| We hope you enjoy the joyful world of IWAKO erasers.
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| At the factory |
Molding machine No. 1 |
Molding machine No. 2 |
Molding machine No. 3 |
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| We manufacture our shaped erasers here. The factory runs 24 hours every day, manufacturing erasers and other plastic stationery products. |
Molding machine No. 1, Iwako's oldest molding machine, can apply 100 tons of pressure. Molding machines Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4 are hydraulic molding machines. |
Molding machine No. 2 can apply 150 tons of pressure. This machine has a robot arm on top, which fetches plastic products. |
This molding machine can apply 150 tons of pressure and has a robot arm like molding machine No. 2. |
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| Molding machine No. 4 |
Molding machine No. 5 |
Factory workers |
Model making |
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| This molding machine has the same specifications as molding machine No. 3. The light above the machine informs you, adding sound, when the preset quantity is reached or any problems occur. |
This molding machine is an electric-controlled molding machine, which is quieter and more precise. |
Factory workers operate machines with perfect control, manufacturing erasers. |
The first step in manufacturing shaped erasers is making models by hand. |
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| Model makers |
Inside a mold |
Molding tool |
Changing the molds |
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| Model makers are skilled craftspeople. Skill, talent and aesthetic taste are required to make models. |
From models, we make metal alloy molds. The photograph shows a mold for the body part of a hamster-shaped eraser. |
Alloy molds are mounted in molding tools. |
Changing the molds in the molding tools.For each eraser part, we change the mold. |
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| Mold shelves |
Selecting molding tools |
Setting |
Materials |
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| Each eraser part has a mold. We have over one thousand varieties of molds. |
Each molding tool weighs 200 to 300 kilograms. The chain suspended from the ceiling carries them. |
The suspended molding tool is placed in a molding machine. |
Our erasers are made from four materials: base, softener, filler, and stabilizer. Our erasers are PVC-free and environment-friendly. |
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| Pigments |
Coloring materials |
Taking out materials |
Hopper |
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| Pigment powders are used to color erasers. |
Pigments and materials are mixed in a mixing machine for approximately fifteen minutes. |
After the materials are completely mixed, they are put back in the bag. |
The mixed materials are put in a molding machine. |
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| Injection |
Runner |
Erasers come out |
Crushing |
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| The material, melted at 120 degrees centigrade, goes through the heating tube of the injector and bursts out from the nozzle tip. The speed and pressure are very important. |
The melted material goes through a runner and is poured into the molds. |
Erasers are cooled in the molds and come out. |
The runner part of the material is crushed and used again to manufacture more erasers. |
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| Crushed materials |
Assembly |
Delivery to workers |
Collection from workers |
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| The material is crushed into fine chips. |
Eraser parts come out of the molding machines and are assembled into shaped erasers. All assembly and packaging is by hand. |
Assembly work is partially carried out by home-based workers. We hire approximately 500 home-based workers, and deliver eraser parts to them to assemble. |
We collect assembled erasers from home-based workers. |
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| Packing |
Inspection |
Warehouse |
Orders by telephone |
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| Skilled workers pack erasers quickly and neatly. |
Each eraser is inspected before packing, making sure that no parts are missing and all erasers are perfect. |
Completed products are stored in our warehouse. |
Clients can order by telephone. |
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| Online orders |
Shipment |
Delivery |
Let's go! |
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| Clients can order via the Internet too. |
We pack each shipment carefully. |
We deliver daily. |
Delivering our products to our customers. |
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| Our secrets |
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| Our secret shelves, where discontinued products, custom-made products, and the entire history of our company are stored. |
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