Process Overview: One of the items we manufacture at the 12th Street facility is the MEGAFRIC paper clip. The machine and manufacturing process is like that of our deadlocks and cardholders with minor variances. The process below should be used when manufacturing the MEGAFRIC paper clip.
Step 1: Ensure the work order component (steel wire) has been transferred to the appropriate backflush bin.
Step 2: Pull and move the steel wire into the appropriate spot next to the machine.
- *Note– The spool of wire is very heavy and should be moved using a forklift or another piece of equipment that is capable of moving reels/spools.
Step 3: Wind the wire through the pulleys, creating the proper tension on the wire.
Step 4: Guide the wire through the angular contact bearings. These bearings are used to straighten the wire as it is naturally bent when coming off the spool.
Step 5: The wire should then be guided through the knurl wheels and large feeder wheels until it reaches the rotating bending plate.
- *Note– The knurl wheels make tiny indents along the steel wire, creating a friction surface that helps provide additional grip on the paper clip.
Step 6: Stop threading the wire through the machine at the rotating bending plate. As the plate rotates, the 4 cams on the plate bend the wire, forming the paper clip and the last cam cuts the wire after each paper clip has been formed.
Step 7: Once the wire has been guided through the machine, ensure there is a container in place to catch the paper clips as they come out of the chute.
Step 8: Turn the machine on and press the Start button to start the manufacturing process.
Step 9: Each hour, the produced items are inspected to ensure they meet the manufacturing standards. (Reference the Deadlock Manufacturing Standards process) Once confirmed, the items are emptied into the larger storage barrels and weighed once filled.
- *Note– As work orders are created, the bulk item will be re-packed into its sellable unit of measure. This process includes taking the metal container to the re-packaging area, weighing, and packing the paper clips, and then palletizing the finished goods for resale.
This completes the paper clip manufacturing process.