My final year project was on the Development and Fabrication of Oil & Gas Component Using DMG Mori Eco Turn CTX-310 CNC Turning Machine.
The main objective of this project is to understand oil and gas industry. And then, design and create an Oil and Gas component using CNC turning machine with the help of CAD/CAM as a guiding tool. I have chosen Annular Blowout Preventer (BOP) as my ideation to improve its usefulness and convenience to the industry.
Final Product
Design Specification
There are a few criteria that will need to meet in designing the product.
Dimensions of the product. Due to the maximum turning diameter of DMG Mori ecoTurn CTX-310 is ø200mm, the diameter must not exceed it.
Product designed must be feasible to be machined by CNC Turning machine. The machining operations may include threading, turning, boring, grooving and etc.
Tooling & cutter availability
Design Consideration
To design a component, several structural design considerations should be taken into account. Careful planning of development activities can greatly reduce the time and effort that spend. The following is the design consideration for turning components that needed to be identified.
Workpiece
Minimise the amount of turning process that is required by pre-cutting the workpiece close to the desired shape and size
Select the size of the workpiece such that a large enough surface exists for the workpiece to be securely camped.
The clamped surface should allow clearance between the tool and the fixture for any cuts.
Features
Minimise the number of setups required by designing all features to be accessible from one setup
Design features are subjected to tool and cutter availability and sizes
Ensure depth of features used are less than the tool length to avoid the tool holder contacting the workpiece.
Avoid undercuts
Drafting with NX7.5
I have used this CADCAM software to draft and aid my machining.
Modification 1
I have added 4 rectangular slots to serve as an effective ways to lift the product such as mechanical pulley and claws as Annular Blowout Preventer are usually located above the ground. This increases the mobility of the product.
Modification 2
I have change the external profile structure to introduce more different CNC turning operations.
Modification 3
I have change the internal structure for low cost process.
Modification 4
I have added screw thread to the product for reinforced joints between two components, reducing the chances of explosions in the Oil and Gas Industry.
Reflection
It was a challenging 12 weeks for me as I had to plan the whole process carefully to meet my tight schedules. Among all the process, I spent most of my time on the design process. I made countless changes and correcting dimensions after mistakes were found during drafting but I am glad that it turned out the way I wanted eventually. Machining process was a struggle too as it was my first time using the machine’s interface and capability but I am glad that I have instructors guiding me throughout the process.
Going through all this allows me to learn some of the advanced CADCAM functions and how it eases the design process. I am glad to choose my specialisation in Precision Tooling and Component Manufacturing and this aspires me to be a design engineer in the future.
“If you don’t love what you do, you won’t do it with much conviction or passion.” ~ Mia Hamm
Comments