Duke UniversityMechanical Engineering

Freshmen – EGR 20: Engineering Innovation plus

Physics, Math, Chem, Computing (Matlab)

Sophomore - Foundational Engineering Courses: Solid Mechanics, Dynamics, Thermo, Circuits (1st Mechatronics course)

Junior - Analysis for Mechanical Design plus Fluids, Controls (2nd Mechatronics course), Materials, Heat

Transfer

Senior - Mechanical Engineering Design + Mechanical Systems Design

2 Upper level electives: Aerodynamics, Aircraft Performance & Control, Energy & Environment, Compressible Fluids, Research Projects, Vibrations, Intermediate Dynamics, Manufacturing, Aeroelasticity, etc.

• Engineering Innovation – ~5 “hands on” design challenges (1 reverse engineering, 4 design & build prototypes), teamwork, SolidWorks, sensors & microchips, RapidPrototyping, written reports & presentations

• Analysis for Mechanical Design – Adv. Solid Mechanics topics, Fatigue, Fracture, Analysis for displacement & strength, CosmosWorks (FEA), “failure analysis” of components

• Mechanical Engineering Design – Components: Bearings, Gears, Cams & Mechanisms, Bolts, Belts, Shafts, etc. Project work in teams w/ machining. Written reports & presentations required. Often involves a class competition.

• Mechanical Systems Design – Design, Analysis & Testing of an entire system to meet a “client’s needs.” Team-work, machining, realistic constraints, etc.

“CDIO” Course Descriptions

Engineering Innovation Examples

Above: Save the Astronauts (Eggs). Device needed to rescue without killing the astronauts. It “landed” on one table & astronauts were on other table. Device could only be powered by potential energy & started with the cutting of a string. Extra points gained from lighting LED’s using magnetic sensors.

Right: Chain Reaction Design Challenge. 4 sub-groups design a separate component which is started by the previous one and ends by starting the next. Must have action & a common theme.

Mechanical Engineering Design Examples

“Mrs. Smith’s Apple Pie Helper”

Using an Apple Slicer – Design a “machine” to slice the apple, remove the core & transport apple slices 1 foot away into a dish for apple pie. Can only use rotary mechanical motion to power the device.

“Skeeball” Competition

Design a machine, powered by a cordless screwdriver to throw/launch plastic air-filled balls at a target 6 feet away. Pts for accuracy & quantity.

Mechanical Systems Design Example - RAT

Ram Air Turbine -- RAT

Projects include: Solid Modeling (CAD), RapidPrototyping, Machining, Analysis (FEA), Testing in Wind Tunnel

Team work, Written & Oral Reports

Energy & Environment Design

“Greenback Team” – A&S + Engineering

Solar Energy used to charge bank of batteries for back-up power during a blackout .. Design of cabinet + system electronics, etc. … testing, stress analysis…

“Sustainable Neighborhood Vehicle” –Interdisciplinary Team

Solar Energy to power the vehicle

Future Projects ???From Lockheed Martin:

Spin chute

Water ingestion test bed

• QSST Door/Stairs• JSF Insulating Material• Landing Gear Deployment and Storage• Front Landing Gear Shimmy Damper• Emergency Arresting Hook

• Design of an Integrated Crew Health Care System for Lunar Outpost Missions www.aiaa.org/content.cfm?pageid=221)

• NASA (education.ksc.nasa.gov/ESMDspacegrant/Sr_Design.htm)

• Non-Prehensile Mobile Manipulation• Thermal Control System for Lunar (or Mars) Rovers• Hand-held magnetic lunar dust removal brush• Freeze Back Radiator• Vacuum Cleaner for Spacecraft Cabin Housekeeping

for Lunar Surface Missions• FAA (www.faa.gov/runwaysafety/design_competition.htm)

Other “customers”: