Combining renewable energy and design-for-manufacturing research in an undergraduate research project

John Tester

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Northern Arizona University's (NAU) College of Engineering and Technology (CET) is integrating the traditional topics involved in design-for-manufacturing research and education with the re-emerging field of renewable energy. In particular, student research projects were conducted for the optimization of injection molding process parameters for a small wind turbine blade to produce the fewest manufacturing defects. The defect of interest was "warp" - the level of part distortion predicted after the molding process. Deviation from the designed turbine blade geometry degrades the predicted energy output for the system, thus inspiring this research. The research activities involved manufacturing simulation and design-of-experiments (DOE) in order to create and examine a mathematical response surface. Presented herein is a background to the NAU Sustainable Energy Solutions research and education activities, the particular problem formulation for the undergraduate research, the educational approach necessary to support the undergraduate researchers, the implementation of the research activities, and the project outcomes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication33rd Annual Frontiers in Education
Subtitle of host publicationEngineering as a Human Endeavor: Partnering Community, Academia, Government, and Industry, FIE 2003 - Conference Proceedings
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
PagesS1E10-S1E15
ISBN (Electronic)0780379616
DOIs
StatePublished - 2003
Event33rd Annual Frontiers in Education, FIE 2003 - Westminster, United States
Duration: Nov 5 2003Nov 8 2003

Publication series

NameProceedings - Frontiers in Education Conference, FIE
Volume3
ISSN (Print)1539-4565

Other

Other33rd Annual Frontiers in Education, FIE 2003
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityWestminster
Period11/5/0311/8/03

Keywords

  • DFM
  • DOE
  • Design of experiments
  • Injection molding
  • Renewable energy
  • Simulation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Software
  • Education
  • Computer Science Applications

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