Industry: Paint Manufacturing
Region: Saudi Arabia (Riyadh Industrial Zone)
Problem: Frequent clogging in pigment mixing tanks. Maintenance required cleaning every 2 days, wasting labor and chemicals.

TRIZ Tool Used: Trimming + Function Analysis

Step 1 – Function Analysis:

• Useful Functions: Mixing pigment, keeping flow even
• Harmful Function: Build-up of residue over time

Step 2 – Trimming:

• What function can we eliminate or delegate without harm?

TRIZ-Based Solution (Trimming Approach):

• Removed internal static mixers which were the main clog point
• Replaced them with external dynamic mixers (Principle #1 – Segmentation)
• Installed automated air-blast valves that periodically cleaned pipe walls (Principle #24 – Intermediary)

Results:

• Maintenance reduced from twice a week to once a month
• Labor savings: 60 hours/month
• Cost savings: ~SAR 50,000/year

TRIZ Lesson:

Most factories fix problems by adding more.
TRIZ teaches you to subtract — and still win.