January 2006

P. 6    Monozukuri Interview

Masayuki Morozumi: Chief Production Officer and Senior Managing Director, Seiko Epson Corporation

- We should never cut costs by sacrificing quality

P. 17   Kaleidoscope

Hybrid steam engines developed

P. 21    Detailed Reports

P. 21    Toto improves the absorption power of its electrostatic zippers by 20 times

P. 25    Yaskawa Electric Corporation develops industrial robots that mimic the motion of human arms

P. 27    Sankyo Seisakusho offers orthogonal axis reducers that do not allow a rolling contact to cause backlashes

P. 29    PTC of the U.S. launches a new version of Wildfire, 3D CAD software designed to reduce operator time

P. 31    A new system enables users to simulate a factorys building and its production lines at the same time

P. 32    Niigata Machine Techno simplifies the assembly process by improving the precision of parts

P. 33    Free-machining characteristics of lead-free brass materials are improved

P. 34    Thanks to PLA and hybrids, physical properties of polymer materials have improved and technological advancements have been made

P. 48   Feature: How to turn the Year 2007 Issue to your advantage

P.50    Part 1: Overview—Opportunity or Crisis?


P.54    Part 2: An opportunity to advance the IT revolution—Unified awareness at workplaces enhances their underlying strength beyond expectations


P.61    Part 3: The path to becoming a contemporary master craftsman—Opportunities are expanding for young engineers to play an active role, and they should train themselves flexibly

Case 1: Hiromi Kataoka (Alpha): Cold forging
Case 2: Shigeo Ozawa (Mitsuya): Metal plating processing
Case 3: Toshio Watabe (Matsushita Electric Industrial): Custom-made hearing aids
Case 4: Shunichi Tanouke (Denso): Skill Olympics

P. 76   How to Select and Buy Low-Priced Parts in China

Part 1: Parts unavailable in Japan can be bought in small lots in China

P. 81   New Ideas

Conveyors that prevent collisions at work

P. 88   Search for Manufacturing

Dealing with environment issues in product development

P. 93  Accident Investigation

An emergency order was issued to Matsushita Electric Industrial due to carbon monoxide poisoning accidents caused by its defective kerosene heaters

P. 105   Special Report

The third generation of continuously variable transmission (CVT)

P. 111   Special Report

Five-axis processing spotlighted in the metal molding industry

P. 119   Special Report

European manufacturers accelerate introduction of Japanese ways of making things

P. 132    The Method

Taguchi Method (Part 2)
Parameter design for dynamic characteristics

P. 138   The Essence of the Toyota Production System and Its New Developments (Part 1)

Reasons for reducing inventory

P. 143    Documentary

(Comeback of mechanical watches: Part 5) Young and energetic talent; experts wisdom

P. 148   Material Dynamics Mandala

Part 13: How to prevent sympathetic vibrations

P. 154   Introductory Course on Analysis for Designers

Part 1: Three hurdles that beginners often encounter

P. 158   Outstanding SMEs

Nihon Dento Kougyo Co., Ltd./Chuo Kakohki Co., Ltd.

P. 222   The Master

Part 20: Making screws by screwing a plate

P. 226   Frank Opinion

The U.S. machine-tool industry has fallen prey to M&A activities