南デザイン List of Products and Services

Gears and pulleys are critical mechanical components that require precise material selection, dimensional accuracy, and tooth profile accuracy. If any of these requirements are not met, the component cannot perform its intended function. At Minami Design, we manufacture high-precision gears and pulleys with stable and reliable quality, utilizing the advanced machining skills of our experienced engineers. In prototype development, gears and pulleys are often designed with unique shapes and custom dimensions that cannot be accommodated by standard off-the-shelf products. By combining NC lathe machining with secondary processes such as machining center operations, we are able to handle complex geometries and high-precision requirements through integrated, multi-process manufacturing. We accept orders starting from a single unit, making our services ideal for prototyping and small-lot production. From functional prototypes to pre-production verification parts, we propose the most suitable manufacturing methods based on your application and requirements. Please feel free to contact us for any inquiries regarding gear and pulley manufacturing.

• Prototype Services

We provide one-stop support for all stages of new product development, from design and engineering to prototyping and mass production. By accurately understanding our customers’ concepts and ideas, we translate them into practical solutions and help bring ideal products to life. With a wide range of manufacturing methods, state-of-the-art equipment, and highly skilled engineers, we are capable of manufacturing products using various materials and processes, including both plastics and metals. By handling all development stages in-house, we minimize communication gaps and contribute to shorter development timelines and reduced overall costs. ■ Solving challenges with a “Never Say It Can’t Be Done” mindset We work closely with our customers to overcome manufacturing challenges together. Guided by our philosophy of “Never say it can’t be done,” we thoroughly explore every technical and process-related possibility, going beyond expectations to propose the most effective solutions.

• Prototype Services
• 3D Printer

These are high-transparency visualization models made from acrylic or polycarbonate. Our processing technology allows for precise machining while maintaining excellent optical clarity, enabling clear observation of internal structures and fluid behavior. They are widely used as experimental and verification models in industries such as medical devices and automotive manufacturing, where internal conditions involving water, oil, and other fluids must be visually evaluated. In addition, they are also utilized for prototyping and evaluation of products requiring high transparency, including cosmetic containers and light guide lenses.

• Prototype Services

We manufacture high-precision metal parts using a wide range of 5-axis machining centers. We support components with complex geometries and strict tolerance requirements, including parts for automotive engines and transmission systems. We also have extensive experience machining complex three-dimensional shapes such as impellers. From single prototype parts to low-volume production, we flexibly meet a wide variety of needs. With multiple 5-axis machining centers in operation, we can machine complex parts as single-piece components. By minimizing setup changes, we achieve both high precision and short lead times. 【Available materials】 - A5052, A5056, A7071, AlumiGo, SUS303, SUS304, S45C, brass, etc.

• Other machine tools
• Prototype Services

Plastic machining is one of our core strengths. We support a wide range of part sizes, from ultra-small components to large parts, and have extensive experience machining difficult materials such as glass-filled plastics. As no tooling is required, initial costs can be kept low, making our services widely used for prototyping in OA equipment, automotive, and medical device industries. ■ We specialize in difficult-to-machine materials (glass-filled plastics) We have strong expertise in machining glass-filled plastics, including materials such as PC-GF. These materials have high hardness and are prone to warping, requiring advanced machining skills. Our experienced engineers, with deep knowledge of material characteristics, carefully machine each part one by one, drawing on years of accumulated know-how. Projects declined by other suppliers are also welcome—please feel free to contact us. ■ Complex plastic parts are also our specialty We can accommodate complex geometries that require undercuts, as well as large parts that must be machined in sections. Our certified technicians perform plastic welding, enabling us to handle processes from machining to joining in-house. We also have extensive experience machining thin, twisted, and flexible shapes.

• Other machine tools
• Prototype Services
• plastic

By utilizing the SLA (Stereolithography) process, which achieves both speed and high precision, we help accelerate your product development. Using ABS-like resin with excellent bending strength, we can produce durable prototypes that are highly resistant to cracking. In addition, by offering a one-stop service that includes surface finishing such as painting, our models are widely used for appearance verification and exhibition displays. We can also provide proposals on selecting the most suitable manufacturing method according to your application, including how to best differentiate between SLA and machining processes. 【Features】 ・Maximum build size: 800 × 600 × 400 mm Large parts can be manufactured as a single piece ・High production speed Capable of manufacturing in as little as 3 days ・Surface finishing available Painting and silk-screen printing can also be accommodated

• Processing Contract
• Other contract services

We offer high-precision measurement services using advanced 3D scanners. From creating scan data, we provide one-stop support covering design, modeling, prototype manufacturing, mold fabrication, and even mass production. We also support reverse engineering, such as rebuilding geometry from existing products, as well as the production of repair and replacement parts. In addition, measurement-only requests are also welcome. We can generate high-density scan data and provide modeling tailored to your specific application and requirements. 【Features】 ・High-precision 3D scanning available at a reasonable cost ・Seamless support from 3D scan data to prototyping and mass production ・Data delivery in STL format or with auto-surfacing, according to customer requirements ・Integrated modeling support in various 3D CAD-compatible file formats

• Contract manufacturing
• Other contract services

Vacuum casting is a manufacturing method in which a master model—produced by CNC machining, 3D printing, or provided by the customer—is molded using silicone rubber, and urethane or epoxy resin is then poured into the mold to create duplicate parts. By using silicone molds, this process enables the production of highly precise replicas, capable of reproducing even fine surface details such as fingerprints. We mainly handle urethane resins, with material options equivalent to ABS, PP, and rubber-like urethane, allowing us to select the most suitable material according to the intended application. Vacuum casting is an ideal solution for short lead-time prototyping and for customers seeking cost-effective resin replicas. 【Key advantages include】 ・Excellent cost performance and short delivery times ・Ability to replicate surface textures such as matte finishes and color details from the master model ・Colored urethane resins enable prototype production without painting ・Support for silicone molding, urethane rubber molding, two-color molding, and insert molding Through this process, we can deliver resin replicas that faithfully reproduce the shape and texture of the master model, while maintaining an optimal balance between cost and lead time. 【About Materials】 ■ Urethane and epoxy products made with silicone molds (equivalent to ABS, equivalent to PP, urethane rubber) ■ Silicone products made with resin molds

• Forging Machine

At Minami Design, approximately 10% of our employees are dedicated to quality control, and we conduct around 6,000 inspections annually. From prototyping to mass production, all in-house manufactured parts undergo thorough inspection to ensure consistent and reliable quality. As part of our quality assurance process, we can deliver inspection data obtained through 3D coordinate measuring machines and digital scanners together with the actual manufactured parts. This objective, data-driven evaluation enables accurate quality verification during the prototyping stage and helps reduce risks when transitioning to mass production.

• Prototype Services

We produce high-quality mockups tailored to specific applications, including exhibition models and catalog photography models. We specialize in large-scale models such as automotive-related products, and offer comprehensive support from the design stage—covering not only exterior appearance reproduction, but also internal mechanisms with movable gimmicks and integrated lighting effects. With many years of experience in prototyping and model manufacturing, combined with advanced technical expertise, we transform our customers’ concepts and ideas into tangible, physical models. By combining multiple manufacturing methods—such as CNC machining, SLA (3D printing), and vacuum casting—we are able to propose the most suitable mockup solutions based on your intended use, schedule, and budget. In addition, we provide surface finishing, painting, and decorative processing performed by skilled craftsmen, enabling us to reproduce textures and finishes that closely resemble mass-produced products. From confirmation models for internal review to eye-catching presentation models for exhibitions, we support mockup production optimized for each specific purpose.

• Prototype Services

Tooling-free production using machining processes is ideal for mass production with low initial costs. It is well suited for low-volume production ranging from a single piece up to approximately 1,000 units. We operate 60 machining centers, enabling simultaneous processing of multiple part types. This allows us to respond reliably to multi-variety production projects as well as short lead-time requirements. We also support delivery times as short as one weeks. 【Features】 ・High precision (tolerance: ±0.01 mm) ・Low initial costs (no tooling required) ・Flexible support for ramp-up production after prototyping and for production involving design changes ・Simultaneous machining of multiple part types using multiple machines ・Ideal for low-volume production (1 to 1,000 units) ・Short lead times, with delivery in as little as one weeks

• Other machine tools