Plastics production rides a fine line when the goal of low scrap, high yields and sustainable, repeatable systems are being developed. Without the proper approach, the system can quickly fall into one of two categories: tribulation.. or turmoil. Quite often you will hear old school molders describing their battle for a robust processing system as “fire fighting” in the world of plastic injection molding. In real terms, “fighting fires” on the production floor is a sign of system failure. True molding standards don’t require constant coddling, adjusting, sorting, etc. It is real easy to fall into the trap of applying “Band-Aids” to molding situations when the proper approach should have been……
The weekend comes to an end and the time comes to bring the molding floor back online for the beginning of a new work week. A molder can sometimes dread the tasks associated with a full plant restart. There are many potential failures that can occur as a plant is returned to a production state. Despite these risks, much of the headache can be avoided simply through proper shutdown and start up procedures. The following article addresses many key components that often lead to poor restarts. It also provides insight into some of the methods that can be implemented to not only reduce system breakdowns, but also can offer smoother start-ups with fewer problems…
In lean manufacturing, changeover times are a vital component of shop performance. Minimal down time assures that multiple changeovers have little effect on a plant’s available machine time available. After all, less down time in the production equation offers more opportunities to take on more work and increase company profits. This article outlines specific approaches towards color changes that will support the potential of completing color changeovers in 3 to 7 minutes. This may seem like an impossible task to some, but with the proper planning, methods and equipment, it is an attainable and repeatable goal…..
