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Before the various tests on any machine tool are carried out, it is very essential that it should be
installed in truly horizontal and vertical planes. In horizontal plane, both longitudinal and
transverse directions are equally important. If, say, any long lathe bed is not installed truly
horizontal the bed will undergo a deflection, thereby producing a simple bend and undesirable
stresses will be introduced. If the bed is not installed truly horizontal in transverse direction, twist
will be introduced. Thus the movement of the saddal cant be in a straight line and true geometric
cylinder cant be generated.
For proper installation and maintenance of its accuracy, a special concrete foundation of
considerable depth must be prepared. Also this must be insulated from the surrounding floor by
introducing some form of damping.
The level of the machine bed in longitudinal and transverse directions is generally tested by a
sensitive spirit level. The saddle is kept approximately in the centre of the bed support
feet. The spirit level is then placed at a-a (Fig. 16.1), the ensure the level in the longitudinal
direction. It is then traversed along the length of bed and readings at various places noted down.
For test in transverse direction the level is placed on a bridge piece to span the front and rear
guideways and then reading is noted. It is preferable to take two readings in lon-
gitudinal and transverse directions simultaneously so that the effect of adjustments in one direction
may also be observed in the other. The readings in transverse direction reveal any
Fig. 16.1
twist or wind in the bed. It may be noted that the two guideways may be perfectly levelled in
longitudinal direction, but might not be parallel to each other. This is revealed by the test in
transverse direction.
The straightness of bed in longitudinal direction for the long beds can also be determined by other
methods, e.g., using straight edges, autocollimators or by taut wire method. But the test in
transverse direction can be carried out only by spirit level.
It is desired that the front guideway should be convex only as the cutting forces and the weight of
carriage act downward on it. If the front guideways are concave, then the effect will be comulative.
The tendency of the carriage, under cutting forces is to lift upwards from the rear and this is
prevented by a gib placed underneath the guideways. With the result, an upward force acts on the
rear guideways ; which must, therefore, be made concave. Transverse level may be in any
direction, but no twist can be tolerated.
Locating cylinder is provided to locate the chuck or face plate. However locating surface cant be
threaded one as threads get worn out soon and thus introducing play in face plate or chuck. Thus
locating surface is cylindrical and this must run truly; for only then the face plate etc., can run
truly. The dial indicator is fixed to the carriage (or any other fixed member) and the feeler of the
indicator touches the locating surface. The surface is then rotated on its axis and indictor should
not show any movement of needle.
Fig. 16.2
16.3.3 Axial Slip of Main Spindle and True Running of Shoulder Face of Spindle
Nose.
Let us first distinguish between the axial play and the axial slip. Axial play means the indispensable
freedom of spindle movement in axial direction to prevent it from
seizing by heating. The spindle is supported between two bearings. Due to running of spindle,
there will be a rise in temperature and thermal expansion of spindle would be there. If no axial
play is allowed, it would try to bend. Thus there will be no adverse effect of axial play if the
direction of cutting forces remains same. If the direction of cutting force changes, there would be
some error introduced due to movement of spindle axially in either direction. Under such
conditions, therefore, it is advisable to cut threads in one direction only. Axial slip is defined as
the axial spindle movement which follows the same pattern and is due to the manufacturing error.
Actually this test is meant to check this error. To test this the feeler of the dial gauge rests on the
face of the locating spindle shoulder and the dial gauge holder is clamped to the bed (Fig. 16.3).
The locating cylinder is then rotated and the change in reading noted down. The readings are taken
at two diametrically opposite points.
Fig. 16.3
The total error indicated by the movement of the pointer includes three main sources of errors.
(i) Axial slip due to error in bearings supporting the locating shoulder, i.e., the bearings are not
perpendicular to the axis of rotation and due to it a point on the shoulder will move axially in and
out at diametrically opposite points.
(ii) Face of the locating shoulder not in a plane perpendicular to axis of rotation. (Hi) Irregularities
of front face. Due to axial slip, in screw cutting, the pitch will not be uniform due to periodic
movement of the spindle. This, however, is not important while turning.
Headstock centre is live centre and the workpiece has to rotate with this centre. If it is not true with
the axis of movement of the spindle, eccentricity will be caused while turning a work, as the job
axis would not coincide with the axis of rotation of main spindle. For testing this error, the feeler
of the dial indicator is pressed perpendicular to the taper surface of the centre (Fig. 16.4), and the
spindle is rotated. The deviation indicated by the dial gauge gives the trueness of the centre.
This has to be checked in both vertical and horizontal planes. In this we require the use of mandrel.
An important precaution in the use of mandrels and dial indicator is mentioned here. The mandrel
must be so proportioned that its overhang does not produce appreciable sag, or else the sag must
be calculated and accounted for. The rigidity indicator set up is also very important and must be
carefully watched. Otherwise variations in readings are recorded by pointer may be solely due to
deflection of the indicator mounting in different positions and it becomes very difficult to detect
and isolate the spurious deflection from the true variations.
If axis of the spindle is not parallel to bed in horizontal direction, a tapered surface is produced.
Any deviation from parallelism of spindle axis from bed in vertical axis will produce a hyperboloid
surface. For this test, a mandrel is fitted in the taper socket of the spindle. Mandrel has a concentric
taper shank which is close fit to the spindle nose taper. The feeler of the dial indicator is pressed
on the mandrel and the carriage is moved. The indication in horizontal plane is given by dial (b)
and in vertical plane by dial (a) (Fig. 16.5). In vertical plane the mandrel should be rising towards
Fig. 16.5
the free end in order to counteract the weight of mandrel and job. But for counter-acting cutting
forces, it should be lower towards free end. In horizontal plane, mandrel should be inclined in a
direction opposite to the direction of tool pressure.
If the axis of tapered hole of the socket is not concentric with the main spindle axis, eccentric and
tapered jobs will be produced. To test it, a mandrel is fitted into the tapered hole and readings at
two extremes of the mandrel are taken by means of a dial indicator as shown in Fie. 16.6.
Fig. 16.6
Sometimes the job is held between head-stock and tail stock centre for turning. In that case the job
axis must coincide with the tailstock centre. If the tailstock guideways are not parallel with the
carriage movement there will be some offset of the tailstock centre and this results in taper turning.
To check the parallelism of tailstock mideways in both the planes i.e., horizontal and vertical, a
block is placed on the guideways as shown in Fig. 16.7 and the feeler of the indicator is touched
on the horizontal and vertical surfaces of the block. The dial indicator is held in the carriage and
carriage is moved. Any error is indicted by the pointer of dial indicator.
16.3.8. Movement of upper slide parallel with main spindle in vertical plane.
The dial indicator if fixed in the tool post. A mandrel is fitted in the spindle. The feeler
of the dial gauge is pressed against the mandrel in vertical plane and the upper slide is moved
longitudinally. This error is not tested in horizontal plane because there is swivelling arrangement
for taper turning.
Fig. 16.7
Parallelism of tailstock sleeve to saddle movement. If the tailstock sleeve is not parallel to the
saddle movement, the height of dead centre would vary as varying lengths of sleeve are taken out.
For the jobs held between two centres, it is necessary that the central axis of the dead centre be
coaxial with the job axis in both the planes. If it is not so, the job may be tilted up or down or in
sideways due to the support of the dead centre. The test is carried out by fixing the dial indicator
on the tool post and pressing the plunger against the sleeves first in vertical and then in horizontal
plane (Fig. 16.9). The carriage is moved along the full length of the sleeve and deviations as
indicated by dial indicator are noted down. Tailstock sleeve should be rising towards the free end
in vertical plane and should be inclined towards the tool pressure in horizontal plane.
A mandrel is put in the sleeve socket. The dial gauge is fixed on the tool post and plunger is pressed
against the mandrel and saddle is moved from one side to the other. This test is carried out in both
the horizontal and vertical planes.
Fig. 16.10
Fig. 16.11
The accuracy of the threads cut on any machine depends upon the accuracy of its lead screw. Thus
it is very essential that pitch of the lead screw throughout its length be uniform.
Test for this is performed by fixing a positive stop on the lathe bed. Against the stop, the length
bars and slip gauges can be located. An indicator is mounted on the carriage and first it makes
contact against the calculated length of slip gauges. The initial loading of the dial gauge against
the slip gauge is noted. The slip gauges are then removed and the carriage is connected to the lead
screw and lead screw is disconnected from the gear train. An indexing arrangement is utilised for
rotating the lead screw and lead screw is given some revolutions so that distance travelled by
carriage is equal to the length of slip gauges. The reading of the dial indicator against the stop is
noted down in this position. It it is same as before, there is no error, otherwise it can be recorded.
In this method, care must be taken not to disturb the datum location when changing the gauges for
testing different pitch lengths. A suitable method for recording the progressive and periodic errors
is by using a suitably divided scale, which is placed close to the line of centres. A microscope is
rigidly mounted on the carriage in a convenient position to note the readings on the scale.
The alignment of the bearings decides the position of the lead screw. Misalignment of lead screw
i.e., it not being parallel to the bed in vertical plane or horizontal plane can cause additional stresses
due to bending, when carriage is moved. Due to it the lead screw might get damaged and the
precision of the machine is reduced : Alignment of lead screw bearing with split nut in both the
planes is also essential.
The thrust face and the collars of the lead screw (or the abuttment collar and the thrust bearing of
the screw) must be exactly square to the screw axis, otherwise a cyclic endwise movement is set
up which is of the same nature as the axial slip in the main spindle. Thus a periodic pitch error will
be additional to any true periodic errors in the pitch of the screw. For testing the axial slip in lead
screw, a ball is fitted in the end of lead screw and the feeler of the dial gauge is pressed against the
ball. The lead screw is rotated and deviation, if any, in any direction is noted down (Fig. 16.12).
Fig. 16.12
These tests consist of the actual turning of some jobs on the machine. The job is made under
prescribed condition of cutting speed, feed and depth of cut. The test piece is then measured for its
geometry and surface finish and results compared with the standards as prescribed by the
manufacturer. These tests are designed to reveal the combined effects of possible errors in
alignment accuracy and the rigidity of machine.
The various jobs to be made as prescribed by M/s Hindustan Machine Tools are given
below.
(i) Working accuracy of machine of cylindrical turning (chucking). S should be as small as
possible. Permissible error = 0.01 mm.
(ii) Working accuracy of machine facing : Permissible error=0.02 mm over the diameter of test
workpiece, which is taken as 300 mm for swing over bed of upto 500 mm, and 400 mm for swing
over 500 mm. (Hi) Working accuracy of cylindrical turning, the job held between centres.
D = L/8 max. L = half to full centre distance. Permissible error is 0.02 mm/300 mm.
slide 1 of 2
1) Cost: Cost has always been the major factor of consideration while designing the machine elements or machine
and in this age of competition it has become more important. The best machine design is the one which helps get the
finished product with all the major functionalities and highest possible quality at the lowest possible cost. Gone are
the days when expensive and bulky materials were used for making the machine elements.
2) High output and efficiency: Earlier machines used to be very heavy and consume lots of power. Now the trend is
of full functional machines consuming low power and giving high output in terms of the number of the of products
manufactured. Some computer controlled machines can manufacture the components very fast and are highly
efficient.
3) Strength: The machine elements or the machine should be strong enough to sustain all the forces it is designed
for so that it is not damaged or permanently deformed during its life time. Right at the time of the designing the
machine the designer should consider the force machine can be applied to and consider all the relevant factors that
could affects its life.
4) Stiffness or rigidity: The machine should be rigid enough so that under the effect of applied forces for which it is
designed there is no deformation of the machine or machine elements beyond the specified limits. If there is
excessive deformation, there are chances of the failure of the machine elements and the whole machine.
5) Wear resistance: Wear is the removal of the material from the metallic surface when two surfaces rub with each
other. If there is more removal of the material, the component will become weaker and eventually break. The wear of
the contacting surfaces can be reduced by the lubrication of the surfaces, increasing the strength or the hardness of
the working surfaces. The effect of wear can also be reduce by increasing the surface, so that during the lifetime of
the mating machine elements they will not fail even if there is some wearing between them.
6) Lubrication: Lubrication between the two mating surfaces of the elements of the machine help reducing friction
between them and wearing of the two surfaces, which results in the increase in life of the components of the
machine.
7) Operational safety: For the safety of the operator of the machine, the hazard producing things from the machine
should be eliminated and the design should confirm to the safety codes.
slide 2 of 2
slide 1 of 2
10) Ease and simplicity of servicing and control: The machine and its element should be simple enough so that
very little maintenance and servicing is required. The repair and maintenance of the machine should be easy and
cheap and simple replacements should be available.
11) Light weight and minimum dimensions: The machine elements and machine should be strong, rigid and wear
resistant with minimum weight and least dimensions. This can be achieved by using light weight rolled sections and
hardening the metals. Using high strength grades of cast iron and light alloys can further help getting light materials
and minimum dimensions of the machine elements. Improving the design in this direction is very important.
12) Reliability: The reliability of the machine is a very important if the machine has to find the huge market in the
business.
13) Durability: The longer the life of the machine more it develops the reputation of being the dependable machine
and more will be its sale. Hence the right at the time of designing reliability and durability should be given priority. For
this the machine should be designed for least maintenance requirements and long-life.
14) Economy of performance: For the proper economic performance of the machine correct mechanical, hydraulic,
thermodynamic and other principles should be applied while designing the elements of the machine and the whole
machine.
15) Accessibility: The machine elements and machine the whole should be easy to handle and access.
16) Processability: The shape and the materials for the elements of the machine should be such that they can the
processing costs and labor costs are lowest possible.
17) Compliance with state standards: Following the standards makes designing easier and availability of various
parts faster and easier.
18) Economy of repairs and maintenance: While designing the machine elements and machine the designing
should be such that least amount of repairs and maintenance will be required for the machine.
19) Use of standard parts: There should be maximum possible standard parts in the design of the machine. This will
help reduce the cost of the machine and ensure easy availability of the parts. With standard parts the design can be
modified easily.
20) Use of easily available materials: Materials selected for the machine elements during the design should be
available easily and lowest possible costs.
21) Appearance of the machine: While designing the machine the aesthetics and ergonomics of the machine
should be given due consideration without affecting its functionality.
22) Number of machines to be built: Designing of the machine will depend a lot on the number of machines to be
manufactured. If few numbers of machines are to be manufactured then expensive materials and high production
costs can be considered, but for the mass production economy of the machine should be top priority.
Reference
Book: Machine Design by Dr. P. C. Sharma and D. K. Aggarwal
Machine Design or Mechanical Design
This is the series of articles on Machine Design or Mechanical Design. Machine design and drawing are very
important subjects of mechanical engineering. No produce can be manufactured without designing it. Here some
basic concepts of machine design or mechanical design have been covered.
There is no fixed machine design procedure for when the new machine element of the machine is being designed a number of
options have to be considered. When designing machine one cannot apply rigid rules to get the best design for the machine at the
lowest possible cost. The designer who develops the habit of following a fixed line of steps for designing the machine or machine
elements cannot come out with the best product. When the new product is to be developed the problems keep on arising at design
stage, and these can be solved only by having flexible approach and considering various ways.
1) Making the written statement: Make the written statement of what exactly is the problem for which the machine design has
to be done. This statement should be very clear and as detailed as possible. If you want to develop the new produce write down
the details about the project. This statement is sort of the list of the aims that are to be achieved from machine design.
2) Consider the possible mechanisms: When you designing the machine consider all the possible mechanisms which help
desired motion or the group of motions in your proposed machine. From the various options the best can be selected whenever
required.
3) Transmitted forces: Machine is made up of various machine elements on which various forces are applied. Calculate the
forces acting on each of the element and energy transmitted by them.
4) Material selection: Select the appropriate materials for each element of the machine so that they can sustain all the forces and
at the same time they have least possible cost.
5) Find allowable stress: All the machine elements are subjected to stress whether small or large. Considering the various forces
acting on the machine elements, their material and other factors that affect the strength of the machine calculate the allowable or
design stress for the machine elements.
6) Dimensions of the machine elements: Find out the appropriate dimensions for the machine elements considering the forces
acting on it, its material, and design stress. The size of the machine elements should be such that they should not distort or break
when loads are applied.
7) Consider the past experience: If you have the past experience of designing the machine element or the previous records of
the company, consider them and make the necessary changes in the design. Further, designer can also consider the personal
judgment so as to facilitate the production of the machine and machine elements.
8) Make drawings: After designing the machine and machine elements make the assembly drawings of the whole machines and
detailed drawings of all the elements of the machine. In the drawings clearly specify the dimensions of the assembly and the
machine elements, their total number required, their material and method of their production. The designer should also specify
the accuracy, surface finish and other related parameters for the machine elements.
Reference
Book: Machine Design by Dr. P. C. Sharma and D. K. Aggarwal
WE ALSO RECOMMEND...
Machine designer is the one who designs the machine and its various elements. A good machine designer possesses some skills
that help him/her design the machine elements and machine that meet all the needs of the designer and that helps develop the
high quality machine at lowest possible costs.
Introduction
Machine designer is the one who designs the machine and its various elements. A good machine designer possesses some skills
that help him/her design the machine elements and machine that meet all the needs of the designer and that helps develop the
high quality machine at lowest possible costs. These skills help the machine design engineer consider all the relevant parameters
in the broad sense and understand their effects on machine. The good designer has knowledge of wide range of subjects related to
the machine that helps them find out the best solution to the problem. Their communications skills help them communicate their
problem to others and get find the solution of the problem from different sources.
1) Inventiveness: This skill is the foundation stone for a good machine design engineer. Any new design starts with the need or
some objective. A good designer should have inventiveness, which is the ability to think of or discover valuable and useful ideas
or concepts for the things or processes to achieve the given objective. Without inventiveness the designer cannot start the process
of machine design.
2) Engineering analysis: Engineering analysis is the ability of the designer to analyze the given component, system or the
process using engineering and scientific principles. The designer who possesses this skill will be able to find answer to the
engineering related problems very quickly for he or she knows what exactly the problem is and where it is.
3) Engineering science: This is another skill without which the designer will just not be able to do any designing. A good
designer is the one who has thorough knowledge of and in depth training in the engineering science in which they are doing
designing. For instance, if the person doesnt know what the refrigerator is and other basics of mechanical engineering how will
they be able to design the refrigerator?
4) Interdisciplinary ability: A good design engineer is the one who has the ability to solve the problems not only those related to
his/her specialty, but also have the ability to competently and confidently deal the basic problems or ideas from other disciplines
which are in some or the other manner linked to the machine they are designing.
5) Mathematical skills: All types of designs involve lots of mathematical calculations and iterations. A good designer should
have the knowledge of all the basics and advanced mathematical concepts so that they can be applied fruitfully and effectively
wherever required.
6) Decision making: During designing many times a number of uncertain situations arrive, in such cases the designer should be
able to take the decision with balanced mind considering all the relevant factors involved. If the person doesnt maintain the
balance of mind and doesnt consider all the relevant factors there are greater chances of taking the wrong decision.
7) Manufacturing processes: The design engineer should have the knowledge of the manufacturing process like cutting, drilling,
milling etc and the knowledge of all the machines. They should also the knowledge of potential and limitations of all the
machines and manufacturing processes which may be old or new.
8) Communication skills: Communication skill is the ability of the design engineer to express oneself clearly and persuasively
orally, graphically as well as in writing.
These are the important skills that the machine design engineer or rather any designer should posses. Apart from this there are
many other skills desired from a good designers, these are: skill in design, good judgment, simulation skill, measurement skill,
thought skill, work in team, ability to make conclusion etc.
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MACHINE DESIGN
Design Considerations
Several structural design considerations should be taken into account for economical
and efficient welding. Many of these apply to other joining methods, and all apply to
both subassemblies and the complete structure.
Recognize and analyze the design problem: Designs must perform well under
expected and worst-case conditions. The designer should consider this before sitting
down at the drawing board or CAD terminal. Considerations include: Is it more
economical to build an irregular shape from welded pieces or to cut it from a plate, with
the accompanying waste? Can bending replace a welded joint? Are preformed sections
available? How, when, and how much should the structure be welded? Can weight be
reduced cost-effectively by using welded joints? Will fewer parts offer equal or better
performance?
Optimize layout: When drawing the preliminary design, engineers should plan layout
to reduce waste when the pieces are cut from plate. Preformed beams, channels, and
tubes also may reduce costs without sacrificing quality.
Many properties of rolled plates are directional, with the most desirable properties in
the direction of rolling. Strength and ductility often are low through the thickness
because nonmetallic impurities in many plates weaken them in that direction. Thus,
designers should avoid loading rolled plates through their thickness.
One way to get around through-thickness problems is called buttering. Joint surfaces
are gouged or ground out and refilled with weld metal, so welds are made against weld
metal instead of base metal. The properties of weld metal do not vary so much with
direction because the weld metal was never rolled.
Designers must also plan for residual stresses in joints from weld shrinkage. These
stresses may cause lamellar tearing in the base metal, especially in thick plate
weldments.
In addition to inherent metal properties, designers must consider how plates must be
prepared for welding. Parts must be thoroughly cleaned before they are welded, and
some joints require machined bevels or grooves.
Consider using standard sections and forms: Preformed sections and forms
should be used whenever possible. Specifying standard sections for welding is usually
cheaper than welding many individual parts. In particular, specifying bent components
is preferable to making welded corners.
Select weld-joint design: There are five basic types of joints: butt joints, corner
joints, T-joints, lap joints, and edge joints. In addition, the American Welding Society
recognizes about 80 different types of welding and joining processes. Each process has
its own characteristics and capabilities, so joint design must be suitable for the desired
welding process. In addition, the joint design will affect access to the weld.
Restrain size and number of welds: Welds should match, not exceed, the strength
of the base metal for full joint efficiency. Overwelding is unnecessary, increases costs,
and reduces strength.
Welding sometimes induces distortions and residual stresses in structures. It is best to
specify the minimum amount of welding needed. To check for overwelding, determine
joint stresses versus stress in the adjoining members.
When full-penetration joints through the thickness of the material are used, weld-metal
strength must equal or exceed that of the base metals. Fillet welds must be appropriately
sized to provide full strength. To determine adequate fillet size or depth of penetration,
calculate stresses and joint loads, as well as the safety factor required. Designers often
specify much bigger fillet welds than codes demand even with a safety factor. This adds
to cost and distortion.
Theres no question that reduction of labor can increase profits, but what areas should
this occur? Currently, companies are hunting for low-hanging fruit. These low-cost
solutions can be quickly and easily integrated with a current production line. More
complex solutions will take time and money, which may make sense, but can be harder
to sell.
This article will present some of the key factors to consider when considering return on
investment (ROI) for these systems. It will also introduce several products used to
reduce labor and help free up skilled workers to grow production.
Managers and executives tend to look at revenue and brass tacks. If automation
equipment is brought in to replace a worker, its easy to simply calculate the ROI as the
cost of the equipment versus the displaced worker salary. However, Universal Robots
(UR) says to include the elements below for a more accurate ROI and to find the best
equipment for the business.
There are additional fees and maintenance charges to consider. This also must include
any tooling, vision systems, networking, etc. that might be needed as production
changes. Workers can change without additional cost, or a marginal cost for training.
Automation equipment, on the other hand, requires more money and new
infrastructure. Furthermore, any maintenance and upgrades will require downtime, and
possibly training for employees.
However, conversely, consider automation equipment can operate 24/7. Workers need
breaks, and can only work so many shifts before they need to eat or sleep.
Finding equipment that doesnt replace workers but increases worker up-time by
reducing injuries may keep production lines flexible. In addition, if workers are
overexerting themselves doing common tasks, or blindly operating in autopilot for
repetitive mundane tasks, such equipment could improve production. Having to work
less strenuously or avoid mundane tasks can give workers more energy to attack more
complex production needs.
Occupational health and safety issues (OH&S) in relation to manual handling processes
are all too common, particularly musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), says UR. With the
integration of collaborative robots, these problems can be significantly reduced because
workers can be freed up to work on less laborious and repetitive tasks and moved onto
higher value roles within a business. It also gives workers the opportunity to learn about
robot technology and to acquire new skills that will support their future growth and the
growth of your business.
Increase Efficiency
When looking at the workforce, how many resources are impacted by low-skilled labor
for a given company? Many firms have mundane tasks, or busy work, that needs to get
done. Figure out how many employees are involved with these tasks, and how long they
take to accomplish. If that time could be freed with automation, it would allow those
employees to do something more complex, leading to better production or the ability to
give workers a needed rest. This improved efficiency and any additional production that
comes from it should be considered in the ROI.
Sometimes, though, having busy work to tie together times of more complex tasks can
give employees a mental break. Workers shouldnt be running at top speed all day
thats how accidents happen. Also, dont assume that because youve freed up some
employees time-wise that they will be able to produce more. Production isnt always
linear to employee availability.
Solutions
Airborne
Use of carbon fiber will likely continue to grow, what with the current trend of making
things lighter and stronger. Carbon-fiber production requires a lot of manual labor,
though. Today, that process is aided by automated cutters. In
October, Airborne released a new machine that would essentially pick-and-place the
sheet of carbon fiber from a cutter or storage system and stack them into a kit. This new
machine allows workers to look up the part they need. Then it can cut and organize the
sheets, and assemble them in the order the worker needs to use them.
Simple pick-and-place machines, or machines that can measure and cut, can free up a
lot of time. Thus, a worker could concentrate on a more complex task, or perhaps be
freed to take time off to receive training for a higher skilled position.
Universal Robots
Pick-and-place operations are some of main drivers for cobots. In one example, Voodoo
Manufacturing, a 3D-printing company, had success using URs technology. A lot of
labor can be involved in pulling out parts, replacing the build tray, and starting a new
print. Voodoo employed a UR to help out, and the company tripled its output. Using the
UR10, with a two-finger gripper kit from Robotiq, brought a 6-month ROI.
3D printing is on the rise, and one reason is because of its ability to automate the
manufacturing process. It not only reduces labor, but companies like Voodoo are now
using more automation to further the process market share.
Formlabs
Formlabs came out with the Form Cell, a new automated pick-and-place machine.
However, a lot of the labor associated with 3D printing is also cleaning up a part,
removing supports, and for the stereolithography (SLA) 3D-printing process, curing. To
decrease labor as much as possible, Formlabs has a machine for cleaning and one for
curing that can also be worked into the Form Cell, to create an end-to-end automation
manufacturing process.
To illustrate, the companys Form 2 was printing a prosthetic that cost about $52.30 per
hand (about 16 parts). This included equipment ownership, materials, and manual
labor. When the hand was printed in the Form Cell, cost was reduced by 41%. Most of
the cost was labor-related, but the cost of ownership dropped. By using the printer 90%
to 95% of the time, compared to maybe 30% when a worker is able to swap out trays,
youre increasing production and reducing the cost of ownership per part simply by
boosting production.
Moores Law is about predicting the future, says David Lakatos, Formlabs chief
product officer. If you understand how the cost per part will go down, you will be able
to understand what industries and applications will be impacted next. As 3D printers
become faster and engineers find new ways to design parts for 3D printing, it will
certainly increase the number that signals the break-even point between new and
traditional processes.
Stratasys
Stratasys has experience in manufacturing cost-effective parts, and recently teamed up
with Desktop Metal to launch the Demonstrator. This is a stack of three scalable, fused-
deposition-modeling (FDM) printers, one on top of the other. They print continuously
by using a film of plastic that sits on top of the print bed. When a part is finished, the
film slides the part out of the printer. The film is then cut, leaving a new sheet covering
the print bed, and the finished part falls into a bin.
With the nine machines we have, we can produce 1,500 parts per day, says Mark
Neilson, CEO of InTech.
If you need to increase production, its simple to expand by adding more stacks. With
the software, multiple jobs can print in parallel without downtime; there are no tooling
changeovers; and the inventory supply chain is nearly non-existent.
In the past, we would typically switch from 3D printing to injection molding when an
order hit 300 to 400 parts. With the Continuous Build 3D Demonstrator, that number
goes way up to around 1,500 to 2,000 parts, says Rich Stump, principal and co-founder
of FATHOM. The Demonstrator allows customers to reap the time and cost benefits of
repeatable and constant 3D printing. Along with the advantages of an iterative design
process and free complexity, the Demonstrator makes additive a serious contender
pricewise with injection molding for low-volume and bridge-to-production runs.
The FDM process has a rougher surface finish compared to injection molding.
Material limitation: If you need something such as ABS, youre fine, but anything that
would require certification isnt currently supported.
It will be increasingly difficult to find a ROI on orders over 1,500 to 2,000 parts.
These are just a few solutions that take advantage of new technology like cobots and 3D
printing. Another popular technology making the most of labor cost is the industrial
Internet of Things, not covered in this article. These technologies are helping to improve
production and make the most of the hours that workers are on the floor.
TECHNOLOGIES>MOTION CONTROL
Plug-in electric vehicles for passengers continue to become more mainstream within the
automotive market, and the shift in that direction shows no signs of slowing down. In
fact, Bloomberg New Energy Finances 2017 Long Term Electric Vehicle Outlook
forecasts that by 2040, 54% of new car sales and 33% of the global car fleet will be
electric vehicles. Growth projections for the numbers of hybrid electric vehicles are
similarly vigorous. However, what may be less obvious is the similar trend in
commercial vehicle markets, including off-highway/construction equipment,
agricultural vehicles, turf vehicles, and vehicles used in mining and forestry.
Manufacturers of these vehicles are increasingly eager to develop and launch hybrid and
electric products in an effort to reduce fuel consumption, particulate emissions, and
noise levels, while improving vehicle performance, efficiency, reliability, and lifespan.
Cooling an electric motor boosts its performance, allowing for a smaller motor to be
used, which in turn lowers vehicle weight and increases energy efficiency.
Sizing the motor depends directly on how it is cooled. This article presents an overview
of some of the thermal-management considerations involved in selecting the most
appropriate cooling approaches for electric traction motors and auxiliary function
motors for new off-highway electric and hybrid electric vehicles.
When developing a new electric or hybrid electric vehicle, engineers must weigh a
variety of design tradeoffs and considerations when selecting electric
motors/generators. One of the biggest challenges is developing a thermal-management
system for the vehicle that meets the overall projects space, weight, and cost targets.
Depending on the vehicle design, the system may need to cool an internal combustion
engine (ICE), traction motors/generators, inverters, batteries, and, in some cases,
auxiliary function motors to power hydraulics, air-conditioning compressors, and brake
compressors.
Early in any technical discussion with a motor/generator specifier, the conversation
typically moves quickly to thermal considerations. Where will the motor/generator be
mounted? What is the temperature of that area? How will the motor/generator be
mounted? What is the planned cooling system? What level of airflow will be available?
Whats the planned fluid temperature and flow?
Taking the time to answer these questions fully and accurately makes it simpler to size
the motor/generator appropriately. It also allows for making more informed decisions
on the best motor/generator selection for the application.
In most cases, the specifications in a motor catalog provide all of the information
needed to select and size a motor. However, when higher output performance is
required and space is limited, paying additional attention to cooling can make a big
performance difference.
To understand the potential cooling cost/performance tradeoffs with electric motors, its
essential to evaluate the various factors that influence how much additional
performance can be extracted from such a motor. Although these factors also include
coolant type, temperature, flow rate, viscosity, and the thermal resistance from winding
to the case, this discussion will address only the type of coolant used.
Air Cooling
Air cooling is the simplest form of cooling. In the example illustrated in Figure 1, there
is no air movement; the heat thats generated by the motor is conducted from the hot
parts to the cooler housing and heat sink (mounting surface).
For any continuous torque value (x), the peak torque is three times the torque value
(~3x Nm). As the motor speed rises, the temperature builds up in the stator due to
additional moving/spinning losses. The current from the motor controller must be
decreased to keep the temperature of the windings at a safe point. Note the steep decline
in continuous torque needed to maintain the windings at rated temperature. If the stall
current to output x Nm was pumped into the motor at higher speeds, the motor would
overheat and eventually fail.
Oil Cooling
2. Oil-cooled motor performance.
Superimposing the results of oil cooling onto the same graph illustrates just how much
oil cooling can boost motor performance (Fig. 2). Note that oil cooling the motor did not
affect peak torque, but it did have a dramatic impact on the continuous stall torque,
which rose to 1.75x Nmroughly a 75% improvement over the air-cooled version. And,
as the motor RPM increases, the spinning losses continue to produce heat in the
windings. Fortunately, though, the oil can extract that heat from the motor. Theres also
a 113% improvement in operating torque at higher speeds. The oil-cooled motor has a
much larger continuous operating region.
Water-Glycol Cooling
3. PMAC motor performance with water-glycol cooling.
Using a combination of water and glycol as a coolant (Fig. 3) does not affect the peak
torque. However, it does offer a modest (~10%) advantage over oil cooling in terms of
continuous torque performance because the water can absorb more heat than oil.
Figure 4 shows the impact of all three coolant types on continuous power (significant)
and peak power (insignificant, except for a small increase that is beyond the scope of
this discussion). Note that cooling not only boosts power at the same point, but it
enables the motor to spin faster, allowing for an extended operating range. With the
right gearing, this can also make a much more significant impact in torque output.
Selecting a motor thats able to employ liquid cooling effectively can add significant
continuous torque and power performance to the motorat both stall and rated
speedsand may lead to much smaller motors. The table summarizes the influence of
coolant type on motor performance.
Off-Highway Vehicles
Some off-highway vehicles have intermittent duty cycles. If weight and space arent
significant concerns, and theres a preference for a simplified vehicle architecture, then
an air-cooled motor/generator can be sized to achieve those goals. Understanding where
the electric motor/generator will be mounted, if exposed to heat from other sources
(e.g., an ICE), and if it can be cooled by some other means such as conduction, air flow
from the vehicles motion, or coolant fans, are all factors in correctly sizing the
motor/generator.
If the vehicle has high continuous operating regions during motor/generator operation,
and if power density, weight reduction, and range are primary design goals, a water- or
oil-cooled motor/generator will typically help meet vehicle performance objectives. On
average, an oil-cooled motor/generator will increase the continuous stall torque
performance of the motor/generator by 75%, and a water/ethylene glycol-cooled version
will increase it by 85% over an equivalent air-cooled motor/generator. This offers the
vehicle designer greater flexibility in packaging the vehicle to meet weight budgets.
In a simple battery electric vehicle, adding cooling might raise the cost of the vehicle or
make it too complex. If lower-cost battery technology is being used, then air-cooled
inverters and air-cooled motor/generators might be the most cost-effective option.
Whenever possible, when designing an off-road electric or hybrid electric vehicle, its
advisable to compare the benefits of various cooling methods for the motor/generator.
With just a moderate amount of the right type of cooling, motors/generators can
produce significantly higher continuous torque levels. The right cooling can even make
it possible to select a smaller motor/generator while still meeting the vehicles overall
performance goals.
Multiple options are available to cool the motors/generators used in off-highway hybrid
electric vehicle applications. For example, if the vehicle will have sufficient hydraulic
fluid on board to operate auxiliary functions, then it can be used as a coolant for the
motor/generator and any auxiliary function motors. A separate water-ethylene glycol
circuit can be downsized to handle a smaller displacement ICE. The engine coolant is
too hot to cool inverters or lithium-ion batteries effectively, so they may need to be air-
cooled.
If the vehicle does not have an abundance of hydraulic fluid, water-ethylene glycol is the
best choice for the motor/generator. Incorporating the motor/generator into the ICE
engine cooling circuit is a very effective solution for a high-performance
motor/generator.
Creating a separate cooling circuit for the hybrid electric componentstypically the
batteries, inverters, and motors/generatorsis yet another option, although the
batteries are sometimes put on a separate coolant circuit of their own to reduce
potential failure modes. The upside of this method is that the coolant can be at a lower
temperature versus the internal combustion-engine circuit, which enables a higher
power density out of the motor/generator.
For many motor/generator specifiers, the first step in the process should be to talk with
a motor supplier for guidance on cooling options. A few suppliers have mobile systems
engineers on hand and offer proprietary motor-sizing software tools that enable
modification of the thermal inputs, such as coolant type, coolant inlet temperature, and
coolant flow, to predict motor/generator performance across different duty cycles. The
ability to run multiple simulations quickly helps specifiers make better decisions on how
to cool the motor/generator as part of designing a vehicles thermal-management
system.
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Rockwell Automation introduced a new way to monitor servo actuators. On the back end
of the servo, a new sensor expands on traditional sensing capabilities beyond bearing
vibration detection. The new sensors can detect off loading, misalignment, and rotary
belt wear.
Rockwell Automations Future Machine Winners Pave the Way for Innovation
OCT 12, 2017
New Materials Research Lab Encourages
Research and Entrepreneurship
The MRLs mission statement, as listed on its website, is to serve interdisciplinary groups of
faculty researchers, spanning the spectrum of basic scientific discovery through engineering
applications and entrepreneurship to ensure that research breakthroughs have an impact on
society.
The Materials Processing Center (MPC) and Center for Materials Science and
Engineering (CMSE) at MIT will merge to become the Materials Research
Laboratory(MRL). The facility will be used by interdisciplinary teams researching
applied materials in energy conversion and storage, quantum materials, oxides and
metals for electronics, spintronics, photonics, biogels, functional fibers, and other
arenas.
Projects at the lab will be funded by the National Science Foundation's Materials
Research Science and Engineering Center program (MRSEC). MRSEC has funded
many projects that have led to spinout companies like American
Superconductor, OmniGuide Surgical Surgical, QD Vision, and Luminus Devices.
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For example, MRSEC-funded research at CMSE led to a perfect mirror in 1998 that
has revolutionized fiber-optic surgery, and led to the founding of company
at OmniGiude Surgical. The dielectric mirror reflects nearly 100% of electromagnetic
waves in various spectra, and can even reflect transverse waves like sound with near
zero distortion. The perfect mirror technology is also incorporated into the first
germanium laser operating room to function at room temperature, which was built in
2012. It has also been studied for applications in solar technology.
The video below shows a summer scholar conducting research at MRL for materials in
biotechnology.
The recent merge between two facilities comes on the heels a new Industry Collegium
made up of 7 companies looking to partner with MIT researchers. The center will also
support the work of four faculty members in three Manufacturing Innovation Institutes.
It will be guided by an external advisory board of member from industry, government,
and academia, along with an internal advisory board of MIT faculty, and will collaborate
with the new research facility being constructed at the heart of the MIT campus,
MIT.nano, set to open in June 2018. Gregory Beach will serve as principal investigator
for MRSEC.
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NOV 06, 2017
For organisms living in very dark places like caves and trenches, bioluminescence is
essential to survival. In the deep ocean, more than 90% of organisms are luminescent.
Some use light to create optical illusions that strengthen them as predators, while others
may use it reduce their chances of becoming prey. For example, an animal in danger
may transmit light throughout its entire body to seem bigger than it is (octopuses do
this), while a predator may keep its light confined to seem smaller and more harmless
than it is (an angler fish will only brighten its light in search of a mate). In either case, it
is common for more complex organisms to alter their brightness in response to stimuli,
and to use optical networks that transmit light when they turn it on.
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In the caves of New Zealand, the fly larva Arachnocampa luminosa attracts insects by
transmitting a blue-green light from its tail through silk strands of its web (shown
above). The silk web is lined with a sticky mucus comprised mostly of urea, which
becomes an adhesive when mixed with some proteins found in the mucus or silk. Bugs
are attracted to the light, and are quickly caught. They become even more entangled in
silk when they try to break free.
Scientists investigate the optical and mechanical properties of worm silks to develop
waveguides for medical sensors and other applications, according to the Optical Society.
They may also investigate doping capabilities with natural silks to change their
waveguide properties. Scientists from the University of Queensland in Australia
determined the worm's silk makeup through X-ray scattering, Fourier transform
infrared spectroscopy, and amino acid analysis (Published on Research Gate). They
found the silk contains -sheet crystallites, contributing to its periodicity to transmit
light, and amorpohous or disordered components that contributed to its holding
strength (which is really only tough enough to trap small bugs and hold against
gravitational creep. But hey, it could still be applicable.)
The next animal FOC scientists can learn about is one of the most primitive on earth
the Venus Flower Basket sea sponge. The sponge has silica spicules that act as
waveguides, distributing light throughout its exoskeleton to support its cellular colonies
and other creatures living within its barriers. The sponge spicules are made up of
lamellar layers connected by organic ligands that surround the fiber, according to a
report in a Cornell journal (PDF). The organic ligands not only strengthen the
exoskeleton; they insulate its optical cores with a lower refractive-index material for
better light transmission through the fibers.
NOAA
In addition, the spicules can grow to be very long at ambient ocean temperatures, while
commercial silica FOCs have to be manufactured at temperatures up to 3,000 F. And
they're even less prone to shattering than manufactured silica FOCs.
Finally, sodium ions within the spicules increase the cores refractive index for better
light transmission through them. With this research, scientists can investigate
different methods for doping FOCs with sodium ions, which is already a method used to
alter silica FOCs' optical properties and bandgap. And though this research was
conducted a few years ago, it could still lead to ideas for integrating biological methods
to produce FOCs.
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NOV 17, 2017
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MegaBots, Inc.
MARKETS>ROBOTICS
My heart stopped when the robot fell over. How dare you!
That's what Gui Cavalcanti's mom texted him while watching the Giant Robot Duel in
mid-October, right after the Japanese robot Kuratas crashed into the mech her son built
at full speed. With an outstretched fist like a battering ram, the 6.5-ton Kuratas knocked
the MegaBot named Iron Glory straight back, along with Cavalcanti and co-pilot Matt
Oehrlein with it.
Cavalcanti, a former mechanical engineer at Boston Dynamics and founder of one of the
country's largest makerspaces, Artist's Asylum, spent years designing and testing this
giant robot, the first MegaBot.
Now he and the rest of the MegaBots team were in a nearly empty Japanese steel mill,
fulfilling the challenge he and co-founder Oehrlein threw down via a 2015 YouTube
video to Suidobashi Heavy Industry and Japanese roboticist Kogoru Kurata. They were
very brash and bold, emulating the very best (and what the rest of the world may say is
the very worst) of American swagger. And Kogoru, piloting Kuratas, seemed intent to
make them pay for their hubris with pain.
For that brief moment in time, even strapped snuggly into their own 6-ton robot,
bravado was in short supply for the duo.
"When you see this 600-lb. metal fist coming at you, it's a very different story," says
Cavalcanti, who steered Iron Glory's track base.
"I didn't know Kurtas was going to move so quickly," says Oehrlein, the gunner who got
off a few wild paintball shots during the bum rush. "I kind of knew it was going to be a
bloodbath."
There was no real blood in this battle, the first ever combat between giant piloted
mechs, unless you think anime is real, in which case there have been thousands. Both
sides agreed to take measures not to kill each other, and MegaBots reinforced the
cockpit to take the impact.
"The worst part was not so much the fall the seats flex a little bit," Oehrlein explains.
"It was basically when you're in the robot hanging upside down waiting for the crew to
get us out."
Aside from terrifying Mrs. Cavalcanti and probably Mrs. Oehrlein, the guys came out
dazed but unscathed. Then they climbed in their mechanical magnum opus, Eagle
Prime, a 12-ton, 16-ft. robot constructed from the latest and greatest in American
industrial controls and components.
Michael Mauldin
Using a giant trencher, a.k.a. the "Chain of Command," Eagle Prime avenged the earlier
defeat by hacking off bits of Kurata's hand and chest.
Millions watched the live stream on Twitch.tv, posted later on YouTube, where it
currently has 3.7 million views. Many were disappointed that the fight wasn't live, it
looked staged, that MegaBots had an unfair advantage with two pilots, there wasn't
enough destruction, and many more gripes pouring in from all recesses of the Internet.
As this fight was always a proof of concept for an actual robot combat league that would
merge the engineering of Formula 1 racing and brutality of UFC, MegaBots gladly
absorbed all the criticism, for at least none of these trolls could hurt them with a giant
robot.
MegaBots has just announced that they are hosting the "World's 1st Giant Fighting
Robot Tournament" near the end of 2018. Planned to take place LIVE in an as-of-yet
unnamed arena in the San Francisco Bay area, this tournament will pit four, and
possibly eight, giant robots against each other for global bragging rights and prize
money.
Eagle Prime, of course, will be there to defend its title, and MegaBots says at least 20
teams internationally have expressed interest. These include two impressive Chinese
contenders: Yamantaka from Fighting My Bots, and Monkey King from GREATMETAL.
Other fighters may emerge from Canada, South Korea, the United States, and Japan.
(Kuratas strikes back, perhaps?)
Crowdfunding is what got MegaBots battle ready, and showed investors people really
wanted this, so MegaBots is holding out its giant metal hat again, hoping the public will
collectively pitch in $950,000 on Kickstarter to fund the tournament.
Pledges start at $5, with a $15 donation earning you voting rights. Combining
democracy and giant fighting robots is a brilliant idea, and thinking about it nearly
brings to tear to my eye.
Now, what you are probably most interested in is how the hell can you get a ticket to the
mayhem?
For $125, you get a ticket, along with previous merch rewards including
Voting Rights
18x24-in. Poster
T-Shirt
For $3,450, you get a bunch of merch, two VIP tickets, and get to drive around Eagle
Prime at Megabot's Hayward, Calif. headquarters, codenamed Fortress One.
The more money that is raised, the more MegaBots will be able to do. Raising $2.5
million will ensure eight teams fight, while $5 million will allow MegaBots to build
walking mechs, as opposed to wheeled or track-based ones.
Conversely, failure to raise the $950,000 will shut the whole damn thing down.
Considering how emotionally people responded to the first fight, positively and
negatively, creating a huge live tournament that addresses all the earlier issues is likely
to generate the necessary revenue.
That's great news for robot enthusiasts, but not so much for Cavalcanti's mom.
"We definitely want to keep pilots inside," says Cavalcanti. They did however, rig Iron
Glory for remote control earlier this month for a scrimmage with Eagle Prime. Prime did
not take it easy on its older brother, It played out like a robot version of the Black Knight
fight from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. ruptured hoses spewing hydraulics from
Iron Glory's shoulder. It was merely a flesh wound, though.
Even with all the funding, don't expect Pacific Rim-style devastation any time soon. The
goal is entertainment through engineering, not high-tech Roman Coliseum carnage.
"To be honest, the level of destruction [many people] want cant be achieved,"
Cavalcanti says. "You dont want to spend $1 million to repair a robot every time it
fights."
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ENGINEERS ASSEMBLE!
A win-win situation is a rare thing to see. In engineering, many decisions are made
with a tolerance to ensure that the solution works, even if it isnt a perfect fit. However,
at the Automation Perspectives Event at the Rockwell Automation Fair, I saw a true
win-win. The Academy of Advanced Manufacturing (AAM) is Rockwells answer to the
skilled labor shortage. It pairs retired U.S. veterans with training in the advance
automation tools to create the workforce of tomorrow.
The manufacturing sector in the U.S. is estimated to produce up to 3.5 million new jobs
over the next decade, largely due to the increase in automation. The advances in
automation technology are happening so quickly that companies are struggling to keep
up with the incremental job demand. Add to this the fact that close to 2.5 million
manufacturing workers set to retire by 2025, plus ongoing skill shortages, and up to two
million of those new jobs could go unfilled.
This program felt like it was made just for me, said Travis Tolbert, a U.S. Navy
veteran and academy graduate. [By focusing] on controls and automation, which is
something Ive always wanted to doThe academy helped me take my military skills and
understand how I could make them relevant for jobs outside of the Navy.
The company behind the talent search is Manpower Group. The global workforce
solutions company helps organizations in sourcing, assessing, developing, and
managing the talent. According to Ted Crandall, senior vice president of Control
Products and Solutions, the talent pool size has significant potential growth.
Crandall noted that 200,000 veterans are set to retire. From that talent pool, Manpower
has identified 25% as eligible candidates, meaning that there are 50,000 potential
candidates. Rockwell is looking to expand the 14 student pilot programs to 1,000 within
the next year.
Veterans share many skills that are relevant to manufacturing, Frankiewicz continued,
including effective problem solving and a team work mindset. Were helping
servicemen and women earn more and stay employable for the long term while helping
employers address their skills gap.
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NOV 18, 2017
TECHNOLOGIES>3D PRINTING
Education continues to be a major concern for many Americans, which has led many
companies to jump on board to lend a hand. This article looks at a few of the reasons
why companies are pushing for education, and what some 3D-printing companies are
doing to step up to the plate.
First, the amount of money spent by the U.S. on education and kids is unparalleled.
This, of course, turns youth education into a large marketplace for an array of
companies. Government benefits and funds for being in the education game can expand
those pockets even further.
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Unfortunately, when 3D printing started hitting the schools, some companies were just
looking for headlines like Company X Donates a Bunch of 3D Printers to a Poor
School. I personally spoke to multiple teachers who said they had a 3D printer, but
after running out of filament, the education went from 3D printing to a course on how to
collect dust. The only thing learned was that there was a fancy device that could print a
bunch of chess pieces.
Below are some companies that appear to have a good plan to address educational
needs, giving teachers what they need to keep their 3D printer from becoming like so
many of our household treadmills.
Afinia
The first company that I ran into, years ago, was Afinia. Most of the companys market is
in the educational arena.
Afinia understands that companies need to do more than just drop off a printer. They
need to develop a fiscal plan for what to do when the filament runs out. Teachers need to
be trained. No matter how user-friendly a printer says it is, they will need someone who
understands its basic functionshow to level the build platform, replace nozzles, and
troubleshoot issues associated with failed prints. This might be simple, but teachers are
already maxed out. Without a plan and some investment, why would teachers take the
time they dont have to try to figure out something they might have never seen?
Once a financial plan is worked out, and teachers understand the technology, the school
needs a reason for the 3D printer to be there. If all thats being done is 3D printing of
chess pieces, theres no reason to have this equipment taking up space in already
overcrowded schools.
The 3D printer needs to be worked into the lesson plan. Printing out learning
tools, STEM kits, and other materials not only helps students learn, but it brings
resources into the classroom that the school couldnt otherwise afford. Even now, with
some savvy STEM kits priced from $10 to $30, when you have 30 students in a class, it
isnt possible to provide these kits en masse. However, if the components can be printed,
and a syllabus downloaded that aligns with what the school is teaching, it can
dramatically reduce the cost.
Offering many platforms and syllabuses, here are a few things students can build:
The M.I.R.A. 5-Axis Mini Industrial Robot Arm:Robotics and 3D printers are the
fastest-growing technologies used in education and research. M.I.R.A. is the ideal
platform for teaching for teaching science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)
principles at all levels.
Derby Dash: This is a great STEM project for teachers to further teach on topics such as
electric motors, gears, kinematics, and basic principles of physics, such as the
conservation of energy.
Heart Rate Watch: In this project, students will design, print, and build their very own
heart-rate monitor. This project is great for further teaching on topics such as 2D
drawings, electrical energy storage, voltage conversion, and electronics. In addition, a
heart rate watch could be worked into a health or gym class.
Mini Boom Box: Students can build a speaker that connects to their phone, MP3 player,
or other portable device. This project is great for further teaching on topics such as
soundwaves, amplifiers, and speakers; circuit diagrams; and electronics in general.
Night Light: In this project, students learn about the basics of design and
developmentdesign requirements, market research, creating and developing concepts,
CAD modeling, 3D printing, and assembly electronic components.
XYZ Printing
Asserting that its printers are cost-effective and easy-to-use, XYZ Printing has been
working in education K-12 for years now. Not only does the company offer syllabuses
with its STEM kits, but it handles a range of projects from complex to simple, whether
printing out molecules or a simple piston engine train. The companys user-friendly
focus goes beyond the printers, though. XYZ Printing offers classroom bundles to
combine everything you need in a convenient package.
MakerBot
MakerBot and the township of Montclair, N.J., are working together to educate the
entire student bodya total of 6,625 studentswith 3D printing district-wide. Back in
2015, MakerBot and Montclair partnered to establish the first district-wide network of
desktop 3D printers, in each school, from the elementary level all the way up to
Montclair State University.
Currently, 3D printers are in over 5,000 schools across the U.S. While 3D printers for
schools received some good initial headlines, the burden that came with them wound up
being passed back and forth from the schools to the 3D-printer companies. Today, it
looks like technology and school systems have started to find some common ground and
solutions that will surely progress 3D printing to new levels, especially as student raised
on this technology move onto to STEM or management positions.
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OCT 12, 2017
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