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Machining Experience in a Freshman Mechanical Engineering Class

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Conference

2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Minneapolis, MN

Publication Date

August 23, 2022

Start Date

June 26, 2022

End Date

June 29, 2022

Conference Session

Mechanical Engineering: Adjusting Course Content

Page Count

10

DOI

10.18260/1-2--40570

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/40570

Download Count

354

Paper Authors

biography

Scott Kiefer York College of Pennsylvania

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I have spent the past twenty-one years teaching mechanical engineering at four different colleges. I started at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez in the traditional role of teaching and administering a modest graduate research program. At Trine University, a small private school in Angola, Indiana, I focused on undergraduate education while teaching ten different courses ranging from introductory freshman courses to senior capstone. I also served as an advisor to many different undergraduate research projects. I then moved on to Michigan State University where I took a position as a teaching specialist concentrating on undergraduate classroom instruction. I finally settled at York College. I have been at York for over ten years and feel as if I have found a place where the focus on teaching and students aligns well with my background and interest.

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Abstract

While working as a mechanical engineer does not necessary require that a person have machining experience, this paper provides evidence as to how beneficial it can be. It will make the argument that a good mechanical design engineer needs to have understanding and experience that can best be obtained from completing projects in a machine shop. More specifically, the paper discusses the value of having a machining class early in the mechanical engineering curriculum, and provides one method for how it can be provided. Examples of sample student projects and general course format are included. Assessment of the importance of including machining skills in the curriculum and the projects themselves is performed with data from local industries, student and alumni feedback, and by officials from professional organizations. Specific examples of student outcomes will be given in the form of student project work, instructor observations, and industry and student feedback.

Kiefer, S. (2022, August), Machining Experience in a Freshman Mechanical Engineering Class Paper presented at 2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Minneapolis, MN. 10.18260/1-2--40570

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