Sometimes we don’t realize there’s a solution out there – because we haven’t identified that there is a “problem.” Problems are not always broken parts and shut-down production lines; sometimes they’re just a small part of your operation that is slowing you down little by little, leading to greater losses in the long term. Small modifications in your plant can lead to increase in efficiency and accuracy – and therefore profit.
Success Story
Industry – Glass
Region – Central Pennsylvania
Cost Savings – $13,356
Problem
The customer had a machine in the plant that feeds sheets of glass between rollers, a dial indicator verifying the thickness of the glass passing through. Employees were having a hard time reading the small, unclear device – and they were spending too much time having to move from their position in the production line in order to check it.
Solution
ErieTec provided an encoder with output linked to a large, clear meter that could be read and understood by the operator without them having to leave their position, saving time and reducing error.
Savings Calculation
Elimination of movement by the operator saved 2.5 hours weekly x $18/ hour = $2,340 annually. If you subtract the cost of the solution ($658) from that, you get a net savings of $1,682. With eight machines in production, that equates to $13,356 per year in net savings. (Note: There would be additional savings from reduction of mistakes, but that is far less calculable and therefore not included in the calculations.)