Design Using Spread Sheets

Design is an important factor in Mechanical Engineering and Technology programs. The more realistic the design project, the better the learning experience is for the students. Often, design requires many iterative calculations and “what if” parametric studies. For these types of processes, spread sheets have been useful in eliminating the routine and repetitive calculations. This paper will explain the design projects given in four mechanics courses where spread sheets were used for the calculations. These courses were Statics, Dynamics, Applied Mechanisms Kinematics and Dynamics, and a combined Statics/Strengths/Dynamics course. For some of the design projects, the students created their own spread sheets to do the calculations; in other cases the instructor gave the spread sheet preprogrammed to the students. The author will relate his success in using spread sheets in design projects and the impact they had on the design project and the learning process. In addition, student opinion as to the benefits of using spread sheets will be discussed.