Modular Engine Shipping Skid With Interchangeable Fixture Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current engine shipping skids are product-specific, leading to excessive redesign or replacement due to limited flexibility in accommodating different products, causing inefficiencies in delivery packaging and shipping methods.
Innovation Solution
A modular shipping skid design featuring a base with alignment members and vertically extending support members, along with interchangeable fixture plates to accommodate engines of varying sizes, allowing a single base to support multiple engine sizes by swapping fixture plates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If product-specific skids are used, then each skid is optimized for a specific engine model, but excessive redesign or replacement is required when product demands change
Solution Approach 1:
The skid design incorporates a universal base structure with multiple interchangeable fixture plates that can be swapped to accommodate different engine models. The base includes standardized alignment members and mounting points that work with various fixture plates, allowing a single skid to serve multiple product lines without redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The skid is divided into modular components: a permanent base structure and interchangeable fixture plates. This segmentation allows the fixture plates to be easily swapped while retaining the base, enabling adaptation to different engine models without replacing the entire skid assembly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If interchangeable fixture plates are used, then flexibility to accommodate different engine sizes is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
All fixture plates are designed to interface with the same standardized alignment members and mounting points on the base. This universal interface design allows multiple fixture plates to work with a single base structure, reducing the overall system complexity compared to having multiple complete skid assemblies.
3Loss of time
If a modular design with interchangeable fixture plates is implemented, then lead times are reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The skid is divided into a permanent base structure and interchangeable fixture plates. This segmentation allows the fixture plates to be easily swapped while retaining the base, enabling adaptation to different engine models without redesigning or remanufacturing the entire skid assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular shipping skid for an engine is provided. The skid includes a base sized to receive an engine thereon, at least one alignment member projecting from the base, and a plurality of vertically extending support members extending from the base. The skid includes a fixture plate having an opening to fit a profile of the at least one alignment member and secure the fixture plate onto the base. The engine is mounted to a fixture on the fixture plate, and different fixture plates are provided with different fixtures to accommodate different sized engines on the same base.