Increased pump pressure translates to faster feed rates. Operators have a faster response time to requests for color or thickness changes, and less time is needed for cleanup. And if problems develop during painting, they can be corrected faster. Instead of being limited to just one variable, paint viscosity, technicians now have a number of possible solutions to problems, including paint feed rate, disk speed, and voltage. There's also less scrap and rework with the new paints.
Some benefits are obvious but still important.
The new paints reduce employee health risks from long term exposure to solvent fumes. In addition, any reduction in the amount of hazardous wastes produced also means reduced liability from the unknowns which are associated with 'cradle to grave' responsibility. Although the changeover was disruptive in the short run, long term benefits have made Tek's painting operation more efficient and profitable. Multiple use means multiple savings Besides minimizing waste throughout the production process, Tektronix prefers to purchase products that can be reused and recycled to minimize waste production. At the end of the process, wastes are segregated to prevent contamination and facilitate reuse and recycling.