Project number
27050
Organization
RBC Sargent Aerospace & Defense
Offering
ENGR498-F2026-S2027
The primary objective of this project is for the student team to design, build, and validate a prototype automated bond-tooling lubrication and inventory management system suitable for real-world industrial manufacturing applications. The system shall provide a controlled and repeatable method of applying lubricant while maintaining traceability and inventory records for each piece of bond tooling. The solution should be capable of identifying individual tools, tracking their usage history, maintaining inventory status, and supporting calibration scheduling based on predetermined usage metrics such as heat-cycle counts or production cycles.
A secondary objective is to develop an automated inspection capability that evaluates bond-tooling surfaces after use. This inspection system should utilize vision-based or other sensing technologies to identify wear, damage, contamination, or other defects that could negatively affect product quality. The inspection results should be recorded and integrated into the overall tooling tracking system to support preventive maintenance and quality assurance initiatives.
Integration with Kahr Bearing's existing Ignition SCADA platform is a key project requirement. The proposed system shall include a real-time Human-Machine Interface (HMI) that allows operators to monitor bond-tooling inventory, review usage history, schedule calibration events, and access maintenance records. The HMI should provide traceability by linking tooling usage data to work orders, part numbers, batch numbers, and other relevant production information. A PLC from a Kahr-approved vendor shall serve as the primary controller for system operation and communication with the SCADA platform.
To ensure compliance with company safety standards, the project will also include the design and construction of a dedicated PTFE release-agent application enclosure. This enclosure must provide adequate ventilation and fume extraction to protect operators while maintaining a safe working environment. The team shall develop maintenance procedures and documentation for the enclosure to ensure it continues to operate within company requirements throughout its service life.
A secondary objective is to develop an automated inspection capability that evaluates bond-tooling surfaces after use. This inspection system should utilize vision-based or other sensing technologies to identify wear, damage, contamination, or other defects that could negatively affect product quality. The inspection results should be recorded and integrated into the overall tooling tracking system to support preventive maintenance and quality assurance initiatives.
Integration with Kahr Bearing's existing Ignition SCADA platform is a key project requirement. The proposed system shall include a real-time Human-Machine Interface (HMI) that allows operators to monitor bond-tooling inventory, review usage history, schedule calibration events, and access maintenance records. The HMI should provide traceability by linking tooling usage data to work orders, part numbers, batch numbers, and other relevant production information. A PLC from a Kahr-approved vendor shall serve as the primary controller for system operation and communication with the SCADA platform.
To ensure compliance with company safety standards, the project will also include the design and construction of a dedicated PTFE release-agent application enclosure. This enclosure must provide adequate ventilation and fume extraction to protect operators while maintaining a safe working environment. The team shall develop maintenance procedures and documentation for the enclosure to ensure it continues to operate within company requirements throughout its service life.