Dental Tribune U.S. Edition

DENTAL TRIBUNE | November 2011 Industry News 13A hand first, or it’s not worth expending all of the quality control efforts that go into its creation. NSK defines another of its trade- marked messages, “Expect Perfec- tion,” also from the perspective of the users of its products. The phrase is meant to reflect the company’s dedi- cation to “close consultation with den- tal professionals” as central to any product-development effort. NSK has precise measurement standards for achieving quality con- trol with its ultra-fine parts processing techniques. But it takes more than numbers to measure performance of a complete apparatus and operating system. That’s where a user-oriented design philosophy becomes critical. The ultimate goal is an ergonomic design that becomes an extension of the dental professional’s hand, trans- mitting intentions of delicate hand movements promptly and precisely to the target. Only after the need or concept expressed by the end user is in place does creation and manufacturing of the instrument (and its individual parts) begin. It’s at this phase that each part typically goes through six to eight processes prior to completion. Every worker involved with any part bears responsibility for quality in all pro- cesses. If any defect is spotted, the part must be brought into micro-order tol- erance or removed from the process. State-of-the-art processing machinery further protects the company’s goal of guaranteeing 100 percent quality. NSK production workers are con- stantly improving their skills, with more-experienced workers providing colleagues comprehensive training. Quality focus includes environment Looking at its mission from a broader perspective, NSK also demonstrates a strong commitment to minimizing environmental impacts of its manufac- turing, distribution, sales and support systems. The company has achieved the ISO 14001 environmental manage- ment standard, with the certification earned from what is considered one of the strictest certificate authorities, TUV CERT in Germany. Achieving the ISO 14001 standard required the design of a comprehensive environ- mental management system and an environmental plan encompassing the company’s future vision. Other certifications NSK has earned include: EN 46001 (stricter guarantee of quality for medical apparatus in Europe; ISO 13485 (another Interna- tional standard); MDD (93/42/EEC) (European accreditation); and ISO 9001 (the international standard of a guarantee of quality). Again, control of product-develop- ment comes into play, with the com- pany modifying processes to save energy and minimize waste at every step of research, development, manu- facturing, sales, delivery and support. The company does not use environ- mental load chemicals such as chlo- rofluorocarbons. It has a recycling system that achieves a 97 percents recycling rate for cutting oil, used pri- marily in metal cutting. Again, control of its entire manufacturing process enables the company to focus on envi- ronmentally friendly materials at the earliest stages of design and develop- ment in complement with a focus on durability and energy efficiency. A tradition of innovation NSK’s total quality control, end-user focus and track record have earned it a global reputation for innovative advancements in dentistry products. Recently, these advancements include an ultrasonic scaler and tooth polisher; bone-cutting instru- ments that employ ultrasonic tech- nologies; a mass-produced all-tita- nium handpiece body; air turbines with a unified inner race and rotor shaft to achieve vibration-free and silent operation; and the S-Max pico, an ultra-miniature-head handpiece (currently the world’s smallest) for better access and patient comfort. It adds up to a strong reputation for reliability, responsiveness and high- value contributions to advancements in patient care across all dental sec- tors, including implant treatment, laboratory techniques, general den- tistry and endodontic treatment. DT NSK President and COO Eiichi Nakanishi and U.S.- region headquarters in Hoffman Estates, Ill. (Photos/ Provided by NSK Dental LLC) NSK Dental LLC 1800 Global Parkway Hoffman Estates, IL 60192 (800) 585-4675 info@nskamericacorp.com www.nskamerica.com (Source: NSK Dental LLC) AD