High-precision deep drawing for in-house products.
Our 'never say no, never quit' spirit
achieves 1/100 precision.
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Tachyon Co., Ltd.
- Precision press working, design and manufacturing of various jigs
Keiichi Sugiyama
- Prefecture
- Aichi
- Business Activities
- Precision press working, design and manufacturing of various jigs
- Company Name
- Tachyon Co., Ltd.
- Representative Name
- Keiichi Sugiyama
- Location
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〒444-1165
Hoden 26-1, Nodera-cho, Anjo-shi, Aichi, Japan
- Phone Number
- 0566-99-4368
- Website
Factory Stories
Expanding Business Scope and Scale by Never Refusing Requests
Tachyon Co., Ltd. was founded by Keiichi Sugiyama's father in 1979 as 'Sugiyama Sheet Metal Works'.
"My father seemed to want to start a business with just his own skills. So, after working at a prototyping sheet metal company, he became independent at 27."
At the time of its founding, the company undertook handwork such as bending and welding. Eventually, they began to receive inquiries about other types of work, which they initially outsourced.
However, due to issues with response speed and cost, they gradually shifted to in-house production.
"Since manual work wasn't sufficient, we introduced machine tools. As we became capable of handling requested items, we were further asked, 'Can you do this too?', and as we responded to these requests, our equipment became increasingly new and our business scale grew."
We have continuously taken on challenges without refusing consultations from customers.
This led to our current expertise in deep drawing of complex shapes, formed through multiple processes.
Refusal is Not an Option
At Tachyon, we generally do not refuse requests.
"As a prototyping company, it's a prerequisite to create shapes we've never seen before. Therefore, refusal is not an option; our stance is to first give it a try."
Of course, some requests are genuinely difficult.
Each time, we formulated hypotheses and repeated trial and error.
A particularly memorable machining process for Sugiyama was the prototyping of a cylindrical part made of stainless steel, approximately 15 mm in diameter and 60 mm in length.
"I wouldn't struggle with it much now, but at the time, I wasn't very good at drawing, so it was really tough."
The process required more than 10 steps from a flat sheet, and strict precision was demanded.
They remade the die/mold and tried many times, but it cracked in the final stages of processing. Work hardening made the stainless steel brittle.
All employees united to repeat trial and error towards completion, working through three sleepless nights to somehow give it shape.
"We managed to succeed just at the last minute, when we couldn't delay any further. I haven't experienced anything more difficult than that since."
By not refusing difficult jobs and accumulating trial-and-error experiences, this know-how has become Tachyon's strength.
Tachyon: The Speed Company
When the company was incorporated in 2004, it was named 'Tachyon'. A tachyon is a hypothetical particle that moves faster than light.
"Customers request to accelerate the development cycle from prototyping and evaluation testing to mass production. Therefore, the name 'Tachyon' was chosen with the wish to speedily solve problems as a small group of technical experts."
True to its name, Tachyon emphasizes speed. There is a sense of urgency in responding to inquiries and submitting quotations.
And to ensure the speed of prototyping, each employee is trained to handle various processes.
"At our company, designers are expected not only to design but also to be capable of die/mold production and press working. In manufacturing, we have the technology to complete a single product using various machines."
Unwavering Attitude Leads to High-Precision Technical Capability
In addition to the speed that enables short lead times, our technical capability to achieve the precision desired by customers is highly regarded.
"For the most stringent precision, we have cases where the diameter tolerance in press working is 1/100 mm."
To achieve this precision, it is necessary to adjust multiple manufacturing-related factors such as die/mold process layout, press machine precision, and processing conditions.
"Even with the same die/mold, precision cannot be achieved if the press machine is different. Even if the press machine is good, it's no good if the die/mold process layout is incorrect. It is necessary to thoroughly optimize all combinations."
This precision is achievable because of the accumulated know-how through repeated trial and error.
And this know-how was accumulated because all employees possess the perseverance and enthusiasm to complete even difficult processes without giving up until successful.
"It's truly invaluable that they don't give up, even when it seems impossible. I believe this is our absolute strength."
"Ouchi Smoker Smoke-Pod": A Product Packed with Technology
Tachyon's own product, "Ouchi Smoker Smoke-Pod," is a culmination of its technical expertise. The impetus came when work decreased due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and they used their free time to develop "No-Touch Knob," a device that allows round door knobs to be opened and closed with one's foot.
This product was featured in multiple media outlets and received high praise.
"Until then, I thought that products based on our own technology had to be something special to be accepted. But I realized that even without difficult technology, people would be pleased depending on the idea."
Thus, they began to seriously engage in developing their own products. The idea originated when a designer they worked with mentioned, "I'm interested in smoking food, but doing it at home seems too difficult."
While smokers are commercially available, many are large and cumbersome to store and retrieve. So, they embarked on developing a compact and easy-to-use smoker.
"We used our company's specialized drawing technology to create a seamless, single-sheet molding. It's designed to fit on a gas stove trivet and has large corner R's at the four corners, making it easy to wash."
The main body's wall section is angled and slanted. Achieving uniform molding without wrinkles at the corners with this shape requires high technical skill.
Furthermore, since distortion occurred on the sides due to prolonged heating, they repeatedly changed the shape to create strength that would prevent deformation.
"Development took about half a year. We repeatedly remade the die/mold and conducted verification tests."
Tachyon's culture of not giving up was also leveraged in the creation of its own products.
Expanding Partnerships and Venturing into New Fields
At Tachyon, automotive-related prototyping accounts for about 95%. While focusing on this prototyping, they are considering expanding into other fields in the future.
"I believe it's important to partner with companies that have various unique technologies, such as laser welding or machining, and combine them with our own non-existent technologies to offer new value."
In fact, projects collaborating with other companies are gradually emerging.
By challenging themselves in previously unengaged fields, they may discover new things. Also, by encountering technologies different from their own, new ideas may emerge.
In this way, the accumulated know-how will be utilized in Tachyon's manufacturing.
"The world of manufacturing is incredibly enjoyable. Even with difficulties, there's a sense of accomplishment when something is completed. And seeing customers pleased with it brings an irreplaceable joy."
Sugiyama aims to expand partnerships to jointly challenge new fields and, together with his partners, convey the joy of manufacturing to younger generations.
Tachyon Co., Ltd.
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