November 2005

P. 13   Frank Opinion

The principle that small is better than large is respected at flexible production sites

P. 15   Kaleidoscope

Japans design industry enters a new era on the strength of creativity and comprehensive capabilities for manufacturing

P. 19   Detailed Reports

P. 19    The presence of the worlds smallest components has increased as devices are becoming smaller and more multifunctional

P. 26    Canon commercializes multifunctional printers that have achieved a part recycling rate of about 90%

P. 28    UGS announces the release of a PLM solution for small and midsize manufacturers, whose main aim is speedy operation

P. 30    Fujitsu Laboratories develops an X-ray-based detection method that enables users to measure hexavalent chromium in procured parts with a high degree of accuracy

P. 32    The analytical capability of mid-range CAD systems has been enhanced

P. 34    Taiyo Yuden develops a way to visualize the noise of cell phones

P. 35    Sharp discloses its superheated steam system, which can generate 10 to 15 times more superheated steam than competitors systems

P. 36    While Chinese companies make rapid progress in the market for circuit materials, Japanese firms differentiate themselves by manufacturing high-quality products

P. 37    SSA Global focuses on user-friendliness and Glovia International aims at expanding its sales to medium-sized companies

P. 56   Feature: The Era of Self-Manufacturing

P. 58 Part 1:Reasons Why More Companies Start Self-Manufacturing


P. 64 Part 2:Case Study

Case 1: The NEC Group
Case 2: Mazda Motor Corporation
Case 3: Citizen Precision Machinery Co., Ltd.
Case 4: Showa Corporation
Case 5: Sony Manufacturing Systems Corporation
Case 6: Jujo Electronics Corporation

P. 80   Chinas Secrets, Japans Secret Plans

Part 11: Reasons why copied products are sometimes better than original ones; Chinese manufacturers are incredibly zealous about gathering information

P. 84   New Ideas

The length of conveyors can be adjusted by sliding triangle plates

P. 88   Search for Manufacturing

Small and mid-sized companies as receivers of business orders

P. 95  Special Report

Flash report on technology from the Tokyo Motor Show 2005

P. 103   Special Report

The R-map method is a guide for safety designing

P. 113   Special Report

PLM solutions have been adopted more widely in preparation for the next leap 

P. 140    The Method

Sonys Six Sigma (Final Part)
Procedures for project activities

P. 145    Essence of Standardization (Part 2)

Standardization of procedures for new product development

P. 151    Documentary

(Comeback of mechanical watches: Part 3) Why mechanical watches, now?

P. 156    Studying Hot Products

Rear Projection TV Sets: Reasonably-priced models with screens larger than 50 inches are looming as a dark horse in the large-screen TV market

P. 158    Material Dynamics Mandala

Part 11: What kind of shape of cross section is resistant to deflection?

P. 167    Treasure Box of Embedded Software

Part 11: Standards for skills designed to educate software engineers

P. 172    Outstanding SMEs

- TENPAKU.R, which is known for manufacturing plastic prototypes, offers a service that converts developers concepts into a visible form

- NDK Inc., which is known for ultrasonic machining, says you cant sell processing machines without knowing about processing

P. 275    The Master

Part 18: Profits lie in the neighborhood of deep discount markets

P. 279    Accident Investigation

Fire shutters can hurt people, and smoke detectors malfunction on a routine basis

P. 282    Diary of an IT Consultant

A company aiming at connecting production with sales directly faces difficulties in projecting revenues