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'5' - '. » 5555551“.T555555 T T' T" '5" T' 4555:5555” " 55'” ""‘.'T ..'..'T.TT' '5' 5’ T": 1.5; 5'5 . - "|' '59‘ _- T" T 5155.15 '55 ' 51,55 "5." ..» 55' '555. "T5 """3' 5555515 5 5555!.‘5'T (“55" T5|55l'|'5555'55"|5"5'T"HTT55'5155555555 " T55 l. .' TI 5 55555 5.5555." 5"...555555.“ 5555*" ' 5 '5 5 :55 55:15“ I'T'5 ‘ TT.'1'»..“rT-T"'T5'>‘5555 ‘5'".‘.'..'....'5"5'”55'525' '5 "'5'" .555 " 5'5555 ' ' 5 . "5555555525 5555555555 '55. 55515555 ..'IT .5‘5 ..m Illjlllllllflljlllfllfllllllfllllflfllflllll THESlS men State University This is to certify that the thesis entitled ACCUMULATION REQUIREMENTS FOR A BOTTLING OPERATION presented by Kimberly J. Caravan has been accepted towards fulfillment of the requirements for M. So degreein Packgirg Mood E. 019W a Major professor ‘ Dr. Hugh Lockhart Datew $5 1 Ai3“: 3 dlav‘ 1 MSU RETURNING MATERIALS: _ place in book drop to LIBRARIES remove this checkout from ‘—_. your record. FINES will be charged if book is returned after the date stamped below. Mi“; 93’ 1999 g litigate» ‘thb ,- - ACCUMULATION REQUIREMENTS FOR A BOTTLING OPERATION by Kimberly Jae Carswell A THESIS Submitted to Michigan State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE SCHOOL OF PACKAGING 1982 ABSTRACT . ACCUMULATION REQUIREMENTS FOR A BOTTLING LINE by Kimberly Jae Carswell Productivity has recently received increased attention in the packaging industry. The use of accumula- tion, once considered a necessary evil is now being considered as a way to increase productivity. This thesis proposes the use of accumulators as a way to increase packaging line productivity by decreasing the labor require- ment of a packaging line, while maintaining the same level of production. Time studies, statistical analysis, and plant space considerations were employed to determine the optimal size of accumulator for a bottling line. It was determined that installation of an accumulator would make it possible to eliminate one position from the line crew. This labor saving justified the cost of the accumulator. The incorporation of an accumulator in the line will reduce the labor requirement of the line thus increasing packaging line productivity. This thesis is dedicated to my parents, Mr. and Mrs. James R. Carswell. Without their continual support and effective encouragement, this thesis would not have been possible. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The author would like to express her appreciation and gratitude to the following individuals: Dr. Hugh Lockhart, School of Packaging, for his advice and guidance as major professor. Dr. James Goff, School of Packaging, for serving as a committee member. Mr. Richard Gonzalez, Graduate School of Business Administration, for serving as a committee member. Mr. Frank A. Paine, Consultant in Packaging Technology and Management, for his sincere interest, practical advice, and for serving as an honorary committee member. Mr. W. H. Marshall, President, and Mr. Robert Harkness, Plant Manager, of Nehi Beverage, Inc., for providing the valuable opportunity to do the study on which the thesis is based. Mr. Melvin Stuart Harder III, for providing the problem approach technique and for moral support. Ms. Peg Michel, Specialist, School of Packaging and Mr. G. William Hann, Student, School of Packaging for their help in developing and creating the line layout. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LIST OF FIGURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A DEFINITION OF PACKAGING LINE PRODUCTIVITY The Effect of Machine Interaction on PrOductiVity O O O O O O O O O O O O O 0 STATE OF THE ART: ACCUMULATORS IN THE PACKAGING INDUSTRY 0 O O O O O O O O I O O O O O O 0 Definition and Purpose . . Types of Accumulators . . In-line . . . . . . . . Off-line . . . . . . . The Factors Involved in De Accumulation Needs . . Capacity . . . . . . . Position . . . . . . . Type . . . . . . . . . Current Methods Used in Determining Accumulation Needs . . . . . . . . . . . termining STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM . . . . . . . . . Limits of the Investigation . . . . . . METHODOLO GY O O O O O O O O O O O 0 O O 0 Determination of Sample Size . . . . . . Determination of Capacity . . . . . . . RESULTS/DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION . . . . . . Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Determination of Capacity . . . . . . The Treatment of the Filler Downtime . . Determination of Accumulator Dimensions Determination And Analysis of Cost . . . Conclusion and Recommendations . . . . . iii vi 10 10 11 ll 13 15 16 l8 19 20 26 31 32 34 35 38 38 38 43 45 47 48 APPENDICES O O O O O O O O O C O O O O O O O O A. B. H. LINE RELIABILITY CALCULATION . . . . . . CALCULATIONS TO DETERMINE ACCUMULATION REQUIREMENTS FROM THE GARVEY CORPORATION FORMULA TO DETERMINE OPTIMAL CONVEYOR WIDTHS FOR ROUND OBJECTS . . . . . . . . MACHINERY INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . PROCESS FLOW CHART FOR BOTTLING OPEMTION O C C O O O O O O O O O O O O PROCESS FLOW CHART FOR FORKLIFT OPERATION O C O O O O C C O O C O O O 0 RESULTS OF TIME STUDIES COMPLETED ON FORKLIFT OPERATION O O O C O O O O C O C FREQUENCY AND DURATION OF DOWNTIME OF THE FILLER O O O O O O C O C C O O O MFEMNCES O O O O O C O O O O O O O O O O O 0 iv 50 50 52 56 59 6O 61 62 67 73 LIST OF TABLES Results of Time Studies Completed for Forklift Operation I O O O O O O I O O C O O O I I O O O 62 Frequency of Filler Downtime . . . . . . . . . 67 Duration of Filler Downtime . . . . . . . . . . 68 LIST OF FIGURES Stacked Conveyor Accumulator . . . . . . . Intermittent Motion, Off-line Accumulation Table 0 O O O O O O O I O O O O O O O O 0 Rotary Accumulator . . . . . . . . . . . . Multi-lane Accumulator . . . . . . . . . . Line Layout of Bottling Operation . . . . Diagram Illustrating the Equilateral Triangle Pattern of Round Objects . . . . Diagram Illustrating the Optimal Conveyor Width for Round Objects . . . . . . . . . vi 12 l3 14 15 28. 56 57 INTRODUCTION Productivity continues to gain greater prominence in the packaging industry. One way to increase productivity is through the use of accumulation on the packaging line. Application of accumulation is the subject of this thesis. It is proposed that through the use of accumulation the productivity of a packaging line can be increased by a reduction in the labor requirement, while maintaining the same level of production. An investigation was carried out to demonstrate this concept. The purpose of the thesis is threefold. First, it is a compilation of the scattered information on packaging line accumulation and its effect on packaging line productivity. Secondly, the information is organized in such a way to be used as an educational tool at the undergraduate and graduate level in the School of Packaging. The final purpose in the thesis is to design and carry out one application of the principles of accumulation on a real installation and to estimate its effect on productivity. This application will serve to illustrate packaging line efficiency and productivity instruction to undergraduate and graduate students. A DEFINITION OF PACKAGING LINE PRODUCTIVITY Productivity has gained greater prominence in the packaging industry over the last few years and its importance continues to grow. The purpose of this discussion is to investigate this increasing importance, examine the range of definitions of productivity, and determine an effective definition for use in this study. The words productivity and efficiency bring to mind many different connotations. However, a broad description can encompass both of these words and all the variables that come 13 achievement Eff1c1ency = expectation' to mind. According to Hine: Hine continues by saying that expectation is "the best estimate of what you anticipate producing based on calculation or accumulated experience....Achievement is an evaluation of 17 describes actual production performance." Kealey productivity as the ability to produce on time, within the lowest cost, and at the required capacity. Other definitions of productivity and efficiency are similar to these general descriptions. Productivity has gained and continues to gain importance in the packaging industry for one primary reason. Economically, increasing productivity increases a firm's operational capacity and reduces its per unit operating costs. With the high cost of money (seventeen to twenty percent 2 interest)and the high cost of building a new plant (increasing at the rate of ten percent per year) these factors become increasingly more important. One economic benefit of increasing productivity is that it allows for an increase in output or capacity with minimal increases in input. Increasing capacity can imply a corresponding increase in input. However, through increased efficiency or greater productivity, increased outputs can be achieved which may in turn satisfy capacity requirements. 17 who considers a This idea is clearly illustrated by Kealey capacity problem an opportunity to improve efficiency. Another benefit of increasing capacity with minimal increases in inputs is the chance to avoid the expenditures of expansion. This is a key advantage in today's economic environment. A 27 recent article in Package‘Engineering, supports this by stating, "Along with the vestigial remains of prior affluent years, industrial floor space has become a precious commodity." Another economic benefit of increased productivity is the chance to reduce operating costs. These savings are direct benefits to the firm that involve no risk. According to Frank Paine,26 ”any work which is able to improve the efficiency of the process, its productivity...is potentially capable of massive savings to the manufacturer (and) lower costs to the user..." Gillete, a major American firm, aims to "improve productivity because it lowers costs and improves the profitability of (their) organization."17 For the past few years Gillette has been able to offset 25 percent of its yearly costs by increasing productivity. There are innumerable factors which are directly related to productivity. It is not the intention of this paper to attempt to discuss all of them, but rather to mention the major components that have definite quantitative bearing on packaging line productivity and its measurement. Briefly, these include the quality of the output, the packaging material, the product, the human element, and the mechanical element.l4 These factors are affected by countless other inputs as well as by each other. This situation makes it difficult to determine one singular and effective method to measure productivity. One way to measure productivity is to monitor per worker output as suggested by Kealey. Gorton and Smithll prepose mechanical output or the number of units a machine will produce per hour as a viable measurement. One can derive several other types of productivity measurements from this method by incorporating allowances for material tolerances, operating conditions and quality. The productivity of an entire line can be determined by its final output which considers each individual machine and the effects they have on each other. Another method used Output to quantify productivity is simply: Productivity = Input' The output can be defined as the final product and the inputs can vary. Typical inputs include material, energy, and labor. According to Hinel3 packaging line efficiency can be defined in four ways: the use of machine time, the use of packaging materials, the production of an efficient pack, and the use of labor in the operation. Hine suggests that line personnel, their training, their positions on the line, and the number of operators employed, all influence the efficiency of the line. If it is possible to decrease the number of operators on a line and maintain the same operational capacity, a higher productivity can be achieved. Inputs have been reduced while the output has remained at the same level. To serve the purpose of this paper, productivity will be considered as line efficiency and line efficiency will be measured as the use of labor in a packaging line. Expressed another way: final output labor input . Th1s 13 the relat1onsh1p productivity = that will be considered for evaluation of productivity later on in the paper. Thegffect of Machine_;nteraction on Productivity 13 "most of the literature on According to Dennis Hine machine efficiency concentrates on the measurement of machine running time, that is achievement, and the analysis of the duration and causes of lost production time." The running time of a packaging machine can be measured as reliability or the probability that a machine will be Operating. A machine with a 90 percent reliability rating indicates the machine will operate 90 percent of the time it is supposed to operate. Hine says reliability is determined by taking into account the duration and frequency of downtime. Downtime is the actual time a machine is not functioning during operating time. As downtime increases for an individual machine or entire line, the reliability of that machine or line decreases. Since a packaging line is a linkage of machines, the overall line reliability is determined in part by each individual machine's 23 a machine in a line reliability. According to Muramatsu, cannot yield its individual reliability because it is dependent on the preceding machine(s) to operate. This non-productive time is defined as idle time, the time a machine has to wait for input to operate. Therefore one machine's downtime will result in idle time in the succeeding machines. Muramatsu continues with the suggestion that "because of this idling time the operational efficiency (reliability) of the entire line has to decrease." This phenomenon is referred to as machine interaction. To serve the purpose of this investigation, machine interaction will be considered as a negative condition because it reduces the overall line reliability and therefore reduces the total line efficiency. This is evidenced by Domke's9 statement that the efficiency of a packaging line is impaired by the number of linkages in the line. Machine interaction increases with the number of machines in the line and overall line efficiency decreases. 15 the container handling division of Metal Box, Metamatic, Ltd. has demonstrated through analyses that low efficiencies are often caused by the inability of the line to compensate for the inevitable short stoppages of one component. Each machine is dependent on the preceding machine for its own input, which in turn determines its own output. If the first machine is down, the second machine will not reach its own rate of output or reliability simply because there is no input. 13 output is affected in six According to a Pira study ways. These are: machine inefficiency, machine-material interaction, faulty packaging materials, inadequate maintenance, poor operation of the line and machine mismatching. As problems arise in all of these areas the machine interaction increases, leading to lower line efficiencies. Machine mismatching is an imbalance in the line due to machine speeds. Each machine has an individual speed and if these speeds are not closely matched in the line the faster machine may experience more downtime. It may have to wait for input from a slower operating machine. Closely matched speed indicates the same speed throughout the line or a progressively higher speed at each succeeding work station in the line. This increase is not large enough to create an imbalance in the line. Its purpose is to avoid the building up of units between machines. One American brewery progressively increases the machine speeds by 10 percent.12 As mentioned previously low reliabilities of machines and correspondingly lower line reliabilities increase downtime. This results in losses of production and increased operating costs per unit. These costs are attributed to idle labor and machine time. Briston3 emphasizes this point by suggesting that small periods of downtime may result in the loss of hundreds of units. An article in a recent issue of Package Engineering27 stated that, "the costs of downtime will leapfrog as packaged products increase in dollar value and machinery runs faster." An example of this is a candy bar packaging operation in which line speeds can be 1000 packages per minute. If the line is down for three minutes, a loss of 3000 units is the result. Another negative consequence of downtime is the problem of restart. Certain products require constant product flow. Kidd and Company31 experiences this problem with their Marshmallow Creme. Continuous uninterrupted production might seem no great feat except for what happens to product consistency if the manufacturing and flow in the production and flow of Marshmallow Creme may trigger a weight variation among jars - as a result of the interruption causing- a variation in the air content of the Creme.3 The presence of agluing operation in an Operation can result in another problem of restart. Once a line stops, the gluing process is interrupted and the consistency of the glue changes. This sometimes leads to insufficient tack and unacceptable results. Labels may not adhere properly to a bottle or cartons may not remain closed. Machine warm-up time is another negative effect of restart. This is the time required to start up a machine and allow it to reach operational capacity. This time is costly in terms of lost production time and idle labor. Downtime is an inevitable occurence in any manufacturing and packaging operation. However, its duration and frequency can be monitored and steps taken to reduce downtime. One American brewery attributed 70 percent of its production loss 24 to high frequency, short duration machine failures. This loss can be alleviated with proper line design to decrease machine interaction. Gorton and Smith11 mention the fact that design factors can ensure efficiency by increasing overall line reliability. These include line layout considerations and the use of conveyor and accumulator units. STATE OF THE ART: ACCUMULATORS IN THE PACKAGING INDUSTRY Definition and Purpose An accumulator is a device designed to permit the gathering of objects. According to Buckminster5 it is a deViCe installed in a packaging line to fulfill one of three functions. First, an accumulator retains items in a specific area for a specific purpose. Second, an accumulator may collate items for a specific purpose such as casepacking. The third function of accumulation and the subject of this paper is to provide a time cushion in the packaging line. Gorton and Smith11 define an accumulator as a sponge or buffer in the line to cover inevitable stoppages in the production process. This time cushion increases the opportunity for a machine to operate by minimizing machine interaction. The accumulation unit alleviates the repercussions of downtime by limiting the negative effects of downtime to the machine that is actually down. This increases overall line efficiency. This point is supported by Gorton and Smith's statement that, "the selection of machinery...is only of value if reservoirs and accumulators are correctly designed between the machines." Computer simulation of packaging lines has suggested that a line without any reservoirs between machines can have a 30 machine interaction rate of 100 percent. This means that 10 11 during every stoppage the entire production process stops, increasing costly downtime and decreasing overall line efficiency. Similar simulation has also demonstrated that accumulation is necessary for improved line efficiency.19 Buckminster proposes that accumulators link the line together in such a way as to insure high efficiency and he substantiates this with an example of a pharmaceutical company that increased line productivity by 25 percent through the use of accumulators. Buckminster continues with the suggestion that "accumulators give the user the ability to produce more units in a given time period in the most efficient way so that benefits are directly related to dollars and cents savings." Types of Accumulators There are two major types of accumulators. These are in-line and off-line. Each functions in a different way and each has specific types. In-line In-line accumulators are part of the line and items must travel through the entire accumulator to reach the next station in the line. An example of this type of accumulator is a serpentine conveyor. The stacked serpentine (Figure 1) moves units vertically and horizontally. By elevating and lowering the product, this type of accumulator allows the user toachieve greater capacity through maximum use of surface area amdceiling height. The other type of serpentine accumulator moves the 12 product horizontally only. An example of this type of in-line accumulator is a long conveyor that winds back and forth hence the name "serpentine". The capacity of such an accumulator is partially determined by the size of the package as this size dictates the radius of the turns in the conveyor. Larger containers will jam in tight corners. ,HSMMfiCmmmenmwmm Figure 1. Stacked Conveyor Accumulator SOURCE: William Buckminster, "Accumulating," The Packaging Encyclopedia (Chicago: Cahners PublishingT—I981), p. 240. Therefore they require larger corner radii than packages of smaller dimensions. In-line accumulators are best suited for unstable packages and where package orientation is important. This system provides for first-in, first-out dispensing. The density of containers in the accumulator is dependent on the conveyor speed, conveyor width, and package size. Density is defined as the number of units that can be in the accumulator 13 at any given time. This definition differs from the conventional definition of density as mass per unit volume as it considers mass (number of units) per unit surface area. Density increases with slower conveyor speed, greater conveyor widths and smaller packages. Off-line Off-line accumulators are not part of the actual packaging line. They are an addition to the line that is used only when the line is full. An accumulation table is a prime example of an off-line accumulator (Figure 2). The table is attached to 1 m: .-.‘_“- unwrnimantst , " it vm'msagy 142‘; a. V it ..‘ll .- \ 3" 1:531:33. K; ;‘h‘"]‘| . 71 , ='9.-_:f‘;.. g;-. 3 " ~24£*£h3 q; ' ;asmmur A , . .,2 .. - v:- -. . ~ Load Uribad\'igi_.,g.:.v y , H‘— ‘ .__v C fi’b ‘ ._., f ‘.70 v ’ .'. ..~~-,- . .‘ . .r ; . ‘ 2 ~ i” ' v ‘ 'i ‘H\ “‘h :1 -‘V ' ‘ j ah~."=".4-§"~é'. 13.1.!- .. ‘ i '. I a - ' ““ ‘ 0 -'~ " R l‘ ., bf . -., , - ' '.‘, «1 mmmm Mmb-Ofl - -..-,_t~ ..V. at. n. he“ Hg; , ‘ . t .' :" . - -'. 5 r: '_." Admmwmxfimblm-u«~-Ax" ;TE‘$ET\ . A . . _ . . . ~ I, - wwfinu. Jive-63‘“. utMiT-j ‘ ..L‘un' 30.3917: -’~7r:v'-" ". ‘ Figure 2. Intermittent Motion, Off-line Accumulation Table SOURCE: William Buckminster, "Accumulating," The Pacgiglng Enclycopedia (Chicago: Cahners Publishing, 1981), p. 0. the line but items are not required to travel through the accumulator to reach the next station in the line. The items 14 will enter the table only when the upstream machines are Operating and the downstream machines are not Operating. In this situation the items will back up on the line and enter the accumulation table until the downstream machines are running again. Other examples Of Off-line accumulators include rotary and multi-lane. A rotary accumulator collects items on a rotating disc. Products enter the accumulator in one direction and continue in that direction until they enter the line again (Figure 3). Multi-lane accumulators consist of additional conveyors on each side Of the main line conveyor. One runs in the direction of the line while the other runs in the Opposite direction (Figure 4). / Divener switch 4; Rotary Accumulator K Figure 3. Rotary Accumulator SOURCE: William Buckminster, "Accumulating," The ggaokaging Encyclopedia (Chicago: Cahners Publishing, 1981) P. 240. Multi-lanéAccumulator ‘ .- .v‘..—v 4-" 0 - .... Figure 4. Multi-lane Accumulator SOURCE: William Buckminster, "Accumulating," The Packaging Encyclopedia (Chicago: Cahners Publishing, 1981) p. 240 These accumulators allow the product to travel back up the line (similar to a counterclockwise holding pattern) on the one conveyor and enter the line again when it is sufficiently empty to do so. This results in minimal scratching Of the package by reducing the pressure on the products. This pressure reduction is the result Of the counterclockwise pattern flow of the packages. The Factors Involved in Determining Accumulation Needs The capacity, line position, and type of accumulator are determined by several product and line factors. The first and foremost factor is the space available in the plant. This 16 factor frequently prevents the accumulator from being its Optimum size, in the Optimum location or Of the Optimum type. According to one supplier Of accumulators, this situation occurs because accumulation is rarely given 6 The needs is usually consideration at the design level. realized after the line has been designed, installed and is currently running. This Opinion was supported by conversations with four major users in the food, pharmaceutical, and beverage industries.1' 12’ 21’ 28 Until very recently the majority Of users in the packaging industry had considered accumulators a "necessary evil." They did not want to install an accumulator unless they saw a definite need for one. In other words, an agcumulator was usually installed only after there was a proven line deficiency without accumulation. This need usually has been realized only during production. At this point in time the problem Of space becomes critical and it appears to be the primary limiting factor in the determination Of accumulation needs in the packaging industry today. Capacity Accumulation "speeds and capacities are tailored for individual products."4 Capacity is primarily determined by space available, frequency and duration Of downtime, product size, and the speeds Of the line. 17 Since accumulation is incorporated in a line to reduce machine interaction, the frequency and duration Of downtime can be analyzed and the most frequent duration will determine the required capacity Of the accumulator. Capacity is measured in time. A line with a machine experiencing frequent downtime periods Of 5 minutes would require an accumulator with a capacity of 5 minutes. The accumulator can be placed before and/or after the machine to isolate it and its effects from the line. This would allow the line tO run while the machine is attended to. The 5 minutes Of accumulation together with the differences between the ingOing and outgoing conveyor speeds will determine the number Of items that will accumulate in 5 minutes. This amount and the product size will determine the Optimum dimensions Of the accumulator. A similar method can be used that considers the average number of units that will be in the accumulator. The number is determined along with the standard deviation. An accumulator can be designed with a capacity Of the average plus 3 standard deviations. This capacity will insure that the accumulator will prevent machine interaction 99.73 percent Of the time by providing sufficient accumulation 23 10 99.73 percent Of the time. However, according to Gill 3 standard deviations may not be adequate. This point will be discussed more specifically later in the paper. [According to one supplier Of accumulators6 a packaging line with a speed of 400 packages per minute typically has 18 accumulation capacities Of one to two minutes. A line speed of 75 packages per minute frequently has an ...—4 U accumulation capacity of three to five minutes.; The faster line has a lower capacity due to spatial limitations. Cosmair, Incorporated uses five minute accumulation units at critical points in a line that runs 230 cartons per minute and this has increased productivity by creating a 16 These accumulation units were non-stop Operation. considered at the design level and thus are more effective than units Of lesser capacities that may have been the result Of not considering accumulation until the line has been installed and running. Even optimal capacities have limits. This is verified by Buckminster,4 "anything more than the designed time interval will usually require shutting down the line for repairs and is considered to be outside the normal capabilities Of a properly designed accumulator." The designed time interval is the length of the most frequent downtime Of the machine before or after the accumulator. Accumulation is not designed to "compensate for a poorly designed line but it will help bridge the short machine stoppages that inevitably occur."33 Position An accumulator is usually placed before and/or after a sensitive machine to isolate it from the line. A sensitive 19 machine is defined as the machine in the line that experiences the most downtime in terms Of frequency and 33 the ideal. duration. According to Van Rootselaar locations for accumulation are before the filler, between the filler and labeller, and between the labeller and packer. In effect, this segments the line into several independent portions. This drastically reduces machine interaction. It is