DMG MORI CO., LTD. (hereinafter referred to as “DMG MORI”) and The University of Tokyo have announced to establish the Machining Transformation Research Center (“MX Center”) within the Graduate School of Engineering of The University of Tokyo (Dean: Yasuhiro Kato) on April 1, 2026, to address key issues in the manufacturing industry, including efficiency improvement, energy savings, and labor shortages with a view toward 2050. Prior to the opening, a joint press conference was held on March 9 at Yasuda Auditorium on The University of Tokyo’s Hongo Campus.

Machine tools support people’s daily lives and society by manufacturing products with high precision and efficiency. By achieving GX through process integration and automation, and by improving production processes through DX, DMG MORI has been promoting MX (Machining Transformation) as a framework for transforming manufacturing operations to enable the consolidation of in-use machines tools worldwide from 5 million units to 1 million units by 2050. However, achieving this goal requires continuous technological innovation that supports MX.

In response to industry and societal needs, The University of Tokyo has set out its core policy “UTokyo Compass” to advance knowledge creation and diverse dialogue. With focus on GX (Green Transformation) for a sustainable society and digital transformation, The University is strengthening both its financial base and research structure through endowment-based research organizations funded by corporate donations. With the MX Center, The University aims to deepen industry–academia co-creation and drive innovative technologies for next-generation manufacturing with highly skilled professionals.

The MX Center serves as a hub for research on MX-basis that enhances the long-term value of machine tools and drives technological innovation with interdisciplinary research across mechanical engineering, precision engineering, materials engineering, control engineering, mathematical sciences, and data science. The MX Center will collaborate with multiple research divisions within The University of Tokyo as well as with industry, government, local authorities, and universities and research institutions in Japan and abroad to advance cross-disciplinary research initiatives.

These will include process-based research for cutting, grinding, and additive manufacturing (AM) as well as research aimed at advancing the visualization and modeling of machining phenomena while enhancing machine tools and machining systems through digitally enabled design, control, and operation. Also, the MX Center aims to extend academic knowledge gained in metal processing to growth fields including energy, aerospace, medical applications, and semiconductors to contribute to high value-added products and new industry creation. Through collaboration with universities, research institutions, and industry in Japan and abroad, the MX Center will promote international dissemination, social implementation, and standardization in global manufacturing, strengthening the international competitiveness of Japan’s manufacturing industry.

In human resource development, DMG MORI and The University of Tokyo will collaborate through On-the-Research Training (ORT) programs, seminars, and internships to develop highly skilled professionals with advanced technical expertise and a broad perspective on technology, thereby strengthening the foundation of the manufacturing industry as a whole.

The MX Center is funded by the Machining Transformation Research Center Fund established within The University of Tokyo Fund through donations by DMG MORI. This structure enables stable, long term operation and supports the continuous advancement of research and human resource development, while simultaneously promoting academic achievements and social implementation.

DMG MORI and The University of Tokyo will utilize the MX Center to strongly promote industry–academia synergy in the fields of mechanical engineering, materials, machine control, mathematical sciences, and data science. By connecting research to real world applications and feedbacking practical challenges back into academic inquiry, we will contribute to next generation manufacturing that accelerates process integration, automation, and GX through DX.