"Without microdosing, no smartphone could be built"
Interview with Kaoru Okuyama Managing Director of Musashi Engineering Europe GmbH
Whether smartphones, circuit boards for electric cars or highly complex sensor technology: where the smallest components must be connected, reliable microdosing procedures for applying the adhesive are indispensable. The medium-sized Japanese company Musashi Engineering has more than 40 years of experience in this technology field.
Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Okuyama, since 1978 Musashi Engineering has been a specialist in micro-dispensing processes in the market—what applications does your technology serve?
Kaoru Okuyama: We operate in a highly specific niche that has many purposes at the same time: one of the most important and fastest-growing areas, for example, is in the manufacture of smartphones—as these consist of so many extremely intricate components that they cannot be joined together with screws. To still join them stably, a special adhesive must be applied to the respective components, and in an order of magnitude of a few nanoliters—a millionth of a milliliter! True engineering feats are required for this, involving highly specific expertise from physics, chemistry, and electrical engineering. With such delicate, intricate processes, we have been supporting our customers for over 40 years and have been able to become one of the three most important players in micro-dispensing worldwide, thanks to our comprehensive know-how.
Wirtschaftsforum: Smartphone manufacturing takes place almost exclusively in Asian countries – in what application fields is your technology used in Europe?
Kaoru Okuyama: In this region, we are very strong in the automotive segment and can particularly support the diverse challenges that arise in the production of electric vehicles: such as the increasing integration of the engine control unit with other control units into a holistic system that must be reliably protected from the heat generated by the battery. The units installed in this context are also very small, so a special adhesive must be used to bond the individual components, which can only be applied using micro-dosing processes. The same applies to the comprehensive sensor technology that modern vehicles are commonly equipped with – such as brake sensors, distance meters, or cameras for the LiDAR systems. These components are also too small and delicate to be screwed together. At the same time, the sheer number of sensors installed in the vehicles is massively increasing, which is why the large Tier-1 and Tier-2 manufacturers have long since moved to a delicately balanced mass production: Thus, the reliability of our micro-dosing systems in this context is particularly crucial to enable seamless manufacturing processes under these complex conditions.
Wirtschaftsforum: And beyond the automotive segment?
Kaoru Okuyama: Musashi Engineering is particularly keen to assist with complex product requirements – such as the manufacturing and installation of circuit boards. When these are built into equipment that is exposed to strong vibrations or high humidity, they must be protected from these detrimental external effects with a special coating. This, in turn, can only be applied using micro-dosing techniques. A strong growth field for our company is also the Medtech segment, where our technology is used in the production of blood pressure monitors, smart watches, artificial joints, or pacemakers – highly sensitive products that are sometimes implanted into the human body, where they must function flawlessly. This also requires the highest precision in our processes, which we can reliably guarantee.
Wirtschaftsforum: It is said that Musashi Engineering played a significant role in the success of the Walkman 40 years ago.
Kaoru Okuyama: We have continuously contributed to technological innovation in the field of miniaturization – such as semiconductor ICs or consumer goods like portable players, smartphones, and the like. As a medium-sized Japanese company, we prefer not to broadcast this too loudly. We rather stay in the background and there we consistently drive innovation in all application fields in which our technology is used: The Walkman revolutionized the music industry, and the smartphone has radically changed how people around the world work, communicate, and digest information. We are pleased to have been a part of these developments.
Wirtschaftsforum: Is the German market particularly difficult for a Japanese company?
Kaoru Okuyama: On the contrary: Because Germany and Japan both have a strong engineering culture and great respect for high-tech achievements. It is no coincidence that many Japanese companies are deeply integrated into the value chains of their German customers – and the same applies for German players in my Japanese homeland.