Project Details
[Return to Previous Page]Optimization of Grinding Equipment, Media, Metal Removal Rate Expectations, and Potential for Automation.
Company: Precision Custom Components, LLC
Major(s):
Primary: ME
Secondary: IE
Optional: MATSE
Non-Disclosure Agreement: NO
Intellectual Property: NO
Background Precision Custom Components (PCC) is a manufacturer of custom fabricated pressure vessels, reactors, casks, and heavy walled components requiring highly specialized fabrication, welding, grinding, NDE, and machining. PCC has a 405,000 square foot manufacturing facility located on 14 acres in York, Pennsylvania. PCC capabilities include Engineering, Drafting, Inspection, Non-Destructive Testing, Metallurgical Testing, Fabrication, Welding, and Machining. Grinding is an essential element for the manufacture of every product. Project Objective PCC is seeking PSU student expertise to evaluate PCC’s current grinding tools and media compared to available state of the art tools and media as well as opportunities for automation. The evaluation shall include surface grinding of welds, inter-pass grinding of weld beads, grinding establishing complex contours, and grinding of base metal weld preparations. In each of these cases, the students will evaluate the following: 1) Quantify performance of current material removal process. a. Material removal rate (material removed per unit of time) b. Media cost rate ($/hr based on tooling cost and wear life.) 2) Research, evaluate and recommend with quantitative and qualitative data: a. Improved grinding equipment b. Improved media selection c. Potential for automation with identification of specific equipment Deliverables for the Project Include: 1) Comprehensive report meeting the objectives of the project. 2) Provide brief evaluation of process from student’s perspective including, but not limited to, key lessons learned by each team member, evaluation of partnership – was PCC fulling engaged in the process, providing adequate feedback, supportive of student learning objectives, and other relevant perspectives on the project.
