The MECHARTOLINK Members Association general meeting was held at UDX Conference Center in Akihabara, Tokyo, on June 13 (Thursday) 2013.
Hiroshi Ogasawara, President of the Executive Committee of the MMA, addressed a welcome speech, which marks the 10th anniversary since establishing MECHATROLINK as an open network. President Ogasawara expressed his appreciation for everyone’s past efforts, and his desire to establish MECHATROLINK as a global standard through even greater promotion activities. Then, Takuya Miwa who became the General Secretary of the MMA this year addressed the members and reported on the activities of FY2012 and activity plans for FY2013. This was followed by a FY2012 financial report by the MMA Secretariat.
Thereafter, the MMA Marketing Group Chief and the PC Engineering Group Chief reported on group activities this year and activity plans for next year, and announced an invitation to new group members to work together toward each group projects for FY2013.

Following the general meeting, Hiroyuki Aou, Manager of Technology Planning for the Electronics Assembly Equipment Division of Fuji Machine Manufacturing Co., Ltd., gave a speech titled “Trends in MECHATROLINK Compliant Products and Required Technology.” In his speech, Manager Aou talked about the MECHATROLINK compliant products market conditions and trends and the technology that is required for them, including his views on what will be required from MECHATROLINK in the future. His unique insight provided valuable information for all of the participants.

After the lecture, 4 MMA member companies introduced their MECHATROLINK compliant products.

Then, to commemorate our 10th anniversary, freelance announcer Akira Fukuzawa gave a special presentation. Titled “The Art of Communication, Fukuzawa Style,” his talk discussed the art of using words and effective speaking. The ideas and concepts that he presented during the 70-minute presentation captured the attendants and will serve as valuable tools to them both at work and in private life.

At the end, the previous General Secretary of the MMA provided an address to close the meeting.

At the reception following the meeting, we arranged the time for participants to exchange information, to introduce themselves, and to present greetings to take advantage of the only opportunity during the year where all MMA members gather. The general meeting and reception ended in a relaxed mood after the participants enjoyed a meaningful day.

In these 10 years, MMA membership has reached 1,600 companies. The MMA will continue with various activities to further accelerate the wide-spread expansion of MECHATROLINK. We will work together globally with all MMA members as we move into the next 10 years to make MECHATROLINK a standard network.