ITW Signode
Glenview, IL
Intern: Melanie Driscoll
Washington University, St. Louis
ITW Signode is a business unit of Illinois Tool Works. The company
produces steel and plastic strap, as well as strapping machines.
The intern project focused on identifying energy efficiency and
packaging material reductions related to the manufacture of polypropylene
strap, a process that occupies 60,000 ft2 of the facility.
Results:
The intern made the following recommendations:
- Insulate and remodel cure rooms to prevent heat loss and potentially
save more than $14,500 annually in natural gas. This project includes:
- Adding R-20 blown insulation within the walls.
- Installing an industrial curtain door with magnetic attachments.
- Insulating exterior ductwork and installing fans within the rooms
for increased convection.
- Complete lighting upgrades and install occupancy sensors for a potential
savings of $4,250 annually. This project includes:
- Upgrading cure room lighting to T8 lamps and installing occupancy sensors.
- Installing occupancy sensors in the break room and several offices.
- Retrofitting the facility's exit signs with LED bulbs.
- Conduct an evaluation of the facility's motors to determine which are
oversized or could be replaced with NEMA efficiency motors for a payback
period of less than five years.
- Reduce product packaging for a potential savings of $29,700 a year.
- Install Vending Misers on the facility's vending machines for a potential
savings of $500 a year and replace the hot beverage vending machine with a
Keurig brewer for additional savings of $770.
- Reduce the warehouse thermostat's setpoint two degrees during the weekday
in the winter and ten degrees at night and over the weekend. This change has
the potential to save $2,700 a year.
- Initiate a “Sustainable Suggestions” program that rewards employees for
identifying energy-efficiency opportunities with a monetary incentive.
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