ISE Seminar Series

Machine Obsolescence Project

Jessica Pena
Master of Engineering Candidate
Industrial & Systems Engineering Department

Date: Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Time: 1:00 - 1:50 pm
Location: Room 09-1159 (Kate Gleason Engineering Building)

Abstract

This project is based on the development of a case study in a Rochester area company. The case is based on a project done in the company where the majority of the assembly equipment is in excess of 15 years old and which utilizes 20+ year-old technologies. Significant portions of the operating subsystems were obsolete and were in jeopardy of becoming unmaintainable. Failure of an obsolete and unrepairable subsystem would result in the catastrophic loss of capacity generated by that equipment. Each High Speed Assembly Machine represents 246MM outcome annually and the loss of a machine would result in an inability to meet customer demand. A strategy was developed to completely redesign the machine control and vision systems replicating the existing mechanical hardware allowing the four existing high-speed machines to be retrofitted at a future date. Development of new technology to enhance both product quality and operations productivity was considered a potential benefit of this program. Detailed analysis of existing machine processes helped to identify where the opportunity for productivity and waste improvements were. The development of a technology assessment tool was in integral part of the development process. Process Excellence tools were used in all projects phases. Key deliverables included process maps, FMEA and flow charts for each process subsystem. The case will present the overall project goals, methods and tools that were used to accomplish the transition from existing to fully updated equipment.

Advisor: Dr. James Taylor, Industrial & Systems Engineering Department

Questions?
Contact Dr. Michael Kuhl at 475-2134 or mekeie@rit.edu