Market development for composite machinery and joint testing with automakers

「The composite machinery business entered the market by developing innovative processing equipment for the aerospace industry, but has not achieved significant expansion due in part to the recent downturn in the aerospace industry. Meanwhile, use of carbon-fiber composite materials is beginning to expand in the automotive and general machinery fields, and the company is advancing joint research and product development with domestic research institutions.」

「In composite machinery, the company unveiled Japan's first curved-surface automated tape-laying machine.」

「In February, the composite machinery business developed and announced Japan's first small robot-type CFRP curved-surface tape-laying machine. The company will promote the product across a broad range of industries as equipment that contributes to higher productivity in CFRP component production and expands the application fields for CFRP parts.」

「In the composite machinery business, the company focused on capturing orders, including by presenting new products at overseas trade shows. Its technology has received high acclaim, and it has received many inquiries and requests for testing.」

「In March 2018, the composite machinery business exhibited at JEC WORLD2018, the world's largest composites trade show, held in France, proposed new proprietary technologies and attracted considerable interest. The company expects business discussions to become more concrete going forward.」

「In composite machinery, the company is raising its profile through participation in trade shows in Europe while strengthening collaboration with various machinery fields and research institutions seeking lightweight, high-strength materials, led by the aerospace industry, in preparation for expansion of the carbon-fiber materials market.」

「In composite machinery, the company made new deliveries of automated tape-laying machines using carbon-fiber composite materials for aircraft components. It also pursued initiatives to expand applications for carbon-fiber composite materials and broaden equipment use, including through joint research with industrial fields outside aerospace.」

「In composite machinery, the company made new deliveries of automated tape-laying machines using carbon-fiber composite materials for aircraft components. It also sought to capture demand in industrial fields outside aerospace.」

「In composite machinery, the company made new deliveries to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries,Ltd. of automated tape-laying machines and other equipment using carbon-fiber composite materials for aircraft components. It also exported a slitter for carbon-fiber prepreg materials to India for the first time.」

「Alongside the recovery in the earnings power of its core businesses, the company will proceed with commercializing composite machinery as a core business for the next generation.」

「In composite machinery, the company received an order for an automated tape-laying machine as production equipment for aircraft components. It also advanced joint research with automakers and others planning to use carbon-fiber materials in the future.」

「In addition to continuing discussions and tests on specifications for the next round of capital investment, the company advanced joint testing with automakers' research divisions and focused on building and expanding the market.」