Abstract:
AMPAGLAS SA Pty (Ltd) is the leading rigid plastic sheeting manufacturer in
South Africa and produces high quality plastic sheets for the automotive, building,
security and display industries.
Three opportunities for improvement exist at AMPAGLAS:
1. Re-evaluating the number of packers employed and on duty,
2. Reducing the strip and clean time of extruders and streamlining the
process, and
3. An efficient method of recording, monitoring and analyzing machine
downtime and plant efficiency.
The purpose of this project is to address all three opportunities and submit
relevant suggestions to improve and measure productivity. This report documents a
literature study on relevant topics, methodologies and alternative methods to be used
in this project. It also analyses relevant data gained through time studies and other
methods, and relates suggested solutions.
Through simulation it is found that the number of packers employed may be
reduced to increase productivity. A detailed analysis of some elements of the strip
and clean process revealed that at least 20 per cent time is wasted during the
procedure. Lastly, a comprehensive information system was developed to accurately
record and communicate relevant plant effectiveness statistics.
