Course Overview:
The Introduction to Engineering Design (IED) course was the second course I took in the Project Lead The Way program. IED introduced topics concerning the design process, technical drawings, modeling skills, geometry of design, reverse engineering, and documentation. Lessons were taught using PLTW specific presentation and several projects using hand drawing in engineering notebooks and the Autodesk Inventor inventor program were completed to apply the principles from these lessons.
Introduction to Engineering Design
Cube Puzzle Project:
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The design process and concepts of advanced computer design were highlighted in this project. Students were assigned to design puzzle pieces that would fit together to make a three inch cube. These designs were first sketched using isometric drawings, these three dimensional models were created in inventor (shown right). After inventor models were created, one inch cubes were glued together and colored to make the cube puzzles in real life. This project helped students developed skills in basic design both on paper and in a computer design program. The design process was used throughout the project, which helped students develop a design from an idea, to a drawing, to a rendering, to the real thing.
Reverse Engineering Project:
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Reverse engineering was one topic discussed in IED which was developed in this project where students reverse engineered a common household object. Students were assigned to select an item with multiple components, excluding electrical machines, that could be taken apart. Students used the types of technical drawing, including isometrics and obliques, to document the object before taking it apart (shown right). The objects were then taken completely apart and each individual part was drawn in engineering notebooks. Parts were then redesigned to create a more efficient version of the object and this new version was created in Inventor. This project taught the basic concepts behind reverse engineering and showed its importance in improving existing products. Students also developed team collaboration as they worked in groups on this project.