Mitsubishi Electric Corporation's Sanda Works supplies key parts to the automotive industry, which is undergoing a once-in-a-century transformation with the proliferation of electric vehicles (EVs) and other changes. The production focus of the plant is mainly on four areas: car multimedia systems, high-end car audio, car mechatronics, and lighting systems/sonar. In recent years, the plant has been working on expanding its services to hospitals using “the MELDY transport robot for hospital use as a new business”. "As part of our ‘kotozukuri’ initiatives, we plan to start launching the services in fiscal year 2023 and contribute to solving many more issues at hospitals." (Shuhei Fukuda, team leader of the General Affairs Section, General Affairs Department). The automotive industry, a major customer base of the plant, is turning sharply toward decarbonization, and the plant is also facing strong demands from users for its environmental initiatives. For this reason, the plant has implemented solar power generation, electrification, and energy conservation measures. In addition to these, based on Mitsubishi Electric's group strategy, it will achieve carbon neutrality at an early stage and “firmly tackle” decarbonization in line with major trends. (Shoji Kawakami, team leader of Environmental/Facility Management Section, Production Management Department's). Sanda Works, which is looking to the "future of people and cars," has adopted HIOS's brushless electric screwdriver "JUKUREN", "INTRTORQUE" and "Totupla". By utilizing screws and electric screwdrivers with a reliable fastening ability, a system for detecting defective electric screwdrivers, and a data output function, the plant has reduced losses in the automotive sector, which requires stringent quality management. Environmental initiatives are taking place in all aspects of corporate activities, and fastening screws is no exception. HIOS's brushless electric screwdriver has no usage limits or fine dust compared to brush-type screwdrivers. Brushless screwdrivers generate heat because “They use energy. There are energy-saving benefits in using brushless screwdrivers that do not generate heat." (Haruo Watanuki, head of the workshop section)

Picking up a screw, carrying, turning, and fastening it. The process of screw fastening may seem simple, but it is actually quite complex. Mr. Watanuki says, "We need to be particularly careful when picking up screws." If a screw is not properly picked up, it may fall, and must be retrieved, otherwise, the line may have to be stopped. The plant uses HIOS's "Totupla" and "INTRTORQUE" to improve the quality of screw fastening. The Totupla screws, which are used to fasten car navigation systems, have improved on the drawbacks of cross screws, where the bit tends to float up during fastening due to the tapered shape of the tip. This requires upward pressure, causing wear and tear on the bit. The Totupla screws have a straight-shaped tip that prevents it from floating up, and the bit is less likely to wear out. It has excellent straightness and does not wobble during fastening. The durability of the bit is also excellent. With a high level of compatibility between the bit and screw, stable work is possible from screw-pickup to fastening. It has received high praise from operators on-site, with fewer mistakes and an actual effect of "reducing screw-pickup losses by 30% compared to before the introduction" (Mr. Watanuki). Also, conventional hexalobular screws sometimes wobble, causing problems with screw fastening. About two years ago, Sanda Works adopted INTRTORQUE on the recommendation of the design department, and it is now also used by Mitsubishi Electric Thai Auto Parts, which produces and supplies key parts for the automotive industry. It has also been well received by local employees. Totupla and INTRTORQUE reduce workpiece waste and energy consumption owing to re-fastening or damage. They are also easy to remove, contributing to recycling.

"We want to create a system for managing the work of creating quality using tools and equipment," says Mr. Watanuki, head of the workshop section. In the past, people detected mistakes and determined ease/difficulty of screw fastening work. With increased demand for quality and rapid introduction of new technologies, when we delve deeper into the question, "Is the screw really tightened?" there is a limit to dependence on people. For example, "There may be a small amount of waste generated when fastening screws. How do we deal with this?" (Mr. Watanuki). This is one of many issues. In the automotive market, where "safety and security" are absolute requirements, the demand for quality is extremely high. On the other hand, for some products, simple automation cannot be used to maintain the flexibility of the line. The "edge" of tools that people use will perform computing to collect various data and manage and support work. At Sanda Works, HIOS’s screw fastening system has been introduced and is used for data collection. It is used for detecting errors, product traceability, production management, and more. "The demand for management through tools will continue to be stringent in the future" (Mr. Watanuki), and the same approach will be deployed in production bases in Thailand and elsewhere. The plant uses the brushless electric screwdriver "JUKUREN" and utilizes the error detection system and its data output function. JUKUREN at the plant has a higher sampling accuracy of the motor's rotation pulse count than standard products. "We offer 'Sanda specifications' JUKUREN" to show HIOS’s commitment (Yasunori Yano, head of the Western Japan Division of HIOS Sales Department). "We are using the best equipment" (Mr. Watanuki). The challenge of achieving high-quality production at Sanda Works is supported by HIOS products.