Parametric Modeling, Rapid Prototyping, and a Walker Robot

Computer-aided-engineering tools, such as CAD, FEA and CAM, are becoming to be the essential tools to the engineering practices in industry. This paper describes the development of an applied Parametric Modeling course that is being offered by the Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering and Technology (MMET) department at Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT) . Parametric Modeling technology is a new breed of Computer Aided Design (CAD) technology that can be used to aid the creation of better Designs. The Parametric Modeling technology was first introduced back in 1989; and with the additional developments through the years, we now see very exciting changes in how an engineer perform his/her daily tasks in industry. Since 1996, the MMET department at OIT has incorporated the parametric modeling software in the ME, MET and MFG programs. In April of 2008, the MMET department at OIT also purchased a Rapid Prototyping (RP) machine. The combination of these new technologies has enabled many of our students to be much more creative and productive in doing design works. During the Winter term of 2009, an elective course (ME 475 Applied Parametric Modeling) containing all the above mentioned elements, was developed and offered. The course has been offered every year since then. The two main objectives of the course are to both teaching the students to use a commercially available parametric software and to have the students go through the complete design process. The students are given a specific design task; the main design task has been to build a walker robot. The course objectives have been established as follows: • To learn the basic concepts and procedures associated with using a commercially available Parametric Modeling package. • To understand and the use of 3D Printing and Rapid Prototyping technology . • To gain hands-on experience by going through a design process. • To learn and perform 2D and 3D kinemtaic analysis using modern computer software. • Apply the techniques and skills taught to related problems in follow-on courses. This paper describes the changes and results of the Applied Parametric Modeling course offered by the Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering and Technology Department at Oregon Institute of Technology.