8
YOUR GLOBAL CRAFTSMAN STUDIO
Takiguchi (Mitsubishi Materials):
I was
on the production line in 1987 when
Mitsubishi started producing the V6
engine.
Kitamura (Mitsubishi Materials):
The
V6 was being supplied to Chrysler at
that time. We produced 50,000 vehicles
per month. I think then it was the busiest
production line in the world.
Takiguhi (Mitsubishi Materials):
Yes, it
was 50,000 vehicles per month, right?
Under such tough conditions, Mitsubishi
Materials tools had their job cut out
for them. We were always aware that
even the tiniest of problems could stop
a production line so we were always
thinking of ways to process high efficiency
tools. The know-how accumulated
through the Tool Technology Council was
very useful.
Kitamura (Mitsubishi Materials):
We
needed to continually produce faster, so
we also had to reduce the time it took for
tool replacement.
Shimizu (Mitsubishi Motors):
It was in
1987 that we developed a system that
allowed replacement of tools with the
click of a button. We developed this
system in collaboration with machine
design engineers, but the sharing of
a wide range of knowledge through
Producing excellent tools to support the busiest
production lines in theworld
The Tool Technology Council benefits
from a history where engineers from
different areas had discussions and
ideas to ensure that quality wasn’t
compromised. Despite the difficulties,
ultimately, solutions were always found
The Tool Technology Council has also
focused on the cultivation of young
engineers, serving as an opportunity
for them to objectively examine their
technical capability. Mid-level engineers
are also involved in Council activities,
constantly challenging one another to
improve.
Shimizu (Mitsubishi Motors):
The
opportunity to share the most advanced
information that individual members had
was quite meaningful, and it served to
vitalize technology. That is how new ideas
and opinions were generated. The Tool
Technology Council is an organisation
where core elements of automobile
manufacturing are brought together in
the search for future directions.
Ogino
(Mitsubishi
Motors):
The
Mitsubishi Powertrain Plant (Kyoto) is a
major production facility for the engines
used by Mitsubishi Motors. At its peak,
some 5,000 employees operated world-
class production lines twenty-four
hours a day. To support this operation,
Tool Technology Council members
were required to have the highest level
of knowledge and skill and it was quite
an honour for young engineers to be
selected as members.
Takiguchi (Mitsubishi Materials):
Only
about 5 employees from Mitsubishi
Materials are selected to join the Council
each year. New members are selected
as the Council evolves and adapts along
with the trends in industry. To date, it has
accumulated know-how and experience
over 50 years.
Uno (Mitsubishi Motors):
Yes. For the
young engineers, it is a big honour to be
involvedwith the Tool Technology Council.
The technology that has been developed
and passed down by the Council has
contributed to growth over the past 50
years.
Nishida (Mitsubishi Motors):
I am
currently the Mass Production Team
leader at the Council and I feel that
employees from both companies bring
needs and seeds to the same table,
set common goals and discuss issues
together. The Council has become an
excellent place for technical exchanges.
Mitsubishi Materials used to dispatch
personnel to Mitsubishi Motors but then
stopped 25 years ago. Just this year
though, Mitsubishi Materials rejoined
the Council and sent Mr. Uno to join.
The Tool Technology Council really is an
outstanding venue for human resource
exchanges.
FOCUS ON PERFORMANCE
Japanese industry has taken its lead
from the automotive industry, which
continues to show growth driven by
demand in emerging markets. Technical
innovation such as the production of
electric vehicles has also accelerated
and Mitsubishi Motors has continued
to innovate and produce even better
products. Mitsubishi Motors 50-year
collaboration with Mitsubishi Materials
has supported this history of innovation.
In this feature, we visited Mitsubishi
Motors Powertrain Plant in Kyoto to
ask about the collaboration between
both companies in the development of
process technology, global expansion
and the contributions made by
Mitsubishi Materials.
(Left) Taizo Uno: Powertrain Production Engineering Group, Powertrain Production Engineering Department, Mitsubishi Motors
(Middle) Atsushi Kitamura: Manager at the Sales Department, Osaka Office, Global Key Accounts Department, Sales Division, Mitsubishi Materials
(Right) Masaharu Takiguchi: Machining Technology Center, Research &Development Division, AdvancedMaterials and Tools Company, Mitsubishi Materials
