Yutaka :Redefining Quality Control with Sophisticated Inspection Equipment

Yutaka, renowned for its advanced inspection technology and automation, empowers manufacturers to achieve nearly zero defects. It manufactures premier inspection and sorting equipment with state-of-the-art cameras and high-tech sensors crucial for detecting critical flaws, bestowing customers a competitive edge.

Quality control remains a pivotal challenge in the manufacturing sector, where defective products are inevitable. Yutaka addresses this challenge head-on by offering sophisticated inspection equipment tailored to match the shape of workpieces and detect defects with precision.

“We manufacture inspection equipment for various parts, from bolts used in car engines to bicycle parts and screws used in game consoles,” says Naoki Yasuda, Manager.

Yutaka serves a wide range of industries, including the automotive, aviation, marine, rail, electronics and medical sectors. The inspection equipment rigorously tests every manufactured piece, from microscopic electronic parts to large automotive components, ensuring efficient quality control and improved productivity.

Built upon a 50-year legacy, Yutaka's expertise radiates in its innovative equipment, which features advanced charge-coupled device (CCD) and monochrome cameras with sensors that accurately identify defects. These cameras enable the effective sorting of products into Olla Kalla(OK) and not good (NG) categories.

Yutaka improves the precision of the customized equipment by manufacturing each part of the inspection machine with accuracy. It proactively conducts rigorous testing on requested defective products prior to equipment production, ensuring improved productivity and minimal customer complaints post-installation.

Post-delivery, Yutaka’s team regularly visits the client’s facility to check the equipment and provide technological updates. In cases where new types of defects emerge at the client’s facility, the team assesses whether inspection with the current equipment is possible. If it is challenging, they suggest mechanical modifications while continually striving to upgrade and meet evolving needs.

The most valuable insights are often found at the client's manufacturing site. Recognizing this, Yutaka dedicates significant resources to researching the challenges faced by its clients. This field research, combined with the internal team’s brainstorming sessions, continuously incorporates new ideas to address challenges and explore the best methods to drive innovative solutions.

Currently, the settings for detecting defects such as scratches are configured manually, necessitating a certain level of technical expertise. Yutaka is exploring the integration of AI-equipped cameras to automate this process. This advancement would eliminate the need for manual settings and address labor cost concerns and workforce shortages. It also considers automating setup changes that involve adjusting the position of the machine relative to different products.

A bicycle parts manufacturer, who initially relied solely on visual inspection to assess the quality of their manufactured pieces, faced a persistent challenge. Despite their best efforts, sometimes defective pieces got mixed with acceptable ones. They implemented a strategy of sorting questionable items into NG boxes, unintentionally increasing the percentage of NG products in their output. The resulting high production volume necessitated overtime and holiday work. Introducing Yutaka’s advanced inspection equipment, the customer successfully eliminated the occurrence of defective products due to human error and significantly reduced the NG rate.

Breaking down barriers between departments and encouraging individuals to freely express their ideas and take action, Yutaka facilitates tackling challenges from multiple perspectives and generating innovative solutions.

Addressing customer needs and actively researching new technologies led Yutaka to numerous new and creative solutions in the past, ensuring it secured four patents in Japan and the U.S. for advanced inspection equipment.

A trusted ally and the premier partner of choice for manufacturers, Yutaka is synonymous with Japan's reputation for impeccable quality and manufacturing excellence.