CWU | MET

CONSTRUCTION OF DEVICE & METHODS USED

 

The design of the AutoJack’s powertrain was conceived after researching hazard reduction. The goal here was to completely remove the user from the vehicle lifting/securing process, and thereby, removing the hazard. A power source that can smoothly deliver the necessary power to lift a vehicle in the set requirements was needed. After researching and using an engineering decision matrix, hydraulic technology became the obvious choice. The section below how each component of the design will be manufactured and/or purchased, and then assembled. Please see the attached photos (below) for documentation of the "link arm insert" construction progress. 

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Link Arm Insert: Construction 

The link arm insets are a critical component of the AutoJack that are responsible for converting horizontal motion into vertical motion. This sub-assembly must be custom machined, since it is a specialized part. The insert consists of two separate parts; the "peg" and "sleeve". For the pegs, raw 1020 steel square stock will be purchased from Metal Supermarkets in Kent, WA. It will then be mounted in a bandsaw and cut to the desired 2.33inch length, creating 16 pegs. The faces of each peg will then be mounted in a vice and milled down for smooth fitment within each link arm. Finally, using a 1" end mill bit, one end of each peg will be notched. For the the sleeve, raw round stock will be purchased from Metal Supermarkets in Kent, WA. It will then be mounted in a vice and cut to the desired 1.25inch length using a table saw. The ends of each sleeve will then be faced on the lathe down to 1.0inch, chamfered, and deburred using the bench grinder. Finally, the notched peg and sleeve can be welded together to create the finished link arm insert.

 

Hydraulic Cylinder: Purchase

The hydraulic cylinder is another critical component of the AutoJack. It is responsible for translating fluid flow into liner motion. This sub-device must be purchased, since its design is a project in itself. Several analyses (reference “APPENDIX A”) have been performed to determine the necessary requirements that the hydraulic cylinder must fulfil. Using these requirements as a checklist, the appropriate cylinder was located and purchased from the NorTrac product catalog. 

 

Cylinder Cross Rods: Construction 

The cylinder cross rods are another critical component of the AutoJack. They are composed of ½ inch diameter, AISI 1020 steel round stock. The raw round stock will be purchased from Metal Supermarkets in Kent, WA. It will then be mounted in a vice and cut to the desired 10inch length using a table saw. The ends of each cross rod will then be faced on the lathe and deburred using the bench grinder. The Bridgeport End Mill, drill guide, and hole jig will then be used to correctly place the necessary cotter pin holes. 

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Cylinder Pins: Construction

The cylinder pins are another critical component of the AutoJack. They are composed of ½ inch diameter, AISI 1020 steel round stock. The raw round stock will be purchased from Metal Supermarkets in Kent, WA. It will then be mounted in a vice and cut to the desired 4inch length using a table saw. The ends of each cross rod will then be faced on the lathe and deburred using the bench grinder. The Bridgeport End Mill, drill guide, and hole jig will then be used to correctly place the necessary cotter pin holes. 

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Note: For more Part Construction descriptions, please see the "METHODS AND CONSTRUCTION" section in the linked MET489A-C Report.

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​Link Arm Insert - Construction - Photo Documentation: