Providing Japanese-Quality Welding Technology in Thailand! Aiming to Become a “Last-Resort Workshop for Manufacturing Sites”

▲On-site machining instruction

Nagai Giken Thailand operates under the motto of responding to every customer requirement. In addition to designing and manufacturing automation and labor-saving equipment, jigs, and parts, the company also handles welding in Thailand.
This time, we spoke with Mr. Tsuji, a highly experienced engineer from the head office, about the company’s approach to welding technology.

▲Samples of stainless steel welding, aluminum welding, and steel welding products, from left

Welding Requires Experience and Sensitivity

Regarding TIG welding of aluminum, it is said that there is a tendency to avoid this work not only in Thailand but also in Japan.
Mr. Tsuji, who is responsible for technical instruction, explains the reason as follows.

“Due to the nature of TIG welding, there are overwhelmingly many aspects that depend on manual adjustment, and the working environment also has an impact, so the work does not proceed exactly according to a manual. Aluminum in particular is difficult to process and requires experience and a finely honed sense.”

For example, stainless steel has high thermal conductivity and quickly reaches a high temperature, which can lead to deformation or changes in the base material and joining material.
On the other hand, in the case of aluminum, which has excellent heat resistance, even when it appears to have melted, the heat often has not actually penetrated deep enough. As a result, there are many cases where welding material cannot be added and the parts cannot be joined. This is a mistake that is particularly likely to occur among less experienced technicians.

Not limited to TIG welding, the company believes that in order to acquire excellent welding skills, manuals and knowledge alone are not enough, and that it is important to gain extensive hands-on experience and develop both experience and sensitivity (sense).

Passing Down Techniques from Japan to Maintain Excellent Welding Skills

To maintain the technical level of its local engineers, the company invites technicians from its head office in Japan to provide instruction to local staff. During training, the instructor first demonstrates the correct method, after which the local engineers practice it themselves. As mentioned above, welding requires more than theory and knowledge. No matter how much it is explained verbally, it cannot be mastered without actual practice. What matters most is “experience, sensitivity, and creativity.”
For this reason, Mr. Tsuji’s philosophy as the instructor is “to have them learn through failure and acquire the skills themselves.”

▲Welding technical training

This training also includes TIG welding of aluminum.
Why does the company continue teaching aluminum TIG welding techniques even though demand is gradually declining?

President Nagai of Nagai Giken Thailand emphasizes, “Even if the overall market is small, there will always be a certain level of demand in Thailand for niche technologies that some customers genuinely need.”

Being able to provide Japanese-quality machining technology whenever customers need it... President Nagai aims for Nagai Giken Thailand to become a presence like a “last-resort workshop for manufacturing sites in Thailand.”

▲From left: Mr. Nagai, trainee, and Mr. Tsuji

Yukio Tsuji
1990　Joined Nagai Giken Co., Ltd.
He has worked in manufacturing and machining sites for nearly half a century and regularly passes on technical expertise to on-site engineers at the Thai subsidiary.

If you are looking to manufacture production equipment or jigs in Thailand, have welding-related problems, or face other challenges at your manufacturing site, please contact us using the form below.