Applying 3D Printing to Enhance Learning in Undergraduate Kinematic and Dynamic of Machinery Course

This paper presents the application of 3D printing to enhance the learning of undergraduate students about the mechanisms (linkage, Cam-Follower) on Kinematic and Dynamic of Machinery course. In this course, students will learn how a mechanical mechanism, including linkage and cam-follower mechanism, is working. They will learn how to analyze a mechanism or synthesis of a mechanism to provide a specified task. To enhance their understanding about the mechanism, the project was designed by the instructor for this course. The project has three phases. On phase I, each group, consisting of 4 to 5 students, should select a mechanism to design. They design the mechanism based on what they have learned in the class. On phase II, they make drawing on Solidworks. On phase III, they send the drawing file to the 3D printer facility to print the parts of the mechanism. They assemble the parts and come out with the real mechanism. This project will help them to see how their knowledge can help to build a real mechanical mechanism.