[YOKOITO Co., Ltd.] Build a society where anyone can participate in manufacturing from Kyoto, the manufacturing capital. YOKOITO Co., Ltd.’s 10th year of determination and challenges
*View in browser* *YOKOITO Co., Ltd.*
Press release: April 1, 2024
April Dream Project
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We will build a society where anyone can participate in manufacturing from Kyoto, the capital of manufacturing. YOKOITO Co., Ltd.’s 10th year of determination and challenges
*- April Dream by YOKOITO, a new type of manufacturing company -* This press release is a dream sent out by a business operator who sympathizes with the April Dream project and wants to make April 1st a day full of dreams, hoping to make them come true soon.
* Our company supports April Dream, which aims to make April 1st the day to share your dreams. *
* This press release is a dream of “YOKOITO Co., Ltd.” *
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Aiming to create a “society in which everyone can participate and give form to all ideas,” an environment where everyone, including large companies and individuals, can create products more freely and indefinitely through the social implementation of digital
manufacturing technology centered on 3D printers. Realize. * YOKOITO Co., Ltd. (Head office: Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Representative Director: Nakajima)
Yutaro (hereinafter referred to as YOKOITO) celebrated its 10th anniversary on March 13, 2024. Since its founding, YOKOITO has pursued the desire to enable all members of society to participate in manufacturing. We will continue to work to make small-scale
manufacturing the norm in Japan, based in Kyoto, which has prospered as a manufacturing capital since ancient times.
YOKOITO’s dream started from the establishment of Fab Space* The story of YOKOITO begins 10 years ago when students with the same dream gathered in Kyoto and started a business. The keyword is “FAB”. FAB is an abbreviation for “fabrication” and refers to the process and activities involved in manufacturing. In particular, digital fabrication is a technology that uses computer-controlled tools such as 3D printers and laser cutters to manufacture physical objects directly from digital data. This technology is different from conventional manufacturing, which was based on mass production and mass consumption and required large-scale manufacturing facilities. That’s because digital fabrication makes all the difference in that it allows individuals and small teams to produce customized products in small quantities, fostering creativity and innovation. The FAB concept aims to make manufacturing more accessible and create a society where anyone can turn their ideas into reality.
Fab space “fagora”
First, YOKOITO has begun establishing a fab space called fagora. This space was run as a place for engineers, designers, and artists to gather and share ideas. Here, we regularly held FAB-themed lectures and networking events called the Kansai Digital Fabrication Study Group to encourage interaction among participants.
Fab space “fagora”
Networking event scene
“Kansai Digital Fabrication Study Group”
Furthermore, we have released the product “FAB-LENS”, which we developed by turning our ideas into reality with our own hands. These efforts have led to collaborations with traditional industries, such as the digital reproduction of depleted tools used in Nishijin textiles and the introduction of 3D technology into Omihachiman’s custom-made leather shoes, embodying the fusion of digital technology and traditional technology.
In addition, in the context of promoting the digitalization of the artisan industry, we will introduce and support 3D printers for dentistry from the perspective of improving the work efficiency of dental technicians, who are facing a rapid aging population and a decline in skilled workers. We launched Yokoitoden Dental Giken and are widely contributing to the digitalization of dental laboratories and dental clinics across the country. Introducing digital technology to artisanal industries facing labor shortages does not mean “taking away” handicrafts, but rather restores the sustainability of industries that may disappear in the near future, and will continue to provide many opportunities for artisanal industries in the future. We believe that this is an activity that allows people to get involved.
“FAB-LENS” and the production process
Shuttle made with 3D printing
Actual use at Nishijin-ori weavers
Custom-made leather shoes from Omihachiman
Utilize 3D printing
Yokoitoden Dental Giken for dentists
Exploring new manufacturing styles
We have been researching the once one-way manufacturing process using digital tools and focusing on new projects with the aim of
accumulating knowledge and returning it to users.
In 2020, we launched Shin Kogeisha (spin-off). We proceeded to explore this possibility using digital fabrication. We also aim to strengthen the circulation of materials and strengthen ties with local
communities, and are working in conjunction with many projects to expand the possibilities of sustainable manufacturing.
“Technical research” held regularly by employees
We did the office renovation ourselves.
Challenging an environment that allows small-scale manufacturing We have also been exploring the use of 3D printers, which have become widely available to the general public after their patents expired. General-purpose 3D printers that are not high-end have been limited to hobby use. YOKOITO is taking on the challenge of redirecting 3D printer technology to professional use. By collaborating with partner companies such as Formlabs, a 3D printing technology startup founded after raising funds on a crowdfunding site, we aim to popularize 3D printers in a wider range of fields.
We believe that by continuing to invest in these activities, we are moving one step closer to realizing an environment where everyone can freely create things by disseminating tools that enable manufacturing into society. Furthermore, we believe that with the rise of these tools, the concept of “FAB” will expand. This is because as more people understand the concept and the economics of things change, the hurdles for everyone from large companies to venture companies and individuals to participate will become lower.
We hold events with domestic and international 3D printer
manufacturers and connect the industry as a hub for manufacturers.
1* 0th anniversary of founding, new things in the ancient capital of Kyoto* Anagram hidden in YOKOITO’s name, “YOI
KOTO (good things, good old capital)” symbolizes the culture of YOKOITO, which is why we chose Kyoto as our base.
I believe that Kyoto’s uniqueness comes from the fact that it respects old traditions while still being new. Since ancient times, we have loved new things, and over a long period of time we have actively incorporated various cultures and techniques from time to time. On the other hand, Tokyo is a fast-paced city that has developed mainly as an economic entity, especially in recent years as an IT-oriented city. Kyoto and YOKOITO are a great match, as they both understand that it is necessary to take time to update and expand the culture of manufacturing, even though they are concerned about it, and that it is meaningful to continue this activity for a long time. thinking about. 10 years as a venture company may seem like a long time, but for YOKOITO, it is just the beginning of future challenges.
Weaving a story for the next 10 years through horizontal connections* In the “old and new” culture cultivated in the capital, YOKOITO has been working on creating “interesting” technologies and networks. With the technology and vision that creates the future, we will continue to provide new value to society and create a society in which everyone can participate and give form to all ideas.
This is our dream. Realizing this dream requires not only the spread and implementation of technology, but also a change in people’s mindset. To that end, I will continue to make and cherish more connections than just those within the industry.
We have built a relationship of trust with all of you who have walked this journey so far, and with everyone who sympathizes with this dream and are walking with YOKOITO.We have continued to take on new challenges, and in Kyoto, where we have watched over and nurtured us, we will continue to strive for the next 10 years. We look forward to expanding our activities in 2020.
YOKOITO promises to continue moving towards our dreams.
YOKOITO Head Office
“April Dream” is a PR event where companies send out their dreams that they would like to achieve in the future on April 1st.
This is a project by TIMES. We are seriously aiming to make this dream come true.
Company Profile
YOKOITO Co., Ltd.
DF (Digital
Founded in 2014 with the mission of “Aiming for a society where all ideas can be realized” through Fabrication technology. Starting with the sales business of 3D printers for dentists and the general public, we will launch “Shin Kogeisha” in the research and development field, and in October 2021, we will launch the brand “Yokoito”, which aims to research and popularize AM technology.
Launched “Additive Manufacturing.”
In the same year, Yokoito Additive Manufacturing established a 3D printing service facility to research and disseminate AM technology. Center” opened in Kyoto City.
We are developing a business that will develop Japanese manufacturing by reforming production processes based on AM technology. Currently, we provide solutions and services related to AM technology to more than 1,200 customers, including major manufacturers and suppliers of automobiles, home appliances, and consumer products, as well as major universities and research institutes nationwide.
From November 2022, DfAM will start providing an AM ecosystem including post-processing.
[Services provided by YAM]
・Introduction and post-introduction support of AM-related equipment such as 3D printers
・DfAM Consulting
・3D scanning and 3D data creation/editing
・AM mass production support/3D printing service
・Implementation of various courses and education related to AM Total support related to AM such as
Representative: Representative Director Yutaro Nakajima
Address: 588-22 Kakimotocho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 600-8357 Established: March 2014
Business content: Solution development business/tool solution business/R&D business in Additive Manufacturing
Capital: 28 million yen
URL: https://www.yokoitoinc.com/
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