■Tensho Electric Industries ＜6776＞ Company Overview

(2) Design/Analysis/Material Selection

a) Cutting-Edge Technology

In order to pursue customer advantages, we respond flexibly to customer needs using cutting-edge technology such as product weight reduction, production efficiency, conversion to recycled materials, etc., and pursue cost reduction.

b) Design

Using product design that makes full use of CAE/CAD, we make design proposals that take into account efficient production and mold structures without waste, such as mock-up evaluations, mold structure studies, function studies, etc.

c) Analysis

One technology that the company has confidence in is analysis technology using CAE (Computer Aided Engineering). Using a product model created with 3D CAD, flow, cooling, shrinkage, etc. are analyzed using a computer, and after thorough examination from all angles, we move on to the prototype stage.

d) Material selection

The company also supports the selection of resin materials that achieve optimal shapes with excellent cost performance without lowering conventional functions or quality when switching from ferrous and non-ferrous metal materials to resin materials. Quick proposals are realized by linking materials with design or production lines, from material analysis to new polymer development, polymer alloy studies, etc.

(3) Resin welding technology

Assembly man-hours are greatly reduced, and it greatly contributes to cost reduction and lead time reduction for customers.

a) Vibration welding

It is a method of bonding by vibrating the welding surface and melting the resin with frictional heat.

b) Hot plate welding

It is a method of sandwiching a hot plate between the welding surfaces of the material to be welded, heating the welding surface at an appropriate temperature, and then crimping and bonding.

(4) Special molding technology

The company's molding technology enhances product design flexibility. Currently, we are accurately responding to customer requests and needs by utilizing molding technology for glossy fabric parts. The molding technology that the company has cultivated since its establishment is enormous, and this can be said to be the company's greatest strength. The following are some of them.

a) E-Mold

It is an ultra-high temperature mold temperature control technology that uses electric heat to heat only the mold surface (heating core) to the melt temperature of the resin within tens of seconds and then cools it within 30 seconds after filling. By improving the exterior finish in the molding process, the coating process normally performed after molding is omitted, leading to an improvement in total cost.

b) eMCO

It is an ultra-high temperature mold temperature control technology that uses electric heat to heat the mold surface within tens of seconds and cools it through water through the electric heating outer periphery after filling.

c) Heat & Cool

By passing steam (steam) through the mold for a fixed period of time and temporarily raising the mold temperature, appearance defects such as welds, flow marks, etc. that occur on the product surface are improved. Product slide-molding is eliminated by improving the grain transfer rate and reducing residual stress strain during molding.

d) 3D WeldressHeat&Cool

General Heat & Cool can only handle flat or similar product shapes, but since the company's latest technology “3D Weldress Heat & Cool” is compatible with three-dimensional shapes, three-dimensional high-gloss weldress molding is possible. Future application fields are expected.

e) AGI

In injection molding, nitrogen gas is injected continuously into resin injection, and by holding pressure, the quality of the molded product (sink marks, slit, etc.) is improved, the shape is simplified, and strength is increased due to an unbalanced design. By using this method, it is possible to respond to new designs and cost reductions.

f) Counter-pressure molding

Smooth molded products can be obtained by keeping the inside of the mold in a pressurized state, suppressing surface foaming, and cooling and solidification. Sink marks and sliders have been improved, and it is compatible with thick molded products. Also, the pressure in the mold is low and relatively large molded products can be obtained.

(5) Product evaluation/measurement

The company carries out dimensional measurements using prototypes and evaluations in various environments during the development stage, and aims to manufacture products that fully satisfy customers. Typical devices with the company's characteristics are as follows.

a) 3D measuring machine

It is a measuring instrument that can measure products with dots and lines and observe three-dimensional objects with spherical probes made of rubies, ceramics, etc.

b) Xenon weather meter

It is a device that predicts the life span of products and materials by artificially reproducing indoor and outdoor conditions such as sunlight, temperature, humidity, and rainfall to promote fading and deterioration.

c) Vehicle storage type large thermostatic chamber

It is an experimental device that can store a full-scale vehicle (automobile), and evaluates durability/reliability against environmental changes such as temperature and humidity.

(Written by FISCO Visiting Analyst Noboru Terashima)