1. An in-depth analysis of applying engineering education to a professional environment. Reagan Hughes, Courtney McCreary, Aldo Perez, Christopher Sorensen, Brandon Trout, Bradley Ward   McLennan Community College, Students 1400 College Drive Waco, Texas
Abstract
As an academic co-operative, McLennan Community College and Caterpillar Operations Waco have allowed 6 engineering students of mechanical and electrical disciplines to analyze and determine a solution for increasing the safety, quality, and efficiency of excavator bucket production. This academic cooperative is a strong opportunity for college students to take skills learned via academia and mix them with work experience that can only be learned in a professional environment, providing students with a unique skill set that will allow them to stand out in the job market.
1. Introduction
In 1925, the Holt Manufacturing Company and C. L. Best Tractor Co. merged together to form the Caterpillar Tractor Co [1]. Since then, Caterpillar has gone on to innovate the heavy machinery industry and helped to create some modern marvels such as the Hoover Dam and the Golden Gate Bridge [1]. Caterpillar machinery were also used in the construction of over 70,000 miles of highways throughout the United States [1].
Caterpillar has since been recognized as a Fortune 500 Company, ranking #74 on the list [3]. In addition, Caterpillar ranks #264 on the Fortune Global 500 [2] and #47 on Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies [4].
2. Opportunities
The opportunity for improvement that was investigated by Caterpillar Operations Waco was the time and effort it takes to change out fixtures that are used in the production of excavator buckets. The changeover process was creating an unnecessary time constraint on the overall daily production. MCC students were assigned to design and develop a new process that would help improve the changeover time, and, consequently, excavator bucket production.
MCC engineering students were also tasked with researching financial data to help justify the cost of implementation and materials needed. Well-defined in-scope and out-of-scope parameters helped guide students’ thought processes and decision making throughout the project.
3. Safety and Finances
Two major portions of the research involved with the engineering co-op were investigating the financial feasibility of the proposal and identifying key safety and ergonomic risks, while improving the speed and productivity of the change over process.
The financial analysis was created by using a combination of data gathered through time studies, in-house financial data such as cost per man-hour and profit from increased production, and quoting material and labor costs from third-party sources.
Key safety issues observed during the existing change over process were pinch and trip hazards as well as a risk for head injuries. The major ergonomic issues present were bending down multiple times to fasten the fixture and twisting, pushing, and turning to transport the lb fixtures with an overhead crane.
4. PQVC
PQVC is an analysis tool that was learned in-house from senior management at Caterpillar Operations Waco. It helps in understanding and visualizing a single proposal’s merits and weaknesses [5]. It is shown in Figure 1.
5. Pugh Matrix
Another analysis tool that was learned during the co-op was the Pugh matrix, as seen in Figure 2. This tool is a criteria-based matrix that is part of Six Sigma, a methodology used to improve business processes by utilizing statistical analysis [6][7]. This tool helps engineers determine weighted values for certain criteria and generates a clear picture of a solution’s strengths and weaknesses against other possible solutions and the baseline, or existing, solution [6].
6. Conclusions
In conclusion, the cooperative between McLennan Community College and Caterpillar Operations Waco has been an excellent opportunity for engineering students to gain valuable experience from research, process analysis, design reviews, and communicating with production and management employees. Caterpillar has also gained insight on a process by allowing new eyes and backgrounds to investigate solutions to an existing problem.
Works Cited
1. "History." Caterpillar | History. Accessed November 13,
2. "Caterpillar." Fortune. Accessed November 13,
3. "Caterpillar." Fortune. Accessed November 13,
4. "Caterpillar." Fortune. Accessed November 13,
5. "Supply Chain." Caterpillar. Accessed November 13,
6. "Pugh Matrix." ISixSigma. Accessed November 13,
7. "About Us - Six Sigma | Training and Certification | 6 Sigma." SixSigma.us. Accessed November 13,
8. “Caterpillar Logo.” Caterpillar | Caterpillar, Caterpillar, s7d2.scene7.com/is/image/Caterpillar/C ?$cc-s$.
People
How does the proposal affect those who are working directly with the process? (In terms of safety)
Quality
Does the new process affect the quality of the product that it is creating positively or negatively?
Velocity
Does the new process increase or decrease the amount of time taken during certain portions of the process?
Cost
What is the associated cost of implementing the new process? Does it cost more or less to produce units?
Criteria
Weighted Value
Baseline Solution
Solution #1
Score
Solution #2
Criteria #1 9 2 18 1
Criteria #2 5 -1 -5
Criteria #4 4 3 6
Criteria #5 7
-.5
-3.5 14
Criteria #6 -6
19.5 23
Fig. 1 - PQVC
Fig. 2 – Pugh Matrix
Proceedings of the 2018 ASEE Gulf-Southwest Section Annual Conference The University of Texas at Austin
April 4-6, 2018