Design for Manufacture

This brief covers:

Supporting Information (what you need to do)

Task 1:

Explain the most appropriate method of assembly for a product (2.1)

Demonstrate convergent/lateral/creative thinking (D3)

a) Mechanical seals are produced for the automotive industry to be inserted inside the cooling pump of the vehicle motor. The seals are supplied in parts and will need to be assembled prior to being fitted into the pump. Using a value engineering approach, analyse and then fully explain the most appropriate method of assembly for a batch quantity of 1000 PTFE wedge type mechanical seal (see attached sheet).

b) Suggest three ways in which the cost of assembly of the mechanical seal could be reduced. You should include a full explanation of your ideas and how they would help to reduce the cost of assembly.

Task 2:

Explain the flexible manufacturing systems and robots used in the economic manufacture of a product (2.2)

Research the flexible manufacturing systems and robots used in the economic manufacture of a motor vehicle of your choice. Then produce a written report explaining the types of automation that are used for the assembly of the vehicle. You will need to look at the different methods that are used to feed the components along the assembly line together with the specific automated assembly methods.

Task 3:

Evaluate the features of a component that assist and/or prevent economic manufacture using automatic assembly methods (2.3)

Choose one of the panels from the motor vehicle discussed in task 2. Produce a PowerPoint presentation (10 – 15 slides) that will include a discussion and evaluation of the features of this component that assists economic manufacture using automatic assembly methods. There should be a mention of any significant features of the design of the panel that makes automation possible.