In industry, manufacturing firms use a range of machine tools to produce a variety of components.  When a product requires manufacturing a firm will decide what machine/s to use and develop a plan to supply the customer with the demand.

You are a Senior Manufacturing Technician who has received a job from a customer and have been asked to plan a sequence of operations for the production of the articles (refer to engineering drawings included with this assessment). To do this you will need to investigate into typical manual machining operations and report on your findings, which relate to the individual machine’s ability, characteristic, capability, suitability and any other relevant detail you feel applicable.

a) With the aid of suitable images, identify and explain the axis conventions on the following machine tools:

i)     Centre Lathe

ii)    Vertical Mill

iii)   Surface Grinder

This provides evidence for P1.1

b) For each axis identified in the above task, provide a written explanation on how the drives are controlled, making reference to the use of manual and automated feed actions.

This provides evidence for P1.2

c) Extending on the 2 above tasks (a & b) present your findings using a range of images, support with clear and technical language for your explanations.

This provides evidence for M3

a) When performing a manufacturing operation it is most important that the tool and workpiece is held correctly and safely. Produce detailed written descriptions on a range of tool and workholding devices for a range of machines tools (with particular reference to what is listed in ‘Evidence Checklist Task 2’).

This provides evidence for P1.4

b) By now you would have had some experience in setting up certain machine tools and performing the required manufacturing activity (whether it being at the college or in company). Identify one practical workpiece that you have produced that has been processed by secondary machine tools (e.g. centre lathe, mill, etc) and report on the different work holding techniques that can be used.

This provides evidence for M1

c) Continuing on from both tasks above, evaluate the effectiveness of your chosen holding devices (2i) and compare to those that you have identified (2ii).

This provides evidence for D3

a) With respect to work holding techniques provide a written description that details about the six degrees of freedom of a rigid body. Support your written detail with relevant images.

This provides evidence for P1.3

b) Extending on from task 3a) support your written description with details on how you will eliminate each degree of freedom when manufacturing the given articles (see attached drawing sheets).  N.B: sketches/drawings/pictures would support this task.

This provides evidence for M2

For the following task you will need to refer to the engineering drawings attached to this assessment, your previous notes on your practical experience from the workshop activities you have performed and other relevant research materials (which must be referenced in the current Harvard referencing system).

For each of the following engineering drawings you are to provide written evidence that:

a)  assesses the suitability of the workshop’s machinery and select appropriate manufacturing equipment that can be used for producing the given articles and their specific feature (N.B: more than one machine may be needed for its production).

This provides evidence for P2.1

b) details the operational plan for producing the articles to specification. Your plan must include health & safety awareness, the identification of machines tools and cutting tools to be used for manufacture, including any other equipment relevant to the manufacture of the products (e.g. measuring and inspection equipment, gauges, etc).

This provides evidence for P2.2

a) With respect to the engineering drawings (attached with this assessment), identify whether each feature is either a result of a generated or formed material removal process. Also, provide written describes how these cutting processes will be performed.

b) Produce written descriptions on the following 2 processes demonstrated in the mechanical workshop:

i) Broaching of a keyway for a given articles

ii) Bending of a Keep plate for a toolmakers clamp (see workshop example)

This provides evidence for P2.3

c) Witness Statement:

I, D. Fairbairn (lecturer/assessor), certify that the student managed the activities and manufactured the articles to given specifications, with little to no guidance.

Lecturer/Assessor Signature: ……………………………………..   Date: ………………………..

This provides evidence for D2

d) Referring to task 4 and what you have practically experienced during the machining activities, critically assess your equipment selection and operational plan against the work performed and common industrial practices by producing a written reflection.

This provides evidence for D1