Improvement of changeover times via Taguchi empowered SMED/case study on injection molding production

Plastic is fashionable raw material on manufacturing environment because of its low cost, ease of fabrication and relative durability. High production output rate with close tolerances is achieved by plastic injection machines and steel/alloy molds. However both the machinery and the molds are expensive equipments and pay back themselves in mass production. So, efficient usage is crucial where high demand fluctuations and increasing customization is a reality which forces engineers to lessen inefficiencies, one of which is changeover times in our focus. This paper proposes Taguchi experimental design to the trial runs phase of a changeover operation to get the parameters that gives the first correct product. Fewer trials lead less time needed to start mass production and also less waste of material. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.