Conference Session

Innovations in Mechanical Engineering Education Poster Session

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ioana Voiculescu, City College of the City University of New York; Benjamin Liaw, City College of the City University of New York

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

member, an ASME member and a reviewer for IEEE Sensors Journal in 2004, 2005 and 2006.Benjamin Liaw, City College of the City University of New York Professor Benjamin Liaw received his Ph.D. degree from the University of Washington in 1983. After a year of post-doctoral research study at University of Washington, he joined the faculty of CCNY in 1984, where he is a Full Professor at Department of Mechanical Engineering. During 2000-2002 he was also appointed Acting Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies, School of Engineering. His interests include (1) the design, analysis, manufacturing and testing of composites and smart materials, and (2) improving engineering education through innovative

Conference Session

Innovations in Mechanical Engineering Education Poster Session

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Orval Powell, U.S. Air Force Academy; Michael Maixner, U.S. Air Force Academy

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

onthermodynamics, the fourth course deals primarily with different methods of energy conversion.Engineering Mechanics (EM) majors are required to take Thermal/Fluids Systems Engineering(TFSE) I and II, while Mechanical Engineering (ME) majors are required to take TFSE I-III; thefourth course, TFSE IV, is an elective for ME majors. Table 1 shows the goals and objectivesfor each course. Page 12.260.2 Table 1: TFSE Course Goals and Objectives ME312 TFSE I ME341 TFSE II ME441 TFSE III ME467 TFSE IV Course Frame and resolve a Frame and resolve a

Conference Session

Innovations in Mechanical Engineering Education Poster Session

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Cindy Waters, North Carolina A&T State University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

Solutions and ignore the others! They are especially uneasy when teachers (authorities) disagree. They believe that learning involves taking notes, memorizing facts, and later depositing facts on exams. Multiplicity (subjective knowledge). Early Multiplicity: There are 2 kinds of problems: 1)those whose solutions we know 2)those whose solutions we don't know yet. Student's task is to learn how to find the Right Solutions Late Multiplicity: Most problems are of the second kind; therefore, everyone has a right to their own opinion; or some problems are unsolvable; therefore, it doesn't matter which (if any) solution you choose. Student's task is to shoot the bull. (Most freshmen are at this position

Conference Session

Meeting ABET Requirements

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Zhengtao Deng, Alabama A&M University; Cathy Qian, Alabama A&M University; Ruben Rojas-Oviedo, Alabama A&M University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

Course at AAMUAbstractThe Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) Engineering requires thatgraduates must have demonstrated abilities listed in ABET Criteria 3(a-k). To ensure theattainment and quality of these outcome based mechanical engineering program criteria,faculty needs to develop an inclusive direct assessment process at course level to evaluatestudent learning related to the overall program outcomes. This paper describes a procedure inthe Mechanical Engineering Department at Alabama A&M University to improve teachingtechnique for outcome based courses. Assessment methods and results were discussed.Examples in teaching of Fluid Mechanics class are discussed in detail.IntroductionABET [1] requires that Mechanical

Conference Session

Improving ME Education: Trends in Mechanical Engineering II

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Goodarz Ahmadi, Clarkson University; John McLaughlin, Clarkson University; Stephen Doheny-Farina, Clarkson University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

AC 2007-1140: A CRCD COURSE SEQUENCE – TECHNOLOGY SERVINGHUMANITY APPLICATIONSGoodarz Ahmadi, Clarkson UniversityJohn McLaughlin, Clarkson University Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Clarkson UniversityStephen Doheny-Farina, Clarkson University Page 12.28.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2007 A CRCD Course Sequence – Technology Serving Humanity Applications Goodarz Ahmadi,1 John McLaughlin1 and Stephen Doheny-Farina2 1 Wallace H. Coulter School of Engineering 2 School of Art and Science

Conference Session

Meeting ABET Requirements

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Karinna Vernaza, Gannon University; Mahesh Aggarwal, Gannon University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

Council and theIndustrial Review Board) and alumni. In 2003, after several revisions and input from the abovementioned groups, a set of six educational objectives was developed with the inclusion of theprimary aspects of the current feedback process. The future implementation of the PRS toassess the Program Educational Objectives will be discussed later in the article.The program outcomes are derived and judged based on the ABET criteria and specialrequirements for the Mechanical Engineering Degree. These outcomes are consistent with theProgram Educational Objectives and the University Mission. Table 1 presents the mechanicalengineering program outcomes. The objectives of all required and elective mechanicalengineering courses are correlated to

Conference Session

Software and E-learning in the ME Curriculum

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

David Blekhman, California State University Los Angeles

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

and computational results. The converging-diverging theorynozzle laboratory verifies Bernoulli’s equation theory. The experimental apparatus is based on aTecQuipment AirFlow Bench AF10 unit equipped with the Bernoulli Theorem nozzle AF11shown in Fig. 1. The nozzle has a 4.5 degree half-angle and uniform width of 50 mm. (a) (b) Figure 1. (a) the geometry of the experimental converging-diverging nozzle (dimensions are in mm) and (b) the geometry of the axisymmetric nozzle in FlowLab.In this experiment, the Pitot tube is traversed along the centerline of the nozzle measuring the

Conference Session

Improving ME Education: Trends in Mechanical Engineering II

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Michael Langerman, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology; William Arbegast, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology; Daniel Dolan, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

elimination/addition of course material; or two, revamp the cur-riculum to accommodate a shift to project-based learning in the engineering science corewhile maintaining the analytical/theoretical foundation of the courses. We are pursuingthe latter, but adopting the former on a preliminary basis for our heat transfer course.Table 1 shows a comparison between the amounts of classroom time spent on subject Page 12.1197.3matter in ME 313 (Heat Transfer) historically with that from the Fall 06 semester, thefirst semester that the project-based applications using advanced engineering software(FLUENT) were introduced. The weeks indicated are calendar weeks

Conference Session

Improving ME Education: Trends in Mechanical Engineering I

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Seifollah Nasrazadani, University of North Texas; Reza Mirshams, University of North Texas

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

selected as the topic for the pilot course. Our hope is to use theexperience in shaping a teaching style for other courses in the MEE program. Traditionally, the course was taught by standard method of teaching referred to as “chalk-and-talk” style. Recently, a great deal of attention has been directed toward teaching methodscollectively called “active learning” methods. Research studies evaluating student achievementhave demonstrated that many strategies promoting active learning are superior to lectures in thedevelopment of students’ skills in thinking and writing.1 Furthermore, cognitive research hasshown that a significant number of students have learning styles best served by pedagogicaltechniques other than lecturing.2-4Heat transfer

Conference Session

Innovations for the Senior Year of the ME Curriculum

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Steven Trimble, Arizona State University; Ronald Bengelink, Arizona State University; Valana Wells, Arizona State University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

University (ASU) has integrated these skills intothe various courses within the engineering curriculum. However, recent assessments of theCapstone Design Course indicate that seniors need even more opportunities to gain these skills.In addition, the Dean of the Engineering School directed departments to have a course primarilyfocused on engineering business practices such as ethics, finance, and entrepreneurship. As aresult, MAE has created a new senior-level course called “The Engineering Profession”.This paper (1) discusses course development, (2) summarizes the course content, (3) describesinitial implementation results, and (4) makes recommendations for course improvement.Initial Course PlanningPrevious and current department vice-chairs began

Conference Session

Innovations for the Senior Year of the ME Curriculum

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Showkat Chowdhury, Alabama A&M University; Abdul Jalloh, Alabama A&M University; Ruben Rojas-Oviedo, Alabama A&M University; Mohamed Seif, Alabama A&M University; Amir Mobasher, Alabama A&M University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

resultsshow that there is significant (over 20%) improvement in the student performance due to thiscontinuous evaluation by the faculty and peers. The Capstone Design course uses theknowledge learned by the students in various academic courses, and trains them how tocomplete a project as an engineer utilizing that knowledge. It also teaches the student to workeffectively in a team, which is one of the top requirements of Best Practices for new B.S.graduate engineers by industry. By preparing the students to be successful engineers, theCapstone Design course improves student retention and will help to increase the percentage ofminority black engineers in future.1. BackgroundAlabama Agricultural and Mechanical University (AAMU), a historically black

Conference Session

Improving Mechanics & Structural Modeling Courses

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Andrew Foley, U.S. Coast Guard Academy

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

whilst robust does not always work but even in failure thereare often valuable insights into what the true first order contributors are and also the nature ofoften overlooked component interactions. In recent years a ‘watershed’ situation has come about with the advent of ever morepowerful engineering application software. Whilst software per se is not new, it has evolvedfrom being coded by the engineer end users themselves or programmed very specifically forone application into a whole new ‘beast’. Modern software packages require a largeraudience and more user friendly features if they are to make the return on investment neededfor a commercial enterprise. To wit packages demonstrate the following :- 1. Generality of application. E.g. A

Conference Session

Trends in Mechanical Engineering

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Patricia Campbell, Campbell-Kibler Associates, Inc; Eann Patterson, Michigan State University; Ilene Busch-Vishniac, McMaster University; Tom Kibler, Campbell-Kibler Associates, Inc

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

Integrating Applications in the Teaching of Fundamental ConceptsIntroductionStudent retention through to the successful completion of an undergraduate degree in engineeringis of increasing concern to educators, policy makers, and, of course, students. It has beenestimated that only half of those entering an undergraduate engineering program go on tocomplete the degree.1 This is particularly low when one considers that the bar to enter anengineering program is often higher than for other programs.2 By 2007, Dean, Anthony, andVahala reported that the retention of engineering students had become a major undertaking formost institutions.3 As one of the largest engineering disciplines, awarding 21% of the 2007engineering bachelor’s degrees,4 retention is

Conference Session

Statics and Dynamics: What's New?

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mina Hoorfar, University of British Columbia Okanagan; Homayoun Najjaran, University of British Columbia Okanagan; William Cleghorn, University of Toronto

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

determine the minimum base circle radius for given followermotion without undercutting. In this work, several optimization techniques have beenimplemented into the CamDesign program to calculate the optimal radius of curvature.Subsequently, the undercutting condition for each design is evaluated, and if the result ispositive, optional preventive measures are recommended to the user. For example, the programmay recommend both an increase of the base circle radius and decrease of the roller diameter.Fig. 1 shows a typical undercutting condition in which a part of the cam profile forms a fish tail.In practice, it is not possible to manufacture an undercut in a planar mechanism. Undercuttingcan be assessed based on the value of the radius of curvature

Conference Session

Materials in Design and Manufacturing

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Zhiqiang Hu, University of Missouri - Columbia

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

AC 2008-541: SUSTAINABLE NANOTECHNOLOGY EDUCATION FORENGINEERSZhiqiang Hu, University of Missouri - Columbia Zhiqiang Hu, Ph.D., P.E. Assistant Professor Civil and Environmental Engineering E2509 Lafferre Hall University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, MO 65211 Page 13.1128.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2008 Sustainable Nanotechnology Education for EngineersAbstractNanotechnology is defined as the understanding and control of materials at dimensions ofroughly 1 to 100 nanometers. Because of their unique size-tunable properties (e.g., the quantumsize effects) and large surface areas, nanomaterials

Conference Session

Outstanding Contributions to ME Education

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ashland Brown, University of the Pacific; Joseph Rencis; Daniel Jensen, U.S. Air Force Academy; Chuan-Chiang Chen, Tuskegee University; Essam Ibrahim, Tuskegee University; Vladimir Labay, Gonzaga University; Paul Schimpf, Eastern Washington University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

are an effective way for them to assimilate this difficult technical content.Assessment results are being used for continuous improvement of each finite element learningmodule over the three year duration of this project.1. Introduction and MotivationThe finite element (FE) method is a numerical procedure that is widely used to analyzeengineering problems in commercial engineering firms. It has become an essential and powerfulanalytical tool in designing products with ever-shorter development cycles6-8. At mostuniversities teaching all but the most basic FE theory and applications has resided in graduate-level engineering programs using a number of FE texts15-17. In the past consulting firms found

Conference Session

Mechanical Engineering Poster Session

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

James Smith, University of Southern Maine

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

andthe delivery sequence are in a state of flux. We believe what we are developing is amodel for the offering of expensive, high-value programs like engineering by institutionsof limited means. REFERENCES 1. Tryggvason, G., Thouless, M., Dutta, D., Ceccio, S., Tilbury, D., “The New Mechanical Engineering Curriculum at the University of Michigan”, Journal of Engineering Education, Vol. 90, No. 3, 2001. 2. Proposal for a Baccalaureate Degree in Mechanical Engineering, University of Southern Maine, February 23, 2005. Page 13.410.6

Conference Session

Mechanical Engineering Poster Session

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Megan Arnold, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Aman Yadav, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Gregory Shaver, Purdue University; Eric Nauman, Purdue University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

-based instruction in mechanics courses. Page 13.877.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2008 Measuring Student Perceptions of Case-based Instruction in an Engineering CourseAbstract One method that has been used as an alternative to the lecture based method of instruction andhas produced positive results in the classroom is case-based instruction. Case-based instruction isan instructional technique that has been hypothesized to teach students to learn skills necessaryfor success as an engineer in the field.1 The current study focuses on comparing the case-basedmethod of instruction

Conference Session

Trends in Mechanical Engineering

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Aleksandra Vinogradov, Montana State University; Carolyn Plumb, Montana State University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

engaged U.S. workforce ofscientists, engineers, technologists, and well-prepared citizens.” 1-4 As an important measurerequired to meet these challenges, new engineering accreditation criteria, initially known asEngineering Criteria 2000 (EC 2000), have emphasized the necessity of combining the traditionalrequirements of rigorous technical preparation, or so-called “hard” skills, and the development ofprofessional or “soft” skills, including such attributes as communication, ethics, critical thinking,and innovation.5The EC 2000 ABET criteria, now part of the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC)criteria, have created many new expectations in terms of enhancing, revising, and remodelingengineering programs. In response to new requirements

Conference Session

Outstanding Contributions to ME Education

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Roman Taraban, Texas Tech University; Edward Anderson; Curtis Craig, Texas Tech University; Jacob Fleming, Texas Tech University; Alli DeFinis, Texas Tech University; Ashlee G. Brown, Texas Tech University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

information into “chunks,” know whatinformation is relevant in the problem, reason from fundamental principles, take time todefine and redefine the problem to themselves, analyze the problem into parts, look forfamiliar patterns in the problem, spend considerable time sketching the problem, applywell-developed strategies, check their solutions, and learn from errors. The essentialelements of problem solving in this model are summarized in Table 1a. Table 1a. Problem-Solving Processes Based on the Wankat & Oreovicz (1993, pp. 71- 72) Problem Solving Model (A Prestep and Six Operational Steps)I Can 1 – Expresses anxiety or uncertainty 2 – Expresses confidenceDefine 1 – Lists knowns and unknowns

Conference Session

Improving Mechanics & Structural Modeling Courses

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Raghu Echempati, Kettering University; Enayat Mahajerin, Saginaw Valley State University; Anca Sala, Baker College

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

processes. Math software tools such as MATLAB®, MathCAD® andExcel® in recent years have achieved wide spread acceptance throughout the educational andindustrial communities. Moreover, CAE tools such as Solid Edge, Unigraphics®, I-DEAS®,ANSYS®, etc., are used to perform parametric design and finite element analysis of individualcomponents and simple mechanical assemblies. Integration of such tools into the engineeringcurriculum enhances students understanding of, and appreciation for the iterative and open-endedness nature of design problems. This paper describes the teaching and learning experiencesof including such tools in few example courses in mechanical engineering. One of them is aComputational and Experimental course (“Course 1” taught at

Conference Session

Mechanical Engineering Poster Session

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kendrick Aung, Lamar University; Jiang Zhou, Lamar University; X. Chang Li, Lamar University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

Conference Session

Mechanical Engineering Poster Session

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Michael Frassica, University of South Carolina; Jed Lyons, University of South Carolina; Philip Voglewede, Marquette University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

incorporate a laboratory to reinforce the theory2. Important information andtransitional concepts are difficult to convey without practical application3. All too often studentsbecome frustrated by the bewildering task of trying to determine the real world relevance of thecourse. Typically, course curriculum is taught straight from a textbook like Ogata4 or Franklin etal5. Students memorize formulas, recognize patterns and regurgitate information during tests.Our primary objective was to inspire students to understand control theory by developing alaboratory experience for the course. Other objectives for incorporating the bioengineeringlaboratory into a controls course were to: 1) Describe how changing P, I, and D control gains will affect the

Conference Session

Accreditation Issues

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Hakan Gurocak, Washington State University-Vancouver

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

for the direct examination or observation of studentknowledge or skills against measurable learning outcomes. ABET has been putting increasingemphasis on direct measures for a program to demonstrate its achievement of program outcomesand educational objectives. In this paper, an approach for assessment of course outcomes usingdirect measures is presented. The knowledge and skills described by the course outcomes aremapped to specific problems on homework and exams. Throughout the semester the instructorkeeps track of the performance of each student on each course outcome. At the end of thesemester students receive letter grades as usual. But in addition each student receives a “score”on the scale of 1-to-5 for every course outcome indicating

Conference Session

Innovations for the Senior Year of the ME Curriculum

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Gregory Davis, Kettering University; Craig Hoff, Kettering University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

limited to textbook experiences as these faculty spendtime working to develop their research. This has led to a gap between what universities areteaching, and what engineers are expected to know in industry.1 Engineers in industry spendmuch time working on complex system integration, yet few engineering graduates understandthis process.2 Reference 2 adds “the state of education in this country, especially in science,engineering and technology, has become a matter of increasing concern to many of us inAmerican industry.”In order to meet the needs of industry, Universities must place a renewed emphasis on teachingthe practice of engineering. In order to teach the practice of engineering, students must bechallenged to study the complex interactions

Conference Session

What's New in Dynamics?

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

El-Sayed Aziz, Stevens Institute of Technology; Sven Esche, Stevens Institute of Technology; Constantin Chassapis, Stevens Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

student may have difficulty understanding what a mathematical solution to a problem 2means from a practical point of view. If students are provided with the means to performexperimentation and to apply the theory to real world situations, this can only be expected to leadto a better visualization and understanding of the theoretical concepts. The simulation systemdiscussed here presents an attempt of integrating Web-based content and interactive multimediatechniques into the curriculum. The integrated platform provides an easy flow of data fromtheory to modeling and measurement, bridging the gap between theory and hands-on learning, asshown in Figure 1. It greatly enhances the students’ understanding

Conference Session

Improving ME Instructional Laboratories

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Eric Zissman, University of Texas-Austin; Philip Schmidt, University of Texas-Austin

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

, andCNC machining. These approaches start from an original design in digital format, whileconventional methods, such as casting with silicone-rubber or alginate molds require at least arough physical prototype. Coating and finishing processes for RP models are also discussed.Background and IntroductionThe Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Texas at Austin has been engagedfor 6 years in a comprehensive program to implement project-based methods throughout theundergraduate curriculum [1]. One element of this program includes wind-tunnel testing inparallel with the introductory course in fluid mechanics. The undergraduate fluid mechanics labhouses two wind tunnels, with 12"x12" and 24"x24" test sections respectively. Currently

Conference Session

Mechanical Engineering Poster Session

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Erik Bardy, Grove City College; Erik Anderson, Grove City College

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

ofinstitutions have built experiments for various heat transfer experiments.[1-6] In some casesstudents have built heat transfer experiments as part of a design project and then used theexperiment in a thermal fluids laboratory course.[7, 8].We have developed an experiment in free convection for MECE 352 adapted from one used inthe Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at The State University of New Yorkat Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo) (with permission). In the experiment, students take directtemperature readings from a vertical heated plate using thermocouples and a LabVIEW DAQinterface. The convective heat transfer coefficient can be calculated from the temperature profilenear the vertical plate and compared to analytically determined values. In

Conference Session

Accreditation Issues

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Wayne Whiteman, Georgia Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

ofmechanical engineering curricula for nine schools in the United States with Ph.D. programs andnine schools without Ph.D. programs was presented and is updated in this current work. Currentresults are also compared to a study by Robert E. Mates from the State University of New Yorkat Buffalo entitled a Survey of Undergraduate ME Programs, conducted in 1987. Theconclusions identify changes that have occurred in mechanical engineering curricula as theEC2000 assessment process has matured.IntroductionThis paper is a follow-up study to a preliminary study conducted in 2000 of selected mechanicalengineering programs to discern the impact of the Accreditation Board of Engineering andTechnology’s new Engineering Criteria 2000 (EC2000)1 on curriculum

Conference Session

Mechanics of Materials

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Arnaldo Mazzei, Kettering University; Richard Scott, University of Michigan

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

) of all the rod shapeswith exponentially varying cross-sectional areas, with all rods having the same volume, whichone leads to the minimum end deflection under axial load. A more traditional case dealing withdynamics is also presented, namely: the solution of a non-linear problem involving the effects offriction on the velocity and reactions on a bead sliding on a rough circular vertical track.IntroductionThis work is a third in a series [1], [2] aimed at extending basic knowledge, and improvingunderstanding, in introductory mechanical courses. Moreover, it aids in an ABET goal ofintegrating computer usage throughout the curricula. Several problems dealing with strength ofmaterials are discussed. The first involves spatially varying material