Abstract

      Team 502’s mission is to provide a solution to handling ceramic filters without introducing damage; our design will achieve this by preventing visible damage at the location where the handler contacts the filter’s outer walls. 
     Corning produces brittle, cylindrical ceramic filters for vehicles with internal combustion engines to filter exhaust air. Throughout production, these ceramic filters are at times subjected to damage when moved from one manufacturing stage to another. Damage to these filters typically occurs from crushing the filter’s skin, making the filters unusable. These ceramic filters have varying sizes, with diameters ranging from 7.5 to 15 inches and weighing from 4 to 40 pounds.             
      Our handler design has three fingers that approach the filter’s surface in three separate places around the filter’s circumference. The design is adjustable depending on the size of the filter it is handling. There is compliant padding attached to the design that contacts the filter’s surface to lessen the contact forces applied on the filter. Force sensors indicate when the handler should stop applying pressure, allowing for part movement. This procedure is quick and consistent with the use of motors and a computer, making the design usable in a lean manufacturing system. The linear motion of the padded three-finger design also allows the handler to pick and place various sizes of these ceramic filters with a controlled motion. 
     ​​Corning has provided our team with part samples. Our team will show the effectiveness of the design by evaluating the handler performance with these sample filters. A successful test would result in the handler not causing damage to the ceramic parts after grasping and moving the parts. The handler design will demonstrate success by regulating the forces applied by the handler, adding cushioning to the interface, and increasing the contact area. Thus, reducing the damage introduced to the cylindrical ceramic parts by handling.