Course Meeting Times
Lectures: 2 sessions / week, 1.5 hours / session
Textbook
Whitney, Daniel E. Mechanical Assemblies: Their Design, Manufacture, and Role in Product Development. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2004. ISBN: 9780195157826.
Course Goals
While much is written about the design and manufacture of individual parts, there is surprisingly little information about how those parts go together into a product that actually does something. This course addresses the following question: What is a competently designed assembly, and how would we know one if we saw one? Specific objectives for students include:
- Understand a systematic approach to analyzing assembly problems.
- Appreciate the many ways assembly influences product development and manufacturing.
- See a complete approach that includes technology, systems engineering, and economic analysis.
- Get a feeling for what is technologically feasible.
- Practice the systematic process on a semester-long project of your own.
Prerequisites
2.008
Course Mechanics
- Class lectures and discussions
- Readings for each class session
- A project to be done in phases during the term
- Homework
- 6 project reports ~ 2 weeks apart
- 4 problem sets
- A mid-term and a final project presentation
- No quizzes or final exam
Grading
| ACTIVITIES | PERCENTAGES |
|---|---|
| Homework | 1/3 |
| Project Report | 1/3 |
| Midterm and Final Presentations | 1/3 |
