Dr. Kakuro Amasaka - Production Engineering - Best Academic Researcher Award

Aoyama Gakuin University/Graduate school of Science and Engineering - Japan

Author Profile

🎓 Early academic pursuits

Dr. Kakuro Amasaka began his academic journey with a bachelor of engineering degree from hachinohe national college of technology, japan, in 1968. later, his passion for precision and quality led him to earn a doctor of engineering degree from hiroshima university in 1997, specializing in precision mechanical and system engineering, statistics, and quality control. his early commitment to scientific rigor and systems thinking laid the foundation for his significant influence on production engineering and power electronics applications.

🏢 Professional endeavors

Dr. Amasaka's illustrious career started at toyota motor corporation in 1968. over nearly three decades, he held diverse roles such as engineer and manager across production engineering, quality assurance, overseas engineering, manufacturing, and total quality management (tqm) promotion divisions. from 1998 to 2000, he served as general manager of the tqm promotion division. in 2000, he transitioned to academia as a professor at aoyama gakuin university's college and graduate school of science and engineering in tokyo, and has been professor emeritus since 2016.

🔬 Contributions and research focus

Dr. Amasaka has contributed significantly to the advancement of modern manufacturing principles. he developed new paradigms such as science sqc (statistical quality control), science tqm, new jit (just-in-time), and the new manufacturing theory, all grounded in deep customer science principles. his research also bridges kansei engineering, numerical simulation, cae, product r&d, and Production Engineering global supply chain management. in his work, innovations in power electronics have been integrated into quality and production system modeling, enhancing precision and efficiency in both theory and practice.

🌍 Impact and influence

His impact extends globally through academic societies and leadership roles. he has been a key figure in organizations like the japanese society for quality control, production and operations management society (poms), and european operations management association (euroma). notably, he served as vice chairman and later president of the japanese operations management Production Engineering and strategy association. his influence in power electronics has informed control systems development and real-time simulation in advanced quality frameworks worldwide.

🏅 Academic citations and honors

Dr. Amasaka’s scholarly output includes numerous influential papers and technical innovations. he has received 72 patents related to production systems and quality control technologies. notable awards include the aichi invention encouragement prize (1991), multiple nikkei quality control literature prizes, statistical quality control prize (1976), and the higashi kuninomiya Production Engineering culture and peace prizes. additionally, he received the albert nelson marquis achievement award (2017) and the best researcher award (2022) from sciencefather, further solidifying his legacy.

🌱 Legacy and future contributions

Dr. Amasaka’s work has created a lasting framework for future engineers and researchers to follow. his integration of systems thinking, quality engineering, and customer-centric design continues to guide modern manufacturing disciplines. the principles he introduced, especially within science tqm and science sqc, remain essential in optimizing not only traditional production systems but also in emerging areas such as sustainable engineering and power electronics-enabled smart manufacturing. as a mentor, researcher, and innovator, he continues to shape the academic and industrial landscapes.

Notable Publications

Title: Revolutionary Automobile Production Systems for Optimal Quality, Efficiency, and Cost
Author: Kakuro Amasaka
Journal/Publisher: Book published by IGI Global
Title: Examining a New Automobile Global Manufacturing System
Author: Kakuro Amasaka
Journal/Publisher: Book published by IGI Global

Early academic pursuits 🎓

Zepeng Niu embarked on his academic journey at xi'an university of architecture and technology, where he earned a bachelor's degree in engineering in june 2018. his dedication to mechanical and electrical engineering led him to pursue a master’s degree at the same institution later that year. showing exceptional academic promise, he was selected in september 2019 for a direct doctoral program under the supervision of associate professor wang gengxiang. currently in his second year as a phd student, zepeng is delving deeply into the dynamics of flexible multibody systems and collision dynamics.

Professional endeavors 🛠️

During his doctoral studies, zepeng has contributed to advancing knowledge in mechanical and collision dynamics through collaborative research with esteemed professors and researchers. his work emphasizes both theoretical innovation and practical applications, particularly in multibody system dynamics. by engaging with cutting-edge problems in his field, he has positioned himself as a dedicated scholar with a focus on addressing engineering challenges.

Contributions and research focus 🔍

zepeng's research centers on flexible multibody system dynamics and collision dynamics, two critical areas in mechanical engineering. his significant contributions include developing improved analytical models and methodologies to address nonlinear behaviors in granular systems. his work has led to the creation of new Mechanical Engineering coefficients of restitution and enhanced methods like the improved craig–bampton approach, which have wide-ranging applications in durability and performance analysis of mechanical systems.

Accolades and recognition 🏅

zepeng’s contributions have been recognized through several impactful publications in prestigious journals such as mechanism and machine theory and powder Mechanical Engineering technology. his co-authored works introduce groundbreaking models for contact dynamics and analytical approaches to multibody systems. these accomplishments underline his growing reputation in the academic and engineering communities.

Impact and influence 🌍

zepeng's research has a transformative impact on understanding and predicting the behavior of complex mechanical systems. his innovative approaches to collision dynamics and multibody interactions are pivotal in advancing the durability and efficiency of engineered systems. his findings contribute not only to academia but Mechanical Engineering also to industries reliant on precise modeling and analysis.

Legacy and future contributions 🔮

as a promising researcher, zepeng niu is poised to leave a lasting legacy in mechanical engineering. his dedication to solving complex problems in dynamics and his innovative methodologies ensure his work will continue to influence the field. with a strong foundation and a forward-thinking approach, he is set to inspire future advancements in multibody system dynamics and beyond.

Notable Publications

Title: Analysis of Nonphysical Attraction Force and New Coefficient of Restitution Based on a Nonlinear Viscoelastic Contact Model in Cohesionless Granular System
Authors: Wang, G., Niu, Z., Cheng, F., Pan, Y.
Journal: Mechanism and Machine Theory, 2024, Vol. 203, Article 105821

Title: Improved Craig–Bampton Method Implemented into Durability Analysis of Flexible Multibody Systems
Authors: Wang, G., Niu, Z., Feng, Y.
Journal: Actuators, 2023, Vol. 12(2), Article 65