Awa Paper Mfg. Co., Ltd. (Tokushima City) Production of reverse osmosis membrane support paper which is a heart of water purifying apparatus Nakamichi Iron Works Co., Ltd. (Tokushima City) Development of a supply system for parts alignment that enables a high-speed supply AWA SPINDLE CO., LTD.( Yoshinogawa City) Twisting unit that enables flexibility regarding threads to be used for synthesized fiber SHIKOKU KAKOKI CO.,LTD. (Itano Gun) Development of a liquid food filling machine at the highest level in the world 324
Production of reverse osmosis membrane support paper which is a heart of water purifying apparatus Awa Paper Mfg. Co., Ltd. 3-10-18 Minamiyaso-cho, Tokushima City Establishment: 1916 TEL +81-88-631-8108 http://www.awapaper.co.jp/comp any/index.html Yasuhiro Miki The company developed synthetic fiber paper where traditional dispersion techniques of Washi (Japanese paper) were applied to reverse osmosis membrane support paper, which was the most important functional member of water purifying apparatus that necessitated water resistance and uniformity. The company obtained the world highest share in such paper. Technology developed through traditional techniques In order to realize a sheet whose pore distribution and smooth surface are evenly controlled and difference of the length and breadth is small, dispersion techniques of a synthetic fiber paper are the key. Such techniques stem from Tame Koshi Shuho which is a traditional technique of Washi, which is so-called a synthetic fiber paper strained by machines. Stable continuous productivity Through using of a papermaking method in regards to a synthetic fiber paper used for clothes and nonwoven fabrics, a sheet for reverse osmosis membrane support paper that realizes even texture and stable properties was developed and a mass-production system was established. Such sheet requires the same degree of endurance as that of a life of device since it is used under a tightly sealed condition. However, no deterioration can occur at all from the beginning of use to the end, and stable performance can be realized. At present, the specifications of this company have become the standards of the industry (de facto standards). Superiority in terms of environmental aspect From among desalination technologies concerning seawater desalination units used in the world, desalination costs for a reverse osmosis method are the cheapest. Furthermore, expansion of dissemination is continued and the technologies of the company greatly contribute to energy conservation in the world. For new creation of new materials In regards to materials for papermaking, the advancement from special papers to functional papers, and from functional papers to functional materials has been made. And the functional papers of the company exceed the region of paper already and are involved into the regions of functional materials that support filter for engine, typology, electronics device, biotechnology, and life science. In order to form the function required through the era, the company continues to create great highly functional new materials that are environment-conscious as a joint development maker concerning functional paper and nonwaven fabrics using materials. 325
Development of a supply system for parts alignment that enables a high-speed supply Nakamichi Iron Works Co.,Ltd. 1-2-27 Kitayasocho, Tokushima City Establishment: 1968 TEL +81-88-632-3388 Takeo Nakamichi Various parts are aligned and supplied without causing scraps at high speeds. The company developed a system that helps energy conservation and speed up of a production line of a manufacturing maker. Rotation as a keyword that does not cause any stress on parts A previous system for parts alignment aligned and supplied components through vibration. Thus, this system was problematic concerning occurrence of scraps and noises through the contacts of parts. This product does not use vibration, but rotates inside a supply system and supplies the parts. Thought this, the both problems were solved. Development of such supply system for constant and high-speed parts alignment received an Excellence Award for Manufacturing and Production Process Division concerning the First Monodukuri Japan Grand Prize. Remarkable shortening of operational time A previous system for parts alignment supplied one by one. Thus, there was a limitation for realization of high-speed. This product slowly rotates within the supply system. And can control a suitable position and unit number simultaneously. The portion of array apparatus is composed of a disk. Only preparation of disk can allow replacement at the flip of a switch. Thus, this is generally available and the time of replacement is possible for a short time. This enables shortening of 1/5 through 1/10 of the previous operational time. Space conservation and low cost The portion of supplying of parts and a control unit for positioning are integrated. Thus, space conservation is possible. Also, this adopts a production system that checks the nature, shape, barycentric position, and movements of parts in a detailed manner, does not defy the properties of the parts, and makes the utmost use of such properties that are naturally aligned. And low cost is realized through no use of the newest sensor and robot. 326
Twisting Unit that gives elasticity to the synthetic fiber AWA SPINDLE Co., LTD. 80 Tenjin Yamakawa-cho Yoshinogawa City Establishment: 1943 TEL +81-883-42-4121 http://www.awa-spindle.com Satoru Kimura Chairman The company manufactures and sells Twisting Unit that plays an important role, to give elasticity, in the process of synthetic fiber, holding more than 90% of the domestic market share. Spindle only since foundation in 1943 AWA SPINDLE CO., LTD. has progressed through manufacturing Spindle since the foundation of the company in 1943. Spindle used at high-speed rotation requires endurance and safety in the severe using condition. Twisting Unit that is composed of such spindles is indispensable for processing luxurious synthetic yarn. Now the company holds more than 90% of the domestic market share. Technologies essential for Twisting Unit The company that has consistently engaged in spindle manufacturing accumulated heat treatment technique and know-how that create stronger metals through the experience of carburizing hardening since the beginning of Meiji era. Such technique and know-how realize the company to manufacture spindles that can endure ultrahigh-speed rotation from 1,000 rpm up to 1,000,000 rpm. Such durable spindle is an essential component for Twisting Unit Establishment of AWA brand from the unique and superior technology The long kept technology to make Spindle boost up to the company to the highest market share holding company. At the same time, the technologies realize the company to develop and manufacture the nozzles specialized for the textile industry, the special rotary unit and other various products. The technologies still empower the company to progress. technology to make spindle that has been kept in a consistent manner promoted the company to the company that holds the highest market share inside and outside Japan and enables multiple product employment such as development and production of nozzles that specializes in the filed of fiber, and development of special rotary unit and special materials. Also, such persistent attitude is highly evaluated in other markets and can advance the future of the company more increasable. 327
Development of a liquid food filling machine at the highest level in the world SHIKOKU KAKOKI CO.,LTD. 10-1 Aza-Nishinokawa, Tarohachisu, Kitajima-cho, Itano Gun Establishment: 1961 TEL +81-88-698-4141 http://www.shikoku-kakoki.co.jp Shigeru Ueda The company developed a forming and filling machine for paper cartons that fill liquid foods for the first time in Japan. In relation to a filling machine that supports a delta roof shaped paper cartons (gable top machine), the company holds more than 60% of the domestic production share. Expansion of the market share through use of the previous technology The company was founded as a maker involving food products and chemicals centered on stainless tank relating to dairy industry. Using the technologies accumulated until then, the company developed a filing machine for plastic bottles for lactic fermented milk by acid bacteria and made great success. After that, the company developed new products of a gable top filling machine, a desert filling machine, and an aseptic filling machine one after another, including a forming and filling machine for paper cartons that fill liquid foods for the first time in Japan. The company gradually expanded the share of the market that almost all imported products occupied. Organic integration of 3 fields of machines, packaging materials, and food products The company plans and proposes packaging materials that are most suitably matched, as well as filling machines. Through this, the company makes a success in regards to matching of containers, films, and machines as one of the problems of food product companies. Additionally, in regards to food business projects, the company develops all processes of fully automatic bean curd machine through containers and packaging films in-house. Feedbacks concerning the know-how obtained through manufacturing of food products are given to manufacture and development of filling machines and packaging materials. Synergistic effects are created through the organic integration of 3 fields, and become the strength of the company. Development of the world s best filling machine: high-speed stable operation recognized by users 33% of capacities were increased compared with the previous machines and expiration date for the product was extended to 2 times longer than the previous products due to improvement of the nature of sanitary, which developed the world best filling machine. Furthermore, the models of the products that considered energy conservation such as improvement and advancement of maintenance regarding automatic washing functions are lined up. These products greatly contribute to the dairy industry with an aim of intensification of domestic factories based on deregulation of trade. Such technological power of the company enables highly stable operations at the world s best level of quality, and the company holds more than 60% of the domestic share. 328