Metal Precision Machining

High technical skills to support Japanese space industry

Unlimited in industry & genre– A metalworking all-rounder
KOBAYASHI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., Ltd. is an exceptional company, skilled
in a variety of metalworking. Furthermore, our diverse contract branches cross over
10 different fields, including semiconductors, automobiles and robots. Since its
establishing in 1980 our company has received constant approaches for various
consultation as a result of our determined attempts towards innovation. Due to its
connection to the needs, the gathering of information “is regarded as our company’sbiggest strongpoint”, says President Masazumi Kobayashi. Building connections tomany industries our company also gained big results on the output. Kobayashi, whodeeply wished for an access to the aerospace industry has expressed this desire on
several occasions. As a result, our company received a request from JAXA (JapanAerospace Exploration Agency) and assisted in the world’s first retrieving of samples
from the asteroid Itokawa. The project of disassembling the return capsule was asplendid success. At present, we are aiming at entering into the airplane industry. With
the goal of manufacturing jet engine components, we already introduced an automatic
production system in our factory, combining a five-axis manufacturing machine androbots. For jet engines, Titanium and Inconel, stabile at high temperatures, are used.

At the Frontline of Animal Healthcare,

A Metal Cook Appeared

Prototype of implant for small dogs (image of implant being placed)

KOBAYASHI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., Ltd.
Implant for small dogs

A wide range of orders–from the semiconductor to the automobile industry–reachKOBAYASHI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., Ltd., where we work with a variety of metals.
Constantly challenging new fields, our company can also show for supporting JAXA’s“Hayabusa” project in the past. Furthermore, we take on development of original products
and have therefore created small-breed dog implants in cooperation with Nihon University.
In the field of animal treatment, there is a definite need of medical equipment for smallbreed dogs. Our product completely reflects this need and as an improvement to thecurrent state, there is a big demand to be expected in the field of animal treatment.

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Metal Precision Machining

Metal Precision Machining

Each is extremely difficult to shape and demand a high level ofknowledge and technical skill when manufacturing. However, bothare common materials for our company. Especially for Inconel,
we achieved success in having received orders from oil drillingcompanies and in cutting the material for over 20 years. “We seemto be battling with the worlds’ resources. To achieve the best
manufacturing imaginable, we think about how to cook the raw
materials. Herein lies the attraction of craftsmanship.” (Kobayashi)

Development of an unprecedented,pioneering small-breed dog implant incooperation with Japan’s leading veterinarian
Titanium implant screws for small dogs

In recent years, our company has also taken on the developmentof original products. The first product to be born was the smallbreed dog implant. At present, oversea manufacturers hold an
overwhelming share in animal implants. However, the big differenceis that in contrast to Japan, where small-breed dogs are largely
popular, in overseas large-breed dogs are favored. Among theproducts for small dogs, there are many which are insufficient in theirfunctionality, still their price takes up one quarter of the total surgery
costs. Nevertheless, the state of Japan’s animal treatment is that
foreign products have to be used.
In the beginning, our company formed a consortium with several
neighboring industrial technology companies as well as publicresearch institutes, and experimentally developed artificial bones
made of Titanium for application in the human body. Entering into
the world of medical business was severe, but we gathered data
concerning the possibility of application in animals and henceforth
have attended to animal treatment. When Kobayashi talks about“fortune”, he means the encounter with the veterinarian Professor
Edamura Kazuya (Nihon University College of Bioresource Sciences),
one of Japan’s few surgeons specialized in small animals. Edamura
as a specialized surgeon is an expert in animal implants and holds a
big interest in reducing the costs of medical treatments as well.

The process of making a trial implant plate for small dogs taking into
account fully the needs of the animal medical environment
No coloring agent was used but an oxidation treatment was madeon the implant screw, to moderate the light reflected by the metal

Landscape of factory

Medical equipment

Metal Precision Machining

Metal Precision Machining“Japan quality” brings a new style tothe animal healthcare industry
In American households, large-breed dogs are commonplace,while a stable popularity of small-breed dogs is observablewith celebrities. Since an American and European demand
for small-breed dog implants is certainly to be anticipated,
our company is placing a foothold on launching thisproduct onto the market.
While competing with the world, Kobayashi is of thepersuasion that the biggest weapon is unmistakably theextent of “Made-in-Japan” quality and safety. Therefore,
every product is manufactured nationally and the quality
thoroughly controlled by our inspection division, using
3D-measurement instruments. In regards to safety–since
the product is inserted into the body–Titanium is used
for its high biocompatibility and all colorants are omitted.
We seek high strength and durability. We have realized alevel surpassing existent products. In addition, Kobayashi
is making the best use of our company’s strongpoints in
reducing unnecessary costs by hiring only the best andMasazumi Kobayashi, President of KOBAYASHI PRECISION INDUSTRY

therefore intensely lowering the selling price.
Apart from implants, the field of animal healthcare is also in definite
need of medical equipment for small-breed dogs. Continuing thedevelopment of demand-oriented products and creating new styles in
the world’s animal healthcare industry is what our company aims for.
interview & text by Syo Otaka photos by Ryogo Shioda

Automated production system integrating a 5-axis machining tool and a robot

Concerning the development of “Made-in-Japan” high quality, reasonably priced implants for small
dogs we started a research and development cooperation with Nihon University.
Regarding plates and screws for bone fracture treatment in small-breed dogs, a thorough insight into
the needs of the university’s animal hospital became the key to development and revealed the weak
points of existing products. There are two varieties of screws fixing the plate to the bone: cortex-screws
that possess an adjustable insertion angle and high fixation-power locking-screws. To reposition a bone
it is essential to insert screws in different angles, therefore the freely adjustable cortex-screws possessa wide adaptation range. However, since cortex-screws have only low fixation power and a high risk of
coming loose, veterinarians such as Edamura called for a reliable locking-screw they could use in allcases.
Maintaining high flexibility while providing strong fixation powers is extremely difficult. Nevertheless,our company made the decision to daringly undertake the task to create this much-needed product. The
road to development was steep and paved with recurring experiments and failures. After scores of micro
adjustments, we finally reached our goal. Our product answers the call in every detail. Because of its
unequalled structure, it is expected to become the new standard in small-breed dog implants.

Free product samples
For a limited time offer to Prorechnology Japan readers,we will give FREE samples (shipping fee included) to thefirst 10 companies. If you wish to receive a sample, the QR
code will take you to the web page where you can fill out aform: for each samples.

■ Prototype of Implant plate for small dogs (Left)
The product on the picture is for small dogs, however, please consult us asit can be adapted to big dog types. We also do contract manufacturing.

■ Machining sample by 5-axis machining (Right)
This titanium bone was made from a 3D scanning of a real bone and using reverse engineering.

Company profile
Company Name: KOBAYASHI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., Ltd.
Business Description: Manufacturing precision machined components
HeadquatersAddress: 4-1-54 Onodai Minami-Ku, Sagamihara-city,Kanagawa, 252-0331 Japan
President: Masazumi Kobayashi
Founded: 1980 / Number of Employees: 22
Website: www.kobasei.com
For all inquiries regarding KOBAYASHI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., Ltd.
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