Mitutoyo
Encyclopedia
is a Japan
ese multinational corporation specializing in measuring instruments and metrological
technology, headquartered at Mizonokuchi, Kawasaki
, Kanagawa.
Mitutoyo was founded in 1934 by Yehan Numata with one product, the micrometer
. Mitutoyo's philosophy at that time was to make high-quality micrometers, but also to produce them in quantities that made them affordable and available to all of manufacturing. This philosophy was expanded in the next several decades to include a wider product offering focused on mechanical, dimensional gaging products, such as caliper
s, dial indicator
s, and other measuring tools.
As electronic technology became more widespread in the 1970s, Mitutoyo applied electronics to its line of dimensional gaging equipment to include electronic, or digital, measuring tools. During this time it also began to offer larger, more complex and more sensitive measuring instruments, including optical comparator
s, form measuring equipment, and coordinate measuring machines (CMMs). As statistical process control
(SPC) was introduced, Mitutoyo led the world in the development of output gages, interfaces, data collectors and analysis software to take advantage of this new metrological science.
When the computer made its way into the field of metrology, Mitutoyo again shifted its focus to include this technology into its product offering and push measuring accuracies into the sub-micrometre range. Today, Mitutoyo presents its 6,000+ products as integrated, computer-based metrology systems, where they can be interconnected to form closed-loop-measuring networks.
Mitutoyo America Corporation was formed in 1963 and is headquartered in Aurora, Illinois
(just outside of Chicago
). Mitutoyo America offers the full product line of precision measuring tools, instruments and equipment with a distribution network, training and education classes, software development, and service support to provide a comprehensive metrology organization.
Dr. Yehan Numata is also the founder of Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai (BDK), the Society for the Promotion of Buddhism, which sponsors the Buddhist Canon Translation Project.
There is evidence that a portion of Mitutoyo’s illegal exports helped in nuclear weapon programs in Libya, Iran, and North Korea. In particular, several Mitutoyo coordinate measuring machines were allegedly sold to Scomi
Precision Engineering in Malaysia. The Scomi scandal
was part of a wider arms smuggling operation masterminded by Pakistani nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan
.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese multinational corporation specializing in measuring instruments and metrological
Metrology
Metrology is the science of measurement. Metrology includes all theoretical and practical aspects of measurement. The word comes from Greek μέτρον , "measure" + "λόγος" , amongst others meaning "speech, oration, discourse, quote, study, calculation, reason"...
technology, headquartered at Mizonokuchi, Kawasaki
Kawasaki, Kanagawa
is a city located in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, between Tokyo and Yokohama. It is the 9th most populated city in Japan and one of the main cities forming the Greater Tokyo Area and Keihin Industrial Area....
, Kanagawa.
Mitutoyo was founded in 1934 by Yehan Numata with one product, the micrometer
Micrometer
A micrometer , sometimes known as a micrometer screw gauge, is a device incorporating a calibrated screw used widely for precise measurement of small distances in mechanical engineering and machining as well as most mechanical trades, along with other metrological instruments such as dial, vernier,...
. Mitutoyo's philosophy at that time was to make high-quality micrometers, but also to produce them in quantities that made them affordable and available to all of manufacturing. This philosophy was expanded in the next several decades to include a wider product offering focused on mechanical, dimensional gaging products, such as caliper
Caliper
A caliper is a device used to measure the distance between two opposing sides of an object. A caliper can be as simple as a compass with inward or outward-facing points...
s, dial indicator
Dial indicator
Dial indicators, also known as dial gauges and probe indicators, are instruments used to accurately measure small linear distances, and are frequently used in industrial and mechanical processes...
s, and other measuring tools.
As electronic technology became more widespread in the 1970s, Mitutoyo applied electronics to its line of dimensional gaging equipment to include electronic, or digital, measuring tools. During this time it also began to offer larger, more complex and more sensitive measuring instruments, including optical comparator
Optical comparator
An optical comparator is a device that applies the principles of optics to the inspection of manufactured parts...
s, form measuring equipment, and coordinate measuring machines (CMMs). As statistical process control
Statistical process control
Statistical process control is the application of statistical methods to the monitoring and control of a process to ensure that it operates at its full potential to produce conforming product. Under SPC, a process behaves predictably to produce as much conforming product as possible with the least...
(SPC) was introduced, Mitutoyo led the world in the development of output gages, interfaces, data collectors and analysis software to take advantage of this new metrological science.
When the computer made its way into the field of metrology, Mitutoyo again shifted its focus to include this technology into its product offering and push measuring accuracies into the sub-micrometre range. Today, Mitutoyo presents its 6,000+ products as integrated, computer-based metrology systems, where they can be interconnected to form closed-loop-measuring networks.
Mitutoyo America Corporation was formed in 1963 and is headquartered in Aurora, Illinois
Aurora, Illinois
Aurora is the second most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois, and the 112th largest city in the United States. A suburb of Chicago, located west of the Loop, its population in 2010 was 197,899. Originally founded within Kane County, Aurora's city limits have expanded greatly over the past...
(just outside of Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
). Mitutoyo America offers the full product line of precision measuring tools, instruments and equipment with a distribution network, training and education classes, software development, and service support to provide a comprehensive metrology organization.
Dr. Yehan Numata is also the founder of Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai (BDK), the Society for the Promotion of Buddhism, which sponsors the Buddhist Canon Translation Project.
Conviction for illegal activities
On 14 September 2006, the Tokyo District Public Prosecutor’s Office indicted four former executives of the Mitutoyo Corporation. The company was penalized for violating the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Law prohibiting the company from exporting any products for 6 months, and from exporting measuring devices for an additional 2½ years (2007-mid 2010). In addition, the Japanese court gave the former executives multi-year jail sentences (suspended) and fined Mitutoyo ¥45 million (aprox. $350,000 USD). It was found that Mitutoyo created software for their products which would falsify the accuracy of the measurements taken in order to circumvent customs inspections.There is evidence that a portion of Mitutoyo’s illegal exports helped in nuclear weapon programs in Libya, Iran, and North Korea. In particular, several Mitutoyo coordinate measuring machines were allegedly sold to Scomi
Scomi
Scomi Group Berhad is a global service provider based in Malaysia mainly involved in oil and gas and transport engineering.Scomi Group Bhd which is listed on the main board of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad, and its Group of companies are involved in three core businesses: Oilfield Services;...
Precision Engineering in Malaysia. The Scomi scandal
Scomi Precision Engineering nuclear scandal
Syarikat Scomi Precision Engineering Sdn Bhd was established under the Scomi group of companies controlled by Kamaluddin Abdullah, a businessman who is the son of former Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi...
was part of a wider arms smuggling operation masterminded by Pakistani nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan
Abdul Qadeer Khan
Abdul Qadeer Khan , also known in Pakistan as Mohsin-e-Pakistan , D.Eng, Sc.D, HI, NI , FPAS; more widely known as Dr. A. Q...
.