COMPREHENSIVE FRAMEWORK FOR
Comparing Lubricant Technologies in Aluminum Extrusion.
In the aluminum extrusion industry, selecting the right lubricant technology is crucial for ensuring optimal performance, safety, and cost-efficiency.
The following framework provides a holistic approach to evaluating different lubricant options, considering not only their performance but also their impact on safety, environment, productivity, ease of use, and supplier benefits.
Why Compare Systematically and Holistically?
Selecting the most suitable lubricant for aluminum extrusion is a complex decision that goes beyond just evaluating performance. A systematic and holistic comparison that covers the following five criteria is essential because it will help you make sound decisions:
1. Productivity & Performance: The right lubricant can enhance productivity, improve product quality, and protect tooling, leading to longer equipment life and better output.
2. Safety & Environment: Worker safety, health, and environmental impact are critical considerations that affect compliance and sustainability.
3. Ease of Use: Simplifying the application process and reducing downtime can significantly improve operational efficiency.
4. Cost Efficiency: Understanding the true cost implications, helps in making economically sound decisions.
5. Supplier Benefits: Reliable technical support, efficient logistics, and robust service from suppliers ensure smooth and uninterrupted operations.
Each of these five categories takes specific parameters into consideration to ensure a thorough assessment:
How to Compare: Key Parameters
Scoring and Weighting
Step 0: Download the Interactive Excel Tool
Step 1: Evaluate the Parameters for each Technology
Rate each parameter on a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 being the worst and 5 being the best.
Step 2 – Get the score by category.
The scores are then aggregated to give a category score, calculated using Equation 1:
Category Score = (Sum of Parameter Scores) / (Total Possible Score)
Step 3 – Define category priorities.
Each category is assigned a priority percentage based on the company's specific needs and priorities, with the total adding up to 100%. If equal weight is desired, each category would have a 20% priority.
Step 4: Get the final weighted evaluation
Final Weighted Evaluation = Σ (Category Score × Priority Percentage)
Step 5: Compare overall performance
This final score helps in making an informed decision by comparing the overall performance of each lubricant technology.
Figure – Radial graph of the different technologies to compare their performance in the defined categories.
Conclusion
Our comprehensive framework for comparing lubricant technologies in the aluminum extrusion process ensures a balanced evaluation, taking into account cost, safety, productivity, ease of use, and supplier benefits.
By systematically scoring and weighting these parameters, companies can make well-informed decisions that align with their operational goals and priorities.
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