Original Date: 05/12/1997
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

By combining teamwork, state-of-the-art equipment, and the Cincron computer program, Cincinnati Milacron developed a highly-efficient Quality Assurance system. The system’s goal is to eliminate defective parts being shipped to assembly and reduce the dependency on final inspections. Various quality assurance procedures (e.g., temperature control, hydraulic fluid temperature control, fixturing) were implemented into the system. Cincinnati Milacron determined that in-process control and final inspection procedures could be performed by a factory floor team. However, axis alignment was a complicated process which required a machine to be taken out of service for an extended period of time. Further complicating this process was the difficultly in reliably predicting when axes needed alignment and verifying correct alignments afterwards. To resolve this situation, Flexible Machining Cell (FMC) teams and the Research and Development Department developed an artifact suitable for a high production process.

Permanently mounted on a pallet, the artifact (Figure 2-3) has six locating pads and two strategically-located bored holes which provide data in three planes. Cincinnati Milacron also developed a procedure to ensure that data entered into the Cincron control system was accurately collected from the artifact. A baseline is established through laser alignment and a probe of the artifact. The artifact is then probed daily and its data is compared to the baseline. If the machine exceeds the established tolerance limits, then it is realigned.

The artifact has improved the quality and accuracy of the Quality Assurance system. As a result, Cincinnati Milacron decreased defective parts being shipped to assembly by 9% during a one-year period, and greatly reduced the dependency on final inspections.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.