Interview with Tadahiro Futamura, President of Futamura Machines & Tools, on the reason for doing maintenance service on the rolling centers (rotating centers) in Thailand.

▲ Mr. Tadahiro Futamura, President of Futamura Machines & Tools Co., Ltd.

Asia Maintenance (AMA) is a valued partner of Futamura Machines & Tools (Futamura Machines & Tools Co., Ltd. / headquartered in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture), known for “high-precision Eagle brand products”, and provides maintenance services on the company's "Rolling Center" in Thailand.

We interviewed Mr. Tadahiro Futamura, President of Futamura Machines & Tools, about the rolling center maintenance business in Thailand.

What is the "Rolling Center" of Futamura Machines & Tools?

Rolling centers (rotating centers) are commonly known as "live centers" overseas. Under such circumstances, I am happy to see the recognition that the "Rolling Center is a product name of Futamura Machines & Tools" is getting to be known overseas as well.

A rolling center is a "rotation holding tool" that supports workpieces in the lathe process. It prevents the workpieces from swinging and enables stable machining. By using a rolling center, high-precision products can be manufactured.

The labyrinth mechanism, a unique technology of Futamura Machines & Tools, prevents coolant liquid from entering the center even at a low speed of 700 revolutions per minute or less. In addition to using centrifugal force to blow the liquid outward from the body, the uniquely shaped structure of the labyrinth mechanism prevents the coolant from entering without contact.

The latest model of the rolling center has a newly developed "slinger mechanism" to further enhance waterproofing.

There are bearings inside the rolling center, and the parts that come into contact with workpieces when they are supported are subject to wear, so regular maintenance is required.

Facts about rolling centers sold to overseas users

In Thailand, rolling centers are considered consumables and were thrown away when broken. This was a great shock. Some factories have tried to repair the broken rolling centers. However, even if they could be sent to Japan for repair, they were not sure if these could be repaired, and if they cannot be repaired, incurred transportation costs would be wasted. Thus repairs had been given up so far.

▲ Umbrella-shaped rolling center that can be fitted with a BRF nut (cold punched nut)

Signed a maintenance contract with AMA

Since the rolling centers can be used without any problems if maintenance is done, we needed a maintenance base overseas. In addition, because there were requests from overseas customers to "reduce costs," we decided to establish a maintenance business base in Thailand, which has the highest overseas demand.

This is the reason why we entered into a repair consignment contract with Asia Maintenance, which has "craftsmanship, precision and quality equivalent to Japan" as its signboard in Asia.

▲ Exhibiting at METALEX (2019) / President Futamura of Futamura Machines & Tools (right) and President　Yamada of AMA (left)

How AMA becomes a technically certified company industry of Futamura Machines & Tools

The enthusiasm and eagerness of President Yamada and the Thai local staff was so passionate that they dispatched their staff to Futamura Machines & Tools in Japan for training. It took about a year to complete the training.

The main reason why it took a year was the local repair tests in Thailand. With regard to taper grinding (joint grinding at the attachment point such as of a chuck), simply having the equipment is not enough to achieve machining accuracy. After a series of test trials with guidance from our staff, it started as a "certified repair factory" for Futamura Machines & Tools products in 2019.

In the first year, it started by promoting to potential new customers, and in 2020, it had done maintenance on 21 units, and by 2021, it surpassed the previous last year's results.

By repairing the products, we are receiving more orders for new products, consultations and meetings on the rotating center, and business meetings. Moreover, we hear the voices of joy from our customers, which makes us “feel glad that we have started the maintenance business.”

Activities of both parties at the Thai exhibition and future prospects

In 2019, the total number of visitors to METALEX was 100,475, and about 71 companies and trading companies visited the joint booth of AMA and Futamura Machines & Tools, where we received many business inquiries.

In 2020, due to the Corona pandemic, Futamura Machines & Tools was unable to go to Thailand, so Asia Maintenance took care of local support, while Futamura Machines & Tools always provided remote support. At this year's METALEX, we were visited by approximately 200 companies, exceeding that of 2019.

We had many inquiries from customers who asked, "There is a lot of demand for rotating centers, but can you provide maintenance for products Made in Japan?" For those customers who came to our exhibition booth at METALEX (2019/2020), we accompanied and explained, and as a result, the number of inquiries regarding new purchases and repairs is steadily increasing.

Both Futamura Machines & Tools and AMA will continue to cooperate with each other to increase truck record for repair achievements and improvement ideas. We will continue to strive every day to “reduce the cost” for our customers and to make them happy. There are many Japanese companies in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and other countries, and many of them use Futamura Machines & Tools' rolling centers.

If customers in these countries recognize that repairs can be done with "the same quality of precision as in Japan" by sending repairs to AMA, there is no doubt that both companies will make a leap forward. It would be great if the maintenance business could get on track and establish similar bases in China, the United States, India, etc.

Cooperation: Futamura Machines & Tools Co., Ltd.

Founded in 1946 by Tadao Futamura
A long-established specialized manufacturer with over 75 years of experience in the development and manufacture of precision machine tools, based on the belief that “manufacturing” in Japan should be carried out with international technology.

Tadao Futamura
CEO

Born in 1974
2007 Joined Futamura Machines & Tools Co., Ltd.
2012 Appointed as the president of Futamura Machines & Tools Co., Ltd.
2013 Became a Director of Japan Machine Tool Builders' Association (General Incorporated Association)
2017 Merged Akahori Giken Co., Ltd., a manufacturer in automotive parts industry
2018 Established Kanadekai (General Incorporated Association), which operates a company-led daycare center.
We will continue to strive everyday as a corporate entity that supports the manufacturing industry from the base, including the welfare field.

If you are interested in the maintenance of Futamura Machines & Tools’ Rolling Centers (rotating center/live center), please contact us using the form below.