Meaning
Variation in the environmental temperature and humidity within a manufacturing facility. Daily and seasonal cycles create shop floor ambient fluctuation that affects the dimensions of both the machines and the parts they produce.
Environmental Variable
Uncontrolled air currents can cause localized cooling or heating of machine components. When shop floor ambient fluctuation is large, the machine frame may warp or expand in unpredictable ways. This thermal movement is often the largest source of error in high precision manufacturing environments.
Temperature Cycle
Shifts in temperature over a twenty four hour period can lead to significant drift in the tool position. Monitoring the shop floor ambient fluctuation allows managers to schedule the most sensitive work during times when the environment is most stable. Implementing air curtains or better insulation can help dampen these cycles by preventing the rapid entry of outside air through loading docks or large access doors.
Production Outcome
Inconsistent environmental conditions lead to variations in part quality from one batch to the next. Reducing the shop floor ambient fluctuation is often more cost effective than buying more expensive machines with better thermal compensation. A stable environment provides a reliable baseline for all manufacturing processes in the building.
