Rapid Prototyping in a Capstone Design Class

本计画的目的是将快速原型技术融入机械工程学的顶点设计课程。快速原型是一种相对较新的技术，它允许直接从计算机辅助设计文件中生成物理模型。直到最近，这项技术对于小型教育项目来说太昂贵了。然而，剪纸和胶合工艺现在允许以非常低的成本制造合理的部件。相对于使用快速原型可视化只在一个新生级的工程图形类，我们将使用这种技术，以提高先进的，高级的设计课程在几个方面。首先，学生在项目中实施的设计过程将通过可以传达功能和形式的物理模型来增强。第二，学生对设计的观点将通过在设计过程的早期纳入许多生命周期的关注来拓宽。第三，设计交流将大大改善模型，最后，学生将获得现实感，责任感和兴奋，这只能通过把纸或计算机为基础的设计变成有形的产品。学生熟悉快速成型技术也是一个重要的好处。我们的计划与当地产业有着密切的联系，大约一半的学生在上学期间从事全职或兼职工作。我们会探讨在顶点设计课程中加入模型制作的好处，并将研究结果传播给其他大学。

The objective of this project is to incorporate rapid prototyping technology into a mechanical engineering capstone design course. Rapid prototyping is a relatively new technology which allows producing physical models directly from computer-aided design files. Until recently, this technology was too expensive for small educational programs to afford. However, a paper-cutting and gluing process now allows the manufacture of reasonable parts at a very low cost. As opposed to using rapid prototyping for visualization only at a freshmen-level engineering graphics class, we will use this technology to enhance an advanced, senior-level design course in several ways. First, the design process implemented by the students while working on their projects will be augmented by physical models which can convey both function and form. Second, the students' perspective on design will be broadened by incorporating many life-cycles concerns early in the design process. Third, design communication will be vastly improved by the models, and finally, the students will acquire a sense of reality, responsibility, and excitement which can only be obtained by turning a paper- or computer-based design into a tangible product. The familiarity of students with rapid prototyping techniques is an important benefit too. Our program has strong ties to local industry, with about half of the students working full- or part-time while attending school. We shall explore the advantages offered by incorporating model-building in the capstone design class and disseminate the results so that other universities may benefit from them.