The Balance of Theory, Simulation, and Projects for Mechanical Component Design Course

Xiaobin Le; Anthony William Duva; Michael Jackson

Download Paper | Permalink

Conference: 2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Publication Date: June 15, 2014
Start Date: June 15, 2014
End Date: June 18, 2014
ISSN: 2153-5965
Conference Session: Programming, Simulation, and Dynamic Modeling
Tagged Division: Mechanical Engineering
Page Count: 16
Page Numbers: 24.1189.1 - 24.1189.16
DOI: 10.18260/1-2--23122
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/23122
Download Count: 1240

Paper Authors

biography

Xiaobin Le P.E. Wentworth Institute of Technology

visit author page

Associate professor, Ph.D, PE., Department of Mechanical Engineering and Technology, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Boston, MA 02115, Phone: 617-989-4223, Email: Lex@wit.edu, Specialization in Computer Aided Design, Mechanical Design, Finite Element Analysis, Fatigue Design and Solid Mechanics.

visit author page

biography

Anthony William Duva P.E. Wentworth Institute of Technology

visit author page

Anthony W. Duva
An Associate Professor in the Mechanical Engineering and Technology Department at Wentworth Institute of Technology since 2001 with 14 years of prior full time industrial experience. He has worked in the design of various technologies from advanced underwater and ultrahigh altitude propulsion systems to automated manufacturing equipment. His interests include advanced thermal and mechanical system design for green power generation.

visit author page

biography

Michael Jackson Wentworth Institute of Technology

visit author page

a. Professional Preparation.
Institution Major Degree Year
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Aeronautics B.S. 1989
Cambridge College Higher Education M.Ed. 1993
b. Appointments.
2010-present Department Chair, Mechanical Engineering and Technology, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Boston, MA
2007-2010 Assistant Department Head, Electronics and Mechanical, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Boston, MA
2006 Interim Associate Provost, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Boston, MA
2002-2005 Department Head, Electronics and Mechanical, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Boston, MA
2000-2002 Assistant Department Head, Electronics and Mechanical, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Boston, MA
1996-2000 Assistant Director of Academics East Coast Aero Tech, Bedford, MA
1990-1996 Faculty, Wentworth Institute of Technology/East Coast Aero Tech, Bedford, MA
1990-2005 Adjunct Faculty, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Boston, MA
1987-1990 Lockheed Support Systems, Ins. TX

visit author page

Download Paper | Permalink

Abstract

The compromise of theory, simulation and projects for mechanical component design courseDesign of mechanical components is one of core technical courses for mechanical engineering programwhich has been taught with tons of successful experiences and discussions. But recently, there aresome arguments about how to effectively execute this course. One argument was that theoreticalanalysis on different scenarios should be concentrated so that students had solid understanding aboutstress & strain calculations under combined loadings for machine element design. Another argumentwas that industrial engineers rarely runs the complicated theoretical calculation, but use the numericalsimulation for real component designs because FEA analysis is a common engineering tool now. Otherargument was that students could learn and explore the theories and skills as the design project drovestudents through the design process, during which, faculties served as a consultant to answer questionsand to provide some advice. We believe that theoretical analysis, numerical simulations and projectsare coherently related and inseparable for a mechanical components design course. The theoreticalanalysis is the base and foundation for mechanical components design. The numerical simulation suchas FEA analysis is numerical version of the fundamental theories. Conducting design project is theimplementation of the fundamental theories with the numerical simulation tools. In the recentlymodified mechanical components design course, we explored and discussed the fundamental theories,and then FEA analysis on components was used to replace some complicated theoretical analysis, andthe course included two design projects. The first project was a design check on a simple real device.This project was used to bridge the courses of strength of materials and the mechanical componentsdesign. They needed to run the loading analysis to obtain the maximum loading, then calculated thestress and conducted the design check against the design specifications. The second project was acommon mechanical device which contained several common machine elements: shafts, keys, bearings,gears, bolts, welding and cases. This papers will present the course contents, the execution plan &summary, experiences, feeling and some observations in teaching the mechanical components designcourse. Some feedback and discussions from students will be also presented and analyzed in thispaper.

Citation
Format

Le, X., & Duva, A. W., & Jackson, M. (2014, June), The Balance of Theory, Simulation, and Projects for Mechanical Component Design Course Paper presented at 2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Indianapolis, Indiana. 10.18260/1-2--23122

TY - CPAPER
AB - The compromise of theory, simulation and projects for mechanical component design courseDesign of mechanical components is one of core technical courses for mechanical engineering programwhich has been taught with tons of successful experiences and discussions. But recently, there aresome arguments about how to effectively execute this course. One argument was that theoreticalanalysis on different scenarios should be concentrated so that students had solid understanding aboutstress &amp; strain calculations under combined loadings for machine element design. Another argumentwas that industrial engineers rarely runs the complicated theoretical calculation, but use the numericalsimulation for real component designs because FEA analysis is a common engineering tool now. Otherargument was that students could learn and explore the theories and skills as the design project drovestudents through the design process, during which, faculties served as a consultant to answer questionsand to provide some advice. We believe that theoretical analysis, numerical simulations and projectsare coherently related and inseparable for a mechanical components design course. The theoreticalanalysis is the base and foundation for mechanical components design. The numerical simulation suchas FEA analysis is numerical version of the fundamental theories. Conducting design project is theimplementation of the fundamental theories with the numerical simulation tools. In the recentlymodified mechanical components design course, we explored and discussed the fundamental theories,and then FEA analysis on components was used to replace some complicated theoretical analysis, andthe course included two design projects. The first project was a design check on a simple real device.This project was used to bridge the courses of strength of materials and the mechanical componentsdesign. They needed to run the loading analysis to obtain the maximum loading, then calculated thestress and conducted the design check against the design specifications. The second project was acommon mechanical device which contained several common machine elements: shafts, keys, bearings,gears, bolts, welding and cases. This papers will present the course contents, the execution plan &amp;summary, experiences, feeling and some observations in teaching the mechanical components designcourse. Some feedback and discussions from students will be also presented and analyzed in thispaper.
AU - Xiaobin Le P.E.
AU - Anthony William Duva P.E.
AU - Michael Jackson
CY - Indianapolis, Indiana
DA - 2014/06/15
PB - ASEE Conferences
TI - The Balance of Theory, Simulation, and Projects for Mechanical Component Design Course
UR - https://peer.asee.org/23122
DO - 10.18260/1-2--23122
ER -