Engineering Processes Used in the Workshop

Engineering processes Used in the Workshop

A- Filing

Filing is one of the most commonly used subjects in Engineering and it is essential that it is done correctly. PPE must be worn at all times. Goggles should be worn to protect the workmen from metal shavings which are produced when filing is being done. Steel toe capped boots should also be worn incase the file is dropped on your foot. This could cause serious damage to your toes. Safety boots should also be non slip to prevent any slippages caused by oil on the floor of the workshop. Another item of PPE that should be worn whilst filing is a good pair of overalls. These will prevent any fibres of metal becoming trapped in your clothes and risking cutting yourself later.

Filing

This should be done completely flat and level as shown in the picture. It is essential for this to be done otherwise you will get wonky finish. And it will not be accurate. When filing, the full length of the blade should be used as this is more efficient and will lead to a better finish. It is important that whilst filing you measure your job frequently to check that you have not taken too much off.

There are many types of files around on the market to day from the coarsest one known as the dreadnought, and the dead smooth. This takes the least material off and gets the best finish on the material. The Dreadnought however, takes the material off a lot quicker, however, leaves a terrible finish on the material.

As you can see, files come in many different shapes and sizes and vary for different uses. You can get extremely small files for filing the inside of holes and also really large ones for taking off a huge amount of metal at a time.

Removing Burrs, RASE Engineering Process B

A key part of Engineering is removing burrs from metal. This can also be known as RASE or ‘remove all sharp edges.’ This should be done to metal whenever it is taken out of a machine as the sharp edges formed by drilling and turning can be extremely sharp and lead to personal injury. To remove these edges, the metal should be placed in a file with the sharp edged surface sticking out flat above the jaws of the vice. A file should then be applied (Engineering Process A) until the edge has acquired a good finish.

Filing a Datum Edge Engineering Process C

This is one of the most important tasks in engineering. Filing a datum edge is basically filing an edge so that it is flat enough to base all of your measurements on it when it is laid in the vernier height gauge. It is done using a file, a set square and a vice. You need to keep filing the edge until you judge that it is flat by eye. It should then be removed from the vice and a set square placed against the edge. You should then hold it up against some light and see where there is more light showing. This area should be treated as the flat area and you should file down the adjacent areas next to it. The ultimate target is to have no light at all showing through the gap. When this is achieved, your datum edge is ready and you may proceed to marking out

Use of the Centre Lathe Engineering Process D

Before starting off on the Centre Lathe there is a lot of standard PPE that should be worn. (See Safety in the workshop). There are some pre-use safety checks that must be applied to when using the milling machine. The first is that the emergency stop works. This is the Red Metal bar at the foot of the machine and