Abstract:

One of main challenges of the university educational system is to evolve with the new technologies and include them in its teaching methodologies to become more engaging. 3D printing is among others one of the most important technologies appeared recently than can be useful for both educational and industrial applications. The main strength of this technique is its ability of manufacturing complex designs of structural elements. The structure analysis is traditionally performed using analytical or numerical methodologies, but the use of experimental techniques is generally avoided due to the difficulties related to the manufacturing and the testing cost. Nevertheless, this drawback can be avoided with the use of 3D printing technology that can handle with complex geometry in an affordable way. Therefore, in this work, the acquisition of competences has been encouraged incorporating the experimental analysis to the analytical and numerical methodologies used in the subject. Particularly, 3D printing technology has been used to manufacture the structural elements studied in the subject “Aerospace structures” that are analysed experimentally afterwards.

“Aerospace structure” belongs to the 5th semester of Aerospace Engineering degree of Carlos III University of Madrid. The subject covers the strength analysis of the types of structures that can appear in the aerospace industrial sector; in this case thin walled beam (wing, stiffeners) or thin plates (fuselage, wing skin panels). In this work, it is proposed to the group of students (max. 3) the design and manufacturing of a thin walled beam. The manufacturing is carried out using 3D printers and finally the beam is tested in the laboratory with a selected loading condition. Student participation is voluntary, but it is encouraged giving the possibility to obtain a maximum of 1 point in the final mark for doing the work. Previously to the manufacturing of the design beam, the student groups have to perform a numerical or analytical study, which will be validated with the experimental test. The student group can choose freely the design of the beam, accomplishing some geometrical requirements. The final purpose is to be able to explain the behaviour of the beam, using the previous calculations and showing the experimental results. This has to be explained to the rest of the class promoting the collaborative learning. The final mark in this work depends on the aforementioned presentation of the results.

Finally, it has been done an analysis of the proposed work based on the learning enhancement. According to the student surveys, it can be seen that the evaluation of the teaching process and the subject is higher than the average in the degree, 4,37 compared to 3,62 and 3,90 compared to 3,75 respectively. This could be a good indicator that the proposed work enhances the learning process of the present subject. Moreover, it has been acquired an improvement in the technological skills with the use of 3D printing technology and CAD software for the student. The present activity encouraged the student creativity and capacity for individual critical analysis. In addition it has been promoted both the collaborative learning and the team working skills.

Keywords:

Technological enhanced learning, 3D printing, aerospace structure, collaborative learning, engineering.