Question

Management For Engineers

You intend to set up an automotive workshop. The workshop provides services such as general vehicle repairs,servicing,tyre checks and other related works.

Describe the steps, procedures, consideration and processes you will take to set up the workshop and to make it an effective enterprise?

Format: at least 20 pages, Times New Roman 12

Answer 1

You intend to set up an automotive workshop. The workshop provides services such as general vehicle repairs, servicing, tyre checks and other related works.

Describe the steps, procedures, consideration and processes you will take to set up the workshop and to make it an effective enterprise?

Answer:

            Setting an automotive workshop need right equipment for various operations being carried out in the workshop. Initially for setting up the workshop, investment plays the major role. Later various other factors such as availability of land, labor, listing out the equipment needed, resources available in particular area, transportation facilities and many other. Also, the company should be capable to train the workers.

            Initially investment is needed for building lease, painting the floor and walls, buying or leasing the equipment required. While purchasing the equipment it should be kept in mind that all the services which are assumed to be provided are taken into consideration.

Workshop Area:

An automotive workshop floor area should have the following facilities:

Adequate Spacing and Facilities:

1. The floor area available must ensure that at least it can accommodate 2-3 vehicles at a time for working.
2. Enough space should be provided for reception, office, toilets and other facilities for workers.
3. The space should be sufficient enough to accommodate all the equipment required and vehicles of the customers.
4. Washing area or facilities should be provided.

High Roof and a Strong Floor:

1. The ceiling should be high enough such that the vehicle when lifted will not touch the roof.
2. The floor should be strong enough to withstand the weight of the vehicle.

Wide Access:

1. The vehicles of the customers should be driven in and out easily and in a straight path.
2. The floor should be flat enough and should not have any elevations.

Availability of Natural Light:

The work space should ensure that proper lighting is provided so that the worker may not be strained and complete the work easily. If natural light is not available artificial means of light should be provided.

General considerations:

Proper ventilation, fume extraction, access and egress must be taken into consideration. It should have sufficient space for storing the tools.

Proper drain system should be provided to permit oils, and other fluid systems to flow out.

Proper electrical power supply is necessary. Also, proper wiring should be ensured to avoid short circuiting.

Chemicals should be stored in a separate area and fire extinguishers should be provided.

Air hoses should be installed.

First aid kits should be available in case of any emergency.

Equipment required:

Hand tools:

• Mechanical tool chest
• Torque wrench
• Gear pullers
• Valve spring compressor
• Ring compressor.

Lifting Equipment:

• Floor jack
• Axle stands
• Vehicle hoist
• Engine lifting equipment

Test equipment:

• Compression tester
• Multimeter
• Micrometer
• Vernier calipers
• Timing light

Power tools:

• Hand drill
• Angle grinder
• Air compressor
• Impact gun

Personal protective equipment:

• Ear muffs
• Safety glasses
• Gloves
• Barrier cream

The major equipment needed are:

• Four post hoist with jacking beam
• Hoists
• Benches
• Simple pipe blender
• Pedestal drill
• Air tools
• Brake lathe
• Tyre changer with assist
  • Tyre changing accessories
  • Tyre pressure gauge
  • Pressure regulator
  • Tyre level
  • Tire level protector
• Wheel balancer
  • Wheel balancing accessories
  • Wheel weight pliers
  • Wheel aligners
• Cooling system tester
• Dynamometer
• Metal lathe
• Flywheel grinder
• Stand press
• LPG conversions
• Air conditioning checker

General workshop equipment includes grease kit, oil extractor, hose reel, compressors, jacks, transmission jack press, wheel stands, ratchets, sockets, hoist drainers, engine crane, engine trolley, engine stand, vacuum cleaner, welding equipment, mechanical work seats, filter crusher, oscilloscope, vices, tool box, hand drill, parts washers.

Special equipment include body repair kit, pulling ram kit, pipe blender, body straightening kit, sand blasting cabinet, injector cleaner, spring compressor, hydraulic gear puller, hub tamer, brake drum handler, tyre spreader, fuel injection test kit.

Hand tools required are measuring tools such as micrometers, dial gauges, tachometers, dynamometers. Electronic testing equipment include battery, test light, armature growler, multimeter.

Leak detector, goggles, ear protectors, first aid kit fire extinguishers, spill kit, oscillating fan, exhaust fans signage, gloves include the safety equipment. Servicing and installations should be done appropriately which include hoist maintenance, lighting design, electrical equipment, machinery repair and maintenance.

The steps to be followed while setting up the automotive workshop is as follows:

Sufficient knowledge should be ensured before setting up the workshop. Proper knowledge of various automobile parts such as engine components, cooling systems, fuel supply system, ignition system, lubrication system, electrical components, cycle of operation.

According to the services offered the required equipment should be listed and they should be properly fixed in the space available.

The range of techniques to be used for offering services should be carefully decided. These include the following:

1. Dismantling, storing and marking of the components.
2. Reassembly of dismantled components.
3. Material handling.
4. While designing the layout of the workshop, proper positioning of the machines should be ensured to reduce the delays and over transportation.
5. Follow standard procedures of operation.

Materials to be used should be always available which include the following:

Common mechanical tools

Tools for cutting and forming such as hammers.

Jacks and the measuring devices.

Oil and lubrication products such as greases, gaskets of various sizes, cleaners and solvents.

The workshop should always have replacement parts or the spare parts readily available.

The work should be properly organized and maintenance of the workshop is needed. These include the following:

Ergonomic considerations such as proper lighting, ventilation, facilities for basic needs of workers should be provided.

The floor space should always be neat and clean.

The ongoing projects should be taken care of and apart from ongoing works the orders should be accepted for future work also.

The tools and equipment should always be in proper working conditions.

Generally, the workshop services include repairing the engines, ancillary systems, repairing of power equipment, periodic servicing of automobiles, tyre changing and many other.

After setting up the workshop to ensure proper working of the enterprise the following measures should be taken:

Reporting and documentation should be properly ensured.

Work sheets should be prepared and work should be carried out accordingly.

The skill of the worker plays a major role in proper functioning of the workshop.

Proper communication between the management and the workshop should be ensured.

Communication within the sub unit as well as through out the unit is necessary because sometimes the service to be offered needs assistance of various sub units.

The terminology to be followed in the company should be same throughout.

Standards should be followed while providing the services.

Generally, charts can be used to regulate the work flow within the unit.

At the end, the customers looks only the quality of the work done at a least price. To ensure the satisfaction of the customer optimal balance between all the sub units of the workshop is required.