Allm Co., Ltd. in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa, is partnering with Microsoft Japan. They aim to innovate cutting machine technology through the “TTMC Origin.” This partnership will change manufacturing by using Azure OpenAI. It will allow natural-language interaction with machines. This will greatly improve cutting operations and process design.
Moving from Manual Control to AI-Powered Conversations
Technicians used to program and adjust numerical control machines by hand. This ensured precision in machining. Allm’s TTMC Origin simplifies this process. It replaces manual tasks with AI-driven chat interfaces. This lets operators of any skill level easily control machines using everyday language.
This leap builds upon Allm’s existing technologies, including:
Manufacturing AI “ARUMCODE”: Launched in 2021, ARUMCODE automates process design and NC program generation.
TTMC Type-F: Introduced in 2024, this machining center automates all twelve steps of the cutting process.
With TTMC Origin, Allm integrates simultaneous 3-axis and 5-axis machining capabilities with Azure OpenAI, creating an intuitive, interactive control model that guides operators through tasks such as machine control, process design, NC program generation, tool and material preparation, and automatic execution of machining processes.
Also Read: Japan Moves to Draft National AI and Robotics Strategy, Targeting Service Robot Gap
Democratizing Precision Manufacturing
One of the most significant aspects of TTMC Origin is its potential to formalize the advanced know-how traditionally held by experienced technicians. By embedding this expertise into AI-driven processes:
Even inexperienced operators can achieve high-precision results.
Schools and research labs can help students and researchers learn advanced machining skills. They can do this without requiring years of hands-on experience.
Smaller companies can now use technology that was once only available to big, specialized factories.
This is a major step to tackle the skills shortage in Japan’s manufacturing. The aging workforce and fewer experienced machinists have created challenges for precision industries.
The Technology Behind TTMC Origin
The TTMC Origin’s AI system combines:
Azure OpenAI: Provides the core natural-language processing and generative AI capabilities.
Allm’s machining data and process know-how: Ensures AI recommendations reflect real-world cutting expertise.
NC program generation algorithms and anomaly detection: Enables automated adjustments and error prevention during machining.
Allm is looking into more than just cutting operations. They are looking into hybrid setups that mix on-premise and cloud options. They are also focusing on high-security deployments. Additionally, they are considering uses in robotics and other manufacturing tools. This shows how versatile their AI model is in industrial automation.
Market Outlook and Commercial Strategy
Reservations for TTMC Origin are scheduled to begin July 2026, with international expansion planned from 2027 to countries including the United States, South Korea, and India. Priced at an estimated 30 million yen (excluding tax), the first-year sales target is approximately 100 units.
Allm makes high-precision AI-driven machining available to many users, including SMEs and schools. This helps more people adopt advanced manufacturing tech. It also gives Allm a competitive edge in the global AI-driven industrial automation market.
Implications for the Japanese Manufacturing Industry
The partnership between Allm and Microsoft Japan shows key trends in Japan’s industry, such as:
AI Integration in Industry 4.0: The rise of conversational AI shows that AI is now part of everyday operations. It’s not just for analysis or predictions anymore.
Automation and Workforce Augmentation: Companies can use AI to fill labor gaps and keep quality high.
Global Competitiveness: Japanese manufacturers historically lead in precision machinery. Using generative AI boosts Japan’s role in high-tech manufacturing worldwide.
Democratization of Technology: Smaller manufacturers and schools can use advanced machining tools easily. They don’t need specialist skills, which speeds up innovation and trains the next generation of engineers.
The TTMC Origin could boost investment in AI-driven industrial solutions. This is crucial for industries like automotive, aerospace, and electronics. In these fields, precision and efficiency are vital.
Future Vision: Human-AI Collaboration
Allm stresses that TTMC Origin is more than automation – it is an AI-driven manufacturing ecosystem. This ecosystem enables people and machines to work together, leading to several key benefits. Operators work more closely with machines, using AI as a helpful tool, not a replacement. AI learns from operators and improves cutting processes over time.
Students get hands-on experience with AI machines. This prepares them for careers in high-precision manufacturing. This model combines AI, robotics, and cloud intelligence. It can shape the future of industrial machinery. As a result, production becomes more efficient, reliable, and accessible.
Conclusion
The TTMC Origin represents a major innovation in AI-powered manufacturing, combining Allm’s machining expertise with Microsoft Japan’s Azure OpenAI capabilities. TTMC Origin changes how industries collaborate. It helps machines and humans work together smoothly. This happens through natural-language dialogue, automated processes, and precise results. The first units will launch in mid-2026, and international expansion is near. This project will transform Japan’s manufacturing sector. It will also increase global use of AI-powered automation.


