Members from diverse backgrounds came together to develop the Ploom X through in-house design.
Technology Development
Yuki Masuda
Mechanism design for RRP*
*Reduced-Risk Products: Products with the potential to reduce the health risks associated with smoking
As a mechanism design project leader, I am engaged in the entire range of development from design and prototyping to mass production.
From the time I entered the JT Group in 2019 as an experienced employee up to the present, I have been responsible for mechanism design of heated tobacco devices at a department in charge of RRP* development.
In my first year, I supervised the development of minor changes related to color variations of existing products, and technical follow-ups for models whose development was underway at our overseas base JT International (hereafter “JTI”). I also was temporarily transferred to a design company in the Netherlands to perform work there.
In my second year I began full-scale development of the Ploom X global model in coordination with JTI. I became project leader for mechanism design and started discussions with the planning division and designers for the product in the concept stage, engaging in the full range of development from design and prototyping to mass production. This global model is available for sale worldwide, so even to our company it has the status of being a key product, which led to a lot of pressure due to the various expectations placed on its development by entire our company.
*Reduced-Risk Products: Products with the potential to reduce the health risks associated with smoking
It is precisely because we have a diverse range of specialties that we can apply our individual experience and knowledge to solving issues.
The Ploom X, whose development was promoted in coordination with JTI, was our first internally-designed high-temperature heated tobacco product. Compared to the long history we have in producing cigarettes, it is not an exaggeration to say that we have barely any experience or knowledge of RRP*. The devices for RRP*, whose development has been proceeding rapidly over the past several years, are electronic devices, so their in-house design was a highly challenging task for us.
However, that is exactly what allowed outsiders to the field of tobacco like myself to play active roles in their development.
My previous job was in mechanism design for a manufacturer of car navigation systems and audio. The other members of our development team also had previous design experience and involvement in their former jobs with a wide variety of products such as mobile phones, cameras, and washing machines. This diversity in specialty fields was extremely useful in allowing each of us to apply our individual experience and knowledge toward solving problems during the development of completely new products like the Ploom X.
Incidentally, it is generally undesirable for electronic devices to build up heat within products, but RRP* have the characteristic of actively generating heat. Care must be taken for safety so that their exterior does not become hot, and one of their critical points is creating them to be small in size. Their development faces many obstacles but is also a very interesting challenge to a mechanism designer.
*Reduced-Risk Products: Products with the potential to reduce the health risks associated with smoking
The RRP* market is a new one. If a unique RRP* can become a hit, the market environment is likely to change completely.
The Ploom X, which proceeded through development with an original design by the JT Group, had no established development processes or design rules, but this also allowed us to make design attempts with a high level of freedom.
In the future, it is likely that development processes and design rules will be created as even more sophisticated products are developed. I feel that the chance to be involved with one area of them is a precious and very motivating experience.
Looking toward the still-new RRP* market, if we can create a product with some unique aspect and make it into a hit, I believe that it will change the RRP* market completely. Although doing so will be far from easy, I am dreaming up new ideas every day while hoping to become involved in the development of such revolutionary new products.
*Reduced-Risk Products: Products with the potential to reduce the health risks associated with smoking