SUNY Farmingdale CAD Laboratory Improvement to Include Rapid Prototyping

在当今的工业中，快速原型设计是大多数工程设计和开发过程中不可或缺的一部分，因为它具有成本效益和快速生产复杂三维物理部件的能力。目前，计算机辅助设计（CAD）实验室拥有超过24台486-66个人电脑，2台RISC 6000 ibm和1台SUN-SPARC型号41。工作站都是计算机联网，并配有实体建模和有限元分析软件。这个项目增加了一个快速原型系统，这对于丰富学生对这种新技术的体验是必要的。为了制造有竞争力的产品，工程和工程技术专业的学生必须具备设计产品和开发适合当今现代和竞争激烈的工业环境的应用程序的技术技能和适当的方法。因此，该项目的主要目标是在CAD实验室开发快速原型制作能力。计算机辅助设计实验室将这些现代技术与实际工业应用相结合，可以大大提高机械工程技术系的教学和培训活动。据估计，每年有700名学生可以从培训和接触这项新技术中受益。此外，拟议的设备将成为技术教育和远程学习中心的一部分，该中心是通过ARPA-TRP制造工程补助金实现的，旨在向当地大学、社区学院和全国观众传播互动教育课程。这个校区也是一个名为“Exel-Link”的教育计算机网络的主要枢纽，该网络连接了纽约州大多数工业企业和教育机构。

In today's industry, rapid prototyping is an integrated part of most engineering design and development processes because of its cost effectiveness and quick production capability of complex three-dimensional physical parts from computer models. Currently, the Computer Aided Design (CAD) Laboratory hosts more than 24 486-66 PCs, 2 RISC 6000 IBMs, and 1 SUN-SPARC model 41. Workstations are all computer networked and fitted with solid modeling and finite element analysis software. This project adds a rapid prototyping system that is necessary to enrich students' experience with such new technology. In order to manufacture competitive products, engineering and engineering technology students must have the technical skills and appropriate methodology to design products and develop applications suited for today's modern and competitive industrial environment. Therefore, the main objective of this project is to develop a rapid prototyping capability at the CAD Laboratory. The incorporation of such modern techniques supported by actual industrial applications in the CAD Laboratory can greatly enhance both the teaching and training activities in the Mechanical Engineering Technology Department. It is estimated that 700 students annually can benefit from the training and exposure to this new technology. In addition, the proposed equipment will be part of the center for technical education and distance learning that was realized through an ARPA-TRP Manufacturing Engineering Grant to disseminate interactive educational courses to local universities, community colleges, and nationwide audiences. This campus is also the main hub of an educational computer network called `Exel-Link,` which connects most of New York state industrial firms and educational institutions.