Sensory Analytics: Case Studies
A Global Producer of Packaging Materials
Product: Fine Paper-board used in food packaging, commercial and decorative containers.
Problem: This client accumulated a large inventory of color defective paper as a result of inefficiencies in change-over between products. Outdated laboratory test equipment provided test results for appearance were available once per reel of paper produced so process variations that influenced color were more or less undetected by hourly lab tests. A large inventory of defective paper accumulated as a result of several claims.
Application: Real time process appearance control.
Solution: Customer installed OptIcons® on-line color controls on three of their different paper machines. Each unique application gave them the ability to understand the dynamics of their process that influenced the color and appearance of their end-product and make corrections in real time.
Result: Process information technology gained by dynamic measurement and control allowed the client to eliminate excess inventory. Residual waste was eliminated in two weeks by recycling (re-pulping) the defective paper. Process information identified attributes that improved color and quality.