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Finite Element Analysis and Design as a Degree Requirement in Undergraduate Mechanical Engineering Curriculum

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Conference

2022 ASEE Gulf Southwest Annual Conference

Location

Prairie View, Texas

Publication Date

March 16, 2022

Start Date

March 16, 2022

End Date

March 18, 2022

Page Count

8

DOI

10.18260/1-2--39183

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/39183

Download Count

253

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Paper Authors

biography

Shield B Lin Prairie View A&M University

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Shield Lin received his Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University in 1986. He has worked as an engineer in a tire manufacturer and served as a consultant for an automobile company and a projector manufacturer. As a professor in mechanical engineering at Prairie View A&M University, he teaches courses in Dynamic Systems and Controls, and Finite Element Analysis and Design. In addition to teaching, he conducts research in software simulation of dynamic systems funded by NASA Johnson Space Center through CACI company. Dr. Lin is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas.

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Abstract

It is debatable whether or not the subject of finite element analysis should be included as a required course in an undergraduate mechanical engineering program. In the past couple of decades, commercial finite element software packages have dramatically increased their capabilities by improving their calculation power, merging and integrating other computer tools into the packages, and creating many user-friendly features. The design and manufacturing industries embrace the powerful finite element tool and require their engineers to use the tool for product development and design refinement. Academia supplies entry-level engineers to the design and manufacturing industries. It is time to reconsider adding a finite element course in the undergraduate required mechanical engineering curriculum if a program has not done so. The benefits of having this required course include extending the students’ knowledge in using a powerful tool to solve a variety of complex engineering problems, applying the computer tool for the capstone design project and other course projects, and bridging the gap between academic education and industrial work.

Lin, S. B. (2022, March), Finite Element Analysis and Design as a Degree Requirement in Undergraduate Mechanical Engineering Curriculum Paper presented at 2022 ASEE Gulf Southwest Annual Conference, Prairie View, Texas. 10.18260/1-2--39183

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