Integrated Design, Manufacturing and Materials Laboratory Improvement

通过这个项目，机械工程（ME）系正在开发一个先进的综合设计，制造和材料实验室，以提高其本科课程。 改进计划包括引入四个实验，将提高八个必修和两个选修ME课程，在计算机图形学，计算机辅助制造，材料工程，并行工程相关的课程。 ME和艺术部门与私营企业一起合作实施实验。 实验整合设计，制造，材料和并行工程。 选定的四个实验测试：（1）应用快速原型和CAD生产熔模铸造用蜡模;（2）使用熔模铸造形成铝基合金部件（例如，涡轮叶轮）;（3）使用拉伸测试来评估材料性能和优化铸造变量;（4）使用团队合作来满足用户对生产稳健设计的要求。 主要的新设备包括一台快速成型机和计算机、熔模铸造设备和与视频有关的设备。 这个项目很重要，因为它将为大约140名工程专业的学生提供产品设计方面的实践技能。 这可以改善他们的表现，增加他们的留存率，并提高他们对工程专业的态度。 该项目也是重要的，因为改善实验室设施可以提高大学的工程课程，并准备下一代美国工程师在全球市场上有效竞争。

Through this project, the Mechanical Engineering (ME) Department is developing an advanced Integrated Design, Manufacturing, and Materials Laboratory for the improvement of its undergraduate curriculum. The improvement plan includes the introduction of four experiments that will enhance eight required and two elective ME courses in computer graphics, computer-aided manufacturing, materials engineering, and concurrent- engineering-related courses. The ME and Art Departments together with private industry are implementing the experiments collaboratively. The experiments integrate design, manufacturing, materials, and concurrent engineering. The four selected experiments test: (1) the application of rapid prototyping and CAD to produce wax models for investment casting; (2) the use of investment casting to form Al-base alloy components (e.g., turbo impellers); (3) the use of tensile testing to evaluate material properties and optimize casting variables; and (4) the use of teamworking to satisfy user requirements for producing robust designs. The major new equipment includes a rapid prototyping machine and computers, investment casting equipment, and video-related equipment. This project is important because it will provide approximately 140 engineering students with practical skills in product design. This can improve their performance, increase their retention rate, and enhance their attitude toward the profession of engineering. The project is also significant because improved laboratory facilities can enhance the University's engineering curriculum and prepare a future generation of U.S. engineers to compete effectively in the global marketplace.