Work Shop
INTRODUCTION
Workshop technology is a course devised to teach and inform Mechanical Engineering/Industrial Engineering students attending the University of the West Indies, about the practical application which would take place in the working world. Though with Engineering Degrees we would not be physically toiling inside a machine shop like the technicians, in life, what ever one should do they should know it from the ground up. So this course is understandable why it is compulsory. The course also taught me to appreciate the work technicians inside a machine shop do. Through Workshop Technology I have learned how to use different machines, such as the Lathe, the Drill press, the vertical Milling machine and both the vertical and horizontal Band saw. I have also learned the proper methods to use tools such as Hacksaw, Hand tap, Single cut file, Threading Dyes, Hammer, Try square, Odd leg caliper and a Puncher. The metal material under use for the entire project was mild steel. Safety was also an important issue in Workshop Technology. As human beings we often live our life in a risky manner thinking we are almost invincible but when it comes to the machine shop, safety is an issue that must definitely be recognized and should not be taken likely. With large machines with cutting devices being often used, the smallest mistake can result in the loss of body parts to unsuspecting students or technicians.
The following are safety rules which must be followed when in the machine shop: ➢ Eye protection (e.g. eye goggles) must be worn at all times when operating heavy machinery (e.g. the Lathe and the Band saw). ➢ When welding the eye goggles must be accompanied by a protective face mask that will protect you from the strong ultra violet rays radiated from the welding rod when in use and sparks are flying. ➢ Also when welding, protective gloves and long sleeve jerseys must also be used, because sparks that are so hot that it can burn human skin
Workshop technology is a course devised to teach and inform Mechanical Engineering/Industrial Engineering students attending the University of the West Indies, about the practical application which would take place in the working world. Though with Engineering Degrees we would not be physically toiling inside a machine shop like the technicians, in life, what ever one should do they should know it from the ground up. So this course is understandable why it is compulsory. The course also taught me to appreciate the work technicians inside a machine shop do. Through Workshop Technology I have learned how to use different machines, such as the Lathe, the Drill press, the vertical Milling machine and both the vertical and horizontal Band saw. I have also learned the proper methods to use tools such as Hacksaw, Hand tap, Single cut file, Threading Dyes, Hammer, Try square, Odd leg caliper and a Puncher. The metal material under use for the entire project was mild steel. Safety was also an important issue in Workshop Technology. As human beings we often live our life in a risky manner thinking we are almost invincible but when it comes to the machine shop, safety is an issue that must definitely be recognized and should not be taken likely. With large machines with cutting devices being often used, the smallest mistake can result in the loss of body parts to unsuspecting students or technicians.
The following are safety rules which must be followed when in the machine shop: ➢ Eye protection (e.g. eye goggles) must be worn at all times when operating heavy machinery (e.g. the Lathe and the Band saw). ➢ When welding the eye goggles must be accompanied by a protective face mask that will protect you from the strong ultra violet rays radiated from the welding rod when in use and sparks are flying. ➢ Also when welding, protective gloves and long sleeve jerseys must also be used, because sparks that are so hot that it can burn human skin
References: 1. Notes and Handouts given at workshop lecture classes. 2. Workshop technicians 3. MSN Encarta