About the Client:
The Client is a major tool manufacturing company seeking to produce an environmentally friendly low-friction cutting blade that withstands abrasion, high temperatures, and scratches at an affordable cost.
Challenge:
The challenge for PreScouter was to identify alternative materials or designs that would provide saw blade with the same performance (anti-friction, non-stickiness, maximum operating temperature, continuous process, applied in a thin layer) without having VOC, along with being able to be used at a lower cost than PTFE.
Approach:
PreScouter performed a stage-gated approach divided into 3 steps:
- Scouting for solutions: PreScouter looked for designs, technologies, and materials in databases, white papers, and patents that were available to the public. It was looking for similar alternatives as well as ideas that were outside the box.
- Consulting with Subject Matter Experts: PreScouter engaged with a formulation specialist, a tool performance specialist, and a tribology expert to validate the team’s findings and add other viable options.
- Outreach: PreScouter contacted the most promising solution providers to get non-publicly available information and start relationships for further production.
Outcome:
PreScouter provided 4 prioritized solutions for the Client to move forward with. Those solutions would achieve the 2 main objectives of cost-effectiveness and environmental friendliness while also complying with all other requirements.
Impact of PreScouter’s Work:
The Client was able to immediately begin implementing 2 of the 4 solution options provided by PreScouter.
A downloadable version of this case study is available here.
