A Conceptual Design Activity for a First-year Mechanical Engineering Course

Abstract

Dr. Oziel Rios earned his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in 2008 where his research focused on design of robotic systems with an emphasis on kinematic and dynamic modeling for analysis and control. Dr. Rios teaches the first-year and CAD courses in the Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Texas at Dallas. Dr. Rios has also taught kinematics and dynamics of machines and graduate-level CAD courses. Dr. Rios' research and teaching interests include: robotics, design, kinematics and dynamics of machines and engineering education.

Machine-Learning Driven Robot-Motion Design: Introducing a Web-Based Mechanism Design Software

“…Our position is that mechanism design should be introduced early in the curriculum, in order to stimulate and inspire students to create mechanical systems and robots that serve a specific motion objective for real-world problems. Additionally, it is advisable to introduce these concepts as early as the freshman year, which will provide students with an early exposure to the fundamental principles of mechanism design that are embedded in practical scenarios [30]. An example of such an approach is shown in Figure 2, which displays a Sit-to-Stand mobility assist device created by the author and his students to aid individuals with neuro-muscular disabilities.…”