A company with an unconventional approach

Murata Machinery, Ltd has several business divisions and each of these divisions vary widely in terms of their market characteristics, their core technologies and product structures. Using the extensiveness and uniqueness of each of these divisions, and stimulating borderless core research we aim to create wealth that is common to all Groups and also enhance the core strength of our company.
For eg. material handling/ automation technologies provide a wide variety of solutions according to the type and characteristics of the transported material. Material handling/Automation solutions are available for transport of delicate items like package of thread (easily susceptible to damage) in the Textile factory, and also for transporting heavy material like several tons of iron plate in Machine Tool factory. Murata has been at the forefront of developing labor-saving automation systems according to the varying product characteristics in each industry. In USA, our automation system in the Textile factory was honored as (One of the 50 inventions that changed the Textile Industry in the 20th century ). We have also been recognized for our 24-hour Non-stop Automated factory , the first of its kind in Japan. These honors have established Murata as one of “Top Automation systems manufacturer” crossing various fields and disciplines. In addition engineers at Murata have been researching and working on sensors that are critical to machine movements and also on composite materials that have taken over traditional braiding technology. Continuously challenging to bring about a reform or innovation in engineering is one of the main mottos driving the people working at Murata Machinery.

Reliability gained by High accuracy

In 1993, Machine Tool Division announced the development of Cell System by integrating NC Turning-Lathe machine with material handling /transport device and has been highly patronized by Automobile Industry across the world.
Safety of product is the highest priority for cars that are driven and used by people. Over 50 million cars are manufactured, and each car consists of 15,000 ~ 20,000 parts. Parts processed for the Automobile Industry must be highly accurate, and Murata has taken the lead in providing a high-accuracy and high-productivity Mother Machine for processing parts to finite specifications. In the IT sector, represented by the fast growing Semi-conductor and LCD industries, parts must be processed in particle-free environment (Class 1: particle size of 0.1 micron per cubic feet). We have developed and provided highly accurate particle-free inductive power supply system for meeting the needs of Clean industry automation. We have thus supported a variety of engineering within Japan under the concept of promoting Japan as nation-built by technology.

Manipulating the air

In 1979, the Textile Machinery Division of Murata developed the spinning machine where the thread is spun through air power, the first in the world. We cannot see air nor can we feel its existence, but our involvement with the creation of this enormous power spans over the last 25 years when we first used its potential in our textile factory. We have been able to preserve our original expertise and know how through a complete and thorough process of air analysis. The results of these analyses are used to simulate the airflow generated by the movement of automation devices and control the particle generation to meet the cleanliness requirements of the Semi-conductor and LCD industry. Air is the clean energy that can be used in diverse fields Japan Shooter, one of our group companies has developed an air-pressure based high-speed transport system for medium and lightweight package. These include the air shooter, that performs high-speed transfer by compressed air, and the air cube, which transports load by tube expansion power.

User friendly

In 1973, Murata provided the first facsimile with the permission of the Public Tele communication company (Now NTT), and have since then accumulated much expertise in the field of communication. We have developed technologies in communication, compression and encoding and also implemented the remote maintenance system based on our expertise. Remote maintenance is the integration of IT technology and especially analyzed-elemental technology. Since the advent of IT technology, communication infrastructure, and information analyses are the basic processes needed by modern industry. Thus customers may not readily accept the stereotyped engineering or service/maintenance. Variety of data (Analog or Digital Input Output) alarm held by the machine is sent to the front and used for error analysis and error prevention. The pursuit of “User-friendliness ” is our motto in the rapidly growing Information technology industry. Providing the “most user-friendly equipment or system” would be our “best customer service”.

Japan's First Super-High-Rise Auto Storage and Retrieving System (50 m)

In December of 2000, MURATA MACHINERY completed a 50-meter Super-High-Rise AS/RS at the Inuyama Factory. Officially recognized as Japan's first Super-High-Rise AS/RS, the building represents the materialization of cutting-edge damping theory, and features a safe rack structure. Together with the high-speed stacker crane that was developed simultaneously, the system is offered as a key component of large-scale logistic centers.

Transport Systems for Large-Size LCD

The next-generation liquid crystal televisions that have garnered so much attention of late are growing larger and larger. To support the processes that enable this shift to larger sizes, we developed storage and transport systems for large-size liquid crystal panels. Allowing rapid and stable handling and transportation of wide, heavy glass plates, these systems also support multiple-item/small lot manufacturing systems.

RFID Logistics Solutions

RFID is a general term for devices that consist of a small-scale IC chip that records information, and an antenna. A unique ID is assigned to each product, and the IDs of multiple such products can be read at once from within a certain distance. This enables accurate identification and location of large numbers of products, and can improve the efficiency of product testing, replenishment, and distribution control. Since the exact movement and distribution process of individual products can be ascertained, this can raise sales efficiencies, and is expected to be useful in terms of security and traceability (history tracking). By improving the efficiency of in-house logistics tasks, cutting back on inventory, and shrinking lead times, use of RFID in the field of supply chain management is expected to move into full swing by 2006. This trend will be organically linked to distribution systems, IT, network systems, and workplace terminals, and we are developing next generation logistics solutions based on RFID.

High Precision Positioning Sensors

We have developed the Absolute System¹ of linear sensors as positioning sensors for conveyor carts, with the goal of reducing cart cycle times and improving reliability. To shrink transportation cart cycle times by 0.1 second and the overall stop sensitivity by ± 0.5 mm, we use full-closed control². And by increasing the accuracy of the sensors, we can achieve highly accurate positioning for creepless stops-in other words not gradual, but sudden stops.

¹ The Absolute System is one in which the absolute position can be known relative to a reference point. A much more accurate position can be obtained when compared to incremental systems that simply count the increase in numbers of pulses.
² Full-closed control: Signals from the sensors are input to a controller, calculated, and the position is accurately determined. This is much more accurate than open control systems in which the sensor signals are not input to a controller.