2 One-Stop DevelopmentMarketsR&D with insight into the futureResearch CenterNew Materials Research Dept.Research Dept.Unexplored Technology Research Dept.and technologiesOpen innovation through external collaboration1 Front-Loading Design3 Stage Gate SystemThe Research Center (Saitama Prefecture) of the Research & Development Division is the core base for the Group’s R&D activi-ties. The center has high-precision testing and analysis equipment, and a clean room, as well as the same equipment that is actually used by customers in semiconductor-related fields. Moreover, we have installed large-scale pilot coaters that closely resemble plant mass-production facilities, building systems for a smooth flow from R&D to mass production. The center includes the Product Research Department, which develops products directly connected to our current business, and the New Materials Research Department, which conducts R&D with a focus on the future. In addition, this fiscal year we established the Unexplored Technology Research Department and the Innovation Promotion Department. About 200 researchers are engaged in research on these themes. In addition, the Nano-Science & Technology Center, our R&D base in the U.S., focuses on the development of leading-edge materials, such as carbon nanotubes and artificial muscles, with the objective of establishing technologies and products that will drive new busi-nesses for the Group.We are pursuing R&D to ensure that our focus themes make a real contribution to strengthening the competitiveness of existing businesses and creating new products and businesses. LINTEC is working to improve development efficiency and speed based on two key phrases: “Front-Loading Design” and “One-Stop Development.” In addition, through coordination between the Research Center and the Business Administration Division, we have established an R&D scheme called the “Stage Gate System.” Under this scheme, we are building a process that ensures results centered on medium- to long-term themes.1 Front-Loading DesignWith a focus on carefully surveying customer needs and develop-ment processes, this method identifies development issues and risks, to the greatest extent possible, at the initial stage of product development. By implementing countermeasures in advance, we do our utmost to reduce the need to redo work at intermediate stages. This contributes to increased development efficiency and reduced costs.2 One-Stop DevelopmentThis approach involves simultaneously advancing the development of new materials and the development of processes for mass pro-duction. In the Research Center, large-scale testing and research facilities similar to the production facilities in our plants are used to collect various data necessary for mass production and to improve the speed of development leading up to mass production.3 Stage Gate SystemThis is an internal process that divides the development status of R&D themes into five stages, and rigorously examines and deter-mines whether to advance a theme to the next stage or halt devel-opment. The aim is to prevent development from backtracking and to bring each theme to fruition steadily and quickly.R&D with market-dialogue styleProduct Study and R&D of new materials Innovation Promotion DepartmentOptimization of overall R&D activities and creation of mechanisms for new business creationIndustry–government–academia cooperationDevelopment of leading-edge materialsNano-Science & Technology Center (U.S.)43R&D SystemR&D Policy
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