Practical Engineering Workshops
Introduction
I had approached the Westport Public Library to volunteer my services after hearing a great deal about their “Maker” and tech initiatives. The mission of my workshops that were ultimately launched from this discussion was to not only provide exposure and comprehension of professional grade computer aided design (CAD) software – SolidWorks – and design principles, but to establish a base of interest and knowledge in essential engineering topics to support later workshops. The workshop was successful in drawing in students of all ages and there was a several fold increase in demand for more such workshops.
Expanding the program would be of great value to the community by honing the wealth of hobbyist and maker enthusiasm into a more effective engineering presence. For example, the majority of the students in my original engineering design workshops were involved with or were looking to be involved with a robotics team. A program like the one proposed below gives those seeking placement on a team confidence in contributing while those already competing will be able to graduate from duct tape and WD-40 holding their designs together and keeping them moving to the decidedly favorable custom-machined housings and ball bearings available to the engineering savvy. While nothing can replace experiential background, particularly in applied engineering, CAD software literacy and a proficient rooting in engineering principles provide a base for the practical realization of the designs of students.
Workshop I: Engineering Design 101 | 5 sessions, 2 hours each
Separating the program into two workshops allows for a higher degree of tailoring the material to the topical understanding of the audience. The 101 workshop is for those that have had little to no exposure to an organized design or engineering experience. The overarching design principles of engineering would be abstracted and problem-solving methodologies explored interactively. The basics of SolidWorks, a professional grade CAD program, would be taught through guided tutorial, including nomenclature, shortcuts, and essential functions for building virtually in 3D. A tour of an operational machine shop would reinforce conceptual topics introduced in the classroom. Students completing 101 are expected to have competency in realizing their ideas in a CAD environment.
Workshop II: Engineering Design 202 | 5 sessions, 2 hours each
The 202 workshop is for those that have already taken the 101 workshop or are otherwise familiar with the topics covered in 101. 202 will flesh out the students’ SolidWorks knowledgebase with advanced functions and enable the student to order professional-grade custom parts from a machine shop by producing engineering drawings from their design. Academic topics will include professional standards for engineering drawings, considerations for materials selection, and machining principles. A working relationship with a local machine shop would be established to bring a class project to life. Students completing 202 are expected to have competency in taking CAD designs that are firmly rooted in engineering principles and translating them into legible engineering drawings.
