April 2006

P. 6    Interview

Tomohisa Yamazaki: President, Yamazaki Mazak Corporation

P. 17   Kaleidoscope

You can know a person's true feelings without seeing his or her eyes

P. 21    Detailed Reports

P. 21   Why is Nichia Corporation giving up "the 404 Patent?

P. 23   Canon has succeeded in reducing the size of an image stabilizer for digital cameras to one-fourth of that of earlier models by using a MM (moving magnet)-type motor and ceramics balls, and has adopted it for its IXY DIGITAL 800 IS

P. 27   The competition for leadership in the market for a light 3D data format is intensifying

P. 31   Why is the French software company, Dassault Systemes, acquiring US-based MatrixOne?

P. 32   Hitachi Corporation has taken the first step towards commercialization of circulating elevators in which several cars can circulate on a single loop

P. 34   The University of Tokyo and Omron will jointly develop an image-processing technology for ITS

P. 36   Fractionalization of research and development has become apparent, and the success of information sharing depends on individual researchers efforts

P. 37   UGS enhances simulation-related functions

P. 38   Flaw detectors based on acoustic emission (AE) sensors: Nitto Seiko develops ultrasonic flaw detectors ahead of schedule, which can hear the moment when a flaw occurs

P. 56   Feature: Human resources development in an era of mass hiring; How to prevent past mistakes from being repeated

P. 58  Part 1:  Overview—Be strict in selecting new recruits and train them with great care

P. 64  Part 2:  Case studies—Improve their skills

P. 74  Part 3:  Schools – Develop candidates for employment

P. 79   How to Select and Buy Low-Priced Parts in China

Part 4: The per-piece cost for molding resin products is not cheap, and there is potential for cost saving in mold costs

P. 88   New Ideas

A continuous variable valve lift mechanism that controls the displacement direction of a second rocker arm, etc.

P. 93   Search for Manufacturing

The relationship between the life of a product and its safety

P. 99    Special Report

Canon wins an ink cartridge recycling lawsuit, but there is a drawback to the victory

P. 109   Special Report

Cell manufacturing using robots

P. 122     The Method

Seven tools for product planning (Part 1)
Methods for determining what kinds of products should be produced

P. 128   Toyota Production System and Its New Development (Part 4)

Just-in-time system, reduction in setup time, and development of more multi-skilled workers

P. 133    Documentary

(A story about an SME whose shares were listed on a stock exchange [Part 2]): The day when the president got down on his hands and knees

P. 139   Introductory Course on Analysis for Designers

Part 4: Boundary conditions for analysis of eigenvalues

P. 148   Material Dynamics Mandala

Part 16: How to determine the required number of reinforcing bars

P. 156   Outstanding SMEs

Sanyo Stamping Industries Co., Ltd./ Konan Tokushu Sangyo Co., Ltd.

P. 244   The Master

Part 23: Cooking which does not require stewing and boiling and does not generate waste

P. 247   Accident Investigation

A train continued to run until it burst into flames. It could not be stopped even though it was known that something was wrong

P. 250   Frank Opinion

The industry, government, and academia should make joint efforts to do more scientific research on capabilities for value-creating manufacturing