Designing User Interfaces for Educational Software

2014 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 67-77 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Yong S. Suh

Keyword(s):

User Interfaces ◽

Shape Matching ◽

Educational Software ◽

Educational Tool ◽

Learning Tools ◽

Engineering Software ◽

Beam Loading ◽

Solution Processes ◽

Matching Technique ◽

Graphical Feedback

Abstract Most engineering software tools use typical menu-based user interfaces, and they may not be suitable for learning tools because the solution processes are hidden and students can only see the results. An educational tool for simple beam analyses is developed using a pen-based user interface with a computer so students can write and sketch by hand. The geometry of beam sections is sketched, and a shape matching technique is used to recognize the sketch. Various beam loads are added by sketching gestures or writing singularity functions. Students sketch the distributions of the loadings by sketching the graphs, and they are automatically checked and the system provides aids in grading the graphs. Students receive interactive graphical feedback for better learning experiences while they are working on solving the problems.

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PowSysGUI: A new educational software package for power system stability studies using MATLAB/Simulink

International Journal of Electrical Engineering Education ◽

10.1177/0020720916686800 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 54 (4) ◽

pp. 283-298 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Serdar Ekinci ◽

Aysen Demiroren ◽

Hatice Lale Zeynelgil

Keyword(s):

Power System ◽

User Interfaces ◽

Software Package ◽

Educational Software ◽

Software Tool ◽

Power System Stability ◽

Test System ◽

Engineering Problem ◽

Graphical User Interfaces ◽

System Stability

Graphical user interfaces have been progressively used in the classrooms to provide users of computer simulations with a friendly and visual approach to specify all input parameters with enhanced configuration flexibility. In this paper, an educational software package called PowSysGUI (Power System GUI), which runs on MATLAB and uses graphical user interfaces, has been developed for analysis and simulation of small to large size electric power systems. PowSysGUI is open-source software and anyone can see the inner structure of the program to figure out how to code a power engineering problem. It is designed as a simulation tool for researchers and educators, as it is simple to use and modify. PowSysGUI has algorithms for solving power flow, small signal stability analysis, and time-domain simulation. In the case studies, IEEE 16-machine 68-bus test system is given to show the features of the developed software tool. Moreover, classroom experience has shown that the developed software package helps in consolidating a better understanding of power system stability phenomena.

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Topology Optimization Software for Additive Manufacturing: A Review of Current Capabilities and a Real-World Example

Volume 2A: 42nd Design Automation Conference ◽

10.1115/detc2016-59718 ◽

2016 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Sai Nithin Reddy K. ◽

Ian Ferguson ◽

Mary Frecker ◽

Timothy W. Simpson ◽

Corey J. Dickman

Keyword(s):

Topology Optimization ◽

Additive Manufacturing ◽

User Interfaces ◽

Educational Software ◽

Software Tools ◽

Additive Manufacture ◽

Optimization Software ◽

Current State ◽

Complex Organic

Topology optimization is finding renewed interest thanks to additive manufacturing — a technology that is well-suited to fabricate the complex organic shapes and structures that often arise from topology optimization. This paper reviews the current state of topology optimization software through the redesign of a real aerospace mounting plate, focusing on manufacturing considerations that are important for additive manufacturing (AM). Twenty different commercial and educational software tools are investigated and categorized based on their capabilities. Two representative software tools are then demonstrated with well-known examples to compare user interfaces and outputs, and one is chosen to perform the mounting plate case study. We find that all of the commercially available topology optimization software packages offer similar capabilities and considerably more functionality than educational software, but only a few niche products can be tailored to specific applications and manufacturing processes. Current commercial software does not provide adequate manufacturing constraints to remove the need for manual interpretation of results for additive manufacture. A case study involving optimization of an industry-relevant component for AM is used to provide in-depth understanding of both topology optimization and manufacturing considerations in AM. Shortcomings in the existing software tools are presented, and future requirements to take advantage of the increasing AM capabilities, particularly in metals, are discussed.

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