CASE STUDY
STREAMLINING SAFETY IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY WITH MANIFOLD INNOVATION
HOW CUSTOM PLASTIC MANIFOLDS CUT CYCLE TIMES BY 33%
For one of our customers specializing in the food processing and safety, creating a manifold fit for their specialized machines would lead to several benefits. This new manifold concept aimed to reduce cycle times and enhance the operational efficiency while keeping to high safety protocols. Through leveraging innovative techniques and industrial expertise through mutual collaboration, both the client and Controlled Fluidics engineered a sophisticated manifold incorporating the necessary requirements to exceed original KPIs.
THE CHALLENGE
REDUCE CYCLE TIMES & STAY SAFE
The main goal regarding the machine’s internal manifold was two-fold: to seamlessly control the flow of room-temperature, high-viscosity fluids with particulates; and maintaining a constant pressure through a pump-driven mechanism. The client additionally required flexibility in input power and that all components be top-mounted on that single manifold to ensure a clean and easily maintained device. This also needed effective flow without complex tubing or other opportunities that could lead to system breakdown.
THE SOLUTION
PLASTIC MANIFOLD DESIGN OVERHAUL
The teams hypothesized that enhancing the manifold used within their food preparation machine and expanding its capabilities to a 4-channel system would broaden production capabilities and reach their goals. They expected that optimizing the manifold to include that and other features would increase product output while holding to their high food safety regulations.
THE RESULTS
33% REDUCED CYCLE TIME
The customer saw a 33% reduction in cycle time per product made, resulting in shorter production timelines and quicker product deployment. Additionally, with the manifold and machine’s new automation abilities, these created less of a need for human input while increasing production reliability. Here, the machines (once calibrated) could essentially run themselves, and operators could rely on the machine’s repeatability without much supervision.