Plastics Injection Molding Process Improvement

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate, analyze the strategies that a small plastic injection molding factory uses. It emphasizes process improvement which is aligned with and support the factory's main strategies. The result from this thesis helps factory analyze, improve and monitor changes in business strategy that the company chooses to use as well as the manufacturing strategy. The aim of this framework is to ensure that the long term objectives of the company can be achieved under the trends that the company is evolving into. The principal tools and techniques that have been used in this thesis are Terry Hill's Framework, LEAN ECRS and SMED. The expected benefits from this this improvement framework is the continuous improvement in ability to compete and win in the market by improving on the company strengths. Create a unique customer perception to the compnay's products in order to have deep impact in company image. By applying the framework to the factory operation, the efficiency in the platic injection processes will be improved by eliminating the non-value-added activities. Changes in product varieties and variations can help company prioritizes the limited machine time to the right products. Reduction in machine down time is achieved by applying the Single-Minute Exchange of Dies approach. Work procedures that can help company ensure the sustainable improvement in the future is also proposed.