21st Century Co., Ltd. leads the world market with ultra-precision laser processing technology!

Located in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, the 21st century is a manufacturer that produces ultra-precision laser processing, ultra-precision blades, ultra-precision molds, cutting tools, and jigs. 21st-century products grown based on ultra-precision processing technology boast a precision of several microns to several nanometers.​

 


“In the past, automobiles and electronics parts were made of steel and castings, and they were large in size.

As the times change, the material is changing to non-steel and the size is getting smaller.

It will become more precise and smaller, and the trend of the parts market will change with long-lasting use.

We predicted this and worked hard to develop our technology with ultra-precision early on.”

 

Founded in 1996, the 21st century had difficulties as soon as the IMF broke out. There was no place to give work to start-ups, but CEO Kim Sung-hwan devoted himself to technology development with the belief that if he had advanced technology, he would someday recognize them and work with them.

We found tungsten diamond ceramics in search of materials that can be made precise and ultra-small, and developed ultra-precision grinders under the judgment that we have the technology to handle stronger materials and that we need more precise processing technology. Thanks to such efforts, I was able to register as a partner of Samsung Electro-Mechanics three years after its foundation, and as my work increased, it led to stable growth.

 


“Global leader in precision laser processing.”

However, CEO Kim was not satisfied with this and began to travel around the world to find better technology. “What should I use to make small and precise things?” Wherever I went, countries with advanced technologies such as Japan and Europe were actively processing using laser equipment. After traveling around the world for nearly three years since 2003, we have concluded that lasers are the answer.

It is eco-friendly because it can be processed with ultra-precision, does not cause pollution factors to use air and nitrogen, and it is advantageous to perform various processes that were not possible in existing equipment, such as the emergence of 3D stereoscopic lasers. At that time, laser processing in my country was at the level of kindergarten, so I thought it was an opportunity. I boldly purchased laser equipment worth more than 700 million won. At that time, sales in the 21st century amounted to about 1 billion won.

 

“We introduced expensive equipment and studied how to use it well.

It took longer than I thought, so I only tested it for about a year and a half.

Thanks to this, I was able to perfectly digest what I could do with the equipment,

and even patented the ultra-precision laser drilling method.

I also gained confidence that I can make whatever my customers want.”

 

 

After understanding the characteristics of the existing process and laser, we were able to compensate for the lack of existing products with laser. We were able to maximize profits to meet customers’ needs by lowering the price of expensive molds and increasing productivity by more than eight times. When I got used to the new laser process, I found another improvement. To solve this problem, we introduced laser 3D ultra-precision machining equipment.

As such, CEO Kim not only boldly invested in equipment whenever there was a need for improvement, but also focused on training to strengthen the capabilities of employees. In 2009, the R&D department was upgraded to a corporate research center with the aim of becoming a global leader in precision processing with ultra-ultra-laser application. In addition, R&D accounts for more than 30% of R&D by focusing development capabilities based on R&D strategies, such as establishing strategic partnerships with industry-academic research institutes and establishing global R&D with Germany, Switzerland, France, and Russia.

 

“Because customers want new technologies in the future than they do now,

We have no choice but to continue R&D to provide the future that our customers want.”

 

As a result, it has registered various patents and grown into a skilled company with a number of intellectual property rights since it was patented in February 2005 with “hardmetal cutter technology” and “a method of drilling a major jig using a laser” in March 2005.

 


‘MCT failure sign data analysis and AI application using IoT wireless vibration sensor’

 

“We realized the need to build a system

that enables data set acquisition and predictive preservation to detect signs of damage to unknown drills

that account for 4-5% of current MCT facilities.

At that time, the government said it would run the Kamp business, so I immediately applied.”

 

MLCC drilling is performed using MCT, CNC, and laser equipment, and the front of the drill is worn out during repeated processing and a load is generated. As a result, the drill was broken and stuck in the ultra-precision mold hole. Due to the final defect handling, the production loss and defect rate increased, and it took a long time for the operator to remove the drill stuck in the hole, so the working time had to be delayed.

CEO Kim will establish a process to collect and analyze process data of MCT facilities (drills) through IoT wireless vibration sensors and detect signs of drill damage in advance through AI application. It took about six months to establish a real-time facility data monitoring system and lay the foundation for upgrading the operation of MCT facilities.

 

 

“At first, I looked at the data, but I didn’t know what it was, so I studied hard.

As a result of checking the graph after applying AI modeling of data,

We were able to check the significant data on abnormal operation of the facility at the time of the drill damage.

Now, productivity has increased by looking at the foreshadowing phenomenon in the graph and taking precautions.

The defect rate was also reduced.”

 

After completing the Kamp project, we have now resolved the difficulty process, improving productivity by about 10%, reducing defects by 15%, and reducing production costs. He expected to systematize data management in the future and eliminate risk factors in advance through constant monitoring for preservation. I was confident that this would be an opportunity to improve productivity, shorten delivery times, and increase customer reliability.

 


“The goal of a sustainable company with equipment that utilizes patents for raw processing technology.”

 

“Upgrading laser processing technology is our goal and challenge.

The material is important now.

We are now developing a technology that makes tungsten materials ultra-precise.”

 

 

One of the reasons why CEO Kim continues to develop competitiveness through technology development is to improve the treatment of employees working at small and medium-sized companies. There was a high expectation that if the technology is recognized and properly treated in the market, the wage level will be given without any difference from large companies. To this end, he ordered the government to further strengthen intellectual property rights and fair trade laws. It means to protect the technology of small and medium-sized enterprises.

 

“Our technology will help companies that make final-stage products increase productivity, shorten delivery times, and reduce costs.

So, the technology of middle-level companies like us not only has a good effect on our company,

but also has a great impact on the industrial ecosystem.

That’s why we work with our employees to develop technology with a sense of mission.”

 

The 21st century, which was recognized for its excellent product line through leading technology investment, was selected as the 2021 Global Small Business Support Project organized by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. The 21st century will soon become the leading global laser processing company in the 21st century.


 

Source: Ministry of SMEs and Startups(https://blog.naver.com/bizinfo1357/222515196159)

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