Mechanical Engineering 315, Theory of Machines -Design of Elements

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Catalog description

Factors influencing the proportioning of machine elements - Stresses, deformations, and failure criteria as applied to shafts, springs, belts, bearings, gears.

Prerequisite: ME 240 and CIV ENG 216.

Who takes it

Design of Elements is a required course for Mechanical Engineering students. This course is an introduction to the basic principles of modern engineering. It provides the students with fundamental skills of engineering, and the ability to apply the theories of science to practice.

What it's about

The course focuses on the fundamentals and principles of basic mechanical elements, failure theories and design criteria, and structures of basic mechanical systems. The goal of the course is to learn how to design simple mechanical elements and systems.

It includes:

  • Understanding the principle of each element.
  • Analyzing elements mechanically by applying the theories from statics, dynamics, mechanics of materials, and fluid mechanics with deterministic or statistic approaches.
  • Learning how to design basic elements and simple systems.
  • Designing elements and systems by means of CAD.

Lectures:

  • Getting Ready for Design of Elements
  • Failure theories
  • Variable loading and fatigue criteria
  • Introduction to shafts
  • Transmission elements
  • Rolling element bearings
  • Fluid-film bearings
  • Connecting elements
  • Other elements and review

    Detailed syllabus

Labs:

One lab each week on CAD of components and assembles

Textbook:

References:

  • Fundamentals of Machine Elements, by Hamrock, Jacobson, and Schmid
  • Mechanical Engineering Design, by Shigley and Mischke

Assessment/Evaluation:

An evaluation will be made according to Final and Mid-term examinations, Final project, and Homework.

Advanced study:

Students interested in mechanical design can take the following courses:

  • ME 346 Introduction to Tribology
  • ME 340-1, 2, 3 Computer-Integrated Manufacturing 1, 2, 3
  • ME 398 Engineering Design
  • ME 342 Mechanics of Cutting and Forming

Contact

Professor: Q. Jane Wang
e-mail: qwang@northwestern.edu

[ Detailed syllabus | Course web site ]