Self-propelled fasteners to simplify assembly of large tents

(Tokyo headquarters: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo; Osaka headquarters: Yodogawa-ku, Osaka; President: Yumi Nomura; hereafter “Taiyo Kogyo”), which is engaged in large-scale membrane structures (tent structures) and civil engineering and logistics materials, is cooperating with YKK Corporation (headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Koichi Matsushima; hereafter “YKK”) in developing a self-propelled fastener (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Koichi Matsushima; hereinafter “YKK”). In a recent experiment, a 5-meter-long membrane was successfully connected by a self-propelled fastener. We also conducted an experiment to connect two air tents, “McQuick Shelter”. Two air tents, each 4 meters deep, were connected with self-propelled fasteners to create a large tent 8 meters deep with the push of a switch on the controller.

In this experiment conducted in February 2025, the self-propelled fasteners developed by YKK were joined to membranes (materials such as tents) commonly used by Taiyo Kogyo. 5-meter high membranes and air tents with a ceiling height of 2.5 meters cannot be connected by human power. However, by using the self-propelled fastener, it was possible to connect them with the push of a button in only 40 to 50 seconds, without relying on human labor.

Taiyo Kogyo has cooperated in the construction of more than 20 pavilions at the Osaka-Kansai Expo, which opened in April 2025, and has constructed large membrane surface structures. The “McQuick Shelter” air tent used in this experiment has a track record of more than 2,700 uses, including medical applications in times of disaster, such as the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Noto Peninsula Earthquake of 2024. Taiyo Kogyo plans to analyze the needs for larger “McQuick Shelter” and propose the full-scale use of self-propelled fasteners. We also plan to continue our development cooperation with a view to utilizing them in Taiyo Kogyo’s “BIG MQ” (Big MQ, pictured right) large air shelter and, in the future, in outer space.

Taiyo Kogyo and YKK will release a video of the experiment on their websites and social networking sites to promote the use of membranes (tents) with self-propelled fasteners.

Experiment February 2025

Development entity YKK Corporation

Experimental cooperation Taiyo Kogyo Corporation

The experiment was successfully conducted.
①Outdoor experiment
A self-propelled fastener was joined to a 5-meter membrane. When the membrane was separated and hung from above and the self-propelled fastener was switched on, the 5-meter membrane was connected in about 40 seconds, and the experiment was a success.
2) Indoor experiment
Two 4m wide x 4m deep x 2.5m high Mc-Quick shelters were joined with self-propelled fasteners. When the self-propelled fastener was switched on, the two tents were connected in approximately 50 seconds, including the ceiling, which was inaccessible by humans.

Experimental release April 24, 2025

Video release URL “Self-propelled zipper” A zipper that can be opened and closed by remote control!
[5 meter membrane ver.] https://youtu.be/hiR0Ldai_jM
[Air tent ver.] https://youtu.be/7qB9P_AZnDM
*Information also available on the following official SNS
X: https://x.com/_ taiyokogyo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taiyokogyo/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taiyokogyo/

The YKK Group operates locally in 70 countries/regions around the world. Fasten” = Fastening, and in the Fastening Business, we manufacture and sell fasteners, double-sided fasteners, buckles, snap fasteners, buttons, and other fastening products. The YKK spirit of “Circle of Goodness” and the management philosophy of “Seeking for Further Corporate Value” are at the core of all of our business activities, and through our core business we are working to realize a sustainable society. We are conducting business activities to realize a sustainable society through our core business.

Taiyo Kogyo is a leading manufacturer of large membrane surface structures that are economical, easy to install, translucent, and well designed. Under the corporate philosophy of “Unlocking the infinite possibilities of membranes to deliver an inspiring and comfortable environment to our customers. Under the corporate philosophy of “We will bring excitement and a comfortable environment to our customers by exploiting the infinite possibilities of membranes,” TSP Taiyo has been supporting the safety and security of society by utilizing the characteristics of light and strong materials to expand its business in various fields including construction, as symbolized by the roof of the giant dome, civil engineering, logistics, and environmental fields.
Together with group companies such as TSP Taiyo Corporation, which provides event consulting services, and ACTIO Corporation, which manages facilities, we are working to “make the world softer and the future warmer. We aim to “make the world soft and the future warm. We aim to “soften the world and warm the future.