A Portable Manufacturing Apparatus for Teaching

Dr. Yoram Koren, University of Michigan, EEC-9559125

Precollege students generally are not exposed to manufacturing, although it is vital to our economy. The Engineering Research Center for Reconfigurable Machining Systems, at the University of Michigan, developed a portable manufacturing system for outreach to technology education students in grades 6-12. The goal is to attract young students to manufacturing and engineering by introducing them to live demonstrations and hands-on experience with modern manufacturing systems.

Elementary School students using the Portable Manufacturing Apparatus

The portable system consists of a CAD/CAM software package, a robot, and a small milling machine, assembled for use in local high schools and middle schools. A graduate student takes the equipment to the school and assists the teacher in explaining the concepts to the students. Students are allowed to come up with simple designs that are then actually produced on the system, with the help of the graduate student. This activity demonstrates to students the connection between product design and manufacturing.