Mechanical Engineering Assignment: Production Systems

This mechanical engineering assignment solution provides an analysis of production systems and automation within a manufacturing context. The document addresses various aspects, including the identification of automated equipment like welding robots and conveyor systems, and the classification of the plant's automation as a hybrid system. It explores the use of computer-programmed floor interfaces and the role of physical enablers such as robots and conveyor belts. Furthermore, the assignment examines different material handling systems, including conveyor systems, tugger-train systems, and manipulator robots. The solution also identifies key manufacturing stations and discusses quality control measures like CMM and paint inspection. The analysis considers both mass production and flexible manufacturing aspects, providing insights into system recovery, product design modifications, and the potential for non-batch mode implementation. Finally, the assignment outlines a process for analysing and designing production systems, from initial analysis and planning to final product determination and implementation.

Running Head: MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mechanical Engineering
Student’s Name
Institution

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 2
Question 1:
1. RU Pacifica
2. Pacifica Hybrid.
3. Grand Caravan.
Question 2:
1- Sequencing
2- Kitting
Question 3:
Analysing the employed automation degree was not easy as there were an
assembly line maintenances going on. However, taking note of the plant’s set up,
the automation process can be classified to be hybrid. This is because there is an
inclusion of manual labour to the conveyor lines and welding robots. Automated
equipment examples include;
 Welding robot.
 Conveyor system.
 Automated path-determined cart.
 Paint booth for colour selection and spray location.
 User interfaced computer systems.
Question 4:
1. The computer programmed with floor interfaces ae logic enablers as they
real-time monitoring over digital systems.
2. Physical enablers that are the 6-axis robot since they weld according to
coordinates that are specifically issued by CNC coding from the system.
3. A physical system in conveyor belt since they facilitate transport of heavy
objects around the facility.
4. Sensors are initiated in the facility to detect the time of maintenance on
the assembly line and considered to be a logical enabler due to their
ability to detect digital information.
5. Responsive recovery plan and fault detection considered as logical
enabler due to the processing of logic information.

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 3
Question 5:
1. Conveyor system facilitating transportation of heavy objects around the
facility – variants that differ go to different destinations thereby eases
categorised packing.
2. Tugger-train system that moves goods around by use of coordination
directing location- has detachable carts for flexible carrying of goods.
3. Laser-guided vehicles- help in unloading or storing goods.
4. Manipulator robots- that are the option of carrying heavier objects by
picking and placement to preferred locations.
5. Racking system that allows installation of wheels - allows insertion of
boxes by workers onto the racks that slide to the other side without
workers moving with them cutting down on time.
Question6:
o Welding station
o Chassis Station.
o Body shop.
o Inspection station.
o Unloading and loading station.
Question 7:
 CMM that ensures quality dimensioning that leads to matched requirements.
 Paint inspection that ensures paint and colour quality to by thickness
identification.
Question 8:
The system of manufacturing is characterised by the use of both flexible and mass
production systems. Mass production feature comes out due to the output 350,000 cars
in a year with variant car production totalling to 400,000. Flexibility comes due to

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 4
system’s ability to cater for the adjusting customer specification and demand using its
computer systems.
Question 9:
1. Recovery system that prevents complete system disruption in times of
breakdown.
2. Modification of product design due to existing shop floor.
3. Possible non-batch mode implementation for mass production.
4. Possible adaptation to change in production and demand.
Question 10:
1. Analysing the process at hand.
 Output/input analysis.
 Mathematical modelling and chart techniques.
2. Exploration of ideas and preliminary planning solution development.
3. System/product designing with simulation running for relevancy.
4. Final product determination by process simplification and automation
 Strategized production and automation of systems.
 Simplification, specialization, intergration and combination.
5. Approval of product.
6. Implementation.