Designing and building machines can be a challenging project especially when the suppliers and internal processes are not properly aligned. Aligning these resources can often be the greatest challenge especially when trying to keep a large project within budget. MeadWestvaco has successfully met this challenge and during this exercise has discovered this type of success greatly depends upon the capabilities of the supplier.
One particular supplier capability that helps MeadWestvaco achieve this alignment is the configurable component. Suppliers that have configurable components offer greater design and build flexibilities and cost savings than the typical custom component supplier. Configurable components allow the engineer to specify the critical dimensions of the component through various design parameters. The configurable component offers the best of both worlds as it combines the reliability, price and lead times of a stocked component with the design flexibilities of a custom component.
Michael F. Flagg, P.E., Senior Design Engineer for the Consumer Solutions Group at MeadWestvaco explained how the configurable component concept meets his business model so perfectly. “MeadWestvaco is committed to continuous innovation, collaboration and quality so we are always looking for new ways to improve the efficiencies of our projects,” said Flagg. He further explained that configurable component supplier MISUMI USA, Inc. first explained the benefits of the concept. “After seeing an advertisement for MISUMI in a trade magazine I requested a catalog and shortly thereafter Don Schmeltzer, Senior Account Manager for MISUMI visited my facility and presented the configurable component concept to my entire staff and we were immediately interested in this concept,” explained Flagg.
Engineers at MeadWestvaco build metric machines and after studying the MISUMI web site and catalog, realized they could configure MISUMI components in millimeter increments. In addition, MeadWestvaco engineers can download native CAD files from the web site and insert these files directly into the machine drawing. Ordering the component is also an efficient process as part numbers, pricing and manufacturing times are published in the catalog and at the web site. In addition, MISUMI configurable components feature no minimum ordering quantities and no set-up charges for the entire product portfolio.
From an engineering perspective the benefits of utilizing MISUMI configurable components are many. “We found that we could improve the performance, modularity and repeatability of our machines all while lowering cost,” explained Flagg. As Flagg further elaborated this was a very significant development for their company as it has made his job easier and has improved the machines his team builds as well. Flagg then noted “We used to avoid using machined mechanical components, such as machined linear shafts because they were too expensive however with MISUMI we can configure machined linear shafts exactly how we need them at a fraction of the costs.” Additionally Flagg explained how MeadWestvaco would use Zinc plating for their mechanical components because it was less expensive plating however with the low cost of MISUMI components they have been able to upgrade to Nickel plating, which has increased the performance and durability of their machines.
Flagg decided to try MISUMI by retrofitting one of MeadWestvaco’s most popular machines with MISUMI configurable mechanical components. The machine chosen was the Duodozen® 1250 series machine. According to the MeadWestvaco web site “This machine series is the new standard for versatility in multiple packaging and can efficiently package multiple-height and variable-diameter primary containers. As part of its systems approach, Packaging Systems created the 1250M series to offer customers a flexible and affordable solution for running large multiples in an end-load solution.” Flagg explained that using MISUMI Configurable Mechanical Factory Automation Components on the Duodozen 1250 series machine has reduced the mechanical factory automation component cost by 50%. “This is huge,” exclaimed Flagg, “We not only cut cost for one of our most popular machines but using MISUMI has opened up new design possibilities as we can now have a reliable supplier providing top quality machined components quickly and at a very low cost and enables us to configure them to our specifications…amazing.”
MeadWestvaco was so impressed with the cost savings and design enhancements that the MISUMI configurable component brought to the Duodozen 1250 series machine that Flagg is now encouraging his colleagues to design machines using MISUMI as the exclusive mechanical component supplier. “It just makes too much sense,” stated Flagg. This includes an array of mechanical components such as MISUMI linear shafts, linear bushings, shaft collars, rotary shafts, cantilever shafts, square posts, hexagonal posts, angle plates, machined plates, chains, belts, sprockets, couplings, pulleys, splines, washers, levers, handles, strut clamps and plungers.
When designing with MISUMI components from the start Flagg has noticed how this has advanced the design possibilities per machine. “These components arrive beautifully machined and ready for use so the application uses are endless,” said Flagg. MeadWestvaco engineers have found MISUMI components to be cost efficient so they are able to push the design envelope and try different ideas. “Due to the low cost of MISUMI components we can have more trial and error in the design and engineer the best machine possible,” noted Flagg, “Before MISUMI we had to stay with very strict design guidelines in order to stay within budget, but now we can obtain beautifully machined mechanical components and use these in all areas of the machine.” Flagg went on to explain how his engineers are finding new applications for MISUMI components. “We use MISUMI T-Nuts for strip nuts and use the Rails for Sensors product for bracket applications,” Flagg explained. The result is better machine performance, modularity, repeatability all at a lower cost.
MeadWestvaco has earned the confidence of many of the world's most trusted brands and is admired as a leader and pioneer in the packaging industry. This is due to its talented engineers who are dedicated to designing and building the best machines possible. As Flagg explained, “Thanks to MISUMI configurable components we are advancing the design and performance of our machines and are better able to serve the increasing needs of our customers.” This has created a new partnership between MeadWestvaco and MISUMI that will set the pace of the packaging industry for many years to come.
Michael F. Flagg, P.E., Senior Design Engineer for the Consumer Solutions Group at MeadWestvaco said “We used to avoid using machined mechanical components, such as machined linear shafts because they were too expensive however with MISUMI we can configure machined linear shafts exactly how we need them at a fraction of the costs.”
MeadWestvaco was so impressed with the cost savings and design enhancements that the MISUMI configurable component brought to the Duodozen 1250 series machine that Michael F. Flagg, P.E., Senior Design Engineer for the Consumer Solutions Group at MeadWestvaco, is now instructing his engineers to design machines using MISUMI as the exclusive mechanical component supplier.
When designing with MISUMI components from the start Michael F. Flagg, P.E., Senior Design Engineer for the Consumer Solutions Group at MeadWestvaco, has noticed how this has advanced the design possibilities per machine. “These components arrive beautifully machined and ready for use so the application uses are endless,” said Flagg.
About MeadWestvaco Corporation
MeadWestvaco Corporation (NYSE: MWV) provides packaging solutions to many of the world’s most-admired brands in the food and beverage, media and entertainment, personal care, home and garden, cosmetics, and healthcare industries. The company has market-leading positions in its Consumer & Office Products and Specialty Chemicals businesses, and operates in more than 30 countries. MeadWestvaco manages all of its forestlands in accordance with internationally recognized forest certification standards, and has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the fourth consecutive year. For more information, please visit us at www.meadwestvaco.com.
About MISUMI USA, Inc.
Located in Schaumburg, Illinois, MISUMI USA, Inc. was established in 1988 as a subsidiary of Japan based MISUMI Corporation. MISUMI USA, Inc. is a leading supplier of configurable and fixed components for factory automation. In addition, MISUMI USA, Inc. offers a range of press and plastic die components, cutting tools, and gauges.
MISUMI is known globally for factory automation components that are configurable, which enables the engineer to specify components through various design parameters. Furthermore, MISUMI is known for never requiring a minimum order quantity or set up charge on a product portfolio of 500,000 metric and inch components. MISUMI helps engineers take the guess work out of design with a 99.95% on-time delivery rating on all its products as well as a helpful web site that allows engineers to download native CAD files as well as place orders for its entire product offering. Visit www.misumiusa.com today to learn more about how MISUMI empowers engineers with configurable components.
|
Using MISUMI configurable mechanical factory automation components on the Duodozen 1250 series machine has reduced the mechanical factory automation component cost by 50%.
Previously MeadWestvaco would use Zinc plating for their mechanical components because it was less expensive plating however with the low cost of MISUMI components they have been able to upgrade to Nickel plating, which has increased the performance and durability of their machines.
Due to cost and performance advantages, MISUMI Handwheels have become a popular item for many Mead Westvaco machines.
MeadWestvaco engineers have found MISUMI components to be cost efficient so they are able to push the design envelope and try different ideas. “Due to the low cost of MISUMI components we can have more trial and error in the design and engineer the best machine possible,” noted Michael F. Flagg, P.E., Senior Design Engineer for the Consumer Solutions Group at MeadWestvaco.
MeadWestvaco engineers found by using MISUMI configurable components they could improve the performance, modularity and repeatability of their machines all while lowering cost.
MeadWestvaco uses a vast array of MISUMI components including linear shafts, linear bushings, shaft collars, rotary shafts, cantilever shafts, square posts, hexagonal posts, angle plates, machined plates, chains, sprockets, couplings, pulleys, splines, washers, levers, handles, strut clamps and plungers.
MeadWestvaco engineers have found MISUMI components to be cost efficient so they are able to push the design envelope and try different ideas. Just some of the MISUMI components used in this application include linear shafts, linear bushings, shaft collars, handles, machined plates, angle plates, bolts and screws.
Engineers at MeadWestvaco build metric machines and after studying the MISUMI web site and catalog, realized they could configure MISUMI components in millimeter increments.
__________________________
MeadWestvaco engineers can download native CAD files from the MISUMI web site and insert these files directly into the machine drawing. Ordering the component is also an efficient process as part numbers, pricing and manufacturing times are published in the catalog and at the web site.
|
