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Financial Information:
Annual Report 2003
| Research
and Development Strategy Targeting Mid to Long–term
Growth |
| Strengthening
R&D Capabilities Through Organizational
Integration |
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The newly renovated Fujisawa Research & Development Center,
completed in April 2002, includes additional experimental and
testing facilities and an increase of staff by about 10%. R&D
activities at the Center formerly focused on bearings, but we
have now integrated the automotive component R&D operations
of NSK Steering Systems Co., Ltd. (NSSH), and the precision machinery
R&D efforts of NSK Precision Co., Ltd., which were both spun
off in October 2002, into the new Center. This new Center has
therefore become the base of operations for all NSK corporate
R&D.
Measures we will take in fiscal 2003 to further strengthen
R&D operations include the following:
- Promote cutting-edge R&D in bearings, automotive components,
and precision machinery and parts through establishment of
business division-based R&D teams.
- Strengthen core technologies common to all products chiefly
through establishment of R&D centers such as the Mechatronics
Technology Research & Development Center.
- Enhance new product development through establishment of project
teams in fields such as electric linear actuators for automotives,
spindles, and vacuum tables.
| Enhancing
New Product Development |
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In order to improve our new product development capabilities,
we have introduced a project team based structure. This new structure
will help accelerate new product development, which will help
us attain sustainable growth. Project teams will include personnel
from both manufacturing engineering and prototype development
as a means of improving overall R&D efficiency.
New product development will not just mean adding functionality
to existing products. Innovation will be key. NSK will invest
resources into designing completely new products for the automotive
components and precision machinery and parts business segments.
Furthermore, priority will be placed on developing next
generation products. Specialized teams have been formed to study
and promote new product development, and employees have been encouraged
to apply for membership to these teams.
Grease supply unit for ultra high-speed machine
tool spindles
In recent years, energy efficiency and environmental
friendliness have become key concerns in many
industries, in addition to higher productivity.
NSK has developed and commercialized a new grease
supply unit for the lubrication of high-speed
machine tool spindle bearings. Because this system
continually applies new grease to the bearings,
machines can now be operated using grease as a
lubricant at speeds previously impossible. The
system also minimizes oil mist and reduces noise,
thereby making it an environmentally-friendly
product. We expect the system to be adopted in
a wide variety of applications (see
picture).
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| Major
Achievements for Fiscal 2002 |
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| Bearings
Development of high-efficiency, long-life bearings
for use in electric appliance motors
Development of grease supply unit for ultra high-speed
spindles used in machine tools*
Commercialization of the TB series double row cylindrical
roller bearings for machine tools
Development of ultra high-speed robust cylindrical
roller bearings for machine tools
Development of tapered roller bearings with self-adjusting
rings for use in steel production machinery |
| Automotive
Components
Commercialization of upper-tilt and telescopic steering
columns
Development of low-load collapsible intermediate shafts
Commercialization of a low-cost EPS system for light
vehicles |
| Precision
Machinery and Parts
Commercialization of high-speed, low-noise BSS Series
ball screws*
Development of titanium alloy nonmagnetic linear guides
Commercialization of the YSB Series of Megatorque
Motors with absolute sensors*
Commercialization of exposure equipment for use in
production of LCD color filters for fifth-generation
glass substrates |
*See pictures
| New
Products Developed/Commercialized in Fiscal 2002 |
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Ultra high–speed machine tool spindle and grease
supply unit |
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High–speed, low–noise
BSS Series ball screws |
Megatorque Motor with absolute sensor
(YSB Series) |
| Published
Patent Applications |
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| Strengthening
Expertise in Core Technologies |
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NSK is placing emphasis on improving its expertise in core
technologies that are fundamental to existing products as well
as to the development of new products. These include Tribology,
Material engineering, Analysis technology, and Mechatronics. We
are also aggressively pursuing new core technologies that will
be essential in developing the next generation of products.
| Core
Future Technologies |
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Component longevity technology
Virtual technology
Noise reduction technology
High precision technology
Nano-technology observation and analysis
technology |
Extreme environment technology
Cognition technology
Environmental technology
Clean technology |
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| The
Four Core Technologies Necessary for Development
of Advanced Products |
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- Tribology
NSK is developing
optimal lubrication systems through the sample making, evaluation,
and analysis of various lubricants. We are also developing
long-life, highly functional products by utilizing our lifespan
evaluation technology.
- Material engineering
Based on material
design that is environmentally-friendly and heat treatment
technology, we are working to develop long-life, highly functional
products using fatigue testing and other performance evaluation
methods as well as video analysis and other means of assessing
material purity. Other areas in which we are active include
surface modification technologies such as nitriding, through
which we are further improving the wear resistance, seizure
resistance and corrosion resistance of products.
- Analysis technology
Computer analysis
technology makes it possible to evaluate components under
extreme conditions, conditions not possible when using actual
test pieces. NSK is endeavoring to enhance its analysis technology
and is developing analysis tools not only for individual components,
but also for entire systems. The results of these efforts
are reflected in our product design.
- Mechatronics
NSK is developing
sophisticated mechatronics products by integrating such mechatronics
technologies as sensing, motor drive, and systemization cultivated
through development of EPS, Megatorque Motor, XY table, and
exposure equipment products in such traditional core technologies
as basic machinery and tribology.
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