Roles and Observations of a Graduate Design Coach

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lance M. Powers ◽  
Joshua D. Summers
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Project Manager ◽  
Design Tool ◽  
Project Teams ◽  
Design Team ◽  
Senior Design ◽  
Design Students ◽  
Low Volume ◽  
Teacher Design ◽  
Plastic Injection

This paper discusses the roles that a graduate student coach experienced while working with an undergraduate design team in the development of a low, cost, low volume plastic injection modeling machine. Identified roles include: design tool teacher, design reviewer, project manager, and customer. A critique of the roles, including times spent in each role, is provided. This experience created generally higher satisfaction among the students and among the customers than had been previously seen in similar projects. Based upon this experience, it is justified to consider incorporating graduate design students as design coaches in senior design project teams.

Otta Seals and Gravseals as Low-Cost Surfacing Alternatives for Low-Volume Roads: Experiences in South Africa

2003 ◽  
Vol 1819 (1) ◽  
pp. 338-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Oloo ◽  
Rob Lindsay ◽  
Sam Mothilal
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Low Volume Roads ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Traffic Volumes ◽  
Low Volume ◽  
To Come

The geology of the northeastern part of the province of KwaZulu–Natal, South Africa, is predominantly alluvial with vast deposits of sands. Suitable gravel sources are hard to come by, which results in high graveling and regraveling costs brought about by long haul distances and accelerated gravel loss. Most gravel roads carry fewer than 500 vehicles per day of which less than 10% are heavy vehicles. The high cost of regraveling has led to consideration of upgrading such roads to surfaced standard, even though traffic volumes do not justify upgrading. Traditional chip seals are expensive and cannot be economically justified on roads that carry fewer than 500 vehicles per day. The KwaZulu–Natal Department of Transport is actively involved in efforts to identify cost-effective alternative surfacing products for low-volume roads. Field trials were conducted with Otta seals and Gravseals, which have been used successfully in other countries, as low-cost surfacing products for low-volume roads. The Otta seal is formed by placing graded aggregates on a relatively thick film of soft binder that, because of traffic and rolling, works its way through the aggregates. Gravseal consists of a special semipriming rubberized binder that is covered by a graded aggregate. Both Otta seals and Gravseals provide relatively flexible bituminous surfaces suitable for low-volume roads. Cost savings are derived mainly from the broad aggregate specifications, which allow for the use of marginal materials.

Design and Optimization of Multi-Stage Centrifugal Compressors With Uncertainty Quantification of Off Design Performance

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Romei ◽  
R. Maffulli ◽  
C. Garcia Sanchez ◽  
S. Lavagnoli
Keyword(s):  
Uncertainty Quantification ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Design Procedure ◽  
Design Tool ◽  
Test Case ◽  
Centrifugal Compressors ◽  
Design Performance ◽  
Leading Role ◽  
Multi Stage

The use of multi-stage centrifugal compressors carries out a leading role in oil and gas process applications. Green operation and market competitiveness require the use of low-cost reliable compression units with high efficiencies and wide operating range. A methodology is presented for the design optimization of multi-stage centrifugal compressors with prediction of the compressor map and estimation of the uncertainty limits. A one-dimensional (1D) design tool has been developed that automatically generates a multi-stage radial compressor satisfying the target machine requirements based on a few input parameters. The compressor performance map is then assessed using the method proposed by Casey-Robinson [1], and the approach developed by Al-Busaidi-Pilidis [2]. The off-design performance method relies on empirical correlations calibrated on the performance maps of many single-stage centrifugal compressors. An uncertainty quantification study on the predicted performance maps was conducted using Monte Carlo method (MCM) and generalized Polynomial Chaos Expansion (gPCE). Finally, the design procedure has been coupled to an in-house optimizer based on evolutionary algorithms. The complete design procedure has been applied to a multi-stage industrial compressor test case. A multi-objective optimization of a multi-stage industrial compressor has been performed targeting maximum compressor efficiency and flow range. The results of the optimization show the existence of optimum compressor architectures and how the Pareto fronts evolve depending on the number of stages and shafts.

scholarly journals Collaboration Between Senior Design Students and Campus Facilities Staff in Creating a Viable Cogeneration Design for the Campus Wood-Fired Boiler

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chad Dunkel ◽  
Ryan Oliver ◽  
Tao Xing ◽  
Herbert Hess ◽  
Steven Beyerlein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Senior Design ◽  
Design Students

scholarly journals Low Cost Data Analytics Implementation on Project Management Process Automation

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 76-82
Author(s):  
Cornelius Mellino Sarungu ◽  
Liliana Liliana
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Data Analytics ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Project Manager ◽  
Management Process ◽  
Generation Process ◽  
Data Generation ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Single Output

Project management practice used many tools to support the process of recording and tracking data generated along the whole project. Project analytics provide deeper insights to be used on decision making. To conduct project analytics, one should explore the tools and techniques required. The mostcommon tool is Microsoft Excel. Its simplicity and flexibility make project manager or project team members can utilize it to do almost any kind of activities. We combine MS Excel with R Studio to brought data analytics into the project management process. While the data input process still using the old way that the project manager already familiar, the analytic engine could extract data from it and create visualization of needed parameters in a single output report file. This kind of approach deliver a low cost solution of project analytics for the organization. We can implement it with relatively low cost technology onone side, some of them are free, while maintaining the simple way of data generation process. This solution can also be proposed to improve project management process maturity level to the next stage, like CMMI level 4 that promote project analytics. Index Terms—project management, project analytics, data analytics.

scholarly journals Haptic Virtual Prototyping of Buttons

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-96
Author(s):  
Pranav Shrestha
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Virtual Prototyping ◽  
Design Tool ◽  
Haptic Device ◽  
Haptic Interaction ◽  
Push Button ◽  
Commercial Success ◽  
Physical Product ◽  
Tactile Response ◽  
Haptic Simulation

The design of any physical product involves prototyping. Building physical prototypes of the products can be expensive and time consuming. An alternate to physical prototyping is haptic virtual prototyping, which simulates the product using a computer and a haptic device. A haptic device is one that produces the forces similar to that of the product, giving the user a realistic feel of the product. Since the feel of a product plays a significant role in its commercial success, the importance of haptic virtual prototyping as a design tool is increasing. This paper discusses the haptic simulation of a push button on a low cost and commercially available haptic device called Novint Falcon.  Two different models were created – the first one was a simple push button, and the second was an on/off click button. The parameters of the two models were selected such that they have the most accurate tactile response or feel of the product. The two models successfully simulated the feel of the buttons, and it was found that haptic virtual prototyping of buttons is achievable using a low cost haptic interaction system.

Mechanical Properties of ABS Embedded with Basalt Fiber Fillers

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayman M. M. Abdelhaleem ◽  
Mohammed Y. Abdellah ◽  
Hesham I. Fathi ◽  
Montasser Dewidar
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Mechanical Performance ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Basalt Fiber ◽  
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene ◽  
Hardness Test ◽  
Basalt Fibers ◽  
Notched Strength ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Plastic Injection

AbstractAcrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) has great verity applications in aerospace and automobiles industries. Mechanical strength of the ABS is superior to even that of impact resistant polystyrene. In addition metallic coatings can be applied to the surface of ABS moldings. The main aim of the present work is to investigate the mechanical properties of additives of basalt fibers (BF) to ABS with (5, 10, and 15) wt% embedded into the polymer matrix by using plastic injection molding technique. This new perceptions has been done on basalt fibers that have a potential low cost with its good mechanical performance. The ultimate tensile strength that obtained from the composite with 15 wt% is 56.67 MPa with 40.52 % increase value than neat ABS, Young’s modulus gradually increases with increasing the amount of additives. Impact un-notched strength decreases with a reported increment of 24.617 KJ.m–2. A Rockwell hardness test is also used and with the increases of additives the amount of hardness of the composite increases. A scan electron microscopy (SEM) on the fracture surface is captured to check the morphologies structure of the composite comparable with a neat ABS. and it is showed a very good distribution and bonding of the B.F. with the pure ABS. As well as the cost of the ABS and BF is reduced by a percentage of 15 %.

Senior Designs to Aid the Disabled: The UAB Experience

1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan W. Eberhardt ◽  
Laura K. Vogtle ◽  
Gary Edwards
Keyword(s):  
National Science Foundation ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Life Sciences ◽  
University Of Alabama ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Senior Design ◽  
National Science ◽  
The Disabled ◽  
The University

Abstract This paper presents a review of two years experience regarding senior design projects to aid persons with disabilities, for mechanical engineering students at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). The efforts are funded by the National Science Foundation and are aimed at developing alternative, low cost, custom devices to aid specific disabled individuals or targeted groups. A collaboration has been established with UAB Occupational Therapy and United Cerebral Palsy of Birmingham (UCP), who have provided projects which combine depth in both engineering and life sciences. The “UAB experience” described in the following includes project selection, development, student advising and overall significance. Completed designs are listed, along with efforts to bring the products to a marketable level.

Aging Suit

2018 ◽  
pp. 56-69
Author(s):  
Annika Maya Rivero
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Social Aspects ◽  
Manufacturing Cost ◽  
Functional Aspect ◽  
Population Pyramid ◽  
Design Students ◽  
Physical Capacities ◽  
Elder People ◽  
Elder Population

The population pyramid is being inverted and the designers are facing challenges in the way they design products, spaces, and services for elder people. Although the design is composed of both cultural and social aspects, the functional aspect takes relevance for autonomy and empowerment of the person that gets older. To design products centered on the physical capacities of the elder population, the aging suit has being used as a tool for the gerontodesign. In countries like Mexico, its application is limited by the manufacturing cost. For this reason, as part of a design methodology for elder people, a low-cost suit was developed focus on the design students and professionals located in Latin America.

scholarly journals ClothSurface: Exploring a Low-Cost Prototyping Tool to Support Ideation for Shape Displays

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 64
Author(s):  
Jeffrey C. F. Ho
Keyword(s):  
User Interfaces ◽  
Design Space ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Limited Resources ◽  
Technical Knowledge ◽  
Relevant Research ◽  
Physical Form ◽  
Sophisticated Equipment ◽  
Design Students ◽  
Tools And Methods

A shape-changing user interface is a type of interface that interacts with users by changing its physical form. Although researchers have been extensively studying shape-changing user interfaces, relevant research on its various design aspects—including tools and methods—remains limited. Prototyping shape-changing interfaces often requires sophisticated equipment and knowledge, which makes this sphere of design unwelcoming for designers with limited resources and technical knowledge (e.g., design students). In this study, we propose ClothSurface—a simple and low-cost prototyping tool to design for shape displays—and explore its use through a series of design sessions. The results reveal that ClothSurface can allow inexperienced designers to illustrate their ideas and to explore the design space of shape displays.

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