Development of a Project-based Plastic Injection Molding Course for Manufacturing Programs

Gangjian Guo; Joseph C Chen

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Conference: 2017 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Publication Date: June 24, 2017
Start Date: June 24, 2017
End Date: June 28, 2017
Conference Session: ETD Projects
Tagged Division: Engineering Technology
Tagged Topic: Diversity
Page Count: 13
DOI: 10.18260/1-2--28163
Permanent URL: https://strategy.asee.org/28163
Download Count: 7889

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Gangjian Guo Bradley University

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Dr. Gangjian Guo is an assistant professor in the Department of Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering & Technology at Bradley University. He obtained his Ph.D. in Mechanical & Industrial Engineering from University of Toronto in 2006. Prior to joining Bradley University in 2015, he worked at GE (General Electric) for more than 5 years.

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Joseph C Chen P.E. Bradley University

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Joseph C. Chen, Ph.D., P.E., is a Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering & Technology at Bradley University. He received his M.S. and Ph.D.
degrees from the Department of Industrial and System Engineering at Auburn University in 1990 and 1994, respectively. His teaching interests include: Lean manufacturing system design, automated manufacturing processes, facility design, Taguchi design in quality, etc. His research interests include: RFID application in health care, cellular manufacturing system design, smart CNC machining, Taguchi parameter design in manufacturing processes.

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Abstract

Development of a Project-based Plastic Injection Molding Course for Manufacturing Programs Gangjian Guo1 and Joseph C. Chen2 1Assistant Professor 2Caterpillar Professor and Chairman Department of Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering & Technology Bradley University, IL, 61625, USA

Presentation proposal for 2017 ASEE Conference – Engineering Technology Division, June 25-28, 2017

Abstract Bradley University plays an important role in educating ABET accredited manufacturing engineers to major industries, such as Caterpillar or John Deere nearby. In recent years, our constituencies have voiced that plastics product design and injection molding process be considered key competences in our manufacturing curriculum. It’s always crucial and beneficial for plastics engineers to understand the whole picture of plastics product development, from the product conceptual design to the product validation. Therefore, the curriculum is structured around this goal with (1) seventeen lectures covering the fundamental theories of plastic materials, design principles such as design for manufacturing (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA), injection molding technologies, etc., (2) computer aided design (CAD), computer aided engineering (CAE), computer aided manufacturing (CAM), and injection molding lab sessions, and (3) hands-on four-module projects where students can apply the learned knowledge and go through each step of injection molded product development. The four-module project includes the injection molded plastic part design module, the Moldflow simulation module, the mold design and fabrication module, and the injection molding module. To enhance students' communication, collaboration, and project management skills, 4-5 students, as one group, are required to complete the project that requires many different skills such as design, computer simulation, CNC machining, injection molding, etc. After a year of implementation, evidence demonstrates that the program effectively enhances students’ understanding and capability of plastic product development. By implementing this new curriculum, Bradley University has been able to have a higher impact on the career preparation of the students and the supply of trained plastics engineers to local industries. The presentation will illustrate the plastics injection molding curriculum and describe one of the successful four-module projects conducted based on the curriculum. The impact to students, industries, and the faculty will also be discussed.

Citation
Format

Guo, G., & Chen, J. C. (2017, June), Development of a Project-based Plastic Injection Molding Course for Manufacturing Programs Paper presented at 2017 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Columbus, Ohio. 10.18260/1-2--28163

TY  - CPAPER
AB  - Development of a Project-based Plastic Injection Molding Course for Manufacturing Programs 
Gangjian Guo1 and Joseph C. Chen2
1Assistant Professor 
2Caterpillar Professor and Chairman
Department of Industrial &amp; Manufacturing Engineering &amp; Technology
 Bradley University, IL, 61625, USA

Presentation proposal for 2017 ASEE Conference – Engineering Technology Division, June 25-28, 2017

Abstract
Bradley University plays an important role in educating ABET accredited manufacturing engineers to major industries, such as Caterpillar or John Deere nearby. In recent years, our constituencies have voiced that plastics product design and injection molding process be considered key competences in our manufacturing curriculum. It’s always crucial and beneficial for plastics engineers to understand the whole picture of plastics product development, from the product conceptual design to the product validation. Therefore, the curriculum is structured around this goal with (1) seventeen lectures covering the fundamental theories of plastic materials, design principles such as design for manufacturing (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA), injection molding technologies, etc., (2) computer aided design (CAD), computer aided engineering (CAE), computer aided manufacturing (CAM),  and injection molding lab sessions, and (3) hands-on four-module projects where students can apply the learned knowledge and go through each step of injection molded product development. The four-module project includes the injection molded plastic part design module, the Moldflow simulation module, the mold design and fabrication module, and the injection molding module. To enhance students&#39; communication, collaboration, and project management skills, 4-5 students, as one group, are required to complete the project that requires many different skills such as design, computer simulation, CNC machining, injection molding, etc. After a year of implementation, evidence demonstrates that the program effectively enhances students’ understanding and capability of plastic product development. By implementing this new curriculum, Bradley University has been able to have a higher impact on the career preparation of the students and the supply of trained plastics engineers to local industries. The presentation will illustrate the plastics injection molding curriculum and describe one of the successful four-module projects conducted based on the curriculum. The impact to students, industries, and the faculty will also be discussed.
AU  - Gangjian Guo
AU  - Joseph C Chen P.E.
CY  - Columbus, Ohio
DA  - 2017/06/24
PB  - ASEE Conferences
TI  - Development of a Project-based Plastic Injection Molding Course for Manufacturing Programs
UR  - https://strategy.asee.org/28163
DO  - 10.18260/1-2--28163
ER  -