TODA RACING Co., Ltd.

TODA RACING Co., LTD is focused on parts manufacturing, prototyping, and test stands mainly for racing.
We continue to undertake challenges with the motto of “Transforming Automotive Dreams into Reality” and satisfy customers with surprise and sentiment that exceed expectations.

TODA RACING Co., Ltd.

Since its original establishment, TODA RACING Co., Ltd. has been involved in motorsports through many different projects including engine development and the in-house manufacturing of motorsports parts, with motors and inverters now also being manufactured in-house. TODA RACING Co., Ltd. is additionally engaged in a wide range of businesses that includes contract work such as prototyping and research-development vehicles, test businesses, and more. In this interview, we spoke to the chairman and founder Mr. Yukio Toda, as well as Mr. Kengo Toda, who recently assumed the position of president as of February, 2021.

Engaged in a wide range of vehicle-related businesses with a primary focus on motorsports.

Could you first tell us about the businesses that your company is involved in?

Chairman:
We deal mainly in motorsports; development, manufacturing and sales related to vehicles such as racing engines, motors, inverters, and parts. We are also involved in contract work for prototyping and research-development vehicles as commissioned by OEM and parts manufacturers. Recent undertakings have been the development and manufacturing of test devices for manufacturers and universities. Next year, we plan on expanding our test buildings to accommodate various tests, as we’re seeing increases in the number of cases using test machines. Since we use a lot of electricity, this means that we’re currently in a situation where we don’t have enough test rooms. With expansions to test buildings, however, we anticipate being able to try many more things.

So you’re steadily making expansions to your businesses then? It would seem that, looking at your website, you’re also engaging in sales overseas.

President:
We are indeed involved in contracts with sales agents in each country, focusing on motor sports racing parts.

Motorsports certainly means having customers the world over. So you’re engaged in a wide ranges of businesses from research, development to verification, and even testing. We imagine that you’ll also be taking on many other challenges in the future.

50 years in manufacturing; Through technologies accumulated over this period, our strengths lie in research-development, manufacturing, analysis with actual machines, and testing, all made possible in-house. Simulations are used as a “virtual test bench”.

And as of 2021, it’s your 50th year since your company was originally established. Congratulations. We’re under the impression that you’ve undertaken many different challenges within that time. Looking back, what are your thoughts on this? If there’s anything in particular that has commanded your attention, we’d be grateful to hear it.

Chairman:
As we mentioned before regarding the nature of our company’s businesses, we’ve been involved in everything vehicle-related since our establishment right up until the present day. We are rather particular when it comes to how to proceed with manufacturing. From parts manufacturing and engine development, to present-day motor manufacturing, we now do everything in-house. Performing simulations, prototyping, and test machine development entirely in-house are our strengths. With tests, even in the event of differences with simulation calculations, we can quickly analyze whatever issue has gone wrong. We see exactly where the problem lies, whether that be a bad simulation method, or measurement method, or manufacturing method. We additionally cannot analyze these factors through measurements alone. These are confirmed with simulations, then further reflected onto the design.

So JMAG users may be using JMAG for design purposes. Although we at JSOL refer to it otherwise as a “virtual test bench”, JMAG may also be used for verification purposes.
We see JMAG as an instrument of measurement in a virtual environment, verifying from a different perspective prior to prototyping, then proposing for manufacturing how to reduce the need for prototyping as much as possible.
In the event that, at your company, the measurement results of a prototype machine are different to what was expected, there may be times where it is not possible to know what exactly caused those results from the actual machine measurements. We understand that the process is to return to simulations and clarify the phenomenon, then come up with countermeasures and reflect those onto the design, and create prototypes again.

Chairman:
Yes, the motor is important too, but also of particular importance is the engine. It is very important to develop and manufacture an engine that is clean, as well as resistant to disasters and excelling in durability. While trends at the moment are EV and electrification, engines have merits all of their own. We are also looking at various provisions to be made against disasters, and the development of clean engines such as with hydrogen.
In terms of motors, we also handle motors used for drones, and are even looking to flying car.

The factors in deciding to finally introduce JMAG were that it is produced here in Japan, and was recommended by reliable colleagues.

You’ve been using JMAG for five years now since its original introduction to your company in 2016. At its first introduction to your company, how did you come to know about JMAG? And could you also tell us what brought you to introduce JMAG initially?

Chairman:
Well, we’d originally known about JMAG for quite some time. We first heard about it from a study group known as OVEC in Okayama. We originally started motor development just as a hobby some 10 years ago, but we weren’t using any tools in particular. It was 10 years ago that we also took part in the development of in-wheel motors at the Okayama Vehicle Engineering Center for the next EV (OVEC). That’s where we began considering business in motor development. If our company was to undertake motor design for other companies as a business, we thought that both testing and analysis would become necessary. As so to improve on accuracy, we then decided to introduce simulation software. We of course compared various different simulation software, but in discussion with the many experts around us, it was JMAG that was recommended if we ever wanted to make anything decent. It was JMAG’s high accuracy, and the fact that it’s developed here in Japan, that were the deciding factors in introducing it to our company.
That being said, we soon had some difficulties because we weren’t able to operate it intuitively. While we recognized that JMAG had a wealth of functions, such as setting points and results analysis, we did however feel that things were just a bit confusing. Training people takes time. Considering the hours of work involved, we’d like to see some sort of interface that’s slightly easier for beginners to understand. We imagine this to be something like a kind of navigation device.

Thank you very much for your feedback. We would like to consider a kind of wizard-style interface for this purpose in the future.

The development of test machines is also carried out simultaneously, with actual measurements and simulations repeated. One effect of using simulations is that analysis results can be reflected onto the design.

What kind of effects have you felt after introducing JMAG?

Chairman:
We deal with a variety of different motor types. Not just IM or IPM, but also axial gap motors, among others. It’s not just their performance, but also their durability and how easy they are to manufacture that we need to investigate.
We are therefore simultaneously developing test machines and repeating actual measurements and simulations. If results don’t match, then we investigate that the problem might be due to something in the simulation, measurement, or manufacturing method. Factor analysis can’t be done just with measurements alone. It is only because of the introduction of simulations that we are able to reflect analysis results onto the design.

With this amount of work though, surely the hours of labor involved must be rather high. Around how many employees does your company have at the moment? How many are in charge of analysis?

President:
We have 48 employees. 10 of those are in charge of analysis which includes analysis other than that of JMAG. Analysis targets are everything related to vehicles. This includes engines, motors, inverters, ECU, and transmissions, etc. Because we have one person dealing with various different things, this means that we always have someone in charge performing simulations.

We’ve been receiving an increasing number of queries related to axial gap motors for some time now. While we think that this is a motor type with an enormous amount of potential depending on its application, we’re aware that there still aren’t that many examples in the way of commercialization.

Chairman:
We are, as an R&D initiative, currently investigating various different motor types in accordance with their application.
We have our own test patterns, and with the results of those tests we determine suitability for each application, and convert this into data.
In certain applications, axial gap motors also have a significantly high performance. We think that we’ll be seeing more of them around the world in the future.

So you have four employees using JMAG, but how do you go about in-house education, and sharing information?

President:
Analysis content is various. As a result, it’s not summarized as material in any procedural documents. Those in charge will check the analysis models and provide advice on settings and numerical values, etc. In addition, there’s many regional seminars that have been held before, and more recently, even online seminars. We participate in these and collect information related to analysis. We’re very grateful that even if long distances are involved, the increase of online content means that we can also use this for in-house education.

When designing traction motors, examining heat and cooling is essential. Of particular importance is modeling contact thermal resistance.

We would next like to ask you for an example of actually using JMAG. This question regards modeling contact thermal resistance as mentioned in the presentation content from when you participated in the JMAG Users Conference 2020. It’s essential to examine heat and cooling when designing traction motors. And as so to evaluate heat dissipation, contact thermal resistance needs to be modeled. On the other hand, we’re aware that estimating contact thermal resistance can prove difficult even with theoretical calculations. How is contact thermal resistance modeled in analysis?

President:
Well, our company has plenty of experience in thermal evaluation for engines. This means that we’ve also accumulated experience in modeling methods for contact thermal resistance.
The example that we provided at the JMAG Users Conference was with our collaborative research with the Industrial Technology Center of Okayama Prefecture. Two slots are cut out from the stator core, and the contact thermal resistance is actually measured which is then reflected onto the model.

Is this actually measured for each motor?

President:
Not for each motor, no. The contact thermal resistance is measured for each motor type, then stored in the database.
In the event of any minor changes to the same type of motor, we refer to this database and reuse it.

JMAG Users Conference 2020 Presentation Content

Presentation title:
Presentation overview:
Our company provides total support from motor design and development to prototyping and evaluation, with test machines included. In consideration of cooling to improve the performance of in-vehicle motors, thermal fluid analysis with simulations is crucial. In 2019, heat distribution was obtained from JMAG, mapped in the similarly domestic software scFLOW, and then handled in an electromagnetic field thermal fluid coupled analysis. As an additional second phase to this, coupled analysis was performed on the actual model, and detailed analysis results were verified and optimized.

Figure: The thermal fluid analysis results of coupled analysis from electromagnetic field analysis results with a detailed model (temperature distribution)Figure: The thermal fluid analysis results of coupled analysis from electromagnetic field analysis results with a detailed model (temperature distribution)

A future endeavor we’d like to challenge is optimization.

Is there anything that you would like to try with JMAG, or any challenges you’d like to take on in the future?

President:
We’re thinking that we’d like to use optimization even more in the future. In addition, with JMAG-Express Online, we’ve heard that we can run coupled analysis with Romax vibration analysis taking the lead. So we’d also like to start our front-loading initiatives for vibration analysis.

Do you have any particular requests in regards to JMAG?

Chairman:
We do. A couple, in fact.
・We’d like to import and export CAD I/F using STEP, rather than SAT.
・When opening files with JMAG-Express, past projects (templates) don’t appear. We feel that it’s a little impractical needing to specify folders each and every time. If possible, we’d like to see this improved.

President:
The reality is linkage with overseas software, and that large amounts of tools are integrated with a number of overseas vendors. We hope that JMAG will also interface with those tools.

Thank you very much. Our company will certainly be taking your feedback into consideration.

There are still many things we’d like to accomplish. There really is a pure enjoyment to be found in working on creating with talented people.

Now, for our last question. If you have any particular expectations for JMAG in the future, we’d be thrilled to hear them.

Chairman:
In recent years, regardless of manufacturing field, I feel that Japan has lagged behind the rest of the world. What we’d like is for JMAG to continue doing its very best as a domestic manufacturer.

Yes, we’d like to continue pushing forward with our utmost best.
You mentioned earlier, by the way, that when it comes to implementing optimization, it is absolutely necessary to have a calculator. We think that it would be a good idea to involve whole regions regarding this. For example, collaboration with the Industrial Technology Center of Okayama Prefecture which you’re associated with. With your company already working so well together with other companies, what are your thoughts on this?

Chairman:
We have a great deal of many things that we’d still like to try. We’re constantly thinking about all kinds of ideas. For inverters, for example, we engage in conversation with employees who specialize in inverters, and mix in the good ideas. The same is true for outside the company. By making connections with others capable of doing what we are not, we are inspired, gain trust in that connection, and therefore forge a win-win relationship. There is certainly a pure kind of enjoyment to be found in being able to work with talented people. We too are very grateful for the measurement and analysis technology of the Industrial Technology Center of Okayama Prefecture.

Today we’ve really gotten a feel for the history of your company since its founding, engaged in some deep discussion based on your wealth of experience and knowledge, and heard plenty on your stance and commitment to future challenges. We’ve found this talk to be very valuable. Thank you very much for your participation.

TODA RACING TEAM activity

Between August 27 and 29, 2021, The TODA RACING TEAM participated in the 5th tournament of the all-Japan Super Formula Lights Championship, positioning 1st three consecutive times in Round 13/14/9, resulting in a total victory. We very much look forward to all your other victories in the future.
Super Formula Lights 

TODA RACING TEAM activity

Interviewee

Yukio Toda
Chairman
Yukio Toda
Kengo Toda
President
Kengo Toda
Company name:
TODA RACING Co., Ltd.
Establishment:
Feb. 1st, 1971
Address:
640-1 Naka, Yakage-cho, Oda-gun, Okayama 714-1215, JAPAN
Chairman:
Yukio Toda
President:
Kengo Toda
Number of employees:
48
Business description:
  • Developments, manufacturing, and sales of racing parts
  • Developments, manufacturing, and sales of racing engines
  • Developments, manufacturing, and sales of automobile parts
  • Research and development of engine combustion efficiency, reducing fuel consumption, and lowing emissions
  • Manufacturing and sales of teststand
  • Developments, manufacturing, and sales of automobile in-wheel motors and onboard motors
  • Manufacturing of aircraft parts
  • Manufacturing of industrial machineries
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