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Session 2648

Development of a Mechanical Vibrations Course for Engineering Technologists

Shannon K. Sweeney, David H. Johnson, James A. Turso

School of Engineering and Engineering Technology Penn State Erie, The Behrend College

Abstract

A senior-level, elective course in mechanical vibrations has recently been developed for the Mechanical Engineering Technology program at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. The course has many similarities to traditional vibrations courses offered in Mechanical Engineering programs across the country but it also has some distinct differences. The course is similar in that there is a progressive development of vibration theory from the natural response of single- degree-of-freedom systems without damping to the forced response of multiple-degree-of- freedom systems with damping.

The course is different in that there is a lab component and that there are course objectives on vibration measurement, practical vibration suppression techniques, and computer simulation. These similarities and differences exist to support the role of the engineering technologist working in the field of vibrations or simply encountering vibration problems in general mechanical design and analysis.

This paper will discuss further the similarities and differences to traditional vibrations courses, course goals and their relation to Mechanical Engineering Technology program outcomes, student evaluation of the course value and effectiveness, and plans for continuous improvement. It will also discuss current laboratory activities, the selection of textbook and laboratory manual materials, and vibration laboratory equipment needs.

Introduction

The course is currently entitled Vibrations for Technologists and has been offered twice to date; the Fall semester of 2001 and the Fall semester of 2002. Each offering has had 14 students. Based on laboratory capacity, the course limit has been set at 16 students. It will continue to be offered every fall semester. In addition to providing basic vibration theory, the course is set up to address needs specific to the technologist working in the field of vibrations as follows.

Since engineering technologists are often involved in the acquisition of vibration data such as in preventative maintenance programs, topics such as transducer characteristics, advantages, and

“Proceedings of the 2003 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2003, American Society for Engineering Education”

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Turso, J., & Johnson, D., & Sweeney, S. (2003, June), Development Of A Mechanical Vibrations Course For Engineering Technologists Paper presented at 2003 Annual Conference, Nashville, Tennessee. 10.18260/1-2--12653