ECHANICAL M

Laboratory Tour

& Information

ENGINEERING (BLDG. 13)

ENGINEERING IV (BLDG. 192)

102—Fluid Mechanics Laboratory Students study fluid flow

and aerodynamics, the design of pumps and piping systems,

and turbomachinery.

116 & 118 —Mechatronics Laboratories Mechatronics is the

design of mechanical systems using computer control. Stu-

dents learn to design, build, and program systems using em-

bedded computers with mechanical actuators and sensors.

Examples of projects include hybrid vehicles and autono-

mous robots!

119—3D Printing Room Printers are located here and are

used by clubs, design classes, and senior projects.

120—Design Laboratory This lab focuses on hand drafting

courses for freshmen and junior-level design.

121—Robotics Laboratory This lab teaches students the

science & design of robots and automated systems.

130—Quality of Life Plus (QL+) Lab A multidisciplinary facili-

ty dedicated to developing and applying technology for im-

proving quality of life of wounded and disabled veterans.

QL+ space also hosts the “Golf Lab”, where research in golf

club design is conducted.

131—Computer Aided Design (CAD) Lab Freshmen learn

SolidWorks while juniors have design series here.

132—Design Lab A general lab space used for senior project

courses as well as 24/7 access for students.

133—Student Project/Design Room A conference room

used for design meetings and project teams.

134—Computer Aided Design (CAD) Lab Another 24/7 lab

for students as well as space for technical electives.

135—Composites and Structures Laboratory Students de-

sign, study, and test composite material & structures.

BONDERSON PROJECTS CENTER (BLDG. 197)

107—”The High Bay” Project Assembly Area Many stu-

dent projects come together in this space, you may even

see some in progress—Learn by Doing!

114— Mustang ‘60 Machine Shop This shop is used by

all engineering students in order to build their projects.

Student technicians are there to provide a watchful eye

as well as answer any questions the students have.

101—Bently Nevada, Solar Turbines Vibrations Lab

Students study how vibration affects the design of struc-

tures, mechanisms and rotating machinery.

102—Parker Hannifin Controls Laboratory Control sys-

tems take random inputs and provide steady outputs,

similar to a cruise control system in a car. Many experi-

ments were designed and built by professors in this lab.

106—Graduate Student Office Collaborative workspace

for graduate students. Please don’t interrupt them, they

are trying to graduate!

107—Computer Aided Design (CAD) Lab Open 24/7 for

students to access many different pieces of software as

well as a space to work on class projects.

124—Critchfield Mechanical Lab Home to Heating, Ven-

tilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVAC&R)

concentration, this space is also used for intro labs.

126—Engines Laboratory Engine performance, efficien-

cy, and combustion are analyzed here. The engine test

cell and dynamometer are used to study diesel, conven-

tional, and cutting-edge engine designs.

127—Donald E. Bently Center for Engineering Innova-

tion Research projects are conducted out of this lab.

132—ASME Student Chapter Office In addition to the

office, this room houses two 3D printers for student use.

203—Thermal Science Laboratory Students explore

heat transfer, thermodynamics, energy conversion, solar

power, and various measurement techniques here.

The Aero Hangar— Many student led clubs use this work-

shop to build and test their designs.

E N G I N E E R I N G

SEE MAP ABOVE FOR LAB LOCATIONS

Insert Flow Chart Here

Mission Statement

To impart knowledge in the art and science of mechanical engineering through a comprehensive curriculum true to the traditional Cal Poly learn-by-doing philosophy that produces mechanical engineers of high ethics and skill, fully prepared for entry into industry, government, graduate school, and private enterprise.

From the Faculty

We see our mission as to educate the best engineers for California, the country, and the world. Our students have a strong foundation in theory – many of them go on to gradu-ate schools - but the education we provide our students makes them sound, practicing engineers from the moment they graduate. In fact, our industrial partners tell us that they seek out our graduates because, in their words, “they hit the ground running.” How do we do it?

We offer one of the most practical, hands-on programs available. Our curriculum is laboratory-intensive: some 20 courses have required laboratories! We encourage our stu-dents to take internships and/or cooperative education op-portunities to get real industry experience. And in our year-long, capstone Senior Project course, students design, build, and test systems they develop for industry sponsors. And let’s not forget the facilities available to students, like 24-hour labs and student machine shops!

Above all, we have the most dedicated, student-focused faculty anywhere. Most of our faculty have spent years in industry, or have other significant industrial experience (what better way to learn engineering than to learn it from engineers?). And yet, our first love is to be educators. Labs and lectures are taught by our faculty; graduate TA’s are rare. Faculty are involved in our clubs and team projects. Finally, students have a rapport with professors that is hard to find elsewhere, with plentiful office hours and open doors. We know (most of) our students by name! We be-lieve that the reputation of our program is built on the ac-complishments of our students and alumni. Come visit us, and see what ME is all about!

ECHANICAL M Program Description

The profession of mechanical engineering is directed toward the design, manufacture, and system integration of a very wide variety of equipment ranging from manufacturing ma-chinery and power generation equipment to consumer goods. Of central concern to mechanical engineers is the sound application of basic principles of solid mechanics, fluid mechanics and thermal sciences in the design, manufacture, and application of this equipment.

Learn by Doing

The focus of the Cal Poly Mechanical Engineering program is on education based on our "learn by doing" educational phi-losophy. Thus, the curriculum includes a large number of hands-on laboratories, integration of design throughout, and a senior project requirement for all students. Students are enrolled in engineering laboratories in all years of the curric-ulum. Mechanical Engineering program accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET http://www.abet.org.

E N G I N E E R I N G

Mechanical Engineering Department

Building 13 Room 254

Office 805.756.1334 Fax 805.756.1137

www.me.calpoly.edu

Concentrations

General—students can choose from technical elective courses such as turbomachinery, robotics, mechatronics, composite materials, rotor dynamics, advanced mechan-ics, solar systems, internal combustion engines, heat and mass transfer, and courses emphasizing the petroleum, air conditioning, ventilating, and refrigeration industries.

Mechatronics—”intelligent” products, automation, ro-botics, hybrid vehicles, alternate energy

HVAC&R—heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and re-frigeration, with a focus on the design of mechanical sys-tems for commercial and industrial buildings

Manufacturing—blends design and manufacturing for modern product development companies

Associated Clubs

There are seven organized student clubs associated with the Mechanical Engineering Department. These are stu-dent chapters of the American Society of Mechanical En-gineers, Society of Petroleum Engineers, Society of Auto-motive Engineers, American Society of Heating, Refriger-ating and Air Conditioning Engineers, Alternative Energy Club, Robotics, and the Pi Tau Sigma honorary society. All of these clubs offer students active programs in profes-sional and leadership activities. Students are also involved in a variety of other clubs on campus.

Career Paths

Mechanical Engineering graduates obtain employment pri-marily with manufacturers, energy companies, consultants, and government agencies. Types of work performed by grad-uates include product design, mechanical design, testing, engineering management, engineering sales, design of man-ufacturing systems, and development of maintenance proce-dures. Mechanical Engineering graduates also often enhance their careers through graduate study in engineering, and some students also study engineering to build a scientific and technical foundation as a prelude to enrollment in medi-cal, law, and business schools.