R & D
OUR CORE TECHNOLOGIES
With rubber and elastomer processing technologies developed from dispersion techniques centering around interface control, Bando has been producing a wide variety of products.
Here is a list of our technologies:
Rubber Material Technology/Processing Technology
Resin Material Technology/Processing Technology
Urethane Material Technology/Processing Technology
Bonding Technology
Nanoparticle Creation Technology
DEVELOPMENT STORIES
STORY 1 – CVT BELT BANDO AVANCE
In the early 1980s, automakers were considering the introduction of the Continuously Variable Transmission system (CVT), which uses a belt in place of conventional manual transmission gear shifts. CVT provides smoother drives with greater fuel efficiency. When BANDO AVANCE was introduced, metal belts had been used. We sensed the need for and potential of CVT belts and started development at an early stage. Dual pulleys, the width between which can be freely adjusted, transmit engine rotations to the axle. The pulleys transmit power using a belt, whose speed can also be freely changed by changing the width of the groove between the pulleys.
STORY 2 – HFD SYSTEM (Hyper Flat Drive System)
Bando was a pioneer in producing energy-saving V-belts, with the sale of highly-efficient “Energy Saving Red” since the 1990s. At the time of the product launch, Japan was in the midst of a “bubble” economy and it received little attention. However, in the late 1990s, when environmental awareness increased, the energy efficiency of “Energy Saving Red” started to be highly evaluated in the market.
Environmental awareness grew even more in the 2000s, and society looked for a more innovative product that achieved higher energy efficiency. We then undertook development of HFD System.
RECENT PRODUCTS
Bando combined elastomer compound design, dispersion and film processing technologies to create a completely new type of sensor, in which the sensor itself stretches to detect the amount of elongation. C-Stretch™ is extremely soft and has excellent followability, even with small force. It can measure movement without interfering with physical motions. It has low hysteresis and high repetition accuracy.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
WE WILL EXPAND OUR BUSINESS IN FOUR PRIORITY MARKETS
Bando will integrate new technologies with our core technologies to expand our business through the development of high-performance products in the following four priority markets: Medical and Health Care Equipment, Electronic Materials, transportation/automotive, and robotics.
RESEARCH LABORATORIES
For Core Technologies
Enhance core technologies, and develop technologies for product development
Enhance core materials technologies including rubber, and urethane elastomers, and resins and their processing methods. Strengthen core technology for new materials introduction and process innovation and, along with evaluation and analysis technology research, carry out technology development connected to product development.
For Power Transmission Technologies
Performance technology development
The Power Transmission Technical Research Facility conducts research related to power transmission belts and power transmission systems. It has achieved innovative technological developments, including the development of the world’s first dry CVT (continuously variable transmission) belt (BANDO AVANCE), the introduction of an accessory drive system to the Japanese market incorporating automatic tensioners, and the development of HFD System™ (Hyper Flat Drive System).
