A real-world experience using linkages to teach design, analysis, cad and technical writing

Abstract

Most undergraduate students in mechanical engineering are comfortable using fundamental principles and closed-form equations to solve textbook problems that are well-defined and that have a unique answer, e.g. statics, dynamics and strength of materials. However, these same students are unsure how to apply these fundamental principles and closed-form equations the first time they are given the task of doing an engineering design of a system where the parameters are such that multiple solutions are possible. To give students a first exposure to a real-world product-development team-environment scenario, the design and analysis of linkages is used as the central topic to integrate engineering analysis, design, CAD, project management and technical writing into a semester-long design project. The students work in teams of four and take a loosely defined problem from conceptual design on paper to a virtual prototype and finally to a working prototype made in the machine shop. Each week's lecture material is reinforced with an applied hands-on lab and each weekly lab builds upon the progress of the previous labs. Weekly technical memos are submitted to document the progress of the project. Students learn how to make rational decisions as to when enough time has been spent on one aspect of the overall project and to make the decision to move on to the next step. One of the course outcomes is a one-inch thick notebook documenting the entire project, and this notebook can be used part of the student's portfolio to be shown to a prospective employer. This paper will present the structure of the course and student evaluations of how the organization of the course relates to the success in achieving the course outcomes. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2007.