Enabling Flexible Factory Layouts with Wireless Networking

Overview

 This case study explores how RICOH PFU COMPUTING Co., Ltd. addressed persistent manufacturing challenges, frequent layout changes, complex cabling, and limited workspace, by integrating wireless networking into its RICOH SC‑20 work inspection camera. By adopting an embedded Wi‑Fi® and Bluetooth® solution, the company achieved greater flexibility, reduced installation effort, and improved productivity on the factory floor. 

Customer Profile

Company:  RICOH PFU COMPUTING Co., Ltd. 
Headquarters: Japan

Silex Modules Used:

• SX-SDMAC Plus

Product Overview

Work Inspection Camera: RICOH SC‑20

The RICOH SC‑20 was developed under the concept of “real‑time monitoring of manual operations in factories.” Rather than inspecting finished products, the system monitors the assembly process itself, significantly improving operational accuracy and product quality.

Challenges at the Production Site

Manufacturing environments frequently undergo layout changes. Traditional wired systems require extensive effort to reroute or extend cables, increasing downtime and installation costs.

Additional challenges included:

• Limited space on workbenches for peripherals
• Difficulty operating cameras installed at elevated positions
• USB port constraints when adding external Bluetooth® adapters
• Complexity of global wireless certification requirements
• As wireless adoption increased across factories, customers began to expect Wi‑Fi connectivity as a standard feature.

Solution: Integrated Wireless LAN Module

RICOH PFU COMPUTING Co., Ltd selected Silex’s Embedded Wireless LAN Module to address these challenges.

Key Reasons for Selection:

• Single‑chip integration reduced PCB size and camera footprint
• Built‑in support for both Wi‑Fi® and Bluetooth®
• Comprehensive support for wireless certification across regions
• Driver porting assistance reduced development workload
• By partnering with a specialist provider, RICOH PFU COMPUTING Co., Ltd was able to simplify development and accelerate deployment while meeting regional regulatory requirements.
  
  

Results and Benefits:

The integrated wireless solution delivered measurable advantages:

• Flexible Factory Layouts: Cable‑free installation simplified layout changes and reduced downtime
  
  
• Reduced Installation Complexity: Eliminated extensive cable routing and peripheral wiring
  
  
• Smaller Hardware Footprint: Optimized PCB design through integrated wireless components
  
  
• Faster Global Deployment: Streamlined certification across Japan, the US, Canada, EU, and the UK
  
  
• Enhanced Traceability: Wireless data collection enabled improved inspection records and analytics

Results and Market Feedback 

Since launch, the RICOH SC‑20 has been well received by manufacturing customers seeking flexible, data‑driven inspection systems. The ability to capture both text and image data at the moment an error occurs has strengthened traceability and continuous improvement initiatives.

Sales, planning, and development teams continue to meet regularly to incorporate customer feedback and accelerate feature enhancements, including new compact sub‑camera options.

Future Outlook

RICOH PFU COMPUTING Co., Ltd plans to expand visualization, analytics, and AI‑driven capabilities to further improve inspection accuracy and usability. Continuous training and validation of AI models will ensure reliability as manufacturing requirements evolve.

Wireless connectivity and data utilization are expected to play an increasingly central role in next‑generation factory automation.

Conclusion

By integrating wireless networking into the RICOH SC‑20, RICOH PFU COMPUTING Co., Ltd achieved a more flexible, scalable, and future‑ready inspection platform. The solution reduces wiring complexity, supports rapid layout changes, and enables advanced traceability and analytics, delivering clear value to modern manufacturing environments.

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