Interdisciplinary Senior Design Project to Develop a Teaching Tool: Mini CNC Mill

The desired current set of skills required of modern engineers and technologists has been steadily expanding. In addition to familiarity with manual machining and fabrication techniques, mastering CAD/CAM, Computer Numerical Control (CNC), and automation methods are increasingly becoming essential tools in the design, prototyping and manufacturing of complex systems. In this paper, an inter-disciplinary design project towards the development of a mini CNC milling machine is presented. Since purchasing and installing traditional CNC equipment is not an option for every campus of Drexel University or similar engineering schools, an alternative solution to providing hands on experience with CNC equipment is desirable. A CNC machine with a desktop form factor which would be easily transported between campuses would eliminate the need for multiple traditional CNC machines and would improve the quality of the MET316-CNC course by providing more hands-on lab experiences. The desktop CNC machine which was developed by student design team fits on a standard desktop or table, would interface with commonly available CNC / Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software, would be powered by a standard AC outlet, would be easy to use and robust enough for educational use, and would not be cost prohibitive. Students in the Mechanical, Electrical, and Industrial fields along with many others can learn many new skills from multi-disciplinary projects such as the design and development of a desktop CNC mill. Such projects show students how to use different types of technology, and demonstrate how advanced technology can be used in an actual application. This project teaches future engineers and technologists various advanced skills that can be used in their careers. Overall, many different fields of engineering can benefit from this application, enabling the development of skill and knowledge in many different engineering aspects and processes. As this capstone design project provides opportunities for students to design & manufacture, it stimulates the students’ interest in real-world product realization. As manufacturing laboratories are very expensive to develop, this project can also be adapted at other institutions that have limited funding to improve manufacturing process facilities. Background In Drexel University’s School of Technology and Professional Studies, many courses related to robotics, design, and materials are offered to the students in the Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology program. Courses such as Robotics and Mechatronics, Quality Control, Manufacturing Materials, Microcontrollers, and Applied Mechanics can benefit from the laboratory experience in applications of mechatronics, robotics, and rapid prototyping. As well as helping in the teaching of various courses, such experience benefits students who are pursuing degrees in the engineering field. Students in the Mechanical, Electrical, and Industrial fields along with many others can learn many new skills from multi-disciplinary projects such as designing and fabricating a desktop CNC machine. Such projects show students how to use different types of technology, and demonstrate how advanced technology can be used in an actual application. This project instills future engineers and technologists with various advanced skills that can be used in their careers. Overall, many different fields of engineering can benefit from this application, enabling the development of skill and knowledge in many different engineering aspects and processes. P ge 23802.2 Students in the Engineering Technology programs are required to complete a series of capstone course MET 4XX Senior Design. This course aims to train the students in identifying projects of relevance to the society, in planning and scheduling a solution, and in entrepreneurial activities that may result from the project. The course is also intended to cover an industrial project starting from the proposal writing and conceptual design to final steps. The course is focused on proposal and project progress report writing.