Inline Processing

It is customary for new products to be fabricated initially in a batch oriented fashion to limit the start up costs associated with production equipment.  As product acceptance is realized in the market, manufacturers look for ways to reduce production costs, increase production throughput, and improve overall product quality.  This is typically where inline system investigation starts.  Unfortunately, in many cases most of the existing production line must be replaced or reworked to integrate into a complete cell.  The benefits of inline production systems are undeniable.

In typical manufacturing lines, multiple machines each perform a portion of the process (i.e. a molding machine will mold a plastic part, a spraying system will apply a base coat, a metallizer will apply metal, etc.).  In many installations the transfer of parts from machine to machine requires a substantial amount of manual operator time and input.  Inline systems seek to eliminate operator involvement in the manufacturing process by automating handling and part transport.  By eliminating human interaction, parts can be made more quickly and with higher quality by integrating each of the processes into one system.

D2 has focused primarily on eliminating the batch phase of production start-up with metallizing and coating processes.  With little additional money and time for engineering, customers can purchase an integrated inline system instead of individual batch components. This translates directly to improved profit margins by reducing scrap, improving throughput, and eliminating floor space needed to store work in progress (WIP).