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Design Application
A major manufacturer came to Alexander & Associates with a request to modify a key element of their production equipment. The client had a production line which incorporated a unit used to bond two materials together on a product. The client had developed a new bonding process.
Since the bonding unit was an integral part of the production process, one approach could have been to start from scratch to redesign the entire production line. This would have been a costly and lengthy approach. Instead, Alexander & Associates was asked to retrofit the existing production line in a way that would fully integrate the new bonding process into the existing production unit and yet not sacrifice the integrity and benefits of the new bonding technology.
Alexander & Associates analyzed the overall project and early on identified key design requirements. Alexander & Associates resized bearings, redesigned pivot arms and changed cylinders to accommodate the new equipment. In the end, 90% of the existing equipment was used, the unit was successful in making excellent bonds and retrofit time for installing the new equipment on each of the units in the field was less than a day.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Utilized over 90% of the existing equipment
- Minimized the effects on the existing technology
- Low cost approach to incorporate new technology
- Reduced need for expensive spare parts
- Minimized unit maintenance
