Abstract:

The new Bologna’s degrees in Europe are organized in a credit system called ECTS, which take into account both lectures and homework activities. New technologies help us to overcome the challenges of this novel ECTS system. Simulations applied to engineering subjects is a way to improve the self-learning, and they can reduce the correction effort of the instructor. There are several applications to simulate engineering problems. This paper shows some learning activities that have been developed with “Algodoo”; a cheap easy to use application. This software can implement different mechanical elements: gears, rolling-pin, fixed-point, etc, and an enormous variety of 2-D mechanism can be modeled with them.

We propose learning activities for mechanic engineer students based on simulating via “Algodoo” commons mechanisms of machine tools (lathe, vertical drill or milling machine) like a gearbox, a velocities inverter, a guitar, etc. The students have to model the mechanism known its motor velocity. They also have to theoretically calculate the mechanism output velocity, and check this solution with the software one.

Keywords:

Computer simulation, machine tools teaching, engineering education.