Uchinuki is satisfying wide-ranging needs as a manufacturer devoted to perforated metal field.

Perforated metal history that began from sieve

As I previously mentioned in the section of "What is perforated metal?" the origin of perforated metal is mesh such as bamboo basket, filter and sieve used to filter various sizes of solids. There is also a theory in Japan that perforated metals originated from sieves for sorting out crushed stones and the like in Taisho Period. However, because metal mesh is weak and becomes unusable soon, demand for more robust and stable products arose from various industries.

As a result of trials and errors, the idea of replacing metal mesh by perforating steel plates was born, which led to the manufacturing of perforated metals. Perforated metals came to be recognized by people after 1955 when they were used for the speakers of transistor radios. In this way, perforated metals came to be used for various purposes in addition to their originally-intended purposes.

Metal mold evolution greatly enhanced production volume and precision.

Metal punching is basically press work for punching various types of metal plates with metal mold. The use of perforated metals as construction materials led to the expansion of processed area and production volume. As metal molds, which determine quality, have evolved, both production volume and precision have significantly improved. On the other hand, as the performances of press machines (using metal mold) have improved, it has become possible to manufacture higher quality perforated metals at lower costs.

Presently, manufacturers are developing products having high cost-performances by using their original knowhow to satisfy demands from the manufacture, construction and infrastructure-related fields. In addition to conventional flat and orthodox products, three-dimensional products provided with secondary processing are increasing. Product quality has dramatically improved as the result of the introduction of computer-controlled processing machines equipped with CNC device.

Processing of nonferrous metals and resins in rapid progress

In recent years, Uchinuki has been actively developing new techniques such as its original graphic punching system (UGP). As applications are expanding, design quality is improving. Uchinuki has developed a system by which punched holes can express letters, logo marks, illustrations, photos, geometric patterns, nature, industrial products and others by means of computer-controlled punching work. In pursuit of higher-level expressions, Uchinuki is spending its efforts also to secondary and tertiary processing work (e.g. surface treatment) incidental to metal mold manufacture and punching work.

The entire industry is actively promoting the processing of nonferrous metals and resins, not only conventional metals. These efforts are realizing excellent sound absorbency, durability, small-lot production of various types of products and reasonable prices. In the future, each manufacturer will incorporate these progresses to produce perforated metals that are highly value-added not only in function but also in design quality.