Manufacturing Processes

About

Pipsqueak Engine

The Pipsqueak Engine is a class project for Manufacturing Processes. The goal of the class is to learn about different manufacturing methods, and how to design products to be manufacturable in these methods. The Pipsqueak Engine specifically has to be desgined and manual machined by the students over the course of the semester. In order to score full points, not only does the engine need to run for 1 minute, but the tolerances must be adequate according to the design. Some dimensions are required, like running fits and press fits, while others are flexible for the team to design the best engine. At the end of the semester, each engine is tested, and the team that can run their engine at the lowest pressure gets extra credit. Our team won by running our engine at 11psi.

Construction Photos

Other hands-on learning sessions were also held during the semester to learn about welding and casting processes outside of the textbook.

Videos