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Container and Packaging Quality ControlTestimonial: Dramatic Reduction in Time for Enlarged Observation |
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Research and Development |
We manufacture
infusion packs (bags) used for drip infusion and deliver them
to a major pharmaceutical manufacturer. We are required to provide
just-in-time delivery, which is to deliver only the number of
items required for production for one day. Because our customers
do business with two or more companies, competition for each
customer is becoming harsher.
We used an optical microscope to analyze quality deficiencies.
Because cutting a bag into small pieces and mounting it on the
stage is required before inspection, it took time before we
could start analysis.
If a defect is found during manufacturing, the production line
is terminated to avoid making defective items continuously.
After locating the cause of the failure, a measure was taken
and then the line was started again. Because manufacturing is
sensitive to subtle variations in conditions, complete elimination
of failures was difficult, and a failure used to occur once
a month on average. Once a failure occurred, approximately 20
manufacturing staff members worked late for 2 days to solve
the problem, and the labor costs were a cause of the increased
manufacturing cost. However, to maintain costcompetitiveness
against our competitors, we could not pass the cost along to
the prices. In other words, the time took for analysis was putting
a direct squeeze on our earnings.
Using the VHX series, observation is possible without cutting
or mounting the bag but simply by aiming the lens onto the subject.
Direct inspection of a defect occurring on the manufacturing
line leads to solving a problem in an early stage and preventing
increased costs. We do not worry about lagging behind delivery
schedule anymore. |
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