Due May 12, 2023
TechConnect’s client, a global consumer goods company with billions in annual revenue, manufactures products made of organic compounds which are shaped in small molds, roughly 5-15 cm3in volume. The products are then cured in large drying chambers. The client is seeking process innovations which can deliver substantive reductions in drying time while maintaining consistent appearance and performance metrics.
Currently, a slightly viscous liquid slurry with adhesive properties, comprised of various monomers and polymers suspended in water, is deposited onto a tray with dozens of shaped indentations. The tray itself is filled with a naturally-derived powder to facilitate removal of the product from the mold. The filled tray is then stored in a large drying chamber for approximately 30 hours. This residence time allows the moisture removal to occur, and with the necessary structure to form and desired chemical reactions to occur.
The client is interested in process innovations which can reduce the residence time in the drying chamber without negative impacts on customer perceptions. The client’s manufacturing process is constrained by several inter-related factors:
- Modifications to drying temperature alters chemical reaction rates & impacts quality
- Modifications to the viscosity of the slurry can alter appearance:
- Slurry may not properly deposit into the mold/may remain partially stuck to the nozzle – also known as “tailing”
- Adjusting polymer chemistry impacts consumer acceptance
Consequently, the client is interested in exploring modifications and innovations to the production equipment. Potential pathways of interest include, but are not limited to:
- Nozzle designs which minimize tailing
- Molding trays with improved thermal conductivity
- Drying chamber innovations
- Innovations in molding of organic compounds
While a 50% reduction in residence time is ideal, the target reduction for this project is 25-30% (7 – 9 hour reduction). Innovations which allow for smaller reductions in time are also potentially of interest. Likewise, partial solutions are potentially of interest. Technologies adapted from other industries will also be considered.
The client is primarily interested in approaches which have already achieved pilot scale. Technologies which could be implemented globally within 12-24 months are highly desirable.
The goal of this sprint is to facilitate contact and interactions between the Sprint sponsor and commercial entities (including Start-ups) or technology developers or research organization/university in this space. Submissions from all viable subject matter experts are of interest including those from academia and commercial entities.