Alignment

Tool

Instron | Autoinjector | Provisional Patent

Overview

I developed a tool designed to align critical components in the Autoinjector testing load string. This innovation significantly reduces alignment time, enhances system consistency, improves data quality, and minimizes specimen rejection rates.

 

Solutions

  • Enhanced Alignment: Improved overall system precision through alignment features and GD&T.

  • Accessibility: Enabled quick system alignment by customers without requiring field service engineers.

  • Cost-Effective Design: Ensured the tool could be manufactured with minimal machining costs.

  • Simultaneous Alignment: Achieved alignment of three critical components in one operation.

Challenge

Customers experienced difficulty getting consistent, representative data due to vertical misalignment.

 

Design & Development

Concept Generation ❖ CAD ❖ Prototyping ❖ DFM

Analysis & Validation

FEA ❖ Design Validation Testing ❖ GD&T

Manufacturing

Material Selection ❖ Supplier Coordination

Communication

Cross-Functional Collaboration ❖ Client Interaction ❖ Documentation

Simplified Manufacturing

The alignment tool was intentionally designed to be straightforward, requiring only a few precise cuts on a stock rod using a lathe. This approach reduces both complexity and production costs.

 

Operational Efficiency

Initially, the team proposed integrating alignment directly into the system, which would have increased material and labor costs. Instead, I focused on addressing the alignment issue specifically in the test space. By combining this tool with alignment features in the grips and cap removal base, all components can be aligned simultaneously in under 5 minutes. This new tool empowers customers to align their systems independently, eliminating the need for field service engineers.

 

Final Product

Impact:

  • Reduced Alignment Time: From 1 hour to just 5 minutes (92% reduction).

  • Improved Accessibility: Made system alignment feasible for all customers.

  • Enhanced Data Quality: Increased consistency and reliability across systems.

  • Minimized Specimen Waste: Lowered rejection rates by ensuring proper alignment.