The good, the bad and the ugly

Here at Frain we see it all: the good, the bad and the ugly. Some of the pre-owned machinery we get in looks like it has seen better days but we can fix that and refurbish the machine like as new.

When you buy a machine, we need product and component samples. We can’t fix those. We have to work with what is sent.  Generally, we need 3 sets of samples: For proposing, for engineering and for testing. For all 3, we must see the good, the bad and the ugly.

Proposal samples should be sent in with the initial inquiry or request for proposal. At this stage the new product may be just an idea in someone’s head or perhaps the final design is still being worked out. Perhaps all you have in rough sketches or engineering drawings. Rapid prototyping is evolving in leaps and bounds and it is easy to make a prototype from drawings. If you can, do it. This may still not be the final component but hopefully it will be close. Physical prototypes help us see where potential issues that may arise with the machine. More information, however imperfect or tentative, is always better than less.

Engineering samples are required when the order is placed. These will be used for the final engineering design, development of shop drawings and fitting during machine build. At this stage the final design should be locked in with no more changes. These need to be representative of the actual components and products to be run. These need to be the good, the bad and the ugly.

Some people cherry pick the samples and only send good ones. That is nice if it is what you are going to run but may not be representative. If there are multiple vendors or even multiple plants from the same vendor, send samples from each. If some bottles have incomplete flash removal or mold mis-alignment, send those as well. Unless the engineers know what to expect, they can’t accommodate it in the machine.

Testing samples depend on the criteria for the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT). These must be the final product and components. They must be in exactly the same condition as they will be run. If rubber stopper will be lubricated in normal running, they need to be lubricated for the test.

The right samples must be provided at the right time and in the right quantities. Generally, this means that engineering as well as FAT samples, in the quantities required must be provided with the purchase order. Machine builders generally will not even place an order in the production schedule until they have all the samples.

Want your machine delivered right and on time? Make sure you provide the samples right and on time.