Engineering TV : CNC

WKU Architectural and Manufacturing Sciences

CurtisEllzey — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:10:00 GMT

Students of WKU's Department of Architectural and Manufacturing Sciences are training to work in management in the manufacturing business, and for their senior project are asked to come up with a simple task - design a product and build it. Working like a business, the students have to order the parts within a budget and divide into task-driven teams. One student, Joshua Ferriell, the project manager, said one of the greatest challenges was learning the lathe, laser and mill, then programming everything to operate with a push of one button. Students are learning the unique skill of integrating some of the most advanced manufacturing tools in the industry, making the young engineers highly marketable in the job field. Also watch this episode: WKU Advanced Manufacturing Lab. For more information, visit Ogden College of Science & Engineering and FESTO Didactic.

Have a story suggestion? Want to be featured on Engineering TV?
Send us a tip at: EngineeringTV@Penton.com!

(819 Views, 0 Comments)

Integration with FESTO

CurtisEllzey — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:57:00 GMT
When WKU decided to upgrade its manufacturing lab, they turned to FESTO, who had the combination of technical knowledge and experience they were looking for to complete their project, the primary hurdle being integration of newer mechatronic and computer systems with their current batch of machine tools. Dan Blanck, regional manager with FESTO, said the system is one of the most progressive manufacturing labs in the nation at the college level. “At other schools, (mills, lathes and lasers) are not used together,” Blanck said. “I’ve seen stuff in corners, they’re using it, but not integrating it. And integrating it is the hardest part - it’s a tremendous reflection on this program.” Also watch this episode: WKU Architectural and Manufacturing Sciences. For more information, visit Ogden College of Science & Engineering and FESTO Didactic.

Have a story suggestion? Want to be featured on Engineering TV?
Send us a tip at: EngineeringTV@Penton.com!

(663 Views, 0 Comments)

Designing WKU's Advanced Manufacturing Lab

CurtisEllzey — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:05:00 GMT
Ever wonder what goes into setting up a mechatronics lab at a university these days? This episode reveals the process that faculty and students at WKU's advanced manufacturing lab used to set up their system, from choosing the robotics to integrate with their older systems, to the grant process that helped pay for the $1 million computer integrated manufacturing cell. Greg Arbuckle, assistant professor of architectural and manufacturing sciences at WKU, said the lab’s robotics arrived in January and have slowly been installed to consume much of the basement of the Environmental Sciences and Technology Hall. Also watch this episode: Integration with FESTO. For more information, visit Ogden College of Science & Engineering and FESTO Didactic.

Have a story suggestion? Want to be featured on Engineering TV?
Send us a tip at: EngineeringTV@Penton.com!

(714 Views, 0 Comments)

WKU Advanced Manufacturing Lab

CurtisEllzey — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 14:08:00 GMT
Engineering TV takes a look at Western Kentucky University's advanced manufacturing lab, recently integrated with new automation systems from FESTO. Once programmed, a robotic arm system from FESTO can transport material to a Haas mill, lathe and a 120 watt Epilog Legend 36EXT laser, independent of human interaction. The lab is the capstone of the Architectural and Manufacturing sciences curriculum at WKU's Ogden College of Science and Engineering, and allows the students access to automation systems and tools they would find in industry after graduation. Also watch this episode: Designing WKU's Advanced Manufacturing Lab. For more information, visit Ogden College of Science & Engineering and FESTO Didactic.

Have a story suggestion? Want to be featured on Engineering TV?
Send us a tip at: EngineeringTV@Penton.com!

(1099 Views, 0 Comments)

Designing for the 5-Axis Router

CurtisEllzey — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:00:00 GMT
Designing for a 5-Axis Router can be a complex process - Ken Netzel, Senior Engineer - Body Design and Fabrication at Lightning Hybrids, describes his work on the LH4 vehicle and the LH3 they are designing for the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE challenge. Lightning Hybrids has developed a unique and ultra-fast design to prototype process that allows for ultra fast design iteration, and the ability to develop a variety of options and configurations, with a relatively small investment. Also watch these episodes on Lightning Hybrids: Lightning Hybrids on Engineering TV. For more information, go to: Lightning Hybrids and Diversified Machine Systems.

Have a story suggestion? Want to be featured on Engineering TV?
Send us a tip at: EngineeringTV@Penton.com!

(1065 Views, 0 Comments)

DMS 5-Axis CNC Router

CurtisEllzey — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:00:00 GMT
Diversified Machine Systems (DMS) is a builder of precision 3 & 5-axis CNC routers, as well as custom engineered machine tool solutions. Lightning Hybrids uses a 5-Axis CNC Router from DMS to fabricate molds and parts for their LH4 and LH3 vehicles. By leveraging CAD and CAM systems throughout the entire design process, the large 5 Axis Router, and a proprietary approach to molding and layup, Lightning Hybrids can go from designing to having production body parts in less than a week. Also watch these episodes on Lightning Hybrids: Lightning Hybrids on Engineering TV. For more information, go to: Lightning Hybrids and Diversified Machine Systems.

Have a story suggestion? Want to be featured on Engineering TV?
Send us a tip at: EngineeringTV@Penton.com!

(1617 Views, 0 Comments)

Minitech CNC Mini-Mill 3 Pro

CurtisEllzey — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:00:00 GMT
You don't have to be a fortune 500 company or a computer wiz to reap the benefits of CAD/CAM. Minitech makes a full line of CNC machines, along with software and accessories allowing you to become more productive in making the parts you need. The CNC Mini-Mill 3 Pro is Minitech's most advanced desktop, PC-based CNC Mini-Mill featuring THK linear slides and ball-screws on all axes. Make amazingly accurate parts using Minitech's complete desktop manufacturing system. For more information, go to: Minitech Machinery.

Have a story suggestion? Want to be featured on Engineering TV?
Send us a tip at: EngineeringTV@Penton.com!

(2577 Views, 0 Comments)

Microlution 3-Axis CNC Micromilling Machine

CurtisEllzey — Mon, 11 May 2009 14:00:00 GMT
Design, prototype and manufacture high-precision small parts with Microlution's 363-S 3-Axis CNC Micromilling Machine. Unique features include a 36-pocket automatic tool changer system that is capable of supporting tools ranging from 0.002" - 0.125" in diameter. The tools are held in a rotating carousel with a robotic arm moving tools between the spindle and the carousel. With a trend of miniaturization across industries, Microlution's revolutionary micro-machine tool technology is versatile in its application and can be leveraged in various industries and as a possible alternative to the manufacturing processes currently being utilized in these industries. For more information, go to: Microlution.

Have a story suggestion? Want to be featured on Engineering TV?
Send us a tip at: EngineeringTV@Penton.com!

(2666 Views, 0 Comments)

Inkjet Material Deposition System

CurtisEllzey — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:36:00 GMT
The MDS 300 is an ultra high precision Materials Deposition System. It enables digital deposition of a wide range of fluids utilizing inkjet printhead technology. The MDS 300 allows the ultimate flexibility in printing capabilities. Users can input print resolution, print speed, printhead separation and curing processes. It can be utilized in both R&D and pilot line production applications. iTi’s MDS 300 is a highly precise materials deposition system for analyzing and printing UV inks, biological fluids, polymers and a wide range of printable electronic materials. It is used extensively in applications where high precision is a pre-requisite for success, including printed circuits using silver nanoparticle inks.

Have a story suggestion? Want to be featured on Engineering TV?
Send us a tip at: EngineeringTV@Penton.com!

(1954 Views, 1 Comments)

Miniature Machine Tools

CurtisEllzey — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:18:00 GMT
Prof. Ozdoganlar’s research focuses on processes and equipment for micro-manufacturing. Research projects at Carnegie Mellon's Department of Mechanical Engineering include experimental, theoretical, and numerical (simulation) studies. The processes of interest include mechanical micromachining process, where micro-scale milling, drilling, and grinding tools as small as 10 µm in diameter are used within precision and miniature-machine-tool platforms. The research projects in his laboratory include fundamental understanding of the process mechanics (the effect of workpiece crystallography, modeling micromilling forces); micro-tool characteristics (micro-tool failure and wear, enhanced micro-tool fabrication); dynamic behavior of micromilling (analytical modeling of micro-endmill dynamics, dynamics of micromilling process); and applied projects on micromachining (fabrication of biomedical devices, micro-scale electrodes and molds, micromachinability of materials). Current research is aiming to create nano-scale (50 nm) structures using a new form of material removal.

Have a story suggestion? Want to be featured on Engineering TV?
Send us a tip at: EngineeringTV@Penton.com!

(2670 Views, 0 Comments)

CMU Micromachining

CurtisEllzey — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:23:00 GMT
At Carnegie Mellon University, Professor Burak Ozdaganlar's research focuses on micro- and meso- scale manufacturing. The interest in small components and small features has been rapidly increasing. Biotech, biomedical, optics, aerospace, military, defense, security, automotive, microelectronics packaging, and communication industries have been increasingly demanding miniature products and miniature features in larger products. This demand mainly arises from the potential advantages of miniaturization: multiple functionality; weight, space, and material savings; strategic placement/configuration availability; increased reliability; and other, currently non-existent capabilities. The development of complex micro devices necessitates efficient and economical creation of sophisticated mechanical structures with 3D geometrical features made from a diverse selection of materials.

Have a story suggestion? Want to be featured on Engineering TV?
Send us a tip at: EngineeringTV@Penton.com!

(1575 Views, 1 Comments)

CNC on Small Machines

Terry Knight — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 12:57:00 GMT
Training students on full-size CNC machines for fabrication is just one use of the Fab Lab at Lorain County Community College. Students can write CNC programs, then create images and take those images for desktop fabrication in the lab.

Have a story suggestion? Want to be featured on Engineering TV?
Send us a tip at: EngineeringTV@Penton.com!

(4784 Views, 3 Comments)

New Plastic Component Enclosures

Terry Knight — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 13:52:00 GMT
Plastic has had a remarkable impact globally. Unless your running hundreds of thousands of products out the door monthly, it can also have a remarkable impact on your small companies bottom line. Dante Degraaf, a design engineer at Intermark tells Mark David about new practices in plastic pressing, like sheet metal, live from the exhibition floor of DesignCon 2007.

Have a story suggestion? Want to be featured on Engineering TV?
Send us a tip at: EngineeringTV@Penton.com!

(4618 Views, 1 Comments)