The Challenge – Equipment Engineering
Client: Confectionary Manufacturer
Objective: Production time needed to be decreased by increasing machine handling and collation ability.
A leading confectionary manufacturer had seasonal piece candies that were being packaged in small, 2 oz. cartons.
- The production cycle for this seasonal product was currently three-and-a-half months due to
packaging limitations. - Our client aimed to increase carton handling and collation ability from 250 to 400+ per minute to drive down production time to two months.
- Additionally, the client wanted to reduce overall packaging costs with the new solution.
Our Solution
Improved random input and constant output collation device design and designed a servo-driven carton overhead gap-phasing device.
- This new device was critical to maintaining a smooth operation and maximizing the throughput of the random input, constant output collation machine.
The Results
Sterling’s solution helped drive down production time and enabled the Manufacturing Manager to meet his objectives:
- The reduction in production time resulted in a 60% decrease in packaging costs and a 15% increase in cash flow.
- Cutting the packaging time to 2 months.
Project Duration
10 Weeks
Project Size
Design $52K
Project Team
2 Engineers