Designing concurrent engineering and computer integrated manufacturing into a manufacturing engineering technology program

To better prepare graduates for a rapidly changing global market place, concurrent engineering (CE) and computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) concepts have been fully integrated into the manufacturing engineering technology (MET) program at Western Washington University. Freshman students are taught solid modeling, design concepts and basic CIM in their introductory graphics courses. Sophomore students are taught the basics of CIM with an introduction to computer numerical control (CNC) machining, data file translation and the production of real tooling and parts. Junior students have an entire slate of design oriented basic engineering mechanics, fluid power and CNC machining courses. A real shop floor atmosphere has been constructed for the CIM, CNC and robotics classes with a new Haas CNC vertical mill with an automatic tool changer, a new Mazak turning center, a new Brown and Sharp coordinate measuring machine (CMM) and a used ASEA/ABB articulated arm robot. Senior students complete their studies with courses in robotics and automation, CIM, quality assurance, advanced CNC and a capstone senior project with industrial sponsors. Manufacturing students interact with electronics and plastics engineering technology students, industrial design students and industrial technology students. The paper describes the development of the CIM/CNC/Robotics laboratory, the integration of CIM and CE throughout the entire MET curriculum, the faculty development accompanying such changes, the faculty team effort to make these changes, course changes and examples of projects exemplifying CE and CIM in the past year