Industry: Food Manufacturing (Dried Dates Packaging)
Region: UAE
Problem: Packaging machines frequently jammed when production speed was increased to meet Ramadan demand.
The Contradiction:
- If we increase the machine speed → we meet market demand
- But increased speed causes more jams and machine overheating → productivity drops
TRIZ Contradiction Matrix Result:
- Improving Parameter: Productivity
- Worsening Parameter: Reliability
Recommended Inventive Principles:
- #10 – Preliminary Action
- #35 – Parameter Change
- #28 – Mechanics Substitution
TRIZ-Based Solution:
- Pre-heated the packaging trays using a separate thermal chamber before entering main machine (Principle #10).
- Reduced tray friction by coating contact surfaces with low-friction food-safe material (Principle #35).
- Used a servo-based tray pusher instead of pneumatic one to avoid vibration-based jams (Principle #28).
Results:
- Downtime reduced by 60%
- Additional 30% production capacity unlocked during peak season
- Cost savings: ~$25,000/month during Ramadan
TRIZ Lesson:
The Contradiction Matrix doesn’t solve the problem — it guides your thinking toward smarter options that traditional thinking misses.
