The Japan Research Institute for Screw Threads and Fasteners (Chairman: Dr. Toshiyuki Sawa, Professor Emeritus of Hiroshima University, hereafter referred to as “JFRI”), held entrance exams for the third cohort of Fastener College candidates and reports on the second cohort's study content on July 16 at the Machine Promotion Hall. On July 17, graduation exams for the first cohort were conducted.
Fastener College was established as a project to cultivate young experts who will lead the industry and spearhead the activities of the JFRI, in response to the decline in university laboratories dedicated to screw research. Currently, students from screw manufacturers, trading companies, and automotive-related users are enrolled.
The training course offers two paths: (1) the Engineer Course, which trains experts in fastening technology, and (2) the Standardization Course, which trains experts capable of leading Japan in international standardization activities such as ISO/TC. However, only the Engineer Course is currently being offered. The admission requirements include membership in the JFRI (including those applying for membership) and a basic understanding of high school mathematics and physics. Non-members can also qualify for admission by joining the JFRI as individual members.
Students must complete lectures from designated specialists over two years and earn the required credits. In addition, they participate in the activities of the JFRI’s committees, conduct research on certified topics, and publish their papers in the JFRI’s journal. Upon earning the necessary credits and passing the graduation exam, graduates are awarded the title of MFT (Master of Fastening Technology) as their diploma.
On the morning of the 16th, candidates for the third cohort gave presentations as part of the entrance exam. In the afternoon, eight students from the second cohort presented their reports on their studies, sharing their progress, insights gained from their studies, and requests related to their coursework.
Some of the feedback from the students included: “Designers need a wide range of information, not just the specifications of parts but also the intended use and the fastening environment. I realized that evaluation with an eye on market entry is necessary, not just meeting customer demands,” “I understood that fastening truck wheels is different from fastening passenger cars,” “I gained a basic understanding of heat treatment processes, surface treatment, and coating processes,” “I learned from the tightening test that human variation significantly impacts screw loosening,” and “I want to share the knowledge I gained at Fastener College with my juniors and colleagues through study sessions.”
After the second cohort's reports, Chairman Kitai addressed the students, stating, “We will work on improving the requests related to the courses that we received today. We also plan to add new lectures, such as those on CAE (Computer-Aided Engineering). If completing the program within two years is difficult, it’s acceptable to graduate in three years. We aim to continue making the lectures meaningful.”
On the 17th, as part of the graduation exam for the first cohort, five students gave presentations. The students who pass this graduation exam will be the first graduates, making them the first MFT holders produced by the JFRI.
