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JAPANTWO(JP2):How did you write the program that operates the carving machine for HIROSHIMA?

Craftsman Suehiro(Mr. Suehiro):It was extremely difficult to make the program, and it took a lot of time. The reason was that the HIROSHIMA has many curves and it was difficult to make a program for those areas. I worked on those sections numerous times. If I include all the detailed adjustments, I've changed the program over 50 times.

JP2:Compared to ordinary chairs, how long does it take to produce HIROSHIMA?

Mr. Suehiro:It really depends on the chair. Some can be made in a week; other, more complex ones could take around a month to complete. HIROSHIMA was one the most complex chairs.

JP2:How did you react when you were offered to create the program for HIROSHIMA?

Mr. Suehiro:I thought they were joking. I couldn’t imagine how I come up with a method to create the program, so I just fumbled around, working through trial and error. I tried one thing, and when it didn't work, I tried another. I repeated that over and over again. Right from the beginning, every aspect of the programming for HIROSHIMA was a challenge.

JP2:Do you program in groups?

Mr. Suehiro:No, I do it alone. When HIROSHIMA was first made as the new product, I went to the factory downstairs and took note of its form, and collected information by interviewing the people who actually worked there. I took that information back, sat in front of PC, and stared at screen for hours.
When I brought the program in and asked how it was, they told me, "It's not like that, but like this." So I took it back again. I kept on repeating this process in order to create a program that met their demands. Other than that, I adjusted it to improve its efficiency as well. At first, it took the craftsmen a week to make one HIROSHIMA chair. If it takes that much time, we wouldn't be able to sell the products, so I thought about how I can reduce the production time while I was programming. Now it takes the 15 – 16 minutes to shape the part of arms and backrest by 5-axis CNC machine To be able to sell the products on the market, the product needs to be ready in a certain amount of time. It wasn't just about creating a program that makes things into certain shapes, but also the reducing the processing time. It was what I really struggled with.
The product must have the ideal form and the efficiency that reduce the manufacturing time. Those were the 2 objectives I had to fulfill, and it was challenging.

JP2:I believe that there are many furniture that cannot be made without a programmer like you. Tell us about your passion for programming.

Mr. Suehiro:We get various designs from the designers and produce them into a reality. When the designers comment that the final product has been shaped in the way they have imagined, I’m really happy and satisfied. Also, it is pleased to hear when the craftsmen say, "This part is great," or "It turned out really well." I feel that my program is contributing to their work. I'm not in a position where I come into direct contact with customers, so it makes me happy when I see the craftsmen's reactions.
Even after saying that, though, I still think about the customers when I'm doing my job. I don't know if they will notice the details in the parts we make, but at the end of the day, I’m always thinking about making things that would make them happy.
Although it happens indirectly, the programs I write shape the product that will eventually reach to the customers. I'm really happy when I hear that the chair is easy to use and they love it. Especially when they say that it feels really comfortable, and it was the section that I most struggled with, I go crazy. Wouldn't you? I want to tell them directly how much I struggled with that section.

JP2:Maruni has already been recognized globally as a company that manufactures quality products. Do you plan to surpass their expectations?

Mr. Suehiro:Of course. If that's how they see us, I'd like to go even higher. After the sale of HIROSHIMA, we have received many ideas of other possibilities. I'd definitely like to work hard to meet such expectations.

JP2:Did you have a background in programming before you started working here?

Mr. Suehiro:No. Originally, I worked in the upholstering section. From there, I became in charge of programming, and my senior coworker taught me many things about it. After that, I studied on my own.

JP2:How would you promote Maruni to those who are not familiar with the brand?

Mr. Suehiro:I'm the tech guy, so I'd probably say that there aren't any other furniture companies that make things like we do here. Wood curving technique is our company's technological strength, so I'd like them to check it out. There’s a lot of software these days that can make the general shapes; however, when you start using them, it takes a long time to manufacture things, and it will be difficult to mass produce. That's why I don't depend on software and write my programs from scratch. I programmed it with the craftsmen in mind: How should it cut the parts out? How should it manipulate the machine? It was all done through trial and error. For these reasons, I think Maruni can produce things that cannot be made by any software.

JP2:What is the most difficult thing when making programs for Marun's furniture?

Mr. Suehiro:It depends on products, it’s easier to program when the designers have some knowledge of the manufacturing process. It’s really difficult when they design things but have no clue about the process whatsoever. It also doesn’t mean that products that can be easily made are quality products either, so it’s difficult.

JP2:Out of all the things you have made so far, what are you the most satisfied with?

Mr. Suehiro:Well, it's not satisfaction, but HIROSHIMA challenged me the most. I've learned many things making it. A lot of the new products will be made based on HIROSHIMA, so I believe the technical side of programming will drastically change after its production. HIROSHIMA has a simple design so it's hard to tinker with it. I can tell it has been finely crafted with much passion, so I hope we can use this experience for our future furniture.