Using a Six-Axis Articulated Robot Arm for Teaching Mechanical Engineering Students Software Development

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moritz Weber ◽  
Katrin Pitz ◽  
Reiner Anderl
Keyword(s):  
Software Development ◽  
Mechanical Engineering ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Sensor Data ◽  
Software Project ◽  
Robot Arm ◽  
Articulated Robot

Software development is a key skill for all engineers and is therefore part of the first semester curriculum for mechanical engineering at Technische Universität Darmstadt (TU Darmstadt). A new method in engineering studies at TU Darmstadt based on project-based learning is being introduced to give students the opportunity to gain experience in software development using MATLAB and controlling real world objects. In this project, a 6-axis articulated robot arm similar to the ones used in industrial applications is being used. In addition to the motors used to drive the robot arm it is equipped with a color sensor. The students are thus encouraged to familiarize themselves with processing sensor data and incorporating it into their problem-solving approaches. The students are given a newly developed virtual model of the robot also implemented in MATLAB, which enables them to develop and test their solutions even when there is no access to the physical robot. To communicate with the robot the same methods for both the real and the virtual robot is provided to control the angles of the joints of the robot. As the students are only given Cartesian coordinates they have to convert these for the robot to use. The task given to the students comprises the development of an algorithm to solve a specific problem using the robot, programming a graphical user interface and a documentation of the project’s results. Students solve the given programming task in self-organized groups of four and undergo a team-based software project with focus on engineering from the beginning to the end. This allows them to reflect on personal competencies and to find their respective roles in a team at a very early stage of their studies. The project applies various aspects taught in the corresponding lecture and thereby emphasizes the practical use of the subject matter. In the concluding presentation, the students are encouraged to reflect their work, summarize the results and show the special features of their implementation.

scholarly journals Developing ESP Supplementary Book Based on Project Based Learning Model For Mechanical Engineering Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-188
Author(s):  
Yuliana Firmanda ◽  
Widiarini Widiarini ◽  
Siti Rofi’ah ◽  
Istina Atul Makrifah
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Engineering ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Process Development ◽  
Learning Model ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
English For Specific Purposes ◽  
Research Subject ◽  
Need Analysis ◽  
Engineering Materials ◽  
High Level

This paper aims to develop ESP Supplementary book for mechanical engineering students in high level education. This is a Borg & Gall Research and Development (R&D) by using questionnaire and unstructured interview instrument. The research subject is 20 fourth semester students of mechanical engineering major in UNU Blitar. The limitation of this study is developing ESP supplementary book based PBL with engineering materials as the topic of the book. The process development of Engineering Materials Supplementary Book Based on ESP and PBL consists of some steps those are (1) Need analysis; (2) Product arrangement; (3) Product testing; and (4) Product revision if it is necessary. This research finds that the supplementary book is valid in three aspects of media (77.5%), content (83.3%) and language (83.3%) and feasible to use as supplement material for the mechanical engineering students. Based on the satisfaction questionnaire this product is appropriate for the mechanical engineering students to learn about English for Specific Purposes in form of Project Based Learning model implementation in percentage about 80% agree and 15% very agree.

scholarly journals Mechanical Engineering Students Project-Based Learning in OUAS

2022 ◽  
pp. 50-68
Author(s):  
Ville Isoherranen ◽  
Mira Kekkonen
Keyword(s):  
Applied Sciences ◽  
Mechanical Engineering ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Learning Approach ◽  
University Of Applied Sciences ◽  
Engineering Department ◽  
To Come ◽  
Local Companies ◽  
Thesis Work

This chapter introduces project-based learning approach which is used in the Oulu University of Applied Sciences (OUAS), School of Engineering and Natural Resources, Mechanical Engineering Department to get local companies to offer project works to mechanical engineering students. The concept is based on organizing a local event or online event for the companies to come to OUAS campus to present their challenges needing engineering students to solve. The companies are then competing, selling, or pitching their problem for engineering students as the engineering students will then individually select the most interesting cases to be solved, and which has linkage to potential summer job and thesis work opportunities if projects are successful. The concept has proven to be successful, and it has been established as traditional event with many companies returning to the pitching event annually to get their industry problems solved by group of motivated engineering students.

Evaluating the Process of Introducing Project-Based Learning in the Curriculum of Engineering Students

2014 ◽  
Vol 657 ◽  
pp. 1078-1082 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen Ema Panaite ◽  
Oana Dodun ◽  
António Gonçalves-Coelho
Keyword(s):  
Educational Program ◽  
Mechanical Engineering ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Technical University

The paper presents a questionnaire elaborated for evaluating an academic educational program of the “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iaşi, Romania. The work was inspired by the attempt to introduce of Project Based Learning pedagogy method in the curricula of Romanian students of mechanical engineering.

scholarly journals Sustainability of Project-Based Learning by Incorporating Transdisciplinary Design in Fabrication of Hydraulic Robot Arm

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 7949
Author(s):  
Taha Farid ◽  
Sara Ali ◽  
Muhammad Sajid ◽  
Khalid Akhtar
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Students ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Hypothesis Test ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Engineering Problem ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Student Feedback ◽  
Robot Arm ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Significant Difference

Wider acceptance of project-based learning (PjBL) in the tertiary education industry has been obstructed by its resource-intensive nature. This paper introduces a transdisciplinary variant of PjBL for undergraduate engineering students through a multidisciplinary complex engineering problem requiring the design and fabrication of a hydraulic robot arm. The robotics-inspired transdisciplinary PjBL variant was first evaluated through student feedback using the Chi-square hypothesis test, which, at Chi-square (4, N = 101) = 129.12; p < 0.05, revealed a statistically significant difference in the proportion of the student feedback in favor of the PjBL for sustainability of transdisciplinary project-based learning. Furthermore, the students’ PjBL and PbBL scores were subjected to the Mann–Whitney U test which concluded the effectiveness of PjBL against PbBL with statistical significance, U(N = 101) = 192.00, z = −11.826, p < 0.05. The results indicate that the novel transdisciplinary project-based learning (PjBL) approach develops students’ practical engineering knowledge spanning multiple disciplines, thereby resulting in a sustainable concept of project-based learning.

scholarly journals Project Based Learning on Casting of Aluminium Tensile Test Specimen for Mechanical Engineering Students, State Polytechnic of Malang on Odd Semester of Academic Year 2016/2017

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 6
Author(s):  
S. Hadi ◽  
L. Agustriyana ◽  
Subagiyo Subagiyo
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Engineering ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Research Result ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Metal Casting ◽  
Average Score ◽  
Tensile Test Specimen ◽  
Aluminium Casting ◽  
Mould Manufacture ◽  
Academic Year

The problem faced by students is the difficulty of understanding on metal casting topic in the lesson of Materials Technology which is conducted by lectures only. The research objective is to find out the improvement of score on metal casting topic for 1G students from Mechanical Engineering Department, State Polytechnic of Malang (Polinema) in odd Semester, Academic Year 2016/2017. Research method were facilitation of applied metal casting through pretest of metal casting, added a description of the design and modification of metal mould for Aluminium, visit to a home industry of Aluminium casting, students practice of Aluminium casting in a home industry, student groups presentation and discussion in the subtopics of (1) design and mould manufacture, (2) Aluminium casting practice, and (3) tensile testing with cast Aluminium specimen, as well as posttest on metal casting. The research result is an increasing in average score from 46.56 to 53.6 (22%) that means by adding the practice to the theory involved is increase a significant impact on understanding of Aluminium casting for students.

From PBL to innovation: a decennial case-study from an HPV student team

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 773-786
Author(s):  
Paolo Baldissera ◽  
Cristiana Delprete
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Students ◽  
Subjective Experience ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Participation Rate ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
New Members ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Student Team

Purpose The implementation of project-based learning (PBL) activities in the curricula of engineering students has become a consolidated method to improve their skills. The purpose of this paper is to share the experience acquired by the authors from a decennial case-study on a student team PBL activity focused on design and development of human-powered vehicles (HPVs). A review of the project evolution, boundary constraints and management choices could provide inspiration and suggestions to faculty staff that would like to set-up similar experiences for engineering students in their universities. Design/methodology/approach A student team was funded by the authors in 2008 to gather engineering students interested in design and construction of HPVs. In the past decade, the team has grown from 10 up to 60 students enrolled per year and stimulated to develop a range of HPV designs for sports and mobility. The project management evolved as a consequence to com ply with the growing ambitions of the group and complexity of the goals. Findings A thorough analysis of factors contributing to the success of the project led to identification of the key factors to increase student participation: persistence of the faculty staff is essential, attending competitions and challenges increases students’ recruitment and formal recognition of the activity through credits and the implementation of intermediate assessment steps increase the active participation rate. Bigger teams reduce the negative impact of recruits eventually abandoning the project in an early stage. Ambitious goals keep students motivated for longer periods and enable a virtuous circle by transferring enthusiasm and knowledge to new members. Research limitations/implications The activity is analyzed starting from a subjective experience perspective and some of the findings/conclusions may be not applicable in a different context. However, such review can suggest strategies on the long-term period to create similar conditions elsewhere. Social implications In the last part of the paper, it is pointed out how PBL projects can provide a fertile ground for innovation and lead to patents and development of new products aiming at the market. Originality/value This study contributes to provide an insight view of how a student team PBL activity can grow over a decade if guided by faculty staff.

scholarly journals Project-Based Learning for Mechanical Engineering Students in the Emergency Remote Teaching

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 152
Author(s):  
Dewanti Ratna Pertiwi ◽  
Maria Asumpta Deny Kusumaningrum
Keyword(s):  
Group Work ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Mechanical Engineering ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Classroom Activities ◽  
Internet Connection ◽  
Internet Media ◽  
Learning Platforms ◽  
Learning Modes

Covid-19 has changed a lot of life sectors, including education. The government’s policy to carry out emergency remote teaching (ERT) immediately switches the teachers’ and lecturers’ plans on successful classroom activities. One of the classroom’s activities is project-based learning (PBL). With several limitations, challenges should be taken on so that designing simple but meaningful projects can facilitate project-based learning. Thus, some adaptations should be made since some students are economically impacted. Online learning modes, either synchronous or asynchronous were held to communicate the project. A descriptive qualitative research method was employed by involving two classes of mechanical engineering students. Data were collected from learning platforms observations, interviews with students’ representatives, and questionnaires administered to all students. The project was conducted in four stages; beginning the infographic project, developing the project, closing the project, and evaluating the project. The research indicated that the students completed and engaged in the project successfully through some problems that came up, mainly when the students had to have group work and communicate using internet media since most students were back home with various internet connection access. However, some assessable applications were employed so that the project was well accomplished. In conclusion, conducting a PBL in emergency remote teaching was successfully conducted with some simple available and accessable applications since the students’ conditions varied significantly.

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