Here is a behind-the-scene story of developing “Pearlest”, a compact rice mill for inspection released in 2016.
We implemented an interview with Mr. K who was a responsible person in charge of this model in the early stage and also an interview with Mr. I who was a responsible person in the late stage.

Editorial staff (hereafter called ES): This model, the compact rice mill, “Pearlest” is a model changed from “Pearlest” that has been used by farmers all over Japan, isn’t it? Tell us what is the model, first of all.

I: The first “Pearlest” was released in 1974. The model was fully changed this time through minor changes such as manufacturing method and color change.
   This model is a machine to polish a little amount of brown rice as its name implies.

First Pearlest

ES: Milling of a little bit of rice is not putting a bunch of brown rice into a milling machine performed at a rice store or a supermarket …

I: The amount of polishable rice at a time is approximately 10 grams with use of the model, and therefore, it is a delicate rice mill to prepare an inspection sample to be used with a measurement device only for quality control.

What is important is to remain unchanged

ES: What part do you intend to change at model change?

I: We believed it was the most important not decide parts to be changed but to strictly keep unchanged parts. Fortunately, the first Pearlest was used by many people and even at agricultural product inspection sites. Therefore, polishing level as a matter of course and polishing time should be equal between new and old Pearlest models, which is our basic concept.

ES: Do you mean it is unchanged model change?

I: I mean unchanged polishing result is a major premise.
  We have significantly changed the model internally and the appearance has also been changed.

(To “Pearlest” Part 2)