村元工作所 タイ、インドネシア、フィリピン、チェコ List of Products and Services

We would like to introduce a VA/VE case study regarding our support for "pre-transfer confirmation and verification of equipment from other manufacturers." The customer had prepared the equipment to be used in our mass production assembly, but due to a lack of man-hours, they requested our assistance with verification at the equipment manufacturer. We acted on behalf of the customer for the verification at the equipment manufacturer and the setup after the overseas transfer, allowing us to meet the mass production start date. [Case Overview] ■ Issue: The setup of the supplied equipment could not be completed on time due to the customer's lack of man-hours. ■ Effect: Smooth mass production startup without the customer's on-site attendance. *For more details, please refer to the related links or feel free to contact us.

• Other factory equipment

We would like to introduce a VA/VE case regarding the "manufacturing of equipment for mass production" that our company conducted. There was a challenge of insufficient man-hours, which made it difficult to complete the production equipment on time. However, our engineers visited the customer’s site to support the design and manufacturing of the equipment. Additionally, by consistently handling the installation and debugging at the mass production factory, we were able to meet the mass production schedule. Even after the on-site period ended, we continue to provide ongoing support for the equipment. 【Case Overview】 ■Challenge: Insufficient man-hours made it difficult to complete the production equipment on time. ■Effect: Successfully installed the mass production line and commenced mass production as planned. *For more details, please refer to the related links or feel free to contact us.

• Other factory equipment

We would like to introduce a VA/VE case study on "Quality and Cost Improvement of DVD Decks" that our company conducted. The issue was that the quality from the transferring source was unstable, leading to high abnormal costs (loss costs such as defective products). By taking the lead in activities from confirming the usability of equipment at the transferring source to the production startup at our factory in the Philippines, we were able to significantly reduce the burden on our customers and also lower the transfer costs. [Case Overview] ■ Issue: Unstable quality from the transferring source leading to high abnormal costs (loss costs such as defective products) ■ Effect: Quality improvement, cost reduction *For more details, please refer to the related links or feel free to contact us.

• Other PCs and OA equipment

We would like to introduce a VA/VE case study on "short-term launch of automotive products" that our company conducted. A short launch time was necessary due to the need to shorten the development period; however, since it is an automotive product, we could not shorten the evaluation period, so we focused on reducing the time required for the manufacturing process. Additionally, based on past achievements, we anticipated potential issues in advance and implemented countermeasures, allowing our headquarters in Japan and our factory in Thailand to work together with the customer to develop quality in a short period. [Case Overview] ■ Challenge: A short launch time was necessary due to the need to shorten the development period. ■ Effect: Launch completed in half the time of the previous model, with cost reduction. *For more details, please refer to the related links or feel free to contact us.

• Other Auto Parts

We would like to introduce the production items and achievements of Muramoto Manufacturing Co., Ltd. In the consumer electronics sector, we have achievements in printer units, video camera hinge units, and mirrorless camera units. In the automotive sector, we produce control units, display audio systems, and corner sensors. Additionally, in the industrial equipment sector, we are capable of producing distance sensors and airtight terminals/temperature fuses. 【Production Items and Achievements (Excerpt)】 ■ Consumer Electronics Sector - Printers, Vlog camera units, DSLR camera units ■ Automotive Sector - Smart keyless transmitters and receivers, control units, finished commercial AV navigation products *For more details, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.

• Printer
• Color camera
• Sensors

We would like to introduce the overseas bases of Muramoto Manufacturing Co., Ltd. At the factory "METCO" in Samut Prakan, Thailand, which started operations in 1987, we carry out processes such as pressing, molding, decoration, and SMT. Additionally, at the factory "MAPLE" in Cebu, Philippines, which began operations in 1990, we have achievements in ATM banknote cassettes and distance sensors. Furthermore, at the factory "MEI" in Indonesia, we have achievements in products such as printer multifunction devices, automotive press parts, automotive chassis, and printer sub-assemblies. 【List of Overseas Bases】 ■METCO (Thailand Factory) ■SIMA (Thailand Factory) ■MAPLE (Philippines Factory) ■MEI (Indonesia Factory) ■MME (Czech Factory) ■MUI (USA) *For more details, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.

• Color camera
• Sensors
• Printer

We would like to introduce a VA/VE case study on "Lead Time and Inventory Reduction for Imported Goods" that our company conducted. Due to the impact of global infectious diseases, there has been prolonged instability in supply caused by disruptions in logistics networks and lockdowns. However, by collaborating with our customers, we advanced our localization activities, enabling procurement with approximately half the lead time. Additionally, for FFC, we have internalized the bending process, achieving improvements in transportation efficiency. 【Case Overview】 ■Challenges: High costs due to imports, long lead times, and excessive inventory ■Effects: Reduction of intermediate margins, transportation costs, and inventory amounts, as well as shortened lead times *For more details, please refer to the related links or feel free to contact us.

• Other processing machines
• Other services

We would like to introduce a VA/VE case where our company responded to "three different decoration requirements for a single molded product." For one part, we were asked to provide three types of decoration: a chrome-like finish, a piano black finish, and a glitter finish. To achieve this, we designed and proposed a structure that involved splitting the part, applying the decorations individually, and then combining them. Although thermal welding was necessary, it eliminated the need for masking and improved yield, leading to cost reduction. [Case Overview] ■ Challenge: Exploring solutions for high-difficulty decoration ■ Effect: Realization of high-difficulty decoration and cost reduction *For more details, please refer to the related links or feel free to contact us.

• Printing Machinery
• Other services

We would like to introduce a VA/VE case study of "packinless" conducted by our company. To reduce costs, we collaborated with our customers to develop a mechanism that prevents water ingress without the use of traditional packing. Through repeated adjustments in the flatness of the sheet metal and the fitting with resin, we were able to meet waterproofing requirements. We guarantee quality through high-volume tests and leak tests during the initial flow stage. 【Case Overview】 ■Challenge: Eliminate the packing of the keyless receiver and reduce costs ■Effect: Achieved waterproofing with only resin and sheet metal, resulting in cost reduction *For more details, please refer to the related links or feel free to contact us.

• Food and pharmaceutical standard seals and packing products
• Other services

We would like to introduce a VA/VE case study on "U-shaped bending adhesion" that our company conducted. There was a challenge where the film sensor could not fit within the product size. To accommodate the sensor in the limited space of the capacitive touch panel, bending was necessary, but there was a risk of damage due to the bending. We explored and realized a processing method to avoid the risks of damage from bending and the generation of bubbles caused by joining the bent surfaces. 【Case Overview】 ■Challenge: The film sensor could not fit within the product size. ■Effect: The sensor could be installed within the limited space. *For more details, please refer to the related links or feel free to contact us.

• Sensors
• Other services

We would like to introduce a VA/VE case study on "Replacing Die Casting with Pressing" that our company conducted. There was a challenge regarding the high cost of die-cast ECU covers, so we launched a joint project with our customer to consider changing the manufacturing method from die casting to pressing. We solved various challenges associated with the method change, such as verifying the feasibility of the shape and introducing a dedicated cleaning machine to ensure the strength of adhesive assembly, achieving cost reduction through pressing. Additionally, the frequency of mold updates has been reduced to one-tenth of what it was before, leading to a decrease in running costs. [Case Overview] ■Challenge: High cost of die-cast ECU covers ■Effect: Cost reduction *For more details, please refer to the related links or feel free to contact us.

• Press Dies
• Other services

We would like to introduce a VA/VE case study on "Decoration on Curved Surfaces" that our company conducted. There was a challenge of wanting to decorate a 3D curved surface, but the costs were too high. Generally, decoration on 3D curved surfaces is done through painting, but considering the yield, it is difficult to reduce costs using the same method, so we developed a decoration method using silk printing for curved surfaces. With this method, we successfully achieved a cost reduction of 40% compared to other companies. 【Case Overview】 ■ Challenge: Wanting to decorate a 3D curved surface, but costs are too high ■ Effect: 40% reduction in product costs *For more details, please refer to the related links or feel free to contact us.

• Printing Machinery
• Other services

We would like to introduce a VA/VE case study on the automation of "FFC bending processing" that our company conducted. Before the VA/VE proposal, we noticed a significant number of workers in the production area, occupying a large space, which raised concerns. Upon investigation, we found that personnel were being deployed to handle complex bending processes involving dozens of variations. We explored a structure that allows for flexible changes in bending direction to resolve issues related to machine bending, and we also innovated the mechanisms for supplying and feeding the FFC to achieve automation. 【Case Overview】 ■Challenges - Due to the complexity of bending to accommodate multiple product shapes, personnel were deployed to manage the process. ■Benefits - Reduction in workforce due to automation, stabilization of quality, and improvement in productivity. *For more details, please refer to the related links or feel free to contact us.

• Other processing machines
• Other services