萬代 Product Lineup

To get straight to the conclusion, we successfully completed the good product. Now, let me provide a digest of the path to completion. With the Obon holiday approaching, both the machining and brazing contractors seem to be extremely busy. It doesn't seem like there's any room to squeeze in new projects at this timing. Finding new machining contractors has also reached a deadlock. So, I decided to change my approach. *You can view the detailed content of the blog through the related links. For more information, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.*

• Other machine elements

The situation has changed significantly as we no longer need brazing processing and have obtained the blank drawings. After reaching out again to machining contractors, including those who had previously declined, we found a suitable one. Due to the rush demand before the Obon holiday in Japan, it was difficult to find domestic contractors, so we decided to request only the blank processing from overseas contractors. The finishing processing will be handled by a domestic contractor, who has agreed to work even during the Obon holiday. *You can view the detailed content of the blog through the related links. For more information, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.*

• Other machine elements

The delivery of the pure copper brazed products has been successfully completed, and just as I felt relieved, I received a repeat order. However, there is no sense of urgency like last time. I have a good grasp of the processing steps and am assembling everything properly. As for brazing, I had understood it by listening to the processing company and researching online, but I wanted to see it with my own eyes. *For more detailed content, you can view it through the related links. For more information, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.*

• Other machine elements

As the subject suggests, the historical depreciation of the yen shows no signs of stopping. Recently, there was a slight appreciation of about 5 yen due to government intervention in the foreign exchange market, but shortly after, the yen fell again. I'm not sure if the term "fall" is appropriate, but I don't have the impression that this depreciation of the yen is providing a better environment for our lives and the economy. In the past, when the yen depreciated, it was said that companies, especially those focused on exports, would thrive, resulting in an expansion of the trade surplus. However, that is not the case nowadays. As it is mockingly referred to as a "bad yen depreciation," a weaker yen does not necessarily lead to a trade surplus. *For more details on the blog, you can view it through the related links. For more information, please feel free to download the PDF or contact us.

• Other machine elements

Due to the impact of the historically weak yen, companies that primarily relied on imports may be entering a transition period to switch to domestic procurement. In the previous blog, I wrote pompously that the trend of returning to domestic production that will be noteworthy in the future is to "not only pursue cost but also emphasize supply chains aimed at stable supply." Until now, "low cost" has been the most important factor. *For more details, you can view the blog through the related link. Please feel free to download the PDF or contact us for more information.*

• Other machine elements

I will share information about visiting JIMTOF next time, and this time I will write about a processing company in Ibaraki Prefecture. The processing companies in the "Hometown Processing Network" often specialize in specific processing tasks, but this particular company is a bit different. In a word, they are "all-purpose." From spot products to mass-produced items, they can handle a wide range of processing tasks including cutting, polishing, heat treatment, welding, painting, and assembly all in one stop. *You can view detailed content of the blog through the related links. For more information, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.*

• Processing Contract

Well, here we are at "JIMTOF2022." Since this is the first real event in four years, there are people everywhere—so many people! I went by car with the executive of a processing company, who I had been drinking with until late the night before, but we wandered around for nearly an hour looking for parking. Thanks to that, we both arrived exhausted. By the way, I participate every year in the "Kansai Machine Elements Technology Exhibition" held at Intex Osaka, but I have never had trouble finding parking there. As soon as we arrived, we headed straight to our goal this time: the "Additive Manufacturing Area." *You can view more detailed content on the blog through the related links. For more information, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.*

• Exhibition

Last year, we received very high evaluations regarding the "price and quality" of the large canning products we delivered, and we have received inquiries again this year. Now, regarding the important details, the person in charge said, "Hmm, it hasn't changed much from last year." However, it has changed significantly. While the base is indeed similar, it is completely different. The difficulty of processing has greatly increased. When I asked again about the reasons for the changes in the drawings, I learned that the previous version was the first actual production, and there have been improvements in the durability of the actual product and structural changes during assembly, among other things. *You can view the detailed content of the blog through the related links. For more information, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.*

• Processing Contract

Continuation from last time - We received an inquiry regarding large canning products based on last year's repeat order, but due to changes in the drawings, the costs have significantly increased. It is difficult, if not impossible, to reflect the processing details and keep costs at the same level as last year. Even if we cut the margins for the processing contractors and our company, it is still far from feasible. Moreover, since this is a business, if either our suppliers or our company has to compromise, a good relationship with our customers will not last long. Therefore, we will reconfirm the "necessity" of the processing details with our customers. *You can view the detailed content of the blog through the related links. For more information, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.

• Processing Contract

We received a request for a quotation for machined products from a customer. The material is pure copper, and the machining requires black chromate surface treatment. As we have mentioned several times in past blogs, our company has received many inquiries and has extensive experience in machining pure copper, but this is our first experience with machining that requires surface treatment. So why is surface treatment necessary for pure copper? I thought about the reasons a bit. Pure copper is a material that easily oxidizes in the atmosphere. We have even encountered cases where products changed color after being stored for just a few days post-processing. *For more details, you can view the content of the blog through the related link. For more information, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.*

• Surface treatment contract service
• Other metal materials

The other day, we received a request for a quotation for bearings from a customer. The details of the request are for model "608ZZ," quantity: 800/LOT, with an annual usage of 2,000 to 3,000 pieces. Upon confirming the background of the request, it was found that it was a replacement from a certain domestic bearing manufacturer. The reason for the replacement is said to be due to recent price revisions. This is a common story in the market. As a reminder, our company is a sales agent for the bearing manufacturer "NSK" (Nippon Seiko), so we will, of course, provide a quotation for NSK products. However, since it is a replacement, the price is relatively low. Furthermore, bearing replacements are not just a matter of price competition. It is important to be cautious as dimensions and specifications may vary among different manufacturers. *For more details, you can view the blog through the related link. For further information, please feel free to download the PDF or contact us.

• Bearings

Suddenly, everyone, do you accurately understand the meaning of welding symbols? I believe that processing companies that actually perform welding understand them, but I am curious about the level of understanding among sales representatives at technical trading companies like ours. If a sales representative could discuss points like "this welding point is ~" when receiving drawings from customers, it would be very reassuring, wouldn't it? However, isn't it often the case that it just ends with "they are welding"? Depending on the material and application, is arc welding, TIG welding, or perhaps fiber laser welding necessary? Isn't it common for it to end with something like, "If it's this type of welding, let's get a quote from that processing company"? *You can view the detailed content of the blog through the related link. For more information, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.

• Welding Machine

In the previous blog, I wrote that it is difficult to accurately understand and remember the content of welding symbols, but recently I had the opportunity to closely engage with "welding." Last year, I received a request for a quote from a customer for a certain drawing. It was a cylindrical shape resembling a hat. The size was about φ1600, and since there were no welding symbols, I assumed it was a machined product and requested a quote from a machining company that specializes in large-scale machining. After that, based on the response from the machining company, I submitted a quote to the customer. Two months later, I received another request for a re-quote from the customer. *You can view the detailed content of the blog through the related link. For more information, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.*

• Welding Machine

The other day, I visited a new customer to introduce our company and explain our efforts in custom processing. During the discussion, the customer asked, "Are there many trading companies like Bandai that are engaged in such initiatives?" While it seems like a common question, it was actually one that had not been asked much before. I can think of many trading companies that have strengths in one area or the other, but there aren't many that position both "manufacturer products and custom processing" as their main business. However, in our case, we do position both "manufacturer products and custom processing" as our main business. *For more details, you can view the blog through the related link. For further information, please feel free to download the PDF or contact us.*

• Other services
• Other processing machines

The other day, I visited a leaf spring processing company for "certain reasons." The details about leaf springs and the processing company have been introduced in past blogs. Our business relationship with the leaf spring processing company has lasted for several decades. We have walked together for a very long time. The "certain reason" for visiting the leaf spring processing company is the "HP renewal" of Bandai Co., Ltd. Although it's called a renewal, it's not a minor change; it's a "full model change." I will showcase the renewal on this blog as well, so please stay tuned. *For detailed content of the blog, you can view it through the related links. For more information, please feel free to download the PDF or contact us.

• Processing Contract

In the finishing of sheet metal processing, the issues of "distortion" and "speed" often arise. Especially in the processing of thin sheets of aluminum and stainless steel, do you feel that conventional TIG welding has its limitations? To respond to such customer feedback, Bandai Network has strengthened collaboration with processing companies that have introduced Amada's fiber laser welding machine "FLW-1500MT." With high-density energy, it achieves instant melting of the base material and deep, stable penetration. This allows for minimal distortion, resulting in a beautiful finish and astonishingly high-speed processing. Precision sheet metal work with aluminum and stainless steel, which has been difficult to handle until now, can now be managed in a one-stop manner at Bandai! *For more details, you can view the blog through the related links. For further information, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.

• Welding Machine

The other day, we visited our long-time partner, the "spring processing company." In order to collaborate on the website renewal, I explained various initiatives of Bandai to the president, who listened with great enthusiasm and sparkling eyes. Probably (laughs). In fact, he just became president this year and is planning various initiatives moving forward, so he seems to be seeking a lot of information. Therefore, I reiterated the characteristics and strengths I had perceived about their company in comparison to other processing companies. *You can view the detailed content of the blog through the related links. For more information, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.*

• Processing Contract

Well, I will be embarking on a 4-night, 5-day tour of processing companies starting next week. I will be accompanied by a professional photographer and a director. It's truly a location shoot. The companies I will be visiting are all those that have appeared in my blog so far, so I would like to take this opportunity to do a playback of past blog entries. I will be sharing updates on events during the shoot and new information about the processing companies as they happen, so please stay tuned. *For detailed content of the blog, you can view it through the related links. For more information, please feel free to download the PDF or contact us.

• Processing Contract

As I mentioned in the previous blog, we have been conducting photo shoots of highlights from the major renewal of our company website, including "on-site photos of processing companies" and "product photos." Accompanied by a professional photographer and director, we traveled through Hyogo, Okayama, Shimane, and Hiroshima prefectures, visiting a total of 10 companies. The project concluded successfully without any major incidents. However, after finishing the final shoot, when I asked the professional photographer for their thoughts on the experience, they said it was "one of the top three hardest in their career as a photographer." This time, I captured the entire journey of this challenging location shoot in photos, and I would like to share a few with you. *For more detailed content of the blog, you can view it through the related link. For more information, please feel free to download the PDF or contact us.*

• Processing Contract

In this blog, I would like to introduce a company among the processing contractors where we actually conducted location shooting. Despite having appeared frequently in the blog, I haven't been able to provide a detailed introduction about them, which is quite rude of me. So, ahead of the HP release, I would like to give a brief introduction. Since this is a blog, I will introduce it in a relaxed manner, incorporating my subjective views. If you think, "They specialize in large can products, but I can't tell which processing contractor it is just from the title," please be sure to check out past blogs. *For detailed content of the blog, you can view it through the related links. For more information, please feel free to download the PDF or contact us.

• Processing Contract

This time, I would like to introduce the masterful techniques of a processing company that specializes in coil spring manufacturing. "The skilled craftsmen provide short delivery times and low prices by winding springs by hand instead of using machines." I believe many readers might wonder what it means to "wind springs by hand instead of using machines." I was one of them. I was able to resolve such questions during the "4-night, 5-day photo shoot trip," which has become a regular feature on the blog. Next time, I would like to share about "winding coil springs by hand instead of using machines." *You can view the detailed content of the blog through the related links. For more information, please feel free to download the PDF or contact us.

• Other processing machines

Are you having trouble with spring prototype production? Unlike NC coiling machines that excel in mass production, the traditional technique of "hand bending" is still highly valued in the prototype field. This process, which involves manually winding steel wire, requires a "craftsman's intuition" akin to that used in general-purpose lathes, making the number of capable vendors extremely limited nationwide. Bandaï proudly maintains a "Hometown Processing Network" that uniquely inherits this "artisan skill" for hand winding in XX Prefecture, attracting prototype requests from across the country. With our integrated support from prototyping to mass production, we accelerate our customers' development speed. If you are facing challenges with spring prototypes, please consult Bandaï! *This type of support is just a small part of the initiatives that Bandaï engages in daily. We invite you to explore the value we can provide to our customers.

• Other processing machines

The train cars of the railway I have frequently used since I was a child, which are very familiar to me, will undergo renovation work due to aging. And, surprisingly, we will be providing the processed products used for the renovation work. In fact, about four years ago, we delivered several hundred processed products for the same railway company. *You can view the detailed content of the blog through the related link. For more information, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.*

• Processing Contract

"I have the physical object, but no drawings... what should I do?" Have you ever faced such a situation in equipment maintenance or repair? You want to replace a broken part, but there are no design drawings left, and all you have as a clue is the physical object right in front of you. In such cases, the technology that comes into play is called "reverse engineering." In recent years, advancements in 3D scanning and CAD technology have made it possible to obtain dimensions from physical objects and recreate drawings and 3D data, bringing this method into practical use. In this article, we will clearly introduce examples of processing companies that are actually working on reverse engineering and the various situations in which it can be utilized. It may be the dawn of an era where "no drawings = no production" is no longer the case. *Please note that this type of response is just a small part of what Bandai is doing every day. We invite you to see the value we can provide to our customers.*

• Other contract services

In the previous blog, I introduced the basic concept that "reverse engineering is effective when there are no drawings." As a continuation of that, this time I will focus on "in what specific situations does it demonstrate effectiveness?" For example, the remanufacturing of molds that have been used for many years, development prototypes that are a race against time, and repair parts for which drawings are unavailable... I will clearly explain the "key points for effective utilization" in each case from a practical perspective. *This type of response is just a small part of what Bandai does on a daily basis. Please take a look at the value we can provide to our customers.

• Processing Contract

There is a technology that I would definitely like to introduce to everyone. It is called "Electrical Discharge Machining" (EDM). First, to set the premise, "Electrical Discharge Machining" can be broadly classified into two types: "Wire Cutting" and "Die Sinking EDM." The main differences between "Wire Cutting EDM" and "Die Sinking EDM" are as follows: Wire Cutting EDM uses a wire electrode made from materials such as brass to cut the workpiece, while Die Sinking EDM uses materials like copper or graphite and employs a pre-shaped electrode to transfer the desired shape onto the workpiece. This time, I will introduce the processed products made using the "Wire Cutting EDM." *For more detailed information, you can view the related links. For further details, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.*

• Processing Contract

This time, I would like to discuss the processing company that has introduced the "AMADA fiber laser welding robot 'FLW3000EN'". This processing company has introduced the "AMADA fiber laser welding machine 'FLW-1500MT'". The processing company that has introduced this fiber laser welding machine mainly focuses on prototype processing and has opted for a handheld type of fiber laser welding machine instead of a robot type for greater maneuverability. So, what features does the fiber laser welding robot "FLW3000EN" that we are introducing this time have? *For more detailed information, you can view it through the related links. For further details, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.*

• Processing Contract

This is a discussion with NSK, a manufacturer of rolling bearings. During a visit to an engineering company with NSK's sales and technical representatives, the purpose of the visit was to select bearings for the motors designed and manufactured by the engineering company. The discussion about selecting the necessary bearings to meet the motor specifications progressed at the pace of NSK's sales and design representatives. As the conversation continued, a specification drawing was displayed on the projector, which included the notation "SCM435 hardened product." It became clear that they planned to manufacture a transmission unit that includes a gearbox, and there are even separate products for different gears. *For more detailed information, please refer to the related links. For further details, you can download the PDF or feel free to contact us.*

• Processing Contract

I visited a certain railway company near Hanshin Koshien Stadium with a processing contractor. In response to the customer's question, "You are updating many facilities to the latest models, but isn't it challenging to develop personnel and pass on technology for handling the latest equipment?" the processing contractor replied as follows: "The workers are tackling the challenge of figuring out how to process in order to create the shapes in these drawings and meet the required quality, experimenting with each drawing. Since the results of these experiments are shared internally as know-how, personnel naturally develop, and those who enjoy immersing themselves in manufacturing can fully dedicate their time to it, creating a conducive work environment." *For more details, you can view the blog through the related links. For further information, please feel free to download the PDF or contact us.*

• Processing Contract

Have you ever seen drawings with annotations such as "no water leaks," "no air leaks," and "no oil leaks"? At that time, have you ever experienced giving up on a project because you could process it but could not perform a leak check test? Compared to dimension inspections, this process tends to be more labor-intensive, so it seems that guarantees of "no leaks" are often hesitated upon. Let me briefly introduce the process of leak testing. *You can view the detailed content of the blog through the related link. For more information, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.*

• Processing Contract

This time, I would like to discuss "What is aluminum casting?" First, the key point to understand is "What is casting?" Casting refers to a product made by pouring molten metal into the hollow part of a mold and allowing it to cool and solidify. Since it only involves pouring in the melted metal, the advantage is that complex-shaped products can be produced cheaply and in large quantities. Aluminum casting refers to products made from molten metal that consists of "aluminum alloy." *For more details, you can view the related links. For further information, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.*

• Processing Contract

This time, I will discuss "gravity casting" and "sand casting." First, regarding sand casting, as I have repeatedly mentioned, the advantage is its "low initial cost." Because it uses sand molds, it offers a high degree of freedom and can accommodate various shapes, from small to large and complex geometries. However, since a new sand mold must be created for each production, it is not suitable for mass production. Another advantage is that it is easy to make modifications to the mold. *You can view the detailed content of the blog through the related links. For more information, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.*

• Processing Contract

In the previous and the one before that, we introduced ways to utilize reverse engineering, and surprisingly, we have already received a request for an actual project! The client is a person in charge of equipment maintenance at a major manufacturing company. They were struggling to create drawings for repair parts, and our proposal for "drawing-less reproduction" hit the mark perfectly, leading to an immediate order! This time, I will introduce the specific background of this case and discuss the important aspect of "material selection" when actually advancing reverse engineering. *Please note that this kind of response is just a small part of what Bandai does on a daily basis. We invite you to see the value we can provide to our clients.

• Processing Contract

I attended the Kansai Machine Element Technology Exhibition held at Intex Osaka from October 4 to 6. The exhibition focused on metal processing, and each year we showcased different elements, resulting in great success for both. I wondered what kind of processing companies were exhibiting, so I visited various booths, but most of them were things that could be handled by the "Hometown Processing Network." *For more details, you can view the blog through the related links. For more information, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.*

• Processing Contract

Are you familiar with "polygon machining"? There is a type of cutting process called "polygon machining." Polygon machining refers to the process of cutting a workpiece into polygonal shapes such as squares or hexagons. It seems that hexagonal shapes are often used. How is it processed? There are two patterns: using milling or a polygon machine. *For more details, you can view the related links on the blog. For more information, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.*

• Processing Contract

We started our relationship with an aluminum specialty processing company about three years ago. Our company began its processing business based on requests from agricultural machinery manufacturers, but there are not many processed products using aluminum in agricultural machinery. Steel predominates due to strength and cost considerations. It seems that durability is the primary concern, and lightweighting is not as highly demanded. However, as our processing business expands, we have increasingly engaged with customers from various industries, which has inevitably led us to handle a variety of materials. *You can view the detailed content of the blog through the related links. For more information, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.*

• Processing Contract

After about three years since we decided to renew our website and launched the project, we have finally been able to open it after a long period of trial and error. As you will feel when you take a look, we express the various efforts our company is making to address the concerns of our manufacturing clients through a variety of content. This website will clearly convey abstract concepts such as "What kind of company is Bandai?" and "What value does Bandai provide to its customers?" *You can view detailed blog content through the related links. For more information, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.*

• Processing Contract

The theme of the blog is about "gun drilling." Have you ever heard of "gun drilling"? "Gun" refers to firearms. It is a method originally developed for drilling holes in gun barrels. Initially, it was used for drilling holes in rifles and shotguns, but in recent years, parts processed by gun drilling are widely used in medical devices, food machinery, semiconductors, liquid crystal devices, and various molds. *You can view the detailed content of the blog through the related links. For more information, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.*

• Processing Contract

The main theme this time is an introduction to the features that we particularly want you to utilize on our company website. Once again, the feature that we confidently present to everyone is the "Processing Contractor Search." This feature allows you to easily and quickly find out what kind of processing can be done by our company. Now, although it is very simple, let me introduce the feature. *You can view the detailed content of the blog through the related links. For more information, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.*

• Processing Contract

This time, the theme is about various "concerns" that you may feel in your daily work. Issues such as high prices, delayed delivery, and quality problems are common troubles in this industry. We have introduced examples that lead to solutions for these concerns in an easy-to-understand "manga" format on our company website. In fact, this manga was drawn by a professional manga artist. We requested it from an agency that has had a manga artist who was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump for many years, ensuring a quality that reflects our commitment. *For more details about the blog, you can view it through the related links. For more information, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.

• Processing Contract

This time, I would like to talk about the differences between pillow blocks and plummer blocks. (The pillow block referred to here means the insert bearing unit.) Have you ever seen a pillow block and a plummer block in person? How do they compare when you look at them side by side? You might have the impression that they are very similar. This is understandable, as if we trace the history of bearing units, it starts with individual bearings, then the plummer block was created as a housing to accommodate those bearings, and later the pillow block, which is an integrated bearing-housing unit, was developed. *For more details about the blog, you can view it through the related links. For more information, please feel free to download the PDF or contact us.

• Processing Contract

The annual kickoff meeting is far from over. Next, we have the "MANDAI International Processing Network." This is a project aimed at connecting with overseas processors that we have yet to meet. Currently, we have the "Hometown Processing Network," which you are all familiar with. The "Hometown Processing Network" is primarily composed of processors based in Japan. Each processor participating in the "Hometown Processing Network" possesses an absolute "strength" in their respective fields. *For more detailed information, please refer to the related links. For further inquiries, feel free to download the PDF or contact us directly.*

• Processing Contract

One day, I received a message from a customer saying, "Please urgently provide two 'precision single-row cylindrical roller bearings.'" Upon asking for more details, the request was to "deliver the precision single-row cylindrical roller bearings within three weeks." The model number had already been selected by the customer, so I thought the relevant precision single-row cylindrical roller bearings would be easy to obtain. However, when I inquired with NSK, the company for which we are a sales agent, I was informed that "the relevant product is made to order, so the lead time is six months." This was completely unexpected, but even if the product requested by the customer cannot be obtained, it is my job to propose alternatives. First, I need to confirm the necessary specifications and sizes based on the bearing's usage conditions. *You can view the detailed content of the blog through the related link. For more information, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.*

• Processing Contract

What is commonly used in Tefal frying pans and Lion Clinica is "fluoride." It is because fluoride is used that frying pans are resistant to sticking, and toothpaste is less likely to cause cavities. You may have heard the name, but have you ever taken an interest in and researched this versatile substance, "fluoride"? In fact, this "fluoride" is also widely used in mechanical component parts, and Bandai, of course, handles it as well. *For more details, you can view the blog content through the related link. For more information, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.

• Other polymer materials

Recently, a manufacturer approached us with the request, "Could we promote products that are suitable for 'ultra-low dew point environments'?" Are you familiar with "ultra-low dew point environments"? It is also known as "dry clean rooms," and it refers to an environment where "the temperature at which gases condense is extremely low, making it almost devoid of moisture." So, in what situations is an "ultra-low dew point environment" necessary? In fact, it is essential for the manufacturing of "lithium-ion secondary batteries" used in portable electronic devices such as smartphones and computers, as well as in electric vehicles and electric bicycles. *You can view the detailed content of the blog through the related link. For more information, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.*

• Lithium-ion battery