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USING REMOTE ACCESS FOR SHARING EXPERIENCES IN A MACHINE DESIGN LABORATORY
Última modificación: 2013-09-03
Resumen
The promise of remote access of laboratory equipment is that deserving students around the globe would be able to run experiments and engage in real-world investigations that would otherwise not be possible. The idea of remote access for engineering students was discussed at a well-attended session at the 2012 WEEF Conference. Its potential for changing education is as enormous as that of MOOCS.
This paper proposes a pilot-study to assess the feasibility of remote access of experiments in the area of machine design. The project will explore the feasibility of exploiting internet tools and communication technologies for engineering students to engage in laboratory activities remotely. The experiments were developed in a new Machine Design Laboratory in the Marquette University College of Engineering. The Laboratory incorporates areas for teaching and training, and reflects the spirit of transformational learning that is a theme in a new $50 million Engineering Hall in the College of Engineering.
The discovery learning oriented experiments give mechanical engineering students practical experiences and expose them to physical hardware, actual tools, and real-world design challenges. The experiments require students to identify machine components, learn nomenclature, measure parameters (dimensions, speed, force), select components for design challenges, distinguish between normal and used (worn) components, explain proper and abnormal behavior, reverse engineer systems, and justify design choices.
The experiments are (1) Introduction to Machine Systems (how does a chainless bicycle work, what does shifting mean in a motorcycle engine, what are the speeds available in a drill press), (2) Stress Measurements and Concentrations (measure stress in flat bars with holes under tension, round bars with holes, grooves, and fillets under bending, tubes under bending and torsion), (3) Fits and Tolerances (measure forces in the press-fit of shafts on coupler hubs), (4) Gears (design and build clocks using rapid prototyped gears, measure input-output speeds of transmissions, reverse engineer geared systems), (5) Flexible Components (identify belts, chains, wire-rope; measure tension in belts on pulleys; design chain-sprocket / belt-pulley systems), (6) Bearings (identify types of bearings; distinguish between normal and used bearings; select of bearings), (7) Bolts (measure torque, shear strength, clamping force), and (8) Go-Kart Design (including powertrain design). Some of these experiments are more amenable to remote sharing than others.
The Laboratory is equipped with workbenches, tools, instruments, computers, data acquisition systems, and an assortment of machines and mechanical systems to enhance creative exploration and investigation. The machines and systems include motorcycle engine assemblies, bicycles, a go-kart chassis, a Machine Fault Simulator (training station), and various other systems (industrial gearboxes and gear-motors, automotive transmission and differential, drill presses, etc.)
In closing, many educational institutions do not have the resources to support laboratories or purchase equipment integral to the education of next-generation engineers. We are looking to partner with a few such institutions. This paper will discuss the details of experiments that we propose to offer students meaningful machine design laboratory experiences via remote access.
This paper proposes a pilot-study to assess the feasibility of remote access of experiments in the area of machine design. The project will explore the feasibility of exploiting internet tools and communication technologies for engineering students to engage in laboratory activities remotely. The experiments were developed in a new Machine Design Laboratory in the Marquette University College of Engineering. The Laboratory incorporates areas for teaching and training, and reflects the spirit of transformational learning that is a theme in a new $50 million Engineering Hall in the College of Engineering.
The discovery learning oriented experiments give mechanical engineering students practical experiences and expose them to physical hardware, actual tools, and real-world design challenges. The experiments require students to identify machine components, learn nomenclature, measure parameters (dimensions, speed, force), select components for design challenges, distinguish between normal and used (worn) components, explain proper and abnormal behavior, reverse engineer systems, and justify design choices.
The experiments are (1) Introduction to Machine Systems (how does a chainless bicycle work, what does shifting mean in a motorcycle engine, what are the speeds available in a drill press), (2) Stress Measurements and Concentrations (measure stress in flat bars with holes under tension, round bars with holes, grooves, and fillets under bending, tubes under bending and torsion), (3) Fits and Tolerances (measure forces in the press-fit of shafts on coupler hubs), (4) Gears (design and build clocks using rapid prototyped gears, measure input-output speeds of transmissions, reverse engineer geared systems), (5) Flexible Components (identify belts, chains, wire-rope; measure tension in belts on pulleys; design chain-sprocket / belt-pulley systems), (6) Bearings (identify types of bearings; distinguish between normal and used bearings; select of bearings), (7) Bolts (measure torque, shear strength, clamping force), and (8) Go-Kart Design (including powertrain design). Some of these experiments are more amenable to remote sharing than others.
The Laboratory is equipped with workbenches, tools, instruments, computers, data acquisition systems, and an assortment of machines and mechanical systems to enhance creative exploration and investigation. The machines and systems include motorcycle engine assemblies, bicycles, a go-kart chassis, a Machine Fault Simulator (training station), and various other systems (industrial gearboxes and gear-motors, automotive transmission and differential, drill presses, etc.)
In closing, many educational institutions do not have the resources to support laboratories or purchase equipment integral to the education of next-generation engineers. We are looking to partner with a few such institutions. This paper will discuss the details of experiments that we propose to offer students meaningful machine design laboratory experiences via remote access.