August 5-6 | Explanation of the possibilities for product design expanded by flexible substrates.

Towards research and development that aims to mitigate initial risks. Unraveling the reasons for achieving mass production from prototype with zero capital investment in an interview with the president!

In the development of new products and the launch of next-generation devices, many research and development departments face the "valley of death" from lab to mass production and the "huge capital investment risk." In this interview, we delve into why Sakurai Graphic Systems, a screen printing machine manufacturer with an 80-year history, is now focusing on "prototype support." - How do we accompany projects from the conceptual stage without blueprints? - What is the method to obtain "mass production evidence" without making a capital investment in the hundreds of millions? - Three exit strategies for a smooth transition from prototyping (contract manufacturing, local delivery, partner introduction). Please take a look at the insights shared by President Atsushi Wakaō on how to accelerate development speed and achieve "asset-light management."

• Prototype Services

A non-traditional concept of "collaborative manufacturing support"! An explanation of a development method that considers everything from prototyping to mass production.

In product development, there are often situations where we have to proceed with prototyping without finalizing the specifications. However, depending on how we approach this, the difficulty of transitioning to mass production and the investment risks can change significantly. In this article, we will introduce a development approach that takes into account the differences between contract development and in-house development, focusing on the process from prototyping to mass production. *For detailed content of the column, please refer to the related links. For more information, feel free to contact us.*

• Prototype Services

The prototype environment is shifting from "having" to "utilizing external resources"! Introducing the approach to prototyping that leads to mass production.

Are you facing a situation where, despite having new product themes and technological ideas, you are waiting for internal approval for capital investment and cannot meet your client's development schedule? In this column, we will discuss the importance of "utilizing external resources" and "prototyping that leads to mass production" as a way to advance development even when there is no prototyping environment within the company. *You can view the detailed content of the column through the related links. For more information, please feel free to contact us.*

• Prototype Services

We specialize in proposal-based support for materials, design, and processes from prototype to mass production!

"Are there any challenges such as 'We can create prototypes, but they do not lead to mass production,' 'We are hesitant to consult because the specifications are not yet finalized,' or 'We are looking for persuasive materials to overcome internal competitions and approvals'?" These challenges can be addressed through the prototype support services offered by Sakurai Graphic Systems, a manufacturer of screen printing machines. *For more details on the column, please refer to the related link. Feel free to contact us for more information.*

• Prototype Services

Responding to "sudden increases in production" with zero capital investment in our own facilities. Three "process integration" steps achieved with external partners.

"An urgent increase in production was requested by an overseas customer, but our company lacks clean rooms and dedicated equipment." "If we wait for a significant investment decision, we will miss out on a major business opportunity." For those in manufacturing and business planning, the dilemma of being caught between "speed" and "resources" is a common challenge. In such situations, relying solely on a "self-sufficient" approach, where all equipment and personnel are sourced in-house, is becoming increasingly inadequate. Therefore, we would like to consider the option of utilizing external advanced equipment and technical expertise as an extension of our own production line. In this use case, we will introduce how a certain integrated chemical manufacturer established a mass production system and minimized initial investment risks, detailing the specific processes involved. *For more detailed information, please refer to the related links. For further inquiries, feel free to download the PDF or contact us directly.*

• Prototype Services

An explanation of printed electronics, which is experiencing significant global demand expansion and rapid technological advancement!

Printed electronics utilize printing technology and are gaining attention as a new method for manufacturing electronic circuits and devices, serving as an alternative to traditional photolithography. Electronic circuits and devices are used in items around us, such as smartphones, transportation IC cards, and anti-shoplifting tags. This article will explain the features and challenges of printed electronics. I hope this will be helpful in solving on-site issues. *For more detailed information, please refer to the related links. Feel free to contact us for further inquiries.

• Printing Machinery

Explaining the advantages of the compatibility between printed electronics and screen printing!

Printed electronics are gaining attention as a new manufacturing method for electronic circuits and devices that utilizes printing technology, serving as an alternative to traditional photolithography. The electronic circuits and devices created with printed electronics are used in items around us, such as smartphones, transportation IC cards, and anti-shoplifting tags. In this article, we will compare four types of printing methods and explain the advantages of the compatibility between printed electronics and screen printing. We hope this will be helpful in solving on-site challenges. *For more details on the column, please refer to the related links. Feel free to contact us for more information.

• Printing Machinery

An explanation of the basic knowledge and use cases of flexible hybrid electronics (FHE). Introducing technologies that are useful for the development of next-generation electronic devices.

In recent years, with the spread of wearable devices and IoT equipment, there has been an increasing demand for lightweight, thin, and flexible electronic devices. A technology that is gaining attention to support this realization is Flexible Hybrid Electronics (FHE). This column will provide an easy-to-understand explanation of the basics of FHE, its application areas, and technical challenges. It is recommended for those interested in FHE and printed electronics, as well as those considering research, development, and prototyping of next-generation electronic devices. Sakurai Graphic Systems, a manufacturer of screen printing machines, offers a development and prototyping support service that consistently assists in process design, prototyping, quality establishment, and mass production without the need for equipment. Please feel free to consult us about ideas in the conceptual stage of FHE development. *For detailed content of the column, you can view it through the related links. For more information, please feel free to contact us.

• Prototype Services

Explaining the basic knowledge of FHE to address challenges such as the communication limits of printing and the rigidity of ICs for vehicle-mounted and wearable curved surfaces.

Do you have these challenges in device development? "Communication and control performance is insufficient with just printing technology." "Silicon ICs are rigid and cannot be expanded to large areas or curved surfaces." "There is a concept for FHE, but there is no evaluation equipment or manufacturing know-how." In this column, we will organize the characteristics and limitations of printed electronics (PE) and silicon semiconductors, and clearly explain the design philosophy of "FHE (Flexible Hybrid Electronics)" that merges the strengths of both. Wiring and sensors are formed using flexible printing (PE), while computing and communication functions are realized with high-performance ICs. We will introduce an approach to integrate these into a device and the prototyping process that holds the key to development. At Sakurai Graphic Systems, a screen printing machine manufacturer, we provide consistent support for process verification from the conceptual stage with our "prototyping-focused contract manufacturing" that requires no equipment and allows for a small start. *For more details about the column, please refer to the related links. For further inquiries, feel free to contact us.

• Prototype Services

Introducing screen printing, which plays a role in semiconductor manufacturing by leveraging strengths in thick film formation and wiring formation!

In recent years, with the expanding demand for power devices and high-performance electronic components, semiconductor manufacturing processes are required to have higher reliability and durability than ever before. In this context, screen printing is expanding the possibilities for new semiconductor devices as part of printed electronics. This article introduces the role and advantages of screen printing in semiconductor manufacturing. We hope it will help solve on-site challenges and contribute to future considerations. *For detailed content of the column, please refer to the related links. For more information, feel free to contact us.

• Printing Machinery

Solving technical challenges for large-scale deployment of IoT sensors! We propose low-cost dataization for society as a whole.

We will introduce the technical challenges and solutions related to the large-scale deployment of IoT sensors required in Society 5.0. In a society where constant measurement in various locations is demanded, the demand for disposable temperature sensors is rapidly increasing, and the number of sensors is expanding into unknown territories. For areas that cannot be addressed by traditional rigid and expensive silicon substrates, we propose low-cost data collection for society as a whole using inexpensive and flexible sensor substrates. 【What the new society demands】 ■ Bendable ■ Lightweight ■ Thin ■ Large area ■ Disposable ■ Ultra-low cost *For more details, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.

• Printed Circuit Board

We expand the possibilities of product design with flexible substrates! FHE enhances design freedom and creates new applications.

"FHE" is a design philosophy for device manufacturing that meets the new demands for creating thin, lightweight, bendable surfaces at low cost. It is not merely "bendable electronic components," but integrates flexibility, complexity, and functionality to seamlessly connect the real world to the digital society. Through printed electronics, it significantly reduces the number of processes, minimizes material waste, and achieves low cost, energy savings, and reduced environmental impact. Leveraging world-class core technologies, it is expected to serve as an electronics substrate technology for digitizing various industries. [Features] - Flexibility to change shape freely - Complexity that merges printing and semiconductors - Functionality that completes the system - Reduction of processes, achieving low cost and energy savings - Contribution to environmental impact reduction with minimal material waste *For more details, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.

• Printed Circuit Board

Wireless communication sends data to smartphones and the cloud! FHE system configuration that allocates roles appropriately.

"FHE" is a system architecture that integrates flexibility, allowing for free shape changes, and complexity by merging printing and semiconductors. This system first detects changes in temperature and pressure in the real world using flexible printed sensors, which transmit the weak signals through printed wiring. Then, a small silicon LSI mounted on the film processes and records the signals. The true value lies in the ability to integrate a series of functions—measuring, transmitting, and judging—within a single sheet of film. [Features] ■ Flexibility to change shape freely ■ Complexity by merging printing and semiconductors ■ Functionality that completes the system ■ Integration of the series of functions—measuring, transmitting, and judging—within a single sheet of film *For more details, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.

• Printed Circuit Board

Reduce manufacturing processes by applying functional ink only where necessary! A new manufacturing technology that contributes to energy savings and material waste reduction.

"Printed electronics" is a new manufacturing technology that reduces environmental impact by directly applying functional ink to necessary areas. In comparison to the conventional semiconductor manufacturing process of photolithography, which involves multiple stages and significant material waste, this technology adopts a simple process that applies ink only where needed. It significantly reduces the complexity of traditional processes, achieving reductions in material loss, energy consumption, costs, and environmental impact. 【Features】 ■ Directly applies functional ink to necessary areas ■ Significantly reduces the number of steps from traditional complex processes ■ Achieves reductions in material loss, energy consumption, costs, and environmental impact *For more details, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.

• Printed Circuit Board

We realize electronics with thin, lightweight, and flexible substrates. The design philosophy of flexible hybrid electronics in response to changes in social structure.

"FHE" is an electronics design philosophy that accompanies changes in social structure. By using printing technology to create thin, lightweight, and flexible sensors and wiring that do not fit into traditional enclosures, and combining them with silicon semiconductors, we achieve low-cost and flexible device development. It is a system architecture that appropriately combines the areas where printing excels, such as "sensing (wiring, electrodes, antennas, sensors, etc.)," with the areas where silicon excels, such as "thinking (CPU, memory, AI computation, communication control, etc.)," to connect the real world to the digital society. [Features] - Thin, lightweight, flexible - Large area, disposable, ultra-low cost *For more details, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.

• Printed Circuit Board

Chuo Automobile Industry Co., Ltd. will be exhibiting at the "PV EXPO International Photovoltaic Power Generation Exhibition" held at Intex Osaka. A variety of products and technologies will be showcased, ranging from advanced solar cells to the construction, maintenance, and operation of solar power plants, with experts from around the world attending the exhibition. This event, where people and information gather "in real life" from all over the world, is an important platform to accelerate the solar power business through face-to-face interactions. We sincerely look forward to your visit.

The catabolism of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) is important for the energy metabolism of the whole body, including skeletal muscle, and abnormalities in this process have been noted to be associated with various metabolic diseases. The BCKDH complex, which is responsible for the rate-limiting step of BCAA catabolism, is regulated by the reversible phosphorylation of the E1α subunit by BDK and PPM1K. In this seminar, using skeletal muscle cells, we will present research showing that lauric acid suppresses BCAA oxidation through an O-GlcNAc-sensitive BCKDH regulatory mechanism, and we will introduce the use of a fully automated capillary western system for the analysis of BCKDH phosphorylation and global O-GlcNAcylation.

Applied Corporation will hold a special seminar for those in charge of research and development, AI development, and AX promotion on Wednesday, November 25, 2026, at "STATION Ai" in Nagoya. With the evolution of generative AI and large-scale AI models, the computational environment required for research and development is becoming increasingly sophisticated. This seminar will introduce a high-performance computing environment that supports research and development, focusing on next-generation AI development workstations that can be utilized at the desk side. If you are considering the establishment of a new AI development environment, the introduction or upgrade of GPU workstations, or the efficiency of research and development, please take this opportunity to participate. ■ Date and Time: Wednesday, November 25, 2026, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM ■ Details and Registration Information: https://mfrdx.applied-g.com/lp/seminar-20261125/

In recent years, the keyword "DX" has been circulating, and various companies are promoting DX initiatives. Among these initiatives, "data utilization" is considered important. Although efforts related to data utilization have increased in recent years, the reality is that few companies are fully leveraging data. To promote "data utilization," it is essential to follow the steps of collection, accumulation, analysis, and business improvement, which are the "steps to utilize data." In this seminar, we will introduce 'ASTERIA Warp,' which enables data integration without coding, 'Dr.Sum,' a DWH that builds a data utilization foundation for companies, and 'MotionBoard,' a BI dashboard that aggregates and visualizes data in real-time, leading to analytical improvements. We will present the steps to advance data utilization through these introductions. This time, you will be able to see a demonstration of the integration of the three solutions: ASTERIA Warp, Dr.Sum, and MotionBoard.

While expectations for the utilization of AI are rising, many companies face challenges such as "a lack of accumulated data for training AI," "necessary information scattered across paper and Excel," and "information fragmented across different systems." AI does not generate value on its own; it only demonstrates its effectiveness when information generated on-site is correctly collected, accumulated, and connected to the necessary departments. Therefore, to successfully utilize AI, it is essential to create an environment where data naturally gathers, flows, and can be utilized. In this seminar, as the first step in promoting DX in the manufacturing industry, we will clearly introduce the following topics with actual demonstrations: - Data collection through the digitization of on-site operations - Automatic utilization of data through system integration - Visualization and expedited decision-making using dashboards - Building a data foundation that leads to AI utilization Participants will experience "how the information input on-site is subsequently utilized" and "why data accumulation is important," while learning about the concept of "connecting DX" required in the AI era and specific ways to advance it.