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YBM: 25% lower fluid consumption through stable and cost-efficient machining
YBM is an R&D-driven drilling equipment manufacturer serving the environmental, civil engineering, construction, and mining sectors.
How Blaser Swisslube helped the Japanese drilling equipment manufacturer YBM to reduce costs and improve reliability.

For manufacturers operating at the intersection of heavy machinery, environmental responsibility, and operational reliability, process stability is a decisive success factor. At YBM Co., Ltd., optimizing metalworking fluids became a key lever for reducing costs, stabilizing machining operations, and protecting equipment. By working closely with Blaser Swisslube, YBM achieved a 25% reduction in metalworking fluid consumption, significantly lowering total operating costs while improving corrosion protection and machining accuracy.

Aiming for the moon
Headquartered in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture, Japan, YBM is an R&D-driven manufacturer serving the environmental, civil engineering, construction, and mining sectors. Since its founding in 1946, the company has built nearly eight decades of expertise in drilling machinery, ground improvement equipment, and underground technologies. Today, YBM is expanding into advanced fields such as geothermal energy and ultrafine bubble technology, guided by an ambitious long-term vision that even includes sending a drilling machine to the moon by its 100th anniversary.

At the Kishiyama Plant 1, where parts for excavation equipment are produced, YBM had long relied on two different metalworking fluids from other suppliers – one positioned as a premium product and the other as a low-cost option. Neither solution delivered the required stability. Over time, fluid deterioration and rust formation increasingly affected machining precision, component durability, and overall process reliability.

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The YBM Co. Ltd plant in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture, Japan.
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In cooperation with Blaser Swisslube, YBM significantly lowered operating costs while improving corrosion protection and machining accuracy.
B-Cool 9665 stands out
In response, YBM Group Leader Mr. Misaka initiated a thorough evaluation. Over a six-month period, the plant tested metalworking fluids from three different manufacturers under real production conditions. Among the solutions evaluated, Blaser Swisslube’s water-miscible metalworking fluid B-Cool 9665 stood out for its stable machining accuracy, strong corrosion protection, and consistent performance during continuous operation.
Efficient cooling, reduced overall costs
Following implementation, the benefits quickly became measurable. Metalworking fluid consumption dropped by approximately 25 percent, leading directly to lower disposal volumes and reduced overall costs. At the same time, improved fluid stability helped protect machines and workpieces from corrosion, contributing to reliable machining quality in daily production. Today, B-COOL 9665 is used across 21 machines at Kishiyama Plant 1, all dedicated to the production of excavation equipment components.

The success of this introduction soon extended beyond a single site. Encouraged by the results, Group Leader Mr. Nakayama decided to implement the same solution at Kishiyama Plant 3. Looking ahead, YBM expects Blaser Swisslube products to be introduced progressively across additional factories, further aligning processes and simplifying fluid management.

A partnership for productivity
For YBM, the value of the partnership goes beyond the product itself. Regular monitoring visits by Blaser Swisslube specialists, support with total cost simulations for broader rollouts, careful evaluation of machine conditions, and on-site assistance during implementation all contribute to sustained performance. As Mr. Nakayama explains, the guidance provided during monitoring visits – such as adjusting concentration correctly and identifying early signs of fluid deterioration – has been particularly helpful in daily operations.

Future plans already include the introduction of Blasomill 10, a high-performance, low-mist metalworking fluid, at Kishiyama Plant 3. This next step reflects YBM’s ongoing commitment to increasing productivity while reducing environmental impact.

The experience at YBM shows that when metalworking fluids are treated as an integral part of the manufacturing process – a true Liquid Tool – they can actively support cost reduction, stable operations, and efficient resource use.

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