Breakthrough Period

1980 to 1999

Commercialized laser machines and built the foundation for today’s laser technology

We developed the first stand-alone laser machine in Japan, the LASMAC-644. This commercialization of a sheet metal fabrication machine was a technological innovation on par with the NCT in 1971. It laid the foundation for today’s laser technology and marked the beginning of AMADA’s history of laser development technology as it consistently tackled the challenges of speed, quality, and energy conservation.

• Corporate events
• Sales and service
• Technology development
• Manufacturing system

1980

Developed Japan’s first CO₂ laser machine
Announced the LASMAC-644

Announced the AMACOM automated program system

WASINO MACHINERY CO., LTD. (now AMADA MACHINERY CO., LTD.) announced the GLS-130AS, a simplified data input CNC profile grinding machine

Miyachi Electronics Co., Ltd. (now AMADA’s Micro Welding Section) developed the world’s first constant-current timer for resistance welding

Established a subsidiary, AMADA ENGINEERING & SERVICE CO., INC. (now AMADA AMERICA, INC.) in California, United States
Launched the Group’s first local production outside Japan, producing tooling

1981

WASINO MACHINERY CO., LTD. acquired YODOGAWA PRESS MANUFACTURES CO., LTD. through absorption merger

SONOIKE MANUFACTURES CO., LTD. established U.S. SONOIKE (now AMADA AMERICA, INC.) in California, United States, and started production of NCT via the knock-down method

1982

Established a subsidiary, AMADA ITALIA S.r.l., in Milan, Italy

Opened the WASINO MACHINE TOOL PLAZA as a permanent exhibition hall in the headquarters of WASINO MACHINERY CO., LTD.

1984

Established a sales subsidiary, AMADA TAIWAN, INC., in Sanchong district, New Taipei City, Taiwan

1985

Launched the first sheet metal industry association in Nagano Prefecture (now Nagano Sheetmetal Association)
Machine sheet metal working was newly added to the National Trade Skill Test & Certification

1986

Acquired PROMECAM SISSON-LEHMANN S.A. (France), and established AMADA S.A. (now AMADA EUROPE S.A.)
Established a manufacturing subsidiary, AMADA AUSTRIA GmbH, in Ternitz, Austria

Opened a permanent exhibition hall in AMADA UNITED KINGDOM LTD.

1987

Established a sales subsidiary, AMADA PROMECAM CANADA (now AMADA CANADA LTD.), in Granby, Quebec, Canada
Established a sales subsidiary, AMADA CUTTING TECHNOLOGIES, INC., in Buena Park, California, United States

Developed combination punch and laser processing technology
Announced the APELIO series

SONOIKE MANUFACTURES CO., LTD. opens Fujinomiya Factory

1988

Developed bending robots
Announces the BM-100, the world’s first bending robot

1989

Established a sales subsidiary, AMADA SINGAPORE (1989) PTE. LTD., in Singapore

Launched the Precision Sheet Metal Technology Fair

Developed a low vibration, high hit rate hydraulic turret punch press
Announced the VIPROS series
Developed YAG laser equipment
Announced the ML-2220A compact YAG laser welder

1990

Developed the link motion mechanism
Launched the TPL series of link presses

1991

Opened permanent exhibition halls in AMADA S.A. (France) and AMADA GmbH (Germany)

1992

Opened the Soft Studio House and Training House FORUM 246 (now AMADA FORUM)
Opened the AMADA MACHINE TOOL PLAZA (now AMADA GLOBAL INNOVATION CENTER)

1993

Launched production of NCT tooling in Beijing, China

1994

Established a sales subsidiary, AMADA HONG KONG CO., LTD., in Hong Kong
Opened the Johannesburg Branch of AMADA UNITED KINGDOM LTD. in South Africa

1995

Established a sales subsidiary, AMADA (THAILAND) CO., LTD., in Samut Prakan, Thailand

Developed automation technology for laser welding
Announced the YLR-1500 YAG laser welding system

1996

Established a sales subsidiary, AMADA (MALAYSIA) SDN. BHD. in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Established a sales subsidiary, AMADA INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRY & TRADING (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD., in Shanghai, China

Established Shanghai AMADA Punch & Shear Co., Ltd. in Shanghai, China
Began production of press brakes and punching machines

1997

Developed network systems
Announced NT machines with the AMNC/PC multimedia network NC

1998

Established a sales subsidiary, AMADA OCEANIA PTY. LTD. in Sydney, Australia

Opened the 876 Plant, an automated plant for NCT tooling production, in the Isehara Works

1999

Established a sales subsidiary, AMADA KOREA CO., LTD. in Incheon, Korea