True Velocity
At True Velocity, an innovative startup focused on composite ammunition, my time as a mechanical engineer was both rewarding and impactful. One of my core responsibilities involved testing and qualifying the ammunition, both in controlled laboratory settings and real-world field conditions. This allowed me to ensure the highest standards of performance and safety for the products. Additionally, I played a key role in enhancing production efficiency by developing retrofits for existing machines, optimizing their performance, and streamlining the manufacturing process. Furthermore, I contributed significantly to the successful implementation and commissioning of the new generation of production machines, showcasing my problem-solving abilities and technical prowess. My time at True Velocity not only deepened my understanding of advanced materials and engineering practices but also fostered a sense of pride in contributing to cutting-edge technologies that have the potential to shape the future of ammunition and firearms industries.
My professional experience at True Velocity included three large projects: Nose Onload Retrofit, Powder Characterization, and Prototype Caliber Tooling.
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Nose Onload Retrofit
During my initial weeks at the company, a critical production machine was frequently faulting, causing a significant production halt of approximately 6 hours daily, which accounted for 31% of its total run time. Upon investigating the issue, I identified that the tooling used to pick parts for production was getting blocked by waiting parts. To address this problem, I devised a solution: incorporating a second pneumatic slide on top of the existing one. Utilizing Solidworks, I designed the retrofit and presented the idea to stakeholders, receiving their approval. Once the parts were installed, the machine ran flawlessly for five consecutive days without any faults, showcasing the effectiveness of my solution.
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Powder Characterization
In the pursuit of attaining optimal ammunition quality, I undertook the crucial responsibility of characterizing the propellant employed on the production floor.
I discerned the factors of propellant burn rate, grain size, and moisture content, setting them apart as the principal variables. Employing a methodical approach, I designed and executed three comprehensive tests to meticulously compile data for presentation to key stakeholders. The insights derived from my analyses laid the groundwork for my recommendations, subsequently implemented on the production floor. As a result, we accomplished a remarkable 20% reduction in pressure variances and effectively streamlined the production process.
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Prototype Caliber Tooling
I was entrusted with creating specialized tooling for a prototype .223 manufacturing cell. The challenge lay in transforming the existing cell, which had previously produced different caliber rounds, to accommodate the production of new caliber rounds. Through consultations with operators, technicians, and fellow engineers, I devised a comprehensive plan. This involved designing and fabricating a customized plate that utilized the original mounting holes while introducing a new mounting system for enhanced conversion ease. Leveraging the same sensors, I ensured the reusability of existing code. Upon delivering the tooling to the operators, the conversion process saw a remarkable reduction, taking merely an hour compared to the prior time frame. This equated to a 75% decrease in conversion time, and by the end of the day, the machine was efficiently up and running, showcasing the success of my innovative solution.