Profiling the Desirable CAD Trainee: Technical Background, Personality Attributes, and Learning Preferences

2009 ◽  
Vol 131 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramsey F. Hamade

This research aims to explore some of the underlying reasoning for why some individuals acquire mechanical computer-aided design (CAD) skills with relative ease while some others seem to falter. A methodical study was performed by monitoring 74 mechanical engineering seniors (over a 3 year period) in a semester-long formal training on a commercial three-dimensional (3D) CAD package (PRO/ENGINEER, version WILDFIRE). The study methodically explored the trainees’ (1) technical background, (2) personality attributes, and (3) learning preferences. Investigating the technical background included quantifying the trainees’ following technical foundations: basic math, advanced math, CAD-related math, computer science and engineering, methodologies related to CAD, graphics, and mechanical design. Determining the trainees’ personality attributes included exploring their willingness-to-learn CAD, perception, gauging their actual behavior (practice), and CAD syntax learned throughout the training. Trainees’ learning preferences were determined according to the index of learning styles (ILS). Furthermore, and in order to assess the trainees’ progress in CAD knowledge acquisition, competency tests were conducted at four intervals throughout the semester-long study. The assessment involved hands-on modeling of CAD test parts of comparable complexity. At the conclusion of the study, statistical methods were used to correlate the trainees’ attributes with their monitored performance. Only a fraction (17 out of a class of 74 trainees or 1 in 4) of the trainees were found to fit the “star CAD trainee” mold, which is defined here as someone who is fast on the tube and perceptive enough to see through the procedure of building progressively more sophisticated CAD models. A profile of the star CAD trainee character emerges as an individual who is technically competent, perceptive, and motivated. The study also reveals these most desirable trainees to possess an active, sensor, visual, and sequential learning style.

Author(s):  
R. F. Hamade

Having observed mechanical engineering seniors at the American University of Beirut (AUB) go about learning computer-aided design (CAD) in a formal setting, the instructors always wondered why some students acquire CAD skills with relative ease while some others seem to struggle. For this reason, a methodical study was launched in order to address this issue. Hence, and in order to “study the students as they learn” was accomplished by following 74 mechanical engineering seniors (it took three academic years including AY 2008–09 in order to have access to this relatively large number of trainees) as they went through a semester-long formal training on a commercial computer-aided design (CAD) package (Pro/Engineer, version Wildfire). The study methodically explored the trainees’: (1) technical background, (2) behavioral attributes (willingness-to-learn), and their (3) learning preferences. Investigating the technical background included quantifying the trainees’ relevant technical competencies specifically: basic math foundation, advanced math foundation, CAD-related mathematical foundation, computer science and engineering foundation, methodologies related to CAD, graphics foundation, and mechanical design foundation. Determining the trainees’ behavioral attributes included exploring their initial attitude towards learning of CAD, perception and imagination, and gauging their actual behavior (practice and CAD skills learned) throughout the training. Trainees’ learning styles were determined according to the index of learning styles, ILS [1]. Furthermore, and in order to assess the trainees’ progress in CAD knowledge acquisition, competency tests were conducted at four intervals throughout the semester-long study (2, 4, 7, and 12 weeks). The assessment involved hands-on building of CAD test parts of comparable complexity. At the conclusion of the study, statistical methods were used to correlate the trainees’ attributes with their monitored performance. Only a fraction (17 out of a class of 74 trainees or about one in four) of the trainees were found to fit the “star CAD trainee” mold which was defined in this study as someone who is fast on the tube as well as perceptive enough to be see through the procedure of building progressively more sophisticated CAD models. A profile of this “star CAD trainee” character emerges as an individual who is technically competent and perceptive, with personal drive and positive attitude, and who possesses active, sensor, sequential and visualizing learning styles.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 145
Author(s):  
Nenad Bojcetic ◽  
Filip Valjak ◽  
Dragan Zezelj ◽  
Tomislav Martinec

The article describes an attempt to address the automatized evaluation of student three-dimensional (3D) computer-aided design (CAD) models. The driving idea was conceptualized under the restraints of the COVID pandemic, driven by the problem of evaluating a large number of student 3D CAD models. The described computer solution can be implemented using any CAD computer application that supports customization. Test cases showed that the proposed solution was valid and could be used to evaluate many students’ 3D CAD models. The computer solution can also be used to help students to better understand how to create a 3D CAD model, thereby complying with the requirements of particular teachers.


2009 ◽  
Vol 131 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Li ◽  
Y. F. Zhang ◽  
J. Y. H. Fuh ◽  
Z. M. Qiu

In product design, a large proportion of three-dimensional (3D) computer-aided design (CAD) models can be reused to facilitate future product development due to their similarities in function and shape. This paper presents a novel method that incorporates modeling knowledge into CAD model similarity assessment to improve the effectiveness of reuse-oriented retrieval. First, knowledge extraction is performed on archived feature-based CAD models to construct feature dependency directed acyclic graph (FDAG). Second, based on the FDAG subgraph decomposition, two useful component partitioning approaches are developed to extract simplified essential shapes and meaningful subparts from CAD models. Third, the extracted shapes and their FDAG subgraphs are indexed. Finally, the indexed shapes that are similar to user-sketched queries are retrieved to reuse, and FDAG information of the retrieved shapes is provided as redesign suggestions. Experimental results suggest that the incorporation of modeling knowledge greatly facilitates CAD model retrieval and reuse. Algorithm evaluations also show the presented method outperforms other 3D retrieval methods.


Author(s):  
Shaw C. Feng ◽  
Yan Lu ◽  
Albert T. Jones

Abstract The number and types of measurement devices used for monitoring and controlling Laser-Based Powder Bed Fusion of Metals (PBF-LB/M) processes and inspecting the resulting AM metal parts have increased rapidly in recent years. The variety of the data collected by such devices has increased, and the veracity of the data has decreased simultaneously. Each measurement device generates data in a unique coordinate system and in a unique data type. Data alignment, however, is required before 1) monitoring and controlling PBF-LB/M processes, 2) predicting the material properties of the final part, and 3) qualifying the resulting AM parts can be done. Aligned means all data must be transformed into a single coordinate system. In this paper, we describe a new, general data-alignment procedure and an example based on PBF-LB/M processes. The specific data objects used in this example include in-situ photogrammetry, thermography, ex-situ X-ray computed tomography (XCT), coordinate metrology, and computer-aided design (CAD) models. We propose a data-alignment procedure to align the data from melt pool images, scan paths, layer images, XCT three-dimensional (3D) model, coordinate measurements, and the 3D CAD model.


Author(s):  
Cong Hong Phong Nguyen ◽  
Young Choi

The lightweight representation of three-dimensional computer-aided design (3D CAD) models has drawn much attention from researchers as its usefulness in collaborative product development is vast. Existing approaches are mostly based on feature depression or mesh-based simplification. In this article, a new approach for 3D CAD lightweight representation based on combining triangular mesh representation and boundary representation (B-rep) is proposed. The corresponding data structure as well as the conversion method from original data given in B-rep was developed. Considered as an essential application in collaborative product development, a case study on the visualization process of large-scale assembly models represented in the proposed lightweight representation was also conducted. The validation of the approach was performed via experiments with 3D CAD models in SAT format and by benchmarking with the conventional all-faceted approach with the same level of mesh resolution.


Author(s):  
Soonjo Kwon ◽  
Byung Chul Kim ◽  
Duhwan Mun ◽  
Soonhung Han

The required level of detail (LOD) of a three-dimensional computer-aided design (3D CAD) model differs according to its purpose. It is therefore important that users are able to simplify a highly complex 3D CAD model and create a low-complexity one. The simplification of a 3D CAD model requires the application of a simplification operation and evaluation metrics for the geometric elements of the 3D CAD model. The evaluation metrics are used to select those elements that should be removed. The simplification operation removes selected elements in order to simplify the 3D CAD model. In this paper, we propose the graph-based simplification of feature-based 3D CAD models using a method that preserves connectivity. First, new evaluation metrics that consider the discrimination priority among several simplification criteria are proposed. Second, a graph-based refined simplification operation that prevents the separation of a feature-based 3D CAD model into multiple volumes is proposed. Finally, we verify the proposed method by implementing a prototype system and performing simplification experiments using feature-based 3D CAD models.


Inventions ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 30
Author(s):  
Giampiero Donnici ◽  
Leonardo Frizziero ◽  
Alfredo Liverani ◽  
Giulio Buscaroli ◽  
Luna Raimondo ◽  
...  

In this work, a structured design method, the Stylistic Design Engineering (SDE), is applied for the construction of a new minivan car, in particular a new city car, which we will call FIAT 600 Omega. The SDE, or Stylistic Design Engineering, is a structured engineering method for carrying out automotive design projects. The SDE method consists of six different phases: (1) Analysis of stylistic trends; (2) Sketches; (3) 2D Computer Aided Design (CAD) drawings; (4) 3D CAD models; (5) Rendering; (6) Solid stylistic model (also called style maquette). This project deals with the external redesign of the Fiat 600 multiple, a small minivan which was very successful in the 1950s and 1960s. SDE is a methodology consisting of various technologies and design methodologies that will be further explained in detail, such as the Pininfarina method, the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) method, Benchmarking (BM), and Top Flop Analysis (TPA). The work was organized according to the different phases. Initially, the Fiat style was studied, in particular the style of the FIAT 600 MULTI PURPOUSE VEHICLE (MPV). This step is essential to better understand the characteristics of the brand and also the main characteristics carried out over the decades. Then we moved on to the freehand sketching phase, based on what we learned in the previous phase of the study. When a satisfactory shape was found for the new car, by analyzing and discarding the different proposals of the various types of style, we proceeded to the evaluation of the proportions and dimensions through two-dimensional drawings and finally we obtained the three-dimensional shape of the new car thanks to 3D CAD software and rendering software. Many advantages in the industrial world SDE takes together with its development. In fact, until the early 2000s, car design and styling was considered quite a craft activity, not a technical or scientific one, mostly based on the great capability of famous car designers and masters, just like Giugiaro, Zagato, Bertone, Pininfarina, Stephenson, Bangle, etc. Then, thanks to the industrial activity of Eng. Lorenzo Ramacciotti, former CEO of Pininfarina Spa and Mechanical Engineer, and also thanks to the academic studies developed at ALMA MATER STUDIORUM University of Bologna, SDE became the object of attention, because it is able to systematize the car design process and reduce costs. With SDE, a good design research or an industrial product development team can complete a car design project, also without the presence of a mentor. Car Design Process finally becomes with SDE a scientific method; Car Design becomes with SDE an industrial method. Industrial needs are nice products made in a short time; SDE is structured to attend these issues. Industrial challenges follow innovation, in shape and functionality; SDE is able to recognize innovation. Industrial benefits can be reached with SDE, ensuring beautiful aesthetic projects are realized systematically and with low costs.


2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 803-806 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mert Gürgen ◽  
Cenk Eryılmaz ◽  
Vasfi Emre Ömürlü

This article describes a sophisticated determination and presentation of a workspace volume for a delta robot, with consideration of its kinematic behavior. With the help of theoretical equations, optimization is performed with the aid of the stiffness and dexterity analysis. Theoretical substructure is coded in Matlab and three-dimensional (3D) data for delta robot are developed in computer-aided design (CAD) environment. In later stages of the project, both 3D and theoretical data are linked together and thus, with the changing design parameter of the robot itself, the Solidworks CAD output adapts and regenerates output with a new set of parameters. To achieve an optimum workspace volume with predefined parameters, a different set of robot parameters are iterated through design optimization in Matlab, and the delta robot design is finalized and illustrated in the 3D CAD environment, Solidworks. This study provides a technical solution to accomplish a generic delta robot with optimized workspace volume.


2020 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 339-354
Author(s):  
Guilherme Luz Tortorella ◽  
Rogério Miorando ◽  
Diego Fettermann ◽  
Diego Tlapa Mendoza

PurposeThis article identifies the association between two methods for teaching lean manufacturing (LM): problem-based learning (PBL) and classroom lectures, and students' learning styles of a postgraduate course.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from graduate students LM courses that present different teaching approaches. Thus, students' learning preferences were gathered through the application of the Index of Learning Style questionnaire, and their performance assessed after each course.FindingsResults indicate that learning styles are indeed associated with LM teaching approaches, and comprehending interaction effects between learning style dimensions is essential for properly adapting the teaching method. However, these interactions have different extensions.Originality/valueAlthough teaching LM has significantly evolved over the past decades, the single application of traditional teaching methods jeopardizes learning effectiveness of graduate students because of the practical nature of LM. This study provides evidence to better understand the effect of complementary teaching methods and their relationship with students' preferences, empirically examining that there is not one best approach for understanding LM.


2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (10) ◽  
pp. 869-877 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel B. Dadi ◽  
Timothy R.B. Taylor ◽  
Paul M. Goodrum ◽  
William F. Maloney

Engineering information delivery can be a source of inefficient communication of design, leading to construction rework and lower worker morale. Due to errors, omissions, and misinterpretations, there remains a great opportunity to improve the traditional documentation of engineering information that craft professionals use to complete their work. Historically, physical three dimensional (3D) models built by hand provided 3D physical representations of the project to assist in sequencing, visualization, and planning of critical construction activities. This practice has greatly diminished since the adoption of 3D computer-aided design (CAD) and building information modeling technologies. Recently, additive manufacturing (a.k.a. 3D printing) technologies have allowed for three dimensional printing of 3D CAD models. A cognitive experiment was established to measure the effectiveness of 2D drawings, a 3D computer model, and a 3D printed model in delivering engineering information to an end-user are scientifically measured. The 3D printed model outperformed the 2D drawings and 3D computer interface in productivity measures. This paper’s primary contribution to the body of knowledge is identification of how different mediums of engineering information influence the performance of a simple task execution.


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