Automatic Part Automatic Part Feeder Feeder for Bishop Steering for Bishop Steering TechnologyTechnology

Joel GrayJoel Gray

Dan HowkDan Howk

Jessica RodgersJessica Rodgers

May 4, 2004

Project HistoryProject History

Sleeve Ring Assembly MachineSleeve Ring Assembly Machine– Human operatorHuman operator– Would benefit from automationWould benefit from automation

Project PresentedProject Presented– LubricateLubricate– LoadLoad

RequirementsRequirements

CustomerCustomer– Load two types of ring sealsLoad two types of ring seals– Reject defective rings Reject defective rings – Operate at reasonable rateOperate at reasonable rate– Jam infrequentlyJam infrequently– Machine cost must be reasonableMachine cost must be reasonable

EngineeringEngineering– Quantifies customer requirementsQuantifies customer requirements

TargetsTargets

Engineering Engineering – Load Teflon and O-rings with varying Load Teflon and O-rings with varying

diameter of 1 +/- 0.25 inches.diameter of 1 +/- 0.25 inches.– Ensure 100% of twisted rings do not Ensure 100% of twisted rings do not

enter SRAM enter SRAM – 120 sleeves assembled per hour120 sleeves assembled per hour– Zero jams per shiftZero jams per shift– $22,000 budget$22,000 budget

The InspirationThe Inspiration

Challenge of Challenge of loading four loading four vertical rings at vertical rings at same timesame time

““The Pringles Can”The Pringles Can”– Five platesFive plates– Four spring loaded Four spring loaded

flapsflaps– Arms release and Arms release and

resetreset

Overall ProcessOverall Process

Sub-systemsSub-systems

Greenfield Greenfield Feeders, Inc.Feeders, Inc.– Vibratory bowl, Vibratory bowl,

dampening stand, dampening stand, and hopperand hopper

MiltecMiltec– Conveyor belt, Conveyor belt,

lubrication lubrication modulemodule

Sub-systemsSub-systems

Pringles can Pringles can systemsystem– FlapsFlaps– Control ShaftControl Shaft– Cocking Cocking

MechanismMechanism– LatchesLatches– Pusher OnePusher One– Stationary BlockStationary Block– Pusher TwoPusher Two

Finite Element Finite Element AnalysisAnalysis

APFAPF

Custom bowl allows for 1,000 rings to be Custom bowl allows for 1,000 rings to be storedstored– Allows for longer autonomous run timeAllows for longer autonomous run time– Or more sleeves per hour at faster rateOr more sleeves per hour at faster rate

Proper part loadingProper part loading– Set up and jam clearing times below target Set up and jam clearing times below target

valuesvalues– Zero jams per shift (statistically insignificant)Zero jams per shift (statistically insignificant)

Total cost of $16,800Total cost of $16,800

ConclusionConclusion

Reliable mechanical systemReliable mechanical system Meets or exceeds all targetsMeets or exceeds all targets Affordable costAffordable cost Increase in efficiencyIncrease in efficiency

ConclusionConclusion

Reliable mechanical systemReliable mechanical system Meets or exceeds all targetsMeets or exceeds all targets Affordable costAffordable cost Increase in efficiencyIncrease in efficiency

Problem Solved

QuestionsQuestions