There are a number of different types of toilet seats available on the market. These range from the very flimsy and inexpensive to top-of-the-line heavy, solid and shiny seats. Here, we are going to consider co-injected seats and covers - an alternative that encompasses all the features of a premium product and is meant to replace polyester coating. These seats are manufactured with a mixture of ABS and SAN resins in order to produce a hard, shiny skin which engulfs the foamed core. The characteristics of the skin make the product solid, glossy and resistant, and no paints or varnishes are required for finishing. The foamed core gives the seat thickness and weight with less material. The closed cell core does not absorb humidity, nor is it adversely affected by salts, acid and grease. Finally, this product is 100% recyclable.
Let us consider then the production of high-end toilet seats and covers with the following characteristics:
| Skin: |
SAN 5 0% by weight |
| Core: |
foam ed ABS/SAN 50% by weight |
| Maximum thickness: |
18 mm (7/10 of an inch) |
| Total weight: |
3.3 kgs. (Aprox. 7.2 lbs.) |
| Cooling time: |
Aprox. 6 minutes |
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| Expected production: |
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42 pieces/hour; |
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10 pieces/hour |
| Single Station |
5 Station Rotary |
| 1 Machine + 1 Mold + 1 Robot |
1 Machine + 5 Molds + 1 Robot |
| Capital Investment = 100 |
Capital Investment = 125 |
| Production: 10 pcs/hr = 100 |
Production: 42 pcs/hr = 420 |
| 1 model only |
5 different models |
As you can observe, with only a 25% additional capital investment, the processor is able to produce a greater variety of products and obtain a 320% increase in production. Naturally, by reducing the weight and thickness of the product, the cycle will change, and single station output will increase.
However, assuming these modifications, the throughput also increases on the rotary machine, and a similar advantage will be maintained. Floor Space example:
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