Product-related Initiatives for the Environment Back Number (2015)
Back to Latest Product-related Initiatives for the Environment
Basic Approach
Since its products are utilized in many different kinds of end-products, the Minebea Group believes that it has an especially important role in providing parts that contribute to environmental consciousness throughout the product life cycle. This responsibility extends from ensuring that its parts are free of materials hazardous to the environment, to energy-efficiency, resource-efficiency, and long-life.
Minebea Green Products, which we have been developing based on this approach, will continue to be promoted as part of the new "Five Arrows" strategy aimed at making contributions to the development of "Smart Buildings" and "Smart Cities" through the promotion of "smart" product development.
Minebea Group's Environmentally Conscious Products
The products that the Minebea Group produces and sells are environmentally conscious products. This means that they satisfy various countries' environmental laws and customers' environmental requirements from the development and design stage as well as undergo voluntary product chemical substance evaluations and product assessments.
Auxiliary Device for Small Machine Tools "Wavy Nozzle"
Exterior view of Minebea's "Wavy Nozzle" (in KICK mode operation)
The Minebea Group has developed an auxiliary device for small machine tools named "Wavy Nozzle" which removes machine dust and chips through swing jetting of coolants*. By spraying coolants while oscillating to the point of processing, machining dust and chips will be removed efficiently, thereby contributing to the realization of quality improvement and efficiency enhancement for precision component machining.
Minebea has successfully developed a device capable of efficiently removing machine dust and chips without employing a large-scale "high-pressure coolant system" that had been conventionally used in the market. As such, this product can be installed in small-sized machine tools (small CNC lathes and machining centers, etc.), with which a large-sized high-pressure coolant system could not be loaded up to date.
* Cutting fluids, or grinding fluids which produce a cooling or lubrication effect on the processing point in machine processing
LED Backlight Units for LCD Displays
LED backlight unit for LCD displays
The Minebea Group develops, manufacturers, and sells LED (light-emitting diode) backlight units which illuminate smartphone and tablet computer LCD displays from the rear.
The LED is positioned on the edge of the device, and the light guide plate is critical to spreading LED light evenly over the display. We leveraged our proprietary design development and superior plastic injection molding processes used in precision metals molding to successfully develop light guide plates measuring 0.3 mm thick or less. The thinner light guide plates not only help to make the end products thinner, but help to reduce power consumption, weight and size compared with previous models.
High heat-resistant ball bearing unit for turbochargers
High heat-resistant ball bearing unit for turbochargers
The Minebea Group has developed and begun manufacturing a high heat-resistant ball bearing unit for automobile engine turbochargers which can prevent burning under extreme heat. The internal balls are made of ceramic and the exterior casing is made of heat-resistant material, which prevent the internal bearing from expanding and being burned.
The world's automakers are striving to raise the fuel efficiency of engines as a way to enhance environmental consciousness. One method is to install turbochargers on smaller output engines to boost output and improve fuel efficiency.
In the future, turbochargers are expected to grow even more popular in Japan and Europe, where emissions regulations are tightening, and in the United States, where large gas automobiles are commonly driven.
High-performance VR Resolver (Rotation Angle Sensor)
High-performance VR resolver
The Minebea Group has developed a high-performance VR resolver (rotation angle sensor), a critical component of drive motors used in next-generation eco cars, including electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The Group is producing and delivering the component to automakers in and outside Japan.
The VR resolver is a vital angle sensor for accurately controlling the rotation of the drive motor. It is a key component that significantly affects power consumption and driving performance of eco cars.
Management of Environmental Impact Materials Included in Products
The Minebea Group has issued the Minebea Group Green Procurement Standard requiring suppliers to supply products (raw materials and parts) free of hazardous substances along with data and documentation verifying their products' safety. We also conduct our own verification tests of suppliers' products using XRF (X-ray fluorescence spectrometers) to ensure the products are free of hazardous materials subject to RoHS regulations.
Management methods for chemical substances contained in products
- Note 1. (M)SDS ((Material) Safety Data Sheet):
A data sheet covering information required for safe handling of chemical substances (ingredients, characteristics, handling methods, and emergency coping methods). - Note 2. MSDSplus:
A data sheet recommended by the Joint Article Management Promotion Consortium (JAMP) to communicate basic information regarding chemical substances and compounds. Contains information not included in the (M)SDS that is required for management of toxic chemicals incorporated in products. - Note 3. AIS (Article Information Sheet):
A basic sheet recommended by JAMP for communicating information on toxic chemicals incorporated in product molds. Compiled based on (M)SDS, MSDSplus, etc. - Note 4. JGP File:
A standard format file stipulated for Green Procurement inspection by the Japan Green Procurement Survey Standardization Initiative (JGPSSI).
Future Goals and Issues
The Minebea Group will continue to accurately grasp the detailed needs of society in order to develop products that can contribute to safety, energy-efficiency and resource-efficiency.
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