AKEBONO REPORT 2014
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Taking a Closer Look at Leading Technologies atthe Frankfurt Auto ShowAkebono encourages its young engineers to visit major automobileshows around the globe so that they are exposed to world-leading,cutting-edge technologies. We incorporate their insights in developmentactivities with the aim of creating products with superiorperformance and environmental friendliness.Voices of Associates Witnessing a Growing Trend towardElectro-Mechanical ProductsYuichiro Inoue, Akebono Advanced Engineering (UK) Ltd.Among the exhibits that inspired me were new cars for usein “Formula e,” a recently launched racing category forvehicles powered solely by electricity. Also, many calipers incorporating electromechanicalparking functions were on display. These exhibits brought home tome the growing need for electric parking brakes. I also discovered howimportant it is to pay attention to the field of high-end and high-performancevehicles in order to stay apprised of the latest trends in brakes in this field. Recognizing the Need for Brakes Suited toToday’s VehiclesShogo Mashimo, Special Assignment ProjectI was particularly amazed to see that our competitors’electric parking brakes were incorporated in many vehiclesproduced by European automakers. Seeing the trend toward electromechanicalproducts brought home to me the significance of a progressivetechnological development that can differentiate us from competitors. Seeing the Latest Trends Urges Me toAccelerate DevelopmentTakashi Masuda, Electro-mechanical Brake DevelopmentDepartment, R&D DivisionI saw that electric parking brakes produced by four majorEuropean brake manufacturers were installed in about 80% of vehiclesexhibited. On the other hand, Japanese manufacturers seemed to be a stepbehind in terms of the introduction of these brakes. This prompted a senseof urgency in me about accelerating our development efforts.Building Miniature Lines to Train Young TechniciansEvery year, Akebono has young technicians create a miniaturebrake or brake component manufacturing line that runs on a singlemotor as part of their training. A team of young and mid-leveltechnicians from the Production Engineering Division creates theminiature line from the planning and design stages.Marking the fourth round of its kind, in 2013 this fabricationtraining resulted in the creation of a miniature aluminum opposedtypedisc brake manufacturing line comprising ten productionprocesses. Consisting of parts fabricated in-house using 3D printersand laser cutters, the manufacturing line also incorporated aclockwork-type mechanism so that it would operate in a way moreakin to the actual production line. Also, emphasis was put on makingthe entire mechanism easily visible and understandable fromthe outside.Such activities help associates enhance their understanding ofoverall production processes. Moreover, the experience they gainthrough such exercises give them advantages when they go on toimprove real productionlines, helping themto realize thoroughlystreamlined, energysaving,people- andenvironmentally friendlyfacilities.Voices of LeaderTakayuki Yoshida, Friction Material Production EngineeringDepartment, Production Engineering DivisionI struggled with multiple mechanism defects that couldhave not been identified only by reviewing a blueprint.Because it took considerable time to determine and remedy the cause ofsuch defects, it brought home to me the difficulty of pushing forward overallfacility construction processes while striving to fix every single defect.As a result, I was able to gain not only engineering knowledge but also anunderstanding of the importance of ensuring the on-time completion ofproject and keeping costs in check.TOPICSTaking on Challenges for More Added ValueTo create new added value for Akebono products, we haveformed caliper development working groups consisting mainlyof young engineers with the aim of simultaneously realizingweight reduction and sophisticated product design. We are alsoholding design workshopsaimed atincorporating theperspectives ofyoung associates andfemale associates toenrich the value ofour products. Theseactivities have brought us new insights. Specifically, we learnedthat many women put emphasis on “harmony” when designinga product’s outward appearance while showing preferencefor “human-centeredness” when it comes to functionality. Aswe also learned that majority of women are not so familiar withbrakes, we are implementing various initiatives to develop productsthat can attract their interest.In these ways, we will work together to blaze an innovativepath to the future, with every associate fulfilling their roles andresponsibilities as a part of “One Team,” “One Akebono.”The Development of New Products and TechnologiesWhile encouraging young engineers to study about and apply cutting-edge manufacturing approaches,Akebono is incorporating their insights to create new products and technologies.

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