How course projects can successfully prepare engineering students for capstone design projects

2014 ◽

Vol 2 (10) ◽

pp. 54-65

Author(s):

Vincent Chang

Keyword(s):

Engineering Education ◽

Biomedical Engineering ◽

Multinational Corporation ◽

Engineering Students ◽

Internet Technology ◽

Computer Engineering ◽

University Of Michigan ◽

Design Projects ◽

Industrial Strength ◽

Capstone Design

With a growing need to reform Chinese higher engineering education, University of Michigan—Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute (JI) initiated multinational corporation-sponsored industrial-strength Capstone Design Projects (CDP) in 2011. Since 2011, JI has developed 96 corporate-sponsored CDPs since its inception, which include multinational corporation sponsors such as Covidien, Dover, GE, HP, Intel, NI, Philips, and Siemens. Of these projects, healthcare accounts for 27%, energy 24%, internet technology (IT) 22%, electronics 16%, and other industries 11%. This portfolio reflects the trends and needs in the industry, which provides opportunities for engineering students to develop their careers. An accumulated 480 JI students have been teamed up based on their individual backgrounds, specifically electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, mechanical engineering, and biomedical engineering. The corporate-sponsored rate grew from 0% in 2010 to 86% in 2014.

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Incorporation of Manufacturing Process Design Into the Senior Capstone Design Course

Volume 5: Engineering Education and Professional Development ◽

10.1115/imece2011-65333 ◽

2011 ◽

Author(s):

Douglas V. Gallagher ◽

Ronald A. L. Rorrer

Keyword(s):

Process Design ◽

Manufacturing Process ◽

Engineering Students ◽

Cnc Machining ◽

Senior Design ◽

Solid Models ◽

Hands On ◽

Design Projects ◽

The University ◽

Capstone Design

At the University Colorado Denver, a manufacturing process design course was specifically created to raise the level of the as constructed senior design projects in the department. The manufacturing process design course creates a feed forward loop into the senior design course, while the senior design course generates a feedback loop into the process design course. Every student and student project has the opportunity to utilize CNC mills and lathes where appropriate. Specific emphasis is placed upon the interfaces from solid models to CAM models and subsequently the interface from CAM models to the machine tool. Often the construction of many senior design projects approaches the level of blacksmithing due to time constraints and lack of fabrication background. Obviously, most engineering students have neither the time nor the ability to become expert fabricators. However, the wide incorporation of CNC machining in the program allows, an opportunity to not only raise the quality of their prototypes, but also to immerse in the hands on experience of living with the ramifications of their own design decisions in manufacturing. Additionally, some of the art of fabrication is turned into the science of fabrication. The focus of this paper will be primarily on examining the effect of formal incorporation of the manufacturing process in the capstone design course.

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Factors That Effect Motivation and Performance on Innovative Design Projects

Volume 1: 15th International Conference on Advanced Vehicle Technologies; 10th International Conference on Design Education; 7th International Conference on Micro- and Nanosystems ◽

10.1115/detc2013-12758 ◽

2013 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Blake Linnerud ◽

Gregory Mocko

Keyword(s):

Engineering Students ◽

Clemson University ◽

Design Problems ◽

Innovative Design ◽

Current State ◽

Innovative Solutions ◽

Design Projects ◽

And Performance ◽

Initial Results ◽

Capstone Design

For engineering companies striving to be competitive in today’s economy, it is essential that innovation is the crux of their strategy and decision making process. Engineering designers are constantly pushed to develop new and innovative solutions to design problems yet there has been little research on what actually motivates these designers, both intrinsically and extrinsically, to be innovative. Similarly, engineering students working on their capstone design project are pushed to develop solutions to innovative design problems. The purpose of this paper is to present the initial findings of an innovation survey of Mechanical Engineering students at Clemson University. This paper will discuss the importance of innovation, the current state of innovation, the surveys that were created, the results of said survey, and how this information will be used going forward to improve performance and motivation in capstone design classes. The purpose of this survey is to determine which motivational factors engineering students perceive to be the most effective when working on innovative design projects. The initial results showed that (1) making an “A” grade in the class, (2) developing an “elegant” solution, and (3) making professional contacts with the industry sponsors were the three factors that most effectively promoted innovative design. Conversely, (1) impressing peers, (2) making professional contacts with the fellow students, and (3) winning cash prizes were the three factors that least effectively promoted innovative design.

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Toying With Engineering: Teaching Engineers to Be Entrepreneurial by Developing a Toy

Entrepreneurship Education and Pedagogy ◽

10.1177/25151274211029010 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 251512742110290

Author(s):

Smitesh Bakrania

Keyword(s):

Engineering Students ◽

Business Case ◽

Stem Fields ◽

The Past ◽

Middle Schoolers ◽

Assembly Instructions ◽

Design Projects ◽

Product Assembly ◽

Engineering Concept

Most engineering design projects focus primarily on the engineering fundamentals. Studying the business case or manufacturability of a design is often left for other courses, if at all. To address this gap, an existing mechanical engineering course project was modified by embedding the interdependent entrepreneurial dimensions. In the past, junior engineering students developed a reciprocating air engines over two semesters. The modified project extended the engineering fundamentals into an entrepreneurial venture. To accomplish this, students were asked to propose an air engine toy for middle schoolers. The proposed toy had to be assembled, provide a learning opportunity, and demonstrate utility. The students had to ensure the product appealed to those interested in the STEM fields. The students, working in groups, created renders of the final product, assembly instructions, and a guided worksheet for the kids to explore the underlying engineering concept. The groups produced a website with a video pitching their toy concepts. This case study exemplifies how any engineering endeavor can be modified to capture a more holistic simulation of the profession.

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