Page 9 - Graypvine November 2021
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Field Typical challenges Andy encounters are
Focus production-related, with documentation required
from suppliers or supplied parts.
“I like to just work the issues head on, and being
persistent usually helps also,” said Andy. “I have had
“The thing I enjoy most about manufacturing is to hound suppliers for material certificates from time
seeing raw materials transformed through various to time and in some instances, it has taken weeks
methods into incredible finished products,” says of daily communication to get what is needed.
Manufacturing Engineer Andy Davis. “I have also Another example that comes to mind is a specific
always enjoyed machinery, tools and technology pneumatic cylinder that mechanically locks a drive
all of which we apply to manufacturing on a motor into place. This cylinder has a spring return
daily basis.” which locks this system into place when air pressure
Since joining the Anderson Dahlen team in is not applied to overcome the spring force. When
2017, Andy has worked with various customers to the air is applied the drive can pivot, changing the
streamline their production processes and focus on mixing action this drive creates. The cylinder was 9
continuous improvement. His first project was for made by the supplier without the spring installed so
Thermo Fisher, and he got to know their team and this did not operate as required. After determining
product. In late 2019, Andy began working with the missing spring was the cause of the situation,
ADI and issues regarding safety. I worked with the supplier to get the needed parts
and worked with the team here to get them installed
and the units delivered to the customer.”
“Aim to be aware of your Today, Andy is working with a cross-functional
surroundings and the things team to increase the production capacity of one of
their tank production lines.
you are working on; there “The goal is to increase capacity by 50% on this
line,” said Andy. “We are looking at this from many
are new things to be learned angles. The parts coming to the line; fit-up and
every day, sometimes in small interaction of parts, laser etched indicators we can
add to the parts. We are digging into the details of
ways and other times in large the extensive welding processes on these tanks and
ways, but don’t let them just finding ways to reduce time and maintain quality.
Finishing is another major aspect of this production
pass you by.” and we are working with the team to develop
strategies to improve speed and finish quality.”
What advice would Andy have for other
“My first interactions with Gray were in 2020 team members?
talking safety with Jim Grant and Jon Wright, and a “Aim to be aware of your surroundings and the
little later Bill Carey,” recalled Andy. “Each of these things you are working on; there are new things to
gentlemen have a wealth of knowledge and I have be learned every day, sometimes in small ways and
learned a great deal walking our production areas other times in large ways, but don’t let them just
and talking through topics as they have come up.” pass you by.”
