Importance of Hands-On for
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.
2004/6/18
1
Hands-On Course: Introduction to
Machine 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 handson exercises in class. Some of topics in the last
year are
Steam boot
Electrical Car
2004/6/18
2
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.
2004/6/18
3
Making 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 EBike)
Speed controller: integrated within motor
Wheel arrangement: two front wheels for
steering; one rear powered wheel
Frames of car body: 40x40 aluminum-rack
Energy: two Pb battery, 12V, 7 Ah
2004/6/18
4
Making of Electric Car
2004/6/18
5
Making of Electric Car
2004/6/18
6
Hands-On Course: Mechanism
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.
2004/6/18
7
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.
2004/6/18
8
After-Class Activity –
Fischertechnik Exercise
2004/6/18
9
Modules 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.
2004/6/18
10
Modules Used in the Exercise
Base Components: Building blocks, Shafts, Lever etc.
Connecting Components
Transmission 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
2004/6/18
11
Contents of Mechanism Exercise
No.
Topics
Objectives
0
Fundamentals on
Fischertechnik Modules
To 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
2004/6/18
12
Contents 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
2004/6/18
13
Example: Pneumatic Control
2004/6/18
14
Example: Linkage Mechanism
2004/6/18
15
Importance of Contest
A contest can
motivate the students,
impart a good sense of reality,
train to work in simulated but realistic industrylike settings of limited resources, time pressure,
and high competitiveness, and
teach the importance of co-operation and
teamwork.
2004/6/18
16
Basic Concept of Contest Applied in
Courses
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.
2004/6/18
17
Contests and Their Attributes
Attribute Level Bloom’s Cognitive Level
Junior/
Senior
18
Valuation
Evaluation
Synthesis
Analysis
Application
2004/6/18
Comprehension
Sophomore
Knowledge
Creative
Mechanism
Mechanism Contest
Creative
Creativity Contest Engineering
Design
Integral
Freshman
Skill
Steam Boat Racing Introduction to
Machine and
Electric Car Racing Instruments
Concept
Course
Interest
Contests
Academic
Year
Steam Boat – Racing
2004/6/18
19
Electric Car – Racing
2004/6/18
20
Creative 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 Attacking
2002: Obstacle Car-Race
2003: Walking Machine
2004: Soccer Robot
2004/6/18
21
2002 Creative Mechanism Contest
Obstacle Car-Race
2004/6/18
22
2003 Creative Mechanism Contest
Walking Machine
2004/6/18
23
Creativity Contest – Cannon Fighting
2004/6/18
24
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
2004/6/18
25
Equipments in DIY-Lab.
Machine Tools and Hand Tools
2x Milling Machines: CNC and Manual
2x Lathes: CNC and Manual
Sawing Machine
Hand Tools (Cabinet set)
Handy electric tools (drill, grinder, screw driver etc.)
Instruments
Surface Roughness Instruments
Granite surface plate and accessories
Gage blocks
Micro meters and calipers
Dial gages
Oscilloscope
2004/6/18
26
View from DIY-Lab.
2004/6/18
27
Working in DIY-Lab.
2004/6/18
28
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 ≦ l/10
Auto-Collimator
Spherometer
2004/6/18
29