Linking Technology and Education

A proposal for a collaborative arrangement between Early Light

and Ball State University

旭日實業有限公司

Benefits of Bilateral Collaboration

1. Improved productivity and cost reduction

2. Enhanced quality3. Student learning4. Faculty / student research5. Long term relationships

BSU Areas of Interest1. Plastic Research

2. Six Sigma

3. Engineering Training

4. Immersive learning experiences

5. Long term relationship

1. Plastic Research

•Material testing

•Mold flow analysis (software)

•Material and process selection (software)

•Prototype development

Material Testing• Accelerated Weather Testing (Ultraviolet)–Estimates the effects of UV radiation on plastics

exposed to UV radiation or natural sunlight

• Extrusion Plastometer (Melt flow index)

–Determines relative ease of flow among plastics

• Tensile Properties (strength and strain at yield, strength and strain at break, modulus of elasticity)–Determines the strength of the plastic materials

under a tensile load or force.

Material Testing cont.• Flexural Modulus–Measures resistance of a material to bending

• Impact strength–Measures the resistance to impact forces

• Influence of organic pigments on the mechanical properties of injection molded plastics–Investigates how the switch from inorganic

pigments to organic pigments alters the mechanical properties (tensile strength, flexural modulus, etc.) of a material.

Plastics software• Moldflow Plastics Advisers® (MPA): a sim-

ulation software that allows investigation of: – The effect gate location on cycle time, injection

pressure, stress profile in a part, cooling profile stress in a part, and optimal processing conditions.

– The processibility of plastics resins by injection molding.

– The location of weld-lines caused by multiple gate locations.

– The possibility and location of air traps in injection molded parts.

Plastics software cont.• Prospector’s® Database (e.g., contains

information on 77,000 plastic resins and allows researchers to select plastic resins based on the: – generic name/symbol

– product name

– processing method

– applications/uses

– properties: physical, mechanical, thermal, electrical, etc.

– percent additives and/or reinforcements

Plastics software cont.• Cambridge Educational Software® (CES):– CES contains the material universe, that is, it

contains metals, ceramics, wood, natural materials, polymers, elastomers, composites, and foams. CES allows the mapping of the material universe based on specific parameters. For example, the material universe could be mapped on a two-dimensional graph, where Young’s Modulus is on the y-axis and Density is on the x-axis. Based on the graphical display, the material that has the highest Young’s Modulus and an acceptable low density could be selected to meet a specific service application. CES could then be used to find out the appropriate processing methods for the selected material.

BSU processing equipment• 60-ton Sandretto injection molding machine –Injection mold ASTM test specimens and

plastic components

• Davis-Standard extruder with a 1¼ -inch screw diameter–Used for producing strands of plastics

–Used for generating viscosity-shear rate curves

• A Brabender twin-screw extruder–Used for blending/compounding plastics blends,

polymer-clay nanocomposites, etc.

Processing equipment cont.• A thermoforming machine• A blown-film machine• A Wabash compression molding machine–Used for processing thermoset parts

• Dehumidifying dryers–Used for drying hygroscopic materials (e.g.,

nylon, polycarbonate) before injection molding

Processing equipment cont.

Fused Deposition Modeling Machine --- for producing prototype parts

Z Corporation 3D Printer --- for producing prototype parts

Prototype development

2. Six Sigma• Training

(Black, Green, Yellow; White Belt)

• Six Sigma immersive learning internships at Early Light

• Cost reduction projects and research

Six Sigma Training• Starting September 2008, BSU will

offer online (in English) Black, Green, Yellow, and White Belt Six Sigma certificate programs

Six Sigma Training• Alan Leduc has submitted a BSU

International Programs proposal to bring Six Sigma immersive learning students to China to work with Early Light to enhance quality.

Alan’s proposed project would• Involve three visits to Early Light

• One for project orientation and review

• One for project identification and documentation

• One for ten weeks to allow students (e.g., Six Sigma students and student translators) time to complete their Six Sigma projects

3. Engineering Training•Geometric,

Dimensioning, & Tolerance training

• Training in 2D Dimensioning / CAD

• Research to determine needs related to other types of training

Engineering Training• Justin Yang has submitted a BSU

International Programs proposal to work with Early Light to identify key points to be addressed in future engineering training activities.

4. Immersive Learning Experiences• Concept development

• Student / Faculty research teams

•Opportunity to learn how an Asian company works

• Seeking solutions to Early Light problems / challenges

5. Long Term Bilateral Benefits to Early Light

• Cost savings and improved productivity

• Improved design capabilities

• Access to targeted training

• Availability to research support and student interns

旭日實業有限公司

5. Long Term Bilateral Benefits to Ball State University• Immersive learning experiences

• Research opportunities

• Chance for students to gain international experience

• Promotion of international programs

旭日實業有限公司

We look forward to continuing this dialog and developing our mutual interests into both long and short term collaborative projects.