Ophir Optics, North Andover, Mass. - Incorporating Toxics Use Reduction into Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma, 2011.

Ophir Optics uses lean manufacturing to achieve significant VOC reductions

File Name: Ophir Optics Case Study final.pdf
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File Synopsis: Ophir Optics designs and produces a full range of high performance Infra‐red (IR) optical lenses and elements. Its products are used in electro-optical systems for military, homeland security, commercial and industrial applications, ranging from Night Vision equipment to industrial metal processing. Ophir Optics has successfully utilized Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma tools and methodologies for a variety of projects, including toxics use reduction, at their manufacturing facility located in North Andover, Massachusetts. As a result of this work, Ophir has reduced its use of toxic chemicals and generation of hazardous waste, and increased the energy efficiency of its manufacturing operations. Ophir's 40,000 ft2 facility can produce large quantities of optics quickly and cost effectively. All manufacturing is done in‐house, using automated machining with precision diamond cutting; spherical, aspherical and diffractive optical components; mirrors and metallic optics. Because the company has been expanding production, it anticipated being faced with increased management costs associated with environmental byproducts, and planned proactive measures to address them. Download file...