Waste Minimization Assessment for a Manufacturer of Sheet Metal Components.

摘要

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has funded a pilot project to assist small and medium-size manufacturers who want to minimize their generation of waste but who lack the expertise to do so. In an effort to assist these manufacturers Waste Minimization Assessment Centers (WMACs) were established at selected universities and procedures were adapted from the EPA Waste Minimization Opportunity Assessment Manual (EPA/625/7-88/003, July 1988). The WMAC team at Colorado State University performed an assessment at a plant that manufactures precision sheet-metal components, primarily for electronics and medical equipment. Sheet metal is machined into desired components that are anodized or chromated if aluminum; degreased and painted if required; and assembled, inspected, packaged, and shipped. The team's report, detailing findings and recommendations, indicated that the plant could achieve significant cost savings and waste reduction by replacing its standard paint spray guns with high-volume low-pressure paint guns, thereby reducing paint overspray.