< Previous“a message from the Consulate- General of Japan in Chicago”31 O n behalf of the government of Japan, I am honored to congratulate Shibaura Machine Company, America (SMA), on its 50th Anniversary. For 50 years, SMA has been a responsible and respectful machine builder, closely collaborating with its customer companies and jointly creating additional value for the industrial foundation, solidifying the Midwest as the heartland of manufacturing industries. As President Biden and Prime Minister Kishida reaffirmed during their summit meeting in April, 2024, the U.S. and Japan have become truly global partners in upholding a free and open international order based on the rule of law, as well as in leading global economic growth. Beneath this global partnership lies the strong bond of trust and friendship that unites our two peoples. This bond has been nurtured over the decades by economic partnerships at the state level. Half a century ago, Shibaura Machine made the important decisions to invest overseas for the first time, and to choose the state of Illinois as the location for this investment. These decisions played a groundbreaking role in fostering the strong economic partnership that the U.S. and Japan enjoy today. For four consecutive years, Japan has been the No.1 foreign direct investor in the U.S., with Japanese companies investing around $800 billion and creating nearly one million American jobs. These are good opportunities, with half a million jobs in the manufacturing sector alone. In particular, the Midwest serves as the heartland of economic partnership for our two countries, with over 1,500 Japanese business facilities providing over 150,000 US jobs. Japanese companies, like Shibaura Machine, that invested here in the Midwest, have been making efforts Jun Yanagi Consul-General Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago to coexist and prosper with their local communities as good corporate citizens. Shibaura Machine’s innovative technology, as well as your extensive business and people-to- people networks, have been contributing significantly to the well-being of the society, the environment, and resource management of your community. As the Consul-General of Japan, I extend my sincere appreciation to SMA’s hard work and dedication over the past 50 years. I sincerely wish you continued growth, development, and success in the next 50 years.■“a few comments from our industry associations”33 F or over 30 years, Shibaura Machine Company, America (SMA) has been an active and dedicated member of the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS). As SMA celebrates its 50th anniversary, the Plastics Industry Association is honored to recognize the company’s significant contributions, unwavering commitment, and steadfast support. A true advocate for the plastics industry, SMA’s participation in PLASTICS’ Washington, DC fly-ins has been pivotal in highlighting the impact of federal policies and regulations on our industry. As a key member of our Equipment Council, SMA has worked hand-in- hand with industry leaders to drive growth and success. Their active participation in the Machinery Safety Standards Committee has been instrumental in developing standards that make our industry safer for everyone. They have also passionately emphasized the vital role plastics play in ensuring health, safety, and sustainability in our communities. SMA has made a significant impact in the area of sustainability, as well. As part of the PLASTICS Sustainability Advisory Board, they have supported the PLASTICS Sustainability Plan, promoting plastics circularity, working to eliminate plastic waste, and encouraging responsible resource consumption. Their 18-year history of exhibiting at NPE—the largest trade show for the plastics industry in the Americas, produced by PLASTICS—further showcases the company’s commitment to the industry. Their consistent support and significant investments have contributed immensely to the success of this premier event and to advancing sustainable practices within the industry. As we celebrate this remarkable milestone of SMA, we extend our heartfelt congratulations and gratitude for their continued partnership and support. They have not only strengthened our association, but they have also made a lasting impact on the plastics industry as a whole. Congratulations to SMA on 50 years of excellence. We look forward to sharing many more years of collaboration, innovation, and success.34 C ongratulations to Shibaura Machine Company, America (SMA) on 50 Years! Association For Manufacturing Technology (AMT) is delighted to extend our congratulations to SMA on the momentous occasion of your 50th anniversary of being in the United States. This Golden Jubilee marks a signifi cant milestone and is a testament to your dedication, contributions, and continued excellence in the manufacturing industry. Your innovative spirit, commitment to quality, and steadfast partnership have signifi cantly enriched the industry and provided immense value to our association. We are profoundly grateful for your valued membership in AMT and deeply appreciate the achievements and Association For Manufacturing Technology contributions of SMA over the past fi ve decades. We look forward to many more years of successful collaboration and mutual growth. Once again, congratulations on this outstanding achievement. We wish SMA continued success, prosperity, and innovation in the years ahead. Our people make us great One day, a customer came in looking for a part. He has a breaker but cannot fi gure out how to get it to work and thinks that he’s missing something. I understand how some of this stuff works, so I verifi ed nothing was missing and showed him the instructions. He then thanked me because for three hours he thought he needed something that was right in his hand! - Christopher Szubski, Warehouse Supervisor. Joined SMA in May 1994. Our people make us great Working at Shibaura Machine Company, America (SMA) has been an amazing experience. I get the opportunity to have a lot of hands-on involvement with new employee training in relation to machine assembly and forklift certifi cation. There is a sense of adventure in not knowing what new and unique tasks and challenges will come my way. This is surely not your average 9-to-5 job! With great benefi ts, an amazing team of co-workers and ample advancement opportunities, SMA is a fantastic company to begin a long-term career. - Justin Breeze, Assembly Coordinator. Joined SMA in November 2019.35 O n behalf of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Chicago, I extend our heartfelt congratulations to Shibaura Machine Company, America (SMA) on its remarkable 50th anniversary. This significant milestone is a testament to their enduring commitment to excellence and innovation in the machine tool industry. The JCCC, established in 1966 with 58 corporate members, has had the privilege of witnessing SMA’s growth and contributions over the decades. From its early days as Toshiba Machine Co., America, to its current incarnation as SMA, this organization has been an integral part of our chamber’s journey. As the JCCC approaches its 60th anniversary in 2026, we reflect on the pivotal role SMA has played in our development. Their unwavering support and generous contributions have been instrumental in strengthening the JCCC and fostering economic growth in the Midwest region. The Midwest, often referred to as the Heartland of America, is a crucial hub for the automobile industry and a driving force behind the United States economic prosperity. SMA has been and continues to be a key player in this landscape, contributing significantly to technological advancements and industrial progress. We at the JCCC take immense pride in SMA’s achievements and their positive impact on the US economy. Their commitment to innovation and quality has not only bolstered their success but has also elevated the reputation of Japanese businesses in America. Looking ahead, we are confident that SMA will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the US machine tool industry. As the chair of the JCCC, I wish SMA continued success and growth. We look forward to strengthening our partnership and working together towards our shared vision of creating a better, more technologically advanced world for all of us. Here’s to the next 50 years of groundbreaking innovations, sustainable growth, and fruitful collaboration. Congratulations once again, on this extraordinary achievement, and may your future be filled with even greater successes! ■ Toshiya Abe Chair Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (President - Nippon Express U.S.A., Inc.) We at the JCCC take immense pride in SMA’s achievements and their positive impact on the US economy“innovative new products”Shibaura Machine’s S-Concept Injection Molding Machine New Product Spotlight: 38 M anufacturers are focusing on solutions that boost productivity by saving time, reducing labor, and conserving energy in today’s production processes. As the industry seeks ways to enhance sustainability and competitiveness, innovative solutions are essential. Shibaura Machine’s S-Concept injection molding machine stands out by combining cutting-edge technology with exceptional efficiency and environmental friendliness. Covering machine sizes from EC55SXIII to EC390SXIII, the S-Concept series is designed to revolutionize production processes by saving time, reducing labor, and conserving energy. Elevate Your Production with S-Concept Injection Molding Machines The S-Concept series has been developed to achieve higher productivity, labor savings, and environmental sustainability. As the market continues to evolve, this next-generation injection molding machine offers a wide range of features that ensure manufacturers remain competitive. Save Time The S-Concept machines are designed to maximize productivity through several key features: Fastest Clamp Design: The industry’s fastest clamp design enhances productivity and maintains a clean operating environment. The moving platen linear guide support structure ensures smooth mold opening and closing with improved linearity. Combined with double rigid plates and a link line toggle, it provides uniform distribution of clamping force. Shibaura Machine’s patented dynamic acceleration/deceleration control technology allows high-speed mold movements with reduced shock, significantly boosting operational efficiency. Fastest Dry Cycle Time: By maintaining consistent molding conditions, S-Concept machines can reduce cycle times by up to 168 hours per year, increasing productivity and efficiency. High Performance DBG Design Screw: This advanced screw design separates the solid channel from the melt channel, ensuring effective transfer of molten resin and preventing un-melted material, which is crucial for consistent, high- quality molding performance. S-Cube Injection Unit: Featuring a friction-free drive to minimize sliding resistance, a noise-resistant digital load cell for improved pressure detection accuracy, linearization compensation to eliminate machine variations, and a high-output motor for top pressure holding capacity, the S-Cube injection unit ensures stable plasticization and filling processes. Plastrol II: This system is engineered for precise charging and stable filling volumes. With a S-Concept stands out by combining cutting-edge technology with exceptional efficiency and environmental friendliness.39 mechanically closed check ring and dedicated screw tip assembly, it dramatically improves molding stability and ensures the injection process remains accurate and consistent, enhancing the overall effi ciency and quality of production. Save Labor The S-Concept machines simplify labor-intensive processes through innovative design: V70 - Main Setting Screen: The S-Concept series introduces the V70 main setting screen, which streamlines the setup process by integrating six key elements of recipe setup into one user-friendly interface. This consolidation signifi cantly reduces the time and eff ort needed to confi gure the machine, allowing operators to prepare for production quickly and effi ciently, boosting overall productivity. New Mold Protection: This advanced mold protection system simplifi es torque monitoring during mold opening and closing. With single-touch acquisition and setting of reference torque waveforms, operators can eff ectively monitor both the mold open and close processes. This system helps prevent mold damage by detecting and addressing torque anomalies promptly, extending the lifespan of molds and minimizing downtime. Automatic Low-Pressure Clamping Force Settings: Automatically calculating and setting low-pressure clamping force (PCL) and mold closing limit position (LS2), this feature allows fi ne adjustments to optimize mold protection, reducing damage and maintenance needs. Simplifi ed Auto-Purge Settings: The simplifi ed auto-purge settings in the S-Concept series automatically determine the recommended purging conditions, reducing both purging time and resin loss. This feature enables effi cient purging operations without altering production molding conditions, streamlining transitions ADVANCED MOLD PROTECTION S-Concept machines can reduce cycle times by up to 168 hours per year, increasing productivity and effi ciency. Production Injection/ Charging Ejector Monitor Temp Clamp The main setting screen streamlines the setup process by integrating six key elements of recipe set into one user-friendly interface. The new Mold Protection System helps prevent mold damage by detecting and addressing torque anomalies promptlyNext >