Saltillo

Cooling Manifold Fixation to Reduce Mold Setup Time

Background:
Previously, the cooling manifold was placed on the floor during mold setups, causing difficult access, disorganized hose management, longer setup times, and safety risks.

Implemented Action:
The cooling manifold was fixed directly to the injection machine, allowing for faster, safer, and more organized hose connections.

Result:

20 minutes saved per setup

Original setup time: 2.5 hours

New setup time: 2.17 hours

Frequency: 3 setups per week

Weeks per year: 52

Annual Time Savings:

20 minutes × 3 times/week × 52 weeks = 3,120 minutes = 52 hours/year
Labor Cost Basis:

Technician salary: $30,000 MXN/month ($1,765 USD)

Hourly labor cost: =$10.18 USD/hour

Estimated Annual Labor Savings:
52 hours × $10.18 USD/hour=$529 USD/year
Conclusion:
This Kaizen improved safety and organization while reducing mold setup time by 13%. Fixing the manifold to the machine saves 52 hours annually, resulting in an estimated labor cost saving of $529 USD per year