2024.01.09
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Special feature : Becoming the Strength of the World's Manufacturing vol.1
Mitsubishi Materials has set out “Our Commitment” of “For people, society and the earth, circulating resources for a sustainable future” in its Medium-term Management Strategy (“FY2031 Strategy”).
In this issue, we will cover the tools used for machining and cutting objects at manufacturing sites in a wide range of industries, including automotive, aerospace, medical, die and mold, hygiene, and more.
You may not normally ever encounter these tools, but they are actually an indispensable part of manufacturing, which supports our lives.
In this issue, we will cover the tools used for machining and cutting objects at manufacturing sites in a wide range of industries, including automotive, aerospace, medical, die and mold, hygiene, and more.
You may not normally ever encounter these tools, but they are actually an indispensable part of manufacturing, which supports our lives.
Automotive
Creating key components for automobiles
One automobile is made up of approximately 30,000 components. Engines and brakes are key automobile components that control “moving” and “stopping” while withstanding large amounts of force. Mitsubishi Materials’ tools play an active role at vehicle manufacturing sites that carry out precise metalworking.
One automobile is made up of approximately 30,000 components. Engines and brakes are key automobile components that control “moving” and “stopping” while withstanding large amounts of force. Mitsubishi Materials’ tools play an active role at vehicle manufacturing sites that carry out precise metalworking.
Aerospace
Machining strong materials that withstand even difficult flights
Fly in the skies at an altitude of around 10,000 meters on wings equipped with jet engines that have approximately 100,000 horsepower. In order to endure even these kinds of harsh conditions, aircraft are built with lightweight but strong alloys and carbon fiber reinforced plastics. Mitsubishi Materials’ tools cut these out as well.
Fly in the skies at an altitude of around 10,000 meters on wings equipped with jet engines that have approximately 100,000 horsepower. In order to endure even these kinds of harsh conditions, aircraft are built with lightweight but strong alloys and carbon fiber reinforced plastics. Mitsubishi Materials’ tools cut these out as well.
Medical
Processing prosthetic joints that restore the joy of movement
Restorative medical devices, such as dental bridges, joint replacements, and artificial bones, restore and support the functions of bones and joints that no longer operate as they once did due to injury, sickness, or aging. Mitsubishi Materials’ tools also play an active role in this field, which often uses alloys that are difficult to process.
Restorative medical devices, such as dental bridges, joint replacements, and artificial bones, restore and support the functions of bones and joints that no longer operate as they once did due to injury, sickness, or aging. Mitsubishi Materials’ tools also play an active role in this field, which often uses alloys that are difficult to process.
Die & Mold
Necessary for smartphones as well as PET bottles
Dies and molds are used to shape various materials, such as metal, glass, and plastic. From smartphones to PET bottles, they are essential for shaping all types of objects. The quality of a mold will affect the quality of the product. Mitsubishi Materials’ tools are also used for the processing of these molds.
Dies and molds are used to shape various materials, such as metal, glass, and plastic. From smartphones to PET bottles, they are essential for shaping all types of objects. The quality of a mold will affect the quality of the product. Mitsubishi Materials’ tools are also used for the processing of these molds.
Hygiene
Precisely cut out even soft materials
Manufacturing sanitary products, such as disposable diapers and bandages, involves a processing step that cuts paper and non-woven fabrics into complex shapes. MMC RYOTEC, a group company of Mitsubishi Materials, supports efficient production by supplying tools known as rotary die cutters, which cut these materials out like a cookie cutter.
Manufacturing sanitary products, such as disposable diapers and bandages, involves a processing step that cuts paper and non-woven fabrics into complex shapes. MMC RYOTEC, a group company of Mitsubishi Materials, supports efficient production by supplying tools known as rotary die cutters, which cut these materials out like a cookie cutter.
Numbers & Keywords
Incredible features of Mitsubishi Materials’ carbide tools
Among Mitsubishi Materials’ tools, carbide tools have continued to be produced using technology accumulated over many years. These are extremely hard, strong tools that are indispensable for machining metal components. Here, we will explore the remarkable features of these tools using numbers and keywords.
The precursor to carbide tools! 90 years of history in business
Mitsubishi Materials’ history with carbide tools began with the product named “Tridia,” which was developed by the predecessor to Mitsubishi Materials, Mitsubishi Mining, and trademarked in 1933. Not long before this, the manufacturing method for tungsten carbide was developed in Germany in the 1920s, and commercialized. As a global pioneer, Mitsubishi Materials has taken the path of Japan’s leading carbide tool manufacturer, creating a number of innovations through many years of research and development.
Working at the Tokyo Plant (predecessor to the Tsukuba Plant)
Results of repeated challenges 736domestic patents
Mitsubishi Materials boasts 694 proprietary patents and 42 patents shared with other companies for a total of 736 patents (domestic patents only; as of January 1, 2024). Focusing efforts into many years of development has led to the acquisition of a number of patents. Engineers are always looking beyond the future and taking on the challenge of creating new technologies.
MC6100 series
Extensive product lineup to meet every need 37,000 items
*Number of standardized DIAEDGE cutting tool items
As a general tool manufacturer, Mitsubishi Materials boasts a product lineup of over 30,000 items. These tools are supplied widely to customers around the world through global logistics bases. The automotive and aerospace industries have diverse needs related to cutting-edge materials and technologies, and Mitsubishi Materials has a lineup of carbide tools that can meet such diverse machining needs.
Global business expansion
Operating 27 companies in 19 countries Sales in 88 countries
Mitsubishi Materials manufactures its broad lineup of tools in Japan and overseas and conducts sales in the global market. It has also established technical centers in various regions of the world and provides solution services, such as trial machining, various types of training, and technical consultations, to customers around the world. Mitsubishi Materials utilizes its world- class technological capabilities cultivated through this abundant experience and knowledge and plays an active role globally.
overseas sales ratio for cutting tools 80%
According to the 2022 sales results of DIAEDGE*1 cutting tool, its overseas sales ratio was approximately 80%. Mitsubishi Materials expects demand for carbide cutting tools to continue to increase and sales to exceed 2 trillion yen globally by 2030. To respond to this demand, we will further bolster overseas sales and continue to expand business in North America, Europe, and China as our focus areas.
*1 DIAEDGE: Product brand developed by the carbide tools business of Mitsubishi Materials
Make the electricity used for manufacturing 100% carbon neutral by 2030
Ahead of the other businesses, the Metalworking Solutions business of Mitsubishi Materials has formulated a plan to make the electricity used for manufacturing 100% carbon neutral by FY2031. Through this, it will contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
From FY2023, the Metalworking Solutions business began using electric power companies’ renewable energy plans*2 and purchasing renewable energy for domestic manufacturing bases. It has also started procuring non-fossil fuel energy certificates*3 for renewable energy generated in-house.
Furthermore, as one specific form of capital investment, the Metalworking Solutions business has introduced solar power generation at the Akashi Plant, Gifu Plant, and MMC Tools (Thailand) Co., Ltd. It will continue to actively contribute to the realization of a decarbonized society through self-sufficient electricity and other initiatives at sites in Japan and overseas.
From FY2023, the Metalworking Solutions business began using electric power companies’ renewable energy plans*2 and purchasing renewable energy for domestic manufacturing bases. It has also started procuring non-fossil fuel energy certificates*3 for renewable energy generated in-house.
Furthermore, as one specific form of capital investment, the Metalworking Solutions business has introduced solar power generation at the Akashi Plant, Gifu Plant, and MMC Tools (Thailand) Co., Ltd. It will continue to actively contribute to the realization of a decarbonized society through self-sufficient electricity and other initiatives at sites in Japan and overseas.
Solar power generation facility at MMC Tools (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
*2 Renewable energy plan: Electricity plans that provide consumers with electricity with net-zero CO2 emissions by utilizing power from renewable energy sources, procured by electric power companies and non-fossil fuel energy certificates
*3 Non-fossil fuel energy certificates: Certifica- tion of the “environmental value” of electric- ity generated using non-fossil fuel energy sources, such as renewable energy
*3 Non-fossil fuel energy certificates: Certifica- tion of the “environmental value” of electric- ity generated using non-fossil fuel energy sources, such as renewable energy
