FLATS was created in the classroom of an abandoned elementary school in the mountainous area of the Kunisaki Peninsula in the northeastern part of Oita Prefecture, and traveled around the world. The Kunisaki Peninsula is the birthplace of Shinto Buddhist practice, where a unique mountain Buddhist culture flourished from the Nara period to the Heian period. FLATS is created in the midst of the sacred climate and the relaxing time of the lush green satoyama where nature and humans coexist.
FLATS has two main features. One is that you can freely create forms. The computer-designed parts are cut one by one by a miniature laser machine. Since no molds are required, small-lot production is possible, and the process from design to prototyping and commercialization can be performed in a short period of time. In addition, since the model can be scaled freely, it is possible to produce scaled-down miniatures and large structures. Taking advantage of the features of FLATS, we are developing a miniature craft series. Starting with the animals of the zodiac, we make various characters, dinosaurs, and airplane models.
Another feature of FLATS is that it can be used with a wide variety of materials. Paper, wood, acrylic, metal, and any other plate that can be cut by a laser can be used as a material. In particular, the variety of paper materials can be dramatically expanded by gluing colored paper and printed paper together.