Hirata Corporation

Hirata Corporation (Hirata Kikō K.K.) is a Japanese company headquartered in Kumamoto, Kumamoto Prefecture, specializing in automation technology and industrial robotics. Founded in 1951 by Yasunari Hirata, the company has grown into one of the world's largest automation technology firms, employing over 1,500 people across 22 offices in 9 countries. Its shares have been traded on the JASDAQ under securities code 6258 since December 2006. Hirata's core business revolves around the development and manufacture of SCARA robots, linear-axis robots, and complete automation solutions for production facilities. The company is particularly noted for its early entry into small-parts assembly automation, a field it helped pioneer in Germany starting in 1981. Its German subsidiary, Hirata Engineering Europe GmbH in Mainz, produces and distributes robots, handling devices, and turnkey automation systems. Hirata's systems are used by major industrial customers including Bosch, BMW, Fresenius Medical Care, Daimler, Philips, and Siemens. Throughout its history, Hirata has introduced multiple generations of SCARA robots, from the AR-H series in 1985 to the AR-i series in 1987, the AR-C series in 1992, and the AR-S series in 1997. The company also developed cleanroom robots for wafer and LCD glass handling in 1996, and has continued to innovate with products such as the ACS-C assembly cell (2008) and the LCP-600E palletizer (2010). Hirata's automation solutions are employed in electronics, automotive, medical technology, and other manufacturing sectors worldwide.

Hirata Corporation was founded in 1951 by Yasunari Hirata in Kumamoto, Japan. The company initially focused on automation technology and gradually expanded into industrial robotics. By the 1980s, Hirata had become a pioneer in small-parts assembly automation, particularly in Germany. In 1981, Hirata exhibited SCARA robots and linear-axis robots for the first time at the Hannover Messe Industrie and signed a representation agreement with a German machinery trading company to distribute its devices in Germany. This marked the beginning of Hirata's presence in the European market. The first notable sales successes came in 1983, with Grundig as one of the first customers, automating the assembly of a cassette drive component using Hirata's SCARA robots. In 1985, the second generation of SCARA robots and linear-axis robots, the AR-H series, was introduced with three model sizes. The AR-H300, along with the HAC-04 controller, became the best-selling model. Hella used several of these robots in a assembly line at its Recklinghausen plant, where they remained in operation for over 15 years. In 1986, the first SCARA robot-equipped assembly line for populating printed circuit boards with large wired components was installed at SEL Graetz in Bochum. 1987 saw the completion of the third generation, the AR-i series, which introduced the first multitasking-capable controller for SCARA robots, allowing control of peripherals without additional PLCs. Many of these robots were used as soldering robots at Philips and were still operating in plants in Poland and Hungary years later. In 1989, Hirata developed one of the first SCARA robots with direct-drive actuators and received the Innovation Prize from the Japanese business newspaper Nihon Keizai Shinbun. However, due to high costs, the company soon began developing SCARA robots with conventional drive technology (DC motor and harmonic drive), which remains in use today. In 1992, the AR-C series was launched with a new controller based on 32-bit processor technology and the new programming language HARL-III. In 1993, Hirata Robotics GmbH was founded to handle sales of Hirata robots in Europe, particularly in German-speaking countries, and began offering complete semi-standardized automation solutions. In 1996, Hirata started developing cleanroom robots for wafer and LCD glass handling. The fifth generation of SCARA robots, the AR-S series, was introduced in 1997, along with completely revised linear axes. The new controller featured digital motor control, multitasking for 32 tasks, and an enhanced HARL-III programming language. In 1999, selectable standardized I/O fieldbus technologies were introduced, allowing controllers to be equipped with Interbus-S, Profibus, or other bus systems. Since 2002, AR-S series SCARA robots and linear-axis robots have been available with absolute encoders. The station controller was reduced to one-third of its previous size through high-integration components and became available as a PC-based software solution. In 2003, Hirata Robotics GmbH celebrated 25 years of Hirata robots and its 10th anniversary. In 2008, Hirata presented the new universal assembly cell ACS-C at the Motek trade fair. The ACS-C consists of a steel construction and can be equipped with up to eight NC axes, which can be divided into two robot kinematics. An integrated conveyor belt segment allows multiple cells to be combined into an assembly line. It is operated and parameterized via a touchscreen. In 2010, Hirata developed the palletizer model LCP-600E with a freely programmable handling device and the TLC tray changer system for feeding and removing trays in low-autonomy and semi-automated areas. In 2011, Hirata Robotics GmbH was renamed, effective August 1, 2011.

• 2011

  Hirata Robotics GmbH renamed effective August 1, 2011.

• 2010

  Developed LCP-600E palletizer and TLC tray changer system.

• 2008

  Presented ACS-C universal assembly cell at Motek.

• 2006

  Shares listed on JASDAQ under securities code 6258.

• 2003

  Hirata Robotics GmbH celebrated 25 years of Hirata robots and 10th anniversary.

• 2002

  AR-S series and linear-axis robots available with absolute encoders.

• 1999

  Selectable standardized I/O fieldbus technologies introduced.

• 1997

  Fifth generation AR-S series SCARA robots introduced.

• 1996

  Began developing cleanroom robots for wafer and LCD glass handling.

• 1993

  Hirata Robotics GmbH founded for European sales.

• 1992

  AR-C series with 32-bit controller and HARL-III programming language launched.

• 1989

  Developed one of the first direct-drive SCARA robots; received Nihon Keizai Shinbun Innovation Prize.

• 1987

  Third generation AR-i series with multitasking controller introduced.

• 1986

  First SCARA robot assembly line for PCB assembly installed at SEL Graetz.

• 1985

  Second generation AR-H series SCARA robots introduced.

• 1983

  First notable sales successes in Germany; Grundig as early customer.

• 1981

  First exhibited SCARA robots at Hannover Messe; signed German distribution agreement.

• 1951

  Founded by Yasunari Hirata in Kumamoto, Japan.

Global leader in automation technology and small-parts assembly robotics, with a strong presence in Japan and Europe.

• 1985

  AR-H series SCARA robots

• 1987

  AR-i series SCARA robots

• 1992

  AR-C series SCARA robots

• 1997

  AR-S series SCARA robots

• 1996

  Cleanroom robots

• 2008

  ACS-C assembly cell

• 2010

  LCP-600E palletizer

• 2010

  TLC tray changer

1. 1Hirata Corporation - Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2Hirata - Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org