Accidental damage can lead to increase in manufacturing cost

While dealing with transfer lines and SPM we came across a few instances where the same machine was equipped with adjustable adaptors of varying length and there was a collision of adaptor with guide bushing. This could have been averted by proper training of the user but constantly changing demands led to a different user at a different time and we had to come up with a mistake proofing idea.

This was a simple modification of the earlier setting gauge by adding a strip which checks whether for the correct setting of overall length of the drill or a similar tool the adaptor will remain clear of the guide bushing or not. With this modification, collision of adjustable adaptors with guide bushing could be completely eliminated.

Photograph of 1) tools with varying length but set to the same overall length with an adjustable adaptor and 2) A photograph of a typical setting gauge with modification for adaptor fouling check strip.



By Surendra Datar
Tata Motors Limited
Pune