The South Dakota School of Mines andTechnology began a revision of the freshman engineering curriculum in 1997. Beginning with a pilot program of 25 students, the program is now required for virtually all firstyear engineering students. The program, FC 2000, utilizes a project -based learning approach and features student teams to integrate material in general engineering, mathematics, science and English. Small projects (2-3 per semester) are designed to give students an exposure to engineering design in a variety of engineering disciplines. Project components include designing and conducting experiments, analyzing data, and presentation of technical data. In this paper we present a model for the first year curriculum, preliminary assessment results, and plans for future integration.

SUMMARYWe formulate a higher-order (superconvergent) Petrov-Galerkin method by determining, using a finitedifference approximation, the optimal selection of quadratic and cubic modifications to the standard linear test function for bilinear elements. Application of this method to linear elliptic problems results in improved accuracy and higher rates of convergence for problems with constant coefficients and improved accuracy for problems with variable coefficients. Supporting numerical examples are given.

Thermal imaging is an important tool for future developments in Laser Powder Deposition (LPD). Thermal imaging of the LPD process is typically used for the verification of mathematical models describing the process and/or dynamic melt pool control. The research discussed here shows how thermal imaging can be used to improve our understanding of the connection between deposition parameters, thermal gradients, and final part quality. Data gathered from melt pool and bulk-part thermal images were used to correlate deposition parameters to final part quality. The results presented here are for applications in internal barrel cladding and laser brazing.

RESEARCH AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Aaron Lalley is an instructor at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSM&T). His current research includes chatter modeling of a machining process with fixture optimization. Previous research includes manufacturing process development for advanced solar cell production, ion implantation for enhanced tooling performance and nano-fiber composite modeling.Aaron's 23 year engineer work history includes 18 years with Hutchinson Technology as an engineer in manufacturing, machine design and tool design, working in the process areas of laser welding, shearing, forming and coining. In addition to Hutchinson Technology Aaron has worked for Caterpillar, Midwest Precision Tool and Die, Unified Theory Inc. and Manufacturing Works, an agency of the State of Wyoming, in the areas of machine design, product design , CNC programming, HVAC, MRP, process development and product development. Early Incorporation of Design for Manufacturing in the Engineering Curriculum IntroductionDesign for manufacturing (DFM) and/or concurrent engineering has been a focus for engineering educators and industry partners for decades. The efforts throughout the engineering communities have resulted in improvements in methods, training, and software. Largely thanks to the performance of DFM ready engineers, there have been notable improvements in profitability and design cycle lead time 1,2 . However, the trend toward urbanization and reduction in secondary education shop classes has made DFM training at the post-secondary level more challenging. Specifically, engineering freshmen are less likely to have hand skills or familiarity with manufacturing equipment than previous generations 3-6 .This paper describes a mechanical engineering department curriculum developed to provide DFM and manufacturing training in the freshman year. Skills obtained in the freshman year are subsequently utilized in the sophomore year via a significant product design and development project. This curriculum provides underclassmen the opportunity to develop a fundamental understanding of DFM and to build upon this understanding through application later in the curriculum including senior capstone design. The goal is a more industry-ready graduate who has an understanding of the principle of "first time right" and who has the confidence to address the increasingly complex issues arising in engineering design in the global manufacturing arena. There are related efforts at other universities 8-9 .The approach described in this paper is a three course series. The first course in the freshmen year establishes fundamental mechanical engineering principles, including a focus on problem solving skills and specialized design tools (e.g., CAD/CAM). The second course in the freshman year develops manufacturing skills including work-place safety, lean manufacturing, and the philosophy of first-time-right while providing students with hands-on training in woodworking, light metalworking, manual milling, manual lathe work and Computer ...

No abstract