Makino

For other uses, see Tomitaro Makino and Makino, Shiga.

Makino

Type	Public
Industry	Machine Tools Aerospace Automotive Die Mold General Production Medical
Founded	May 1937
Headquarters	Tokyo
Key people	Jiro Makino: President & CEO Don Lane: President & CEO of Makino America Dr. Moh Chong Tau: President & CEO of Makino Asia
Products	Horizontal Machining Centers (HMC), Vertical Machining Centers (VMC), 5-Axis Machines, Graphite Machines, EDM Machines (Wire and Ram types), Automated Pallet Systems, Grinding Machines, and various services.
Employees	3,000
Website	http://www.makino.com/

Makino is a global machine tool manufacturer.

History

Makino was established in 1937 by Tsunezo Makino in Japan, developing Japan's first numerically controlled (NC) milling machine in 1958 and Japan's first machining center in 1966.^[1]

The North American branch of Makino was formed through the 1981 merger of the R. K. LeBlond Machine Tool Company of Cincinnati and the Makino Milling Machine Company of Japan. Resulting from the merger was the formation of what was then called "LeBlond Makino Machine Tool Company".^[2]

In 1996, LeBlond Makino became Makino, and in 1997 LeBlond Lathe Ltd. was formed as a parts and servicing subsidiary.

Innovations

In 1984, Makino developed the first high-speed spindle.^{[citation needed]} In 1990, Makino introduced Super Geometric Intelligence, the first servo-control software to provide higher machining speed, and Flush Fine machining, a method for cutting hardened materials.^[3]

The company developed the first drop-tank design wire EDM in 1994, and HQSF (High-Quality Surface Finish) technology with patented uSc additive in 1996, increasing the ability to finish parts without hand polishing when using a Ram EDM. In 2003, Makino developed the first conventional horizontal wire EDM that automatically threads and machines with a 0.02mm diameter wire.^{[citation needed]}

In 2006, the company developed High Energy Applied Technology (HEAT) for wire EDMs to increase speed in wire EDMing, and released the EDAC1 micro EDM Ram machine. Makino is also the only manufacturer of a horizontal wire EDM, the UPJ-2. In 2007, Makino introduced SurfaceWIZARD wire EDM technology, designed to eliminate witness lines in stepped parts.^{[citation needed]}

References

1. ^ http://www.makino.com/about/innovation.aspx
2. ^ http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/1998/03/09/focus3.html
3. ^ http://www.makino.com/machines/unique_technologies.aspx

Further reading

• US Industry TodayVol 4 No.3
• American Machinist 1 August 2000
• Modern Machine Shop February 1991 courtesy of bnet.com
• Business Courier of Cincinnati March 6, 1998
• Manufacturing Engineering June 2006 Vol. 136 No. 6
• Automotive Design & Production February 2002
• Modern Machine Shop June 1998
• ThomasNET UPJ-2 release on September 14, 2006
• Modern Machine Shop SurfaceWIZARD release

External links

• Makino official website