Introduction to Engineering Design

Students will work in teams to complete a semester-long project consisting of several milestone stages. In particular, the project will include the following:

• Mechanical design project: Students will design a maze in which a programmable robot will autonomously maneuver from start to end with no human intervention. Students will work in teams to take a design from problem definition and constraint identification (including two right-angle turns), through conceptual and preliminary design, to the construction of a prototype. Each team will present a maze design to their peers, and all teams will collectively decide upon on the the most time- and resource- efficient design for use in the final project.
• Programming projects: Through several projects using C and Matlab scripting, teams of students will design, construct and program an autonomous robot to perform specific tasks. A robot kit and related accessories (microprocessors, various motors and sensors) will be provided. These projects will provide students with a knowledge of sensors and experience with the data extraction process from sensor output. Students will implement closed-loop linear control systems based on sensor output for more accurate control of motors. Some examples of projects are:
  o Autonomous double right turn angle maneuver through a maze
  o Following a colored line path
  o Moving along a spiral path
• Final Project: Teams of students will work together to fabricate a maze based on the mechanical design project. In addition, each team will complete a comprehensive coding project to progam a robot to autonomously navigate through the maze. In this project, students will deliver a multi-disciplinary project comprised of mechanical, electrical, programming and computer sub-systems. Each team will give a presentation and navigation demonstration, and prepare a report covering their use of engineering design principles within the project.

Students will provide appropriate documentation (written reports, poster presentations, oral presentation, etc.) of their designs and of the design process that has been followed at each stage. Students will also be introduced to ethics in the context of engineering, and have the opportunity to implement ethical behavior practices in the context of a team design project.

The Engineering Design Process

• Project statement and needs assessment
• Project management
• Risk management
• Background research
• Brainstorming and concept generation
• Application of engineering and scientific principles
• Prototyping, testing and evaluation
• The decision making process
• Assessment of internal and external design constraints
• Communication and documentation of designs

The Engineering Practice and Engineering Ethics

• The engineering code of ethics, ethical behavior and conflict resolution
• Ethical decision making in engineering design
• Teamwork best practices, including professionalism and communication
• Technical reporting, oral presentations, written reports

Engineering Fundamentals

• Mechanical design: Tolerancing, CAD, materials, fabrication processes and tools
• Control algorithm design and implementation
• Sensors and data extraction
• C and Matlab programming
• Feedback loops, PID controllers and closed loop control