me machine shop improvements: r14701 4. gap analysis rochester institute of technology has set a...

ME Machine Shop Improvements: R14701

4. Gap Analysis

• Rochester Institute of Technology has set a long term goal of having one of the top Mechanical Engineering programs in the nation.

• The objective of this project is to identify the characteristics of top university Machine Shops and use that information to both optimize and evolve RIT’s Machine Shop into one of the top in the nation.

• Key characteristics that are addressed include the Machine Shop’s capabilities, layout, procedures and usage trends.

• This project focused on benchmarking and collecting input from the student perspective since the FARC committee focused on collecting input from faculty and staff.

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Team Members: Lucas Sychtysz, Katie Baldwin, Brian Church

• Add to survey what time of day that students would like to use the shop (not including class times)

• In depth benchmarking of competitor schools

• Create a clear, labeled map of machine shop to help students locate machines and equipment

• Create a quick reference guide for each machine (instructions & uses)

• Supply a 3D printer that is more easily accessible to students, in addition to the Brinkman lab printers

• Uniquely label machines and equipment based on year acquired and machine type

• Improve computer sign in system and procedure

Self-sufficient

Occasionally need help

Often need help

Always need help

EDT(130

Students)

Pre-RIT 0.8% 16.2% 35.4% 47.7%

Current 5.4% 66.7% 27.1% 0.8%

Post-RIT 94.8% 5.2% 0.0% 0.0%

MSD(34

Students)

Pre-RIT 0.0% 20.6% 26.5% 52.9%

Current 8.8% 70.6% 17.6% 2.9%

Post-RIT 43.3% 53.3% 0.0% 3.3%

• In order to be considered a top school RIT should add 3D printing, water jets, and more CNC mill and lathe capabilities.

• In order to move from low access control to high control there needs to be various levels of access as well as a swipe system for student entry.

• Require students to have multiple levels of training for shop access and build a part test. This would show their levels of independence and knowledge of shop procedures.

• Open 70 hrs/week• 3 staff members• Rarely used computer sign in

system• No physical access

restrictions• Caters to numerous clubs• Extended access hours to

approved clubs

Table 1: Currently the majority of surveyed students feel that they occasionally/often need help in the shop, but by the time they graduate would like to be self-sufficient. In order to achieve this, more classes should be offered, preferably optional classes for a grade or night/weekend classes that

are not for a grade (based on Fig. 4).

Fig 5: Since the machines are what the shop is most commonly used for, it is important that the shop provides as many machines as

possible (Fig. 1) to meet the needs of the students. Welding is least common, therefore, it should be determined whether this is due to a

lack of equipment capabilities or lack of need by the students.

Fig 6: The most common time that students use the shop is during the afternoon. If additional student staffing were added

to help in the shop, this would be the time of day that they would be of the most help.

• Re-distribute surveys in machine shop, EDT, and senior design classes

• Re-evaluate capabilities and performance of shop based on survey results.

• Meet with committee to relay the findings of the second round of surveys

3. Target State

1. Background 2. Initial State 5. Proposals

6. Follow Up

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Fig 1: With respect to the number of machines available RIT falls in the

middle of other schools. Currently has 5 out of the 12 listed capabilities.

Fig 2: RIT falls under the low control category, requiring only training or certification.

Fig 3: Represents the highest level of certification that a user needs in order to get access to the Machine Shop. In order to enter the RIT Machine Shop, students only have to complete the Engineering Design Tools (EDT) class.

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*Not mutually exclusive answers *Not mutually exclusive answers

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*Not mutually exclusive answers