Overview

MJ Engineering continues to collaborate with Focused Technology Solutions to develop groundbreaking products. This time the product is the Drill Ease. This is the world’s most advanced battery operated tie drill. This product is an investment in safety and productivity that pays for itself in faster, safer tie drilling with less labor and no need for hydraulic fluid, hoses, and generators.

The tool was designed to be lighter, stronger, and more ergonomic than previous tools.

Benefits

• 3-5 seconds per hole in wooden ties
• Only 30 pounds
• No hydraulics, hoses, or fluids
• No gas-powered generators
• No setup time
• One worker to operate

Goals

• Design a battery-powered tie drill
• Minimize drill time
• Minimize the cost of and weight of the drill
• Maximize the strength and useful life of the drill
• Maximize the ergonomics of the dill
• Implement safety features to cover the drill bit
• Provide an aligning feature to align the tool with the tie plate
• Develop a depth stop and spring assisted tool removal

Specifications

• About 30 pounds
• 3-5 seconds per hole
• A rechargeable battery pack and a commercially available drill
• Easy to transport anywhere the rail takes you
• No hydraulic system to risk leaks or environmental hazards

MJ Engineering is part of a team with Hubbard Merrell Engineering and Vertical Solutions working together to improve a swing ride that operates at various youth camps across the country. The attraction lifts up to 3 passengers to the release point and holds them until they actuate the mechanical release themselves. Once released, the riders swing down through the station and up the other side; continuing the back and forth swinging motion until coming to rest at the load/unload station. The biggest problem the camps are having is that the current electric winches are failing prematurely. The current winches are no longer available and the replacement unit is significantly slower than the original system, reducing patron throughput. Additionally, the camp wanted to improve the safety of the overall system while implementing the new hoist system.   

Goals

1. The camp wanted to maintain or improve throughput (i.e. rides per day).
2. They wanted to find a hoist mechanism that was readily available and could be easily maintained. 
3. They wanted the upgraded design of the ride to comply with ASTM amusement standards as much as possible.

What did we do?

1. MJ designed, fabricated & installed a new hoist system to raise the riders to the drop location.  We used a hydraulic power pack to drive a hydraulic hoist that has the speed of the original system with easy to maintain characteristics desired by the camp.
2. One of our partners designed an update to the rollaway platform, which brings the railing system of the platform into compliance with ASTM ride standards.  Our control system includes a sensor that detects when the platform is stowed out of the swing path.  This fail-safe system would only allow the hoist (and therefore the ride) to operate if the platform was stowed properly.
3. To prevent the hoist from being raised too far, the MJ control system includes a sensor that detects when the hoist has reached a pre-set maximum lift point.  The hoist is not permitted to raise further when this sensor is activated.

MJ Engineering does a lot of work for numerous companies. We work on everything from coal mines to amusement park rides to robotic systems. This particular case was designing a highly sophisticated system that could scan and upload data about pan usage in a bakery.

~ J. Wand

Problem:

A large pan manufacturing company approached MJ Engineering with a technical issue. They had baking pans that were coming back to them with claims made that the pans weren’t meeting the warranty that the company stated. The company, confident in their product, asked how the pan cycles were being managed. Upon hearing how the current process worked they reached out to us and asked if we could help them. The goal was to create a system to help with the pan life cycle tracking. 

 Solution:

To solve this problem, the Pan Tracking System was born. The Pan Tracking System reads a laser-etched code on the bottom of each pan and keeps a log of it. The log is eventually uploaded to an FTP site where it is compiled and both the pan manufacturer and bakery can see all of the tracking data. The main goal of this System was to track pan usage and lifespans. 

How does this work? The pan comes into the Pan Tracker and the system has a camera mounted on it to read the barcode. Each time a pan passes by the Pan Tracker system, a sensor is triggered to activate the scanners to read the code on the pan.  Every pan code is logged as it passes by the Pan Tracking system. After the data is collected for two hours the log file can be uploaded to an ftp site where it is compiled onto a website where the information can be examined to determine the usage. 

Result:

The result was that the company determined that in fact the pans were meeting the warranty. Now they actually have the data to prove it though. The company is able to track the amount of usage of 1 pan and compare it to another pan in the same set to make sure usage numbers are balanced appropriately. This makes tracking the pans exponentially easier and more efficient. The system is easy to run and can be installed by a knowledgeable in-house maintenance crew with the easy to follow instructions provided.

Challenges:

There were a few challenges to work around in this project. The biggest problem encountered in this process was actually getting the codes onto the pans. This was because of a combination of a few things. The original plan was to use adhesive stickers with a barcode to stick onto the pans. However, the stickers fell off after high numbers of heat cycles. Which led us to have to try something new.  The result was to laser etch the code onto the actual pan. This prevents the code from falling off.

What Does This Mean to You?

Before you settle for the quick fix that solves the initial issue but not the root cause of the problem, step back, and analyze the underlying issues, and call us at MJ Engineering (614-891-6111). We specialize in developing the custom solution that will help your business become more efficient, profitable and sustainable.

Amusement Parks

10 years and counting. MJ Engineering has been in the amusement industry for 10 strong years doing 50+ projects in this time ranging from small to large projects. We can provide finite element analysis or come on-site and run tests such as 3rd party testing, strain gauge testing, wall thickness testing, or simplified accelerometer testing. We can certify rides to ASTM F24 standards and help with ride design, or repair. We will help with any ride new, old, or orphaned.

Orphan Rides are generally, rides in which the original manufacturer is no longer willing or able to support the ride. We can help you support those rides. Call us and we can set up an on-site evaluation.  We can perform numerous tests on your ride, assist with repairs, and many other things. We have professional engineers licensed in Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Georgia, Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa. We have successfully gotten rides approved in New Jersey as well. 

Changing rules and regulations is a common occurrence since The Ohio State Fair accident.  Many states have altered or even created brand new regulations, departments, etc… since the Fireball accident.  We work around all F:24 standards including 2291, 1918, 2970, 2959, 1193, and 770. Another reason for the change in the world of entertainment is Covid 19. This virus has altered the way all parks around the country have operated. Some have not opened and some have limited capacity. If you need to modify your ride to meet Covid regulations, give us a call to discuss. 

MJ Engineering should be your first call when considering your rides.  We have professional engineers who understand physics and dynamics behind the rides while also understanding complex mechanical systems and the importance of uptime and efficiency. The advantage of using MJ is that we are extremely strong on the engineering side. 

Needless to say, our company is extremely competitive with anyone and will work as hard as possible to make sure the job is done to the best of our ability. 

Need a quote call us at (614) 891-6111 or email us at jwand@mjengineering.com.

Overview

MJ Engineering collaborated with Focused Technologies to develop the award-winning (Best Maintenance of Way Product 2020) and patented SpikeEase railroad spike remover.  The SpikeEase project originated as a college senior design project, which MJ Engineering completely redesigned to make stronger, lighter, more powerful, more ergonomic, and easier to use.  This product utilizes a customized acme screw and acme nut that when turned by an off-the-shelf impact wrench uses leverage to pull the spike out of the tie. This product is an investment in safety and productivity that pays for itself by increasing production, reducing injuries, and eliminating the need for hydraulic equipment or claw bars. The SpikeEase is designed to be the lightest, easiest, and most eco-friendly spike remover in the world.

According to Focused Technology Solutions, the SpikeEase is the world’s most advanced battery-operated spike remover.  Eliminating the need for hydraulic systems means un-tethering employees from service vehicles, heavy hoses, and expensive hydraulic power units.

Goals

1. Design a battery-powered spike remover
2. Improve maximum pull force
3. Reduce the cost of and weight of the SpikeEase.
4. Improve the ergonomics of using the SpikeEase in the field every day.
5. Improve the strength and useful life of the SpikeEase

Specifications

• Weighs in at 30 pounds (not including drill or battery) 
• 3-7 seconds per spike removal
• A rechargeable battery pack and a commercially available drill
• Easy to transport anywhere the rail takes you  
• No hydraulic system to risk leaks and environmental hazards.