In the past, KARINO used a full self-hardening molding line from another company. All they had from Sintokogio was a single shot blasting machine.

However, their molding line at the time had low productivity, and making their manufacturing process more efficient was an urgent challenge that they faced. At the same time, there was a large number of casting companies that were losing work to cheaper overseas products, eventually going bankrupt. For KARINO, along with increased production efficiency, a move toward casting of complex parts with high added value was crucial. Thus, they worked together with Sintokogio to design an evaporative-pattern casting line. In the end, they realized during the planning phase that this model would not be able to produce well, and no equipment was ordered from Sintokogio. But Sintokogio’s salesperson at the time was extraordinarily passionate, saying that he wanted to solve KARINO’s problems. That ability to persevere left a deep impression on KARINO’s CEO, Mr. Karino.

Mr. Karino decided that for their next equipment renewal project, they would ask Sintokogio from the start. They wanted to increase their productivity, so young staff members from KARINO worked with Sintokogio staff, having countless discussions for over a year to develop together the ideal foundry plant for KARINO. There was only one problem: the cost of KARINO’s ideal foundry plant greatly exceeded their initial budget plan. But even then, Sintokogio pushed through without giving up. Together with young staff members from KARINO, they applied for financial assistance from the government, and as a result, they succeeded in passing a rigorous evaluation process. What’s more, as part of the renewal plan, Sintokogio also considered how they would be able to install the new line without halting production. Therefore, KARINO did not suffer from the drop in productivity that typically accompanies line replacement.

KARINO’s ideal self-hardening molding line was thus completed. Pattern management, previously done by hand, was automated using a 3D rack, enabling efficient production. Through this and various other adjustments as part of the new line, compared to 2010 when they used the old line, KARINO increased their productivity to 148%.