High-precision machining of hardened steel on machining centers. The work is more three-dimensional than two-dimensional, and every shape is different. The process of creating a shape from a block is fascinating.
At first I aimed for a major automotive company, but I struggled because nothing worked out. At that time, a professor in my laboratory introduced me to this company. The recruitment representative was more approachable than the HR staff I had met elsewhere, and I think that personality attracted me.
We manufacture die components by cutting steel on machining centers. Most of the work involves high-hardness material after heat treatment, where tool wear is severe and the difficulty is high. The work is more often three-dimensional than two-dimensional.
People tend to think that machining starts when a button is pressed, but the human contribution is greater than expected. Finish and accuracy depend on setup—leveling and squaring, tool selection, and clamp rigidity. When a high-quality component is completed, it confirms that my setup was right, which is rewarding. It is fascinating to see a shape emerge from a block.
While editing a program before machining, I once accidentally deleted 1 character and produced a defective part. I felt the weight of that character. Since then, I continue to check areas that other operators may not check so that I do not make the same mistake.
I would like to experiment more with the five-axis machine. Die components are difficult to understand even after completion, so I would like to make something immediately recognizable, such as an animal. I am considering whether to learn 3D modeling and CAM from the beginning or gather some colleagues, and how best to proceed.
Machining on a machining center is likely to be interesting for anyone who enjoys making things. It is an approachable environment where the company actively supports challenges such as new machining methods, faster machining, and machining with new tools.
Please feel free to contact us even if you are simply at the stage of learning about the work and the company, regardless of whether a position is currently open.
