PORTFOLIO
Automatic Work Changer
This automatic work changer system was designed to support a 5-axis machine tool to allow long-term unmanned operation. The work changer is a 3-axis system consisting of a main body frame, a rotational unit, a lift unit and a reach unit. The main frame held 36 or 55 shelves allowing work holding capacities from 34 to 108 parts, depending on the specification. A work setup station at the front of the machine had a rotational table which allowed easy access to setup parts onto the machine pallets. Covers were designed to give a asthetically pleasing look, yet maintain good functionality to protect the machine and operator.
Direct Drive Rotary Table
Multi-axis machine tools are a very popular choice for job shops and companies who produce complex parts. A simple and inexpensive way to increase the number of axes on a machine tool is to connect a rotary table. With the conventional worm gear rotary tables, there are problems with backlash, speed, accuracy and maintenance. The direct drive motor of my designed rotary table completely eliminates these problems by transmitting the drive power to the rotary axis directly, without the use of gears. Additionally, after running conventional gear driven systems for a long time the speed reducer will wear causing the need for regular backlash checks and maintenance. The direct drive motor has no backlash and therefore offers less maintenance and longer product life. I designed this product from concept to production as well as all aspects of the design, drawings, verification and marketing.
Precision Machine Design
I have gained extensive knowledge with machine design and have had the opportunity to design multiple units and components on machinery. These designed components include rotary units such as spindles and rotary axes, linear units including the machine bed and linear axis castings, and nano precision unit design. With each system, I was responsible from start to finish for the entire design. Concept designs, detailed designs, part drawings, assembly drawings, manufacturing support, assembly support and, testing and verification were all part of the design process. Additionally, cost management and purchasing support was needed ensure the designs would be competitive and profitable for the company.
Fixture Development
New parts were constantly being added to the in-house machined parts list in which I was the lead engineer. These parts wer machined on large CNC machine tools and each one needed a custom designed fixture to hold the part ridgidly, accurately and maintain repeatability. 90% of all fixtures designed used hydraulic systems to automatically clamp and unclamp the parts. This allowed ease of operation and consistensy in the machining process. From small components to very large systems, all parts were custom designed to fit the application perfectly.
Facility Engineering & Design
As an engineer in a newly built factory, I played a key roll in the start-up of the facility to prepare material handling, enclosures, assembly jigs and multiple unique peripheral units to support the factory operations. There were many areas where novel ideas had to be realized in order to create the optimal functionality for the factory operations. Each part to be held, moved or lifted was unique and this created the need for multiple designs to be created, drawings drafted, components purchased, units fully assembled and implemented into the factory along with training operators on proper usage. My role was to complete all of these tasks.