Application of Selected Methods in Process Improvement

Abstract

As customer needs and expectations change, and as competitive pressures and technological advances increase, organisations are forced to continuously improve their products and processes. The use of quality management methods and tools stimulates organisations to analyse customer requirements, to define the processes that contribute to the creation of a customer-acceptable product, and to keep these processes under control. The present paper deals with improving the manufacturing process of conveyor sorting belts, specifically the problem of opening joints on CSC belts. By forming a team and their joint efforts, the root causes of the problem in the CSC belt manufacturing process were identified using the Ishikawa diagram and action plan, and several corrective measures were proposed. The root causes that were likely related to the occurrence of the joint opening problem on the CSC belts prior to its detection include: hiring new staff for the LBWC department, purchasing four new Fonmar ALFA heat presses, rebuilding the Rodder & Piller die-cutting equipment, changing the way the belt joints are cut, implementing an unwinding system on the Rodder & Piller equipment, and changing the pressing parameters. Among the deficiencies found in connection with the monitored process are: uneven shape of the cut teeth, life of the strips - dynamic tests, presence of polyurethane in the joint. Corrective measures taken include: use of modular roller belt, inspection of joints using work lights. These corrective measures have also been implemented, with verification validating these measures.