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Enhancing Applied Engineering Experience: In Freshman Mechanical Engineering Technology Course

Raju Dandu Masud Hassan John De Leon Mechanical Engineering Technology Kansas State University at Salina

Abstract

In recent years engineering and technology programs are challenged to prepare graduates to meet the globalization of the engineering profession and the real world demands of the global workforce. For the past several years, mechanical engineering and technology programs embarked on reforming the curricula by introducing new courses at the freshman level to enhance student motivation and improve retention. This paper talks about how the existing courses at freshman level in the area of mechanical detailing, technical graphics and manufacturing methods were used innovatively to provide the real world experience of product design, manufacturing and operation. It also shows how the program addresses part of the CDIO (Conceive, Design, Implement, Operate) framework. Students taking the mechanical detailing course are involved in reverse engineering project. Students work in teams in redesigning the product, developing technical drawings, exchanging drawings with a different group to manufacture their product, and test and operate the product. This approach demonstrates the real world workplace environment of product design and manufacturing in which technical knowledge and other skills are learned and practiced. The freshman course project is an early exposure to students to demonstrate the relevance of mechanical engineering technology. It helps the students see graduates as practitioners of the profession, implementers of technology, job- ready and focused on applied engineering.

Introduction

The trends in globalization, rapidly emerging technologies, and societal changes are challenging the engineering and technology profession to prepare professionals for 21st century. These emerging trends in engineering technology education facilitated by the Technology Accreditation Criteria 2000(TC2K) developed by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) is promoting the preparation of engineering technology graduates as practitioners of the profession, implementers of technology, job-ready and focused on applied engineering. One of the major challenges is early introduction to the design and manufacturing skills. During recent years many mechanical engineering and mechanical engineering technology programs revised, modified, or even initiated new design experience courses into the classroom. These courses were introduced to address design, manufacturing, communication and teamwork skills. Some programs developed new courses with integrated disciplinary knowledge and project based courses with simulation. Instead of developing new courses, the mechanical engineering technology program faculty used the existing courses to demonstrate the connectivity of courses to the profession and skill development. This paper describes the idea of using a “Footstone” type project in the freshman year. This project introduced and enhanced applied engineering

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Dandu, R., & Hassan, M., & DeLeon, J. (2007, June), Enhancing Applied Engineering Experience: In Freshman Mechanical Engineering Technology Course Paper presented at 2007 Annual Conference & Exposition, Honolulu, Hawaii. 10.18260/1-2--1833