A Systematic Approach for the Conduct of Engineering Design Projects

Abstract

The engineering design process is a methodical series of steps that engineers use in creating functional products and processes. The process is highly iterative process involving a cyclical process of idea generation, evaluation, and design improvement until the design requirement is met. It is a widely used design strategy due to its intuitive nature and effectiveness in facilitating design improvement, hence calls for the need of the hour to enhance students' cognitive levels. Engineering design courses can be best learnt through practical learning (often termed as Project Based Learning) by course projects, thus delivering this course in the early stages of mechanical science engineering students by offering projects as pedagogy is often a challenge on the part of the tutor. This paper collectively presents simple techniques adapted in conducting the projects for third semester undergraduate Industrial Production engineering students. A systematic approach was followed in the formation of the student teams, proposing the problem statements, students preparing for the reviews according to scheduled timelines, modeling the prototypes, conducting the reviews and preparing the PowerPoint presentations and project reports. By following this pedagogical method Program Outcome (c: Ability to design systems, components, or processes to meet customer needs) and (g: Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written forms and to become proficient in working with diverse teams) were mapped for the assessment. It was also observed that there was an improvement in the PO attainment, a better team dynamics were observed, the quality of the projects was enhanced in terms of better idea generation, report writing and power point presentation also proved a better quality.