Japanese Cutting-Edge
Solutions for Metalworking
Japanese Cutting-Edge
Solutions for Metalworking
Exhibition
November 5, 2024
The semiconductor industry has become an increasingly important customer for the FA (Factory Automation) sector in recent years. With significant growth expected and new challenges emerging, this industry is influencing technological development in the FA field. At the upcoming 32nd Japan International Machine Tool Fair (JIMTOF 2024), to be held at Tokyo Big Sight beginning November 5, many exhibitors are expected to showcase their solutions for this expanding market. This article focuses on the exhibits of two companies: Okamoto Machine Tool Works, a major player in semiconductor wafer grinding equipment, and Izumi Corporation, which specializes in machine tools and accessories for the semiconductor industry.
Okamoto Machine Tool Works “Grinding Center UGM64GC” for machining brittle materials
Okamoto Machine Tool Works will exhibit eight machines under the theme “GRINDING REVOLUTION – TOTAL GRINDING SOLUTIONS”, showcasing its latest technologies. Gyo Ito, Managing Executive Officer, GM of Technical Development & Sales Headquarters and Director, explains, “Many of our customers are in the semiconductor manufacturing and semiconductor-related parts processing industries. After demand dropped due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it rebounded sharply, especially for high-value memory-related products. However, demand has now stabilized, largely due to inventory adjustments in the memory segment.”
Okamoto’s main target at JIMTOF 2024 is the machining of parts for semiconductor manufacturing equipment. One of the highlights of their exhibit is the “Grinding Center UGM64GC,” a four-axis grinding machine with a standard 20-tool automatic tool changer. The company is also showcasing its comprehensive automation solutions, including the integration of robots, indexing tables, chucks and jigs, to meet the increasing demand for automation since the pandemic.
Another notable exhibit is the “VRG10DX” vertical rotary surface grinder, which has expanded its chuck diameter from the conventional 650 mm to 1000 mm to meet the growing demand for larger ceramic parts and multi-part processing. This high-efficiency model is specifically designed for rough machining of hard, brittle materials used in power semiconductors, such as silicon carbide (SiC), gallium nitride (GaN) and lithium tantalate.
Gyo Ito, Managing Executive Officer, GM of Technical Development & Sales Headquarters and Director, says, “We are firmly committed to our customers as they face new challenges.”
Okamoto is also focused on contributing to carbon neutrality initiatives, particularly in the electric vehicle (EV) sector. Its flexible system configurations and durable equipment are designed to reduce overall CO2 emissions. Ito emphasized the company’s commitment to meeting the new challenges posed by advanced materials and EV manufacturing, saying, “At JIMTOF, we want to listen to the real needs of visitors and understand the current situation.”
The company has outlined its medium- and long-term strategy, “Vision 2030”. With record sales of 50 billion yen in fiscal year 2023, Okamoto is positioning itself to strengthen its appeal to customers in the semiconductor sector, a market it has identified as a key growth area. “We expect more international visitors at this year’s show compared to the previous JIMTOF, which was held just after the pandemic. We want visitors to see the diversity of our grinding machines and the value we provide. While the market has been quiet now, demand is expected to increase next year, and we are preparing for that together with our customers,” Ito emphasizes.
“Orders for semiconductor-related businesses have been at a high level,” said Koji Izumi, Executive Director of Izumi Corporation.
Manufacturers of machine accessories also see great opportunities in the mid- to long-term expansion of the semiconductor industry. Izumi Corporation (Booth WA026), based in Komono, Mie Prefecture, Japan, will showcase vices for workholding during machining and jigs for positioning support at JIMTOF. Koji Izumi, Executive Director, says, “Orders for semiconductor manufacturing equipment have been strong for about a decade. Although there have been fluctuations, the overall trend has been upward, and currently about half of our orders are for semiconductor-related products. Last fiscal year, sales exceeded pre-COVID levels.”
Izumi Corporation’s “DEPENDEVISE PSS Series” is popular in the semiconductor industry.
While there is a trend toward larger and more complex molds and parts in the automotive industry, Izumi explains, “We don’t see this trend in the current generation models of semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Most of the workpieces are relatively small, about the size of a palm.” One of the company’s best-selling products is the 50 mm-wide “DEPENDEVISE PSS series” universal vice, which will also be on display at JIMTOF 2024.
Izumi Corporation’s products, including the PSS series, are designed to be versatile tools for a wide range of applications. By combining universal vices with fixtures such as angle plates, the company offers customized solutions to meet each customer’s specific needs. This flexibility eliminates the need for custom jigs and allows for quick adjustment to different workpiece sizes. Izumi adds, “Although these are universal vices, they can perform almost like dedicated vices depending on how they are used. As part of our support, we also offer technical consultation. If you have any problems, feel free to visit us at JIMTOF 2024 and ask for advice.”
Like many other exhibitors, Izumi Corporation plans to use JIMTOF 2024 to attract new customers and exchange information with existing ones. “Trade shows often lead to unexpected connections that result in significant business opportunities. At a large event like JIMTOF, we are especially hopeful for such serendipitous encounters. We plan to stay nimble and make the most of every opportunity,” says Izumi.
Post-show sales activities are also crucial. The company actively follows up by gathering feedback via email or visiting customers’ sites to understand their challenges firsthand. “We also offer the use of free demo machines. We encourage everyone to take advantage of this,” concludes Izumi.
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