History (Injection Molding, Surface Treatment, Die Making)

Year
Injection molding
Surface treatment
Die making
1968
Injection molding machine introduced (for radiator grill)
Plastic parts painting and plating introduced (for radiator grill)
 
1975
Die setup automated
 
 
1976
 
 
Plastic molding die making
1977
Coloration switched to liquid color
 
 
1978
 
 
Die milling machines, boring machines, EDM, etc.
1979
 
Painting of urethane bumpers
 
1981
 
 
Numerical control (NC) machining (for high accuracy and productivity)
1982
 
PP bumper painting
 
1983
Die and molding accuracy improved (for "crystal" pillar garnish)
Hard coat treatment (for "crystal" pillar garnish)
 
1984

Plasma treatment (for PP bumper)
High-speed and precision machining (for high productivity)
1986
Die and molding accuracy improved (for cylinder head cover)
 
CAD/CAM (for high accuracy and productivity)
1987

 
High-speed and quality die milling system
NC machining of graphite EDM electrode
1988
 
High-grade design application (flocking technology)
NC machining of plastic copy models
"Zero" pinholes achieved (with introduction of mold coat)
1989
Injection hot-flow molding
Quality look of interior and exterior decorative parts improved (in terms of color, shine, fitting, etc.)
Thermostatic room for precision machining enlarged
1990
Vertical injection molding machine
New flocking garnish
 
Soft-painted instrument panel
2-liquid-type paint
1991
Bumpers made of TSOP (using vertical injection machine)
PP bumper electrostatic painting (using conductivity primer)
Straight-flow machining line
Joint project for scrap resin utilization
1992
 
 
Die structure development commenced (for reducing production time and cost)
Complete CAD/CAM/CAE system
1993
Thin-walled bumpers
 
 
TSOP recycling technology developed
1994
Re-injection of recycled material from painted bumpers
 
 
1995
Non painted bumper
 
 
1996
Module production preparation, SE, rapid prototype making, etc.
Fabric in-mold pillar
Die making and adjusting period shortened
Teiho Plant complete-production preparation system established
New functional parts (bumper reinforcements) developed
Efficient overseas production preparation (by establishing appearance quality assurance system)
Completeness and accuracy assurance of locally made dies achieved
Next-generation die for small and medium volume production
1997
SE activities substantiated and reinforced
 
Production preparation lead time vastly shortened
Production volume-matching die-manufacturing technology developed
1998
Standards for overseas production established
 
 
Support for overseas parts suppliers provided (for European Yaris)
Lost core process (for intake manifold in-house manufacturing)
1999
Modulization of plastic parts
 
 
Practical facility for small-volume production constructed
2000
SE business cooperation with upholstery suppliers
Sticker grain on die (for instrument panel)
Injection molding die (for fenders)
2001
Molding cycle time reduced (for bumpers made at Tahara Plant)
Metallic-colored resin (for bumpers and side moldings for Hilux Surf
Die with mirror finished surface (for polycarbonate resin injection)
Joint manufacturing design by Design Division and Production Engineering Division
Precision-machine operation
Die making period shortened by concurrent process
2002
Laser welding of V6 intake manifold
 
Project for reducing die cost by half
Plastic V8 intake manifold
Technical advancement of CAE achieved
2003
Process for Lexus appearance look quality established
 
In-house manufacturing of valve gate for bumper die
2004

 
Precision tool grinder
2005
Globally commonized resin materials
 
Globally commonized dies
Die making for inner parting-line (PL) bumper
Use of CAE at equipment certification shop
Injection foaming die for instrument panel
2006
CAE analyzing technology for resin flow
 
No-contact 3D Laser measuring machine
2007
Bumper molding and painting lines directly connected
Bumper molding and painting lines directly connected (for seed prevention and logistics improvement)
 
Exclusive machine for innovative instrument panel (for the Crown)
Digitalization of bumper surface distortion
Bumper surface quality evaluation system established
2008
Production of thin-walled bumpers
 
Optimization of drilling holes for cooling water (thermal analysis technology introduced)
Plastic parts SE activities with suppliers
2009
Non painted instrument panel
 
 
Self-reliance of overseas business units promoted
2010
 
Instrument panel ornament film
Bumper die cost reduction promoted (through optimization of die materials)
2011
Plastic back door
 
 

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