SHINKO STRUCTURE and FICEP in a strategic partnership for smarter production

Home » SHINKO STRUCTURE and FICEP in a strategic partnership for smarter production

SHINKO & FICEP: A PARTNERSHIP DRIVING PRECISION AND INNOVATION

A TRUSTED PARTNERSHIP

Shinko Structure chose FICEP for its reliability and technical expertise. The collaboration quickly became a strong relationship built on shared goals and continuous support.

TAILORED SOLUTIONS FOR SHINKO

With KRONOS, VANGUARD and ENDEAVOUR, FICEP provided the right combination of systems to improve accuracy and streamline daily production.

GROWING THROUGH COLLABORATION

Shinko and FICEP worked together to refine functions and develop features for the Japanese market, achieving better efficiency and reduced outsourcing.

Shinko Structure Co., Ltd., founded in 1975, is a leading Japanese company specializing in the fabrication of structural steel for buildings. Based in Okayama Prefecture, in the Chugoku region, the company employs 37 professionals and maintains an annual steel fabrication capacity of 6,000 tons.

Over the decades, Shinko Structure has evolved its primary processing methods (such as drilling and cutting) advancing from basic operations to a full-scale structural steel fabricator serving prominent clients such as Takenaka Corporation.

“At the start, the company was dedicated to drilling operations using a dedicated machine” – says Mr. Kodani, Manager at Shinko Structure. “Today, we fabricate complex steel structures, fully integrated with BIM and deliver high-precision work every time”.

THE CHALLENGE

Shinko Structure sought to upgrade its equipment to improve efficiency through BIM adoption and achieve seamless integration with Tekla 3D detailing software. The company needed machines capable of automatically processing steel not just for simple tasks but fully aligned with design drawings. Previous methods involved significant manual input, outsourcing and a risk of human error.

“We wanted equipment that could handle every detail automatically, from beams to plates, while eliminating mistakes and reducing manual labor,” adds Mr. Kodani.

FICEP SOLUTIONS

After evaluating various options, Shinko Structure chose FICEP for its comprehensive integration with Tekla and its wide range of processing capabilities. The company invested in three key systems:

ENDEAVOUR: automatic CNC drilling and band sawing line for profiles integrated with RB Shotblasting machine. This line resolved the main challenges for beam cutting and processing;
VANGUARD: automatic CNC drilling and band sawing line for profiles. Vanguard handles beams up to 1220×610 mm and supports high-volume production with a two-machine setup;
KRONOS: automatic gantry-style CNC high-definition plasma & oxy-fuel cutting system for plates, solving all plate cutting challenges with unmatched precision.

“FICEP machines allow us to work completely unmanned at night”, Mr. Kobayashi, Sub-Manager at Shinko Structure, notes. “Errors are virtually eliminated and accuracy and usability is far superior to any other CNC equipment we’ve used in the past.”

BENEFITS ACHIEVED

The benefits of FICEP equipment have been transformative:

Increased efficiency: Reduced processing time and elimination of paper drawings;
Enhanced flexibility: Machines can handle complex tasks such as sleeve hole processing, notch cutting, and angle steel work, tailored for Japanese construction requirements;
Cost and time savings: Outsourcing costs are down, and working hours are reduced;
Higher productivity: No rework due to processing mistakes and the ability to operate unmanned at night;
Business growth: As a BIM-driven company, Shinko Structure now receives more projects, with equipment providing both performance and promotional value.

“FICEP didn’t just improve our production,” Mr. Kobayashi explains. “It also allows us to offer unique capabilities to clients, giving us a competitive edge in complex, design-driven projects.”

SOFTWARE AND INTEGRATION

Shinko Structure performs all detailing in-house using Tekla and Steel Projects, FICEP software house, with FICEP engineers supporting issues-solving when necessary. The integration of software and machines enables fully automated, precise fabrication directly from digital models.

LOOKING FORWARD

Japan’s construction sector is experiencing a shift toward complex, design-oriented structures despite a shrinking workforce. Shinko Structure anticipates growth in hybrid buildings combining wood and steel and is preparing for major projects such as the Integrated Resort (Osaka casino project), which has now been finalized. There are also plans for future developments including office buildings and a hospital. In addition, the sector is expected to see an increase in buildings featuring stronger earthquake-resistant designs to better withstand earthquakes and other natural disasters.