Abstract:

The Department of Technical Systems Design and Monitoring of the Faculty of Manufacturing Technologies of the Technical University in Košice (Slovakia) is focused on teaching basic and applied engineering knowledge and skills. Students are developing the ability to correctly identify various technical problems and to find their effective solutions. The basic department accessories includes specialised laboratories, which play a key role in teaching technical subjects. In the course of the year 2019, all laboratories, measuring stations and individual measurements carried out during the teaching process were subjected to a thorough analysis. Their up-to-dateness, material, software and spatial conditions were assessed. A concept of innovation of specialized laboratories at the department was developed based on the actual trends in the field of design and diagnostics of technical equipment and in accordance with the introduction of new forms and methods into teaching. Computer laboratories designed to teach computer-aided activities in the design process were equipped with new technology and current versions of CAD/CAM/CAE software. In February 2020, the Center for Testing and Monitoring of Technical Systems was launched. In the new, generously renovated premises, test stations are concentrated. Test stations allows to demonstrate and verify various theoretical knowledge or to compare the results of solving the problem of measuring and analysing systems and processes in laboratory conditions and also in operating conditions. For simple, but effective and already verified measurements in the educational process, older stands were innovated, such as stand for the strut-frame axial forces measurements, stand for the springs stiffness measurements, stand for bolts axial forces measuerements, stand to measure shearing pins and rivets, etc.. All were modified and supplemented with monitors for displaying measured data and measuring technology with the possibility of electronic data processing. Two new test stations were installed to simulate operating conditions and methods of monitoring and diagnostics of technical equipment. The laboratory also includes a small production workshop equipped with a lathe, milling machine, drill and grinder. The workshop is designed to demonstrate the basic technological procedures in teaching of manufacturing technology basics and the creation of technical drawings. In addition to supporting the educational process, the new laboratory also has an important role in the department research activities.

Keywords:

Innovation, laboratory, technical measurements, teaching support.