Baxter's oncology infusion pump line was experiencing unacceptable final test failure rate. Previous internal yield improvement projects proved unsuccessful.
Business Catalytics, the business and manufacturing process improvement business of Xinetix, was contracted to troubleshoot and identify product and process improvements for Baxter's Infusor line of products. Xinetix applied Six Sigma techniques to analyze product line materials, processes, and equipment, identifying and ranking issues and sensitivities to arrive at recommended improvements.
Xinetix identified inconsistencies in the internally manufactured elastic pump bladder as the source of the low production yields. Xinetix then contracted to build an in-line production test gauge to pretest bladders prior to pruduct final assembly. Final production yield was increased from 55% to 95% as a result.
