On your die project:

I can't believe that the semester is close to an end! The workload for this course was heavy. But I enjoyed teaching this course and I hope you enjoyed learning the materials of this course and the 5 projects you have had!

As you noticed from fixture project presentations, the designs were great and I am happy that you came up with so many good ideas for that relatively hard project that I assigned for you.

Anyway, for your last project remember that I have introduced two unknowns in the project just to keep you a little bit busier! (but not more than 5-10 minutes that I promised).

Remember that the diameter of the shell is 14 times the punch radius (there is a typo in project sheet and it should read "the punch radius" and not the draw radius). In fact d=14r. Start with finding r or the punch radius and after that everything will be easy (finding the punch radius should have been listed as number one task in the project).

You do not need to prepare this project in the form of a booklet. Just find the unknowns for the die drawing operation and then hand-sketch the die neatly. Use any of those die drawing designs we discussed in class. But remember to draw different parts according to the scale of the drawing. You can use this paper if you wish.

Let me know if you have any questions.
Happy die designing!

On your fixture project:

I am very pleased with both the box jig and the main jig projects. I saw many creative and professional designs. Good on ya! ( a term used by Aussies to express a job well done).

I'm adding some info on your fixture project here: Lee told me that some dimensions are missing. You can calculate the location of the stud protruding from the boss. It is located right in the middle of the boss. The distance from the bottom of the part till top of the stud is 22mm (as given). The depth of the slot is 22 mm. Also, check this components sheet carefully and follow the items accordingly. Place this grading sheet in your folder.

If you have any question, write it here or email me, I sometimes miss checking my voice mail!

Keep up the good works and
..... stick to the fun part of design fundamentals!

On your jig project:

Various parts of the jig project are written in "project components sheet" and you should follow this guideline. The emphasis is on creativity (cool design!), management and presentation.

Your first 3 mini-projects proved that you have the creativity (more or less), but you should work on management and presentation. Try to allocate more time to discuss the project with your partner(s). Later on as an engineer, you should work within a group. You might not be happy with your partner's effort on the project, but this is life: Push them to work as much as you do!

From today, start recording the time you spend on the project as well as the component you work on. This is necessary for last section of project components sheet which is "Project control & time management: task list and schedule".

Let me know if any part of the project is confusing.

Happy Cool Design!

Short notes about your workholding projects:

Project 1: If you find some problems which might be present in the design, suggest some ways to solve the problems.

Project 2: This is an example of a modular fixturing that we're gonna study soon. Consider the workpiece's size equal to the size of the base plate (30 by 62). You are to place the pins in appropriate places in order to minimize the movement of the workpiece which is held by those two pins on this baseplate. Justify your answer.

Project3: No gear calculations, etc. Just come up with a design. Dimensions are not given, so the mechanism is only important. Application: Assume that the operator wants to level the top surface and a very small adjustment is required from the bottom of the workpiece.

Let me know if you have any questions.

This might be of interest to you:

"Saber Diamond Tools is offering an excellent opportunity for current engineering student or recent graduate. In this entry-level position we will develop you into a Tool Designer using 3D software.
You must be bright and self-motivated. You should have experience using 3D software, preferably Pro-E Wildfire or SolidWorks or another 3D software. You will learn how to build 3D models with total integrity. You will also be trained in CAM programming including lathe and mill and sheet metal nesting.
We offer an excellent benefit package. We are located approximately 30 miles west of Atlanta. Submit resume and salary requirements. EOE."

Steve Leasure
Saber Diamond Tools, Inc.
101 Saber Pkwy.
Villa Rica, GA 30180
PH 770-456-0101
FX 770-456-0102
stevel@saberdiamond.com

Ok, we have to start forming some groups of minimum 3 students. This is up to you whom you want to work with.
I wanted to assign some mini-projects (similar to homework assignments) for the workholding section that I'm teaching now, but something happened on Wednesday which delayed this. If I can get some peace of mind for myself, I will post them on the web during weekend, otherwise I will hand them out in class on Tuesday.

For now, visit Carrlane site (click on online catalog, then click on items on the left) and learn about various locators and supports (check the available parts by clicking on dimensions and then see the 3D solidworks views). Try to download a solidworks file into your computer.

Also write your comments for the latest post and not the previous ones.

It is more than 2 weeks that I haven't written anything here. This clearly shows how hectic this semester is! Anyway, I have made this weblog mainly for the time we get to the projects, so you can discuss about various problems you might have ...I might give some bonus points to those who are more active here!
We are moving according to the schedule that I have written for this course. After finishing the cutting tools, I'll start teaching a very interesting section about workholding and locating. You will have your first mini-project and that is in fact a test on how well you can work within a group. Then we will start working on Jigs and fixtures and you will have 2 major projects. By then, the majority of the course will be finished and we'll have some time to work on presses, dies and gages (for which you will have some small projects). This is the scope of our course, for those who asked me.

Part 1 of our course was related to the design elements and the two slide shows were prepared based on Chapter 1 of "Fundamentals of tool design" by SME and Unit 7 of "Jig and fixture design" by Hoffman. I also used "Jig and fixture handbook" by Carrlane for detailed description of the redesign analysis.

As I mentioned, I mainly choose the most important materials from various books. This week, we focus on cutting tool materials (Ch 2 of SME) and the related calculations (Ch 3 of SME and also the Manufacturing processes by Groover). After finishing the second section, you will have your first test.

Remember that this weblog is very informal and I encourage you to leave your comments and suggestions here.

Good day,

This is the weblog for "Tool Design", the course taught at Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology, Southern Polytechnic State University (SPSU). Here we discuss various issues related to the course.