PLOTWORK Co., Ltd.

Originally Published in Cutting Tool Engineering Magazine, April 2024.

“The jobs I thought I would find were nowhere to be found. When I finally found a job, the prices were extremely harsh.” CEO Tsunenoshin Tamura reflects on part of the impact that the collapse of Lehman Brothers had on management.

Mr. Tamura, who was forced to respond to “unexpected” changes in the environment, sought a way out by cutting aluminum materials. “We had been consulting on metal processing for some time, and we thought we could make use of the high-precision machining technology and know-how in shortening delivery times that we had cultivated through resin processing.”

The company chose Mazak machines to enter the new field of metal processing. In addition to existing CNC lathes and 3-axis machining centers, the company successively introduced the 5-axis machining center VARIAXIS i-500 (second factory) in 2019, and the VARIAXIS i-600 with MPP (fourth factory) in 2022. Mazak machines contribute to high-precision machining of metal products.

In addition to entering the metal processing business, the company is also proactively implementing measures, such as opening reception 24/7 and shortening production lead times by operating on Saturdays and Sundays. 

Business performance has steadily recovered by promoting a “factory operation system that puts customer needs first, 365 days a year,” said Akihiko Miyamoto, Senior Managing Director and Factory Manager. 

“365-day operation” is still widely known as the company’s signature, which cannot be imitated by other companies.

The two VARIAXIS models introduced at the second and fourth factories are positioned as the keystone of metal processing at the company.

“I used to operate Mazak’s AJV-18 vertical machining center at the factory I worked at before founding the company, so I felt an affinity for Mazak machines. The Mazatrol, in particular, is extremely easy to use. I was also surprised at how advanced it has become. That’s why I chose the Mazak machine without hesitation for machining the aluminum test models,” said Mr. Tamura.

The MPP added to VARIAXIS i-600 is a space-saving, multi-stage pallet stocker system that accommodates 12 pallet changers. 

“I hired this system not because we wanted to do something else with it but I wanted to see what would happen. That’s why I believe that the future of the company will be determined by how well we use this system.” 

This seems to be a testament to CEO Tamura’s confidence and ability to take on challenges, having overcome the collapse of Lehman Brothers with Mazak machines.

Mr. Miyamoto commented, “Compared to the conventional three-pallet system, the advantage is that we can leave jigs and vices on the pallet.

In other words, we can start machining quickly because we don’t have to do set-up work for new projects. I feel that the setup time has decreased with the introduction of the VARIAXIS i-600 with MPP.

The company, which has set its sights on a production system using Mazak machines, is looking to the United States as its “next market.” PLOTWORK USA was established in Michigan in August 2023 to meet the needs of local customers. 

The company aims to decide on specific locations in 2024 and begin full-scale operations in the fall of 2025.

“We are planning to use Mazak machines as our main equipment after considering the popularity of the machines and the reliability of the machines in the United States. In addition to conducting the same business locally as in Japan, we will utilize the jig manufacturing know-how that we have accumulated over the years. We are also considering developing new products” said CEO Tamura.

For Mr. Tamura, who asserts that “the future of the company will be determined by how we use the MPP,” their efforts in the United States will be a major test.