Resumo:
This research had as its main goal to study the optimization of aluminum can manufacturing process control using a six-sigma approach. Starting from theory review from a number of authors of the above mentioned approach and motivated by the Rasis’ work, Gitlow and Popovich (2002), in which the “roadmap” was followed this study accompanied the implementation of a six sigma project in which the utilization of the method DMAIC is used to accomplish the optimization of the dimensional specification of the two piece aluminum can, and with that avoid any customer insatisfaction. It was verified that the optimal solution was accomplished through the use of RSM, in the phase “improve” of the DMAIC method. The project’s experiments were done using the “Box-Behnken” procedure, where an intermediary point was established in between the upper control limit and the lower control limit for the chosen variables. A lot of aluminum cans were manufactured as a sample by using the suggested variable combination gotten from the “Box-Behnken” procedure according to the 3 variable 3 factors level of experimentation. The result of the experiment was collect simultaneously from the can filling process at the filling plant, were data was collected from the highest and lowest rejection points according to the combination of variables and factors suggested in the “Box-Behnken” procedure. For the data analysis the software Minitab 13.1 was used, and through it the values for the influencing variables, which would optimize the process, were identified. The main goal of this study is to generalize the developed model, based on the six-sigma approach, in order to allow it to be used by other industries. This study demonstrated that input variables in the two piece aluminum can which had an influence in the rejection level of the filling process were optimized therefore making it possible for the can company to avoid any future problems at the client, and with that proving the effectiveness of the six-sigma approach.
