With current computer-aided design technology, the traditional tasks of a designer, drafter, analyst, and prototype maker are all performed by a single engineer using modern digital engineering design tools.  These digital tools include computer systems with 3-D solid modeling software,…

Fundamental construction in descriptive geometry deal with determining the intersection of various elementary solids, such as planes, cylinders, and cones.  Systems involving planes, cylinders, and cones are generally produced from sheet metal or other thin materials.  When panels of these…

The objective of this paper is to present applications of solid modeling aimed at modeling of complex geometries such as splines and blended surfaces in advanced CAD courses. These projects, in CAD-based Mechanical Engineering courses, are focused on the use…

There has been a significant history of research on spatial ability and visualization improvement and related curriculum content presented by members of the Engineering Design Graphics Division over the past decade. Recently, interest in this topic has again been heightened…

This paper discusses the character and challenges inherent in the graphical portrayal of features in subsurface mapping.  Subsurface structures are, by their nature, hidden and must be mapped based on drilling and/or geophysical data. Efficient use of graphical techniques is…

By supplying various combinations of advanced instructions and different forms of exercises individual learning processes within the impartation of basic knowledge can be activated and supported at best. The fundamentals of our class “Introduction to spatial–geometric cognition using CAD” are…

The prevalence of feature-based 3D modeling in industry has necessitated the accumulation and maintenance of standard feature libraries. Currently, firms who use standard features to design parts are storing and utilizing these libraries through their existing product data management (PDM)…

A hybrid introductory course was developed and piloted during the Fall 2007 semester in three laptop sections (i.e., all of the students owned and brought laptops to class each day). The online portion of the course included voiced-over content presentations,…

Amongst the many skills required of newly graduated engineers is the ability to clearly communicate their designs and engineering analyses using both verbal and graphical languages.  The new ABET EC2000 criteria emphasize that students must have the ability to communicate…

Spatial visualization skills are vital to many careers and in particular to STEM fields. Materials have been developed at Michigan Technological University and Penn State Erie, The Behrend College to assess and develop spatial skills.  The EnViSIONS (Enhancing Visualization Skills-Improving…