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Session 2150

Using the Internet to Facilitate Manufacturing Technology Education

John C. Anderson, PE

Mechanical Engineering Technology Dept., Purdue University, 1417 Knoy Hall, W. Lafayette, IN 47909-6219 Ph. (765) 494-7526 email: jcanderson@tech.purdue.edu

Abstract - The primary distinction between Technology and Engineering education is the emphasis on applications in the Technology curricula. This emphasis usually results in much shorter learning curve for Technologists entering the work force in manufacturing industries.

The learning curve for a new technologist is largely driven by the ability to find information and to apply theory to actual applications.

This paper illustrates some uses of the Internet to bring current manufacturing technology problems to life in the classroom and also provide real world data gathering skills for the student. Classes in plastics manufacturing technology and in automation are used as examples.

Applications are presented using actual manufacturer’s literature to design industrial control systems and polymer manufacturing systems.

This approach accomplishes several goals. • It teaches students how to locate data on actual equipment. • It facilitates an understanding of the theoretical principles taught in the classroom by applying it to problems involving commercially available materials. • It facilitates projects that are closer to actual engineering assignments in industry.

I Introduction

One of the classic problems in engineering and technology education has been how to break the students dependency on textbook solutions and introduce them to finding information and fitting it to the solution of actual problems. Until recently this was left to a single "design course" experience. With ABET's emphasis on a "Capstone" experience for the students to synthesize their analytical skills with real problems there has been increased attention on the problem of teaching students how to find information.

Proceedings of the 2001 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright  2001, American Society for Engineering Education

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Anderson, J. (2001, June), Using The Internet To Facilitate Manufacturing Technology Education Paper presented at 2001 Annual Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico. 10.18260/1-2--9979