Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 3
Manufacturing Tools and Equipment
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Manufacturing Tools and Equipment
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Subject: Manufacturing Engineering
Class: SHS 3
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 17
Grade code: 3.3.1.LI.2
Strand code: 3
Sub-strand code: 1
Content standard code: 3.3.1.CS.1
Indicator code: 3.3.1.LI.2
Theme: Manufacturing Tools, Equipment and Processes
Subtheme: Manufacturing Tools and Equipment
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This lesson focuses on the fundamental cutting tools used in both woodwork and metalwork manufacturing. In Ghana, from the local carpenter in Kokompe making furniture to the welder in Suame Magazine fabricating gates, cutting tools are the foundation of turning raw materials into useful products. Understanding how to select the right tool for a specific job, and how to use it safely and effectively, is a critical skill for any aspiring engineer or artisan. This lesson will move beyond simply naming tools to demonstrating their practical application, ensuring learners can connect theory to the real-world practices they see in their communities every day.
A. What are Cutting Tools?
A cutting tool in manufacturing is any tool used to remove material from a workpiece through a process of shear deformation. Essentially, the tool is harder than the material it is cutting, and when force is applied, it "shears" off small pieces of the material, which we call chips or swarf.
The core principle is Relative Hardness and Force Application. The cutting edge of the tool must be harder than the material being cut. Force must be applied to move the cutting edge through the workpiece. The shape (geometry) of the cutting edge determines how efficiently the material is removed and the quality of the final surface.
Cutting tools can be broadly categorised into: Hand Tools: Powered by human effort (e.g., hand saw, chisel, file). Power Tools: Powered by an external source like electricity or compressed air (e.g., circular saw, angle grinder).