Manufacturing Methods of Foam for U-Value Meters
Buddle, Stuart (2017)
Buddle, Stuart
Yrkeshögskolan Arcada
2017
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2017091114978
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2017091114978
Tiivistelmä
The thesis is dependent upon a manufacturing conundrum of finding the best method of
manufacturing for medium run productions. In this case 100 units of foam insulation for the U-Value Meters. These U-Value Meters have been developed at Arcada since 2010 in order to determine how well a wall thermally insulates. This numerical analysis of thermal resistance is
known as a U-Value, hence the name U-Value Meter. The meter has been extremely successful both locally and abroad, consequently more metres were required. The construction of the meter revolves around a foam core that holds all the components in place whilst simultaneously
thermally insulates those components allowing a measurement to be taken. The aim was
therefore “to select a mass manufacturing means for the U-Value Meter’s internal foam with a primary focus on cost and time for 100 units”. Although cost and time were the key criteria, each method was analysed via a SWOT Analysis, an analytical tool for the methods’ Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats, hence “SWOT”. The three manufacturing methods of
Milling, Do It Yourself (DIY) and steam Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) were analysed and compared.
It was found that for a quantity of 100 no method was outstanding, yet both milling and DIY were
appropriate, especially considering the units were made entirely in house at Arcada. Having said that, in the future if more than 200 units are required the best manufacturing method when considering time and money is via steam-expanded polystyrene.
manufacturing for medium run productions. In this case 100 units of foam insulation for the U-Value Meters. These U-Value Meters have been developed at Arcada since 2010 in order to determine how well a wall thermally insulates. This numerical analysis of thermal resistance is
known as a U-Value, hence the name U-Value Meter. The meter has been extremely successful both locally and abroad, consequently more metres were required. The construction of the meter revolves around a foam core that holds all the components in place whilst simultaneously
thermally insulates those components allowing a measurement to be taken. The aim was
therefore “to select a mass manufacturing means for the U-Value Meter’s internal foam with a primary focus on cost and time for 100 units”. Although cost and time were the key criteria, each method was analysed via a SWOT Analysis, an analytical tool for the methods’ Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats, hence “SWOT”. The three manufacturing methods of
Milling, Do It Yourself (DIY) and steam Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) were analysed and compared.
It was found that for a quantity of 100 no method was outstanding, yet both milling and DIY were
appropriate, especially considering the units were made entirely in house at Arcada. Having said that, in the future if more than 200 units are required the best manufacturing method when considering time and money is via steam-expanded polystyrene.