High-Precision Machining Technology

Imahashi Co., Ltd.  View Company Info
A tropical arowana by high-precision aluminium machining

Imahashi Co., Ltd. is a fast growing machining company that meets clients’ complex needs by offering the best of craftsmanship and computer generated design. Imahashi specializes in precision aluminium machining, but also excels at producing pieces in complex forms in the field of energy, medical, aeronautics, and automobile sectors.  They are able to produce ultra-thin machined parts to the dimensions of 30 μ (SUS304). They also work with metals especially designed for heat and corrosion resistance including incolnel and hastelloy. Imahashi, offering an integrated approach to metal machining, going beyond thin machining and including finishing and polishing treatments, is what’s making them stand out from the market.

Cutting Edge of Technology and Economic Reform

Imahashi offers a wide variety of services, serving the needs from energy companies in thermal, hydraulic, wind, and nuclear, to medical, aeronautical, automotive, robot, semiconductor, and research bodies and universities. Imahashi’s proactive approach to design has won clients’ trust, and the company continues to work with diverse clients.

Imahashi uses the latest equipment including the MAZAK 5-axis Machining Center to serve some of the complex inquires they receive from their customers, such includes, creating components for power plants and cutting-edge medical devices.  The company can also machine SUS304 to super-thin dimensions of 30 μ, meeting today’s needs for lightweight parts.

They also work with with difficult-to-cut materials like inconel, hastelloy, monel, and tantalum,as well as specialized metal materials like titanium alloy 64, pure chrome and molybdenum. They have been involved in machining parts for nuclear reactors for many years, and it deploys the knowledge gained therein to other areas, achieving new successes in the machining and manipulation of specialty metals.

In terms of precision aluminum machining, Imahashi performs ultra-thin machining and surface treatments for items. Company’s CEO, Masamori Imahashi, told us a case study which they faced in the past. “Some years back, the company was approached by a major Japanese automobile manufacturer to manufacture ultra-thin, sharp door parts to resemble Japanese swords. We searched for the best machining methods for a three-dimensional piece, to create thin and lightweight, yet strong, like a Samurai sword. Our hard lead us to have many prosperous years ahead, and that piece is still one of our best sellers.”

Factory as a Creative Space

Imahashi aims to achieve thin designs with beautiful forms, when working with aluminum. And we will challenge any sorts of design. Now, we are one of the manufacturing firms “most loved by designers” because the company is able to explore and create products.

Imahashi says, “I give my employees time to create their own pieces and to try out the technology and materials available at the facility. Five of my employees have set up their own artistic studios in the factory.” Imahashi continues on,  “I let them explore during the working hours and they are even allowed to use the materials available within the factory.”

High Level of Customer Satisfaction

“A company cannot grow unless you satisfy our customers,” says Imahashi. “Today, you can’t just offer thin and functional products – they have to look good, too.”  The company invests on technology and machine to provide the highest quality for its customers. MAZAK 5-axis Machining Centers was installed in their main factory. This device adds rotating and vibrating axes for complex machining operations together with the traditional linear X, Y, and Z axes.

However, yet being said, not every process calls for the most contemporary equipment.  “There are cases where traditional machines achieve greater precision” Imahashi points out, and continues, “so we use  devices depending on the particularities of each project.”

The company’s willingness to design products from scratch is also well regarded. They also excel at contactless measurement and reverse engineering new parts from existing products and components.  Another strength is their quick delivery times. Majority of their orders, even the complex and difficult designs, are delivered in less than a week.

Imahashi Challenges the Misfit and Outcasted Designs

Company’s CEO, Imahashi, is a third generation metal man who initially rejected his industrialist roots to explore the Tokyo arts scene. “I’m half street artist, half factory kid. Manufacturing is what I know, it runs through my veins, but I need to keep things edgy.” He began working for the company in 2008.  He challenged his father, CEO at the time, to stop operating strictly as a subcontractor for major companies. And when he became the CEO in 2011, he set out to invigorate his workers who were demoralized by years of working under tight deadlines. He started employing new graduates, that will able to add a new breeze into the company. The older employees chided him at first, but it only took a few days for the two side to begin working together famously. “I did what factories in Japan need to do; keep what’s great of the old and bring in the new.”

Changing the Mainstream

Today, the company negotiates directly with manufacturers, rather than being a downstream subcontractor. That shift enabled the company’s current growth and success.  And the company is willing to accept any inquiry and challenge from their customers. “We want to help the boldest, brightest and most innovative people in industry today.” Imahashi is here to design and realize the future.

Imahashi Co., Ltd.

Name: Imahashi Co., Ltd.
Business Description: machining for high-mix, low-volume lots (complex forms, difficult-to-cut materials, precision aluminum machining, welding, cast machining, plate machining)
Headquarters: 20-42 Ishi, Juo-cho, Hitachi-shi, Ibaraki Prefecture (Ishi Industrial Park)
President: Masamori Imahashi
Established: 1964
Official site: www.imahashi-ss.jp/pdf/pnf/imahashi_panf_en.pdf