Abstract:

This work approaches a Project Based Learning (PBL) methodology focused on developing the interrelationship between theoretical and practical knowledge. This is applied to Industrial Engineering students with regard to the subject “Fundamentals of Theory of Machines and Mechanisms”. Current labor market requires engineers to stay up-to-date steadily. Thus it is a duty of faculties to provide students with the necessary tools to successfully develop their future tasks. This PBL methodology is grounded in three main points, including theoretical knowledge, its direct application to real cases and the final computer assisted implementation for its subsequent design stage. This subject concerns main topics as fundamentals of machines, position, speed, acceleration or dynamical analysis of mechanisms. This also complementary includes topics about gear and power transmission systems and mechanisms, balance mass systems and cam mechanisms. The methodology approaches the selection of a mechanism from the available list that contains different real mechanisms and the development of various tasks separated by stages, such as the study and analysis of the work performed by the selected mechanism, its schematic and geometric definition and design, and the creation of a 3D Computer Assisted Design (CAD) model. Supplementary, students have to include real implementation of additional mechanisms and systems used during practices. Following this project, students analyse, study and redesign the selected mechanism fulfilling a complete mechanical design process.

Keywords:

3D design, mechanisms, engineering degrees.