MECH 281 - Product Realization Capstone Project

4 Credits: (2 lecture, 3 lab)

Course Description
This project-based course integrates the many activities associated with the product realization process. Students will apply the coursework, knowledge, skills, and experiential learning from previous courses as members of a multidisciplinary design development team. Teams will use technical communication to plan, execute, document, and present a comprehensive design project.

Note Spring semester only.

Prerequisite The student must have completed the courses in the first three semesters of the Manufacturing with Advanced Technology, the Engineering Technology with CADD or the Applied Industrial Technology A.A.S. Degree program. Student may also be admitted by permission of the instructor.

Text
Yarnoff, C., Anderson J., Benjamin, S., Bourgeois, M., Carmichael, K., Herrick, J., … Wood, D. (2013). Design thinking and communication. Northwestern University.

Objectives
The student will be able to:

A. Describe stages of product design.

B. Create a project plan that identifies critical tasks.

C. Develop a product performance specification.

D. Evaluate product design and manufacturing alternatives.

E. Manage the technical data package for design.

F. Generate a documented manufacturing/quality plan.

G. Fabricate product prototypes for presentation.

H. Apply team-based tools and techniques.

Content
A. Product realization standards and guidelines.

B. Design teams and concurrent engineering tools.

C. Product design specifications and development using conceptual design tools.

D. Project management tools, including work breakdown structures, Gantt and PERT charts, critical path analysis, and project control software.

E. Design for reliability, manufacturing, and assembly.

F. Engineering documentation and product data management.

G. Rapid prototyping and manufacturing process planning.

H. Technical communication tools.

I. Engineering ethics and intellectual property.

J. Final project report and oral presentation.

Student Evaluation
The objectives will be evaluated as follows: A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H will be evaluated using class/team participation, oral and written assignments, examinations, and final project presentation and written report. Participation in the final project and presentation are mandatory.