The goal is to have the students practice some technical creativity, learn the importance of proper modeling and analysis, and receive feedback on their oral and written communication skills. These projects are usually done by the students in teams of three or four students, giving them a chance to work on their group dynamics skills. About two-thirds of the way through the semester capstone projects are selected and started. The capstone projects are completed during the subsequent semester. Weekly homework assignments contain some machine element problems from the Juvinall and Marshek textbook related to the design of the elements and some creativity problems related to the Adams textbook.
Statistical analysis is applied in the interference theory of reliability prediction.
Statistical information is of importance in fatigue life prediction for bearings and gears. Public safety is considered in the choice of factors of safety and is stressed in design projects. The use of spread sheet software is required for the solution of a static stress failure problem using Mohr's circle. The use of CAD drawings is required in at least one of the re- engineering projects. For each of the two re-engineering projects 2.