Students in this course will learn about advanced topics within mechanical engineering through experiment. Students will conduct experiments on the visualization and velocity measurements of Karman vortex street, the Vapor Compression Refrigerating Machine, characteristics of non-linear vibrating system and self-excited system, the microstructure and mechanical properties of heat-treated steels, and the motion control of a robot arm mechanism
The main aim of this course is both to deepen students' understanding of mechanical engineering and improve critical thinking skills, practical skills, and problem-solving skills by conducting progressive experiments in mechanical engineering. In addition, students will learn data collection, processing, and organization methods, observation methods, and how to write reports through these experiments.
Students will acquire the following skills from taking this course.
1) Skills for explaining developmental aspects of mechanical engineering that cannot be learned just from classroom lectures
2) How to run experiments on advanced topics in mechanical engineering
3) Critical thinking skills, practical skills, and problem-solving skills
Heat treatment, Vapor Compression Refrigerating Machine, Nonlinear vibration, Self-excited vibration, Kinematics, Dynamics, Control engineering, Response analysis
✔ Specialist skills | Intercultural skills | ✔ Communication skills | ✔ Critical thinking skills | ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
At orientation in the first class, students will be explained about the frame of mind and suggestions for this course, as well as composition guidelines for experiment reports. Then students will be divided into few groups, and each research topic will be worked through sequentially. Reports must be submitted by the deadline. In addition, students are required to carefully read the experiment text in advance to ensure experiments are run safely and smoothly.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Orientation | Students will gain an understanding of course description and aims, methods for conducting experiments, and how to write reports. |
Class 2 | Microstructures and mechanical properties of heat-treated steels | Learning relationships between microstructures and mechanical properties of heat-treated steels. |
Class 3 | Plastic injection molding and mechanical properties | Understanding of mechanical properties of dumbbell-shaped tensile test piece, which is prepared using an injection molding machine. |
Class 4 | Experiments on Vapor Compression Refrigerating Machine | Understanding of the vapor compression refrigeration cycle, which is the basis of refrigerators and air conditioners, and to understand the internal structure of air conditioners and evaluate their performance using actual commercial air conditioners. |
Class 5 | Characteristics of non-linear vibrating system and self-excited system | Understanding the characteristics of non-linear vibration phenomena and self-excited vibration phenomena |
Class 6 | Analysis and motion control of a robot arm mechanism | Understanding of kinematic analysis scheme of a 6-DOF serial robotic arm mechanism, and implementation of motion control and fail-safe mechanism through experiencing the operation of commercially available industrial robotic arm |
Class 7 | Measurement using a micrometer and drafting of fitting parts | Understanding how to measure machining results, which is important when manufacturing parts |
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend a certain length of time outside of class on preparation and review (including for assignments), as specified by the Tokyo Institute of Technology Rules on Undergraduate Learning (東京工業大学学修規程) and the Tokyo Institute of Technology Rules on Graduate Learning (東京工業大学大学院学修規程), for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Experiment text is distributed by the instructor.
None
Students are required to attend all classes and perform all experiments and to submit all reports. Students will be comprehensively evaluated on the content of experiment reports.
Students are required to have successfully completed Basic Experiments for Mechanical Engineering (MEC.P211.A) or have equivalent knowledge.
The number of registering students will be limited because of experimental apparatus and safety reasons.