Even though engineering outreach to K-12 schools initially seemed to be a simple undertaking, it proved to require complex design solutions related to a variety of issues. The purpose of this design case is to tell the story of our National Science Foundation (NSF) supported engineering outreach project, that took place between the years of…

The first chapter provides an overview of the popular systems for distance learning. In the second chapter, a review of all major social and economic activities in order to improve the system of virtual learning is given. The third chapter deals with the influence of technology in the management of educational institutions. The fourth chapter…

The ability to print a 3-D object may sound like science fiction, but it has been around in some form since the 1980s. Also called rapid prototyping or additive manufacturing, the idea is to take a design from a computer file and forge it into an object, often in flat cross-sections that can be assembled into a larger whole. While the printer on…

Spatial visualization is a fundamental skill in technical graphics and engineering designs. From conventional multiview drawing to modern solid modeling using computer-aided design, visualization skills have always been essential for representing three-dimensional objects and assemblies. Researchers have developed various types of tests to measure…

An innovative concept of an electronic learning system has been established in an attempt to achieve a technology that provides engineering students with an instructive and affordable framework for learning engineering-related courses. This system utilizes an existing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) package, Active Server Pages programming,…

Over the past decade the software products available for solid modeling, dynamic, stress, thermal, and flow analysis, and computer-aiding manufacturing (CAM) have become more powerful, affordable, and easier to use. At the same time it has become increasingly important for students to gain concurrent engineering design and systems integration…

Cubic symmetry is used to build the other four Platonic solids and some formalism from classical geometry is introduced. Initially, the approach is via geometric construction, e.g., the "golden ratio" is necessary to construct an icosahedron with pentagonal faces. Then conventional elementary vector algebra is used to extract quantitative…

To evaluate the use of computer graphics for illustrating kinematics in an undergraduate course, a student project of mechanism simulation and analysis was carried out using a recently acquired workstation. This project is described. (JN)

Described is an inexpensive apparatus, consisting of a microcomputer, a magnetostrictive digitizing tablet, and a teletype terminal, that accurately and quickly measures positions, lengths, and areas. Particular emphasis is given to interfacing, software, and to some applications in education and research of this minimum configuration system.…

A computer program which allows the solution of a Monte Carlo simulation (probabilistic sensitivity analysis) has been developed for the Vic-20 microcomputer. Theory of Monte Carlo simulation, program capabilities and operation, and sample calculations are discussed. Student comments on the program are included. (JN)

Describes development of an interactive computer graphics program for use in teaching digital signal processing. The program allows students to interactively configure digital systems on a monitor display and observe their system's performance by means of digital plots on the system's outputs. A sample program run is included. (JN)

Presents algorithms for the simulation and motion display of the three basic kinematic devices: (1) four bar linkages; (2) the slider crank; and (3) the inverted slider crank mechanisms. The algorithms were implemented on a Commodore-VIC 20 microcomputer system with 6500 bytes of available memory. (Author/JN)

Describes modifications made to expand the capabilities of a display unit (Lear Siegler ADM-3A) to include medium resolution graphics. The modifying circuitry is detailed along with software subroutined written in Z-80 machine language for controlling the video display. (JN)

Describes phenomena that can be effectively illustrated using microcomputers, techniques used to create these illustrations, and techniques used for displaying them in regular classrooms and over an instructional television network. Also describes microcomputer features required to apply the techniques, providing comments on the suitability of…

Describes a computer program which allows students to specify rather arbitrary sets of poles and zeros for the transfer function of a linear system. The computer evaluates/plots the systems impulse and step responses individually and displays them in reduced form along with the pole-zero plot. (JN)