DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

  METHODS OF PROCESS PLANNING The two general methods / approaches to process planning are 1. Manual process Planning and (i) Traditional approach (ii) Workbench approach 2. Computer Aided Process Planning (i) Retrieval CAPP system (ii) Generative CAPP system Manual process Planning (i) Traditional approach In traditional process planning systems, the process plan is prepared manually. The task involves examining and interpreting engineering drawing. Making decisions on machining process selection, equipment selection, operations sequence, and shop practices. The manual process plan is very much dependent on the skill, judgment and experience of the process planner. That's Why, if different planners were asked to develop a process plan for the same part, they would probably come up with different plans. ii) Workbook Approach The workbook approach is a modified version of traditional approach of process planning that uses the developed workbook for preparing route sheet. In this app...

  Break-Even Analysis A break-even analysis is an economic tool that is used to determine the cost structure of a company or the number of units that need to be sold to cover the cost. Break-even is a circumstance where a company neither makes a profit nor loss but recovers all the money spent. The break-even analysis is used to examine the relation between the fixed cost, variable cost, and revenue. Usually, an organisation with a low fixed cost will have a low break-even point of sale. Uses of Break-Even Analysis New business: For a new venture, a break-even analysis is essential. It guides the management with pricing strategy and is practical about the cost. This analysis also gives an idea if the new business is productive. Manufacture new products: If an existing company is going to launch a new product, then they still have to focus on a break-even analysis before starting and see if the product adds necessary expenditure to the company. Change in business model: The break...

 Process Planning When the design engineers have designed the product, the assembly drawings and working drawings of individual components are made. Now the process planners have to see how the product can best be made to meet the drawing specifications. Process Planning: Process planning can also be defined as the systematic determination of the methods by which a product is to be manufactured economically and competitively. It consists of devising, selecting and specifying processes, machine tools and other equipment to convert raw material into finished and assembled products. Purpose of process planning: The purpose of process planning is to determine and describe the best process for each job so that: 1. Specific requirements are established for which machines, tools, and other equipment can be designed or purchased. 2. The effort of all engaged in manufacturing are coordinated. 3. A guide is furnished to show the best way to use the existing or proposed facilities. Procedure ...

Production process The production process is an essential part of any business. It is a process of turning raw materials and ideas into products and services. It is important to develop efficient and effective production processes because they heavily impact business performance. Definition The production process is defined as the process in which the factors of production, i.e. inputs of resources, are turned into products or services. Examples of the production process Let's explore the production process with the example of biscuit production. To set up this production process, the company requires a place or land to set up the whole production unit. Secondly, in the production of biscuits, the organization will need the machines to mix all the necessary ingredients. It will also need an oven to bake the biscuits. In addition, it will need machinery for making the biscuits' packaging and labelling, which will all become capital investment for the company. The company will al...

Quick Return Mechanism   The Quick Return Mechanism is a mechanical system that enables a reciprocating motion where the return stroke is faster than the forward stroke, commonly used in machines like shapers and certain types of presses. This mechanism is widely used in shaping, cutting, and stamping machines, where speed is crucial for increased productivity. By employing a unique arrangement of linkages and gears , the quick return mechanism allows machines to perform tasks rapidly in one direction and then swiftly return to the starting position, significantly reducing the cycle time.  A quick return mechanism is an engineering mechanism that allows a machine or tool to move rapidly in one direction and then return slowly in the opposite direction. It finds applications in devices like shapers and mechanical presses, enhancing their efficiency and reducing cycle times for various industrial processes, such as metal shaping and cutting. The quick return motion mechanism fin...

 Table Drive Mechanism in Planer M/C When the drive mechanism is made up entirely of gears, a large gear known as a bull gear is connected to a rack on the bottom side of the table and to an electric motor by a series of gears. The quick return of the planer table is accomplished by adjustable stops on the side of the table, which, at the end of each cutting stroke, come in contact with a lever that engages a high-speed gear in the driving train of gears. In the belt-driven type of planer, two belts, one open and one crossed, operate on loose and fixed pulleys. The table travel stops come in contact with a shifter lever at the end of each stroke. As it makes contact at the end of the cutting stroke, the lever throws the belt off the fixed pulley onto the loose pulley. At the same time, it throws the crossed belt from a loose pulley to a fixed pulley. OPEN BELT Figure 16-4 shows a basic diagram illustrating the rack-and-spur-gear method with belt-pulley drive. OPEN BELT BULL GEAR 1S...

Cylindrical Grinding Machine  Cylindrical grinding machines excel at achieving precise and intricate surface finishes on a range of materials, including  aluminium , carbide, steel, and various metals. They are particularly suited for shaping cylindrical surfaces, rods, and similar workpieces. Positioned between two centers, the cylindrical workpiece rotates in one direction while the grinding wheel approaches from the opposite direction. Fig 1: Cylindrical Grinding machine The operation of a cylindrical grinder closely resembles that of a lathe machine, with the key distinction being the use of a grinding wheel instead of stationary cutting equipment. Cylindrical grinders are employed for materials with a central axis of rotation, such as crankshafts. There are following parts are used: Base Wheel Head Cross Feed Hand Wheel Working Table Table Traverse Hand Wheel Headstock Chuck Belt Pulley Foot-stock These parts are discussed elaborately as follows: Base The base, a sub...

 PLANER In a planer , the work which is supported on the table reciprocates over the stationary cutting tool and the feed is provided by the lateral movement of the tool. Parts of Planer Machine Following are the six main parts of the planer machine: Bed Table Housing or Column Cross rail Tool head Driving and Feed Mechanism Bed The bed of a planer is a box-like casting having cross ribs. It is very large in size and heavy in weight and it supports the column and all other moving parts of the machine. The bed is made slightly longer than twice the length of the table so that the full length of the table may be moved on it. Three or more guideways may be provided on a very large wide machine for supporting the table. The guideways should be horizontal, true and parallel to each other. The ways are properly lubricated and in modern machines oil under pressure is pumped into the different parts of the guideways to ensure a continuous and adequate supply of lubricants. Table The table ...

 EV Charging station Market Analysis In the first phase of Electric Vehicles (EV) rollout plan, the power ministry is targetting 4 billion-plus population cities under the EV policy initiative. It plans to cover all the state capitals, union territories, major highways and key cities under the second phase. The electric vehicle charging infrastructure market in India is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of over 40% during the forecast period 2019-2025. Increasing government support is one of the major factors driving the electric vehicle charging infrastructure market in India. Based on component, the electric vehicle charging infrastructure marketing India is segmented into hardware and software & services. Hardware comprises sockets, cables, and charging units. Software & services include installation and maintenance of charging units, platform as a service, and other services. Other services include battery delivery service and towing service, which are in a very nascent sta...

  What is a fuel cell electric vehicle?      FCEVs use a propulsion system similar to that of electric vehicles, where energy stored as hydrogen is converted to electricity by the fuel cell. Unlike conventional internal combustion engine vehicles, these vehicles produce  no harmful tailpipe emissions . Other  benefits  include increasing U.S.energy resiliency through diversity and strengthening the economy.       FCEVs are fueled with pure hydrogen gas stored in a tank on the vehicle. Similar to conventional internal combustion engine vehicles, they can fuel in  about 5 minutes  and have a driving range of more than 300 miles. FCEVs are equipped with other advanced technologies to increase efficiency, such as regenerative braking systems that capture the energy lost during braking and store it in a battery. Major automobile manufacturers are offering a limited but growing number of  production FCEVs  to the public in ...