A redesign methodology for analyzing and improving the performance capability of packaging machinery

The production of processing and packaging equipment is an international activity that continues to grow at a rapid rate. New technologies coupled with improved processes and materials continually advance production capabilities. As a consequence, customers demand that packaging machinery manufacturers produce machines that can deliver these potential performance improvements. For years, packaging development has relied greatly on trial-and-error methods. The packaging machines themselves retain the bulk of their initial fundamental principles and many machines have now reached the limit of their feasible development. In order to meet the escalating demands of the customer a major programme of design improvements must be undertaken. This paper presents a redesign methodology that determines whether an existing design can be improved or whether the natural design limit has been reached. Furthermore, the methodology provides for the generation and development of design changes as well as the ability to assess their potential performance benefits. The different stages of the methodology are discussed and the three levels of response for redesign are described. Following which the methodology is validated through its application to various industrial cases.