2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Mechanical engineering laboratory courses are often assumed to require substantial budgets and access to commercial software. This paper describes the redesign of an upper-level mechanical engineering laboratory sequence developed under resource limitations of less than $6,000 and without access to MATLAB or Simulink. The resulting 15-week sequence integrates free and low-cost tools including Python, Arduino microcontrollers, and Wolfram Mathematica, supported by educational data acquisition hardware and commercially available sensors. To extend accessibility, custom analysis functions, DAQ connectivity code, and interactive simulations were developed and shared through open-source repositories, enabling both students and the broader community to benefit from these instructional resources.

The laboratory sequence covers a diverse range of experiments, including load cell calibration and force measurement, fan RPM measurement with photogates, natural frequency determination of a beam using accelerometers and Fourier analysis, strain gauge testing with a signal amplifier, and feedback-controlled systems such as a beam-balance apparatus, fan RPM proportional control, linear actuator pendulum angle control using PD methods, and an inverted pendulum balancing experiment using Arduino-based PID control. Several of these laboratories required the design and fabrication of custom 3D-printed fixtures and circuit adaptations to integrate sensors with mechanical systems.

A significant instructional challenge was bridging gaps in student preparation, as many entered the course with limited experience in coding, electronics, or prerequisite topics such as dynamics, vibrations, or materials. These gaps were addressed through scaffolded instruction and the embedding of tool development within each lab. Assessment results indicate that students not only achieved the learning objectives but also reported increased confidence in experimental design, data acquisition, and analysis. This work demonstrates how resource-limited programs can deliver high-quality laboratory instruction while advancing equity and disseminating open educational resources, offering a replicable model for institutions facing similar constraints.