If you're looking for a summer elective, ME 450/550 has got you covered. Advanced Solid Modeling isn't one of our standard electives due to instructor availability, but it's one of our most requested, so we've been taking advantage of the remote schedule to offer this class while we can. This summer will likely be one of the last times in the foreseeable future that we'll be able to offer it, so if you enjoyed ME 250 Geometric Modeling or any equivalent solid modeling course, we definitely recommend you take ME 450/550 this summer.
We chatted with the instructor of the course, Cory Derico, and got a nice overview of what students can look forward to learning and designing in ME 450/550. This course does require students to remote into the MME computer lab or have Solidworks already installed on their computer (our Solidworks for Students is currently unavailable for new activations or renewals). For more information on accessing our computer lab remotely, please check out CAT Remote Labs.
Course:
ME 450/550 Advanced Solid Modeling
What are students going to learn?
Building upon the topics covered in Dr. Etesami's ME 250 Geometric Modeling course, ME 450/550 will go into the advanced topics of the SolidWorks design software. Topics will include multi-body/master model techniques, sheet metal, weldments, surfacing, and mold tools.
What is one thing you want students to know about this course?
The homeworks, mid-term, and final are not a set design item. Each should show use of the tools discussed that week, but the end product is of the student's design. There is a broader guideline to the homeworks and creativity is expected. It is easy to tell when a student/designer/engineer has their heart in their design, versus one just going through the required steps.
The mid-term is to design a desk, with consideration the design intent to have each piece manufacturable. Each drawer is not a hollowed single part but five or more panels joined to make its own assembly. This makes for a complex assembly, with a lot of simple parts, and uses a variety of tools taught in ME 250, and also incorporates the tools taught in 450/550.
A screenshot of a previous student's desk.
How can course content be applied to industry or research?
Most week's discussions can prepare the student for the SolidWorks Certification related to that topic. Students will have the option of taking the Certifications at no cost to them, should they choose.
Recommend preparation:
Review the topics discussed in the ME 250 class, or use the tutorials to refresh your knowledge.