Shifts in Japanese Manufacturing – Sights and Sounds from Manufacturing World Japan

Shifts in Japanese Manufacturing – Sights and Sounds from Manufacturing World Japan

by | Sep 28, 2023 | News

This year, Sachiko and I attended the Manufacturing World Japan exhibition at the Big Sight exhibition hall in Tokyo. Manufacturing World is a leading series of industrial trade shows for the manufacturing industry, held four times a year in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka. It consists of 10 specialized shows covering a wide range of products and technologies.

One focus area at the exhibition was the digitalization of business, known as DX (as the Japanese abbreviate it). Japanese manufacturers are seeking ways to digitize all aspects of their operations, which marks a significant shift for the country. Japanese businesses still rely on outdated technologies despite its reputation as a technological hub. Tech czar Taro Kono is attempting to phase out floppy disks and fax machines in the Tokyo government by rewriting data storage and transmission regulations. This battle was on display at the Manufacturing World Japan exhibition this summer.

The exhibition hall was dominated by exhibitors of various sizes, offering solutions for companies of any size or legacy. Notable companies included Google and Salesforce and Japanese firms like Hitachi, Misumi, Kintone, and Zero Four. The show featured a range of solutions for asset management, HR, supply chain management, quality and inspection, and facility management.

While American companies generally have a head start in digitalization and have largely digitized shop floor management and estimation since the 90s, other areas of interest at the exhibition were unrelated to digitalization.

One aspect that caught my attention was the sophistication of Japanese corporate uniforms. In contrast to the typical American uniform of polo shirts and khakis, Japanese uniforms are engineered to project a sleek and technologically advanced image while ensuring workers stay cool. As the climate changes, Japanese uniforms have adapted active and passive cooling systems. Personally, I even purchased a wearable heat pump from Sony to keep cool during the sweltering Tokyo summer. It’s essential for Jordan Manufacturing to prioritize our workers’ comfort, safety, and productivity, especially as we work with customers and vendors around the world.

Another area of interest was material handling. Jordan Manufacturing specializes in metal stampings and assemblies, often dealing with numerous boxes on the floor. At the exhibition, companies showcased suction systems for picking and placing boxes, even those made of porous cardboard materials. This has clear ergonomic benefits and could be integrated into our assembly cells while providing advantages for aging workforces by reducing fatigue and injuries.

While it’s evident that robotics and additive manufacturing have a promising future in the global industry, it’s crucial to remember that people will always be a significant part of manufacturing. Investing not only in the comfort and safety of our coworkers but also in improving other processes such as sales, planning, quality management, and HR is essential.

Three Things to Know When Purchasing Tooling

Three Things to Know When Purchasing Tooling

by | Jun 5, 2023 | News

When it comes to purchasing tooling, there are several important considerations to keep in mind. In this blog post, we will discuss three key factors that can greatly impact your tooling experience. By understanding these factors, you can make informed decisions and minimize potential risks and challenges. 

 

 

    1. The Importance of Local Sourcing for Timely Delivery: Foreign-sourced tools may carry additional risks and uncertainties that can jeopardize your project’s timeline. Often, new tools sourced from overseas require time-consuming adjustments to work efficiently in your production environment. This can cause unnecessary stress and delays when every day and week counts. To mitigate these issues, consider purchasing tools locally. Although you might assume that local sourcing is outside your budget, companies like Jordan Manufacturing offer competitively priced tools that are built in-house and ready to run when they leave the toolroom. By opting for locally-sourced tools, you can ensure smoother operations, reduce tooling costs, and meet your project deadlines with confidence.

    2. Design Flexibility for Future Revisions: Design changes are a common occurrence in manufacturing processes. However, if your tool is not built with potential revisions in mind, you may face the need to purchase another tool altogether. This situation can be costly and disruptive to your operations. At Jordan Manufacturing, we prioritize minimizing disruptions for our customers. Our design process includes a thorough discussion about the likelihood and types of revisions that may arise during the lifespan of your project. By designing your tool with flexibility and adaptability in mind, we can help you avoid unnecessary expenses and keep disruptions to a minimum, ensuring a smoother production process in the long run.

      3. Translating Models into Functional Tools: While advancements in computer-aided design software have revolutionized tool design, it is essential to remember that a model is not a part. Although you can create impressive designs quickly using software, the practical considerations for producing a quality part remain unchanged. At Jordan Manufacturing, we have been in the industry since 1949, and our experience has taught us the importance of translating “the perfect model” into a functional tool that meets the required function. Our design process involves close collaboration with customers to ensure that the final tool effectively produces high-quality parts according to the desired specifications. By combining our expertise in tool design with your vision, we can deliver a tool that not only looks good on the screen but also performs optimally in real-world production. 

Purchasing tooling is a critical decision that can significantly impact your manufacturing process. By considering the three factors discussed in this blog post – local sourcing, design flexibility, and translating models into functional tools – you can make informed choices that lead to smoother operations, reduced costs, and improved overall productivity. At Jordan Manufacturing, we understand these considerations and are committed to providing you with programs, tooling and product that meet your budget, minimize disruptions, and deliver the quality and functionality you require. Contact us today to discuss your tooling needs and embark on a successful manufacturing journey.