No matter what the end product, a common need is for safety, containment, efficient mixing and maintaining blend homogeneity.
The very difficult-flowing nature of many ultra-fine metal powders and friction materials makes them problematic to handle.
Overproduction – Mixing products such as additives and pigments in larger quantities than ordered because equipment cleaning is such a burden.
Waiting – operators and expensive process machinery standing idle i.e. due to cleaning activity or awaiting QC analysis results.
Inventory – Customer requirements for rapid and “next day” delivery resulting in huge finished goods and intermediate goods storage, rather than adapting and improving the plant.