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Educational Outreach

Prototype/Machine Lab

Learning Outcomes 

Students will have a greater understanding and appreciation of the machines and manufacturing processes used in the engineering design process for mechanical engineering and will understand the academic and industrial fields within which these tools are used.  Students will be able to discuss manufacturing techniques and determine how household items would be made using the tools in the videos. 

Materials 

  • Access to the Video in the “Machine Lab Overview” Video Series
  • Paper and Pen to take notes (optional)
  • Access to a mechanical lab with similar equipment (optional)

How It Works

Hands-on learning inside industry-quality laboratories is essential for academic success and experience in a real-world environment.  The Mechanical laboratory gives students the opportunity to test their big ideas on the same advanced equipment used in leading industrial and corporate environments. When students have the freedom to test their skills, theories, and imagination, we all win.  Students who work in the Prototype Lab/Machine Shop transform their CAD-modeled designs into functional prototypes in this lab. With heavy machinery and knowledgeable supervision, initial prototypes produced by 3D printers are replaced by wood and metal creations, and ideas are replaced by tactile reality. 

Activity 

  1. Students will watch the video series
  2. After viewing the videos, students can discuss the manufacturing processes enabled with the specified tools and how it can be used.
  3. Students can also plan and design a household item to create using mechanical laboratory equipment (optional)

Prototype/Machine Laboratory Series

machine lab

machine lab

machine lab

machine lab

machine lab

Assessment

        1. Describe three manufacturing techniques.
        2. Identify a household material you can make with each of the four machines form the video series.
        3. Connect three careers that use the equipment in the videos viewed.