MILL

Name of Presenter: Dr. Ruff

Department: MANE (Mechanical, Aeronautical, Nuclear Engineering)

Social Value: Dr. Ruff teaches aspiring engineers how to do the same, so new developments and creations can be made. Manufacturing is at the heart of any technological society.  It enables us to mass produce objects, greatly lowering their costs and increasing their availability.

Relation to economics/government: Dr. Ruff creates new products that can be marketed and sold, thus aiding the economy by aiding the steady flow of money in the area.  Historically manufacturing has been a large part of the US economy. In recent history, manufacturing has moved abroad. However technological advances, environmental and humanitarian concerns, and quality demands are once again making it so that manufacturing is cost effective here in the US.

Concepts:

• Draft angles- The amount of angle put into a mold so that the object can be easily released from it. If the mold did not have a draft angle (if it were perfectly perpendicular) the items would get stuck in the mold as the product expands.
• 3D Printing- a process in which an object is created in CAD file, then printed out via machine in which it places down many layers upon themselves to create the object.
•  Laser Engraving- a quick and effective engraving process that can inscribe images into certain materials. In the MILL, the engraver can be used on cardboard, plastic, or aluminum.  It can also engrave wood, but that is not desirable for equipment longevity. The largest size that can be engraved in the MILL is:
• Drop Test- A test to see how well an object has been welded together. After dropping the object in question, you check to see whether the objects are still combined.
• Hydro slicing- The use of high powered water jets to cut into thin metal. This is both fast and effective, but it is very loud.
• Aluminum vs. Steel: Aluminum, while it is cheaper and lighter, is much less durable. Conversely, steel is much heavier and stronger, but is much more expensive.
• Generally, the harder the materialthe stronger it is, but the more difficult it is to work.
• Compression- The adhesion of two objects together by intense pressure to join the two.
• 3D set time- After using a 3D printer to produce an object, you should wait about 8 hours to allow the separate layers to join together firmly with enough strength to hold the objects together.
• Heat staking:  A process like riveting with plastic. A straight plastic stake is used to hold two things together and then heat is used to make the end of the plastic wider so the stake does not slide back out.
• Ultrasonic welding: the use of ultrasound to join to materials together when they are under pressure. Commonly used for plastic, but can also be used to join dissimilar materials. Generally preferable to glue in the MILL.

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