Process Overview: Advantus has various item numbers where the swab is the main component. These items are manufactured using the same machine and have similar manufacturing processes. The process below goes through the general manufacturing process of these items and the steps needed to be taken by the user.
Step 1: Ensure the work order/BOM components have been transferred to the appropriate backflush bin.
Step 2: Place the appropriate solution into the flammable cabinet and hook the solution up to the machine.
Step 3: Place the spool of foil onto the spool holder and then onto the racking. To prevent having to manually maneuver the foil through the machine, the beginning of the foil being used should be taped to the end of the existing foil in the machine, allowing it to be guided through the machine as normal. The combined/scrap pieces will then be removed as they make their way through the machine.
Step 4: If any change is needed, set the speed of the machine to the appropriate level using the knob located on the top of the machine.
Step 5: Ensure the swabs are on the table next to the rotating plate where they are continuously dropped throughout the manufacturing process. As the machine runs, the plate will rotate, and the swabs are put into the cylindrical pipes so they can then be pushed down into each packet.
Step 6: Once everything has been set up and is in place, the machine will be turned on and started.
The below goes through the general manufacturing process of the swabs once the machine is running.
- The foil is wound through multiple straightening rollers before then being folded so that the front and back of the packaging align with each other.
- Once the foil has been folded, the left and right sides of the packaging will be folded first. The solution will then be inserted into the packaging, and then the swab will be pushed down into the solution in the package.
- The top of the packaging is then sealed, each package is cut, and the final product is dropped into the container to be packaged.
This completes the manufacturing process of our CT & RR swabs.