Authors: Nandita Biswas, Emily Larsen, Jonathan Steffens
Source:
Dr. Nandita Biswas and her colleagues at Washington State University are tackling a common problem: freshmen engineering students often lack practical understanding of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing. This impacts their ability to create effective engineering drawings. The team, including Dr. Emily Larsen and Dr. Jonathan Steffens, developed a hands-on approach to bridge this gap.
The solution involves design-based group projects. Students design and 3D print interlocking puzzle pieces and a replacement visor bracket. These projects force students to apply geometric tolerance concepts to ensure proper fit and function. By analyzing the tangible results of their 3D printed parts, students learn from real-world design challenges.
Initial assessments show this approach positively impacts students’ understanding of dimension variation and geometric control. The projects help them grasp the importance of tolerancing and design for manufacturing. Dr. Biswas and the team are refining the projects based on student feedback and outcomes, including material selection considerations.
Ultimately, this hands-on method aims to better prepare students for upper-level design courses. By experiencing the challenges of manufacturing firsthand, students gain a deeper appreciation for the critical role of precise dimensioning and tolerancing in engineering design.