ASKACOMPANY

Thank you for reading Market News. Aska Company manufactures about 50 molds per year, and this time we would like to introduce how we store our molds. Storage and Management of Molds  The most important issue when storing molds is to prevent rusting. To prevent physical rusting, we use stainless steel for most of the product parts. As a general rule, we store molds indoors in a dedicated humidity-controlled warehouse. For management, we issue a mold code at the time the mold is manufactured or received, and manage the number in our in-house system. Storage and Management of Mold Parts In the case of prototype molds, the mold base is sometimes shared and only the product part is manufactured, so that many product parts exist in a single mold base. We manage the parts by tying them to the respective molds. In addition, some parts themselves do not have engravings, making it difficult to identify which part is which. If a sticker is applied to identify the part, it may peel off, and clearance is important for mold parts. Therefore, we have introduced laser markers in our MK activities (QC circle activities) and are using them to manage mold parts.   Since molds and mold parts are expensive entrusted items, we will store and manage them with the utmost care.   To Take Good Care of Molds We offer mold cleaning services. Please contact us if you are interested.

Have you ever heard of the term “Intellectual Property Rights?” At Aska Company, we are aware of our involvement in intellectual property, with several of our employees having obtained the National Intellectual Property Management Skills Test. We are also actively applying for and acquiring patents and design rights, which are included in intellectual property rights. In this issue, we would like to introduce “Intellectual Property Management”. What are Intellectual Property Rights? A system to protect what is created through intellectual creative activity as the property of the person who created it. The right to monopolize it for a certain period of time Among intellectual property rights, patent rights, utility model rights, design rights, and trademark rights are called industrial property rights, and are under the jurisdiction of the Japan Patent Office. Patent Right ... protects “inventions” Utility Model Rights … protect “devices” such as the shape, structure, and combination of articles Design Rights … protect “designs” such as the shape, pattern, and color of articles Trademark Rights … protect “marks” used to distinguish goods and services Advantages and disadvantages of acquiring intellectual property rights Once you acquire intellectual property rights, you can legally claim infringement of your rights in the event that a third party makes a counterfeit product. It is also effective in appealing your technological capabilities and building a relationship of trust. However, it must be kept in mind that after a certain period of time, the content of the invention will be made public. After the period of protection, anyone can freely ...

Thank you for reading Market News. In the February 2024 issue, we introduced the PM Group's workplaces and mentioned “Market Product Surveys”. In this issue, we would like to introduce you to Market Product Surveys in detail. What is the PM Group? The PM Group is an abbreviation for Product Management Group. It is the department in charge of prototype evaluation and standardization during product development, and is also responsible for overall project management.   AS Family and AS Series The AS Family refers to original products, including cleaning and seminars, which are designed, developed, and marketed by the Aska Company based on know-how cultivated through years of experience. Among these products, plastic products are treated as the AS Series, and the lineup currently includes mainly spout caps for pouches. To develop the AS Series, it is first important to understand the market needs. To this end, we conduct market product surveys. Market Product Servey Here are some specific examples of the kind of research we conduct. ①Preparations We discuss within the department what products we will be researching. We often conduct research in genres related to products recently seen in the market or products under development. Once we have decided on the subject of the survey, we purchase the products on our own. We try to research at least 10 different products.   ② Evaluations Once samples have been collected, evaluations will be conducted. The evaluation items include the following ・Appearance Observe and photograph cap and spout shapes (knurling and tamper-evident mechanisms) to determine ...

In this issue of Market News, we would like to introduce the automatic control of air conditioners in the production area of our headquarters S/N Factory as an example of the use of IoT. In our production area, several air conditioners are set to cooling all year round due to heat dissipation from the molding machines. However, the settings are constant regardless of high or low outside temperatures, and the number of air conditioners had not been reviewed. This time, we have taken steps to automatically control the air conditioners so that only the necessary amount of electricity is used while maintaining the room temperature in the production area.   Grasp the operating status of HVAC equipment First, to determine the operation status of the outdoor units, we installed a current value measurement kit in the switchboard and obtained current values for one year. As a result, we found that the current values were low in winter when the outside temperature was low, and that only two of the six units were in operation. In addition, there were also events that repeated ON/OFF in a short period of time depending on the time of day. We found that the indoor unit automatically switches from the cooling setting to the air blowing setting in winter when the outside temperature is low, and that it operates unnecessarily.   Air conditioner operation that does not rely on human intervention To eliminate unnecessary operation, temperature and current data were used to automatically turn the air conditioner on and off ...

At Aska Company, we use digital production as a collaborative activity between man and machine. At our production site, our dashboard is filled with diverse information in real time. In order to achieve stable production, the ability of people to read and interpret the various data, and the ability to respond to the conclusions they read and understand, are required. In other words, "Data Scientists" are indispensable. "Data Scientist” is a person who makes rational decisions based on data, but many companies may have a problem that data scientists’ knowledge is not used in the field. One reason for this is that there is a gap in thinking between the “data scientist” and the person in charge of the field. Data scientists can analyze data and make rational decisions, but they do not have the sensory knowledge and experience of field personnel. As a result, there were differences in the way analysis results were communicated and perceived, and they were not being communicated well. Therefore, the Aska Company came up with the idea of training “on-site scientists” who possess both types of knowledge as a means of eliminating such gaps and arriving at appropriate solutions. Training of "On-Site Scientists" to analyze data and make improvements. Aska Company defines a on-site scientist as a person who can logically process data and “create stable production” with his/her own on-site technical skills, and is focusing on the training of on-site scientists. People have their good points, and machines have their good points. By converting information from machines into ...

In this issue, we would like to introduce you to Aska Company's YouTube Channel. Among several contents, we will provide video contents about "MK Activities" and "Seminars"! About YouTube Channel The Aska Company YouTube channel provides videos about various initiatives and products. You can learn about the AS Family Spout Pouch, which contributes to a recycling-oriented society in your spare time with a quick and easy YouTube Short. You can watch videos introducing ASKA Company's original product, AS Family Spout Pouches Caps, and their use and application. In the videos, you can see in more detail the size of the cap diameter, how it feels to use, and how the contents come out. Please feel free to contact us for more information about the AS family on our website or in our catalogs! Aska Company is posting on YouTube about our own AS family of products, our internal efforts, and MK activities. Please feel free to subscribe to our channel and give us a like if you like.    

Aska Company recommends the use of spout pouches from the perspective of a decarbonized society and circular economy. The spout pouch has a spout part and a pouch film part. The spout part provides a "recap" function, and by using the pouch film as the main part of the container, the film's ability to handle a variety of contents can be effectively utilized. We offer the convenience of a hinged cap, and new developments in pump connections, stands, etc. Translated with DeepL.com (free version) Various spout diameters and shapes provide flexibility for different situations Current Spout Products Products under Development We have introduced the products and contents corresponding to the spout diameter here, but they can also be used for applications other than those listed here. Please contact us if you have any questions about what kind of packaging material is suitable for your product.

We introduced the AS26.5 spout once in a blog post or carried by Sales with a sample. As of February, the pump connection was ready, but we have developed a special pouch stand for practical use of them, which we would like to introduce. Pouch Stand for Newly Developed AS26.5 Spout The product we have developed is the AS26.5 Pouch Stand. This product is a must-have for functioning spouted pouches to which a pump can be attached. During the product design process, we considered the shape of the container bacause we wanted to contribute to decarbonization. As of result, we finally developed a container that looks slender and can be supported securely without functional problems. Pouch Stand/Finger Hook for AS18 Spout The AS18 spout series has been a favorite of our customers. Two accessories are available for connecting the pump. Pumps can Now be Selected by Application and Capacity The AS18 spout pouch is compatible with a 1-ml volume pump and is targeted for products such as lotion and milky lotion, which require relatively small amounts of product per use. In contrast, the AS26.5 spout pouch is compatible with a 3 ml discharge pump and is suitable for products with a large single-use volume, such as shampoos and treatments. In addition, disinfectants and other products are considered to have a minimum volume of 3 ml per use from a functional standpoint, and can be expected to play an active role in sterilizing and disinfecting situations. Supports "Replacement" Caps with tamper (tamper-resistant) for the AS18 spout ...