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Importance of Hands-On for Importance of Hands-On for Creativity Creativity

The meaning of “Creativity” in Chinese is “create” (創 ) and “make” (造 ). Without making one can not create anything.

The goal of the courses with hands-on exercises at National Central University at Taiwan is to enhance the design ability of the students.

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Hands-On Course: Hands-On Course: Introduction to Introduction to Machine and InstrumentMachine and Instrument

This course is designed for Freshmen.

Objectives of this course is to introduce the historical development as well as the working principles of machines and instruments.

Besides the lecture, there are also some hands-on exercises in class. Some of topics in the last year are

Steam boot

Electrical Car

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Making of Steam Boat Making of Steam Boat

Through making the boat with the simplest steam engine, students can learn the fundamental working principle of powered machine.

Materials are given to students to build the engine:

1/8 inch soft copper tubing

candleholder

Students must search other suitable materials for boat body, e.g. soft drink can, carton etc.

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Making of Electric CarMaking of Electric Car

Through making an electric car, students are encouraged to understand the basic structure and knowledge on automobile.Basic Configurations

One brushless DC motors, 350 W, 24V (for E-Bike)Speed controller: integrated within motorWheel arrangement: two front wheels for steering; one rear powered wheelFrames of car body: 40x40 aluminum-rackEnergy: two Pb battery, 12V, 7 Ah

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Making of Electric CarMaking of Electric Car

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Making of Electric CarMaking of Electric Car

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Hands-On Course: Hands-On Course: MechanismMechanism

Problems of students learning “mechanism” in Taiwan:

Content of the course is too abstract to associate the fundamental kinematic principles with real mechanisms.Students have difficulties in selecting and applying suitable types of mechanism to the specific problems after learning this course.

To encourage the students from the e-generation by learning the “abstract” contents “mechanism” course, we introduce therefore an after-class activity through using “Fischertechnik” as an aid for students.

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Why Using “Fischertechnik”Why Using “Fischertechnik”

Compact design of mechanism components;

Varity of components that are also used in industries, e.g. Flip-Flop controller, pneumatics, sensors;

Less effort on development of electric control hardware/software, so that concentration on contents of mechantronic mechanisms possible.

Possibilities for further projects on industrial simulation with models using Fischertechnik modules.

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After-Class Activity – After-Class Activity – Fischertechnik ExerciseFischertechnik Exercise

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Modules Used in the ExerciseModules Used in the Exercise

We don’t use the kits offered directly from the company, instead we select the necessary parts that are suitable for the objectives of the course.

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Base Components: Building blocks, Shafts, Lever etc.

Connecting ComponentsTransmission Components: Gears, Cam, Pulley, Differential (Gearbox);

Actuators: Motor (including also gear reducer), Pneumatic cylinder;

Sensors: Photo transistor, Reed contact, NTC transistor, Limit switch;

Controllers: Control card, Flip-Flop controller, Magnetic control valve, Electric switch, Pneumatic switch

Software: LLWin

Modules Used in the ExerciseModules Used in the Exercise

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Contents of Mechanism ExerciseContents of Mechanism Exercise

No. Topics Objectives0 Fundamentals on

Fischertechnik ModulesTo learn the experience and the skill how to use FT-Modules to construct mechanism

1 Linkage Mechanism To learn and verify Grashof’s Law through construction of mechanism

2 Cam Mechanism To learn basic structure and motion type of cam mechanism; build some common cam mechanisms

3 Chain and Belt Mechanism To learn the motion relation of the chain/belt mechanism

4 Gear Mechanism To learn the different types of gear mechanisms and how to apply them to the specific problem for power transmission

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Contents of Mechanism ExerciseContents of Mechanism Exercise

No. Topics Objectives

5 Electric Control Modules To learn how to use the different types of sensors and the flip-flop controller to solve the problem of motion control

6 Fundamental of Pneumatics To learn the basic pneumatic components and how to construct a pneumatic system to fulfill the motion requirements

7 Integrated Exercise: Automatic Door

Use pneumatic components and electrical controller/sensor to construct a door with automatic opening and closing functions

8 Integrated Exercise:

IR-Remote Car

Build a car that can run along a defined route through IR-remote controller

9 Creative Mechanism Contest To enhance the teamwork of students

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Example: Pneumatic ControlExample: Pneumatic Control

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Example: Linkage MechanismExample: Linkage Mechanism

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Importance of ContestImportance of Contest

A contest can

motivate the students,

impart a good sense of reality,

train to work in simulated but realistic industry-like settings of limited resources, time pressure, and high competitiveness, and

teach the importance of co-operation and teamwork.

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Basic Concept of Contest Applied in Basic Concept of Contest Applied in CoursesCourses

Contest is a special learning model, in which we can

offer another teaching model, different as in classroom, through competition,

motivate the students to face the problems and to solve the problems through activities.

We divide the contests in our program into four levels:

interest,

concept,

skill,

integral.

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Contests and Their AttributesContests and Their Attributes

Contests CourseAcademic

Year

Attribute Level Bloom’s Cognitive Level

Interest

Concept

Skill

Integral

Know

ledge

Com

prehension

Application

Analysis

Synthesis

Evaluation

Valuation

Steam Boat Racing Introduction to Machine and Instruments

Freshman

Electric Car Racing

Creative Mechanism Contest

MechanismSophomore

Creativity Contest Creative Engineering Design

Junior/ Senior

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Steam Boat – RacingSteam Boat – Racing

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Electric Car – RacingElectric Car – Racing

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Creative Mechanism ContestCreative Mechanism Contest

A contest using Fischertechnik-modules will be held before end of semester. Each student by the exercise must participate this contest.The theme and rule of the contest will be determined by students themselves. Topics of the contests for the past three years:

2001: Castle Attacking2002: Obstacle Car-Race2003: Walking Machine2004: Soccer Robot

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2002 Creative Mechanism Contest 2002 Creative Mechanism Contest Obstacle Car-RaceObstacle Car-Race

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2003 Creative Mechanism Contest 2003 Creative Mechanism Contest Walking MachineWalking Machine

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Creativity Contest – Cannon Fighting Creativity Contest – Cannon Fighting

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Concept of DIY-Lab.Concept of DIY-Lab.

The DIY-Lab. is based on the concept that the students can realize their ideas in a space, that is different as the classroom, and in which either hardware (hand tools, machine tools etc.) or software (handbooks, blackboard for disscusion etc.) is avialable.

Our DIY-Lab. can offer Platform for realization of mechanism ideas

Manufacturing of the machine parts,

Assembly of final products

Inspection and testing

Discussion

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Equipments in DIY-Lab.Equipments in DIY-Lab.

Machine Tools and Hand Tools2x Milling Machines: CNC and Manual2x Lathes: CNC and ManualSawing MachineHand Tools (Cabinet set)Handy electric tools (drill, grinder, screw driver etc.)

InstrumentsSurface Roughness InstrumentsGranite surface plate and accessoriesGage blocksMicro meters and calipers Dial gagesOscilloscope

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View from DIY-Lab.View from DIY-Lab.

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Working in DIY-Lab.Working in DIY-Lab.

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Optical Inspection Lab.Optical Inspection Lab.

Fizeau Interferometer:Light Source: 2mw He-Ne Laser @ 632.8 nm

Dimension(L×W×H) 768×190×253 mm

Aperture Size: 102 mm

Magnification Ratio: 6×

Alignment View Angle: 1.8°

Accuracy ≦ /10

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