Project Details

[Return to Previous Page]

Redesign of Sheet Metal Tilting Table

Company: TMP Manufacturing Company, Inc.

Major(s):
Primary: IE
Secondary: ME

Non-Disclosure Agreement: NO

Intellectual Property: NO

Tafco manufactures custom walk-in coolers, freezers, and insulated panels used in industries like pharmaceuticals, military, and food service. Our foam-in-place urethane panels are built using cut sheet metal, which is formed and assembled in-house. In the panel production process, large rolls of sheet metal are cut into flat sheets on horizontal tables. After cutting, each sheet must be tilted approximately 45 degrees to load onto a panel carrier for transport through the manufacturing line. A previous capstone team built a tilting table to assist with this step, but the current design has limitations. It does not accommodate workers of different sizes and strengths. For some, the table is too heavy to operate and for others it is too light and unstable. This project involves redesigning the tilting table to improve ergonomics and safety. Key goals include: 1) making the tilt mechanism easier and safer to operate; 2) adding an adjustable counterweight or damper system; and 3) ensuring quick and consistent adjustment between shifts and users. Deliverables include engineering analysis, CAD models, and a functional prototype to be tested on-site.