2practices worldwide. The aim is for the Advanced Four Pillars to be a living documentwith periodic reviews to remain current.Four Pillars BackgroundThe Four Pillars of Manufacturing Knowledge, (Four Pillars) was first published in 2011as a component of the Curricula 2015; A Four Year Strategic Plan for ManufacturingEducation [1] (see Figure 1). The concept of the four pillars includes foundation skills inA) Mathematics and Science and B) Personnel Effectiveness with four major categories:1) Materials and manufacturing processes; 2) Product, tooling, and assembly engineering;3) Manufacturing systems and operations; and 4) Manufacturing competitiveness. Mottet. al. [2] credits the process of developing the Four Pillars to the Society ofManufacturing
alternatives in the manufacturingindustry, ultimately contributing to environmental preservation and resource conservation.PLA is a bioplastic made from fermented plant starches found in crops such as corn, cassava,maize, sugarcane, and sugar beet pulp. The fermentation of sugars present in these renewablematerials produces lactic acid. Later, the lactic acid is converted into polylactic acid, or PLA [1].It is also a thermoplastic, meaning it can melt at low temperatures and solidify when cooled [2].This property allows for easy recycling, as PLA waste can be melted down and used againwithout losing its quality. PLA is widely used in additive manufacturing applications. In 3Dprinting, PLA is used for Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), the process
lifting arm witha claw to grab onto the elevation bar and lift off the ground. Most of the construction of the robotwill be done using standard VEX parts, 3D-printed polylactic acid (PLA) parts, and milledaluminum and Delrin parts.Need StatementVEX Robotics provides a competitive challenge for students in STEM that allows them to solveproblems and design robots with an engineering mindset. This year’s challenge is called “OverUnder” and is played on a square field that is 12ft by 12ft. A red and blue team consisting of 2robots each must score plastic Reuleaux triangles, referred to by VEX as triballs, under theirgoals, and at the end of the match elevate their robots on a vertical pole. [1]. Each team has anoffensive zone, which is half of the
. To date, the gap betweenthe need for a qualified advanced manufacturing (AM) workforce and the current workforcedevelopment pipeline has been unfilled [1]. The National Strategic Plan on AdvancedManufacturing by the National Science and Technology Council in 2018 noted that by 2025, themanufacturing sector would create over 3.5 million new job opportunities, but 2 million of themwill be unfilled. Preparing the next generation of AM workforce requires a commitment toeducating younger generation [2]. Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute’s study [3] suggestsAmerican public opinions believe that formal and informal education programs on AM can helprecruit and prepare the next generation of workforce to undertake a career in future
geometric shapes,multi-material, and multi-functional parts can be additively manufactured in a single operationwhich is a significant advantage over conventional manufacturing processes. Over the past twodecades, the intensive research carried out on AM technologies has yielded tremendous progressin the development and commercialization of new and innovative AM processes, such as FusedDeposition Modeling (FDM), selective laser sintering, and other rapid prototyping methods, aswell as numerous practical applications in aerospace, automotive, biomedical, civil, energy andother industries [1]. Many manufacturing industries have realized the benefits of AM technologyand started utilizing it as an integral part of their processes [2]–[4]. Some
women. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2024 Design of a Monitoring System for Manufacturing Processes AbstractData collection and visualization is a key enabler technique in the Industry 4.0 era. This paperdescribes a senior project that designs a monitoring system for manufacturing processes. It deploysmulti-heterogeneous sensors for cutting force and vibration to monitor CNC machining processes.Students were trained to understand the working principles of sensors, data acquisition (DAQ)devices, programming, and data analysis. The development work includes: 1) part design andmanufacturing process design in Siemens NX; 2) prototype the part using CNC
manufacturing systems. In this case, the simulationserves to support improvements in the real system, based on the results obtained in the digitalcounterpart. Zhou [12] propose a scheduling method based on dynamic data-driven simulation toimprove the performance of a manufacturing system. The designed approach is tested through acase study on numerical control machining in the domain of cloud manufacturing, and the resultsdemonstrate its goodness. The reader is referred to some comprehensive literature reviews forother simulation-driven approaches. [6][13][1][5]There is evidence of many researchers using simulation software’s to demonstrate leanmanufacturing scenarios. A comparative study of teaching lean manufacturing via hands-on andcomputer aided
. economy,playing a significant role in fostering sustainable economic growth and competitiveness [1], [2].This sector reinforces U.S. commercial innovation, offers high-wage employment, and is crucialin reducing the U.S. trade deficit [3], [4]. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, © American Society for Engineering Education, 2024 2024 ASEE Annual Conferencemanufacturing processes contribute to 35% of the U.S. economic growth and account for 60% ofU.S. foreign trade (exports) [5], [6]. Additionally, manufacturing operations are responsible for55% of U.S. patents and 70% of research and development spending [5]. As of 2022, themanufacturing sector employs over 12.5 million people
ethical considerations. The findings suggest that thoughtful incorporation of bothsustainability and automation boosts productivity and economic benefits and leads toenvironmentally and socially responsible manufacturing. This paper is intended for academicsand researchers interested in the future directions of sustainable manufacturing in the era ofIndustry 4.0.IntroductionIndustry 4.0 signifies a substantial revolution in manufacturing, where cutting-edge technologymaximizes efficiency while reducing resource usage. Industry 4.0 is a German initiativeintegrating production with information technology [1]. The contemporary industrial revolutionutilizes sophisticated digital technologies, for example, artificial intelligence (AI), big
, innovation, and ethical considerations in preparing individuals for thechallenges and opportunities presented by AM. The findings contribute to a deeper understandingof how AM education is evolving to meet the demands of the future.IntroductionA concise overview of AM and its pivotal role in various global industries is imperative toestablish the foundation for AM education [1]. AM is a sequential manufacturing process thatproduces parts in a layer-by-layer fashion [2][3]. AM has seven categories under its umbrella,however, only a few of those categories are suitable for AM education when consideringoperation complexity and cost [1][4]. Those are Material Extrusion (MEX), Stereolithography(SLA), and Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) [5]. AM is an attractive
visualization for roboticsand automation. The students were given weekly robotics laboratory experiments in the course onrobotics and mechatronics. VR robotics integrated with Internet-of-Things based mechatronicsenables students to explore innovative approaches to integrate theoretical knowledge with practicalapplications, enhancing information retention, and promoting critical thinking.1. IntroductionThis paper presents the student learning result of a laboratory course on advanced robotics andmechatronics integrated with virtual reality (VR) and Internet-of-Things (IoT). Virtual realityindustry is getting more recognition due to its application in various fields other than gaming suchas education, medical, entertainment, military, fashion
entertainment applications like video games or 3Dmovies, it also finds use in psychology, medicine, and as a workspace for testing and developingnew technologies [1-4].Incorporating wind energy technology learning into the education system can benefit from VR asa practical tool for understanding the design and development of wind energy technology. Thepaper presents the project's framework, reports, and student survey findings, along withconclusions and expectations for future success. The project report delves into the team structure,component selection, system design, and simulation results. The student survey indicates that theproject enhances students' understanding of renewable energy prospects, providing them with theopportunity to play a
, challenges, and the instructor’s experience teaching MCI. Reflectionson emerging themes and their connection to manufacturing engineering and Education 4.0 arediscussed, with both opportunities and challenges for continuing program growth elucidated.Finally, understanding that multi-campus education is of growing interest to the community, somerecommendations and best practices are proposed.IntroductionHigher education has benefitted from the multi-campus system for many years by providingstudents with greater opportunities by expanding the physical presence of universities to differentlocations while maintaining the quality of education. The presence of campuses in diverselocations increases students’ choices [1]. Additionally, the multi-campus
broadly divided into two categories: opticalsorting and mechanical sorting. Optical sorting machines use camera and computer visionalgorithms to identify flavor through color. A CV algorithm uses inputs such as objects andimages/videos from a sensing device such as a camera. It analyzes the image and automaticallyrecognizes color, shape, and size as a human would, but faster. Mechanical sorting machines usea physical mechanism and gates with color sensors to do the sorting; these are typically slowerrate and less accurate.The objectives of the work described in this paper are to 1) develop a low-cost portable gantryrobotic system with computer vision for sorting jellybeans by flavor; 2) design lesson plans andactivities for advanced programing
become partof the general high school curriculum. In the final sections, we discuss the integration aspectsand conclude the paper and offer some prospects for future work.Background and Related WorkWorkforce development requires providing relevant and up-to-date knowledge to students toprepare them to take on the various roles in the workforce. In STEM fields, this requires rigorouscurriculum and in-depth technical coverage in the fields of study. One of the problems collegesfacing is the lack of interest in STEM fields among high school students [1]. Another problem isthe under preparedness of these students for the rigorous college curriculum required in theSTEM fields. The discussion of why students do not go for STEM programs and what
, and industry certification. Thenovel of building academic preparation was reported in ASEE 2023 [1] and IMEC conferences[2]. This paper reports on the workshop and internship activities and findings that introduced andprovided hands-on activities in reverse engineering techniques, design, simulation software, 3Dprinting, and manufacturing processes.WorkshopA two-week summer bridge workshop in advanced manufacturing using drone platforms fordesigning and manufacturing processing was accomplished at ECSU in June 2023. TheEngineering Technology student participants were engaged with lectures on the introduction toUAV design, SIMNET simulation software [3], design of airframes, and prototyping andfabrication of drones. The workshop surveys were
usefulness. Results suggest that the case study’s animation and case analysiscomponents helped them to understand the steps involved in automating a process. A strongmajority of participants agreed that they would like more case studies like this one (85.7%) andthat the case study was relevant to their education (83.7%). Suggested improvements includeclearer instructions and explanations and a zoom function to make the details in the schematiceasier to see.1. MotivationAutomated system integration involves the design, interface, and troubleshooting of anautomated system—such as a robotic welding system, which integrates a robot, conveyor,fixture, sensors, and actuators for loading and unloading parts. As noted in earlier work [1], theability to
fabricationas well as design improvement and optimization. Each quarter, student teams must submit aprogress report and demonstrate a physical working prototype at the end of academic year. Duringfall, winter and spring quarters, they conduct an oral presentation to faculty and practicingengineers from industry. Since this is a capstone project course, many ABET Student Outcomesare assessed each quarter as indicated in Table 1. Written, oral and student contribution rubricswere developed specifically for the capstone project course and are used during assessment andevaluation. The assessor body includes Engineering Technology program faculty, industry advisoryboard members, sponsoring company engineers as well engineers from various local engineers
tasks or work elements.The problem is further complicated by the relationships among tasks imposed by product designand process technologies. This is called the precedence relationship which specifies the order inwhich the work elements must be performed in the assembly process. These elements can besummarized by a precedence diagram. It contains a node for each task, node weights for the tasktimes, arcs the direct and paths for the indirect precedence constraints. A Precedence Diagram islike a flow process diagram with shapes and arrows describing significant and critical stepswithin assembly of the product. Figure 1 A Typical Precedence DiagramFigure 1 shows a precedence diagram with n = 12 tasks having task times
ofpracticing sustainability in a research work project.1. IntroductionThe demand to educate sustainability principles and practices in engineering and technology programs hasbecome more pronounced especially with the escalated environmental challenges around the world.Focusing the central role of engineers in shaping industries’ future and the required skillset for the 21stcentury workforce, show there is a considerable consensus in the education community that the integrationof sustainability principles into engineering and technology education is undeniably required.Manufacturing engineering and technology field is at the forefront of education transformative towardsmore sustainability in curriculum and research [1] and [2]. Mentoring independent
with robotics. The interactive project-based learning givesstudents an incentive to seek creative solutions to accomplishing project goals.1. IntroductionThis paper presents the project learning result of a laboratory course on robotics and automationintegrated with virtual reality (VR) in the Department of Engineering, Leadership, and Society atDrexel University. This course provides a requisite understanding of Internet-basedrobotics/automation/machine vision for students to progress to the advanced level in thecurriculum. The course also serves as a means for students to gain exposure to advanced industrialautomation concepts before partaking in their required senior design project. The course has anapplied learning focus, offering
the methodology used in this course redevelopment is to combine theory andpractice with modern tools to prepare the students to become better problem solvers and obtainpractical solutions to real life/simulated problems using a hands on, lab-project-based approach. 1. IntroductionOne of the key objectives in durable goods-manufacturing is to create faster industrial processesthroughput by eliminating the needs for off-line quality control and part inspection. Nowadays, asautomation, high performance machining and labor savings are introduced in machining of discretecomponent designing, prototyping and manufacturing, it is desirable to reduce the time and themanpower for inspection, and have an intelligent and real-time quality control of
their professional careers.IntroductionMultiple parties have expressed a need for increasing the number of manufacturing professionals in theUnited States. The Department of Defense (DoD) has stated in September of 2023 that there arehundreds of thousands of job openings in manufacturing [1]. There exist eight DoD ManufacturingInstitutes (MII), and seven out of eight of these private-public partnerships have a workforce roadmapand openly call for additional manufacturing workforce development programming [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7][8]. Likewise, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (CoC) identified 8.2 million job openings nationwide butonly 7.2 million unemployed workers to fill these positions [9]. Multiple U.S. government agencies agreethat there is a
Reality (XR) technologies, from virtual reality(VR) to augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) [1]–[3]. These immersive technologiesenhance manufacturing training campaigns, exposing trainees to basic manufacturing principles,particularly in design and assembly protocols, by simulating real-world problem scenarios [4], 1 2025 ASEE Annual Conference[5]. The XR-based training in manufacturing assembly offers an effective approach, equippingthe workforce with problem-solving skills in a safe, monitored XR environment [6].XR technologies have demonstrated their potential to deliver practical assembly training
©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025 Capstone Project: Development of FDM 3D Printer Tool for Industrial RobotThis paper (poster) presents the organization of the course, as well as the goals and outcomes ofthe project as they relate to the course and program objectives. The paper also provides a detailedoverview of the first-phase prototypes designed by undergraduate students in an engineeringtechnology (ET) capstone course. Opportunities for future development and next steps are alsodiscussed.IntroductionWhile additive manufacturing, such as polymer 3D printing, has seen a recent surge in popularityin industrial robotics [1-3], there is a considerable gap in the literature for practitioners
LevelsAbstractThis research is evaluating the art of designing a course to allow students to explore theircreativity while honing their technical design skills. This is done by analyzing and comparing thedevelopment and learning of two cohorts in a computer-numerical-control (CNC) manufacturingcourse. The cohorts analyzed in this work are: (1) bachelor’s degree seeking students majoring inMechanical and Aerospace Engineering or Industrial & Systems Engineering who complete thecourse over 6 weeks and (2) high school students who complete the course over 4 days.Alongside using qualitative based research methods, student perception of personal learningprogression as well as the intuitiveness of creative problem-solving is analyzed. Results showthat
, engineering, and navigation. The module wasevaluated in a class of 25 students using pre- and post-tests and an opinion survey. Studentsfound the approach engaging and effective, noting that the combination of hands-on tools likeprotractors and interactive software such as GeoGebra helped demystify complex concepts.Survey results indicated increased confidence in understanding geometric angles and improvedproblem-solving skills, with many students appreciating the real-world connections made duringthe lessons.KeywordsAngles, Angle Addition, Angle Simulator, Geogebra, Geometry, Protractor, Angle MeasurementBackgroundGeometry is one of the most challenging areas of mathematics for students [1]. However, there iscontinued concern about students' low
AbstractSmart manufacturing technologies improve the productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness forU.S. industries. Key enabling technologies in smart manufacturing are to 1) acquire real-timeheterogeneous data from IoTs, sensors, and machines tools, and 2) make decisions from the datausing analytics. This Maker project discusses the development of a prototype Application softwarefor a 3D printer based on MTConnect protocol. This Application is able to collect, visualize, andstore data from additive manufacturing processes. This project aims to train students about 1)MTConnnect on Adapter, Agent, and Application development, 2) additive manufacturing, 3)database, and 5) communication protocols, for manufacturing operations. The results
engineering education lies in equipping learners with the skills to harness cutting-edge design tools and sustainable manufacturing processes. Despite the availability of advancedtechnologies, knowledge gaps persist, limiting their adoption in academia and industry. Thispaper addresses these challenges by developing and implementing three innovative educationaldesign and manufacturing modules that integrate sustainability and entrepreneurial thinking: 1)Generative Design using Autodesk Fusion software to optimize designs and streamlineworkflows, 2) Portable Sand Casting with "foundry-in-a-box" technology for hands-on learning,and 3) Green Manufacturing through the transformation of waste plastics into no-cost additivemanufacturing (AM) printing
for Industrial Applications. Previously, he had Job experience in the field of Sourcing & Procurement, Production, and Supply chain in different companies in Bangladesh for more than seven years. His GitHub account is https://github.com/Atik1219. and email is atik.kuet.09@gmail.com.Selim Molla, University of Texas at El Paso ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025Development of Digital Laboratory Modules Using Computer Simulation for Enhanced Learning Experience in Manufacturing Education 1 AbstractThe complexity of modern manufacturing