Abstract
A gallery of imagery generated from many of the recent CAD (computer-aided-design, or graphics) projects undertaken by St. Thomas undergraduates in mechanical engineering courses (Engineering Graphics in particular) are presented. The CAD projects vary widely, e.g. as characterized by the geometric features present in the parts, assembly structure, number of parts in the assembly, overall complexity, physical scale, industry represented, in addition to coloring and other presentation and viewing issues. The primary purpose of this effort is to elegantly showcase the body of quality work generated in a relatively compact manner to permit an enjoyable perusal and reflection that may be of use to others teaching future CAD courses or others, such as students interested in CAD work in a BSME program. In addition, one can see the natural evolution of the course since it was first taught over the past 3 ½ years. The projects demonstrate the application of CAD knowledge acquired in the freshman ® Engineering Graphics course where SolidWorks has been taught recently. However, because of the wide applicability of CAD, projects from other courses (such as Kinematics and Mechanism Design, Machine Design and Synthesis, the Senior Design Clinic sequence, and occasionally Introduction to Engineering) are emphasized as well, although not all of them are presented. Finally, as a result of the success of the Engineering Graphics course, a course description is provided and a number of pedagogical issues are discussed: modeling strategies, motions/mechanisms involved, number of components, length of time for project, number of team members, along with other practical advice for maximizing the successful implementation of CAD projects for students. Introduction The history of computer-aided-design (CAD) coursework at St. Thomas, a liberal arts university, dates back to 1995 when the Engineering Graphics course was offered for the first time. In those days, the Engineering Department offered a BS in Manufacturing Engineering, but not a BS in Mechanical Engineering (BSME). Of course, CAD instruction is required for both degrees, so a section of the course has been offered at least yearly since that time, and as many as 4 sections per year recently. The course was developed and taught by the third author and based upon similar courses taught at Dunwoody College of Technology, known for its Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) programs. The course had two tracks: (1) interpreting engineering drawings (IED) which is traditional drafting, and (2) CAD training (AutoCAD, release 12). Textbooks for the course were Interpreting Engineering Drawings by Jenson and Hines for the IED track and Using AutoCAD Release 12 by J. E. Fuller for the CAD track1,2. Students were also required to complete a computer-aided-drafting project (such as the “trolley” assembly from the IED book). Currently, the course retains the same basic format, although as technology has advanced, the CAD software has necessarily changed over the years from what was largely computerized drafting using AutoCAD, release 12 to true solid modeling, including limited animation, using SolidWorks® (current version in use: 2004); for textbooks see3-7. Proceedings of the 2005 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright ©2005, American Society for Engineering Education