Date of Defense

4-10-2002

First Advisor

Dr. Jerry H. Hamelink

Second Advisor

Mark R. Benner

Abstract

Portrayed within this report is the redesign of the tooling for a propeller shaft assembly. American Axle & Manufacturing is currently experiencing centrality issues between the tube assembly and universal-joint assembly. This problem may lead to runout, which leads to complexity in balancing a propeller shaft assembly. The bearing cups of the universal joint assembly are kept held of by means of plastic injection. To better centralize the universal joint to tube assembly of a propeller shaft, present tooling was redesigned along with the creation of new tooling. Using the tightly defined machined dimensions of the tooling and the position of the components during the plastic injection process, the relationship of the centerlines between the universal joint and the tube assembly are improved. The enhanced centrality between the components will reduce runout; create a more balanced propeller shaft assembly; decrease cycle time, labor costs, and operating costs.

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Campus Only

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