Question: How are intricate plastic parts made? Answer: There are many ways to make plastic parts, but the only way to mass-produce quality parts is by injection molding. At first it may seem like this is a simple process, but in fact it is not — designing the case and all the tooling is not much […]

Hydraulics is defined as the branch of science and technology concerned with the conveyance of liquids to produce mechanical force or control another system and Pneumatics is defined as the branch of physics or technology concerned with the mechanical properties of gases. The key here is that they both allow us to do work! Without […]

Download as a Worksheet Fits and tolerances are a foundational mechanical design skill, but they’re commonly misunderstood and misused. In this video, we explain how to apply correct and functional fits and tolerances using ASME B4.1 and Machinery’s Handbook, so your parts fit together exactly as you intend, the first time, every time. No emergency […]

What is Six Sigma and how does it help when manufacturing? In this video from Simplilearn you’ll find out. Hey teachers: there’s a great quiz near the end of the video to check for understanding. Six Sigma gives you the tools and techniques to determine what’s making the manufacturing process slow down, how you can […]

Question: Having students write a paper or do a ppt project for manufacturing processes is boring! Do you have a better idea? DOWNLOAD: 2017-mfg-research-project Solution: Sure do! How about a manufacturing process brochure? This way students have to do a bit of research, (1 to 2 days) on given material, then post them for other students […]

Jim Found this one, and it is a GEM!  A video about a plastic ball valve. Really? This is a marvel of engineering? Ummm… actually… yes. Jim and I both think so, and since it’s on the internet it must be true. This is a great 15 minute video with some wry humor thrown in […]

SME (the Society of Manufacturing Engineers) has a great playlist of Youtube videos that outlines many basic manufacturing processes, and they are all right here for you. Most of the videos are from two to five minutes in length, and get the main points of those processes across to students in an easy to understand […]

Question: What’s the difference between Ferrous and Nonferrous Metals? Answer: Special thanks to John Hawthorne for some answers to this question. Be sure to see this information in its entirety HERE. There is a youtube video at the end that helps explain it too. Ferrous Metal Examples Cast iron (iron molded in a cast to […]

Your students really need to know how things are made in industry, so below are some resources to help you get started with the learning process. My students became an “expert” in one particular field, picked a topic, and made a brochure about a specific manufacturing process. Part of their research was to find a […]