TOKYO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Course description and aims

Creative flair is an essential quality for scientists and engineers to bring forth new technologies and inventions. This course is designed to give students a practical opportunity to develop their creative and technological skills as well as to work with their hands. “Monotsukuri” is a commonly used term in Japanese, and its meaning is close to “craft and design” in English. This is a two-week intensive course (in fiscal year of 2020, it will be held in February or March 2021) offered by the Collaboration Center for Design and Manufacturing. Students work in groups of three to five to carry out a project concerned with the design and fabrication of a Stirling engine and an electronic tachometer. Through lectures and workshop experience, the course enables students to understand and acquire fundamental skills necessary to operate basic mechanical and electrical tools and equipment. Additionally, a group presentation given at the end of the course enables students to develop communication skills.

This course familiarizes students with the basic process of designing and fabricating a product and its components, while working as a member of a project group. Through carrying out the project, the students will not only experience the satisfaction of solving practical problems, but will gain an overall understanding of the stages involved in project management (i.e., planning, scheduling, and control). The course also encourages students to develop critical thinking and communication skills.

Student learning outcomes

By the end of this course, students will:
1. Have acquired fundamental skills of machining
2. Be able to write simple programs for microcomputers and will have acquired fundamental skills to operate basic electrical tools
3. Have gained experience in project management involving planning, scheduling, and control
4. Have developed communication and presentation skills

Keywords

Monotsukuri, Craft and design, Stirling engine, Electronic tachometer, Machining, Electronic work, Group work

Competencies that will be developed

Class flow

Those who wish to take this course will register as 4Q course. If the number of applicants exceeds the capacity, students may be decided by lot. At the beginning of the course, lectures on the course objectives, workshop safety, and principles of the Stirling engine and electronic tachometer are given. Students then get to work on the project - making a Stirling engine and an electronic tachometer - in groups of three to five. At the end of the course, students give a presentation on their achievements.

Course schedule/Required learning

Textbook(s)

None required.

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Instruction manuals and course materials are provided during class.

Assessment criteria and methods

The levels of attainment of student learning outcomes 1–3 (machining skills, electronic work skills, and quality of the final products): 80%
The level of attainment of student learning outcome 4 (presentation skills, presentation materials, and performance in the question and answer session): 20%

Related courses

• LAS.F101 ： Frontiers of science and technology
• Processes for creation in science and technology
• Academic Group Basic Science

Prerequisites (i.e., required knowledge, skills, courses, etc.)

None.

Other

This is a two-week intensive course (in February or March in 2021, except Saturday and Sunday). Since the major part of this course involves workshop-based group work, students are required to attend all classes.
Course guidance will be held in December.
The number of students in this course may be limited.