Akasaka Engraving Lab.
Most recent update: 2023-11-13
Akasaka Engraving Lab is a metal processing and production firm that blends expert engraving skills perfected by three generations of parents and children since 1942 with current IoT and cutting-edge processing equipment.
PR message
Using the founder's "Akasaka style half-moon engraving method", we have grown to a broad variety of sectors, including the processing of plastic injection molds, research parts production for companies/institutions, sculpture, molding, design, etc.
With unique finish of deep carvings and sharp edges, it is suitable for metal processing as well as resin.
The first generation Akasaka Hyonosuke, my grandfather, aspired to be a "Buddhist image carver'', and moved to Osaka before the war.
After the war,
believing that "manufacturing technology is for the reconstruction of Japan,'' he moved to the world of industry such as injection molding molds.
He lost his left hand in a molding machine accident, and on the day he was released from the hospital, he made the brace shown in the photo with one hand, attached a chisel to it, and silently put his passion into "sculpting."
I guess he really liked the sculpture job.
My grandfather continued to work even after that, saying, ”It was worth losing one hand.''
I think most craftsmen would give up their jobs after losing a hand, but my grandfather was an eccentric person.
When someone appreciates his work, he responds, "I don't need money," and lets them have it.
When someone critiques his work, he becomes enraged and declares, "I don't need money!"
He was described as a "natural" artisan who would destroy items in front of customers.
Therefore, in the true sense of the word, there were many days when the Akasaka family didn't have any rice to eat for the day.
（Stories from the second generation, Akasaka Yukio）
My grandfather's memento surfaced when I began developing a logo and business cards to formally take over "Akasaka Engraving Lab."
(The image is from a press mold test run.)
The reason this memento hadn't come up until then was that my grandfather must have been through a lot of things, so it probably means that "it's too early for you, little boy who hasn't had much trouble".
Of course, I am now involved in the processing, but I see the "revival of my grandfather's work'' as creating a "combination of industry and art.''
I would like to express my gratitude to everyone at the Micro Manufacturing Association and EMIDAS for giving me the opportunity to tell the story of the Akasaka Engraving Lab.
This is the first piece of work done with the "YAOYA PROJECT" in Yao City, Osaka, employing our "Akasaka style half-moon engraving method". Our company's third generation strived to "resurrect the work of the first generation."
This is our first finished product in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Duralumin is carved to a thickness of roughly 0.3 mm from the front and back. "Fuku's" "delicate and precise" design is represented by engraving and cutting with a "half-moon single blade," and the natural stone can be seen through the back.
We have prepared a variety of natural stones in response to customer's desire "to protect loved ones from the pandemic".
Isn't it possible to "protect Japan's traditional culture" by making goods that complement Japanese clothing?
Is it feasible to preserve traditional culture "with modern mechanisms"?
We had numerous ideas when thinking about this, then we choose "something fun to make."
The veins of the "SAKURA" leaves that accompany the sharp "hairpin" body are carved out with a "half-moon single blade", and the thinnest part of each is approximately 0.02 mm.
(Test product)
In a 10 mm square, cones with a base of approximately Φ0.28 and Φ0.22 and a side angle of approximately 12.5 degrees are arranged alternately.
The logo is engraved on the bottom.
Because copper is soft, we maintain to keep the cone's pointed form carefully.
We engraved Inconel with design.
Inconel is incredibly heat resistant and is believed to be a tough material to process, however we cut its surface to a very beautiful polish.
This material was a gift from a senior.
In the photo, the fingertip side which is white, is engraved with a "sleeping parakeet'' image.
"Introducing to children how injection molding works."
With this in mind, we produced a transparent acrylic prototype mold in 2017.
This form could not be accomplished with resin due to sticking issues, but we realized the concept for children to explore injection molding in a new method.
For a long time, plastics have been treated as "bad".
We believe that "injection molded products" support our lives in IT, medical care, food, transportation, architecture, and UN humanitarian aid.
| Company name | Akasaka Engraving Lab. | Website URL | https://www.cho-cocu.com/ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Street address |
Yao-shi Osaka Japan
[See map] |
Person in charge | 赤坂 兵之助 |
| Telephone number | +81-72-995-2853 | Fax number | +81-72-995-2584 |
| Capital | Unregister | Employees | 2 |
| Annual sales | EMIDAS Member Number | 101910 | |
| Type of manufacturing | Medical equipment | ||
| Main 3 products |
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