Guest Researcher Kazumasa Miura from KEIO Japan visits Aachen
Guest Researcher Kazumasa Miura from KEIO University is spending his exchange as a Member of the Research Group Product and Process Monitoring at the WZL to broaden his scientific horizon and get to know German culture. He was raised in Ichinomiya 300 km west of Tokyo and graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering in System Design Engineering in 2012. His Master's and his doctorate followerd in 2014 and 2017 respectively.
Nice to meet you, Mr. Miura. Would you tell us about your studies at KEIO University and why you decided to spend time abroad in Germany, and specifically here in Aachen?
I studied system design engineering, which seeks new engineering systems harmonizing with global, human and social environments from the viewpoints of mechanical, electrical, and information knowledge. RWTH Aachen and KEIO University have collaborated with each other in the student exchange for a long time. They established the exchange program in the same year I finished my Ph.D. program. This was an excellent opportunity for me because I wanted to broaden my research perspective in other places. Also, I knew there were many Japanese companies in Germany. To learn German culture here helps me to be a research ambassador who can strengthen the Japanese-German relationship.
How long will you be staying and are you on your own?
I actually don't know yet, because I wish to extend my stay, which would be coming to an end soon. My wife travelled to Germany with me and has recently given birth here as well.
What was your current position at KEIO when you decided to stay abroad?
I had the Research Fellowship of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), and I mainly researched mechatronic system design at Keio University as a JSPS fellow.
Which research project in Aachen are you involved in and what are your principle tasks?
I belong to the process monitoring group, which tries to analyze and optimize the metal cutting process based on model-based and data-based approaches using sensor techniques. I am working to monitor the cutting process and tool-state condition using current and voltage sensors.
What do you personally find most interesting about this project?
Process monitoring from voltage and current sensors has significant potential because the sensors are reasonable and easy to install machines. That means, the scalability is an important factor, and it can really accelerate the Industry 4.0 or Internet of Production where quite a few machine tools are connected to each other. Moreover, to achieve this target, I need to deeply understand not only power electronics and motion control, but also machine tools, and manufacturing technology. My primary research background is in electrical engineering. Therefore, I often discuss with colleges who have different backgrounds, and sometimes discover new ideas. This is very exciting and stimulating to me.
What is the biggest difference between your work at home and your work here in Aachen?
Everything here in Aachen is in the different scale. The number of employers, machines, research collaborations with companies, and budget are enormous. Also, one institute covers all of the topics related to the manufacturing engineering. Therefore, if new ideas or problems occur, we can ask someone and validate them at our institute. I feel that our institute is the suitable place for each research assistant to concentrate on their own research.
What do you like the most about Germany or Aachen?
There are lots of things I came to like, e.g., personality, city, beer, soup. What I like the most is the work-life balance. Almost all of my colleges come to work early and make their own time after work. So, I have made it a rule to come early since I started to research here. Then, I am spending more time with my wife in Aachen.
Is there anything else you'd like to say about your stay here?
The development of the high-waged countries is altering the conventional mass-production society into the personal-production society. In this trend, the production system should be adapted to, not only pre-determined tasks, but also personal complex needs. To tackle this, discussions among experts having different knowledge are mandatory, and such a discussion is being carried out just in Aachen. So, I am pleased that I can research here and a member of it. Lastly, I'd like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the management of the CoE at RWTH Aachen University.
Thank you very much, Kazumasa Miura, for your time. We wish you all the best for your future!