This master thesis was performed at the Mechanical department at Outotec AB,Skellefte˚a. Outotec AB is a technology company as well as a project company, sell-ing complex mining technology and plant projects. Outotec’s technologies are usedfor applications such as producing base metals, processing iron ore etc. Outotec isrunning a program called ‘Fully automated smelter’ where manual hazardous workmust be avoided. A machine which automatically replaces punching bars on thepunching machine is needed. This thesis project aimed to investigate if the punching bar changer will be aproprietary purpose-build machine or an industrial robot. The five-step conceptgeneration method was used for concept development during this thesis project.For gathering knowledge and information about the project area, experts have beeninterviewed to obtain information for the start of the project. The gathered infor-mation and knowledge from interviews and literature studies have been used as abase when the concepts were generated. Seven concepts were generated and evalu-ated using a screening matrix. The concept that best satisfied the set requirementswere further developed, designed and simulated. The two scenarios have been in-vestigated and a design concept of the proprietary purpose-built machine has beenpresented. The result from concept evaluation and simulation indicated that bothalternatives are applicable in this area. But to make a decision a more in-depthcalculation of the associated cost and investigation of the design is necessary.

The diploma thesis consists of the three main parts. The first part deals with the theoretical description of the laser technology and other unconventional technologies. In the second part, the thesis is focused on testing the parameters of the laser and evaluating the most suitable parameters. In the last part the diploma thesis deals with comparison of unconventional technologies in terms of cut quality

This master’s project describes a proposal for manufacturing technology of a horizontal boring machine case. This case is manufactured by HESTEGO a.s. from a DC01 steel sheet, which is 2 mm thick and its production series is 200 pieces a year. Punching and bending were chosen as the most suitable methods from the considered manufacturing technologies. The theoretical part of the thesis includes a study of the chosen manufacturing technologies. Based on the analysis of the technological calculations and the available tools in the manufacturing company, a technological procedure was designed and these machines were chosen: punching machine TruPunch 5000 a servo-electronic press brake SAFAN E – BRAKE 100–3100. Technical and economical evaluation is also included in the proposal.

This master’s thesis has been elaborated as a part of master’s studies of engineering technology M2I-K, major in M-STM – Engineering technology and industrial management and deals with the problem of a transition to a self-production of previously purchased distance washers. Distance washers were purchased in six different types of similar shape, each type in four different thicknesses. One of these types was chosen as a representative for this master’s thesis. We shall explore the possibilities of self-production with the emphasis on economical validation of the transition. The distance washer is a flat part, the intermediate being sheet metal. Technologies considered for manufacturing the washers correspond to the technical facilities and equipment available at the production hall of the company this project is planned for. The company possesses technology for CO2 laser cutting, cutting by CNC punching machine and cutting in the punching tool. To provide a complex overview we shall also enquire into cooperated technologies such as water jet and plasma cutting, oxy-acetyleny cutting and CNC working. All options are evaluated with regard to the production expenses and lead to a most economically plausible method of manufacturing or, if need be, give reasons for going back to purchasing the part from the current supplier.