Elements of Mechanical Design, Fall 2002

Abstract:: Examination and practice in the application of many mechanical design elements, including control components. Students working in groups design, fabricate, and test prototype devices in response to requests from industrial sponsors. Topics: typical machine elements, power transmission elements, motors and prime movers, control elements, material selection, and assembly techniques. In 2.72, students will learn the theory and experience the practice of machine design in the context of real world machine design hardware projects. Emphasis will be placed on the relationship of machine elements to the design process; including their availability, their uses, and the methods for determining their potential performance. Each group will complete and document a design layout for a prototype device.

Elements of Mechanical Design, Spring 2006

Abstract:: Examination and practice in the application of many mechanical design elements, including control components. Students working in groups design, fabricate, and test prototype devices in response to requests from industrial sponsors. Topics: typical machine elements, power transmission elements, motors and prime movers, control elements, material selection, and assembly techniques. This course provides an advanced treatment of machine elements such as bearings, springs, gears, cams, and mechanisms. Analysis of these elements includes extensive application of core engineering curriculum including solid mechanics and fluid dynamics. The course offers practice in skills needed for machine design such as estimation, drawing, and experimentation. Students work in small teams to design and build machines that address real-world challenges.

Abstract:: " This is an advanced course on modeling, design, integration and best practices for use of machine elements such as bearings, springs, gears, cams and mechanisms. Modeling and analysis of these elements is based upon extensive application of physics, mathematics and core mechanical engineering principles (solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, manufacturing, estimation, computer simulation, etc.). These principles are reinforced via (1) hands-on laboratory experiences wherein students conduct experiments and disassemble machines and (2) a substantial design project wherein students model, design, fabricate and characterize a mechanical system that is relevant to a real world application. Students master the materials via problems sets that are directly related to, and coordinated with, the deliverables of their project. Student assessment is based upon mastery of the course materials and the student's ability to synthesize, model and fabricate a mechanical device subject to engineering constraints (e.g. cost and time/schedule)."