Vacuum System for Balance Correction/ Chip Removal

Sponsor: Varian Medical Systems

Team: Super Suckers

Coach: Chris Lewis

Students: Adam Brandt, Krystle Farnsworth, Kasey Greenland, Kelly Layland

The assembly station for producing bearings and anodes must be precisely balanced, and when chips from the materials are found in the machine it can ruin the process. Approximately $50,000 worth of damages to the anodes occurs each year due to the chips.

Team Super Suckers utilized 3-D modeling, statistics and computational fluid dynamics to come up with a solution. Each station is equipped with a custom nozzle that provides high air pressure and vacuum and protects the bearing assembly. Testing determined which design would be most effective and compatible.

It is anticipated that defects will be decreased by 50% throughout the year.