Mr. Masashi Abe had been working as CEO of Toshida Industry Co.Ltd. (manufacturer and supplier of automotive and other steel tubing products) located in Fujinomiya city, Shizuoka prefecture, for many years before he encountered magnesium alloy in 2003. Mr. Abe attended an industry-university cooperation consortium (mainly the University of Tokyo’s Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology) related to magnesium alloy use.
Processing magnesium is challenging and generally achieved by through the die-casting method in which melted magnesium is poured into a mold cavity. The aim of this project was to achieve a greater plasticity in the processing of magnesium alloy. Despite its prominent members and efforts, the project finished without success.
Mr. Abe left this project and went back to focus on managing Toshida Industry Co.Ltd. until he retired in 2010. After handing over management of the business, that unaccomplished project once again crossed his mind.
Technology which transforms magnesium alloy bars and tubes
Working with magnesium is generally regarded to be a difficult process. MACRW Co. Ltd. has challenged this conventional opinion, and has developed their own technology which allows magnesium alloy bars and tubes to be worked into almost any shape and length. We are looking for product designs which use this technology to transform magnesium alloy bars and tubes into household objects.
MACRW Co. Ltd / Fujinomiya, Shizuoka
121 design
Jan 18,2015 Deadline
- 募集開始 Nov 17,2014
- 募集終了 Jan 18,2015
- 結果発表 Apr 20,2015
Encountering magnesium after many years of working in the steel and pipe processing industry
Making the impossible possible –cold processing magnesium alloy into a more plastic material–
Mr. Abe formed his own company, MACRW Co. Ltd. and started his battle with cold-processing magnesium alloy, employing his knowledge and experience in automotive pipe processing in a factory set up in his own home. In 2012, after two years of struggle, Mr. Abe finally accomplished his goal, using the same equipment that had been used for the past century. This method offered improved precision controlling the size and surface of the molded product compared to the traditional die-casting method. This new technology brought with it a second key innovation; it was now possible to transform magnesium allow into virtually any shape, including round, square and elliptical forms not previously possible.
With this success, MACRW Co. Ltd. became fully operational as business and Mr. Abe’s son, Mr. Nobutaka Abe resigned his job and joined the company.
With this success, MACRW Co. Ltd. became fully operational as business and Mr. Abe’s son, Mr. Nobutaka Abe resigned his job and joined the company.
Product examples made using this new technology
What this new technology can offer:
• transforming existing magnesium bars and tubes into any desired thickness, length and shape
• bending of magnesium bars and tubes
• welding of magnesium bars and tubes
Here are some samples of products made by MACRW Co. Ltd. combining the three processes above.
• transforming existing magnesium bars and tubes into any desired thickness, length and shape
• bending of magnesium bars and tubes
• welding of magnesium bars and tubes
Here are some samples of products made by MACRW Co. Ltd. combining the three processes above.
Geometric lamp shade. This utilizes the light-weight and heat dissipation characteristics of magnesium, while taking advantage of its metallic texture.
<Reference> Characteristics of magnesium
The infographics below show some of the characteristics of magnesium compared to other major metal materials. Magnesium offers a high level of environmental performance and can be an important material of the future.
We look forward to receiving product designs utilizing these features.
We look forward to receiving product designs utilizing these features.
Left: CEO, Mr. Masashi Abe / Right: Executive Director, Mr. Nobutaka Abe
Comparison of major metal materials by weight
Comparison of major metal materials by thermal conductivity
＊SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS＊
Your product design must be:
• Designed to use at least some of the unique features of magnesium
• A homeware or general goods which should be able to be lifted by one hand (e.g. Interior, Kitchenware, Stationery/Desk, Bathroom, Domestic, Gardening/Outdoor, Pet related etc.)
• Non-electrical.
＊Reward＊
• 50,000 yen if your design progresses to a product development stage.
• Sales royalty payment of 3% at a maximum.
There is no limit to the number of possible designs which can go to a development or production stage.
＊How to submit your design＊
• Submissions must be made via this website as image files (JPG, PNG or GIF).
• Submissions can be in the form of a descriptive proposal, product plan, illustration, graphic image, photo of a trial product or a combination of the above (maximum 6 files).
＊Criteria＊
The winning design:
• Receives many “Want It!” clicks and positive feedback from our web users
• Is able to be made as per the existing manufacturing parameters described above
• Is not overly complex and can be manufactured and sold at a competitive/realistic price.
*Please refer to terms and conditions as stated on our website.
Your product design must be:
• Designed to use at least some of the unique features of magnesium
• A homeware or general goods which should be able to be lifted by one hand (e.g. Interior, Kitchenware, Stationery/Desk, Bathroom, Domestic, Gardening/Outdoor, Pet related etc.)
• Non-electrical.
＊Reward＊
• 50,000 yen if your design progresses to a product development stage.
• Sales royalty payment of 3% at a maximum.
There is no limit to the number of possible designs which can go to a development or production stage.
＊How to submit your design＊
• Submissions must be made via this website as image files (JPG, PNG or GIF).
• Submissions can be in the form of a descriptive proposal, product plan, illustration, graphic image, photo of a trial product or a combination of the above (maximum 6 files).
＊Criteria＊
The winning design:
• Receives many “Want It!” clicks and positive feedback from our web users
• Is able to be made as per the existing manufacturing parameters described above
• Is not overly complex and can be manufactured and sold at a competitive/realistic price.
*Please refer to terms and conditions as stated on our website.
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cafechant
TRINUS
まず、マグネシウムリボンのような箔や極細ワイヤーは検討対象から外す必要があります。
その前提で、通常の条件であれば直火で燃えることはない思います。
そのうえで、安心感をもつためにはなるべく肉厚にする必要があります。
更に、合金の成分により難燃性マグネシウム合金が開発されていますので、
その合金を使うと更に安心感が増します。
更なるオプションとしては耐熱性コーティングという選択肢もあります。
過去には、海外ですがマグネシウム合金製焼肉網が開発された例もあったと聞いております。
強力なニーズであれば、それを克服するための選択肢はいくつか検討が可能です。
osatou
TRINUS
osatou
osatou
TRINUS
TRINUS
アイデアマン
企画自体はとても良いですが、同時公開でないとトラブルになりそうです。
TRINUS
kotama
アイディアの募集ならば、投稿順で優先されるべきだと思います。デザインがいいからと後から投稿したものがポイントを上回って採用になったならば、先にアイディアを出した人が報われません。アイディアを守る為のルールを作って頂きたいです。
osatou
TRINUS
つひ
TRINUS
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1. φ16mmの丸棒と同等の曲げ応力のパイプ直径
パイプの板厚の設定によりますので、例えば以下が挙げられます。
φ18 X t2.4
φ20 X t1.7
φ22 X t1.3
2. それぞれの単重(Kg/m)
φ16→0.36Kg
φ18 X t2.4→0.21kg
φ20 X t1.7→0.17Kg
φ22 X t1.3→0.15Kg
※重量はAZ31ベースです。
3. Mg合金とステンレスの曲げ強さの比率
ヤング率で比較すると以下となります。
オーステナイト系ステンレス 200kN/mm2
マグネシウム合金 45kN/mm2
その他機械的性質の比較は以下です。
SUS304 引張り強さ 520N/mm2以上
耐力 205N/mm2以上
伸び 40%以上
AZ31 引張り強さ 250N/mm2(代表値)
耐力 165N/mm2以上(代表値)
伸び 16%以上(代表値)
AZ61 引張り強さ 285N/mm2(代表値)
耐力 165N/mm2以上(代表値)
伸び 14%以上(代表値)
4. バネの製作は、バネ性ではなくバネ形状実現の観点で試作しました。
試作した製品には一定のバネ性がありましたが、バネには絶対的な強度が不足しています。
今後、バネに適した合金開発が必要と考えます。