Supply Chain Solutions

A NY State manufacturer of shampoo bottles for the hospitality industry experienced a sudden onset of package failure in field. The tube supplier claimed no change in the packaging material, suggesting that the problem was the result of product filling. The CCMR was asked to look for differences in tube material lots. Initial tests found no significant differences between pre and post failure lots. Extensive testing in a variety of temperature conditions confirmed there was a subtle difference in the material crystallinity. That small difference turned out to be the root cause of the problem. With this information in hand the manufacturer worked with the tube supplier to correct the polymer formulation.

A NY State manufacturer and world leader in the design of cryocoolers wanted to extend the life expectancy of the polymer seals used in their products. The CCMR analyzed a variety seals that were tested to failure. This failure analysis, chemical composition, and material properties measurements, provided important information on why the seals were breaking down. This work enabled the manufacturer to define new requirements for the hardness of the plastic seal. They ultimately chose a new seal vendor and the lifetime of their seals increased by 100%.

A NY State manufacturer of artistic paints noticed a new and unusual cloudiness in one of their most popular paints. Suspecting some sort of impurity in a pigment, the CCMR was asked to perform an analysis using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). This analysis quickly identified the presence of tiny crystals of a material that is used to cure paint faster. With this information in hand, the manufacturer demonstrated to the pigment supplier the presence of this new impurity. Since this is unnecessary for this specific product, the manufacturer requested the elimination of this material from the pigment formulation.

A NY State manufacturer of a fluorescent surgical device that increases the visualization of tissue during endoscopic surgeries, was frustrated with the limited selection of fluorescent dyes produced by a major chemical company. It turned to the CCMR for assistance. The CCMR introduced them to a new dye supplier, a small local manufacturer of specialty dyes. This partnership enabled multiple dyes to be tested. Ultimately a new fluorescent dye compatible with this surgical product was selected for production.

The designer of a therapeutic towel for people with sensitive skin turned to the CCMR to for assistance with the development of a functional prototype towel. The CCMR helped design test and document the novel towel. After completing the towel’s development, the CCMR made an introduction to an organization that specializes in apparel and garment production. This socially conscience organization, that employees people with developmental disabilities, was able to competitively bid the towel ‘s production and recommended commercially available fabrics that optimized the towel properties and decreased its production cost.

A NY State manufacturer of hearing protection devices turned to the CCMR for help choosing materials that would increase the comfort of their product without sacrificing performance, allowing the user to wear the product for longer periods of time. Cornell experts developed a set of test methods for evaluating new foam materials for comfort and performance. The team also suggested design changes that would increase long-term comfort and performance of the product for industrial users.

A startup company developing a novel repair skin cream based on a chemical compound extracted from plants turned to the CCMR to solve a critical supply issue related to production scale-up. Cornell chemists were able to synthesize a new molecule that mimics the natural compound in the active ingredient. Recipes for production of this molecule were provided to a contract manufacturer for further scale-up.

A NY State manufacturer of certified reference standards for X-Ray Fluoresces (XRF) instruments, was facing a global supplier’s problem. The materials provided and needed to make their certified reference standards lacked consistency, availability, and quality. This forced them to turned to the CCMR for help with the development of a new material to be produced in-house. The result was a process specifically designed to produce a thin metal foil with precision thickness, stress free, flat and smooth. The company now has a unique product, that is produced locally. This has cemented their position as a “one-stop shop” for XRF reference standards in a crowded global marketplace. and reshoring production back in New York State.