Paper Authors

Abstract

NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract

Main Menu Session 2793

Using Animations and Interactive Simulations to Learn how Machines Work

Ralph O. Buchal Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5B9 rbuchal@eng.uwo.ca

Abstract One of the most difficult tasks for students and even practicing engineers is to visualize and understand how a mechanism or machine operates based on written descriptions and static illustrations. Historically, engineers have learned about machines by studying physical models and tinkering with real machines and referring to published catalogs of useful mechanisms. In recent years, this form of learning is disappearing for a variety of reasons, with the result that students graduate from mechanical engineering never having seen common machines and mechanisms like planetary gears, universal joints, common linkages, etc. This paper describes how multimedia mechanism animations and simulations can improve student understanding of common mechanisms and their applications.

Background In the early days of engineering and engineering education, it was common for students and engineers to be exposed to physical models and samples of a wide variety of machines and mechanisms1. Mechanical engineers became familiar with many common mechanisms, and understood their operation. Furthermore, many early books cataloged useful mechanisms and their applications. For example, Hiscox’s Mechanical Movements 2, published in 1904, contains illustrations and descriptions of 1800 mechanisms.

In the second half of the 20 th century, the focus in engineering education turned toward engineering science, and practical matters were de-emphasized. Since then, mechanical engineering education has focused on analysis of mechanisms, rather than synthesis or application. Few students today have seen let alone tinkered with real mechanisms or machines, and have little or no understanding of how they work or where they can be applied. Analysis does not provide this insight.

Few modern books contain descriptions and practical applications of common mechanisms. A notable exception is the Mechanisms and Mechanical Devices Sourcebook by Chironis3. It contains extensive descriptions and diagrams of useful mechanisms. However, it can be hard to visualize how these devices operate based on written descriptions and static diagrams.

Main Menu

• Citation

• Format
  • APA
  • APA - LaTeX bibitem
  • MLA
  • MLA - LaTeX bibitem
  • Bibtex
  • EndNote - RIS

Buchal, R. (2002, June), Using Animations And Interactive Simulations To Learn How Machines Work Paper presented at 2002 Annual Conference, Montreal, Canada. 10.18260/1-2--10302