Keywords
Citation
(2003), "Worldwide adhesive coating manufacturer uses online measurement system to improve production efficiency and quality control", Assembly Automation, Vol. 23 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/aa.2003.03323baf.009
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2003, MCB UP Limited
Worldwide adhesive coating manufacturer uses online measurement system to improve production efficiency and quality control
Worldwide adhesive coating manufacturer uses online measurement system to improve production efficiency and quality control
Keywords: Infrared, Adhesives, Measurement
NDC Infrared Engineering’s 5203TC-4 system (Plate 7) is being used by Northern Ireland based Perfecseal Ltd to accurately measure adhesive coating thickness and has significantly reduced coatweight variations. Perfecseal Ltd are worldwide experts in adhesive coating for various substrates, including films and papers, providing flexible packaging for medical device and healthcare related markets. The system is helping Perfecseal to achieve more efficient production processes, and meet customer demand for improved quality control.
Plate 7
The NDC Infrared Engineering system helps Perfecseal achieve more efficient
production processes, and meet customer demand for improved quality control
Perfecseal adopted a six sigma business model to help the company evolve product quality and productivity in response to customer demand. Six sigma is a disciplined statistical problem-solving methodology focusing on improving processes toward near-perfect quality. The model identifies where wasteful costs exist and helps identify precise steps to take for improvement. Perfecseal developed a project to evaluate the areas where enhancements in the process would result in overall product quality improvements.
NDC Infrared’s 5203TC-4 system helped Perfecseal to achieve this quality improvement and provide accurate and real time measurements of its adhesive coatings. The system provides closed loop control so as coating thickness can be accurately and quickly adjusted to maintain product quality and consistency. This heightening of process control brings benefits through eliminating waste and also reducing the overall product variability.
“Previously we had no gauging meaning coatweight checking was done manually. Adding NDC Infrared Engineering’s 5203TC-4 system has made an immediate impact on the quality of our products”, commented John Muir, “Black Belt” member of Perfecseal’s six sigma team. “This has been evident through the reduction in scrap, internal product rejection, as well as customer returns. The system has performed well, with dramatic improvement in coating quality which has seen coatweight variations significantly reduced.”
The NDC Infrared Engineering 5203TC-4 system is designed for continuous measurement and display of coating weight. The system has four sensors, which are mounted either down or cross-web to calculate coating weights. The model also features a high-resolution colour CRT and touch screen interface. The CRT continuously displays base, total and net coat weight in real time whilst allowing the operator to alternate between display screens.
For more information contact: James Millard, NDC Infrared Engineering, Bates Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5FA. Tel: +44 (0) 1621852244; Fax: +44 (0) 1621 856180; E-mail: jmillard@ndcinfrared.co.uk