A number of precautions should be taken when conducting a trial run to test a proposed new product. These help ensure that the trial results are valid, thereby increasing the accuracy of the data, and affirming the conclusions drawn from the trial.
The trial should be conducted only if the subject production line is “lined out” and at steady state. If other variables are at work, producing variations in data, you will not be able to tell if the changes were due to the product being tested or the mere variations in the data.
It is always a good idea to pull “control” samples both before the trial and after the trial is over and the line has been put back on normal production. This procedure enables you to tell if changes were caused by the product being tested or were just normal drift in the line’s conditions.
Of course, always take plenty of samples during a trial as you will not be able to get them after the trial is over. Mark them clearly and keep a log of all line conditions during the time of the sampling.
The supplier can help during the trial and may also be able to lend a hand testing the samples. The supplier’s involvement in this manner usually reduces the possibility of lost information or communication gaps. Before actually running the trial, you should review the plans in detail with the supplier. This will minimize disagreements about the outcome when the trial is completed.
This section of Specialty Minerals Inc.’s web site contains a number of pages that deal with the technology of preblending and melt compounding rigid PVC. Click on one of these topics to go to that page:
- Introduction to PVC Compounding
- How to Compound - discusses some of the basic aspects of melt compounding
- Moisture – deals with this problem in all parts of the compounding operation
- Flow and Handling – provides some information to help solve problems in this area
- Problem Solving – a general discussion about methods of investigating problems
Learn more:
- Specialty Minerals minerals for plastics
- Specialty Minerals minerals for rigid PVC
- Specialty Minerals minerals for PVC window and door profiles
- Specialty Minerals minerals for PVC fence and decking
- Specialty Minerals minerals for PVC siding
- Specialty Minerals minerals for calendared and thermoformed rigid PVC
- Specialty Minerals minerals for injected-molded PVC
- Specialty Minerals minerals in automotive products. See the parts of your car that are made with Specialty Minerals products.
- Specialty Minerals minerals in housing. See the places Specialty Minerals products are used around your house.
- “Fillers in PVC – A Review of the Basics” - download brochure
- Download brochure on Specialty Minerals Plastics Applications Laboratory
- About Specialty Minerals Inc.
- Quality and ISO at Specialty Minerals
