Optimization of the Production Mixture of Selected Raw Material for Plastic Production: A Case Study of Louis Carter Plastic Manufacturing Industry

摘要

Statistical experiment design and analysis as tools for production have being developed specifically for the purpose of optimizing mixes, such as plastic products, in which the final product properties depend on the relative proportions of the components rather than their absolute amounts. Although mixture methods have been used in industries to develop products such as gasoline, metal alloys, detergents and foods, they have seen little application in the plastic industry. This paper describes an analysis in which a statistical mixture design tool called response surface design optimization tool was used to optimize the six mixture components of 25mm waste pipe, in order to obtain the optimal mixture ratio and their corresponding product yield. The results obtained show an optimal mixture ratio of PVC (45442.820), Stabilizer (1514.760), Calcium carbonate (0.0), Steric acid (151.480), Titanium (12.120), and Pigment (1.4079) for 25mm waste pipe. The optimal yield and composite desirability for 25mm waste pipe are 51990kg and 0.99990. The objective of the study from the result above was to reduce the wastage of raw materials, so as to increase the profitability of the final products. In addition, the model in use is recommended to the case company for effective utilisation of their various raw material mixes so as to obtain various optimal solutions of their raw materials mix and their various production yields.