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OUR HISTORY

50 Years of Advancing Soldering Technology

Since our founding in 1974, Japan Unix has continued to explore the possibilities of soldering technology. Here, we introduce our journey through product development, global expansion, and human resource development.

Founding Years
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s

Founding Years

  1. 1974
    • Japan Unix Co., Ltd. was founded in Aoyama 2-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo, with capital of 2 million yen.
    • Development of soldering tips and heaters began, successfully producing an ultra-thin 3 mm heater with a built-in CA sensor.
    • Japan Unix launched its first soldering iron, the “UNIMAX.”
    Japan Unix headquarters at the time of its founding
  2. 1976
    • Japan Unix exhibited soldering irons and solder pots at an exhibition held at Taipei Songshan Airport in Taiwan, leading to its first overseas distributor agreement.
  3. 1978
    • Japan Unix launched the “UNICON-400,” Japan’s first soldering iron equipped with sensor-based temperature control.
    • Capital was increased to 6 million yen.

1980s

  1. 1980
    • Headquarters was relocated to Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo.
    • Japan Unix successfully developed and launched “SOLMAC,” a single-axis automatic soldering robot using an air-cylinder mechanism.
  2. 1981
    • Japan Unix established a collaborative relationship with Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, accelerating robot development.
  3. 1982
    • Headquarters was relocated to Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo.
    • The Nakanoshima Factory was opened in Kawasaki, Kanagawa.
  4. 1983
    • In collaboration with Mitsubishi Electric, Japan Unix developed the “UNI-511,” a five-axis point soldering robot. It became the world’s first articulated soldering robot.
    UNI-511 five-axis point soldering robot
  5. 1984
    • The Nakanoshima Factory was closed, and the Noborito Factory was opened in Kawasaki.
  6. 1985
    • The five-axis point soldering robot series “UNI-511” was officially launched.
    • Capital was increased to 12 million yen.
  7. 1987
    • Capital was increased to 20 million yen.
  8. 1988
    • The upgraded five-axis point soldering robot series “UNIX-521” was launched.
    • Japan Unix entered into a legal dispute with AT&T in the United States over the “UNIX” trademark in North America.
  9. 1989
    • A new Nakanoshima Factory was opened, relocating operations from Noborito.

1990s

  1. 1991
    • The “UNIX-531” was developed and launched.
  2. 1993
    • Sales offices were opened in Osaka and Nagoya.
    • Japan Unix integrated the equipment and personnel of Apollo Co., Ltd.
  3. 1994
    • Headquarters was relocated to Akasaka, and the Kawasaki Factory was integrated into the headquarters.
    • The articulated soldering robot “UNIX-531E III move star KAGAYAKI” was launched.
    • The early desktop soldering robot “UNIX-411” was developed.
  4. 1995
    • Japan Unix established the role of “Soldering Engineer (SE)” to solve customers’ soldering challenges.
    • A Singapore office was opened.
  5. 1999
    • The Cartesian soldering robot “LS-5TPS III” was launched, supporting Microsoft Windows and lead-free soldering.
    • A Seoul office was opened in South Korea.
    • Capital was increased to 30 million yen.

2000s

  1. 2000
    • Full-scale development and research of laser soldering systems began.
  2. 2001
    • The Kumamoto Technology Center was opened in Mashiki, Kamimashiki District, Kumamoto Prefecture.
    Kumamoto Technology Center at the time of opening
  3. 2002
    • A Shanghai office was opened in China.
    • The high-performance desktop soldering robot “41R Series” was developed and launched.
    • The world’s first laser soldering system, “ULD-720,” was developed.
    ULD-720 laser soldering system
  4. 2003
    • The “ULD-730” laser soldering system was introduced.
  5. 2005
    • Deployment of the integrated “LS Series” soldering robot systems began.
    • The desktop robot “UNIX-412 (Robo Sol King)” was launched.
  6. 2006
    • Offices were opened in Shenzhen, China; Seoul, South Korea; and Penang, Malaysia.
  7. 2008
    • The Kansai Branch, Kumamoto Sales Office, and Chicago representative office in the United States were opened.
    • Research and development of ultrasonic soldering systems began.
  8. 2009
    • The “700 Series” soldering robots were developed and launched.
    • The world’s first ultrasonic soldering system, “UNISONIK,” was developed.
    • Japan Unix obtained ISO 9001 certification.

2010s

  1. 2010
    • A representative office was opened in Taiwan.
  2. 2012
    • Japan Unix successfully developed “UNIVERSE S,” a dual-arm soldering robot designed for full automation. The company also pioneered soldering using both 15 W low-power and 75 W high-power lasers.
  3. 2013
    • An office was opened in Guadalajara, Mexico.
  4. 2015
    • Japan Unix became the official representative of IPC in Japan, supporting quality standards for the electronics industry.
  5. 2016
    • Japan Unix developed and launched soldering robots with network connectivity for functions such as remote configuration.
  6. 2018
    • Shozo Kono became Chairman, and Hiroshi Kono became President.
    • The fourth floor of the headquarters was renovated to establish an IPC Training Center.
    • The Marketing Group was officially established.

2020s

  1. 2020
    • Full-scale development of area laser technology began.
  2. 2022
    • The Nagoya Sales Office was expanded with the addition of a Soldering Lab and IPC Training Center.
  3. 2023
    • A new factory was established within the Kumamoto Technology Center, expanding the site to approximately 13,000 square meters.
  4. 2024
    • Japan Unix acquired its headquarters building in Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo.
    • Japan Unix celebrated its 50th anniversary.
    • June – “UNIX SOLDERING MEXICO S.A. de C.V.” was established in Mexico.
    • November – “UNIX SOLDERING EUROPE Kft.” was established in Hungary.
    Japan Unix 50th Anniversary
Toward the Next 50 Years.

Japan Unix will continue taking on new challenges to connect the future of the world through soldering technology.