A Hands-on Project Approach to Teaching Solid Modeling

This paper describes an integrated laboratory-oriented course MET/MFG407 in computer-aided Design at Oregon Institute of Technology. Teaching this subject in an 11-week of academic quarter is a challenging task requiring a combination of instructional delivery methods. Besides the in class lectures on the different aspects of using the CAD software; each student is also given a toy robot kit to be modeled. The course content is designed around three learning objectives: be able to create parametric models, be able to generate the associated 2D multiview drawings of the solid models, be able to create assemblies and animations of the solid models, and perform kinematic analysis of the given design. The author will share his observations and experience with educators in the field. 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 Solid Modeling course that is being offered by the Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Technology (MMET) department at Oregon Institute of Technology. Solid Modeling is an important part of Computer Aided Design (CAD) technology, which can be used to aid the creation of better Designs. At Oregon Institute of Technology, the first Solid Modeling course was first developed and taught back in 1987; and with the developments of the other leading edge technologies, we now see very exciting changes in how an engineer perform his/her daily tasks in industry. In 1996, the MMET department began to incorporate the parametric modeling software in the MET and MFG programs. In the Spring term of 2011, an elective course (MET/MFG 407 Advanced Solid Modeling) was developed and offered. Students are required to have finished the required MET 375 Solid Modeling class to enroll in this course. A different Parametric Modeling software is used in this second solid modeling course. The course has been offered every year since 2011. The main emphases of the course are placed on both teaching the students to use a commercially available parametric package and have the students performing the modeling and analysis tasks of a toy robot kit. 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 use the tools available in 3D Parametric Modeling technology . To generate 2D working drawings of the 3D models. To learn and perform 2D and 3D kinematic 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 Advanced Solid Modeling course offered by the Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Technology Department at Oregon Institute of Technology. Page 2.53.2 Development of the Advanced Solid Modeling course at OIT Parametric Modeling technology has become the main 3D modeling technology in Computer Aided Design (CAD). The Parametric Modeling Technology was first introduced in 1989, which has revolutionized the CAD industry as it can be used to aid the creation of better designs. In 1994, with the help of several education grants from industries, including the Boeing Airplane Company, Schroff Development Co. and Autodesk Co. The OIT-MET department did a two year research on incorporating the leading edge Computer Aided Engineering technology into the MET and MFG programs at OIT. As a result of that research, a series of computer aided engineering (CAD/CAM) courses were developed and incorporated into the two engineering technology programs. In 1996, the MET department at OIT offered their first Parametric Modeling course; the course was a required course for both the MET and MFG programs. The course replaced the previously required Solid Modeling course; the new course emphasizes more on the design aspects of Mechanical Designs and also the hands-on experience in using a commercially available Parametric Modeling package. In 1998, the MMET department at OIT purchased a Rapid Prototyping (RP) machine and a 3D scanner. The combination of these technologies has enabled most of our students to be more creative and productive in doing design works. The faculty of the MMET department at OIT felt it is also necessary to expose students to the different flavors of available Parametric Modeling packages. Through the help of several education grants from industries, the following parametric modeling packages are now available in the OIT CAD/CAE Labs: Creo Parametric, Autodesk Inventor, SolidWorks and Unigraphics NX series. In the Spring term of 2011, an elective course, MET 407 Advanced Solid Modeling, using a hands-on project approach, was developed and offered. The course has been offered every year since 2011. The main emphases of the course are placed on both teaching the students to use a commercially available parametric modeling software and to have the students go through the basic mechanism analysis and design process. The students are also given a specific design task, currently the design task is to improve the walking motion of the given robot kit.