SANKYO SEIKI MFG. CO.,
LTD.
Sankyo Seiki Mfg. Co., Ltd. began its research on musical movements, the precision
machinery used in music boxes, in 1948. Today, Sankyo is a comprehensive precision
electronic equipment manufacturer. Focusing on optomechatronics-the combination
of mechanics, electronics and optics-Sankyo has grown into a global leader in
all its business fields. Sankyo is a world-leading manufacturer of musical movements,
direct-drive spindle motors, magnetic card readers used in bank systems, AC
inductor motors for home appliances, defrost controllers for refrigerators,
optical pick-up units for CD-ROMs and magnetic heads for audio products. Sankyo
is also a leading producer of robotic systems for a variety of small part applications.
Strategic Focus
Musical
Products Division
Electronics Components
Headquarters
Control
Devices Division
System
Machines Division
Addresses and Phone Numbers
LEADERSHIP IN TECHNOLOGY
Rapid progress is being made in electronic components technologies, with attention focused on the submicron level. As a customer needs diversify, Sankyo's new production technologies, based on fine mechanical technology and flexible, manufacturing systems (FMS), enable the Company to maintain its position as a market leader.
Major areas of concentration include office automation, audiovisual related products, home automation and home appliances and factory automation. Particular emphasis is placed on meeting customer specifications regarding quality, price and delivery date.
The Company is a world-leading manufacturer of musical movements, direct-drive spindle motors for floppy-disk drives, stepping motors used in floppy-disk drives, VCR capstan motors, magnetic card readers used in bank systems, AC inductor motors for home appliances, defrost controllers for refrigerators, optical pick-up units for CD-ROMs and magnetic heads for audio products.
Sankyo is continuing to develop applied technology for magnetic materials, function-polymer technology, optical devices and semiconductor devices. Sankyo has the technology to develop and process component materials. For example, utilizing vacuum evaporation technology we developed the magnetic resistance element used in the rotary encoder as a thin-membrane magnetic sensor.
Sankyo also develops and markets such materials as rare-earth polymer magnetics, used in motors; electronic displays, through the application of function-polymer technology; and ceraphalloy bearings, manufactured from revolutionary bearing materials. By developing its own materials, Sankyo is able to respond quickly to customer needs.
FLEXIBLE PRODUCTION
Sankyo constantly raises the level of its production technology and the quality of its products. The key concept behind Sankyo's production technology is the Built-Block System (BBS). A production line is usually made up of blocks tailored to production of specific goods and of blocks that cover widely used, fundamental movements. Sankyo's BBS adds versatility and flexibility to these important blocks, significantly delaying obsolescence. Our systems can easily switch from small-to mass-scale production. The BBS has enabled Sankyo to produce more sophisticated products at a lower cost than other companies. We are now manufacturing the majority of our mass-produced products overseas.
Sankyo's accumulated FA technology enables the Company to develop and promote such products as multiple processing machines, automatic assembly equipment and industrial robots. As we approach the 21st century, Sankyo, through its diverse lines ranging from industrial products to household appliances, aims to increase its contributions to society.
QUALITY FIRST
Sankyo has continued to improve its quality control technology, for which it
won a Deming Prize in 1976, as well as strengthen its expertise in such key
technologies as we continue the Company's established work on optomechatronics
technology. Sankyo also gains considerable benefit from research and development
carried out in cooperation with its close business partner, Nippon Steel
Corporation. Using the new technologies developed with Nippon Steel, Sankyo
creates innovative products for communications, health, office automation and
household-related areas.
MUSICAL
PRODUCTS DIVISION
Sankyo's operations are rooted in the Musical Products Division. The Company holds the largest share of the world market for musical movements.
The key to Sankyo's dominance of the market is its ability to offer the world's most reliable musical movements at a highly competitive price. It has been able to do so by implementing the world's first mass-production methods for these products. This kind of self-reliance is a cornerstone of Sankyo's corporate philosophy.
Traditionally, the manufacture of musical movements was a highly labor-intensive process. Recently however, increasing automation has meant tremendous leaps in production and assembly capability. By automating nearly all processes, Sankyo has increased productivity and achieved uniform quality-critical factors in supporting Sankyo's dominance of the musical movements industry.
The Company's presence in the industry is not limited to Japan. Sankyo maintains an international manufacturing presence in Malaysia and Taiwan, and since January 1995 in Guangzhou, China. We also have a marketing presence in the U.S., Europe and Hong Kong.
Musical movements-and the music boxes that depend on them-have a 200-year history. Before the invention of the phonograph in 1877, the only instrument available that did not require a musician to play it was the music box. They were difficult to acquire and treasured by the few who could afford them. During this century, musical movements have changed, partially as a result of the mass-production technology pursued by Sankyo, and music boxes have become widely available.
Sankyo has pursued the development of ever-richer sounding music boxes. The Company's top-of-the-line Orpheus series, marketed since 1985, features two-tune deluxe 50-note movements. This series has been very well received, particularly in the collectibles market. Furthermore, after years of R&D, we introduced an 80-note disc music box in 1995. The disc music box, which allows the listener to exchange discs and hear any number of tunes, took Europe and the U.S. by storm in the days before the phonograph rose to prominence. One hundred years have passed since then, and now the disc music box is making a comeback as businesses and hobbyists create a new market for its gorgeous sounds.
The advance of production technology has led to a diversification of function. Sankyo is now aggressively developing new products in a wide range of fields based on the technologies accumulated through the creation and improvement of music boxes. Soft-ejecting mechanisms are just one example. New applications of our Eou's melody integrated circuit units have enabled us to create special new products where small, thin, lightweight formats are required. Furthermore, Sankyo is also manufacturing superior 30-note and 50-note movements for luxury-class music boxes.
Since 1985, the Company's Suwa Plant has been dedicated to producing quality
musical movements. The entire manufacturing process of the plant-from the
requisition of raw materials to product shipment-is integrated and fully
automated. Strict process and quality control management in this plant led to
its winning a Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Japan Economic Journal) national advanced
plant award for excellence in 1987 and a Japan Plant Maintenance Foundation
first class award for excellence in plant maintenance in 1993.
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS HEADQUARTERS
To strengthen our electronic component businesses, which encompass such products as DC micromotors, AC servomotors, optical pickups and magnetic heads, we integrated marketing, development, production and overseas strategies for the Motors, Devices and Electromagnetic Components Divisions in July 1994. This headquarters system allows us to combine strong points that were previously dispersed among these different divisions.
Through this reorganization, the common functions of the three divisions have been divided into an Operation Planning Division and a Marketing & Sales Division from the business divisions was particularly helpful in improving customer service and the collection of market information, while also making it possible for us to offer products that more closely match customer needs.
Also, by giving the R&D Center the rank of a new business promotion group within the Electronic Components Headquarters, we created a group with dual production and sales functions unlike those of any other business division. This allows us to respond quickly to dizzying changes in market needs.
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS HEADQUARTERS
R & D CENTER
The R&D Center is a business group that fosters the growth of new business fields in the Electronic Components Headquarters. The R&D Center was created in April 1995 through a reorganization of the Motor R&D Center.
Sankyo has invested long years of R&D into optics, actuators, magnetic recording and servo technologies, which are considered indispensable in multimedia.
Using its own technology, Sankyo has developed optic heads, laser scanner units, aero/fluid-dynamic bearing motors, servomotors and other products that have won high praise from users.
Aero/fluid-dynamic bearing motors, which are characterized by ultrahigh-speed and high precision, are used in high resolution polygonal mirror motors and hard-disk spindle motors. The AC servomotor, which is distinguished by its compact size and high performance in industrial equipment, including components for factory automation. Our laser scanner units, which incorporate recent developments in optical and actuator technologies, answer a broad range of needs in laser-beam printers, digital copiers and laser fax machines.
Sankyo will continue basic and applied research into materials technology and high performance devices. While responding quickly to tumultuous changes in our markets, we will endeavor to make products that give high value for their price and meet customer needs.
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS HEADQUARTERS
MOTORS DIVISION
Since the Company started manufacturing and marketing micromotors 36 years ago, all its products have been acclaimed for their reliability. Micromotors for applications ranging from consumer products to industry are manufactured domestically in the Komagane Plant and overseas in Malaysia, China and Taiwan.
The Company has now expanded its areas of involvement, starting with audiovisual (AV), office automation (OA) and home electronics and going into multimedia, measuring, medical and factory automation (FA) equipment. In this way, it is meeting a variety of needs and making progress in developing core parts.
To satisfy market demand for multifunction and low-cost products, Sankyo's electronic component parts are being improved through advanced technological discoveries and production rationalization. Over the years, the Company has accumulated and fused its original and essential technologies of precision processing, electronics and material application. It is promoting its goals of developing miniaturized, high performance, energy-efficient actuators and original concept and design composite-use motors and core parts manufactured in-house.
In the manufacturing field, submicron precision processing, computer-controlled measuring systems and the Man-Robot-Machine (MRM) system-a flexible manufacturing system with assembly lines and robots-guarantee stable supply, high quality and reliability of products and the cost efficiency of factories.
Sankyo's major achievements are supported by its exacting quality control management structure that governs development, manufacturing and sales, and by its strict products reliability testing. In November 1994, Sankyo acquired ISO 9001 certification.
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS HEADQUARTERS
DEVICES DIVISION
Sankyo established the Devices Division in April 1988 to cultivate new business areas. Electronic technology, represented by digitalization, is advancing rapidly toward a new age of multimedia. Since establishment, the division has been active in the integrated research and development of technologies that are vital to these times, notably optics, actuators, and servo technology. We have fostered products incorporating exclusive technologies, such as optic heads, for CD-ROMs and audio-use that have earned high regard from users. We expect optic heads, which are used in high-density ROM and optical recording media, to become a key device in multimedia. Sankyo is committed to advancing research in materials, from basic to applied technology, and highly functional devices, producing products that meet customers' needs and offer high cost value.
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS HEADQUARTERS
Magnetic heads rank alongside motors as Sankyo's main business lines. Sankyo produces approximately 170 million units annually. Our general audio magnetic heads for portable cassette players with headphones, cassette decks and radio-cassette players, and magnetic heads for answering machines hold the leading share of their respective markets and showed steady growth during the year. To cope with the globalization of the audio market, Sankyo produces more than 99% of its magnetic heads overseas. The Company supplies the Hong Kong market from its production bas in Shaoguan, China.
Sankyo has been producing magnetic heads for audio equipment for 28 years. During that period, the Company has been able to offer products with excellent cost performance owing to its fully automated production system. We have developed such popular audio products as double-cassette tape recorders and tape recorders with auto-reverse heads.
In the triumph of Company creativity, Sankyo developed the world's first rotary heads for tape recorders, offering an exciting alternative to the standard fixed reversal heads. This innovation breathed new life into the slowing audio field and led directly to the development of a number of new products.
Sankyo's strength is found in its successful efforts to lower costs and to carry on all stages manufacturing of high-quality products-including production of magnetic head-cores, assembly, mounting, and inspection-entirely in-house. The Company is proud of its innovative quality control procedures, which incorporate its original automatic inspection system. This enables the production of high-quality products while meeting the requirement to keep costs down.
CONTROL DEVICES DIVISION
Appliances that have become essential to today's consumers, such as washing machines, refrigerators, microwave ovens and air conditioners, all utilize time switches and AC motors. The Control Devices Division focuses on these core parts-notably micro AC motors-and manufactures stepping motors and other motors for use in computer peripherals, office equipment and housing equipment.
Sankyo commenced manufacturing time switches in 1959. Advancing technology led to changes to motive power units, as the Company developed time switches powered by motors. Today, Sankyo manufactures time switches powered by both springs and motors.
With the arrival of the office automation era, the monthly production volume of stepping motors rapidly increased from 100, 000 in 1982 to 50 million in fiscal 1995. Stepping motors have become essential components of floppy-disk drives, data cartridge tape drives, printers, facsimile machines, electric typewriters, household appliances and video cameras. As stepping motor specifications become increasingly exacting, Sankyo is working to develop and manufacture stepping motors that meet all customer requirements, particularly with regard to cost, torque and precision.
As an electronic components manufacturer, Sankyo stands apart from other companies as a result of its innovative technology and products. Sankyo's history is a record of the Company's ability to meet the requirements of each era. Sankyo continues to develop its technological strength, incorporating new ultra-precise technology, to create products that meet today's demands. The Control Devices Division was certified to meet the ISO 9001 quality assurance standards in March 1995. We are now internationally identified and registered
SYSTEM MACHINES DIVISION
DATA SYSTEM MACHINES AREA
Magnetic/IC Cards Division Home Page
New
Hybrid Card Readers From Sankyo
Sankyo's data system machines area commenced operations in 1971. Using its magnetic recording technology as a base, the division manufactures and markets a variety of information-terminal equipment, Main products include magnetic card readers, and specialized terminal units.
Magnetic card readers, for which Sankyo holds the top market share, have a wide range of applications. Major uses include incorporation in cash dispensers and automated teller machines (ATMs), inventory control terminals, loan dispensers and seat reservation terminals. In addition, demand has rapidly grown for prepaid cards in the transportation, distribution and food service industries.
In the specialized terminal area, Sankyo manufactures and markets terminal-use modules, finished products under original equipment manufacturing (OEM) agreements, and computer peripheral equipment for use in the finance, distribution, and transportation fields. Sankyo products are widely recognized for their incorporation of original concepts and reliability.
The aptitude and strategy of this division include the in-house sourcing of key parts, the development of large-scale integrated circuits (LSIs) and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) through the use of software and firmware technology, and the development of an array of optomechatronics products which meet user needs through the union of such areas as high-level analog technology, ultra-accurate optics technology, hardware and software. Sankyo holds great expectations for its data system machines area-an area that answers the requirements of the times.
The division's magnetic card reader was certified eligible for the
international quality standard ISO 9001 in February 1994.
SYSTEM MACHINES DIVISION
ROBOTICS AND MACHINE TOOLS AREA
In 1962, Sankyo began manufacturing and marketing precision machinery. The Company was able to draw upon the expertise it had accumulated since its establishment in 1946 in the design and manufacture of production machinery for musical movements. Since then, Sankyo has improved and expanded its production facilities in order to meet the need for increased volume, efficiency and quality. Similarly, Sankyo has continuously developed new precision machinery and systems.
Sankyo's products are designed based on the Built-Block System (BBS) it developed. Products are divided into a number of blocks, in which modular components are assembled separately. Manufacturing equipment is also laid out in terms of blocks, and can be redeployed or reprogrammed for flexible manufacturing.
The machine tools area presently produces and markets special purpose cutting machines, automatic assembly equipment and industrial robots.
Sankyo has extensive experience in the development of special-purpose cutting machines. Our technology is highly regarded by such top Japanese manufacturers as automobile, camera and hard-disk drive makers for the gains in precision and productivity it allows.
Sankyo is the industry leader in assembly robots and is a major producer of horizontally articulated robots. Since the latter half of fiscal 1984, cumulative consignments have totaled more than 10,000 units.
The durable, high-precision SKILAM series of assembly robots, originally developed for in-house use, has sustained its excellent results in the market-place. These robots are used in the communications, electrical and electronics industries for assembly of IC parts and similar intricate parts for office automation equipment.
Sankyo, as the leading producer of assembly robots, continues to develop new
products and improve existing ones. The machine tools area will play a central
role in building a base for growth.
SANKYO ADDRESSES AND PHONE
NUMBERS
Headquarters
140 East Ridgewood Avenue
Paramus, NJ 07652
201-265-8900 Phone
201-265-4433 Fax
Sankyo Robotics
1001D Broken Sound Parkway NW
Boca Raton, FL 33487
561-998-9775 Phone
561-998-9778 Fax
Sankyo Seiki (America) Inc.
West Coast Office
3080 Olcott Street, Suite # 208-A
Santa Clara, CA 95054
408-988-5959 Phone
408-988-8015 Fax
NASCorp
275 Northridge Drive
Shelbyville, IN 46176
317-421-2220 Phone
317-421-2228 Fax
Headquarters
17-2, 1-Chome, Shinbashi
Minato-Ku, Tokyo 105
Japan
(81) 3-3502-3711 Phone
(81) 3-3508-2576 Fax
Headquarters
Mollsfeld 10
D-40670 Moerbusch
Germany (49) 2159-2008Phone
(49) 2159-3903 Fax
[Sankyo Robotics] [Sankyo Home Page]