Engineering Project: Flexible Drilling Machine

This assignment delves into the design and development of a flexible, three-directional drilling machine. The author outlines their critical thinking and mechanical engineering skills used in the project, emphasizing problem-solving techniques applied to address design flaws and team conflicts. The report details the project's success in achieving cost-effectiveness, portability, and high accuracy. It concludes with an overview of the author's contributions, including research, coordination, and communication within the project team.

CE 2.1 Project Information
Name of the project: Development of Flexible and Three Directional Drilling Machine
Location of the project: [Please fill]
Project Duration: [Please fill]
Organization: [Please fill]
Role and Designation during the time: Project Team Member
CE 2.2 Project Background
CE 2.2.1 Characteristics of the project
The Development of Flexible and Three Directional Drilling Machine project was
undertaken to fabricate a three dimensional drilling machine for drilling holes in several
locations. Flexible drilling machine is a distinct cutting tool that can be easily rotated. This
project was undertaken for designing a flexible drilling machine that can be operated in an easy
and accurate manner. This project had several phases among which the design phase was the
most important phase. The success and failure of this project depended on the design phase. The
equipments that were required to carry out this project are base plate, horizontal and vertical arm,
roller bearing, suspension spring, motor, drill bit, guider, copper wire and switch board.
CE 2.2.2 Objectives developed for the project
This project was undertaken for the purpose of fabricating a three directional drilling
machine that is flexible in nature. The main objectives of this project were:
 To design a drilling machine that can be rotated in a flexible manner

 To develop a three directional drilling machine that can be operated in a simple
manner and with high accuracy level
 To fabricate a drilling machine that can improve the productivity and reduce the
machining time
 To reduce human effort
 To reduce manufacturing cycle time
CE 2.2.3 My Area of work
I was a project team member and played a significant role for ensuring the
accomplishment as well as success of the project. I had to report to my team leader. My team
leader had the responsibility to guide all the team members and distribute the roles and
responsibilities among us. I had understood the entire project and helped my team leader in
designing and fabricating the flexible and three directional drilling machine. I was involved in
project scheduling and preparing the detailed design document for the project. I had applied my
mechanical engineering skills and knowledge in designing a drilling machine that can be easily
rotated in a flexible manner.

CE 2.2.4 Project Group
Figure 1: People involved in the project
CE 2.2.5 My responsibilities throughout the project
I had taken various responsibilities throughout the entire project. Being a mechanical
engineer, my main responsibility was to carry out the design of the flexible three directional
drilling machine. I had the responsibility to carry out analysis and break down the activities
among the other team members. I had also assisted my team leader in monitoring the activities of
the other team members. My team leader had given me the responsibility to resolve any
interpersonal issue that took place in the team. I was responsible for preparing the weekly update
for the planning department. I had to review the project plan and specifications. I was
responsible for planning for the equipments that were required for the development of a three
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directional drilling machine. I had been given the responsibility to write project reports and
document the detailed design report. I had to submit a daily report to my team leader regarding
the work done. I had even tested the equipments before starting the project work. The most
important responsibility of mine was to monitor the progress of the project work.
CE 2.3 Distinctive Activity
CE 2.3.1 Comprehending the Theory of the project
Drilling machine is said to use rotating cutter for creating circular holes in work-piece.
The twisted drill is considered to be the most common drill. There are mainly two categories of
drilling machines: portable and sensitive drilling machines. The portable drilling machine is
small and light weighted. It has the capability to drill holes of 12.5 mm diameter. A small
electronic motor of high speed is required to operate the portable drilling machine. The sensitive
drilling machine is light weight and can drill up to a maximum of 15.5 mm when the machine
operates at a high speed. The drilling machine that was developed in this project had a radial
arm. This radial arm could move vertically down and up. The radial, horizontal and vertical
movement of the arm of drilling head allowed locating drill spindle. The head of the drill was
subjected to movement or rotation. The drilling machine had three main movements like the arm
joint’s 360 degree rotation, horizontal arm movements like up and down, as well as linear slide
movements. In this project, the base acted as the support for the entire machine. It was made of
mild steel. The base was supposed to provide operations that are vibration free. There were two
arms: horizontal and vertical. Primary arm was holding the secondary arm. A hand drilling
machine was used for being fixed on cross slide. The drill bit was being able to rotate in the
clockwise as well as anticlockwise direction.

CE 2.3.2 Engineering Knowledge and Skills applied in the project
I have utilized my critical thinking ability to make crucial decisions regarding the
development of a flexible and three directional drilling machine. This skill has helped me to
ensure that the project work was carried out smoothly and efficiently. I have applied my
exemplary skill set in the designing of the drilling machine. My mechanical engineering skills
and knowledge has helped me to carry out this project in a successful manner. I have utilized my
analytical and problem solving skills to find solutions to complex issues and problems that
occurred during any of the project phase.
CE 2.3.3 Accomplishment and task performed
Proper planning was responsible for the success of this project. This project has met the
required quality standards. Our project team was able to develop a drilling machine that was
cheaper in price as compared to other radial drilling machines. We were successful in producing
a portable drilling machine that was multifunctional. One of the main features of this drilling
machine was its flexibility. The machine that was produced was comparatively smaller in size
for facilitating its transportation. My exceptional designing capability had played a significant
role in developing a simple and useful drilling machine.
CE 2.3.4 Identified issues and their solutions
2.3.4.1 Issues
There were mechanical problems and faults in the design of the three directional drilling
machine. These problems prevented the project from being successful. Our project team was
facing problem in designing the drill bit and its point angle. There were issues regarding
equipment selection. Initially wrong equipments were selected. There were issues regarding the

designing of vertical arm. One of the main issues that occurred was conflict between my team
leader and another team member.
2.3.4.2 Solutions
I was able to solve these issues by apply my engineering skills and knowledge at the
correct time. In order to solve the problem of drill, I had given the idea to use twisted drills. This
helped to reduce the complexities of the drill bit design. In order to solve the problem of
equipment selection, I had planned and made a new list of equipments. The problem regarding
point angle of bit was solved by re-designing the drill bit. I had taken the help of my team leader
to solve the issue of vertical arm designing. I had conducted a meeting between the team member
and my team leader so that they can talk and sort out the problem. This helped to resolve this
issue of communication gap.
CE 2.4 Project Review
CE 2.4.1 Project overview
The main objective of this project was to fabricate a three directional drilling machine
that is also flexible in nature. This project was completed within deadline and was able to
produce a drilling machine that can be operated and used in a simple manner. The accuracy level
of this flexible drilling machine was high. The drilling machine that was fabricated was able to
increase the level of productivity and decrease the machining time. This project was successful
in meeting its objectives of reducing human effort and the time of manufacturing cycle. The most
important phase of this project was the designing phase. The project team had given all efforts to
meet the desired standard of quality. There were several issues faced while carrying out this
project. I have played a significant role in solving the issues.

CE 2.4.2 My contribution to work
I had applied my analytical as well as technical skills for solving the issues that occurred
at the various phases of the project work. Monitoring the progress report on a daily basis was one
of my main responsibilities in this project. I had undertaken significant research study for
carrying out better planning and designing. I had even reviewed and maintained the status of all
the project related correspondences. I had carried out my roles and responsibilities in an efficient
and effective manner. I made a major contribution in this project by coordinating and
cooperating with my team members as well as my team leader.