Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Languages
Timeline
Key Responsibilities
Patents
Core Competencies
Generic

Masakazu Adachi

Birmingham

Summary

With over 22 years of experience in mechanical engineering design, I have consistently delivered innovative solutions in production systems engineering. Specializing in the development of automation equipment for vehicle assembly and welding, I hold over 10 patents. My contributions have significantly enhanced process efficiency and productivity, underscoring my pivotal role in advancing manufacturing technologies.

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience

Work History

Staff Engineer

Honda Development and Manufacturing of America LLC
02.2021 - Current
  • Mechanical Design Unit, Equipment Production Department, Production Engineering Business Unit
  • Co-leader

Staff engineer

Honda Engineering Co., Ltd.
10.2013 - 02.2021
  • Equipment Production Department

Mechanical engineering designer

Honda Engineering Co., Ltd.
05.2011 - 10.2013
  • Equipment Production Department

Mechanical engineering designer

Honda Engineering North America Inc.
05.2006 - 05.2011

Mechanical engineering designer

Honda Engineering Co., Ltd.
04.2001 - 05.2006
  • Equipment Production Department

Education

Master of Engineering - Production Systems Engineering

Toyohashi University of Technology
Aichi, Japan
03.2001

Skills

  • Develop equipment concepts based on project requirements and criteria
  • Collaborate with teams to manage projects, schedules, and costs efficiently
  • Study and review the equipment based on the following skills and expertise
  • Apply FMEA, FTA, and risk assessment to diverse equipment types
  • KT (Kepner-Tregoe) Method
  • QC (Quality Control) Method
  • Proceed with the design using various mechanical calculations, including stress calculations for gears, servo motors, cylinders, and bearings
  • Create assembly, detail, pneumatic, hydraulic, and sequence charts
  • Stress analysis, Kinematics, Robotic simulation by CATIA and DELMIA
  • CATIA: Assemble Design, Parts Design, Sketcher, Drafting, Generative Shape Design Generative Structural Analysis and DMU Kinematics
  • DELMIA: Device Building, Device and Task Definition, Off-line teaching
  • Microsoft Office, VBA programming (Basic skill)

Accomplishments

  • Reduced project launch time by 30% by delivering new vehicles through the rapid installation and optimization of assembly line equipment. Surpassed division standards by completing the project in a swift six months, leveraging proactive procurement, cost control, and effective schedule management.
  • Directed the mechanical design of three primary electric vehicle battery assembly machines, advancing project objectives as mechanical project leader.
  • Proactively detected and eliminated a critical mechanical defect before mass production, safeguarding line reliability and performance.
  • Engineered a redesign of key equipment, reducing downtime by 80% for new models and directly addressing underlying reliability issues.
  • Integrated automation equipment into the vehicle assembly line, achieving a 99.5% run rate on day one and driving significant gains in process efficiency and productivity.
  • Pioneered a vital automation device for the door assembly line, securing three patents and core advancements in line automation.

Languages

English: Upper-intermediate
Overseas assignments from 2006 to 2011, and from 2021 to the present
Japanese: Mother tongue

Timeline

Staff Engineer

Honda Development and Manufacturing of America LLC
02.2021 - Current

Staff engineer

Honda Engineering Co., Ltd.
10.2013 - 02.2021

Mechanical engineering designer

Honda Engineering Co., Ltd.
05.2011 - 10.2013

Mechanical engineering designer

Honda Engineering North America Inc.
05.2006 - 05.2011

Mechanical engineering designer

Honda Engineering Co., Ltd.
04.2001 - 05.2006

Master of Engineering - Production Systems Engineering

Toyohashi University of Technology

Key Responsibilities

  • Review specifications and mechanical designs for each project, proactively identifying and mitigating potential failures before manufacturing.
  • Resolve routine, chronic, and critical equipment issues daily as a mechanical engineer.
  • Teach and coach mechanical engineering content and design as a mentor.

Patents

  • Highlight: A portfolio of 11 innovative patents enhancing assembly automation efficiency worldwide.
  • Title: Plate positioning device JP Patent: 2021098234Filed:2019-12-20 Issued:2021-07-01 https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1800/PU/JP-2021-098234/84480238F03D3CAB91FCC83AF25B5321FA6E41AC39F673E28E2AE73B5A8D9A6E/11/en
  • Title: Sewing device JP Patent: 2021101814Filed:2019-12-25 Issued:2021-07-15 https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1800/PU/JP-2021-101814/AF18300145F474E719D367399B3C5E55CBDC3A47E62C285D5DB234148106A75B/11/en
  • Title: Bolt fastening device JP Patent: 2021037576Filed:2019-09-03 Issued:2021-03-11 https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1800/PU/JP-2021-037576/495B0E3291CA85194E465BDD3EFC83229D8B518C1A82DA1047B7CDDB6FA78D4/11/en
  • Title: Fastening device U.S. Patent: US11633822B2Filed:2020-04-09 Issued:2020-10-15 https://patents.google.com/patent/US11633822B2/en
  • Title: Camera focus adjustment jig and camera focus adjustment method U.S. Patent: US11112678B2Filed:2020-02-04 Issued:2020-09-24 https://patents.google.com/patent/US11112678B2/en
  • Title: Gripping device JP Patent: 2018144143Filed:2017-03-03 Issued:2018-09-20 https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1800/PU/JP-2018-144143/1CB117CDD6D0E249715737910B07121226D59147112B1DCF0FB7DDFF33EB532F/11/en
  • Title: Brake fill tool U.S. Patent: US8936053B2Filed:2011-03-30 Issued:2012-10-04 https://patents.google.com/patent/US8936053B2/en
  • Title: Method and apparatus for assembling and manufacturing U.S. Patent: US7677382B2Filed:2006-03-02 Issued:2008-12-11 https://patents.google.com/patent/US7677382B2/en
  • Title: Method for detecting the position of the workpiece and a method for determining the necessity of maintenance work of the hanger JP Patent: 2018118823Filed: 2017-01-26 Issued: 2018-08-02 https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1800/PU/JP-2018-118823/B9C264B2CA4D5526BCTC4B3F52DE8B5ADE8CE29B3ADA19C77006D3F522D9C6DE/11/en
  • Title: Conveying Work Apparatus JP Patent: 2008023688Filed:2006-07-25 Issued:2008-02-07 https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1800/PU/JP-2008-023688/8604FE97D27891D86F35690A14D2979F497C57FE7B1F2C0F5015AF16E3530067/11/en
  • Title: Conveying work method and its device JP Patent: 2008023689Filed:2006-07-25 Issued:2008-02-07 https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1800/PU/JP-2008-023689/0F54361D4330F658BCBAF5A48DD547F0CB1650401A6026E37B03C5475BA34413/11/en

Core Competencies

  • Mechanical Engineering Design: Delivered over 30 automation systems for vehicle assembly and welding processes for 21 years.
  • Design of Integrated Equipment: Designed mechanical equipment using components such as robots, servo motors, and pneumatic units, ensuring reliability through technical calculations and simulations.
  • Innovation and Patents: Developed proprietary devices, including a fastening device (U.S. Patent: US11633822B2), and obtained over 10 patents. These innovations not only advance technology but also drive significant business value. For example, the implementation of the fastening device has resulted in annual savings of approximately $1.2 million by reducing assembly time and improving operational efficiency.
  • Project Management: Directed automation equipment installations at assembly and welding lines for new vehicles. Oversaw project scheduling, equipment installation, and trial phases.
  • Quality and Safety Assurance: Applied FMEA and FTA to assess equipment. Performed concept-level risk assessments and delivered ongoing updates to uphold quality and safety.
  • Collaboration and Communication: Collaborated with electrical, assembly, and manufacturing teams. Ensured equipment durability, replaceability, and maintainability throughout development by clearly communicating plans.
  • Problem Solving: Conduct root cause analyses of mechanical failures utilizing technical evidence and recommend effective countermeasures.