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Improving processes
This month I have spent a lot of time working on processes, such as making current processes more efficient and working out new processes to achieve greatest efficiency first time.
In one case, a customer would like us to work on a new product, similar to one we already produce for them. The differences include a smaller island part in the product, smaller overall dimensions and larger quantities. We are working on making the processes better for their current products, as well as creating a whole new process for the new product. This involves identifying ways to improve run times, to reduce the cost for the customer, including looking at the way we process the material and material widths e.g. more utilisation from the log roll.
I have also been working on a brand new project, which I’ve been part of from the start; including design, samples, tooling orders etc. It’s been a good project as it’s not often I get to be involved in the whole process. I’ll be putting the job on to a machine soon to produce first off samples. I’m confident that I’ve designed and ordered everything correctly, but there’s always that apprehension that you may have missed something!
I enjoy running the machines; it can be a nice change sometimes and a new challenge. This month I have done a little more work using the flat-bed die-cutter to create samples. I like to speak with the machine Operators too, to learn from their experience and to ask their thoughts on processes as they can offer good feedback on changes.
I’ve been working a lot with Dave, our R&D Adviser too. It’s good to learn from his experience and he’s helped me a lot with some of my NVQ work, for example maintenance work and hand fitting techniques. One project we worked on was the moving of all gauges in the clean room to one area, to make tracking readings a lot easier. We went through the process step by step so it was all done properly and in a safe manner.
Dave and I also visited one of our machine manufacturers to discuss jobs that require new capability from our equipment. They gave us a tour of their facility which was really interesting; I got to see how our rotary machines are made and what goes into them. It was really useful spending time with them and I enjoyed it.
