Bio

Having a background in Arts and Engineering,

 

Prototype for X/Y Axis

Why

  • Increase the productivity of both the process and the operator
    • Reduce alignment time
    • Remove the need for the operator to do alignment
    • Operator will be able to run more machines and focus more on in-process inspection 
    • Increase productivity by processing while the operator is doing the inspection 
  • Reduce human error due to alignment error hence reducing material wastage
  • Reduce training time for new staff
  • Current process is labor intensive
  • Increase consistency of the product 
  • Streamline between shifts

Current Process

Proposed Process Testing

User

  • All the operators who are assigned to work on the parts.
  • They would have to work on multiple machines/parts as it have a long processing time is long.
  • may not be tech savvy
  • maybe lazy and do not want to do calculation for every piece. 
  • There will be some who make mistakes in calculation due to fatigue especially the night shift crew.

Scope, Constraints & Roles

Scope

  • Upgrading an outdated machine at minimal cost
  • Add automation 
  • Finding ways to integrate hobby grade components with an industrial machine

Constraints

  • Worked on the project without upper management’s knowledge
  • Working outside my job scope
  • Hobby grade components has different voltage signal with the EDM machine

Roles

  • Conceptualization 
  • Research 
  • Design
  • Coding
  • Fabrication 
  • Testing

Task Flow

Current Operator Task Flow

Human error due to using analog meter

CASE STUDY
Operators running the large wire will always operate multiple machines and when are assigned to more challenging tools, the machine will be left idle during process when the operator is attending to the other machine. For some tools, they would have to make 3 alignments during the whole process

  • First alignment: at the beginning like another tools
  • Second alignment: half way through the first impression 
  • Last alignment: at the second impression before the burning process continues

 

Proposed Task Flow

New operator task flow

The operator’s work has been cut down into 2 steps

Program task flow

Intergraded with EDM machine task flow

take all guesswork out of the equation

Process

Proposed control panel

Top View

Front View

Isometric View

Right Side View