Integrated Laboratory for Manufacturing Education

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This project develops an integrated laboratory to facilitate undergraduate instruction in the complete design through manufacturing process. The new laboratory consists of three interconnected subsystems. The manufacturing subsystem includes computer numerical control (CNC) machines and robotic assembly stations. This equipment strengthens instruction in modern manufacturing processes and reinforces the importance of manufacturability in design. The design subsystem consists of new graphic workstations that support computer-aided design and manufacturing (CADM) instruction at the advanced undergraduate level. The integration subsystem consists of a new computer workstation server with local area network connections to the new manufacturing and design subsystems as well as to existing Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) and Controls laboratory resources. The server provides a shared platform for computationally intensive elements of CADM. Undergraduate student instruction is expanded and enhanced in a number of ways. Experience with the demands of agile manufacturing systems with autonomous control is provided. The concept of concurrent engineering design is reinforced by providing interdisciplinary interaction in an integrated laboratory environment. The advantages of distributed processing for rapid prototyping, modification, and design porting is supported by hands-on experience.