Project Snapshot
A client needed to develop a thermally insulated bag for a national online groceries home delivery client. Sterling conducted concept trials to assess product performance and then designed a prototype pilot line to prove process scalability. Sterling designed the machines / mechanisms, managed the fabrication, installation and validation of the pilot line. Sterling produced a full engineering documentation package (including training / troubleshooting & operator training manuals) so that multiple production lines could be built.
Project Challenges
Sterling’s Solution
Sterling’s Results
Sterling was able to provide the technical resources and expertise to execute the R&D and develop a working full-scale production line within 13 months. The various phases of the project were supported by 5 engineers with an engineering budget of $320K and a capital expense budget of $1.6MM.
Sterling provided leadership to assess line loading to determine the number of production lines required based on the limits of the processing speeds. With Sterling Engineering’s strategic alliances, key technologies needed for the process were identified and coordinated to deliver a collaborative design solution, while maintaining the client’s intellectual property.
Sterling performed line loading calculations to determine the process speeds and number of process lines needed to support the annual production demands. Sterling assessed available equipment, specified the technologies to use and the equipment that needed to be designed.
Sterling designed and fabricated a scaled down module to prove the process concept. This proof of concept module was integrated into an existing process line to prove that it could maintain production speeds and to produce enough products for preliminary statistical analysis.
After conducting a proof of concept trial, Sterling designed and fabricated a pilot production line for full scale testing. Testing included validation of maximum production speeds, identification of machine failure modes and optimization of process settings to maximize product quality. Enough product was produced during testing to statistically analyze key product parameters.
After testing the pilot production line, the client wanted to transition it into a production line capable of producing finished goods. Sterling produced a full engineering documentation package including mechanical / electrical drawings, training / troubleshooting manuals and conducted operator / maintenance training.