Model Works primarily handles mock-up models (design models) and working models.

Mock-up models are created to replicate the appearance of actual products and are used for design and color reviews.
Working models are finished to a state where the actual product can operate, and they are used for load checks and other tests.

For mass production, products are made by injection molding, but at the working model stage, they are produced by machining.

“For example, injection molding requires draft angles, but machining does not. However, to make it equivalent to the actual product, we reproduce the draft angles of injection molding through machining.”

Model Works can reportedly complete projects about 1.5 times faster than other companies.

This is because Model Works adopts a system where one person handles all processes consistently.
Many other companies adopt a division of labor system.

“From receiving the drawing, I do everything myself, from programming to machining, painting, and finishing. I understand both programming and processing well, so I believe I can work efficiently.”

This is said to be a remnant from the days of traditional craftsmanship.
In the past, it was common for one craftsman to handle all processes. Therefore, the craftsman's skill greatly influenced the product.

Many manufacturing industries aimed to reduce reliance on individuals and improve quality stability and production efficiency by adopting a division of labor.

The reason Model Works retains its traditional methods might be because it specializes in prototyping.
These are products not yet released to the market, and each time, a new, one-of-a-kind product must be created.

Precisely because it's a world where something different is manufactured each time, knowing all processes becomes a significant strength in manufacturing.

There are other reasons for Model Works' fast production speed.

“At our company, if you finish your work early, you can go home early. That's better than dragging out the time.”

Each employee takes responsibility for their assigned work and devises ways to complete it as quickly as possible.

Since one person performs all necessary production processes, training craftsmen takes time.

“It varies by individual, but it takes about three years to become fully proficient.”

Furthermore, there is no end to the development of their skills.
Precisely because it's always new work, they must constantly think of new approaches.

“For example, if multi-sided machining is required, simply making it as is would involve many steps to process each surface. However, since resin can be bonded, there's a possibility to consolidate multi-sided machining into a single process by cleverly making cuts.”

The accumulation of such ingenuity and know-how significantly changes production speed.

Also, because machining is performed, processing only one side can cause warping. It is said that sometimes, anticipating this warp, the opposite side is processed to intentionally warp it in the reverse direction, and then it is flipped for finishing.

“The jigs required for processing are also made by the craftsmen themselves from scratch. Therefore, individual skill differences are apparent even in how jigs are made.”

Ikeda says that when he receives a drawing from a client, there's a period of 20 to 30 minutes where he becomes motionless, as if frozen.

“I'm thinking about the process of how to machine it in my head. That time is enjoyable.”

After planning the entire process from start to finish, he reviews the steps again.

For example, even for something that needs to be finished thinly, if everything is machined from the beginning, it can cause wobbling. So, he reviews the process, thinking of small adjustments like intentionally leaving a certain part to be finished last.

If the product is finished exactly as envisioned, a great sense of accomplishment can be gained.
Conversely, even if things don't go as planned, it accumulates as experience.

“Even in paper finishing, each craftsman's individuality emerges. I believe that their aesthetic sense, such as the amount of pressure applied, how edges are created, and surface roughness, becomes apparent.”

Model Works plans to continue its approach where each individual consistently handles the entire process.
While it's difficult to expand the company size by hiring a large number of new employees, they can produce prototypes that are both speedy and precise, meeting client demands.

“I believe the prototyping industry is declining as 3D printers are increasingly replacing traditional methods. However, there are some prototypes that 3D printers cannot produce, and I want to address that segment.”

3D printers struggle to achieve strength and surface smoothness.
Therefore, it is said that conducting strength tests for working models using 3D printed prototypes is difficult.

On the other hand, for prototypes like mock-up models that do not require strength, they are considering introducing 3D printers and offering client-friendly packages.

What Model Works aims for is a company where “work is interesting” and “employees can enjoy working”.

“Since I myself find work enjoyable, I hope all employees can work with the same feeling.”

He also states that by enjoying their work and continuously producing high-quality prototypes, they want to become a company that clients rely on.

By incorporating new technologies into methods passed down through generations, Model Works may be able to shine even brighter on a new stage.