ANALYTIK JENA US & Takara Tomy Microman: Bringing Precision Measurement to a New Scale

Tewksbury, MA – October 26, 2023 – ANALYTIK JENA US LLC, a leading provider of high-precision analytical instruments, today announced a fascinating collaboration bringing their technology to a unique application: enhancing the quality control and design of Takara Tomy’s incredibly detailed Microman series of miniature collectible figures. It sounds a bit unusual, right? But stick with us - this is about seriously precise measurement meeting seriously tiny details! ANALYTIK JENA US, based in Tewksbury, Massachusetts (3 Highwood Dr, Suite 103E, MA, 01876-1154, and reachable at 818-401-3986), has built a reputation for providing robust and accurate analytical solutions for a wide range of industries – from pharmaceuticals and chemicals to materials science and food & beverage. We’re talking microscopes, spectrometers, and generally anything that needs to look really closely at stuff and tell you what it is. Our goal is simple: to help our customers get reliable data, fast. But how does that tie into tiny robots and figures? That's where Takara Tomy and their Microman line come in. What is Takara Tomy Microman? For those unfamiliar, Takara Tomy Microman isn’t your typical action figure. These aren’t bulky, cartoonish toys. Microman figures are renowned for their incredibly detailed engineering, complex articulation, and miniature size. Think fully functional, miniature robots and figures with interchangeable parts, all packed into a collectible package. They're incredibly popular with collectors, modders (people who customize and modify figures), and engineering enthusiasts. The level of detail is frankly astounding. We’re talking about components measured in millimeters – and sometimes even fractions of a millimeter. And that’s where ANALYTIK JENA US comes in. The Challenge: Maintaining Microman’s Extreme Precision Takara Tomy is committed to consistently delivering the highest quality Microman figures. This means ensuring every single component, no matter how small, meets exacting specifications. Historically, this has involved a combination of manual inspection, traditional measuring tools, and statistical process control. While effective, these methods are time-consuming, susceptible to human error, and limited in their ability to capture the full complexity of the figures. "With Microman, we aren't just making toys; we're crafting miniature engineering marvels," explains a spokesperson for Takara Tomy. “Maintaining that level of precision across potentially millions of parts requires a truly sophisticated quality control system." ANALYTIK JENA US to the Rescue: Precision Measurement at a Microscopic Level ANALYTIK JENA US has partnered with Takara Tomy to implement a range of advanced analytical solutions tailored to the unique challenges of Microman production. Here’s how we’re helping: Microscopy Solutions: We’ve deployed high-resolution digital microscopes capable of imaging even the smallest Microman components with incredible clarity. This allows for detailed visual inspection of part geometry, surface finish, and potential defects. Think of it like a super-powered magnifying glass connected to a computer, letting them see details they’ve never seen before. Spectroscopic Analysis: ANALYTIK JENA US’s spectroscopic instruments are used to analyze the material composition of Microman parts, ensuring that they meet the required specifications for strength, durability, and aesthetics. This helps ensure the figures not only look great, but also stay intact even with all that articulation and play. Dimensional Metrology: Our precision measurement instruments, like optical comparators and laser scanners, are used to accurately measure the dimensions of Microman parts, ensuring that they fit together properly and function as intended. This is critical for maintaining the intricate articulation and poseability that Microman is known for. Automated Inspection Systems: ANALYTIK JENA US is also working with Takara Tomy to develop automated inspection systems that can quickly and efficiently screen large volumes of Microman parts, identifying potential defects before they reach the consumer. This means faster production, fewer rejects, and happier collectors. Benefits for Takara Tomy and Microman Collectors The partnership between ANALYTIK JENA US and Takara Tomy is delivering a range of benefits: Improved Quality Control: The advanced analytical solutions are helping Takara Tomy identify and eliminate potential defects earlier in the production process, resulting in higher-quality Microman figures. Faster Production: Automated inspection systems are streamlining the quality control process, allowing Takara Tomy to increase production volume without sacrificing quality. Enhanced Design and Innovation: The detailed data provided by ANALYTIK JENA US’s instruments is helping Takara Tomy’s engineers better understand the performance of Microman parts and develop new and innovative designs. Increased Collector Satisfaction: Ultimately, the partnership is resulting in more reliable, durable, and visually stunning Microman figures, leading to increased collector satisfaction. “We’re thrilled to be working with Takara Tomy on this exciting project,” says a representative from ANALYTIK JENA US. “It’s a testament to the versatility of our analytical solutions and our ability to adapt to the unique needs of our customers. Who knew precision measurement could be applied to miniature robots? It’s a fun challenge!” Looking Ahead ANALYTIK JENA US and Takara Tomy are committed to continuing their partnership and exploring new ways to leverage analytical technology to improve the quality and innovation of Microman figures. The future looks bright for both companies – and for collectors who appreciate the meticulous detail and engineering that go into these incredible miniature collectibles.