We interviewed the recipients of the Division Manager Award given for technological support to solve Aisan Industry’s impeller locking problem.

First we talked to project supervisor Mr. Hidemi Kondoh, one of the senior researchers in the TSC.
“It wasn’t a matter of development and introduction of new technology to achieve a positive result; we were concerned with solving a problem. As a result of the work we did, I really felt that response to trouble is a very important function of the Research and Development Division because it elevates customer satisfaction. Aisan Industry was having a problem with the fuel impeller it supplies for two-wheel vehicles manufactured by Yamaha Motor. The impellers were distorting as a result of sustained use at high temperatures and this was interfering internally with fuel pump operation.
Rather than be solely accountable to Yamaha Motor, Aisan Industry asked for Polyplastics’ help to solve the problem. In response to Aisan Industry’s request, we participated in the problem-solving project as Polyplastics’ representatives. We held a strategy meeting with support from Mr. Katsuhei Ohnishi (RDC) and decided on an experimental plan, which was carried out under the leadership of Mr. Akihiro Miyazaki (TSC) and Mr. Susumu Edo (TSC) and entailed repeated investigation and consideration of the problem from various aspects. For about four months, beginning in September 2010, we kept conducting experiments and providing analysis results at intervals of a few days, which eventually led to scientific clarification of the mechanism that was causing the problem and the solution to the problem.”

Principal accomplishments are as follows.
(1) Proposal for and verification of the PPS swelling and distortion mechanism involved in fuel immersion.
(2) Proposal for and verification of a method to measure fuel penetration.
(3) Explanation of the problem mechanism to Yamaha (end user).

Senior researcher Mr. Ohnishi said : I’m just glad Polyplastics was able to do something to help when a customer was faced with a big problem. This accomplishment was due to the cooperation of a lot of people, and I’d like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all of you.

Mr. Miyazaki said : With the cooperation of many people, we were able to achieve a big goal. From now on, I hope that by working on various kinds of projects I will be able to further expand my scope of work.

Mr. Edo said : I was able to learn a lot from this project. I want to make the most of this experience in my future work and keep gaining new knowledge and experience.