Priority business measures

Agricultural machinery Construction machinery

Switch components

Joysticks

Material handling
Data andCompany Overview

34 IDEC Report 2024

AGV/AMROperator interface“HG2J series”

Special vehicles,
new mobilities,
material handling, etc.

Panel solutions

Robotics

Touchless switch“CW1H/4H series”

Foundation for
Value Creation

Automotive

Safety commander“HT4P series”

Business Strategy

Semiconductors Machine tools

Smart RFID reader“KW2D series”

Initiatives for
Realization of Vision

FA-centric markets

offerings lean toward special vehicles, such as construction
and agricultural machinery, and various products serving thematerial handling and new mobility industries. Roughly 75% of
APEM’s sales are from customized products, which are foundat work in many different industries since they are tailored toeach customer’s needs. This focus on customizing products fora wide range of applications is underpinned by APEM’s superb
design and development capabilities, generating high-quality
products that robustly perform under challenging environmentalconditions. We are working to produce even greater synergies
between IDEC and APEM by optimizing manufacturing, sales,
and logistics centers to lower costs and streamline operations,exchanging talent, and localizing sales strategies.

and touchless switches that address needs for contactlesssolutions—and have been expanding the line-up of APEM
products to better serve diverse customer needs.
In order for us to continue growing in a landscape wheremegatrends and market changes are transforming customer
needs in many ways, we must develop next-generation HMI
products that offer new features. Going forward, we will continue
creating new HMI products to further grow our business andhelp realize safety, ANSHIN, and well-being.

Value Creation Story

Since 1958 when we began sales of industrial switches, wehave supplied diverse HMI products supporting human-machineinteractions. Our products and the years of design and quality
enhancements we have made to them have enabled us tobuild up a strong market share. When France’s APEM joined
our Group in 2017, our line-up expanded with not only moreindustrial switches, but also new offerings such as joysticks, LEDindicators, and keyboards. In a world where an enormous arrayof products are needed to serve different regions, applications,and settings, we are enjoying the strong synergy generated by
the combination of IDEC’s and APEM’s diverse product featuresand sales channels.
Whereas IDEC focuses mainly on suppling standard
products to factory automation (FA)-centric markets, APEM’s

Seeking to become the world’s No.1 leader in HMI, the IDECGroup develops products that respond to new needs emerging
in the global market. Today, environments where people andmachines work together are changing. Under HMI-X, a newconcept we put forward in 2022, we are aiming to optimize
those environments by bringing greater interactivity to machinecontrol. To do this, we have been launching new products—
such as smart RFID readers for managing machine accessand operation logs, safety commanders that can be attached
to tablets used at manufacturing sites to ensure worker safety,

MessageCreating the optimum environment
for humans and machines as a leading company of HMI

Developing next-generation HMI products to realize HMI-X

Introduction

HMI (Human-Machine Interface)Introduction

HMI (Human-Machine Interface)Pursuing excellent environmental durability andhigh-level design qualities
Susumu Umeda
Leader, Electronics & Automation Product Development Department, IDEC CORPORATIONIn designing the “HG2J series” operator interface we faced strong demands to make the housing
thinner, and spend a huge amount of time studying heat dissipation. We adopted a wide type LCD
panel for the display component, and to make best use of its original appearance, focused on using
a glass-topped capacitive touch panel instead of a conventional analog touch panel. As this typeof touch panel was not mainstream for control devices, before it could be commercialized we hadto perform studies and evaluations as we went, taking into account construction, noise resistance,cost and supply aspects.

Touchless switch“CW1H/4H series”

Operator interface with high visibility
and excellent environmental resistanceManager’s Message

The evolution from the “I series” to the “IG series”
Stéphane Martel
Engineering Manager, APEM SAS (France)

Operator interface “HG2J series”

The new “IG series” allows for post-assembly customization

Unique customizability tailored to customer needs
Vivien Rineau
Head of Product Marketing, APEM Components Ltd. (UK)Control switch “IG series”

With the “IG series”, we simplify life for our customers with post-assembly customized options, whilereducing production pressure through a platform approach. Our design is based on a commonstructure that enables customers to select, and even personally install, the cap of their choice. In
short, it’s a win-win approach which doesn’t compromise on the cap’s robust fastening.

Data andCompany Overview

35 IDEC Report 2024

Manager’s Message

Foundation for
Value Creation

The IG series is the latest addition to APEM’s “I series” product range, offering
unparalleled flexibility and scalability for grip applications like joysticks and armrests.
This series stands out for its late-stage customization capabilities, allowing designchanges at any project stage. The “IG series” boasts a compact design with asnappable actuator, providing strong tactile feedback and easy integration into
various environments.
It offers exceptional resistance and durability, ideal for harsh environments, withsealing levels up to IP69K (front) and IP67 (rear). The “IG series” is customizablewith options like integrated LED illumination, laser or hot stamping markings, andcolor choices, making it suitable for diverse applications on joysticks, belly boxes,and handheld devices.

Business Strategy

The development of our new “IG series” was challenging as we aimed to merge the robust environmental
features of our “I series”, introduce customization options during the final assembly, and enhancesymbol illumination. APEM SAS mechanical and electronical teams worked together to design thisnew pushbutton, integrating an electronic board positioned just below the sturdy cap with an outfitting
sealing membrane.

Initiatives forRealization of Vision

The “HG2J series” 7-inch medium-sized operator interface does away with the resin film applied
to the touch panel surface in conventional products and instead features a glass-top construction
using a projected capacitive (PCAP) type touch panel. This ensures the display can maintain highvisibility for a long time without degradation due to whitening.
It also features excellent environmental durability with IP66F and IP67F water and dust
resistance in addition to operating temperatures ranging from -20°C to 60°C, making it suitable
for a wide range of applications.
It is packed with distinct features that embody the HMI-X concept, including the ability totransmit audio information by connecting a USB speaker, and highly flexible machine placement
due to wireless communication when a Wi-Fi dongle is connected.

Value Creation Story

To accommodate the need to make switches operated by many people contactless,we launched touchless switches that can be used indoors or outdoors in 2022,
and we also added a short-range detection type to the line-up in 2023.
In addition to preventing the spread of infections, touchless switches are
suitable for a wide range of situations, such as ensuring hygiene in food processing,
reducing machine operator fatigue when operating switches at high frequency,
as a measure to extend the service life of switches, or as a replacement forphotoelectric sensors.

Leader’s Message
Message

Touchless switches to reduce risk in environments where switches
are operated by many people