Location: Memphis, Tenn.
Functional or Operational Area: Press Production Lines
Objective: Reduce maintenance by improving longevity of G6 Liner fingers
Result: Redesigned existing aluminum fingers to incorporate a hardened steel insert which eliminated the weekly replacement of aluminum fingers saving both cost and labor
The G6 Liner supports two press production lines that manufacture completed ends for gallon F-style cans at the Memphis facility. The machine's original aluminum fingers were prone to excessive wear and required weekly replacement, resulting in recurring maintenance costs and downtime.
To address the issue, Ian Hinton, Group Leader, partnered with a local machine shop to develop hardened steel inserts modeled after the finger design used on the facility's G5 Liner. Following several months of operation with no measurable wear, the solution proved successful. The inserts were subsequently installed across both G6 Liners as existing aluminum fingers reached the end of their service life.
The upgraded design maintains the original finger dimensions and weight while significantly improving durability, reducing maintenance requirements, and enhancing equipment reliability.
Key Results and Benefits
- Eliminated the weekly replacement of aluminum fingers.
- Significantly reduced downtime associated with changing and adjusting worn components.
- Reduced maintenance labor requirements.
- Improved equipment reliability and operational efficiency.
- Eliminated the recurring purchase of replacement aluminum fingers.
“The elimination of replacement aluminum fingers has generated a significant annual financial savings, in addition to the substantial operational benefits gained through reduced downtime and maintenance labor, commented Larry Cain, Memphis Plant Manager.
Call to Action
At Mauser, continuous improvement is part of our culture. Since implementation, the Earning Improvement Program (EIP) has been crucial in maintaining our financial stability while enhancing safety, collaboration, efficiency, and sustainability.
Your involvement is essential at every stage of the EIP process, from idea generation to implementation.
We've seen significant value where EIP has been embraced, but there's still untapped potential. Submit your ideas and help implement them to drive Mauser forward. Together, we can make a significant impact.