Volumetric filling processes: Optimization in the presence of variation.

摘要

Filling processes are found in a wide variety of industries. Examples include all types of food and beverages, cleaners, chemicals, paints, solvents, and many more. All of these filling processes place a predetermined amount of product into a container constrained to a set of quality assurance specifications.;A case study was discussed from a local, Louisville-based manufacturer producing many different types of food products. (Abstract shortened by UMI.);In this thesis, a volumetric filling optimization strategy and process variance reduction system was developed. The goal was to provide a systematic approach to combine team concepts with statistical analysis to continually improve volumetric filling systems. Two models were developed for optimizing the process mean and high fill limit based on a fixed-demand scenario and a produce-to-capacity scenario. The fixed-demand model was then integrated into a custom designed optimization system called "Optfill." After designing an effective optimization strategy, a quality loop, namely "Q-Loop," was developed to utilize the "Optfill" system and provide a quality approach to reducing filling process variability while maintaining filling process optimization.