#Japan #Iwate #Kitakami #PunchIndustry #P-Bas

Event Report: Showcasing Next-Generation Techniques at Punch Industry

On November 4th, Punch Industry's Kitakami factory in Iwate Prefecture welcomed 18 participants for a factory tour organized in collaboration with the Tohoku branch of the Japan Steel Association and the Tohoku-Hokkaido branch of the Japan Society for Precision Engineering. Participants included university students, staff, and employees from related companies.

The event aimed to highlight the Kitakami factory's precision mold part manufacturing capabilities. Visitors experienced firsthand the high-precision machining of mold components and attended a presentation on metal joining technologies by Punch Industry employees. This initiative aligns with Punch Group's mission to shape a prosperous future through reliable manufacturing, sincere technology, and imaginative creativity.

About Punch Industry

Established in 1975, Punch Industry is a leading manufacturer of custom mold parts, specializing in precision metal processing. With an unparalleled global market share in custom mold parts, the company operates production facilities in four locations within Japan and eight internationally. The Kitakami factory serves as the group’s mother facility, playing a critical role in the overall production strategy.

Event Overview

First Session: Factory Tour

Participants toured the machining areas of the Kitakami factory, observing the comprehensive processes from heat treatment to the production of various mold components. Many attendees expressed appreciation for the insights gained about the production process and the opportunity to deepen their understanding of actual mold parts. The engaging atmosphere was evident, with numerous questions posed to the staff members who guided the tour.

Second Session: Lecture on Joining Technology

The second part of the event featured a lecture titled “Achieving Ideal Mold Parts Through Joining Technology.” Employees from the Manufacturing Technology Department, dedicated to researching new technologies and materials in metal processing, provided an overview of the department's activities and introduced Punch's proprietary metal joining technology, P-Bas®.

Among the audience were individuals well-versed in metal joining techniques, leading to a dynamic question-and-answer session. Some key questions and responses included:

• - Q: When discussing joining metals, the common image is to melt and fuse them. What is the principle behind your joining technology?

Answer: We utilize a principle called diffusion bonding. By controlling the pressure and temperature while bringing solid materials into contact, atomic movement at the contacting surfaces occurs, allowing atoms to migrate and bond.

• - Q: Is it possible to join metals with differing hardness levels?

Answer: Theoretically, joining metals with different hardness levels (dissimilar materials) is possible, but achieving this requires heat treatment after bonding to adjust the hardness of one of the materials, among other challenges.

Reasons for Hosting the Event

Plastic processing refers broadly to altering the shape of materials under pressure. This encompasses Punch Group's metalworking operations and the injection molding and press operations involving mold parts. In December 2024, Punch participated as a supporting member at the Young Researchers' Presentation Conference, organized by the Japan Society for Precision Engineering's Tohoku-Hokkaido branch, where a guest lecture was well-received. The positive feedback led to the invitation for this factory tour.

Punch Group's R&D Efforts

Since formulating its mid-term management plan in 2016, Punch Group has intensified its focus on value creation through research and development beyond its existing mold parts business. By leveraging its precision metal processing technologies, the company aims to contribute to the advancement of both its own operations and the manufacturing industry at large.

Key initiatives include the aerospace industry and the development of new materials and technologies. In May 2023, Punch signed a technology partnership with Daimon Co., contributing to the launch of the lunar rover YAOKI, thereby steadily increasing its achievements in this domain. The long-term vision “Vision 60,” announced in May 2025, reinforces the continued commitment to enhancing technology through research and development efforts toward innovation.

P-Bas® Joining Technology

P-Bas® stands for Punch Bonding and Sintering, a method that unites metals without melting them. This technology comes into play in scenarios such as creating intricate water channels within mold parts for efficient cooling during plastic injection molding. By decomposing a single mold part into components for precise加工 and reassembly, high precision can be achieved. While layering of metal powders through 3D printing is competitive in the field of complex metal forming, P-Bas® holds advantages in the variety of specialty steels it can effectively process, the smoothness of machined surfaces that minimize rust, and the cost-effectiveness achieved through easily sourced materials.

Additionally, efforts are underway to develop new materials through sintering metal powders, resulting in lightweight alloys with exceptional wear resistance and heat resistance suitable for extreme environments like outer space.

Outside Mold Parts Initiatives

At the Miyako factory in Iwate Prefecture, Punch was commissioned to create a commemorative plate for the first cruise ship to dock at Miyako Port. Although the company has little experience outside of part production, this new endeavor involved crafting a plate inspired by Jodogahama, a renowned tourist spot in Miyako City. The process presented challenges, as the machinery and software typically used for cylindrical metal parts were repurposed for intricate carvings, but collaboration with software manufacturers provided valuable experiences that broadened operational knowledge.

Company Overview

• - Company Name: Punch Industry Co., Ltd.
• - Representative: President Tetsuji Morikubo
• - Location: 5th Floor, Omori Bellport E Building, 6-22-7 Minami-Oi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
• - Stock Exchange: Tokyo Stock Exchange Standard Market (6165)
• - Established: 1975
• - Revenue: ¥40.8 billion (consolidated, as of March 2025)
• - Employees: 3,463 (consolidated, as of March 2025)
• - Website: Punch Official Site

Meaning Behind the Company Name

The name Punch reflects the original product of the company, a punch for drilling holes in printed circuit boards, symbolizing both vitality and the energetic nature of the company. The company logo combines symbols of its products the punch/pin and the ambition to bring fresh winds to the industry.

For inquiries, please contact Punch Industry's Corporate Communication Room, Public Relations & IR Department at 03-5753-3130 or via email at [email protected].