Efficient Use of Computational Tools in Machine Design

Machine design is a required course at junior year to learn essential skills for senior design projects. There is a great need for comprehensive and integrated software due to its complicate nature of the course materials. Such tools are expected to empower students to solve more challenging open-ended and/or integrated design problems, and to conduct design projects for a more rewarding experience in machine design. The Mechanical Design Toolbox has evolved over many years through continuous revision of the existing modules and addition of new modules for fully interactive computer-aided instruction of machine design lecture and lab classes at Cal Poly Pomona in an attempt to alleviate the burden of many trivial and timeconsuming calculations but to solve complex open-ended computer assignment problems and term projects for improved understanding on machine design. A realistic design analysis and synthesis project is presented to demonstrate efficacy of the mechanical design toolbox in classroom and laboratory settings.