JTEKT Corporation Aims to Become Strong Participant in the Vertical Machining Center Field

JTEKT Corporation, based on a decision to become a major participant in the field of vertical machining centers, has developed four "FV series" general-purpose vertical machining centers.

JTEKT has expanded its machine tool business over the years mainly through efforts to create a full lineup of horizontal machining centers, resulting in its being a top player in this field with 17 general purpose, seven die machining, and six mass-production horizontal machining centers, a total of 30 types altogether. JTEKT has determined to utilize the technology enabling high productivity and high reliability achieved in its horizontal machining centers to create a full lineup of vertical machining centers and to expand its presence in this important market.

1. Plan
1) Presentation at GTF
On January 23, JTEKT held a Global Technical Fair (GTF) at its Kariya facility, a private showing of machine tool products mainly for overseas customers. At this time it displayed not only its latest horizontal machining centers but also two vertical machining centers. JTEKT put a total of four general-purpose vertical machining centers on the market in January and plans to add two more by June.

2) Sales target
JTEKT, through continued efforts to strengthen its machining center business, aims to achieve machining center sales of at least 30 billion yen-including vertical machining center sales of 5 billion yen-in 2010 and make JTEKT a top brand in the worldwide machining center market.

3) Addition of further new products
Simultaneous with development of the FV Series general-purpose vertical machining centers, JTEKT developed three "PF Series" mass-production vertical machining centers and displayed these as well at the GTF. Combined with the six "Top Center Series" mass-production horizontal machining centers put on the market last year, JTEKT now offers nine mass-production machining centers to enable construction of mass-production lines optimally suited to the particular machining needs of customers.

2. Outline of FV Series
Product features
(1) Wide machining area
Transfer amount one class up
Table size one class up
(2) Highest cutting performance in class
Main spindle motor one class up
Application of main spindle with gear
High-rigidity one-piece boxway slide
Y-axis quadruple slide with little overhang
(3) Superior ease of operation
Wide front-door opening width
Machining room triple door
Pendant-type operating panel
Simple tool control by "OP supporter"
(4) Environmental friendliness and energy efficiency
Standard application of cover with ceiling
No hydraulic pump unit
Electric power capacity like that of small machine
(5) Long-term stable precision by built-in advanced technology

【External appearance photo】


【Cutting mechanism photo】


3. Production structure
JTEKT has taken an equity stake in Taiwanese machine tool maker WELE MECHATRONIC CO., LTD. ("WELE") and has consigned production of the FV Series to this company.

Outline of WELE
Company name: WELE MECHATRONIC CO., LTD.
Country: Taiwan
Establishment: June 2007
Capital: 630 million Taiwan dollars (approximately 2.2 billion yen)
Main business: Manufacture and sale of machining centers (four plants in Taiwan)
Employees: 108 (as of November 2007)

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