Protomatic Hosts University of Michigan Mechanical Engineering Students

Protomatic is committed to helping educate and encourage the next generation of engineers, designers, and innovators. That’s why we were proud to have recently hosted Mechanical Engineering students from the University of Michigan for a six-hour plant tour and discussion. The students were all enrolled in senior level (ME481 and ME585) classes.

Engineering and technical support was discussed in detail.

A Quality Management System (QMS) overview demonstrated the importance of a highly structured process. We discussed how our QMS:

• Difference between the three supported QMS’s  ISO9001, ISO13485 and AS9100
• Interactions of Processes (PEARS)
• QMS Architecture- Four Levels; Policy, Procedures, Instruction, Forms/Records
• Key Process Indicators (KPIs) used as Feedback loops
• System Corrections- with Management Review, Internal/External Audits, Corrective and Preventative Actions and Continual Improvement design to correct system weaknesses.

We emphasized that because aerospace parts are mission critical, there is no room for error.

Students also learned how data from Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM) are used to populate AS9102 reports. These reports verify that the prescribed production methods have produced aerospace parts as specified by engineering drawings, planning, purchase orders, and/or other applicable design documents. We showed the students how this ensures quality before full production when applied to materials/processes as well as dimensions/tolerances.

The tour included an up-close look at CNC programming and operations

A big part of the day was giving a firsthand look at how sophisticated multi-axis CNC machining was instrumental in helping to solve complex engineering problems with modern technology. In years ahead, we’re looking forward to having some of these students join us and share our commitment to life-saving precision in every part and device we produce.

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About the Author
Doug Wetzel is Vice President and General Manager of Protomatic, a CNC precision machine shop serving the medical and aerospace industries.  Photos by Walt Freeman.