Electronic learning materials for machine design

• Autores: Martin Hynek, Miroslav Grach, Petr Votapek
• Localización: The International journal of engineering education, ISSN-e 0949-149X, Vol. 30, no. Extra 6 (Parte B), 2014, págs. 1549-1555
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Machine Design is the most perspective field of study in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (FME) at the University of WestBohemia with regards to the demand for graduates in this field. These days, the main issue of higher education in the CzechRepublic related to Machine Design is the lack of opportunities for students of Machine Design to acquire practical knowledge andexperience in the field. The problem is that engineering companies offer work experience only to individual students as they try tohire them after graduation. But engineering companies are not motivated enough to contribute to the Machine Design teachingprocess by providing knowledge and experience to the majority of students. As this is not going to change soon, universities haveto provide real applications to its students instead. Currently, there are not enough opportunities for students to acquire practicalknowledge in the field during their studies. The required amount of work experience for engineering students in the Czech Republicis only one week, which is insufficient in comparison with the German system, where internship semesters are a mandatory part ofstudying at a Fachhochschule (University of Applied Sciences). It is necessary to provide practical information and realapplications in class to compensate for the lack of practical experience. FME is concerned in this matter and it has launched theproject for enhancement of the teaching process. A new concept of electronic learning materials for Machine Design was developedas a part of the project. The learning materials were developed by academics in cooperation with local engineering companies toprovide students and academics at FME with real design projects reworked for learning purposes. The Machine Design teachingprocess is complicated due to the complexity of the mechanical design process, as it has its own particularities which need to beconsidered while creating learning materials. When describing the mechanical design process, not only the design process itself hasto be described. Also the production processes, project schedules, economic aspects of the design project, legislative, technicalstandards and regulations have to be described as well. As these parts of the mechanical design process affect each other, it isimportant to describe them in the context of the mechanical design process to show the interconnection between them. Theelectronic form of learning materials was selected as it offers many advantages over the standard printed form. The main reasonfor selecting the electronic form of learning materials is the ability to work with Computer-aided engineering (CAE) models. Three-dimensional CAE models replaced drawing boards in every engineering company several years ago and thus it is important toinclude CAE models in the Machine Design teaching process. Thanks to the technology of exporting CAE models to the standard portable document format (PDF) it is possible to modify CAE models for learning purposes and use them as a learning tool. CAEmodels can be enhanced with a large amount of information regarding a design project such as manufacturing processes, materialsor component functions and can be supplemented by technical drawings, illustrated project descriptions and further information.All the learning material is converted into a single PDF file so that every student can access it anywhere, anytime. Versatility andinteractivity are the biggest benefits of the new electronic learning materials. The new electronic learning materials can be usedwhen explaining new subject matter to show its application, or as a basis for students’ assignments, individual work, teamwork ordissertations. The sample electronic learning materials are being produced and will be made available to students through thecourseware of the University of West Bohemia. This paper intends to present the learning materials and describe their form,structure and content and their benefits for academics and students of Machine Design.