To optimise its processes, Theraskin adopted Mettler Toledo's Good Weighing Practice (GWP) guideline for its weighing instruments and has reduced its maintenance and calibration service costs.
Theraskin is a Brazilian company with more than 13 years of experience in the development and production of skin treatment products.
Based on scientific principles, GWP (a method for risk management and quality control introduced by Mettler Toledo), mapped the application of 78 balances used by Theraskin in its laboratory in order to analyse specific instrument risks and their subsequent correlation with process tolerances.
The GWP methodology analysed the five stages in the life cycle of a balance, starting with a full evaluation of weighing process characteristics.
This included potential risks of inaccurate measurements and process impacts in regard to relevant regulations or standards.
From this survey, the guideline further provided specific and individual recommendations for each balance, including information about minimum weight, required tests for routine checks, regularity of checks and calibrations, standard weights required and the control limit for each test.
The entire process, from data collection, analysis, presentation, implementation and training, lasted three months.
According to Theraskin, GWP identified that its calibration period and the frequency of periodic verification tests were overestimated.
The tool was applied to Theraskin's installed base resulting in time and labour reductions as the total plant's balance checking time was greatly reduced, increasing equipment production time.
GWP helped Theraskin to determine the range of tests, weights required for each balance, correct tests and tolerances for regular checks and systematic tests that minimise risks and reduce costs.
The company has now adopted all of the GWP recommendations as its standard operating procedures.
