Project Summary:
This project taught me how to properly temper metal and the additional steps required to make a very strong metal part. Along with that this project taught me the fundamentals of working with a torch and the safety along with it.
The Cost Estimate:
This project consisted of only
Aluminium: $1.60
O1 Tool steel: $ 2.58
Phillips screw blank: $1.50
PLA Plastic: $1.50
labor: $24 an hour * ~10 hours of work = $480
Total Cost: $487.18
Efficiency Improvement:
To be able to improve the efficiency of the manufacturing process there are 2 main things:
To implement the use of CNC lathes for the Knurling process would dramatically increase the amount of units able to be made. The other improvement to this project would be the inclusion of a sanding jig to always make sure that the screwdrivers flat edge is only pressed against the surface in one way.
10,000 units estimated cost:
Most materials when purchased in bulk dramatically reduce the price of just a single unit. Thus with the cost analysis not including labor we can determine how expensive an individual flathead would be if we made a total of 10,000.
Aluminium Total: $15,942
Aluminium Indivdual: $1.59
O1 Tool steel Total: $18,925
O1 Tool Steel Individual: $1.90
Phillips Screw Blank Total:$15,000
Phillips Screw Blank Individual:$1.50
PLA Plastic Total: $5,250
PLA Plastic Individual:$0.52
In total we are saving approximately roughly $1.67 dollars in material every part with a material cost per Screwdriver being $5.51.
My advice for future students:
When you take this class as a sophomore for your degree, I highly recommend that you begin to work on the part as soon as possible. I would also recommend to you that you pay close attention to the heat treatement process. It is very easy to over temper your flathead and get a poor quality flathead. I highly recommend that you actively write notes with every demo thats given.