Presented tos
Assemble Clamp and tubing (Assembly process)
2.1 Assembly process
Process description: The clamp and tubing assembly process is a second level process in the scaffold projects. A single side clamp is fed into the assembly machine followed by the plastic tubing which is made to pass through the clamp. The tubing is then cut into size. The machine verifies the size of the cut tubes as well as the presence of side clamps.
Previous Activity: 2.1-Assembling the clamp
Next Activity: 2.3-Attaching the tubing to the device interface.
Non-product resources (Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, 2011)
1. Extruded plastic tubing
2. Electricity for the assembly machine
Supporting processes (EPA, 2011)
1. Storage and handling of parts
2. Recycling of plastics (plastic bags and tubes)
3. Maintenance and lubrication of the assembly machine
4. Cleaning of the station at which parts are fed
5. Particulate matter sensors
6. Compressed air
7. Exhaust for gaseous waste
Non-product resource losses
1. Plastic bags used for packaging the tubing
2. Broken or lost clamps
3. Waste tubing and scraps
Supporting process (make ready & Clean-up)
Maintenance, servicing and calibration of the assembly machine
Cleaning up of spilt oils and lubricants
Disposal of the waste (scraps, waste tubes and packaging materials) and preparation for transport to recycling plant
Infrastructure processes:
Obtain electricity to operate the press
Ensure adequate maintenance and servicing of the assembly machine
Check on the lighting, heating and ventilation of the press room
Ensure adequate means of waste handling and disposal.
The mapping of processes helps check on any inadequacies in production and increase the efficiency of processes thus reducing the operational costs, (Pojasek, 2005). The Australian Business Excellence Framework, (2008) asserts that mapping the production by the management contributes to superior and sustainable performance. The process of assembly incorporates several steps. The clamp and tubing assembling step has been comprehensively covered above including the safe ways of handling the by-products of the process. The tube cutting process results in collection of several forms of plastic waste from the packaging materials to the plastic tube scraps. The best way to deal with this plastic waste is recycling. Since it is non-biodegradable it cannot buried into the ground while burning will result in air pollution.
References
EPA. (2011). Lean and Environment Toolkit, Chapter 4. Retrieved from:
http://www.epa.gov/lean/environment/toolkits/environment/ch4.htm
Pojasek, R. B. (2005). Understanding Processes with Hierarchical Process Mapping.
Environmental Quality Management, (15)2, 79-86.
Australian Business Excellence Framework (2008). Criteria for Sustainability Performance.
