Instructor: Dr. Farid Farahmand & Dr. Ali Kujoory.

Time:

Thursdays, 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Class Location:

Salazar Hall 2003

Office:

2010 A Salazar

Phone:

 (707) 664-3491

Email:

 farahman@sonoma.edu

Webpage:

 http://www.sonoma.edu/users/f/farahman/

Course Overview:

In this portion of the course, the focus will be on familiarizing the students with the Engineering Science labs, the equipment in these labs and a glance at some of the software used in the program. You are also required to complete a real engineering design. Read more about what engineers do....

Course Textbook:

There is no textbook for this class. The necessary course material will be posted on the course web site. However, students are expected to spend a small amount of money to purchase necessary materials for their final design project.

Grading Policy for the Lab Section:

Completion of labs

50%

Final Design Project/User Manual

40%

Final Exam

5%

Team Blog/You Tube/Progress Report

5%

Extra Credit *

3%

Unexcused Absence

-3% per day

* You can also consider volunteering in Engineering Club or Tutoring in Math and Science Courses.

Final Design Project

The selected project will be based on the current need of the Assistive Living Technology Laboratory at Sonoma State University. The design project must be completed in groups with no more than three members. Each group is responsible to complete the assigned design projects. The project will have both mechanical and electrical parts. The design project must follow the client's specification. Only members of the group with the best project (selected by the client) will receive A+ grade. The second best project with receive A, and so on. The project grade will be for the entire group. Each project must accompany a User Manual clearly identifying how the design operates and its safety measures. The project grade will be based on the following criteria:

  • how closely the design matches the client's requirement; (10%)
  • how user friendly the design is; (10%)
  • how accurately the design operates; (5%)
  • how reliable the design is; (5%)
  • how well the team interacted together and everyone participated. (10%)

In order to fully understand the nature of the project, groups may require attending the Sidekicks program one or two Saturdays. Please note if your project does not work, the group does not receive a grade for the project! All students are encouraged to use the discussion group to exchange ideas and information. Note: Although the final grade for the design project will be based on selecting the best design, all groups are highly encouraged to communicate with one another and assist each other in every possible way. 

Blog Page:

Each group is required to have a blog page. One easy way to create a blog is to use Google's blogger. You can watch video tutorial to learn more. Here is my blogger example for the ES Department. Here is cool example of a student project blog. All progress reports have to be posted on the blog.

Each team's blog must contain the following items:

  • Team's name;
  • Members;
  • Project objective;
  • All Progress reports;
  • User manual (including all safety measures)
  • YouTube presentation of the project

Please note that all group members must be present for the YouTube presentations. 

Extra Credits:

All extra credits must be preapproved by the instructor. The topic for the extra credit should be submitted no later than Oct. 22. Maximum extra credit can be earned is 2%.

Simulators

There are many interesting simulators you can use for your project in order to better understand the mechanics of a throwing machine and the difference between different approaches. Here are some examples:

Previous Projects

Here are the links to previous projects: (we would like to thank John Collins for his assistance)

Fall 2009

Throwing Machine -

Group 1: http://throwingmachine.blogspot.com/
Group 2: http://ssuengineering.blogspot.com/
Group 3: http://engineeringbadasses.blogspot.com/
Group 4: http://esgroupblog.blogspot.com/
Group 5: http://www.kittenscrawlinginthevents.blogspot.com/
Fall 2010 Throwing Machine -

Group 1: http://www.edg-engineering.webs.com/
Group 2: http://electricdesign2010.blogspot.com/
Group 3: http://bloggerface-parmesan.blogspot.com/ 
Group 4: http://teamhufflepuff1.blogspot.com/ 
Group 5: http://xcapedesign.net/robot/ 
Group 6: http://ajainfinity.blogspot.com/!

 

Tentative Weekly Schedule:

Date Lab Topics* Project Progress** Assignments
Aug 26 Welcome / Syllabus Read more about what engineers do.  
Sep 2 Introduction to the machine shop. / Workshops at the Library /make sure you are available on designated Saturdays! What machine shop can do for you! Join the discussion group with a valid email address.
Sep 9 Learn about different carriers in Engineering and Engineering Technology

Form a group. Submit the link to your blog page.

Sep 16

Some ideas for designing the throwing machine / Pneumatic Potato Accelerator / Air Cannon

 (More Simulators HERE)

Submit a 1-2 page summary of the project / post it on your blog

 First assignment is due - only answer the questions at the end! / Create a http://delicious.com/ account and post the link on your blog.

Breadboard

Sep18. Second Sidekicks meeting. Attend to visit students with special needs. [++]    Pictures    
  Sep 23

   
Sep 25 Third  Sidekicks meeting. Attend to visit students with special needs. [++]    
Sep 30 Engieering requirements for your project. - post them on your blog.
Oct 7 First  progress report on` your project. Post it on your blog. Oral report is required. Ideas for the project
Oct 14 Global Partners - Lecture

Watch the Story of Stuff .....Full Version

/Oct 21 Learn about Tones Speakers and AC signals. AC Lab First Prototype must be presented to the client. Last chance to submit a proposal for extra credit.
Oct 28 Discussion / Introduction to Photonics Second progress report on your project. Clearly identify what need to be done. Oral report is required.  
Oct 30 Last Sidekicks meeting. Attend to test the first prototype. ***    
 Nov. 4 Learn about relays and photoresistors  
Circuit Simulators:
Circuit Simulator Applets
Digital Simulator Applet
Nov . 11 Campus Holiday! NO  CLASS
NO CLASS
Nov 18  Introduction to LabVIEW - Lectures Second Prototype must be submitted to the client. Labview Resources Start working on LabVIEW Lab Exercise #1 and homework
Nov 25 Thanksgiving! NO CLASS NO CLASS
Dec 2

 

LabVEIW Resources

LabVIEW Lab Exercise #1 and homework

LabVIEW Lab Exercise #2 - Practice only! Do not turn in!

Dec 9

Practice with LabVIEW

Survey

EXTRA CREDIT: Attend the Fall 2010 on Fianl Prototype; Present the Final Product to the Client. Attend on Saturday!
Dec 14      

*All labs were designed by Mr. Shahram Marivani.  (more)

 
**  Absolutely no late submissions will be accepted!
+ Thought by Dr. Ali Kujoory.
++ All students are required to go to second or third Sidekicks meeting to meet the students with special needs.
*** Students are highly encouraged to attend the last Sidekicks meeting to test their first prototype.
 


Make noise, easy to train, individual specific.