July 2006

P. 6    Interview

Takashi Ohtake: President & CEO, Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

P. 17   Kaleidoscope

A dream of winning three straight championships in Germany

P. 21    Detailed Reports

P. 21     In response to a fatal accident involving an elevator manufactured by Schindler Elevator, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has started considering measures to prevent the recurrence of such an accident

P. 23     Conversion of the results of an analysis of brain activities into commands opens a path for a new type of human machine interface (HMI) that can be controlled by the brain

P. 27     The latest IT solutions at the Design Engineering and Manufacturing Solutions Expo in Japan

P. 32     This years White Paper on Monozukuri articulates an international division of labor in which the role of Japan is to provide innovation

P. 34     SolidWorks tools allow users to correct errors semi-automatically through analysis of features

P. 35     In a white goods market that is still not mature, microwave ovens that enhance the flavor of foods are being developed

P. 36     Seven major electric companies in Japan are to formulate a model for evaluating design processes

P. 50  Feature: PEFC, a Front Runner of Fuel Cells, Meets Tough Competition

P. 52     Part 1:  Overview
P. 54     Part 2:  Shock of 57% – SOFC
P. 59     Part 3:  Shock of 0 million – MCFC
P. 64     Part 4:  Shock of 4600kW – PAFC

P. 71   How to Select and Buy Low-Priced Parts in China

Part 7: Learning how to purchase low-priced print circuit boards from a maker which has already used them

P. 75   New Ideas

Oil pumps that allow capacity to be varied continuously slide their gears in accordance with the extent of the pressure

P. 81   Search for Manufacturing

Transmission of design information: A 3D model cannot transmit all of it

P. 89    Special Report

Hot automobile parts: A report from the Automotive Engineering Exposition in 2006

P. 103   Special Report

Reasons why Omron, which has successfully gained high profits, implements a just-in-time production system in Shanghai, China

P. 113   Special Report

How to generate new ideas by using simulations

P. 118     The Method

Seven tools for product planning (Final Part)
Serving as a bridge towards optimization and development of a concept

P. 124   Toyota Production System and Its New Development (Part 7)

Application to job-order production of a wide variety of products in small quantities

P. 131    Documentary

(How an SME became a listed company [Part 5]): A Man's Tears

P. 141   Introductory Course on Analysis for Designers

Part 7: How to evaluate analytical results

P. 146   Material Dynamics Mandala

Part 19: Triangular screw threads that generate combined stress

P. 150   Outstanding SMEs

3TEC Corp./Sakai Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

P. 236   The Master

Part 26: Even though a company is in a niche market, it can do well if it is ranked at the top

P. 239   Accident Investigation

An oil refinery went up in flames due to an explosion of a pressure container whose steel plate was corroded by mists containing hydrogen

P. 242   Frank Opinion

The trap of impoverishment because of a bumper harvest in digital consumer electronics