the perspective of other departments that new employees and employees who were transferred can immediately become effective.”(*)What is Amoeba.

Ameba Management, is a management method that subdivides a company organization into small groups (ameba) and operates each small group on a self-supporting basis.
It was created by the late Kazuo Inamori, the founder of Kyocera Corporation.


Kyocera Corporation, we asked for an interview because OneCNC is used as the main CAD/CAM in many departments in the same factory.

When I listened to the story, the background was the idea of ​​amoeba management, in which each department pursues profits on their own responsibility. is being evaluated.

Currently, Mr. Yokoyama is actively working on 5-axis machining using OneCNC's 5-axis option to make full use of the OneCNC function.
I think that Mr. Yokoyama's efforts will not be limited to the same department, but will spread to other departments, and will become an asset for the entire company.

We would like to do our best to help our company in the future.
Mr. Yokoyama, thank you for your cooperation.

▼ User profile

■ Company name: Kyocera Corporation Shiga Yokaichi Plant
■ Location: Jazozocho, Higashiomi City, Shiga Prefecture
■ URL:https://www.kyocera.co.jp/

[Installed products]
OneCNC Mill 3D Expert (Introduced in November 2022)
OneCNC Mill 3D Expert (Introduced in August 2016)
OneCNC Mill 3D Expert (Introduced in October 2013)
OneCNC 5-axis option set (fixed + simultaneous) (2013) (Introduced in October)
OneCNC Mill 2D Express (Introduced in May 2013)
OneCNC 5-axis option set (fixed + simultaneous) (Introduced in July 2010)
OneCNC Mill 3D Expert (Introduced in November 2007)

Advanced Machining & Design, Mooreton, ND – USA

Advanced Machining & Design is a machine shop with experiences in design, manufacturing, and machining of quality parts for the construction, agriculture and aerospace industries.  Owner, Chris Berndt, started Advanced Machining & Design in 2011 by renting a small garage size space and purchasing a Haas CNC mill.  In 2016 he built a new facility and expanded adding on an additional Haas CNC mill, Fanuc wire EDM, and a Hurco CNC lathe.

Chris’ extensive knowledge in machining allowed him to build his core business around automation equipment builds, tooling (blanking, progressive, forming dies), and machine fixturing projects.

“Prior to operating my own business, I worked for a major window producing company.  Holding position as a Tool and Die Maker, then moving into leadership roles as Tooling Manager and eventually to the position of Manufacturing Engineering Manager.  Through this development, I have been able to combine skills, with strategic planning and design.”

Chris decided that he wanted to do 100% of his programming in CAM software, he knew the best way to streamline and maintain accuracy was to focus on a CAM program that would give him the ability to be efficient saying, “I actually set up my business in part around my software decision.”

“When first going through the process of evaluating CAM systems I looked at many possibilities.  My customers provide me with the part designs nearly every time.  So, I determined I need to focus on finding a CAM package that was capable, cost effective and easy to learn.”

“I do 100% of my programming on OneCNC and none at the machine tool itself.  OneCNC has been a major part of my business success and is vital to my business.  The software went above and beyond my expectations and I have since upgraded 4 different times and do so every time a new version comes out.  I am confident OneCNC is constantly staying on top of the latest and greatest technologies curve and that is something that is extremely important to me.  This is a competitive business and I need to be able to make the highest quality parts as efficiently as possible and OneCNC does just that for me, It has been one of my absolute best business decisions yet to date.”

After his recent upgrade to XR7, Chris has been very happy with the new additions, “I do some very intricate geometries and I have yet to come across any part that I was not able to produce at an extremely high level of quality.  It also utilizes very efficient tool paths.  The Z level roughing (high speed machining) has saved me countless dollars in tooling and removes material extremely efficiently and the finishing toolpaths leave a beautiful finish.”

Advanced Machining & Design has grown every single year because they can answer the demands of their customers in today’s competitive market.  “Without a tool like OneCNC, I would have struggled to produce at the level I do and deliver on such short lead times.  I enjoy the challenges that come with running my own business and I always have growth in mind and look forward to hiring another employee this year.”

A&A Machine & Development Company, Inc. Gardena, CA

A&A Machine & Development Company was started in 1972 by Eric Hymovitz’s father.  Eric spent a lot of time at the shop, learning the trade and sweeping floors; ultimately taking over the business in 1995.  Located in Gardena, CA, A&A Machine’s customers include the commercial and aerospace industries, working with materials such as aluminum, brass, bronze, stainless steel, carbon steel casting, forging and other exotic materials. 

“As our CNC department grew I knew we needed to more powerful software programs.  Moving from 2-2.5D into 3 & 4 axis, the availability of technical support, and the needs we were facing as a growing shop, I started doing my research.  We made the switch to OneCNC and immediately felt productive with the software.  I instantly appreciated the ease of use of OneCNC and the power that exists because of the ease of use.  We started out on a lower level of OneCNC and in a short period of time we upgraded to simultaneous 5 axis, lathe, and wire EDM.”  

The transition was smooth because of the help Eric received from OneCNC technical support, and the available training videos.  Eric handles most of the programming in this 30 man shop, “sometimes you will run into a particular job and just not know how to tackle it, and I don’t have someone over my shoulder at the shop to provide me with the techniques that are best suited for a job, but with OneCNC’s technical support, you do have someone there to help with different methods that are effective for your parts.  It is assuring that I have someone behind me to give me the confidence that I can do any job that comes across my desk.  It helped develop and expand our shop because we were able to get into jobs that we might have been a little afraid of but because we have OneCNC behind us, we now know we are capable to take those jobs on."

“We just purchased another 5 axis machine in December which is exciting as our other 5 axis machine was always busy and behind schedule, we are looking forward to maximizing our capabilities this year.  I know we are going to have a good year, in talking with my customers I know that they are going to have a good year.  We are an integral supplier for our customers and will continue to be for a long time to come, these relationships and their opinions of our reliability is valuable to the success of A&A Machine”. 

Mr. Eric Hymovitz

For more information please visit: www.onecnc.com and www.aamach.com