From: rick@cs.arizona.edu (Rick Schlichting)
Newsgroups: comp.research.japan
Subject: Kahaner Report: Minimap factory automation in Japan
Date: 15 Sep 92 04:00:02 GMT


  [Dr. David Kahaner is a numerical analyst on sabbatical to the 
   Office of Naval Research-Asia (ONR Asia) in Tokyo from NIST.  The 
   following is the professional opinion of David Kahaner and in no 
   way has the blessing of the US Government or any agency of it.  All 
   information is dated and of limited life time.  This disclaimer should 
   be noted on ANY attribution.]

  [Copies of previous reports written by Kahaner can be obtained using
   anonymous FTP from host cs.arizona.edu, directory japan/kahaner.reports.]

To: Distribution
From: 
 David K. Kahaner
 US Office of Naval Research Asia
 (From outside US):  23-17, 7-chome, Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106 Japan
 (From within  US):  Unit 45002, APO AP 96337-0007
  Tel: +81 3 3401-8924, Fax: +81 3 3403-9670
  Email: kahaner@cs.titech.ac.jp
Re: Minimap factory automation in Japan
12 Sept 1992
This file is named "minimap.92"

ABSTRACT. Various developments in expanded use of Mimimap (for factory
automation) in Japan (from newspapers).

MINIMAP FACTORY AUTOMATION PROTOCOL

     The Japanese press reports that Japanese corporations are working
to bring to market products based on Minimap, a simplified factory
automation system developed under the initiative of the Ministry of
International Trade and Industry (MITI).  Following the approval of
Minimap as a world standard by an international users' group in March
1992, the MITI-affiliated International Robotics and Factory Automation
Center (IROFA) has been promoting its adoption by Japanese companies.

Development of Minimap

     In 1987 MITI tasked IROFA to develop a simplified version of the full
Manufacturing Automation Protocol (MAP) developed primarily by General Motors
in the early 1980s.  The result was the Factory Automation Interconnection
System (FAIS), which IROFA unveiled in March 1990.  FAIS was then approved as
the world standard for Minimap by the international Map/Top user's group at a
March 1992 conference in Tokyo.  Unlike the full Map, which covers the entire
range of manufacturing controls within a factory, Minimap mainly applies to
the assembly lines.  The result is reportedly faster response time and lower
cost.  MITI and IROFA developed Minimap with Japan's many small-and medium-
sized manufacturing plants in mind.  (Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun 7 Jul 92; Nikkei
Sangyo Shimbun 7 Apr 92)

     IROFA expects greater demand for Minimap than for the full Map and
believes that its approval as a global standard will spur its adoption.  The
organization's primary task now is to promote Minimap's use in Japan.  IROFA
held a Minimap seminar and exhibition in Chiba in late June, at which vendor
corporations made presentations on commercial applications of the technology. 
The exhibition featured factory automation machinery and software from various
manufacturers linked by Minimap to resemble a small factory.  IROFA viewed the
exhibition as helping to encourage Minimap's adoption in the United States and
Europe as well as Japan.  (Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun 13 Mar, 3 Jun, 9 Jul 92;
Nikkei Sangyo Shimbun 23 Mar, 7 Apr 92)

     As part of a campaign to convince users to choose Minimap over existing
factory automation systems, IROFA plans to launch a "Minimap Promotion
Committee" in the near future and to create a registration system to certify
products running on Minimap.  A senior IROFA official also said his
organization is considering publishing product guides and textbooks and
conducting seminars to introduce minimap to users.  (Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun 9
Jul 92)

Corporate Developments

     Each of the vendor companies present at the June exhibition is preparing
to market its own Minimap-based products (Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun 9 Jul 92),
several of which are listed below.

     Yuasa Shoji Co., the first Japanese corporation to receive an order for a
computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) system based on Minimap, will
commercialize its technology under the "YS PACK CIM" brand made.  The order is
expected to encourage the widespread adoption of the Minimap standard. 
(Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun 7 Jul 92)

     Shimizu Corp. has developed its factory automated intelligent network
system (FAINS).  The company is the first in Japan's construction industry to
offer its own Minimap system.  Shimizu is entering the CIM field as part of
its strategy to move away from simply constructing buildings by offering a
complete array of factory support services.  (Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun 22 Jun 92)

     Toyoda Machine Works, Ltd. has developed a module for use with Minimap
and plans to market it starting next year, primarily to the automobile
industry.  The company is aiming for sales of 500 million yen (about $3.9
million) the first year.  The price is to be about 1 million yen ($7,860) per
unit.  (Nikkei Sangyo Shimbun 19 May 92)

     Mitsubishi Electric Corp. is the first company whose Minimap-based
product passed all the compatibility tests at IROFA's map test center.  The
company, which began marketing a system based on the full Map in October 1991,
intends to sell its Minimap version in 1992.  (Denki Shimbun 31 Mar 92)


--------------------------------END OF REPORT---------------------------