Kennametal, Inc., a global tooling supplier, can hand its customers a $200 per day production savings thanks to a recent Carnegie Mellon engineering class project. The students designed Insta-insert, a device that permits rapid replacement of multi-insert cutting heads, in a Kennametal-sponsored capstone senior design course.

The innovative new device allows for some quick change of worn or used tools,” said John VanKirk, chief technology officer of Kennametal. “We have filed for a patent on this student-design.”

In fact, Kennametal engineers say the new product could boost customer productivity and shave $60 off of every shift of production. Insta-Insert replaces the cutting heads in a matter of minutes rather than the traditional 30- to 40-minute downtime required without the device.

James Raskob, who participated in the Kennametal-sponsored class, said he was thrilled when Kennametal officials said they would seek a patent for his team’s class project.

“This is a great addition to my resume, and a wonderful learning experience,” said Raskob, who graduated from Carnegie Mellon in December 2003 with a mechanical engineering degree.

More than 40 engineering students enrolled in the class worked in teams of four to create everything from a machinist’s apron that protects workers from stinging lubricant and flying chips to a chiller that keeps unhealthy bacteria out of a machine lubricant.