As an elective, I chose to take a manufacturing course, as it has always interested me. The course focused on 3 axis milling machines, the ones in Wentworth’s new manufacturing center. Through the course, we machined a working air engine, and at the end of the semester measured the speeds that they could run at off of a steady 15psi.

The base of the engine is a cast stand, using sand castings. We made the molds ourselves, and were there for the pouring and quenching. From there, we proceeded to machine the rest of the components used in the air engine, with the exception of the steel axle. The air engine that I made managed a speed of 1700rpm off of 15psi, not the best in the class, but better than most.