Teaching Concurrent Engineering Principles Using a Rapid Prototype Machine

在这个项目中，Helisys快速成型（RP）机被用于在工程技术项目中教授并行工程的原理。快速原型是直接从计算机辅助设计（CAD）文件创建三维对象的过程。这个过程正在彻底改变设计/工程过程中的原型步骤，就像CAD彻底改变制图和计算机辅助制造（CAM）彻底改变制造一样。RP设备立即被纳入课程，以教授并行工程的当代概念。这一概念使得制造产品的开发和生产比以前可能的要快得多，因为几个设计和制造活动可以同时发生。RP机是并行工程教学的关键设备之一。这台机器为学生提供了一项新兴技术的实践经验，并为他们进入全球市场做好准备。他们实际上可以将他们的CAD设计转换为三维物体，这些物体将被分析形式、配合、功能和装配。这种新能力使学生对自己的设计负责。当RP设备在工业和教育中变得普遍时，RP机器还使PI和CoPI有机会开发国家课程模型，供其他高等教育机构使用。

In this project, the Helisys Rapid Prototyping (RP) machine is used to teach the principles of concurrent engineering in an Engineering Technology program. Rapid prototyping is the process of creating a three-dimensional object directly from a computer- aided design (CAD) file. This process is revolutionizing the prototyping step in the design/engineering process in much the same manner CAD revolutionized drafting and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) revolutionized manufacturing. The RP equipment is being immediately incorporated into the curriculum to teach the contemporary concept of concurrent engineering. This concept allows manufactured products to be developed and produced much faster than previously possible because several design and manufacturing activities can occur at once. One of the key pieces of equipment to teaching concurrent engineering is the RP machine. This machine gives students hands-on experience with an emerging technology and prepares them to enter a global market place. They can actually convert their CAD design to three-dimensional objects that will be analyzed for form, fit, function, and assembly. This new ability holds students accountable for their designs. The RP machine also gives the PI and CoPI the opportunity to develop national curriculum models for use by other institutions of higher learning when the RP equipment becomes common place in both industry and education.