Designing and 3D Printing Lab Equipment for Mechanical Vibrations Course and Laboratory: Work in Progress

Abstract

Undergraduate mechanical engineering students struggle in comprehending the fundamentals presented in an introductory level mechanical vibrations course which eventually affects their performance in the posterior courses such as control theory. One salient factor to this is missing the visualization of the concept with hands-on learning since the vibrations and control laboratory course is offered in the following semester. This study presents the design, development of three portable and 3D-printed compliant vibratory mechanisms actuated by a linear motor and their implementation in vibrations course and vibrations and control laboratory. The proposed setups consist of flexible and compliant springs, sliders, and base support. Mechanisms are utilized to demonstrate free and forced vibrations, resonation, and design of a passive isolator. In addition to the 3D-printed, portable lab equipment, we created the Matlab Simscape GUI program of each setup so instructors can demonstrate the fundamentals in the classroom, assign homework, project, in-class activity or design laboratory.

Virtual Laboratories for Vibrations and Mechanisms and Machines Courses

“…However, many institutions have limited resources for laboratory equipment, and these limitations inhibit student learning due to constraints on the use of available turnkey equipment. As a result, the lab components are often limited as equipment is expensive, few in number, bulky, and inaccessible to those with physical disabilities [13][14][15]. Moreover, labs associated with engineering courses are often offered in the following semester.…”