LK Group Awarded China’s First “MRL 8 Certificate for Machine Tool Equipment Manufacturing” in Formative Manufacturing Sector
Recently, LK Group’s independently developed giga die-casting machines, with clamping forces ranging from 100,000 to 160,000 kN, were assessed by an expert panel against The Evaluation Specification for the Manufacturing Readiness Levels of Mechanical Basic Equipment (Casting, Forging and Stamping, Welding, Heat Treatment) (T/CMES 01012—2023). The machines were rated at Manufacturing Readiness Level 8 (MRL 8), making LK Group the first company in China’s formative manufacturing sector to obtain this certification.
The Specification stipulates the evaluation criteria and procedures for manufacturing readiness of mechanical basic equipment. It defines MRL as the extent to which product manufacturing technologies and equipment manufacturing capabilities meet production objectives, and classifies manufacturing readiness into three phases, nine levels, and 108 elements.
MRL 8 signifies that equipment manufacturing has reached a stage of stable mass production with customer recognition, reflecting a high level of production and technological maturity. It covers multiple aspects such as design refinement, process validation, manufacturing operations, quality management, cost control, supply chain, production tooling and process, as well as sales management and market performance.
At its core, MRL 8 requires demonstrated small-batch production capability, including: availability of all production resources for small-scale output; ability to accommodate customers’ special design requirements; capacity for core technology improvement and continuous optimization of key processes; operation under ISO 9001 and computerized management systems with complete process documentation; establishment of cost models for mass production based on specific process characteristics; third-party quality system certification; a pass yield exceeding 90% in small-batch production; compliance of stability and reliability tests with relevant standards; and meeting overall customer satisfaction benchmarks.
LK Group has established mature systems for industry chain collaboration, core component manufacturing, production processes, quality and cost control management, and market performance. The Group has accumulated substantial achievements and distinctive experience, and now possesses stable mass production capability for giga die casting machines of tonnage from 10000T to 16000T, meeting stringent industry standards in critical areas such as technical reliability, process standardization, and quality control.
As the first enterprise in China’s formative manufacturing sector to be certified at “Machine Tool Equipment Manufacturing Readiness Level 8,” LK Group has marked a new milestone in its drive to advanced intelligent equipment manufacturing.
Looking ahead, LK Group will continue to focus on high-end intelligent equipment manufacturing, increase R&D investment, break through key technical bottlenecks, and empower high-quality industrial development with superior products and services, providing strong support for the upgrading of upstream and downstream industries and delivering more industry-first, pioneering innovations.
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