2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Board 126: Work in progress: Incorporating Virtual Programming Concepts in an Advanced Robotics Course for Machining Processing and Quality Inspection of CNC Machines and Industrial Robots

Presented at Manufacturing Division (MFG) Poster Session

Global competitions and technological advances are forcing manufacturers, designers, and engineers to constantly innovate new product manufacturing strategies in reducing product development cost and time. Contemporary manufacturers have the option of selecting optimum technologies or processes to suit their manufacturing environment. Fast paced transformations in Engineering Technology (ET) field require new and enhanced learning and teaching strategies in engineering technology curriculum. More than ever, the educational advance is leaning towards meeting the demands of industrial world. Engineering Technology curricula needs to adapt to novel technologies and modern tools by enabling students to acquire meaningful and relevant practices. Laboratory activities should be incorporated into dry-lectured courses, being vital to ET programs, since they are ultimately enhancing the understanding process, leading towards developing experience-led engineering technology degree.
This paper describes a work-in-progress for a junior level Advanced Robotics and Mechatronics course that incorporates offline and virtual manufacturing engineering programming and automation concepts through a six axes industrial robot. The course itself is part of a seven-course minor sequence in robotics and automation. Blended online and physical laboratory activities are used to achieve both overall and project-specific learning objectives.
The overall course learning objectives include learning extensive knowledge of digital manufacturing using industrial robots and other common mechatronic components as well as performing Robodk virtual reality simulation and off-line programming of industrial robots for automated work cells in manufacturing. Authors adding process simulation for robotics machining as well as part quality inspection with Ballbar methods to virtual modules to introduce more advanced topics to the existing curriculum. This paper focuses on the use of a ball-bar system to compare the theoretical and actual path of a robot as it moves in a circle. The problem addressed in this paper is how to enhance student understanding of path tracking accuracy in circular motions of CNC machines and industrial robots. This information eventually will be used to develop more accurate tool path planning using the robot as a machining tool.
The significance of the methodology used in this course redevelopment is to combine theory and practice with modern tools to prepare the students to become better problem solvers and obtain practical solutions to real life/simulated problems using a hands on, lab-project-based approach.

Authors

Dr. Yalcin Ertekin Drexel University [biography]

Yalcin Ertekin, Ph.D., CMfgE, CQE Yalcin Ertekin is a clinical professor in the College of Engineering, Department of Engineering Leadership and Society at Drexel University, Philadelphia, and serves as the Associate Department Head for Undergraduate Studies for the Engineering Technology program. He received his BS degree from Istanbul Technical University in Turkey, an MSc in Production Management from the University of Istanbul, an MS in Engineering Management, and an MS and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of MissouriRolla. Dr. Ertekin has also been a Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE), awarded by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) since 2001, and a Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) awarded by the American Society for Quality (ASQ) since 2004. In addition to positions in the automotive industry, Dr. Ertekin has held faculty positions at Western Kentucky University and Trine University. In 2010, he joined Drexel University's College of Engineering as an associate clinical professor. He has been instrumental in course development and the assessment and improvement of the Engineering Technology (ET) curriculum, including integrated laboratories, project-based learning, and practicum-based assessment. Dr. Ertekin serves as the faculty advisor for the student chapter of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (S058) and is a member of the College’s Undergraduate Curriculum Committee. Involved in research, Ertekin has received funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), private foundations, and industry. His research has focused on the improvement of manufacturing laboratories and curricula and the adoption of process simulation into machining and additive manufacturing practices. His areas of expertise are in CAD/CAM, manufacturing processes, machine and process design with CAE methods, additive and subtractive manufacturing, quality control and lean manufacturing.
Dr. Richard Y Chiou Drexel University [biography]

Dr. Richard Chiou is Professor within the Engineering Technology Department at Drexel University College of Engineering, Philadelphia, USA. He received his Ph.D. degree in the G.W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology.
Prof. Tzu-liang Bill Tseng University of Texas at El Paso [biography]

Dr. Bill Tseng is a Professor and Chair of Department of Industrial, Manufacturing and Systems Engineering at the UTEP. He is also a Director of Research Institute for Manufacturing & Engineering Systems, the host institute of Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center at UTEP. He received his two MSIE degrees (MFG & DS/OR) from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Iowa. Dr. Tseng is also a Certified Manufacturing Engineer from Society of Manufacturing Engineers. Dr. Tseng’s research area cover emergency management, systems engineering, computational intelligence/data analytics and cyber engineering technology. Over the years, he has served more than 10 million dollars as principle investigators sponsored by NSF, NIST, USDT, DoEd, KSEF and industry like LMCO, GM and Tyco Inc. Dr. Tseng delivered research results to many refereed journals such as IEEE Transactions, IIE Transactions, International Journal of Production Research, Journal of Manufacturing Systems, Expert Systems with Applications and other conferences (over 260 refereed publications). He is currently serving as an editor of Journal of Computer Standards & Interfaces (CSI) and editor boards of International Journal of Data Mining, Modeling and Management (JDMMM) and American Journal of Industrial and Business Management (AJIBM). He is currently a Senior Member of Institute of Industrial Engineers, Society of Manufacturing Engineers and the Division Chair of Manufacturing Division of American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE). He is also actively involved in several consortia activities.

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