Development of Plastic Forming Equipment for a Light Guide Plate 

－Technology Development for Better Investment Decisions－

Abstract

This study deals with a case in which a product and its production process equipment were developed concurrently, using the function of the product as a characteristic value fbr evaluating the process equipment. The equipment was plastic forming equipment for a light guide plate. The objectives were to improve performance by developing technology for the basic equipment, and to reduce investment in peripheral equipment. These objectives were achieved:the S/N ratio of the basic equipment was improved by approximately 14 db; as a result, peripheral equipment became unnecessary, and a highly productive process was designed.