Technology & Methodology

TECNOPLAST engineers use the most advanced technology available in the industry to produce polymer based products, while also implementing the latest and most efficient company management solutions. TECNOPLAST’s entire production process is automated thanks to large investments in cutting edge machinery such as Japanese electric injection molding machines. Most of these machines come with robots able to execute all the moving operations of the pieces they are designed to print out.

TECNOPLAST’s Quality Control Department uses cutting edge machinery for 3D measuring with high precision cameras able to quickly process the stream of data. We believe in technology, innovation and constant upgrading.

Each step of our production line is automated and aided by world renowned business management tools:

 

 

MRP (Material Requirement Planning) to manage materials supply

ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) to manage and schedule production

CAD-CAM to design and manufacture our molds

CAE to simulate and study polymer rheology during the molding processes

KANBAN to manage materials and order processing

SPC for statistical analysis of the production process

 

 

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MRP

 

Material Requirement Planning

 

Operations involving the planning and managing of the production process at TECNOPLAST are done with the assistance of MRP tools, which are tasked to output resupply proposals for unavailable materials based on pending orders and stock supply. The MRP module also provides each order with spec sheets for the single items; each product comes with pictures and a pdf, as well as .dwg CAD schematics.

 

 

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ERP

 

Enterprise Resource Planning

 

ERP is the integrated management of main business processes, often in real-time and mediated by software and technology. TECNOPLAST uses ERP software to optimize its processes, reduce any waste of resources and catch possible missteps. ERP allows us to monitor all the main business processes whether they involve the production line or any logistics, which greatly improves the level of automation of our operation and its overall efficiency.

 

 

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CAD-CAM

 

Computer-Aided Design / Computer-Aided Manufacturing

 

By creating a bridge between the design desk and the production line, CAD-CAM software provides invaluable aid to the production process in our company.

CAM software is able to feed the machines the instructions necessary to craft a product starting from a CAD project. TECNOPLAST make extensive use of these tools to design and manufacture steel molds.

 

 

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CAE

 

Computer-Aided Engeneering

 

CAE software allows us to create a realistic 3D model of any object. Once the 3D model is ready (CAD), CAE software runs a structural analysis, both static and dynamic, which will allow us to validate the project and to make sure the math behind it checks out.

CAE software is involved in each step of the production workload, including the analysis of polymer rheology necessary in the molding process.

 

 

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KANBAN

 

KANBAN is a scheduling system for Lean Production, which is the foundation of any Pull System Framework implemented to achieve JIT manufacturing. KANBAN takes its name from the physical cards that track production, restocking and movement of materials in a factory. The system was designed to rid the production process of any excess inventory and the additional costs that come with it. TECNOPLAST successfully deploys KANBAN to ensure its clients can buy any product at any time.

 

 

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SPC

 

Statistical Processal Control

SPC is a method of quality control which employs statistical methods to monitor and control a process. SPC aims to improve production performance by reducing the number of non-conforming products and production errors, which would otherwise slow down the factory operations.

TECNOPLAST makes extensive use of SPC tools to monitor and manage the production of its polymer based products, ensuring maximum conformity is achieved and retaining complete control over the whole production process.

 

 

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LEAN MANIFACTURING

 

Lean Manufacturing, or Lean Production, is a production method developed to minimize waste. The system’s main goal is to create maximum value without sacrificing productivity. Lean manufacturing applies to each step of the production process: designing, production and quality control.

TECNOPLAST has been implementing lean manufacturing methods for years with great success, optimizing internal workflow and cutting down on production waste from polymer based materials. Lean manufacturing translates to efficiency, innovation and respect for all kinds of resource. A true testament to the fact that more can be achieved with less.