Münster, Germany — Nordson Corp. built a dedicated production line for die plates used in underwater pelletizing.
The wear components require periodic refurbishing or replacing to maintain productivity and product quality. Nordson's dedicated production line for BKG-brand die plates will allow it to deliver a new electrically heated die plate in three weeks from the time the order is placed, according to Andreas Trouvain, sales director the product line.
Nordson claims this is less than half of their competitors' delivery times. The company says it achieved this by creating a database of standard designs, which eliminated upstream engineering processes that contributed to longer lead times.
Then, to reduce manufacturing time, the company dedicated a complete production line to die plates at a new facility completed in Münster last year for BKG pelletizing and melt delivery products.
"We continue to expand the range of designs that can be produced in this line, and we are looking for more ways to shorten the processes upstream and downstream of die plate production in order to make lead times even shorter," Trouvain said in a news release.
Nordson continues to produce die plates based on custom designs as well as oil-heated die plates.
Founded in 1954, Nordson manufactures products and systems used for the precision dispensing of adhesives, coatings, sealants, biomaterials, polymers, plastics and other materials for the packaging, nonwovens, electronics, medical, appliances, energy, transportation and construction markets.
The company has its headquarters in Westlake, Ohio, and operations and support offices in more than 30 countries.