Yip-Hoi, D. M., & Newcomer, J. L. (2011, June), Teaching CAD Modeling Using LEGO  Paper presented at 2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Vancouver, BC. 10.18260/1-2--18586

\bibitem{asee_peer_18586}
  Yip-Hoi, D. M., \& Newcomer, J. L. (2011, June), \emph{Teaching CAD Modeling Using LEGO}
  Paper presented at 2011 ASEE Annual Conference \& Exposition, Vancouver, BC.
  10.18260/1-2--18586

Derek M. Yip-Hoi and Jeffrey L. Newcomer.  "Teaching CAD Modeling Using LEGO".  2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Vancouver, BC, 2011, June.  ASEE Conferences, 2011.  https://peer.asee.org/18586 Internet.  16 Apr, 2024

\bibitem{asee_peer_18586}
  Derek M. Yip-Hoi and Jeffrey L. Newcomer.
  "Teaching CAD Modeling Using LEGO".
  \emph{2011 ASEE Annual Conference \& Exposition, Vancouver, BC, 2011, June}.
  ASEE Conferences, 2011.
  https://peer.asee.org/18586 Internet.  16 Apr, 2024

@INPROCEEDINGS{asee_peer_18586
author = "Derek M. Yip-Hoi and Jeffrey L. Newcomer"
title = "Teaching CAD Modeling Using LEGO"
booktitle = "2011 ASEE Annual Conference \& Exposition"
year = "2011"
month = "June"
address = "Vancouver, BC"
publisher = "ASEE Conferences"
note = {https://peer.asee.org/18586}
number = {10.18260/1-2--18586}
}

TY  - CPAPER
AB  -                                 Teaching CAD Modeling Using LEGO®                                                  By                       Derek Yip-Hoi, Jeff Newcomer, Nichole Larson, David Pringle    The use of LEGO® in engineering education is relatively common. One area of application involvesthe use of virtual LEGO® models. Lai-Yuen [1] describes the use of such a virtual assembly of LEGO®blocks to teach students concepts in micro-manufacturing. Kelley [2] describes a similar approach inwhich virtual LEGO® blocks are used to teach and implement Product Data Management (PDM)techniques. Pasek et al. [3] have developed automation to assemble LEGO® blocks from a virtualmodel as part of a CIM driven LEGO® Factory. While these cases involve students creating virtualLEGO® assemblies, none of this prior work requires the student to use CAD modeling techniques fordesigning or prototyping new LEGO® blocks.    This paper explores the potential of using LEGO® to support teaching CAD modeling techniques toengineering technologists. There are a number of advantages to using this medium. First, LEGO®building blocks come in a wide variety of shapes from the simple standard forms to more complexspecial purpose blocks found in kits such as Racers or MindStorms. From a CAD modeling perspectivethe features used to model these blocks can therefore range from the simple pad/pocket type to moreinvolved sweeps and multi-section shapes (lofts). Students can learn and practice bottom-up assemblymodeling techniques by building models using libraries of standard blocks. They can also model customblocks using the design-in-context approach. This can support creativity in generating new LEGO® kitconcepts. Since LEGO® blocks and kits are easily available and affordable, it is possible for students tocreate a CAD model for which a physical prototype can be built. With the availability of rapidprototyping equipment (e.g. Stratasys FDM technology) or use of a service bureau, custom blocks canalso be included in these prototypes. This introduces students to Design for Manufacture and Assembleconcepts as these custom blocks must be designed with appropriate wall thicknesses and stiffening, andwith appropriate clearances and fits to assemble to standard blocks. The ability to do this adds to theappeal that LEGO® has for many students who are well familiar with their use.    Experiences from implementing a LEGO® based CAD project in a freshman course that teachesEngineering Design and Graphics will be used to highlight the benefits of using this approach. Examplesof student work such as those on the following page will be given to show the scope of what is possibleand to identify where improvements in defining the project requirements are needed. Feedback fromstudents on their experiences with this project will be discussed. This shows a high level of enthusiasmand recognition of learning of CAD modeling concepts through this project. Finally, other possible areasfor using LEGO® to support training in CAD will be proposed. One such area is in the modeling ofmechanisms.[1] Lai-Yuen, S., “Using Lego To Teach and Learn Micromanufacturing and Industrial Automa-tion,” Proceedings of the2008 ASEE Conference and Exposition, Pittsburgh, PA, June 2008, http://soa.asee.org/paper/conference/paper-view.cfm?id=6782[2] Kelley, D. S., “Assessing the Utilization of Virtual LEGO® Blocks within a Group Design Project,” Engineering DesignGraphics Journal, Vol. 68, No. 2, Spring 2004, pp. 26–31[3] Pasek, Z., Yip-Hoi, D., “Lego Factory: An Educational CIM Environment for Assembly”. The Proceedings of theAmerican Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition (on CD), June 15-18, 2005, Portland, Oregon,9 pages.Platform, Final CATIA Assembly with Custom and Standard LEGO® Blocks and Prototype for a Racing Car                       Pick-up Truck Theme with Platform and Custom Blocks
AU  - Derek M. Yip-Hoi
AU  - Jeffrey L. Newcomer
CY  - Vancouver, BC
DA  - 2011/06/26
PB  - ASEE Conferences
TI  - Teaching CAD Modeling Using LEGO
UR  - https://peer.asee.org/18586
DO  - 10.18260/1-2--18586
ER  -