Abstract:

Designing manufacturing systems is a complex task that challenges both the neophyte and experienced industrial and/or manufacturing engineers. One of the main reasons for this anomaly is lack of an appropriate level of manufacturing systems design experience in manufacturing systems engineering and related curricula. In this paper we share our experiences with industrial engineering students at Qatar University where we have introduced a project-based instruction strategy in design related courses. This strategy aims at introducing an appropriate level of manufacturing systems design experience in an exciting manner that creates enthusiasm for learning how to design manufacturing systems. Firstly we highlight issues that may be faced by both neophyte and experienced industrial engineers when challenged to design systems in the real world of industrial engineering. This is followed by a summary of how we have tried to address such issues by introducing project-based instruction methods in undergraduate courses in industrial and systems engineering program at Qatar University. We also present results on course surveys and evaluations for the design related courses in the current curriculum. Finally we highlight the benefits and advantages of the project based instruction strategy with specific reference to the outcomes of a capstone course in manufacturing systems design.

Keywords:

project-based instruction, manufacturing systems, manufacturing systems design, design process, product disection, living factory, product design.