Integration of the product realization process into engineering curricula

Abstract

One of the major reasons which has been given for the U.S. loss of global economic competitiveness is a perceived weakness in the design and manufacturing of competitive products. One signijcant step to rectifv this problem is to effectively educate engineering graduates in the Product Realizaton Process (PRP). For the purpose of this papel; PRP encompasses the full product life cycle, from customer needs, design and manufacturing, to eventual disposal or recycling of the product. The specific objective of this NSF project is to develop resource materials for engineering educators which will assist them to flectively integrate all aspects of PRP into appropriate engineering curricula. The project team consists of nationally recognized industry and university leaders in design education and practice.One task force has surveyed a carefully selected group of industry leaders from companies recognized for their innovative leadership in the product realization process, i.e. "best practice" companies. The results of this survey have delineated the essential elements of PRF: the required working knowledge of successful, tqerienced practitioners, and the expected breadth and depth of knowledge of entry-level engineers. This information will assist engineering educators in modifying undergraduate curricula to meet the qectations of employers of entry-level engineers, and determine the continuing education needs of practitioners. A second task force has surveyed universities in order to identify "best practice '' curricula or portions of curricula that educate engineering undergraduates in PR€? Emphasis has been placed on both vertical and horizontal integration. TheJindings of the two task forces are being assembled to provide paradigms, methodologies, and processes for engineering disciplines to integrate the Product Realization Process in their respective curricula.

Learning And Practicing The Design Review Process

“…Benefits to Students An ability to communicate is listed as the most important skill for experienced engineers and the second most important skill for entry level engineers in the PRP. 4 Students at LSSU expand and practice this skill while dealing with industrial customers and technical experts in the design review process. As their project progresses through the two semesters, the students transition from the "student engineer" to the expert for their design and product.…”

“…In 1995, Dr. Christian Przirembel published "Integrating the Product Realization Process (PRP) into the Undergraduate Curriculum." 4 The document listed the top twenty elements of the PRP for entry level and experienced mechanical engineers. This list includes concepts on teamwork, communication, design, and design reviews.…”

“…The top twenty key elements of the PRP cite design reviews as number four in importance in the list of skills for experienced engineers. 4 Another indication of the importance of design skills to industry is the offering of seminars such as "Design Reviews for Effective Product Development" offered by the Society of Automotive Engineers.…”

Integrating Design And Manufacturing Concepts To Strengthen Advanced Technological Education Programs

“…CAD skills ranked fourth on the list (see Table 1). Teamwork, communication skills, and design for manufacturability (DFM) knowledge and skills were ranked as the top three qualities that manufacturing employers look for and that entry-level employees lack (Przirembel, 1995).…”

Gotta Catch ‘Em All: Learning Graphical Communications through an Introductory Hands-on Design-Build-Test Project in a Hybrid Learning Environment

“…Design-build-test challenges also provide opportunities to educate next generation engineers in practical concepts such as design reviews, technical communication, and teamwork. Design reviews have been recently incorporated into design challenges because they are recognized as an important element in delivering a quality product for a customer [8,9]. They provide a mechanism to determine if the design meets the customer's specifications and fosters communication between the customer and student teams.…”