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In an effort to cultivate initiative and innovative spirit, a new project was introduced in an undergraduate mechanical engineering laboratory, exemplified here by the Thermal Sciences Laboratory. In this project, each student lab group (typically a group of four) had to suggest improvements to a specific laboratory. There were no other imposed restrictions; improvements could be in any area, such as hardware, software, work procedure, technical presentation, and so on. By having the project run in parallel with the typical labs, several objectives were attained. First, students were exposed to the ideas of continuous innovation and product or process improvement. Second, being a group project, students were exposed to the practical aspects and important advantages of teamwork and brainstorming. Third, due to the latest innovations in technology and education, laboratory-based work is always in need of enhancement; students engaged in performing lab work are well positioned to understand the possible shortcomings, and thus propose improvements; each student should be able to have at least one contribution, ranging from very small to significant. Lastly, some of the best solutions can be followed by senior design projects in which the proposed improvements are further developed and implemented in the laboratory. This paper shows how the project was organized, and also presents results obtained during its first year of implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Condition monitoring and diagnostic engineering is a course that is well recognized by academics. It is offered to students across the globe who want exposure to instrumentation, data acquisition and processing. This paper introduces the technique of condition monitoring to budding engineers, from its conception to the present state of development, through a case study. An experimental investigation is highlighted in which the vibration condition of booster pump unit is monitored; the unit is a part of boiler feed pump train of a large thermal power plant. The booster pump is driven by a 3500 kW, 1440 rpm motor. The motor, along with the booster pump, is supported by four bearings. Tri-axial measurements were made at the bearing supports for 12 months. Root mean square values of displacement and velocity were measured along the horizontal, vertical and axial directions. The experimental data are plotted on a time domain for graphical analysis. Based on the experimental data, faults are diagnosed using ISO standards and causes are predicted. It is observed that the front and rear bearings of the booster pump experienced excess vibration. The work is concluded by way of suggesting remedial measures to ensure the vibration intensity at the said points falls within safe limits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia, has sought accreditation from the UK Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) for its Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Mechanical programme. To be accredited, the programme must satisfactorily incorporate the UK-SPEC general learning outcomes, which have to be mapped to the Faculty's programme educational objectives and programme outcomes. The contents of the various courses comprising the programme have to be integrated to bring all the learning outcomes together and taught in a systematic approach to become a total system. In the project design, issues such as sustainable development, risk, health and safety, and professional ethics are areas of concern. This paper describes how IMechE's UK regulations and requirements are being met, and relates the Faculty's experience with the accreditation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper examines the pure bending of a linearly elastic, isotropic, nonhomogeneous bar. The bending stress, elastic strain energy and the end cross-section rotations are determined for inplane variation of the Young's modulus with small strains and displacements. It is shown that the governing formulae for elastic pure bending of nonhomogeneous bars have same forms as formulae for symmetrical bending (bending in the principal planes) of homogeneous bars. Two examples illustrate the application of the developed formulae. In the first, a composite beam is considered; the second deals with the determination of the maximum tensile and compressive stresses in a bent functionally graded elastic bar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the effect of beam offsetting in finite element calculations. The effect is evaluated by considering two case studies involving beams, in which finite element analysis is performed with solid elements and with shell elements. It is seen that, under certain conditions, ignoring the beam offset can lead to erroneous results. Although the beam offsetting feature is available in most commercial codes, it is not always well documented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, planar mechanisms with dyads are analyzed using Mathematica. First, a classification of dyads is introduced and then Mathematica packages for the analysis of the driver link and dyads are explained. The analysis provides a consistent coding scheme for planar mechanisms. The advantage of the group classification of a system lies in its simplicity. The solution of the whole system can then be obtained by composing partial solutions. This approach will eliminate the need to store complete mechanism information in a large database. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the complexity of automotive vehicles increases, so does the need for high calibre, multi-disciplined engineers. This paper provides a discussion into the type of control systems found in modern automotive vehicles and the skills required by the engineers working in this mechatronic system environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite a world-wide interest in mechatronics education, there is no clear and consistent understanding of what mechatronics is, nor how, and at what level, it should be taught. The key challenge for mechatronics course designers is seen as that of ensuring an appropriate balance between depth and breadth while providing opportunities to enable students to practise integration. The paper discusses this in relation to a number of mechatronic themes. Factors influencing the design, structure and content of a mechatronics programme are discussed and suggestions made as to the possible core content of such a programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional dynamic modelling of multidisciplinary systems involves separate sets of analysis skills for each domain. Bond Graphs embrace commonality, providing a concise unified means of system representation and a systematic analysis method. This paper introduces Bond Graphs, benefits of acausal component models, and software for automated equation generation and simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper describes the utility of a low cost, 1 m2 by 2 m forced ventilation, micro-climate test chamber, for the support of research and teaching in mechatronics. Initially developed for the evaluation of a new ventilation rate controller, the fully instrumented chamber now provides numerous learning opportunities and individual projects for both undergraduate and postgraduate research students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an effort to attract talented high school students to the engineering profession, Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) has developed a number of outreach programs. The most successful of these, entitled‘Focus on the Possibilities’, allows the student to select a specific engineering discipline and experience a week-long program in their chosen area. This paper details the program developed by the Mechanical Engineering Department at MSOE to attract talented high school students to the mechanical engineering discipline. The program consists of an integrated design/build/test experience, centered around the design of a scale-model race car. The program is facilitated by two key technologies available at MSOE: solid modeling and solid freeform fabrication (rapid prototyping). Through creative use of these enabling technologies, the students are able to take the design of their racer from concept to realization and testing in the span of the week-long program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of random variables and the application of probabilistic techniques for power system analysis has become an important issue due to the increased uncertainties faced by modern power systems. In the techno-economic analysis of an installation, especially at the design stage, several discrete values have to be considered for each variable, such as voltage, power, power angle, etc. Therefore, in handling such problems, it is advisable to use random variable ranges as explained in the paper taking the area of power transmission engineering as an example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]