An Interview with Our Container/Adaptor Developer (2nd half)

“Manufacturing that Reflects Customers’ Feedback”

*This article appeared in a previous issue of Thinky’s newsletter. The contents are as of the date of publication.

1. What are the benefits of placing an order for a custom-made adaptor with Thinky?

Oikawa: In recent years, I have often heard a customer say, “Thinky does a good job of making adaptors.” Containers or adaptors are made after we identify and understand accurately customer requirements. After many years of experience, high quality and speedy manufacture have become possible, so I can say that these are some of Thinky’s strengths.
In the past, our machines had received accolades merely for their ability to mix and defoam simultaneously. Today, however, the technology of planetary centrifugal mixers is widely known. Thus, we need to offer higher-performance and more durable products, thereby boosting customer satisfaction further.

2. That way, you keep improving products.

Oikawa: Custom-building an adaptor according to customer requirements would make no sense unless you verify that it works properly. At Thinky, after an order is delivered, our staff checks to find out how it is used. I instruct our staff to get feedback on custom-made adaptors from customers every time.

3. Do you often identify new things through customers’ feedback?

Oikawa: Naturally, how a machine is used at a job site varies on a daily basis. We found that the frequency of use of our machine increased severalfold because the amount produced or the operation speed increased, or that our machine was used in a completely different way by others in a different section of the company. As a result of discussions, we find from time to time that our customers are using the machine while bearing with the inconvenience, because how the adaptor is used has changed from that at the time of manufacture.
However, we failed to realize these when we could not afford to do customer follow-up in the past. On top of inconvenience, in the worst-case scenario, machine malfunction occurred, which ended up disappointing customers in some cases. After receiving customers’ feedback, we made further improvements so that customers can be satisfied. It’s a repetition of this process.
As an aside, although the mixing function is met, there might be complaints such as “difficult to use” or “troublesome”; these can be rectified through certain use techniques depending on the circumstances.

4. Could you be more specific?

Oikawa: Thinky’s mixers can revolve at high speed while enduring the gravitational force of 400 G. However, as a matter of fact, some materials can be mixed better if a machine revolves at a low speed. Or there are cases in which things go well if you rotate slowly at first, then speedily, and back to slowly again. A piece of advice can resolve an issue quickly in some cases.

5. Because it is an advice from the person who knows mixers inside out?

Oikawa: As mixer technologies become widespread, we tend to take things for granted. People rarely ask, “Why is the container shaped like this?” For instance, do you know why the container is tilted at an angle of 45 degrees in a mixer? There is a clear answer. When the aspect ratio of a container is the same, if you tilt the container at an angle of 45 degrees, the cross section of material in the container becomes the largest, allowing it to be mixed better. So, the closer the aspect ratio is to 1:1, the better. It is only natural that having this knowledge would make a huge difference in the manufacture of a container.

6. Finally, what is the secret of your coming up with the best idea in an instant?

Oikawa: I was not able to come up with the best idea years ago. My boss was a genius of ideas. While he was asleep, an idea would come up in his dreams. (laughs) I couldn’t believe it in those days, but I can sort of relate to it now. It is like “you’re thinking about it all the time.” If you keep at it, you will be trained little by little, and eventually, you’ll arrive at an idea.