Efforts to Environmental Protection
To protect our beautiful planet and pass it on to future generations, we are engaged in various activities, including acquisition of ISO 14001 Environmental Management System certification. We strive to reduce all environmental impacts, including CO2 emissions, chemical use, and waste, to achieve a sustainable society.
(1) Initiatives toward reducing CO2 emissions
Butane consumption reduced by intermittent ignition of pilot burner in heat treatment carburizing furnace
Before improvement
In a batch-type carburizing furnace, a flame curtain is made when an item exits the furnace to prevent air from entering the furnace. A pilot burner used to be lit at all times to ignite flame curtains.
After improvement
Butane consumption was reduced by installing an intermittent ignition equipment and igniting the pilot burner only when the work piece exits the furnace.
Pilot burner
Flame curtain ignited
(2) Initiatives toward saving energy
Compressor power efficiency improved by GROUPROL control system
Before improvement
At the Miyagi Factory, the compressor was set so that the air supply exceeds consumption regardless of the time of the day, in order to prevent production from stopping. As a result, there was a tremendous loss of air during lunch breaks and when workers switched shifts.
After improvement
We succeeded in saving energy by revising the number of compressors and introducing the GROUPROL control system.
Reciprocating compressor
Turbo compressor
GROUPROL control system
（3）Initiatives toward zero waste generation
Chips made recyclable by introducing briquette machine
Before improvement
At machining factories, chips produced when machining iron castings were collected by a scrap processor.
Meanwhile, at casting factories, expensive scraps were used for melting in electronic furnaces.
After improvement
By installing briquette machines, chips produced at machining factories are now made into briquettes and used for melting at casting factories.
By recycling the chips, we strive to reduce waste and material costs.
Briquette machine processing flow
(1) Chips produced at machining factories are fed into respective briquette machines by material (FC, FCD).
(2) Chips fed into the machines are compressed and solidified into high-density briquettes. The cutting water taken out along with the chips is stored in a tank at the time of chip compression.
(3) Briquettes that have been formed are used as materials for melting and the stored cutting water is reused as cutting water for machining after adjusting composition.