The first semester of the capstone design sequence in mechanical engineering. Topics important in product design and manufacturing are included, including consideration of economics, safety, and communication. Students will develop a project plan concerned with the design of a complex system of current interest to mechanical engineers. Students will work in small groups and emphasis will be on original work. Lecture, two hours; laboratory/independent team work, three hours per week. Prerequisite Engineering Standing; prerequisite: ME 310, ME 325, ME 340, ME 344.

Second semester of the capstone design sequence in mechanical engineering. Students will complete a project concerned with the design of a complex system of current interest to mechanical engineers. Students will work in small groups and emphasis will be on original work. Topics include engineering ethics, design and communication. Lecture, 1 hour; lab 4 hours per week.

Fundamentals of classical control theory. Mathematical representation of feedback control systems using block diagrams and transfer functions. Design and analysis of feedback control systems using root-locus, Nyquist, and Bode methods to ensure system stability and meet desired system response specifications. Numerical simulation of feedback control systems.

This course emphasizes mechanical design techniques based on the finite element method, using machine design background as the starting point. Techniques for modeling machine elements will be shown in relation to the basic FEM theory. Emphasis will be on quantifying loads, the resulting stress and deflection, and relating them to design allowables, leading to an acceptable design solution.

This course will introduce students to the fundamental concepts of production improvement utilizing lean manufacturing principles and practices. In addition to the lectures, web-based simulations/experiments/games will be used to help learn the application of the tools supported by industry case studies. A Capstone Simulation will be used to demonstrate the collective application of all the tools and techniques (details included below).

This course will provide a strong foundation in the concepts, theories and applications of design engineering methodologies for effective manufacture of high quality products at low costs and high productivity. In addition to the lectures, the assembly and design analysis of "product based assembly kits" will be used to apply and help learn the tools presented in class. The final project includes the application of these tools to re-design a given product from a manufacturing and assembly perspective.

Computer-based methods of analyzing mechanical systems are studied. The studies include the numerical solution techniques on which the analyses are based. Linear and nonlinear static and dynamic structural systems are analyzed. Finite element and other engineering software packages are used.

Aerodynamic analysis and design of turbomachines (pumps, compressors and turbines). Blade element performance (deflection and losses), and models for performance prediction are present. Special topics - rotating stall and surge, and aeromechanical considerations.

Modern composite materials and their applications. Basic concepts and definitions. Fundamental properties of fibers and polymer resins. Manufacturing methods. Analysis and design of laminated and chopped fiber reinforced composites. Micro- and macro-mechanical analysis of elastic constants. Failure theory of composite materials. Computational design of composites.

Simultaneous application of fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, chemical kinetics and thermodynamics to combustion. Topics covered include chemical kinetics, chain and thermal explosions, detonation and deflagration, flammability limits, stirred reactors. Flame stabilization in high and low velocity streams, laminar and turbulent diffusion flames, droplet burning, and metal combustion.