>Manufacturing engineer
Are you involved in automated production lines? I've always wondered how a business goes from "we need to build a factory to make X" to "here's the exact machines and building layout we need to make a cool How It's Made video". Seems like there's a lot of steps in between that kind of get glossed over
no but I wish i were, my shop is oldschool just does aerospace machining. almost nothing is automated due to the nature of small batch specialized parts. I'd like to get more into automation eventually, planning on learning PLC stuff this year and robotics masters eventually
Cool. Do you get to work with any interesting QC tools? I imagine the tolerance specs on some aero parts must be tricky. I remember watching a video on spindle remanufacturing once and they had a high end digital vibration sensor to dynamically balance the parts while rotating. Incredibly sensitive and precise machine, yet it looked so simple to use.
Not OP but I’m in that business. A few of our installations ended up on how it’s made. A production company sends us a layout of their building and tell us eg “10 boxes per minute arrive at point A, we want them on pallets with labels on them at point B, you have all the space marked in red to work with, preferably under $2M” or “we dump 14 tonnes of potatoes at loading point X every hour and need them washed and supplied to cutting machine at point Y”. They put that with a lot details (like 20 pages) into an RFQ and send it to some suppliers.
We get these RFQs, compose installations out of standard modules, ad take into account all the stuff that client forgot to ask (forklift access, walking routes, trash, where the staircases go, etc). Most steps in the process are done by different suppliers, and they usually ask 4-5 suppliers for each part to get the best installation/price.
Automotive, space, pharma etc have more strict planning and more integrated projects, my branch (fmcg) is less strict and we move/chance/add/remove equipment all the time even during installation
>standard modules
I can't fathom what a standard manufacturing machine module would be, beyond conveyors and maybe an injection moulder or something, wherein all the uniqueness is in a pair of cast iron pans.
>I can't fathom what a standard manufacturing machine module would be
It's just an "idea" or "class of machines"
Like this one, it has a bunch of different names, vibratory bowl / feed bowl / prefeeder, etc
You can make all sorts of tweaks, to take just about any kind of part/shape from "random mess" to "similarly aligned"
The next step will always be easier if you can 99.98% rely on the assumption that "these parts will always be oriented *this way*"
assembly automation has been around for a fair bit of time. there are common (ie tried and true) designs for most of the common processes. everything still ends up being custom as no 2 parts are the same but the general methodology will be the same. there are always exceptions of course and the envelope always gets pushed for efficiency.
>The next step will always be easier if you can 99.98% rely on the assumption that "these parts will always be oriented *this way*"
assembly automation has been around for a fair bit of time. there are common (ie tried and true) designs for most of the common processes. everything still ends up being custom as no 2 parts are the same but the general methodology will be the same. there are always exceptions of course and the envelope always gets pushed for efficiency.
>the general methodology
Is there any Bible 101 of this physical assembly system methodology I can read about? Im interested in creative philosophies more than technical.
I'm at work sitting in my van after lunch because I don't wanna go back to the depot, boss is gonna make me wash the van if I come back early. Clients problem is unfixable right now. How can I frick around and burn 3 hours? Gps tracking is enabled
What's a grippy, durable material that can be wrapped around or otherwise formed to odd shaped bars that are roughly 1.5 x .75"? A sleeve is ideal, so maybe something very stretchy that will conform to the shape?
It's for a collapsible cart that will carry gocarts, which will also serve as the "handles" for the cart so we need something that can hold them pretty well so they don't get slide off while being pushed.
I need to add a cold water line to my shed. Is PEX the best way.
>PEX
Mamma mia! Here we go again!
Probably, use pex-b and either run underground to protect it or put some kind of protective tube over it.
>underground
Like below the frost line.
Torx or Robertson?
>protip:
>Pozidrive
Torx
Ideally sure but that’s more work than I’d personally be willing to put in
>more work
Known what's even more work? Having to dig it up and then deeper again in the spring.
>wanting to carry 12 different screwdrivers instead of 2
Is there such a thing as a competent draftsman
no cause if they're like me they'll just become engineers eventually
I don't actually go outside so trust this guys answer more
>Manufacturing engineer
Are you involved in automated production lines? I've always wondered how a business goes from "we need to build a factory to make X" to "here's the exact machines and building layout we need to make a cool How It's Made video". Seems like there's a lot of steps in between that kind of get glossed over
no but I wish i were, my shop is oldschool just does aerospace machining. almost nothing is automated due to the nature of small batch specialized parts. I'd like to get more into automation eventually, planning on learning PLC stuff this year and robotics masters eventually
Cool. Do you get to work with any interesting QC tools? I imagine the tolerance specs on some aero parts must be tricky. I remember watching a video on spindle remanufacturing once and they had a high end digital vibration sensor to dynamically balance the parts while rotating. Incredibly sensitive and precise machine, yet it looked so simple to use.
nah
Not OP but I’m in that business. A few of our installations ended up on how it’s made. A production company sends us a layout of their building and tell us eg “10 boxes per minute arrive at point A, we want them on pallets with labels on them at point B, you have all the space marked in red to work with, preferably under $2M” or “we dump 14 tonnes of potatoes at loading point X every hour and need them washed and supplied to cutting machine at point Y”. They put that with a lot details (like 20 pages) into an RFQ and send it to some suppliers.
We get these RFQs, compose installations out of standard modules, ad take into account all the stuff that client forgot to ask (forklift access, walking routes, trash, where the staircases go, etc). Most steps in the process are done by different suppliers, and they usually ask 4-5 suppliers for each part to get the best installation/price.
Automotive, space, pharma etc have more strict planning and more integrated projects, my branch (fmcg) is less strict and we move/chance/add/remove equipment all the time even during installation
>standard modules
I can't fathom what a standard manufacturing machine module would be, beyond conveyors and maybe an injection moulder or something, wherein all the uniqueness is in a pair of cast iron pans.
>I can't fathom what a standard manufacturing machine module would be
It's just an "idea" or "class of machines"
Like this one, it has a bunch of different names, vibratory bowl / feed bowl / prefeeder, etc
You can make all sorts of tweaks, to take just about any kind of part/shape from "random mess" to "similarly aligned"
The next step will always be easier if you can 99.98% rely on the assumption that "these parts will always be oriented *this way*"
>"idea" or "class of machines"
Huh. Interesting!
assembly automation has been around for a fair bit of time. there are common (ie tried and true) designs for most of the common processes. everything still ends up being custom as no 2 parts are the same but the general methodology will be the same. there are always exceptions of course and the envelope always gets pushed for efficiency.
>The next step will always be easier if you can 99.98% rely on the assumption that "these parts will always be oriented *this way*"
>the general methodology
Is there any Bible 101 of this physical assembly system methodology I can read about? Im interested in creative philosophies more than technical.
I need two 10' long rack and pinions can you make me them? Helical rack please
>Manufacturing engineer
yikes
I'm at work sitting in my van after lunch because I don't wanna go back to the depot, boss is gonna make me wash the van if I come back early. Clients problem is unfixable right now. How can I frick around and burn 3 hours? Gps tracking is enabled
I want to coat 800 small 3d printed parts with a paint system but not sure how to do it.
Tumble spin coating seems like a good route but can't find anyone that has done it with plastics.
can you just dye them i.e. soak large basket of them in hot dye solution
Best type of floor for a shop and basement?
What's a grippy, durable material that can be wrapped around or otherwise formed to odd shaped bars that are roughly 1.5 x .75"? A sleeve is ideal, so maybe something very stretchy that will conform to the shape?
It's for a collapsible cart that will carry gocarts, which will also serve as the "handles" for the cart so we need something that can hold them pretty well so they don't get slide off while being pushed.
Bicycle handlebar tape obvs
What's the worst tool for project management and why is it excel?