Week 1

Week 1


In the first week I was introduced to the staff members of MicroTech Southwest and the facility. My on-site adviser, Andy Clark, explained to me the operations at their facility. MicroTech manufactures battery seals for multiple corporations and plastic parts of medical equipment. My work mainly focuses on production of plastic battery seals that prevent batteries from exploding.

The seals are produced through the process of injection molding, in which melted plastic is injected into molds under specific pressures and temperatures. These seals are then soaked in hot water for five hours to hydrate plastic material.

One of the crucial processes in the production of these battery components is quality control. Using statistical analysis, technicians are able to determine errors in production and the specification in the adjustment of the machines that produces optimal results. To obtain the data for statistical analysis, samples shots are taken and the dimensions, weight, and moisture level of each of the 32 seals in the shot are measured.

Project Proposal

Engineers today are working to improve batteries by making changes in designs that will prolong the life of the battery while also ensuring the safety of the battery. I will write a 8-10 page research paper that conveys the changes and redevelopment of production and design of batteries over time I will compare the current processes and designs to the old ones. I will study the projects that are in process of testing new designs and predict the future of batteries.

Location: MicroTech Southwest

BASIS Advisor: Teva Clark

On-Site Advisor: Andy Clark

Course Goals:

The objective of this project is to examine the development of battery through the comparison of battery designs and production from the past to the present. Also, I will examine the advancement of battery production and possibilities for improvement in the future. In 10 weeks I will learn about the process of battery production and the testing performed on revised designs to gain power efficiency and improved battery life.