Manufacturing Assistance Program

Technical Assistance Case Study: Bowles Fluidics Corp. (Howard County)

Company Profile
Bowles Fluidics Corporation (BFC) was incorporated in 1961 to develop and commercialize the new technology of fluidics. At that time fluidics, a contraction of the words fluid and logic was considered to be analogous to early electronics, with many of the same capabilities and applications. BFC developed, on behalf of the US Government, a series of fluid logic devices and sensors for use in a wide variety of programs ranging from medical devices to industrial controls to weapons guidance systems. As a pioneer in this field Bowles applied for and was granted over 200 related patents.

Situation
Bowles Fluidics Corporation requested University of Maryland Manufacturing Assistance Program (UMMAP) assist them in improving product quality in fluidic devices through assessing plant operations, discussions with the equipment and resin vendors, review of technical literature and various meetings with Bowles Fluidics Corporation engineers

Solution
The University of Maryland Manufacturing Assistance Program (UMMAP) assisted Bowles Fluidics Corporation in improving quality and/or productivity in fluidic devices. UMMAP assessed plant operations, conducted discussions with the equipment and resin vendors, reviewed technical literature and met with Bowles Fluidics Corporation engineers to develop as complete an account of any conditions that could be improved. UMMAP worked with Bowles Fluidics Corporation’s engineers onsite and facilitated sessions to complete a cause and effect matrix for improvement to these fluidic devices. UMMAP used design of experiments methods to identify the root cause(s) of variance(s) in fluidic device quality, worked with Bowles Fluidics Corporation engineers on experiments to validate root causes of any variances in conditions that would affect fluidic device quality, and provided statistical analysis of experimental data.

Results
The short-term survey results reported by Ron Tobb were $35,000 in cost savings and $20,000 in workforce practices/employee skills investment. The company stated they have partially implemented UMMAP's recommendations and plan to fully implement their recommendations by June 2009.

Testimonial
“We really appreciate the work (UMMAP has) done and discoveries made in order to help us. Your careful study, astute observations, and methodical approach have yielded several areas for review and action. Overall, we are extremely pleased with the work you did, and saw time and time, the demonstration of above and beyond efforts. Your presentation was well communicated, organized, and thoughtful. BFC is very fortunate to have you as a partner in our quest to improve and hope to continue to work with (UMMAP) in future projects.”
— Rob Tobb, Vice President, Bowles Fluidics

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