A prototype project with a new workspace for Mechanics of Machinery

Abstract

This paper described how a quick prototype project was re-organized in the Mechanics of Machinery, which had been a compulsory course for third-year mechanical engineering students. Each student group chose a configuration from the internet so that they would see good examples with no available analyses from textbooks. Then, students had to knowledge from class to analyze the mechanism kinematics, prepare data and resources for the construction, manufacture customized parts and assemble components into prototypes. From available manufacturing methods, most students chose the digital manufacturing, namely the laser cut and 3D printing. The ability to display and describe the prototypes were also evaluated. The instructional development was largely based on the CDIO Standards for design-build experiences and engineering workspace. The project was a success with configurations that were more complicated and realistic than previous years with fun and cool atmosphere. The major points for improvement was the documentation. Students' reflection showed that they could identify the activities and weakness which could be better conducted. The new workspace was reasonably received as the project space with the Net Promoter Score of 14% and 78.6% agreed or strongly agreed that they could link the project to the class contents.