Leveraging Six Sigma with industrial engineering tools in crateless retort production

Abstract

This paper integrates Six Sigma objectives/concepts and industrial engineering tools within a quality framework, which are used to improve damaged can claims on a crateless retort production system. An overview of the canning industry and crateless retort processing is provided. Three experiments and a series of analysis tools are discussed. The root-cause analysis showed a correlation between can damage and can fill weight using design of experiments (DOE)-based Six Sigma techniques. Manufacturing system improvement projects and the implementation of a closed-loop control system are discussed as the measures used to continuously improve damaged can claims.

Keywords:

• Canning
• Crateless retort
• Six Sigma
• Root-cause analysis
• Hypothesis testing
• Design of experiments