Part print analysis
Dr P M Pandey
What is wanted in the final product ?
What is wanted by the product engineer? What must be done with the information disclosed by the part print to get what is wanted? Various problems associated in understanding part prints due to use of different standards Process Engineer should not take a chance
General Characteristics of the workpiece
The general description of the part
This information is acquired from the title block on the print The part description sometimes aids in associating it with the given shape. It helps in forming visual image of the product Other information of interest may be the part number and the numbers of assembly or subassembly
The general configuration of the part
It refers to general shape and size of the part The scale of the drawing should be observed to misinterpret the size of the components. It is related to the various problems like
Handling Type of tooling Type of machines Sequence of operations Rate of production
The material from which the part is made
A proper notice should be taken for materials and then their properties as different material poses different manufacturing problems and manufacturing costs
How the part originated
It is the originating operation which determines the general configuration of the workpiece There is no hard and fast rule to determine the originating operation from the part prints however in certain specific cases the drawing are more explicit about the basic process operations The process to be chosen depends on the work to be performed by the component
Recorded changes in design
Overlooking of a change in part print results in a lot of loss Often the part prints are revised on the request of process engineer All the part prints related to an assembly should be checked thoroughly
Resistance to damage in process
A more detailed examination should be undertaken during the development of process sequence
Functional surfaces of the workpiece
The surfaces of the workpiece which are developed by the process of manufacture are known as functional surfaces. These are identified from the part print in three major ways:
Surface finish Basic geometry Tolerances
Determining areas used for processing
Determining those areas which are best qualified for locating the workpiece during processing Determining those areas which are best qualified for the supporting the workpiece during processing Determining those areas which are best qualified for holding the workpiece during processing
Specifications
These may be considered as the details which are essential and are nor provided by the conventional dimensioning. They pertain to the
Material, Heat treatment or finish, General tolerance level Reference to other drawings and Other instructions
Explicit specifications
Specific surface hardness needed on the part Surface finish notation and Treatment sharp edges General note related to size of the fillet and radii
Implicit specifications
For a rectangular angles are not specified to be 90 deg Hole is understood as round within the required accuracy
Nature of work to be performed
Part print analysis leads to nature of work to be performed. This, in turns, points to the sequence of operations that must be performed to on the workpiece to produce the part to its print specifications and cost effective. Following questions offer an approach: What is the degree of symmetry found in workpiece? How many machined surfaces are related to each other? What is the relationship between these surfaces? Can these surfaces or areas be combined to reduce set ups? How many operations must be performed on each surfaces?
Finishing and identifying operations
Parts which are to be exposed to some corrosive or deteriorating actions require surface treatment such as anodizing, painting or plating. These operations are not directly related to main process however process engineer should examine the prints for any such specification. The identification number is essential on some of the parts and it should be placed planned at what point of processing it should be placed.
Relating the part to assembly
The simple way is to work from the individual part print back through the assembly drawings is by means of an assembly parts list which is complied by product engineering for reference purposes.
Drive Assembly Complete
Shaft and drive plate assembly
Plate and Pin Assembly
Pin drive
Drive plate
Shaft drive arm
