Many manufacturing engineering or technology graduates work in positions requiring familiarity with computer-aided engineering analysis, such as performing Finite Element Analysis (FEA) in fixture and tooling design to ensure required function. However, most manufacturing engineering students are not exposed to FEA as part of their educational process. As FEA software is becoming increasingly user friendly, it is feasible to utilize it in a team-based senior project. The underlying philosophy of the project is to introduce students to FEA that is currently used in manufacturing practice in the automotive sector. In particular, students are introduced to the FEA through a project requiring the design of an optimal locator layout scheme in a fixture, which is used to constrain an automotive sheet-metal panel. This paper describes that a project-based approach to the FEA gives the students an appreciation for powerful the method can be in performing fixture design and analysis.
展开▼
