The AIP would like to take this opportunity to welcome Ana Bonilla AAIP, Quality Process Engineer, Schur Star Systems Australia to the Institute and share a little bit about who she is and what she does in the industry. Please join with us in welcoming her to the AIP.
1. Why did you join the AIP? What benefits do you believe the AIP offers all their members?
Ana:
I had joined the AIP because the AIP has a well know reputation within Australia, it has many professionals with a long history in the industry. It is well known as the entity that helps to shape the careers of packaging professionals and offers a great variety of courses.
I have joined the AIP also because I want to have a better understanding of the industry and build my professional career gaining personal development to all levels of the packaging industry.
I believe that it offers innumerable benefits for professionals in the packaging industry as it offers training in all areas of packaging with well-trained tutors, as well as publishes current information related to topics of interest.
2. How long have you been in the industry? What are your areas of expertise?
Ana:
I have been working in the industry for four years.
I work in a Flexible Packaging area, and I am responsible for the implementation and ongoing improvement of production processes using innovative technologies and engineering principles to monitor and maintain the production laboratory procedures to perform regular testings for the production area. As a Quality Process Engineer, I am accountable for the overall product and raw material testing for the site and I am responsible for ensuring that all goods in and out meet the technical requirements of the customer and any internal quality measures. I am also accountable for evaluating current processes and procedures to ensure continual improvement.
3. What is your current job role and what are your responsibilities?
Ana:
My current role is called Quality Process Engineer, and I undertake the following job duties and responsibilities:
- Developing strategies to improve the performance of the production area through daily quality control laboratory testing for the production area.
- Analysing and testing of samples, which includes samples provided by potential customers who wish to find out the cost of the product, hence I performs tests to find out the functional characteristics of the film such as barrier properties (OTR machine), optimum sealing temperatures, printing information as well as construction of the film (components or formulation).
- Undertaking production process reviews and assessing the efficiency of the steps involved in the production line, starting with the printing process, followed by lamination of films and finally slitting or elaboration of bags.
- Undertaking process trials, monitoring these, and recommending improvements for new film construction and laminated films in order to test new formulations by conducting tests to verify that the actual formulations comply with its purpose and this complies with our clients’ requirements.
- Modifying exiting processes, developing new engineering technologies and coordinate the implementation process for these.
- Testing and reporting against production process specifications; recording all essential data acquired during these processes and reporting information to all concerned staff members.
- Evaluating the safety and efficient operation of laboratory devices. These laboratory devices are special equipment for testing packaging films, to check its functionality and characteristics through the following methods: Gas chromatography, Microscope (To check the laser perforation in the elaboration of bags since laser should go through the first film (allows to offer an easy-open package) without perforating the second film which is going to let the food last long, Heat seal testing, Tensile tester, Hot tack tester, Coefficient of Friction Analysis and Oxygen transmission testing.
- Ensuring compliance with all safety and environmental requirements and policies.
- Preparing and maintaining documents and reports to comply with suitable regulatory requirements.