OMRON Technology Review Vol.4 | OMRON Electronic Components Web

We also customized the first two finished models to form multiple series and expand the lineup. Then we developed two more models entirely within the factory to further expand the Flow Sensor lineup to a total of 21 types.
-- So a production plant person was in charge of everything right up to product development?
Fukumoto:
The basic structures of the MEMS Flow Sensor chip, circuits, and flow path were all completed, so this made it possible to develop new products by turning them into modules, packages, and series.

Also, because the same kind of chip is used for air, oxygen, city gas, LP gas, and other gases, it was important to create various series by making partial changes to circuit constants, and coming up with other variations in the circuitry and flow path.
Nozoe:
Once a product is developed, our production plant has the ability to follow up on the design and technology. Its development speed is also extremely fast.
The fact that a lineup of 21 types could be produced in a short period since the first product was completed shows the considerable strength of Mr. Fukumoto and the production plant.
-- It's pretty impressive that a factory would have that much development strength.
Fukumoto:
Around 2000, when the factory I belonged to decided to start working on MEMS products, it became clear that I would need to know the basics of how technology evolves, so I was dispatched to a research lab where Mr. Sasaki was working. I spent about a year and a half there, studying semiconductor processes.

After that, the person who took over my original position was also dispatched to the same lab for another year and a half. Between us, that gives us three full years of intensive semiconductor studies.

Sasaki:
You can't imagine how thankful we are for someone like Mr. Fukumoto, because even though he is involved in the final stages of producing and shipping the products, he also understands the processes that take place in the product's very earliest stages. He knows what makes up a chip, inside and out, so he understands everything we say. That makes a huge difference in our efficiency.

Nozoe:
And like Mr. Fukumoto, I also spent about two months in Mr. Sasaki's lab at the beginning of the project. That made it possible for us to start out with the same basic outlook on the chip and circuitry. Then, before production began, we all worked together at the production factory to handle problems as they came up.

Fukumoto:
Each of the members here belongs to a different department and works in a completely different location, but we were able to put together a system that surpassed departments and locations and allowed us to cooperate fully. That was extremely helpful in getting things done right.

We also learned that the production plant can play a much larger role than usual by having a firm understanding of the basics of technical development, and we plan to take full advantage of that in other products in the future.