Lean Six Sigma Project for Bagger
At J.M. Huber Corporation’s Marble Hill mine, I participated in a Lean Six Sigma initiative targeting a problematic bagging machine used in mining and packaging ground calcium carbonate. The machine’s recurring bag pickup and filling failures caused excessive calcium carbonate powder buildup around the work area.
I worked directly with plant floor personnel to clean and reorganize the bagging station, removing accumulated powder to improve safety and efficiency. This effort also made mechanical issues easier to spot. I then collaborated with plant operators to identify likely causes of the failures and explore process changes to improve operational performance.
In the final phase, I conducted on-site observations of the machine, capturing detailed notes, photographs, and video to document potential failure points. I compiled these findings into a report and presented them to the plant’s engineering team, providing actionable recommendations to guide repair and improvement efforts.
Key Achievements
- Increasing effiency of plant
- Optimizing workplace for efficiency and safety
- Identified system upgrades for bagger
Challenges
- Participating in my first Lean Six Sigma project, requiring a rapid understanding of methodology and processes.
- Limited availability due to the approaching conclusion of my internship.
Solutions
- Proactively researched Lean Six Sigma principles and engaged with supervisors to understand project objectives and workflows.
- Thoroughly documented all observations, findings, and supporting evidence to ensure continuity after my departure.
Results
- Successfully contributed to the project despite time constraints.
- Delivered a comprehensive findings report and presentation to the engineering team, enabling them to implement effective repairs using my analysis after my internship ended.