JAPANESE

OEM production of various kinds of fishing rod, SUZUKI Blanks | Richards Inc.

メイド・イン・ジャパンの誇り ロッドOEM製造
メイド・イン・ジャパンの誇り ロッドOEM製造

【Important Notice】Temporary Suspension of New OEM Product Order Acceptance

Currently, we are experiencing a high volume of OEM product orders. We sincerely apologize, but we will temporarily suspend the acceptance of design and production requests from new customers.
This is to ensure that we can focus on serving our existing clients. We appreciate your understanding. We will announce on our website when we resume accepting new orders.

MANUFACTURING PROCESS

1) DESIGN CONFERENCE
Designers work together with our customers to create rods according to their particular needs and specifications. Starting with a prototype, we are able to provide a wide variety of the highest quality fishing rods used worldwide.
2) MATERIALS
Our carbon pre-preg and glass cloth pre-preg are kept in a refrigerated environment.
The materials must be kept in a cold temperature to prevent the material from hardening.
3) SHAPING MATERIALS
Using the carbon pre-preg and glass cloth pre-preg, the materials are measured, designed and cut to the specified shape.
4) WIND TO THE MANDREL
The carbon cut materials are wound around the core tapers of rod. The rod is then prepainted with resin.
The carbon cut pre-preg called patterns are then wound on a mandrel by applying a hot iron.
After tacking, the patterns are wrapped around the mandrel with pressure from a rolling machine.
5) TAPING
Once the wound pattern is established, molding tape is applied to the surface.
The excess resin and bubbles are eliminated by the tape pressure.
6) OVEN BAKING
The rod is placed in a hot air circulating oven. The blank rod coated with resin is cured for 3-4 hours at 130-140C.
7) REMOVAL FROM THE MANDREL
The blank rods are removed from the mandrel by hydraulic pressure and cooled.
8) TAPE REMOVAL AND CUTTING
The molding tape is peeled off and both ends are trimmed about 1cm.
9) ROD ALIGNMENT
The rod is highly polished by precision scissors (CENTERLESS MACHINE) rotated at a high speed.The rollers on the grinding wheel are for polishing the surface.
10) POLISHING
The rods surface is polished to enhance the adhesion and the general appearance.
11) PAINTING
The painting method is suitable for the coating of fishing rods. The rods are inserted into a container of paint. They are placed in the container one by one at an angle. The container has a holes spaced apart to control the thickness of the paint. This particular job requires great skill and experience. Also a paint spray gun is used if necessary.
12) SILK SCREEN PRINTING
This method is useful in displaying brand logos and product names. Each rod is set by hand and the silk screen is placed on the rod. Various colors and custom designs are available which requires the skills of an expert.
13) GUIDE THREAD WRAPPING
Place the rod into a rotating guide thread wrapping machine. Turn to guide the thread spools to achieve the decorative design. The blank rod will guide the tape according to the specification. The rotational speed is controlled by a foot pedal and requires great skill and patience.
14) GUIDES MOUNTING CHECK
The guiding is done slowly and meticulously using side-by-side guides or a straight line.
15) ASSEMBLY 1
Visual inspections are conducted on the reel seat and aluminum parts of the rod and grip.
16) ASSEMBLY 2
The grip is made of Cork and EVA and is adhered to the reel seat. Most of the time, the top guide is attached, followed by guide coating. Occasionally these steps are interchanged. The adhesive may vary according to the material of each component.
17) EPOXY COATING
The rods are set sequentially to the Epoxy Coating machine. These rods move upwards while rotating slowly. The excess fluffis removed from the thread by burning in a alcohol flame.
The thread on the rods are soaked in a 2-component epoxy resin. The rods are coated 3-4 times.
The overlay must be thin as to eliminate distortion by the centrifugal force.
18) EPOXY DRYING
Then the coated rods are placed in a drying furnace for a few hours.
19) FINISHED PRODUCT
Inspection and adjustment. Each fishing rod is inspected for its appearance, quality and its precision workmanship. Any minor adjustments will be done at this time.
20) PACKING AND SHIPPING
Each fishing rod is carefully packed. The package includes an instructional manual and warranty.
We ship to any local and international destination.