Material handling continued;
 

Over the last few articles, the discussion has been on the raw materials and rejects parts, and the handling of such things. This month the topic is what is to be done with the finished parts.

It is hoped that the finished parts are packaged. Packaging could be bulk packed, layer packed by an operator, or individually package in separate bags. In any case when packaged how, are the parts traced back to the manufacture dates, which lot of material, operator and shift?

This can be done a few ways. The simplest is to mark the finished box of parts with the date, time, operator, and shift. This than allows for some tracking of the box of parts. If in fact, this is good enough great. The paper trail at the plant may document this fact and than be cross-referenced with the raw materials used and any lot changes in materials. This could be modified to include the last two shots of parts bagged, tagged, and placed inside the box on the top for any inspection on the receivers part. Thus keeping the flow of boxes in sequence, they may be able to note any problems and than only have to quarantine the boxes after, instead of the whole of the shipment. Dependent on the size of the parts and usage of them, package size may be as few as 100 pieces in bags consecutively marked. The real key is to segregate the finished parts as manufactured with enough information so as to be able to determine when a problem may have arisen and also gone away.

In-mold identification with the use of date stamps or markings onto the finished products allows the user to note, which dates the product, was manufactured. If this is allowable and enough space exists it is a great way to tag the product. The boxes should be marked somehow too, with the information above if possible, as the date stamps may not provide enough information. The upside is that in finished product you now have the date on the part for all time to be able to sort when the plastic piece was manufactured.

There are other methods out there now with the use of lasers and in-mold serial numbering systems that can mark the parts as they are made. Depending on the liabilities that may be involved with your product, they might be worthwhile investments. Do not forget the documentation of the process and materials used. The other key is documentation retention in that it is good that we know when we made the parts but with what and by whom, and what was going on that day or hour.

Whichever system you use, being consistent is the key. The simplest is usually the easiest and it can take only one time that you need the data, which pays for itself.  In all truth it is hoped no-one runs into this, yet every week the calls come in that something has gone wrong and these simple things to trace the parts back are not there. To take it to the next step you may need to assist your customers in what they document so the trail doesn't stop at their receiving door.
 

Thanks for the time…

Steven L Silvey
Sr. Technical Service
General Polymers Division
Ashland Distribution