Reverse Engineering and Rapid Prototyping: A Senior LevelTechnical Elective for Mechanical Engineering Technology Studentsand Much More

摘要

Students in the Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) program at Penn State Erie, theBehrend College are highly versed in application oriented computer techniques for problemsolving. Nine years ago, a senior level technical elective was developed that would allowstudents with an interest in CAD modeling and design extending beyond the nine credits ofrequired CAD classes to further their knowledge of the latest technology. This course wouldalso introduce students to aesthetic and ergonomic design issues, which, while touched upon intraditional design courses, have never been a major factor in the overall design process. Overtime this course has evolved to one that also covers advanced surface modeling CAD strategiesfor geometry creation, both additive and subtractive methods for rapid prototyping and differentmethods of reverse engineering existing products. In addition, the acquisition of this technologyand equipment has come to benefit both students in other courses and departments within theCollege. It has also become a resource for faculty doing research and local industry as well.This paper will describe the scope and layout of this class, student projects, and the equipmentused, associated costs of running a laboratory and lessons learned as well as the impact on otherfaculty, departments and local industry.