Not quite sure what this question has to do with conceptual machine design. I assume it's just been placed in the wrong category.

So just a little background......I'm the applications engineer for a British automation company and my job is to come up with concept designs of automated assembly and processing machines. Just for fun, here's a typical problem I get on a daily basis. I'll describe the problem then you can offer your suggestions, then I'll show you my solution: The components are basically a 20mm dia tube x 400mm long with a "lump" in the middle (50mm dia x 100 long) that requires curing. The parts need to be cured in an oven at 200°C for 8 hours. The tricky bit is that they have to be rotated (approx 15 rpm) throughout the oven. The oven needs to be a conveyor type. The part needs rotating because the "lump" will sag until fully cured. Throughput is 1 component every 4 minutes. Loading and unloading will be performed by two six-axis robots (one at each end). And......GO!

Discuss the important non-metallic materials of construction used in engineering practice. You can write the answer and upload relevant images to justify the answer (if required) Let's together discuss and contribute in making the best answer

Write short note on the type of bearing metals. You can write the answer and upload relevant images to justify the answer (if required) Let's together discuss and contribute in making the best answer

Explain the following heat treatment processes: 1. Normalising 2. Hardening 3. Tempering. You can write the answer and upload relevant images to justify the answer (if required) Let's together discuss and contribute in making the best answer

Write short notes on high speed tool steel and spring steel. You can write the answer and upload relevant images to justify the answer (if required) Let's together discuss and contribute in making the best answer

Suggest suitable materials for the following parts stating the special property which makes it more suitable for use in manufacturing 1. Diesel engine crankshaft 2. Automobile tyres 3. Roller bearings 4. High pressure steam pipes 5. Stay bar of boilers 6. Worm and worm gear 7. Dies 8. Tramway axle 9. Cam follower 10. Hydraulic brake piston. You can write the answer and upload relevant images to justify the answer (if required) Let's together discuss and contribute in making the best answer

Select suitable materials for the following parts stating the special property which makes it most suitable for use in manufacturing 1. Turbine blade 2. Bush bearing, 3. Dies 4. Carburettor body 5. Keys (used for fastening) 6. Cams 7. Heavy duty machine tool beds 8. Ball bearing 9. Automobile cylinder block 10. Helical springs. You can write the answer and upload relevant images to justify the answer (if required) Let's together discuss and contribute in making the best answer

Select suitable material for the following cases, indicating the reason 1. A shaft subjected to variable torsional and bending load 2. Spring used in a spring loaded sefety valve 3. Nut of a heavy duty screw jack 4. Low speed line-shaft coupling. You can write the answer and upload relevant images to justify the answer (if required) Let's together discuss and contribute in making the best answer

Write short notes on free cutting steel, and stainless steel. You can write the answer and upload relevant images to justify the answer (if required) Let's together discuss and contribute in making the best answer

Give the composition of 35 Mn 2 Mo 45 steel List its main uses. You can write the answer and upload relevant images to justify the answer (if required) Let's together discuss and contribute in making the best answer

State the alloying elements added to steel to get alloy steels and the effect they produce. Give at least one example of each. You can write the answer and upload relevant images to justify the answer (if required) Let's together discuss and contribute in making the best answer

What are the common materials used in Mechanical Engineering Design? How can the properties of steel be improved? You can write the answer and upload relevant images to justify the answer (if required) Let's together discuss and contribute in making the best answer

Define alloy steel. Discuss the effects of nickel, chromium and manganese on steel. You can write the answer and upload relevant images to justify the answer (if required) Let's together discuss and contribute in making the best answer

Define plain carbon steel. How it is designated according to Indian standards? You can write the answer and upload relevant images to justify the answer (if required) Let's together discuss and contribute in making the best answer

Discuss the effect of silicon, manganese, sulphur and phosphorus on cast iron. You can write the answer and upload relevant images to justify the answer (if required) Let's together discuss and contribute in making the best answer

How is grey cast iron designated in Indian standards? You can write the answer and upload relevant images to justify the answer (if required) Let's together discuss and contribute in making the best answer

How cast iron is obtained? Classify and explain different types of cast irons. You can write the answer and upload relevant images to justify the answer (if required) Let's together discuss and contribute in making the best answer

Distinguish clearly amongst cast iron, wrought iron and mild steel regarding their constituents and properties. You can write the answer and upload relevant images to justify the answer (if required) Let's together discuss and contribute in making the best answer

Define the following properties of a material : (i) Ductility (ii) Toughness (iii) Hardness (iv) Creep. You can write the answer and upload relevant images to justify the answer (if required) Let's together discuss and contribute in making the best answer

Define 'mechanical property of an engineering material. State any six mechanical properties, give their definitions and one example of the material possessing the properties. You can write the answer and upload relevant images to justify the answer (if required) Let's together discuss and contribute in making the best answer

Why are metals in their pure form unsuitable for industrial use? You can write the answer and upload relevant images to justify the answer (if required) Let's together discuss and contribute in making the best answer

Enumerate the most commonly used engineering materials and state at least one important property and one application of each. You can write the answer and upload relevant images to justify the answer (if required) Let's together discuss and contribute in making the best answer

What are the factors to be considered for the selection of materials for the design of machine elements? Discuss. You can write the answer and upload relevant images to justify the answer (if required) Let's together discuss and contribute in making the best answer

How do you classify materials for engineering use? You can write the answer and upload relevant images to justify the answer (if required) Let's together discuss and contribute in making the best answer