## 3 Materials and Methods
### Case Study  
This case study focuses on a state-of-the-art tube manufacturing facility that operates ten online production lines and four offline machines to meet the diverse requirements of the cosmetic, dental care, and decoration sectors. Each production area is specialized to meet specific customer needs. The cosmetics sector includes lines such as TL201-TL207, which are dedicated to producing high-quality tubes for beauty products. The dental sector,comprising the lines TL205, TL206, TL209, and TL210, specializes in creating packaging customized for oral care products. Meanwhile, the decoration sector focuses on enhancing the appearance of semi-finished products using silk screening and hot stamping techniques. Although production technology is largely uniform across most lines, the dental sector integrates additional specialized processes for its unique product requirements. Among these, the TL209 line is chosen as a representative model for this study, providing an insight into the operational workflows and optimization strategies.  
The manufacturing process follows a structured sequence of interconnected stages, each supported by advanced machinery and quality control mechanisms. The process begins with laminate strips being processed in the tube production machine, where they are cut, welded, and coated with a plastic layer for durability. These semi-finished tubes are then calibrated and cooled using a vacuum module to ensure structural integrity and precise dimensions. Following this, the cutter and retractor module inspects the tubes for any defects, utilizing eddy current technology to measure tube diameters and verify the quality of the aluminum layers. Any detected anomalies are flagged for further analysis.  
Subsequently, the head and capping stage mold the tube heads using molten plastic and securely attach the caps. Rigorous quality checks are performed at this stage to ensure proper alignment and sealing. The process then progresses to the printing and varnishing stages, where up to eight colors are applied using UV-cured inks, followed by a varnish layer for added protection. Synchronization between the printing and varnishing machines is critical to maintain consistent quality across the production batch. The final stage involves the automated packaging of finished tubes in cartons or pallets according to customer specifications.  
Real-time monitoring plays a crucial role in maintaining production efficiency and quality. Sensors placed strategically along the production line collect data on key parameters, including tube counts, diameters, cap alignment, sealing, and printing quality. Defective tubes are identified and automatically diverted for further inspection. The TL209 line is particularly notable for its advanced quality control features, which include storage devices to ensure continuous operation, multiple-stage eddy current checks to maintain material integrity, and UV curing systems to allow rapid drying without compromising production speed.  
By examining the TL209 line, this case study highlights how real-time data and advanced technological integration can optimize both operational efficiency and sustainability. It also demonstrates how specialized processes across dental sector lines like TL205, TL206, and TL210 contribute to meeting specific product demands. The insights derived from this study emphasize the importance of leveraging modern manufacturing technologies to achieve a balance between high productivity and environmental responsibility, setting a benchmark for similar facilities.