ABSTRACT

                The continuous development of technology and the discovery of electronic components and mechanisms that are widely used in the market today eventually leads to the development and utilization of mechatronics system being an interdisciplinary field. With the positive outlook and the elevation that CNC machines have brought to the industry of manufacturing strengthens the importance of its proliferation towards its continuous advancement. In the Philippine context, the industrial sector is the second major contributor on the growth of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) given its importance for a sustainable economy. Posing a positive impact, the Department of Labor and Employment encourages students to learn necessary skills in line with CNC machining. To bridge the knowledge gap, the study focuses on the implementation of a 4-axis CNC rotary engraver machine as a learning module for the Electronics Engineering (ECE) and Mechatronics Engineering (MXE) students of Rizal Technological University. Through quasi-experimental approach, the researchers evaluated the three usability parameters based on ISO 9241-11:2018- effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction. The effectiveness of the machine was measured by Department of Science and Technology- Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC) through Dimensional Measurement Testing using Mitutoyo Crysta Apex S7106. The accuracy of the engraved text height on wood was found to be 93.276% while its 93.511% accurate on PVC. In terms of engraved text depth, both wood and PVC has a percent accuracy of 95.238%. Efficiency, on the other hand, was evaluated through the UEQ form having a rating of ‘Good’ efficiency from the responses of ECE having a value of 1.722 and 1.694 for MXE students. Third of the three parameters that have been assessed was the overall satisfaction rating of the students towards the usage of CNC machine as a learning module. It returns an acceptable satisfaction verbal equivalence of ‘Okay’ or ‘Grade of C’ rating having a numerical value equivalent to 66.39 for ECE and 68.19 for MXE respectively. The output of the study includes recommendations to improve the usability of the machine as a learning module based on the assessment of its usability and the developed laboratory manual consisting of comprehensive laboratory experiments that ECE and MXE students can utilized in learning the CNC machine and as well as in the application of Computer Aided Designing (CAD) related subjects.

FINDINGS OF THE STUDY

With respect to the result of the study, the following conclusion was drawn and constructed.

1. The steps in the implementation of CNC Rotary Engraver machine as a learning module involves five stages- Preparatory, Familiarization, Designing, Development and Implementation.

2. The commercial 4-axis CNC machine was effective in terms of its accuracy in depth measurement of engraved text but has some deviation in height measurement for both Wood and PVC.

3. The assessment of the students of Electronics Engineering (ECE) and Mechatronics engineering (MXE) are as follows:

     a) The machine is found to have a ‘Good’ efficiency rating

     b) The machine has an overall acceptable satisfaction rating of ‘Okay’ or ‘Grade of C’

4. It was found that there is no significant difference on the variables being tested for each usability parameter that is why calculating for the level of significance is not deem possible.

     a) p-value: 0.798 >05 between Wood and PVC

     b) p-value: 910 > 0.05 evaluation of efficiency between ECE and MXE

     c) p-value: 0.523 > 05 evaluation of satisfaction between ECE and MXE

Henceforth, this study concludes that the CNC Rotary Engraver is usable as a learning module.

5. The developments the CNC machine should have includes devising of cylindrical calibration tool, automatic stock and tool changing mechanism and adding a cleaning system for the CNC machine.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Although the study successfully answers the research questions and achieved its objectives, the researchers still recommend the following ways to improve the future studies that will delve, conduct and adapt similar subject of interest.

• The researchers recommend to utilized other research methodology such as purely experimental approach especially when applying the aforementioned recommendations on Summary Point No. (5).
• Additionally, it is also recommended to evaluate the efficiency of the machine in terms of ……